In a roleplaying world where games are fleeting, characters are becoming increasingly less original, relationships are mostly of the romantic persuasion, and pretty icons and AIM conversations often take precedence over skilled writing, the craft that we love seems to be fading into the background. Hopefully, this community can serve as an outlet for those who genuinely love to write and improve upon their craft. How does it work? You create a cast of original characters, create your own storylines for them to be involved in, and you write chapters/segments/episodes to advance your story. Then, other members in the community can read your work and comment with positive reviews and/or constructive criticism. You are instantly equipped with an audience that can help you grow as a writer! Don't forget to return the favor, though. That's the beauty of it. :)
Not ready to join with your own story? Now you can apply to be a reader, as well! Click here for more details.
Inspired by Virtualife.
THE GUIDELINES
• Please create a journal that is exclusively for this community and choose a username that is befitting of your story. Examples: If you are writing about a family, you would use their last name; if you are writing about business colleagues, you could use the title of the business; if you are writing about citizens of a town, you could use the name of the town; if you are writing about a group of friends, you could make up a name for them (i.e. "The Brat Pack"). Be creative! Please refrain from the use of underscores, x's & o's, and unnecessary numbers (unless you are using a street address or something appropriate, not ![[info]](http://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
bratpack2008).
• Please post a public entry in your journal that can serve as a directory of your characters and features a short or long summary of your story. It must consist of at least one image representing each of your characters, with their name either written on it or beside it (however you want to set it up). It is up to you if you want to give any further information about your characters and/or story. Please make sure that it is ALWAYS the FIRST entry at the top of your journal. You may achieve this by editing the date of the entry to a few years ahead and checking the 'Date Out Of Order' box, so all of your other entries go below it. You are only expected to have this directory post up when you join. Your first real entry must come within two weeks of joining.
• You are allowed to feature as many characters as you would like in your story and choose whatever PBs you want to use. The same PBs may be used for more than one story. For instance, if there is a PB you would like to use for one of your characters that is already being used in another person's story, that is okay - you may also use them if you so desire. You may also add and remove characters from your story at your leisure.
• You can write about whoever and whatever you want; you have total creative freedom. That means if you want to write about a family of witches, have at it. If you want to write about some peasants living in the medieval era, go for it. Your story can have whatever setting you want, whether it be on this planet or another. The point is to be creative and have fun!
• Your entries may consist of whatever you please, in whatever style you feel most comfortable. If you want to post episodes, chapters, scenes, letters, notes, graphics, whatever -- it is entirely up to you. You tell your story the way you want it to be told.
• Interaction between characters of different stories and crossovers between stories are not required, but it is certainly okay with us if you want to collaborate with other members to interwine your stories somehow or request psls with their characters. That is entirely up to you to pursue that should you be interested.
• We will check for activity every month. If you aren't active for a month, we will give you a little nudge. We are very lenient, so if you explain that you have been busy but fully intend on posting a new entry within such and such a time, we will give you your space. Hiatuses can be granted, just ask!
• We suggest that you keep your entries locked, though it is ultimately your choice. You must have the members of this community added to your journal's friends list, though. We will offer a friends button for easy adding. An additional suggestion is to have a public entry for people to post to that are not members of the community but are interested in reading your story. They could respond to that entry to 'subscribe' to your story and you can add them to your journal's friends list for access. Offering this feature is entirely up to you, though.
• We don't ask for examples here. All we ask for is a genuine interest in growing as a writer. As long as you're serious about that, you will be accepted. :)
• Naturally, we ask that you be kind to others, be very CONSTRUCTIVE and polite in any criticism you may give, and of course, don't plagiarize. Thank you!
HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? Feel free to send a PM my way (please alert me if you do) or comment this post.
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