Post by Ethereal on Jul 15, 2010 9:29:00 GMT -5
General
- Quality
Vicious Circle is an intermediate-advanced RP, which means that you should have at least fairly good spelling and grammar. Everyone has a type-o now and then, but no chatspeak or txt talk. We understand quality is not equal to quantity, and as such have no word limit. We'd like to ask at least one to two healthy paragraph or more as a norm, but we won't reprimand occasionally posting just one small one (for example, in fast-paced battles or conversations).
While we try to be pretty open about what we allow, "intermediate-advanced" is a goal, not just a tag we throw on to look cool. As a general rule, the vast majority of writers tend to be a little bare on details starting out. This is something everyone should strive to work on throughout their writing careers... but it is possible to go overboard.
As such, here are a few examples of writing the same thing with different levels of detail. For this, I'm going to be using a post without dialogue, and with very few real actions, as to bring maximum attention to the level of detail.
The setting here is a bartender named Lyall's birthday, which he's celebrating in his bar with a number of friends. He's mentioned he can't remember what he's done when he gets too drunk, and one friend, Iris, has mentioned she isn't one to judge. This sparks some of the others asking Iris to elaborate, including another char, Alex, to mention that some of them know Alex's worst drinking story in hopes that will extra-prod Iris. The examples come from Delilah, who is a regular customer but not well-liked by Lyall's other friends.
As such, here are a few examples of writing the same thing with different levels of detail. For this, I'm going to be using a post without dialogue, and with very few real actions, as to bring maximum attention to the level of detail.
The setting here is a bartender named Lyall's birthday, which he's celebrating in his bar with a number of friends. He's mentioned he can't remember what he's done when he gets too drunk, and one friend, Iris, has mentioned she isn't one to judge. This sparks some of the others asking Iris to elaborate, including another char, Alex, to mention that some of them know Alex's worst drinking story in hopes that will extra-prod Iris. The examples come from Delilah, who is a regular customer but not well-liked by Lyall's other friends.
Delilah really wanted to know too, but she didn't think Iris would tell her if she asked and pretended not to pay attention instead.
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This.. technically gets the point across, and we won't actually hunt you down and slay you if you make a very very verrrry rare post like this, but really? Certainly anyone can come up with more detail than that.
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This.. technically gets the point across, and we won't actually hunt you down and slay you if you make a very very verrrry rare post like this, but really? Certainly anyone can come up with more detail than that.
Delilah was curious both of Alex's story could have been and why Iris couldn't judge Lyall. However, she was sure neither was going to give up that information easily, especially if she was the one asking. Instead, she kept sipping her drink and turned to scope out the other party guests- mostly members of Lyall's gang, the Black Knights. Mmmm, knights~ Some of them really were wonderful eye candy, to a point Lilah almost forgot she was eavesdropping. She made sure to keep an ear firmly on Iris and the others, though. She didn't want to miss whatever was said.
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Short and sweet, but not bad. If this is your normal level, you're doing just fine, and while all of us can always stand improvement, anyone who tells you this writing is 'bad' is probably a borderline to outright elitist jerk. It gets the point across with a little extra feeling. In comparison to the other, it tells us what she's doing to pretend not to pay attention, etc.
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Short and sweet, but not bad. If this is your normal level, you're doing just fine, and while all of us can always stand improvement, anyone who tells you this writing is 'bad' is probably a borderline to outright elitist jerk. It gets the point across with a little extra feeling. In comparison to the other, it tells us what she's doing to pretend not to pay attention, etc.
Down on her end of the bar, Delilah was all-around curious. Naturally, she didn't know whatever it was Alex may have been referring to, though she probably just would have laughed had she known his 'worst' story was something so in-her-opinion-minor. But she highly doubted he was going to share with everyone. In addition, it certainly sounded interesting to find out a little more about her least-favorite bartender. (All right, so the woman served perfectly good drinks (even if Lilah was sure she would have spit in them if she didn't watch closely enough), and she'd seen some pretty shitty bartenders whose establishments she'd never visit again; but among the few places where she might be considered a regular, Iris was the one she disliked most as a person, and the parallel amused her with Lyall being her favorite and Iris her least favorite, so she was going to keep thinking of her as such.)
Of course, she was certain if she chimed in on the matter, it would absolutely close all negotiations on the subject for everyone. Instead, then, she continued sipping her drink, turning around some in her barstool and making like she had ceased paying attention to them entirely to instead scope out what Black Knights had arrived. ...Not that she wasn't doing the latter, actually. My my my, Lyall's gang certainly attracts some... 'interesting' company... Any time she'd ever seen them- never so many at once- she always wondered which had once been knights and which were picked up along the way. In all honesty, she really didn't think she could have ever made it with a real knight. (Even lesser military was probably too strict and upright for her tastes, and just look how much 'progress' she'd made with her little knight friend out East; she couldn't even bring herself to try seriously with the poor naive boy.) But damn if the whole 'knight in shining armor' cliche wasn't still massively appealing... and if the training involved hadn't paid off. |3 Muurrrrrr, some of these boys~<3
Delilah nearly got herself so distracted with these thoughts she forgot she was eavesdropping. Nearly, but not quite, and once she realized how close she was getting, she did start trying to divide her focus a little more evenly. She didn't want to miss story-time. Hehe.
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A very in-depth account. If this is your normal level, you could probably even stand to tone down some posts now and then to give your fellow roleplayers a little break. That said, it's at a nice level that gives a lot of detail without too much unnecessary filler. Perhaps not all of it is the most relevant information, but it all relates to the situation in some way or other. It also (not that you'd catch this if you're a new member reading this, but that's why I'm explaining :3) has a few light references to other topics and RP events, which, in addition to fleshing out this post on its own, gives a sense of continuity to the RP as a whole and can be especially amusing for other players who are involved in or have read one or more of the things referenced. It also goes a little deeper into the character's mindset, and gives more a feeling for who she is than just what she's doing.
Of course, she was certain if she chimed in on the matter, it would absolutely close all negotiations on the subject for everyone. Instead, then, she continued sipping her drink, turning around some in her barstool and making like she had ceased paying attention to them entirely to instead scope out what Black Knights had arrived. ...Not that she wasn't doing the latter, actually. My my my, Lyall's gang certainly attracts some... 'interesting' company... Any time she'd ever seen them- never so many at once- she always wondered which had once been knights and which were picked up along the way. In all honesty, she really didn't think she could have ever made it with a real knight. (Even lesser military was probably too strict and upright for her tastes, and just look how much 'progress' she'd made with her little knight friend out East; she couldn't even bring herself to try seriously with the poor naive boy.) But damn if the whole 'knight in shining armor' cliche wasn't still massively appealing... and if the training involved hadn't paid off. |3 Muurrrrrr, some of these boys~<3
Delilah nearly got herself so distracted with these thoughts she forgot she was eavesdropping. Nearly, but not quite, and once she realized how close she was getting, she did start trying to divide her focus a little more evenly. She didn't want to miss story-time. Hehe.
-------------
A very in-depth account. If this is your normal level, you could probably even stand to tone down some posts now and then to give your fellow roleplayers a little break. That said, it's at a nice level that gives a lot of detail without too much unnecessary filler. Perhaps not all of it is the most relevant information, but it all relates to the situation in some way or other. It also (not that you'd catch this if you're a new member reading this, but that's why I'm explaining :3) has a few light references to other topics and RP events, which, in addition to fleshing out this post on its own, gives a sense of continuity to the RP as a whole and can be especially amusing for other players who are involved in or have read one or more of the things referenced. It also goes a little deeper into the character's mindset, and gives more a feeling for who she is than just what she's doing.
Down on her end of the bar, Delilah's purple and gold kaleidoscope orbs lit with the intensity of her curiosity, a sharp contrast to their general state in her dark face. Naturally, she hadn't the faintest idea what tale of embarrassing proportions to which the brown-haired young man may have been referring, though in all honesty she probably would have let out a laugh of sheer amusement had she known his 'worst' story was something which she would consider so very minor herself. All the same, she highly doubted he was going to share with everyone.
Putting thoughts of the boy aside for now, then, she returned her focus to the purple-haired woman whose appearance rivaled Delilah's own. She had to admit, it certainly did sound incredibly interesting to learn more about her least-favorite bartender. (All right, so the woman served perfectly good drinks (even if Lilah was sure she would have spit in them if she didn't watch closely enough), and she'd seen some pretty shitty bartenders whose establishments she'd never visit again; but among the few places where she might be considered a regular, this judgmental hypocrite that was known to her friends as Iris was the one she disliked most as a person, and the parallel amused her with Lyall being her favorite and Iris her least favorite, so she was going to keep thinking of her as such.)
Of course, she was certain if she chimed in on the matter, it would absolutely close all negotiations on the subject for everyone. Instead, then, she simply continued slowly sipping her delectable drink, savoring each sip like it was liquid ambrosia. Carefully turning in her barstool to just the right angle, she feigned as if she had ceased paying attention to them entirely; her hand idly moved to play with her long dark luscious curls. Instead, her brilliant eyes scanned the room, carefully examining all the other arrivals thus far- Black Knights for the most part. It wasn't really that she wasn't honestly watching them, of course; she merely kept her attention divided. My my my, Lyall's gang certainly attracts some... 'interesting' company... She had seen a number of his Knights before, though never so many at once, and each time that she did, she always wondered which had once been true knights- defenders or Era under the now-fallen monarchy- and which were picked up along the way.
In all honesty, she really didn't think she could have ever succeeded in a true relationship with a real knight- not unless it was the sort of relationship in which she was only using her hapless prey, and even that would be questionable depending on the person. (Even lesser military was probably too strict and upright for her tastes, as Delilah was always one to veer more toward the chaotic side of life. Besides that, one could just look how much 'progress' she'd made with her little knight friend out East; she couldn't even bring herself to try seriously with the poor naive boy, for that golden seraph of light was far too pure. Even she who had tainted so many could not bring herself to snuff that brilliant glow, which symbolized in a way all that remained pure and good in this dark world.) For all her questionable stand on the subject, though, the whole 'knight in shining armor' cliche was still a guilty pleasure of which she could not seem to rid herself. To be fair, the training involved had definitely paid off, and the rock-hard bodies some of them still maintained did not help to dissuade her interest. |3 Muurrrrrr, some of these boys~<3
Delilah nearly got herself so distracted with these thoughts she forgot she was eavesdropping. Nearly, but not quite, and once she realized how close she was getting, she did start trying to divide her focus a little more evenly. She didn't want to miss story-time. Hehe.
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Will expand this over-the-top a little more later and then add stuff.
Putting thoughts of the boy aside for now, then, she returned her focus to the purple-haired woman whose appearance rivaled Delilah's own. She had to admit, it certainly did sound incredibly interesting to learn more about her least-favorite bartender. (All right, so the woman served perfectly good drinks (even if Lilah was sure she would have spit in them if she didn't watch closely enough), and she'd seen some pretty shitty bartenders whose establishments she'd never visit again; but among the few places where she might be considered a regular, this judgmental hypocrite that was known to her friends as Iris was the one she disliked most as a person, and the parallel amused her with Lyall being her favorite and Iris her least favorite, so she was going to keep thinking of her as such.)
Of course, she was certain if she chimed in on the matter, it would absolutely close all negotiations on the subject for everyone. Instead, then, she simply continued slowly sipping her delectable drink, savoring each sip like it was liquid ambrosia. Carefully turning in her barstool to just the right angle, she feigned as if she had ceased paying attention to them entirely; her hand idly moved to play with her long dark luscious curls. Instead, her brilliant eyes scanned the room, carefully examining all the other arrivals thus far- Black Knights for the most part. It wasn't really that she wasn't honestly watching them, of course; she merely kept her attention divided. My my my, Lyall's gang certainly attracts some... 'interesting' company... She had seen a number of his Knights before, though never so many at once, and each time that she did, she always wondered which had once been true knights- defenders or Era under the now-fallen monarchy- and which were picked up along the way.
In all honesty, she really didn't think she could have ever succeeded in a true relationship with a real knight- not unless it was the sort of relationship in which she was only using her hapless prey, and even that would be questionable depending on the person. (Even lesser military was probably too strict and upright for her tastes, as Delilah was always one to veer more toward the chaotic side of life. Besides that, one could just look how much 'progress' she'd made with her little knight friend out East; she couldn't even bring herself to try seriously with the poor naive boy, for that golden seraph of light was far too pure. Even she who had tainted so many could not bring herself to snuff that brilliant glow, which symbolized in a way all that remained pure and good in this dark world.) For all her questionable stand on the subject, though, the whole 'knight in shining armor' cliche was still a guilty pleasure of which she could not seem to rid herself. To be fair, the training involved had definitely paid off, and the rock-hard bodies some of them still maintained did not help to dissuade her interest. |3 Muurrrrrr, some of these boys~<3
Delilah nearly got herself so distracted with these thoughts she forgot she was eavesdropping. Nearly, but not quite, and once she realized how close she was getting, she did start trying to divide her focus a little more evenly. She didn't want to miss story-time. Hehe.
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Will expand this over-the-top a little more later and then add stuff.
- Time
We run on liquid time in real time. This means if it's Christmas in real life, it's Christmas on the board; if it's summer, it's summer, and so-on. You may RP topics set some time in the past, but no more than two weeks in the future (to get a head start on a large holiday topic or the like). If you're going too far back, we ask you set it up present day and proceed to flashback, though.
You may have as many topics as you'd like with a single character, just so long as you can keep up with them, and as long as you understand having too many solo mod topics will probably slow down reply time for those.- Patience
Building from that, whether RPing with a mod and/or other players, always be considerate. You may politely bring their attention to the need for reply, but you may not pester them repeatedly and/or be rude about it. Everyone has a life. (Some more than others, but still.)- Rating
Once again, we are a PG-13 board. We allow for (but in no way require, of course, if such things aren't your cup of tea) mature and realistic situations including heavy romance, strong violence, and dark themes, etc, so long as things don't quite cross into Mature territory. This means your characters may have sex, but you may not give any details; blood can be present, but no deep descriptions of gushing fountains/organs/etc. Drug use is allowed, but in no way are drugs to be treated positively; that is, your character might think they're great, but be sure it's clear you don't agree. Overall, if you're uncertain about something you'd like to do, just ask.- Humans Only
We are a human RP, meaning no vampires, werewolves, demons, angels, zombies, Pokemorphs, or wild Pokemon, etc. You may, and are in fact encouraged to, RP your character's Pokemon in fair detail, however. It is up to you whether or not a Pokemon can speak Human, or if mentally gifted Pokemon are capable of Telepathy. Very rarely, a human may also speak Pokemon, though with this it's all or nothing, whether they're fluent or can only pick up bits and pieces.- Distinguishing Characters
We'd like to ask you to distinguish your character's speech in some way when roleplaying, either via bolding or a certain color. Color specifically is only required if you have more than one character in the same topic, however, as it just helps greatly in keeping things clear. Post tables are popular as well; if you like them but don't know how to make them, there are a few members who would be willing to help in the Creativity board, so you may consider that. :3
Saying "SG rants a lot" is like saying "Longcat is long".