Let's Read: Book Club #20

[Minato Namikaze]

Just Some Regulations:

• 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.
  
• 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).

The Threads!!

:yohoho:

Sorry about Brook there... But on a serious note, There are no threads this week. We're trying something new.

We, as the staff, like seeing when members take initiative to do reviews of someone's writing. With that being said, we felt as though the current Book Club was a little bit too restrictive of what you were to read and review. So this week, we're going to try a new set up. For the next two weeks (until the end of the current fortnightly) you will be able to review whatever In Character thread/ threads you like.

"But Minato-sensei-sempai-san-sama-kun, I don't see any threads for me to read!"

I just told you, you can review any threads you want!

"But Elric-san, will I get more OM for reviewing more than one thread?"

No, it's still a flat rate of 100OM per book club.

"But where did the Retroactive Book Club option go, Oh Great Blonde Haired One?"

Simply put, it's not going to be included this week. If this new way of doing Book Club really kicks off, then I'll think of something, but for this week's Book Club, there will be no Retroactive Book Club.

"Hey, Blondie, can I review my own threads?"

keptic: ... :no: (No)

[Kakashi Hatake]

Drink Up, Me Hearties

From the first paragraph of the first post, I was hooked. You guys both really know how to tell a story and can really set a scene well. I loved the piratey-ness of Bilgewater, the raw dirtiness of the characters was really fun to read. I was super stoked to see Jack show up; I kinda expected it from the title but man did he make an entrance.

I’ve always loved Jack as a character from the PotC movies and I feel like you two both had a really good grasp of the character. I particularly enjoyed the little references (“Why is the rum always gone?” “I should’ve expected that.”), they were a nice touch and made me smile. Also Jack’s description of himself a pirate, but a nice one I thought was a pretty poignant one. He’s not above stealing, but when it comes to preserving life, he draws a clear line (unless you steal his boat. Not cool. =P)

And Leviathan...such a refreshing character. Completely puts the stereotypical ‘manly’ pirates in their place from the get-go and doesn’t take shit from anyone. On top of that, though, she has that inner turmoil that her elderly pirate-therapist alluded to. Makes for a ‘deeper’ character than just a bruiser. Makes me want to go back and read her backstory to find out about what happened with Behemoth.

Overall, it was a great read. I was sad that it ended so abruptly though. I was looking forward to a brawl with the Liberation Front, maybe even Wartortle showing up? That would have been fun to read. That being said...holy shit, that ending post. I did NOT see that coming at all. I mean, I can tell it’s definitely Nealaphh’s doing, but still. Wow.

Unrelated: I’m not sure if Kadabra wearing a saffron coat was a deliberate nod to Sabrina...but if so, I enjoyed it. =P

[Minato Namikaze]

Because this is a new format to the Book Club, I decided that I would leave it open for another two weeks. This is just so People have ample time to test out the new system for Book Club.

I know the last two weeks have been rather post heavy for a lot of people, and you guys may not have had time to review any threads. So I am going to leave this open.

[Minato Namikaze]

Book Club is now closed