08-22-2016, 10:46 PM
Just Some Regulations:
Now that you're aware of the standard regulations, welcome to our first Book Club in quite some time! For those of you unaware, staff decided to put Book Club on hold as a result of the low participation it had suffered in its last few iterations. Since then, there have been many discussions as to how it should be brought back. Though some radical changes had been proposed, I requested if I could attempt an experimental Book Club where I could test some minor tweaks to the existing format first. I was granted this permission and, after numerous delays, it is finally upon us!
In this Book Club, we will be testing two different variants of the format. Choose whichever one you prefer, though you are free to test both if you are inclined to do so. Regardless of your choice, you are only required to review ONE of the offered choices to become eligible for the OM bonus, though naturally, reviewing more than one would be welcome.
In this variant, Book Club is pretty much the same as how some of you remember it. A selection of threads is offered and you select one or more of them to read and review. However, this time, it comes with a limitation: each of your reviews should not exceed 400 words. While I'm certain any roleplayer would be grateful for a long and detailed analysis of their work, leave those for their respective OOC/C&C threads. Here, reviews are meant to be short, lean and to the point.
After voluntarily descending into the depths of madness and brimstone, Trixie attempts to overcome the impossible and make her way out of the Underverse. Though already offered by Trixie himself as a suggestion, it is being featured as the winner of the 'Best Story' category from the last Monthly Accolades, since I am considering making that a regular inclusion from here onward.
The mean, green fighting machine and friends attempt to find some peace and quiet on their all-expense-paid trip in the Vasty Deep. Instead, they wind up aiding the inhabitants of Cinnabar in order to obtain a place they can call their own. The Quest Spotlight might become a regular feature to showcase examples of roleplayers doing repeatable quests.
Finding himself in a downward spiral since his disappointing performance in the Colosseum torunament, Ballad's stay in Camelot becomes even less pleasant as his whereabouts are discovered by a bandit group who desire his head. An intense manhunt ensues.
Strazio Rockwell takes up the Storyteller's quill and shares the tale of yet another unfortunate soul that's been gone too long in the infernal sea.
Escaping the clutches of its former master, the Malefactor runs rampant in the jungles of Tangled Green. But the noble and mighty Gildarts, still haunted by the tragedy in Camelot, follows its trail in an attempt to pacify it.
Unlike the previous variant, this one does not involve any word limit; your reviews may be as short or as long as you please. However, instead of reviewing entire threads, you will be reviewing specific posts. Though you're free to read the previous posts for context if you're so inclined, make sure that your feedback pertains to the featured post. Also, my apologies for the lack of special spotlights for this variant.
- Please follow all site OOC rules to the letter.
- Format can be whatever you'd like providing that you follow these rules.
- This shouldn't need to be said, but please be respectful and offer positive comments. Negativity in any form is highly discouraged. While pointing out all the errors may seem useful 'to you' it certainly doesn't make that person feel good. There are ways to help someone improve without nitpicking. As a rule of thumb try to have 5 Positives for every 1 Negative (courtesy of resident teacher protoman).
- The above doesn't mean you can't criticize, but there's a way to do it without being negative. For example, make suggestions, don't say something about the topic is 'wrong' or poorly written. Maybe point out a confusing section and suggest revising it for instance, or even offer what you think may have worked better in that situation. Additionally, you could offer to proofread a member's next post for them: be helpful instead. Positive reinforcement will keep people writing and reading here.
- While you're free to develop your own way of critiquing and commenting, I wouldn't recommend making a 'scoring' scale. This isn't competitive and you're not grading topics. Instead, only offer advice and comments in whatever format you wish. Maybe offer directions the Plot can go from there (whether that is into a new topic or not).
- As there is a flat rate of 100 OM for participating, I feel I need to include this: please do not skim, thoroughly read before posting. If you skim, especially the wordy topics, you're likely to miss a lot. In addition, please put actual effort into your written responses. I don't want to have to put up a word count requirement for these; so please don't make me question whether or not you have actually tried to help a fellow member, or if you're just trying to get easy OM.
- OM is a nice incentive but if this starts to be abused, I doubt it will continue to be a reward. Do not abuse this for easy OM. I highlighted that above already, but it deserves a separate bullet. Seriously don't. Please.
- As a final point: yes you can offer suggestions as to what topics you would like to be included here next. I have no problem with that if you happen to be dying to read a given topic but need some excuse to do so.
- To claim your Book Club bonus, please include a link to your review (along with the text ‘Book Club’) in the active Fortnightly Gains topic.
- These regulations should be copied and pasted into every new Book Club topic (in case I don't do it for some reason).
Now that you're aware of the standard regulations, welcome to our first Book Club in quite some time! For those of you unaware, staff decided to put Book Club on hold as a result of the low participation it had suffered in its last few iterations. Since then, there have been many discussions as to how it should be brought back. Though some radical changes had been proposed, I requested if I could attempt an experimental Book Club where I could test some minor tweaks to the existing format first. I was granted this permission and, after numerous delays, it is finally upon us!
In this Book Club, we will be testing two different variants of the format. Choose whichever one you prefer, though you are free to test both if you are inclined to do so. Regardless of your choice, you are only required to review ONE of the offered choices to become eligible for the OM bonus, though naturally, reviewing more than one would be welcome.
Variant A
In this variant, Book Club is pretty much the same as how some of you remember it. A selection of threads is offered and you select one or more of them to read and review. However, this time, it comes with a limitation: each of your reviews should not exceed 400 words. While I'm certain any roleplayer would be grateful for a long and detailed analysis of their work, leave those for their respective OOC/C&C threads. Here, reviews are meant to be short, lean and to the point.
'Best Story' Winner Spotlight
'Retribution IV: Rebirth' by Trixie
'Retribution IV: Rebirth' by Trixie
After voluntarily descending into the depths of madness and brimstone, Trixie attempts to overcome the impossible and make her way out of the Underverse. Though already offered by Trixie himself as a suggestion, it is being featured as the winner of the 'Best Story' category from the last Monthly Accolades, since I am considering making that a regular inclusion from here onward.
The mean, green fighting machine and friends attempt to find some peace and quiet on their all-expense-paid trip in the Vasty Deep. Instead, they wind up aiding the inhabitants of Cinnabar in order to obtain a place they can call their own. The Quest Spotlight might become a regular feature to showcase examples of roleplayers doing repeatable quests.
Finding himself in a downward spiral since his disappointing performance in the Colosseum torunament, Ballad's stay in Camelot becomes even less pleasant as his whereabouts are discovered by a bandit group who desire his head. An intense manhunt ensues.
Strazio Rockwell takes up the Storyteller's quill and shares the tale of yet another unfortunate soul that's been gone too long in the infernal sea.
Escaping the clutches of its former master, the Malefactor runs rampant in the jungles of Tangled Green. But the noble and mighty Gildarts, still haunted by the tragedy in Camelot, follows its trail in an attempt to pacify it.
Variant B
Unlike the previous variant, this one does not involve any word limit; your reviews may be as short or as long as you please. However, instead of reviewing entire threads, you will be reviewing specific posts. Though you're free to read the previous posts for context if you're so inclined, make sure that your feedback pertains to the featured post. Also, my apologies for the lack of special spotlights for this variant.
This Bi-Week's Reader Digest
- 'Exit Thread' post by Jak Mar - Jak bids farewell as his journey in the Graveyardverse comes to a close.
- '[4-14] The Town' post by Vincent Valentine - Nanaki and Christa desperately attempt to flee from a horde of ravenous undead.
- 'The Towers that Eclipse Darkshire' post by Nealaphh - The God-Mind brews in frustration and anger as it continues to further its designs.
- 'Forgotten Betrayal' post by Tartaros - A tale of the dark and distant days on Istvaan III that set Tartaros on his path of the damned.
- 'Colosseum - Spectator Thread' post by Gamzee Makara - Gamzee awakens from his long slumber; despite his improved well-being, he finds his surroundings less than satisfactory.
![[Image: LsiSHXa.png]](http://i.imgur.com/LsiSHXa.png)
"To confront a person with his shadow is to show him his own light. "
- Carl Gustav Jung
Ezrihel Wrote:I'm so glad DL linked it