So, you want to start or join a storybook? Here's the basic things you need to know.
For Starting a Storybook:
-Once you have your new topic, decide on a name. It will be the title of your storybook. You might want to put if your storybook is 'accepting characters', 'starting','finished,' or 'started, no longer accepting characters'.
-Make a basic profile template. Most look something like this:
Name:
Age: (if you want a limit, put it here.)
Personality:
Appearance:
History: (some people call this 'Background')
Other:
There you have a basic profile. If your characters have special powers, add in a 'Powers' option. If they can be an animal, add in an 'animal' option. Customize it to your story.
-Rules. Set some rules for your storybook. If you want people to post at least twice a week, post that here. If you don't want "God-Modding" (super-powerful characters who control everyone else's characters) put that here. Make sure you have rules on killing off characters. In general, people must contact the character's creator before killing them. Also, make sure you state the rules for violence, sexuality, etc. There should be just about no sexuality (although some storybookers want romance, which may be fine if stated here.). If you want violence, rate your storybook accordingly. Same with swears. Tell ho long you want posts to be.
-When to start and close. Once you have enough characters, start the storybook with a post. They are usually small installments of a story, about a paragraph long. Adhere to your own rules. Some people continue to accept characters after they start, some don't. Most post that as well, some in their title, as I explained above. Once everyone has made their first post and you don't want any more characters, indicate that you are no longer accepting. Now, when you have a good long storybook and feel like you should end it, make a good long last post, and follow that up with "The End." Then indicate that the book is finished.
-DTs. Discussion topics are places in the 'storybook discussion' forum to discuss your storybook. I suggest making one once your story book gets going. It's basically a place for Q and As.
Joining a Storybook:
So, you want to join a storybook? That's pretty simple.
-Make a profile. Fill in the creator's template as thoroughly as you can. Some people write out their description, some people attach a picture. Except for the 'Other' field, You typically must fill out all fields.
-Make a post. Either wait for the creator to make their first post, or, if the creator indicates that someone else can, start the storybook with the first post. Adhere to the rules for post length and content. Want more specific info about rules? Check out Lauren2010's topic. http://www.youngwriterssociety.com/topic60229.html
-Questions? If you have questions regarding the storybook, post them in the DT.
-Killing off. Don't kill off other people's characters unless the creator indicates that you can in the rules. However, even then, don't God-Mod.
-Finishing. Don't make an ending post and finish the storybook unless the creator tells you to.
So, that's the basics for making or joining a storybook! Questions? Comments? Post them here.
