Caroline Forbes
01-22-2010, 07:46 PM
Just thought it might be a good idea for us to keep track of how we're doing things so everything is consistent and also so we're all on the same page and can discuss how to do things as they come up.
This is how I've been approaching this, which doesn't mean that's how everyone else has to do things, but I don't know how to explain it any other way lol.
So I've been going by thread, I started at the beginning but people can start anywhere they want or pick up after me or whatever. I wasn't a player at the beginning which is why I started there so I could get more up to date. The thing with going by threads is that that really divides up the work, because someone's still got to read that thread and summarize it even if you've added characters or items or whatever from it already.
So first thing I do is start an entry in the Story Arcs category for that thread. That way everyone else knows I'm working on it (but that doesn't mean someone else couldn't be working on it too - just make sure you aren't both editing the same entry at the same time). Also, then whenever it's mentioned in the text of other entries, it will link back there.
They are numbered in the order we wrote them, so "#1 The Nightmare Begins", "#2 Return to Illustra" and so forth. In the synonyms blank I put just the thread title and any variations, so "The Nightmare Begins, Nightmare Begins", "Return to Illustra", "Shattered, Shattered!" etc. This way we can search for them easily, and also when they crosslink in other entries, if we only have "#1 The Nightmare Begins" then "The Nightmare Begins" won't crosslink.
The basic form for these that I've used is:
Quick Summary:
Time Frame: Summer, 2005
Detailed Summary:
Original Thread (http://screen-gems.net/showthread.php?t=5670)
Quick Summary (because I couldn't think of a better term lol) is supposed to be just one sentence describing what happens in that thread. So when you look at the list, you see that in the preview and can quickly find what you're looking for (hopefully).
Time Frame is just when in our universe it's taking place. The first thread said it was summertime, and since The Six was started in 2005 I just picked that year as the starting point.
Detailed Summary I've been just writing as briefly but completely as possible what happened in the thread. Kind of like "The Story So Far" but trying to be as factual as possible.
And then just a link at the bottom to the thread itself. If anyone doesn't know the code for a text link it's:
[ url=http://screen-gems.net/showthread.php?t=5670]Original Thread[/url]
So, I just start the thread with the template to start, then fill in as I read the thread itself. As I encounter any factual information or characters in the thread, I add it to existing entries or start a new one.
For each entry, I at least put:
First Introduced: The Nightmare Begins (http://screen-gems.net/showpost.php?p=316&postcount=5)
Additional Appearances:
For these links, I link to the actual post in the thread. If you don't know how to do that, just right click on the number of the post in the upper right hand corner and choose Copy Link. If something is mentioned by another character, I call it "First Introduced". If it's a character, when (if) they start posting for themselves, then I've been calling it "First Appearance:". I'm waffling on Alison and whether I should call her First Appearance the first time Spellbinder posts for her, or the first time she posts for herself. She's kind of an odd case since she was only a supporting character in the beginning. I still haven't decided on that if anyone has an opinion lol
Additional Appearances I've been separating with a comma like:
Additional Appearances: , [url=]The Woman in White (]Return to Illustra[/url)
I've been linking to the first post in the thread that mentions them.
If there's any other factual information about the character, company, etc., I put it at the top with the heading bolded. Like:
Hair:
Eyes:
Occupation:
Residence:
Previous Residences:
Status:
I didn't really make a template, I've just added them as I encountered it in the text. Status I used for characters who are dead ("deceased") or had something happen to them like being turned into a statue ;)
Below that section I've put any facts about the character that I encounter. When we were talking about this in the shoutbox, we said we didn't really need to restate the bio, and I agree, but I've been keeping track of things that we've stated in the actual RPG that might be important or useful later. Kind of a record.
Most of the other categories are self-explanatory and I've just put information pertinent to whatever it is. Everything gets a First Introduced/Additional Appearances section at least. If it only appears in one thread I just put:
Additional Appearances: None
I started doing the Major Relationships Category, to show how the relationships between the Six change over time. As I got, I try to reference the time frame by thread, so like "At the time of Return to Illustra (#2)...." I've tried to put the thread number so it might make it easier to place once we have you know, 70 threads or whatever.
I'm adding a category for "Defining Moments" at Brandon's suggestion. For characters' best moments and such. I'll sort of take the lead from him there for format and such.
So, just a last note to be clear. Everyone can edit all the entries, so if something's incorrect you can change it, or add to it. Just cause I started the entry on Spellbinder, for example, doesn't mean I'm the only one who can add to it. Like I said, I'm adding entries for everything I encounter when I read. Also, anyone can read over a thread and edit/add to the summary of it. And there are some things, I just don't know how to describe yet, like The Citadel lol, so I've not added any description of that. Just try not to delete any facts from the entries (unless they're wrong). If things change in a character later, just note that. The goal of this is to help us all remember details to use when we have to reference something in the past. Cause only Jill can remember everything perfectly.
I would say let's try no to do TOO much from memory, cause I think it's important to have down what's actually been put down "on paper" as part of the RPG. (But if people disagree with that, that's fine too :))
Oh, and PS, I've been making characters' entries by codename, then putting their real name as synonyms. Always use the longest name first in the synonym blank. For example: Shadow Weaver > Dr. Karen Victoria, Karen Victoria, Karen. If you put Karen first it will only ever highlight Karen in the text and never Karen Victoria.
Hope this helps. If I can think of anything else I'll add it here, and I figure we can use this thread to talk out any questions or ideas.
:)
This is how I've been approaching this, which doesn't mean that's how everyone else has to do things, but I don't know how to explain it any other way lol.
So I've been going by thread, I started at the beginning but people can start anywhere they want or pick up after me or whatever. I wasn't a player at the beginning which is why I started there so I could get more up to date. The thing with going by threads is that that really divides up the work, because someone's still got to read that thread and summarize it even if you've added characters or items or whatever from it already.
So first thing I do is start an entry in the Story Arcs category for that thread. That way everyone else knows I'm working on it (but that doesn't mean someone else couldn't be working on it too - just make sure you aren't both editing the same entry at the same time). Also, then whenever it's mentioned in the text of other entries, it will link back there.
They are numbered in the order we wrote them, so "#1 The Nightmare Begins", "#2 Return to Illustra" and so forth. In the synonyms blank I put just the thread title and any variations, so "The Nightmare Begins, Nightmare Begins", "Return to Illustra", "Shattered, Shattered!" etc. This way we can search for them easily, and also when they crosslink in other entries, if we only have "#1 The Nightmare Begins" then "The Nightmare Begins" won't crosslink.
The basic form for these that I've used is:
Quick Summary:
Time Frame: Summer, 2005
Detailed Summary:
Original Thread (http://screen-gems.net/showthread.php?t=5670)
Quick Summary (because I couldn't think of a better term lol) is supposed to be just one sentence describing what happens in that thread. So when you look at the list, you see that in the preview and can quickly find what you're looking for (hopefully).
Time Frame is just when in our universe it's taking place. The first thread said it was summertime, and since The Six was started in 2005 I just picked that year as the starting point.
Detailed Summary I've been just writing as briefly but completely as possible what happened in the thread. Kind of like "The Story So Far" but trying to be as factual as possible.
And then just a link at the bottom to the thread itself. If anyone doesn't know the code for a text link it's:
[ url=http://screen-gems.net/showthread.php?t=5670]Original Thread[/url]
So, I just start the thread with the template to start, then fill in as I read the thread itself. As I encounter any factual information or characters in the thread, I add it to existing entries or start a new one.
For each entry, I at least put:
First Introduced: The Nightmare Begins (http://screen-gems.net/showpost.php?p=316&postcount=5)
Additional Appearances:
For these links, I link to the actual post in the thread. If you don't know how to do that, just right click on the number of the post in the upper right hand corner and choose Copy Link. If something is mentioned by another character, I call it "First Introduced". If it's a character, when (if) they start posting for themselves, then I've been calling it "First Appearance:". I'm waffling on Alison and whether I should call her First Appearance the first time Spellbinder posts for her, or the first time she posts for herself. She's kind of an odd case since she was only a supporting character in the beginning. I still haven't decided on that if anyone has an opinion lol
Additional Appearances I've been separating with a comma like:
Additional Appearances: , [url=]The Woman in White (]Return to Illustra[/url)
I've been linking to the first post in the thread that mentions them.
If there's any other factual information about the character, company, etc., I put it at the top with the heading bolded. Like:
Hair:
Eyes:
Occupation:
Residence:
Previous Residences:
Status:
I didn't really make a template, I've just added them as I encountered it in the text. Status I used for characters who are dead ("deceased") or had something happen to them like being turned into a statue ;)
Below that section I've put any facts about the character that I encounter. When we were talking about this in the shoutbox, we said we didn't really need to restate the bio, and I agree, but I've been keeping track of things that we've stated in the actual RPG that might be important or useful later. Kind of a record.
Most of the other categories are self-explanatory and I've just put information pertinent to whatever it is. Everything gets a First Introduced/Additional Appearances section at least. If it only appears in one thread I just put:
Additional Appearances: None
I started doing the Major Relationships Category, to show how the relationships between the Six change over time. As I got, I try to reference the time frame by thread, so like "At the time of Return to Illustra (#2)...." I've tried to put the thread number so it might make it easier to place once we have you know, 70 threads or whatever.
I'm adding a category for "Defining Moments" at Brandon's suggestion. For characters' best moments and such. I'll sort of take the lead from him there for format and such.
So, just a last note to be clear. Everyone can edit all the entries, so if something's incorrect you can change it, or add to it. Just cause I started the entry on Spellbinder, for example, doesn't mean I'm the only one who can add to it. Like I said, I'm adding entries for everything I encounter when I read. Also, anyone can read over a thread and edit/add to the summary of it. And there are some things, I just don't know how to describe yet, like The Citadel lol, so I've not added any description of that. Just try not to delete any facts from the entries (unless they're wrong). If things change in a character later, just note that. The goal of this is to help us all remember details to use when we have to reference something in the past. Cause only Jill can remember everything perfectly.
I would say let's try no to do TOO much from memory, cause I think it's important to have down what's actually been put down "on paper" as part of the RPG. (But if people disagree with that, that's fine too :))
Oh, and PS, I've been making characters' entries by codename, then putting their real name as synonyms. Always use the longest name first in the synonym blank. For example: Shadow Weaver > Dr. Karen Victoria, Karen Victoria, Karen. If you put Karen first it will only ever highlight Karen in the text and never Karen Victoria.
Hope this helps. If I can think of anything else I'll add it here, and I figure we can use this thread to talk out any questions or ideas.
:)