Intro.

First off I'd like to welcome all the new members who've joined this year. Your insight and contribution may add to the Elder Scrolls/Fallout environment here on the forums. If you don't mind I'd like to point out that choosing to join the fanfiction forum on this site places you amongst some of the greatest rper's known to man.(On this site at least. :goodjob: )
Secondly, I'd like to add that although you've surely found your first few days, weeks, months, etc... quite enjoyable, there are certain rules and guidelines we follow to maintain a peaceful community. Especially on such a social forum. If I could just walk you through the rules once more, as I'm sure there are some here who failed to read the forum policies out of eagerness to get started and dive into the social pool.

On a serious Note

I've noticed the amount of flaming and spamming that occurs on this particular forum and it's not so much unlike my behavior when I first arrived here a few years ago. I was ambitious, stubborn, and quite the hot-head. I'd just like to say for the record, that I'll refrain from pointing any fingers-- this is just a thread to refresh your memory on forum policies, rules, and even a few helpful hints when it comes to rping and fanfiction.

If at any time you wish to scan over the forum rules just click http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=724862&st=0&p=10466758&#entry10466758.

Flaming

Flaming has a no-tolerance policy here on the forums, and while you may find it amusing, it can and in most cases will offend the purpose being flamed. This includes harrassment, name-calling, or simply bullying another member. It can result in an increase in your warning level and/or a temporary/permanent ban from the site. Please, if you find yourself in the situation where you feel you're about to flame someone, simply walk away and save yourself the trouble. If you feel you've been flamed for any reason, report it to a forum moderator.
Flame-baiting falls under the flame category and usually consists of one or more members attempting to lure another member into flaming him/her or another member. The consequences can and will be the same for flame-baiting.

Spamming

Spam is the misuse of thread space to advertise either a topic of no relevance to the forums or any on-going discussion that relates to the OP's topic. In most cases the member has went entirely off topic, wasting perfectly good space for other interested members to post a response. Your post may be cut by a forum moderator so make sure what you're saying is relevant.

I've yet to see a problem with trolling on this forum and I hope not to.

Fellow Members

These are the people who like you, have joined the forum in hopes of either better understanding a games concept, or just to enjoy the Elder Scrolls/Fallout community. Don't spoil they're enthusiasm with negative input or flame-related insults. Say unto others as you would have them say unto you. It's that simple. Respect your Bethesda brethren! Ha.

Criticism

You've heard it once you'll hear it a thousand more times. Criticism is not meant to spark an argument. It's meant to better not only your understanding of the fundamentals of literature, but to correct any misleading information you may have heard or read somewhere else. Take the criticism, assert it, and if you don't like it trash it. Don't take it as an insult on your hard effort. It's best to accept that you aren't perfect with your writing or knowledge. Learn from your mistakes.

(A reminder: I do not in any way place myself in any status above any of the fellow members here on the forums.)

RPing

I've been thinking about this thread for some time. What I'd say. What I'd like to address. I decided I won't drone on about something that's already been pinned. I'd like to focus on the definition of Rp. Rp stands for roleplay. It can be either a long or short term story consisting of members who've gathered(in interest) under an idea that will drive them all together towards a conclusion which will be chosen by the OP. There are usually rules listed by the OP which should be followed by it's members. I noticed that many of the newer rper's like to pvssyr alot, throwing of the entire flow of the rp. If you want your story to have a steady pace, it's important to disallow excessive OOC. (out of context pvssyr)

When you're thinking up the plot of an rp, remember it pays to have some originality. No one wants to join an rp that's been brought up plenty of times before. Even I've created rp's that died the second I posted them. Think about the level of interest and flavor your rp will have. Give it plenty of detail. You can never have too much detail LOADS AND LOADS OF DETAIL!!!

I'd like to continue ranting about rp's but this is just a quick run-through of what's expected.

Fanfiction

Unlike an rp, fanfiction is a story that's only lead by one person. It's hard to start a lengthy descriptive fanfic at first. You may feel overwhelmed. Just relax, think deeply about how it is you want to tell your story, and let your finger type away. If you ever need direction or help, you can contact a fellow forum member. Or myself. If you really want to hone your writing capabilities, try practising with pencil and paper. Just short stories to work out and correct any grammar, spelling, or punctuation you may feel a little shaky on. Practice makes perfect. You aren't far from becoming a good fanfic writer with effort.

And so...

While I may not have covered every issue on the platter, my focus was simply to redirect any confused souls out there in need of some motivation or guidance. If you'd like to add anything to the topic please do so freely. Anything you cannot agree with feel free to correct. If you truly did read this entire topic have yourself a frozen milk treat. :icecream:
Thank-you for taking the first step in bettering yourself and the experience for others by reading the guidelines I've provided here today. Any questions please PM me directly. I'm always on.
Good luck guys and enjoy the forums and all it has to offer!

-Dren

Good idea, but it will probably be locked because we usually direct the new people to the top of the forum anyway. And this has already been said, but in more depth and detail at the top of the forum.

You're right. I was aware of something like that happening. It'll still drift slowly to the 2nd page, catching the attention of those who never actually read the forum rules. Even if it's locked, hopefully those who need some guidance may catch a glimpse of it. If not this topic wasn't entirely useless as I posted a link to the rules within my post. I just wanted to summarize the lengthy, boring read the original is.

And, to be fair, more people would read this than the stickied one. As long as it stayed in the first page, anyways.

By posting in this I am not giving approval to, or agreement with, of the contents of the OP, it is a member made topic.

If you have any questions you want a moderator response to, myself or another mod will be happy to answer. Moderator actions and the reasons for them are discussable, the only things we will not discuss are other members accounts, warnings or bans on them, and that includes your own unless it is via PM.

I myself went through a period of negativity of responses to feedback to my fanfic and yet have learned something positive from it.

I appreciated this topic because it is a good reminder, reinstatement of a practical and positive set of guidelines to follow.

It is too easy to fall into the negative traps of using a forum, any forum, and reminders are good to both novices and veterans.

Agree 100%. One of the reasons I recently joined this particular RP/FF board is simple: Positive environment. I know that so long as I am respectful and use common sense I will be treated in kind. And Dren I commend you on nudging us a little and reminding us that this is a remarkably well behaved and moderated board. (Tip of the hat Rohugh and friends, good job!) I think the personal touch to the phrasing may better reach younger people who may not have the patience for a lengthy compendium of rules.

I guess what I am saying boils down to this: Noob or no, this is a nice reminder that we have something really neat here and we can all work together to keep it going!