The Admin
The Admin
(?)Admin Lead
- Report Post
- Posted: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 23:47:56 +0000
General Posting Guidelines
Please be sure to follow the Terms of Service and Rules and Guidelines here, as in all forums.
Common violations to avoid:
Terms of Service violations may result in a warning or a ban on your account.
If you find Terms of Service violations, or threads that may need moved to a different forum, please use an appropriate report. The procedures for doing so can be found here.
You can find online moderators by following the "View Forum Moderators" link at the top of the forum.
Gaia Staff will NEVER ask for your password! If anyone asks you for your password, report it.
Please be sure to follow the Terms of Service and Rules and Guidelines here, as in all forums.
Common violations to avoid:
- Spam. Posts that are gibberish, off-topic, contain advertisements or begging, or have low or no content are considered spam. Please ensure that your posts are on topic and contain an appropriate amount of discussable content.
Flaming & trolling. Posts directed at another member which are hateful, abusive, or intentionally inflammatory are considered flaming. Making intentionally inflammatory or provocative posts to incite responses from other members is considered trolling.
Asking for/offering homework assignments. Asking people to do your homework for you or offering to do other's homework (either for free or for payment) is a serious academic violation and is not permitted on Gaia.
Terms of Service violations may result in a warning or a ban on your account.
If you find Terms of Service violations, or threads that may need moved to a different forum, please use an appropriate report. The procedures for doing so can be found here.
You can find online moderators by following the "View Forum Moderators" link at the top of the forum.
Gaia Staff will NEVER ask for your password! If anyone asks you for your password, report it.
The Admin
(?)Admin Lead
- Report Post
- Posted: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 23:48:15 +0000
Rules & Guidelines for Posting in the Writers Forum
Forum Guide: Where to Post
Tips for Posting
Threads That Don't Belong
Misplaced Threads and You: Posting in Misplaced Threads
We've noticed a disturbing trend in the Writers Forum with regard to misplaced threads. Recently, you may have seen some posts like this:
With the number of forums on Gaia Online and the number of common repeats in the WF, it's understandable to make a mistake and post a thread in the wrong forum. We just want to remind everyone that it is not appropriate to post in a misplaced thread to tell the creator that it's misplaced. Such posts are off-topic for both the thread and the forum and are therefore considered spam. In addition, they serve absolutely no purpose once the thread is moved to the correct forum. It's also hard to feel welcome as a newbie when your first post gets you a swarm of "wrong forum" responses with no discussion content.
If you happen to notice a thread is in the wrong place, the only thing you need to do is report the thread. Feel free to contribute to the conversation and keep the thread on topic until a moderator can move it to the correct location. The mod will inform the user regarding the correct place to post in the forum.
Any posts which state that a thread is misplaced or otherwise against the rules will be deleted, and appropriate action will be taken against those posts. This also extends to posting in threads that violate the Terms of Service, such as threads that are spamming, flaming, and trolling (AKA "don't feed the trolls" ). If you find such a post in the forum, please report it so that a moderator can handle the situation.
We appreciate that you all want to keep the community organized. Let's work together to not only make it organized but also welcoming to new members and writers. 3nodding Thanks!
Forum Guide: Where to Post
- Original Works
This forum is a place to showcase your original written creations: stories, prose, poetry, lyrics, fanfiction, and any collaborative works are all suitable in the Original Works forum.
Books
This forum is the place to discuss published authors and their works.
Promotions
This forum is for advertising your writing website/blog/account/etc.
Tips for Posting
- Be coherent! Keep in mind that you're talking to writers in here, and we tend to take language pretty seriously. Please try to keep the chatspeak/txt tlk to a minimum. The same goes for deliberately poor grammar and spelling: there isn't a fire, so slow down and take the extra couple of seconds needed to type a full word and use a little punctuation. Some web browsers (like Firefox) even have built-in spell checkers.
Check to see if your topic is already in discussion. The Writers forum sees a lot of topics come and go. It's a good idea to check through the first few pages of the forum before making a thread, because there's a good chance a similar topic (or two) is already floating around. If there are already several threads on a topic, yours may be sent to the Recycle Bin or Chatterbox.
Bumping is naughty! The Writers forum a slow forum; topics will often stay on the front page for many hours. There is no need to bump a topic if it's still on the first page. Note that a bump is any post, regardless of content, which serves the purpose of bringing your thread up to the top of the forum. This includes double-posting. If you have something to add, please edit it into your previous post.
Necroing threads is naughty too! (Necromancy: posting in a topic that has been dead for a week or more). "Official" threads linked to from a sticky and threads which have an enduring discussion or purpose can be necro'd, but if you post in an old thread make sure you are bringing something new to the discussion.
Threads That Don't Belong
- Redundant Threads
These are threads that we already have official discussion threads or forums for:
- I have writer's block! :: Writer’s Block & Inspiration Thread
I need a name for my character/story/country/etc. :: Naming Guidebook
Give me ideas/help me with my plot :: Think Tank and Idea Box or Prompt me!
How do I become a better writer/get published?:: Writing and Publishing Tips and Links
Repeat Threads
These are threads that would logically go here (maybe) except that there have already been far too many of them:
- Where can I post my writing? (The following sites are popular responses)
Mary Sue threads (except when very unique. The 'Mary Sue Litmus Test' is not unique)
Vampire threads (please use the Supernatural forum in most cases)
"This is my character!"/"Post your characters here!" threads
General "I like writing!" or "who here is a writer?" threads and other topics of little discussion value
Help me research/find something! (Try Google, Google Directory, Wikipedia or a library first)
General writing polls. For example;
- Favorite genre/what do you like to read/write
Favorite writing utensil (ex., Pen vs. PC)
Favorite point of view
Polls that don't generate discussion
Repeat and/or redundant threads will only survive if they are extremely unique, we haven't seen that particular repeat in a long time, and/or they have a substantive discussion beyond the normal level for their type.
Homework Help Threads
The Writers forum is not a homework resource. We can help you refine existing ideas or written work by offering critique, but we are not here to supply you with ideas, accumulate research, or write on your behalf. Plagiarism is a serious academic offense, and any threads asking for people to do all or part of your homework for you will be deleted. Attempting to trade gold for papers or other homework is considered to be off-site trading and may result in a temporary or permanent ban. "Homework help" threads will only be allowed on the grounds that they generate interesting discussion. "Research" threads may only be allowed on the grounds they create discussion and are of benefit to other writers. If you are looking for feedback on an essay or creative writing piece, please post them in the Original Works subforum.
Game Threads and Roleplays (RPs)
"Games" are threads which are structured primarily around a "gimmick" or rules. This may include things such as "Answer a question and make a question for the next user", "Round Robin" story creation threads, or threads which are based around a structured cycle of user input. Games can also include "What would your MC/Villian/Etc do/say/think/etc.?" threads. Game threads are not allowed in the Writers forum because they rarely generate discussion or help people developing their writing skills. Games are best suited to the Chatterbox or Word Games and Others forum.
Roleplays belong in Barton Town or the Chatterbox.
"Post your poetry/prose here!" Threads
Topics asking for other people to share or post their work in your thread are considered redundant and are better suited for the Chatterbox. If you want to post a thread about your own work, or read the writing of others, please use the Original Works subforum.
Writing Request Threads
Threads asking for writing requests, either for gold or free, have no discussion value and are not allowed in the forum. Instead, please try looking through the Services subforum of Mini Shops for a writing shop
Quote Compilation Threads
Threads asking for others to post quotes will be moved to the Chatterbox unless they deal specifically with some aspect of writing (i.e. quotes about writing or that are helpful to writers).
Chat Threads/Hang Out Threads (HOTs)
Chat threads and hang out threads are not allowed in this forum. Any attempts to make one will be relocated to either the Chatterbox or Friends Chat, depending on the thread's focus.
Discussion of the WF or its subforums
These threads are off-topic in the Writers Forum. If you wish to discuss the forum itself, please use the Gaia Community Discussion forum. For giving feedback on or making suggestions for/about the Writers Forum, please use the Site Feedback forum.
Misplaced Threads and You: Posting in Misplaced Threads
We've noticed a disturbing trend in the Writers Forum with regard to misplaced threads. Recently, you may have seen some posts like this:
- "Wrong forum. This belongs in the [insert forum here]."
"Wrong forum. Read the [insert curse word here] stickies."
Or even as simple (and rude) as:
"Get out of my forum."
With the number of forums on Gaia Online and the number of common repeats in the WF, it's understandable to make a mistake and post a thread in the wrong forum. We just want to remind everyone that it is not appropriate to post in a misplaced thread to tell the creator that it's misplaced. Such posts are off-topic for both the thread and the forum and are therefore considered spam. In addition, they serve absolutely no purpose once the thread is moved to the correct forum. It's also hard to feel welcome as a newbie when your first post gets you a swarm of "wrong forum" responses with no discussion content.
If you happen to notice a thread is in the wrong place, the only thing you need to do is report the thread. Feel free to contribute to the conversation and keep the thread on topic until a moderator can move it to the correct location. The mod will inform the user regarding the correct place to post in the forum.
Any posts which state that a thread is misplaced or otherwise against the rules will be deleted, and appropriate action will be taken against those posts. This also extends to posting in threads that violate the Terms of Service, such as threads that are spamming, flaming, and trolling (AKA "don't feed the trolls" ). If you find such a post in the forum, please report it so that a moderator can handle the situation.
We appreciate that you all want to keep the community organized. Let's work together to not only make it organized but also welcoming to new members and writers. 3nodding Thanks!
The Admin
(?)Admin Lead
- Report Post
- Posted: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 23:48:28 +0000
A Guide to the Threads of the Writers Forum
The Stickies
Help and Q&A Threads
Generally Useful Threads
Prompt/Dare Threads
Just For Fun
Threads that are similar to/repeats of the threads in this list risk being sent to the Recycle Bin or Chatterbox.
The Stickies
- Writing and Publishing Tips and Links
Have a question about publishing? Take a look, and if you can't find the answer, ask here.
Think Tank and Idea Box
Use this thread for help with all your plot- and story-related woes.
The Naming Guidebook
Need a name for your character, city, world, book, etc.? This sticky has you covered.
The Writer's Block & Inspiration Thread
Have writer's block, or just looking for some inspiration? Find it here.
Help and Q&A Threads
- The Question Box
This thread is a general catch-all for all your research-related questions.
The "I need help with my beginning" Guide
Need help with starting your story? Look no further than this useful thread.
Gaia's resident history and weapons buffs
Similar to The Question Box, but specific to weapons and history questions.
The WF Centre for Occult Research and Informed Cryptozoology
Assistance with questions/research about writing the supernatural and horrific.
Generally Useful Threads
- The Writer's Forum Links List
A massive directory of the most interesting and useful threads in the forum.
Fizzlesticks' Grammar and Punctuation
A useful guide to the most common grammar and punctuation errors.
The Anti-Guide
A reverse guide to every story cliché and trope you could ever think of.
Top Reasons Why You'll Get Your a** Kicked in the WF
A list of things to avoid when posting in the Writers forum.
Writer Swap!
Swap your work with other writers for mutual critique.
Title Grabbing -- Take and Leave Story Titles
Need a title for your story? Find one here, or leave homeless titles of your own.
The Gaian Name Bank
Don't want naming advice, just a list of names to browse? This is your thread.
Prompt/Dare Threads
- Prompt Me!
Use the random number/dice roll post feature to get both word and image prompts.
The Gaia Fantasy/Sci-Fi Dares Thread
Silly dares for you to include in your story when you get stuck.
Serious Fantasy/Science Fiction Challenge
Similar to the above, but with serious dares that can actually be used.
Just For Fun
- You know you write too much when...
A funny list of "warning signs that you may need to take a break... or get some help."
Awesome lines that have no place to go
Got a quote or two you that don't have a story to put in? Share them here.
Tektek Your Characters (With a Twist!)
Use TekTek's avatar creator to make your character and talk about the items you used.
Threads that are similar to/repeats of the threads in this list risk being sent to the Recycle Bin or Chatterbox.
The Admin
(?)Admin Lead
- Report Post
- Posted: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 23:48:57 +0000
How to Report
Abuse of the report system will result in a warning or ban of your account.
Report a Post
Use the button when an individual post in a topic contains inappropriate content.
Report a Topic
Use the Report this Topic button at the bottom of the page when a topic is not appropriate for the forum.
If you need to contact a moderator via Private Message, please use the "View Forum Moderator" link at the top of this forum to find a moderator.
Report Hacking, Scamming or Abuse & Harassment?
The Hacking, Scamming and Abuse or Harassment report forms can be found at the bottom of the forum index. When submitting a report, ensure that you fill out all fields and include as much relevant information as possible.
Abuse of the report system will result in a warning or ban of your account.
Report a Post
Use the button when an individual post in a topic contains inappropriate content.
- Reasons to Report a Post:
- The content of the post violates the Terms of Service or forum rules.
The content of the post is off-topic.
The member who made the post has a signature which violates the rules.
Report a Topic
Use the Report this Topic button at the bottom of the page when a topic is not appropriate for the forum.
- Reasons to Report a Topic:
- The topic violates the Terms of Service or forum rules.
The topic is in the wrong forum and should be moved to a more appropriate forum.
If you need to contact a moderator via Private Message, please use the "View Forum Moderator" link at the top of this forum to find a moderator.
Report Hacking, Scamming or Abuse & Harassment?
The Hacking, Scamming and Abuse or Harassment report forms can be found at the bottom of the forum index. When submitting a report, ensure that you fill out all fields and include as much relevant information as possible.
- Report A Hacking
Use this form to report a Hacking. Hacking, on Gaia Online, refers to the unauthorized access of an account by someone other than the account owner. In most typical hacking cases, an unauthorized person enters an account which does not belong to him or her and takes items or gold from the account, often changing the account information so that the original owner can no longer access his or her account.
Report A Scamming
Use this form to report a Scamming. Scamming is when another member of Gaia takes your gold or items, or tries to take your gold or items, by making false promises of giving you rare items, get-rich-quick schemes, or by any other deceptive means. Scamming generally involves a situation in which two members of Gaia make an arrangement to trade gold, items, or a Gaia approved service (e.g. avatar art commission) with each other and then one of the parties involved in the arrangement fails to live up to his or her promise of an exchange.
Report Abuse or Harassment
Use this form to report ongoing Abuse or Harassment. If you are reporting harassment or abuse that is occurring directly in a thread, please use the "Report This Post" button instead.