Vigil
06-01-12, 05:25 PM
(In joining this member-based, community group, I ask that you read this first post in its ENTIRETY before posting whether or not you want to join. Remember that this thread is not open to discussion. The discussion thread is found here (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?24459-A-Leap-Forward-Member-Discussion-Thread&p=198243#post198243). Thanks.)
About A Leap Forward;
As the title describes, this idea of free-writing and using a section of Althanas in order to do it is going to be implemented here. It is based off of the current discussion and ideas proposed in the Writting Settings thread and is a member-based initiative. A lot of people are asking instead of waiting for the staff to implement it or waiting to come to a consensus over an idea to better the site that we just do it. Its encouraged that if you want to write and do whatever you want to do that, but A Leap Forward is going to provide a structure and template for you to follow if you so choose. If you don't, write on your own and try free writing on the site yourself.
So, with that said, A Leap Forward is like active member groups in the past (The Active Player's Union, for example), who have formed with current members looking to promote some sort of beneficial change for the website. ALF's purpose is fairly simple in that it is an attempt to get members on Althanas to write and be active more by allowing them more creativity and liberty to write whatever they like. There are no requirements of you if you wish to join, no complicated plans to follow, any membership dues or expectations to follow. To join the group, all you have to say is that you wish to join and you'll be added to the active member list in this thread.
Second, the other motivation for this movement is to inspire members of Althanas to not only work outside the box, but to collaborate with one another, review and offer feedback of one another's threads and to promote comradarie and develop a better sense of community within the website. ALF does not take stances for or against the website, its staff, and remains neutral in politics, religion, etc. Remember that this is a member-based initiative, and while anyone can join, at its creation it is not a movement that is endorsed or affiliated with the website or staff.
Why join the Group?
Remember that ALF is being formed as a response to member requests to include free writing within Althanas. The truth is, that you are able to write about what you want anyway, but the contention is whether or not it would be endorsed by the website, its staff, how judges would reflect on it, etc. You can still write however you want, regardless, but in joining ALF you are making a collaborative effort with other members to write freely, promote creativity and help each other write by reviewing their work and providing feedback at your leisure. This is an organized effort, and frankly is better then no effort at all. Keep in mind that in ALF what you get out of it is entirely what you put into it. This is an OOC writing group, its free to all and provides some kind of organization to the desire for people on this website for free-writing.
In the end, however, when looking at this group remember that is YOU as a member of Althanas that determines whether a movement like this thrives or dies. So, if interested, join the movement and begin writing today!
How does this organization work?
To give a bit of organization to the ideas coalescing over free writing, ALF functions as a community effort for you to write. There are a couple guidelines that are implemented to help you get started, but it is entirely up to you in how you want to write, how much effort you put into it and what you want to do within the group. You are allowed to write about whatever you want, in or out of Althanas, about anything or anyone that doesn't violate copyright infringement or intellectual property laws. In accordance with Althanas rules and until there is any clarification or implementation of certain rules, I'd like to ask that any threads that you write within the ALF group do not use experience or spoil rewards at the end in order to prevent a conflict of interest between the site and the group.
The guidelines are pretty simple. I'm going to be keeping track of how active ALF is in order to gauge how successful it is and what other things might need to be implemented to it. So as a member, if you are making a free-writing thread and you want to share with the group, put A Leap Forward Thread at the top of your first post along with the other ooc jargon that you put in for the reader before you start. This will help myself and other members keep track of your threads, their completion, etc. which only benefits you.
Because this is a member initiative, we are going to try taking a stab at this without the involvement of judges. This means that commentary on your threads when they are complete will be entirely member based. You post in the commentary requested thread (thread and link to follow) that you've completed an ALF thread, members can read it and then post in your thread commentary of what they thought of it. But also remember to update your thread status in this thread that you've begun, once you've requested commentary or you're having it closed and archived using the format below. Once you are satisfied, contact a moderator to close the thread and move it for you. Pretty simple right?
Remember that whatever you're writing, there are no limitations to how and what you write about, whether its in Althanas or not, etc. If you are doing a nonalthanas thread, we are going to try to keep the clutter to a minimum and ask that you locate those threads in Outlands. If in Althanas or not, just make sure you identify that you are free-writing with the ALF tag at the top of the first post of your thread.
How to Post in this thread;
Other then that, for the sake of posting in this thread I'd like to keep this as a recruitment based thread. Another thread will be started with members for discussion, so direct your questions there. In your first post in joining ALF, I'd ask that you follow this format;
I wish to become a member of A Leap Forward.
These are the threads that I am free-writing in (follow format for each thread);
Thread Name - / Link / - Location/Region (Outlands, etc.) - Length (Example; 10 posts/1 page).
Status; In Progress/Receiving commentary/Completed and Closed.
Synopsis; insert a brief 1-3 sentence summary of what your story is about to prompt a reader of what it is about.
This will list your status as a member, your threads and help promote your work within the group for everyone to read and review. So it only benefits you to follow this format.
What can I write about?
Anything. There are no character restrictions, no levels, etc. You are free to write about anything you want when free-writing. It can be on Althanas or off, it can be on Earth or a place of your own, using your character or not, and about anything you can think of. Just be sure to avoid plagiarism and not to violate any copright/intellectual property laws. Your characters can be as weak or as strong as you want, they can possess or do anything and your stories can be about literally anything.
Because your ALF threads are not officially judged or awarded any experience or spoils, there is no minimum length required of your threads such as the 10 post/10,000 word minimum required normally to submit. It can be one large post of poetry, or it can be several pages of dozens of posts. You decide when you're finished. But if your thread is longer, be patient and keep in mind that members will read and comment on your threads when they're able to. Just make sure to keep your thread status updated here and post in the Requesting Commentary thread found here (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?24460-A-Leap-Forward-Requesting-Commentary-Thread&p=198245#post198245) when you are finished to alert members that you are awaiting commentary.
Peer Review;
As a member-based initiative, we want to help YOU promote YOUR work by reviewing and providing commentary on your threads. There are no rubrics or methodologies for members to follow. When your thread is complete, make it known in the Request Commentary thread found here (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?24460-A-Leap-Forward-Requesting-Commentary-Thread&p=198245#post198245). However, in exchange for this commentary, we ask that you submit your threads to moved and archived only. This is an experiment to try and promote writing without judgments, and while this has no reflection on the judges, we'd like to primarily help you with your work by providing good, honest feedback.
How does it work? Once your thread is completed and open for commentary once you've made it known, other members will read your thread and post after its conclusion with their commentary. They can structure it however they like and tell you what they thought of your story, what they think might have needed fixed, etc. They have no rubric to follow and are looking only to help you, so no scores meant to quantify or establish a value to your work are involved.
Remember that when posting commentary or feedback in another person's thread that you are to do it in threads identfied as an ALF thread and that the owner of the thread has stated that his or her work is completed. Write whatever you feel is helpful to the other member, but make the feedback you provide helpful and constructive. You are trying to help them become better by posting commentary within their thread and that is all, keep whatever you feel would be negative or aggressive to yourself. Use your best judgment in deciding what is what.
LIST OF ACTIVE MEMBERS;
Vigil
Duffy Bracken
Rayse Valentino
Silence Sei
The International
Luned
Visla Eraclaire
Discussion thread is here (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?24459-A-Leap-Forward-Member-Discussion-Thread&p=198243#post198243).
Requesting commentary thread is here (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?24460-A-Leap-Forward-Requesting-Commentary-Thread&p=198245#post198245).
About A Leap Forward;
As the title describes, this idea of free-writing and using a section of Althanas in order to do it is going to be implemented here. It is based off of the current discussion and ideas proposed in the Writting Settings thread and is a member-based initiative. A lot of people are asking instead of waiting for the staff to implement it or waiting to come to a consensus over an idea to better the site that we just do it. Its encouraged that if you want to write and do whatever you want to do that, but A Leap Forward is going to provide a structure and template for you to follow if you so choose. If you don't, write on your own and try free writing on the site yourself.
So, with that said, A Leap Forward is like active member groups in the past (The Active Player's Union, for example), who have formed with current members looking to promote some sort of beneficial change for the website. ALF's purpose is fairly simple in that it is an attempt to get members on Althanas to write and be active more by allowing them more creativity and liberty to write whatever they like. There are no requirements of you if you wish to join, no complicated plans to follow, any membership dues or expectations to follow. To join the group, all you have to say is that you wish to join and you'll be added to the active member list in this thread.
Second, the other motivation for this movement is to inspire members of Althanas to not only work outside the box, but to collaborate with one another, review and offer feedback of one another's threads and to promote comradarie and develop a better sense of community within the website. ALF does not take stances for or against the website, its staff, and remains neutral in politics, religion, etc. Remember that this is a member-based initiative, and while anyone can join, at its creation it is not a movement that is endorsed or affiliated with the website or staff.
Why join the Group?
Remember that ALF is being formed as a response to member requests to include free writing within Althanas. The truth is, that you are able to write about what you want anyway, but the contention is whether or not it would be endorsed by the website, its staff, how judges would reflect on it, etc. You can still write however you want, regardless, but in joining ALF you are making a collaborative effort with other members to write freely, promote creativity and help each other write by reviewing their work and providing feedback at your leisure. This is an organized effort, and frankly is better then no effort at all. Keep in mind that in ALF what you get out of it is entirely what you put into it. This is an OOC writing group, its free to all and provides some kind of organization to the desire for people on this website for free-writing.
In the end, however, when looking at this group remember that is YOU as a member of Althanas that determines whether a movement like this thrives or dies. So, if interested, join the movement and begin writing today!
How does this organization work?
To give a bit of organization to the ideas coalescing over free writing, ALF functions as a community effort for you to write. There are a couple guidelines that are implemented to help you get started, but it is entirely up to you in how you want to write, how much effort you put into it and what you want to do within the group. You are allowed to write about whatever you want, in or out of Althanas, about anything or anyone that doesn't violate copyright infringement or intellectual property laws. In accordance with Althanas rules and until there is any clarification or implementation of certain rules, I'd like to ask that any threads that you write within the ALF group do not use experience or spoil rewards at the end in order to prevent a conflict of interest between the site and the group.
The guidelines are pretty simple. I'm going to be keeping track of how active ALF is in order to gauge how successful it is and what other things might need to be implemented to it. So as a member, if you are making a free-writing thread and you want to share with the group, put A Leap Forward Thread at the top of your first post along with the other ooc jargon that you put in for the reader before you start. This will help myself and other members keep track of your threads, their completion, etc. which only benefits you.
Because this is a member initiative, we are going to try taking a stab at this without the involvement of judges. This means that commentary on your threads when they are complete will be entirely member based. You post in the commentary requested thread (thread and link to follow) that you've completed an ALF thread, members can read it and then post in your thread commentary of what they thought of it. But also remember to update your thread status in this thread that you've begun, once you've requested commentary or you're having it closed and archived using the format below. Once you are satisfied, contact a moderator to close the thread and move it for you. Pretty simple right?
Remember that whatever you're writing, there are no limitations to how and what you write about, whether its in Althanas or not, etc. If you are doing a nonalthanas thread, we are going to try to keep the clutter to a minimum and ask that you locate those threads in Outlands. If in Althanas or not, just make sure you identify that you are free-writing with the ALF tag at the top of the first post of your thread.
How to Post in this thread;
Other then that, for the sake of posting in this thread I'd like to keep this as a recruitment based thread. Another thread will be started with members for discussion, so direct your questions there. In your first post in joining ALF, I'd ask that you follow this format;
I wish to become a member of A Leap Forward.
These are the threads that I am free-writing in (follow format for each thread);
Thread Name - / Link / - Location/Region (Outlands, etc.) - Length (Example; 10 posts/1 page).
Status; In Progress/Receiving commentary/Completed and Closed.
Synopsis; insert a brief 1-3 sentence summary of what your story is about to prompt a reader of what it is about.
This will list your status as a member, your threads and help promote your work within the group for everyone to read and review. So it only benefits you to follow this format.
What can I write about?
Anything. There are no character restrictions, no levels, etc. You are free to write about anything you want when free-writing. It can be on Althanas or off, it can be on Earth or a place of your own, using your character or not, and about anything you can think of. Just be sure to avoid plagiarism and not to violate any copright/intellectual property laws. Your characters can be as weak or as strong as you want, they can possess or do anything and your stories can be about literally anything.
Because your ALF threads are not officially judged or awarded any experience or spoils, there is no minimum length required of your threads such as the 10 post/10,000 word minimum required normally to submit. It can be one large post of poetry, or it can be several pages of dozens of posts. You decide when you're finished. But if your thread is longer, be patient and keep in mind that members will read and comment on your threads when they're able to. Just make sure to keep your thread status updated here and post in the Requesting Commentary thread found here (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?24460-A-Leap-Forward-Requesting-Commentary-Thread&p=198245#post198245) when you are finished to alert members that you are awaiting commentary.
Peer Review;
As a member-based initiative, we want to help YOU promote YOUR work by reviewing and providing commentary on your threads. There are no rubrics or methodologies for members to follow. When your thread is complete, make it known in the Request Commentary thread found here (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?24460-A-Leap-Forward-Requesting-Commentary-Thread&p=198245#post198245). However, in exchange for this commentary, we ask that you submit your threads to moved and archived only. This is an experiment to try and promote writing without judgments, and while this has no reflection on the judges, we'd like to primarily help you with your work by providing good, honest feedback.
How does it work? Once your thread is completed and open for commentary once you've made it known, other members will read your thread and post after its conclusion with their commentary. They can structure it however they like and tell you what they thought of your story, what they think might have needed fixed, etc. They have no rubric to follow and are looking only to help you, so no scores meant to quantify or establish a value to your work are involved.
Remember that when posting commentary or feedback in another person's thread that you are to do it in threads identfied as an ALF thread and that the owner of the thread has stated that his or her work is completed. Write whatever you feel is helpful to the other member, but make the feedback you provide helpful and constructive. You are trying to help them become better by posting commentary within their thread and that is all, keep whatever you feel would be negative or aggressive to yourself. Use your best judgment in deciding what is what.
LIST OF ACTIVE MEMBERS;
Vigil
Duffy Bracken
Rayse Valentino
Silence Sei
The International
Luned
Visla Eraclaire
Discussion thread is here (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?24459-A-Leap-Forward-Member-Discussion-Thread&p=198243#post198243).
Requesting commentary thread is here (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?24460-A-Leap-Forward-Requesting-Commentary-Thread&p=198245#post198245).