April 2016
[Author's Note: Given a sudden change of plans and time constraints, this month's SB newsletter is being written by two authors - TheSilverFox and AstralHunter. Silver has written everything up to the "About the Dungeon Master" section (as well as this note), and Hunter has written everything subsequently. This is just for clarification in the event that you notice a change in writing style in the course of this newsletter, or more than one person is referenced as having written some section of the newsletter.]
Most Popular
In the streets of Los Angeles, an elite boarding school, with all the conveniences one might imagine an elite boarding school to have (if not more), has invited a collection of students to attend. Naturally, in such a warm, peaceful environment, complete with a wide variety of conveniences for the students to enjoy, it has a particular, out-of-the-ordinary quota in mind. But it's not the rich, well-educated people you might expect such a school to focus on. These students possess powers, abilities that stray beyond the realm of the normal and into the supernatural. Yes, yet another school SB, though this one with a unique twist, has displayed an enormous amount of activity and, by far, demonstrated itself as the most popular Storybook of the month - Oceanside Academy for the...Eccentric by @Gravity!
With an astounding 33 SB posts during March alone (and 17 the previous month), Oceanside has shown itself to be a capable SB with a devoted crew of writers working to write about complicated array of characters and character interactions in the setting of a high school for the supernatural. From some of the newest SBers to some of the oldest, this SB is an impressive example of a diverse group of people coming together to create a fascinating story, and I definitely recommend reading through its 5 pages (with more being added fairly quickly) of posts. Once again, congrats to @Gravity and the members of the Oceanside Academy Storybook, this month's Most Popular SB!
Most Deserving of Attention
For our next SB, we travel beyond the high school drama into the apocalypse. Literally. In this Storybook, a frosty apocalypse has all but shut down and led to the collapse of the Earth. The cities have fallen, the countries have been split apart, and countless people have starved as they found fewer and fewer resources in this ice-cold prison. Only a few bases have been fortunate enough to stand and survive the genocide of the human race and maintain themselves in the midst of the crisis. However, a new threat, which comes in the form bloodthirsty and deadly creatures, provides yet another challenge, and the bases are being suffocated by this dangerous and terrifying threat. Naturally, the human race isn't about to sit down and die anytime soon. And that's where you come in. Until Spring Comes, by the notable SBer @HazelGrace16, is set in an apocalyptic world where the human race doggedly attempts to survive. Whether searching for supplies, which are beginning to run dangerously low, fighting off the dangerous monsters that roam the Earth, or even squaring off against each other, our human protagonists have their hands quite full. With the risks that they face, they have many obstacles to surmount in order to accomplish their goal of keeping the human race alive and having a bright future for all those still surviving. Doesn't it sound like a fascinating Storybook?
However, this SB hasn't received much attention lately. Though it does have a small and reliable group of writers, only four posts have been made within the last month, and so the SB is at risk of becoming more and more inactive over time, if not fall into the Archives itself. If this is the kind of Storybook you want to participate in - and did I forget to mention that it contains a world both rich in plot and a backstory? - then don't hesitate to join, read, and enjoy the story that is Until Spring Comes.
Best Concept
This is another superhero story. This is another superhero story set in New York City. This is another superhero story about Pokemon in New York City... wait, what?
In a tale of interdimensional travel set in a modern-day setting, a group of seemingly-ordinary people find themselves waking up with total amnesia in various parts of the city. A quick investigation reveals a letter in their pockets, telling a mysterious and surprising story that leaves more questions than answers. With the revelation that they were formerly a mystical energy-wielding being known as a Pokemon, and will gain several of their former abilites as they adjust to the human world, they have been instructed to find the Police Commissioner of New York City, Archibald Virtue, where he will explain their situation. And such is the beginning to a superhero story set in a world of dark secrets, wonders, friends to make and foes to fight, and an interdimensional conflict set in the massive city known as New York City. Yes, April's Best Concept Storybook is Reverse Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Guardians of Erebus by @AstralHunter.
As the name implies, the story is a reversal of one of the longest-running and currently active Storybooks around. However, it cannot be simply defined as that. While definitely among the more challenging SBs to participate in, this Storybook contains a unique and complex plot, as well as a large cast of characters to befriend or make opponents of. Too, it has a plot that both gives its members control over several elements of the story but also presents a series of tough choices, plot twists, and plot events orchestrated by its clever and inventive creator. Though the SB is closed, it is definitely something you don't want to miss, with its complex and detailed plot, setting, and characters, it's something I definitely recommend you should read. It'll be well worth your time.
The Choices that Made Us
This month's OS is @ChildofNowhere's epic fantasy Storybook The Choices that Made Us. Set in the country Kraeh, conflict seemingly looms in the distance as the Empire begins to craft masses of weapons and assemble forces. The wealthy, small country of Kraeh is the obvious choice for a potential invasion in the eyes of the land's concerned princess, daughter to the king. However, in the midst of this tension, the king, his niece, and several other people, among them the ruler of the Empire, are awakened from their sleep by violent nightmares. They had all traveled nine years previously to the Beyond, a strange world with warped rules and mysterious creatures that fringes the world in which the main characters live, and now find, to their horror, that they are being summoned to enter it again, where they may not come back alive.
The SB already shows a large amount of promise and capacity to become a powerful story, though it definitely is lacking in terms of writers. However, the incorporation of a duel story - focusing on the first voyage into the Beyond and the second - allows for two writers to cooperate and develop the personality and story of a single character, which is perfect for newer SBers trying to learn the ropes of writing with other people and constructing complex characters. Too, the workshops associated with the SB can facilitate the development of further plot and story elements, diverse and unique characters, and is a great example of how cooperation can build a fantastic story. So, if you're interested in a cooperation-oriented, massive-in-potential story, complete with complex characters and a large setting, this month's OS, The Choices that Made Us, is for you.
About the Dungeon Master
The Storybook Section, like the sea, needs fresh meat in order to survive, but if you can survive it, you'll eventually become one of those seasoned storybookers that would be a valuable addition to any cast. One such veteran of roleplay is the @ChildOfNowhere. Recently, she changed both her username and avatar, so I should mention she was once AriaAdams the mechanical clock butterfly. She was on a hiatus for a while, but now she's back and as potent a force as before!
For those of you who haven't yet had the pleasure to share a storybook with her, keep in mind this is the Countess of Characterisation about whom we're talking. Her characters are legendary among the older users, and her fantasy storybooks were like manna to the hungered souls of our forum. This is the point where I should start singing her praises, but none of it would do her justice. Join or stalk her storybook if you want to see what I mean, but be warned: you may emerge mindblown from the experience.
Captain's Challenge: Ad-vers-ary
In honour of national poetry month I'm going to challenge you to add a verse of poetry to one storybook post you make in April. This can be a well known verse recited by your character or it could be your character's own poetry! For including a verse of poetry you get 2 points. The additional bonus points are also available:
1 point - Write the verse of poetry yourself! You can have your character say they wrote it or you can have your character say it's by a famous poet, but as long as you wrote it then you get a bonus point.
1 point - If the poem is crucial to the post and inspires other characters into battle or convinces the pretty girl to give your character a kiss. Or even results in the high school bully beating your character up.
1 point - If the verse is from any Dr. Seuss poem.
2 points if you allow me to select the verse (send a message to Rydia).
1 point - If you choose the verse from the following:
In the cicada's cry,
There is nothing that suggests,
How soon it must die.
The road to wisdom, well it's plain
and easy to assess,
to err and err, and err again
but less and less and less
Not all that have fallen are vanquished;
a king may yet be without crown,
A blade that was broken be brandished;
and towers that were strong may fall down.
A bit beyond perception's reach
I sometimes believe I see
that Life is two locked boxes, each
containing the other's key.
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,
Life is mostly froth and bubble,
Two things stand like stone,
Kindness in another's trouble,
Courage in your own.
A mermaid found a swimming lad,
Picked him for her own,
Pressed her body to his body,
Laughed; and plunging down
Forgot in cruel happiness
That even lovers drown.
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:
Recent Challenges
This month's Captain's Challenge, courtesy of the magnanimous @Lumi, is already a treat and an excellent opportunity to earn some credits, but if you want to earn some more, have a look at the Storybook Badges and Challenges thread. @TheIllusiveIntellect's challenge for Revenant Rising has expired, but @Wolfie36's challenge for Jurassic Paradise, @Steggy's for Billionaire's Curse, mine for Reverse Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Guardians of Erebus, and then also @ChildOfNowhere's for The Choices that Made Us. That's a lot of opportunities to earn some credits, so make the best of them!
Your Staff For This Month...
If you find yourself in a sticky spot and need help in the Storybook Section, simply request the assistance of @AstralHunter, @Rydia, @TheSilverFox, @Wolfie36, and @Jhinx while wearing a jester's hat - preferably a purple one with bells on it.
Dialogue Tags with AstralHunter
If you are one of those highly observant readers, then right about now, you might be asking your screen the question, "Didn't Hunter write about dialogue in his previous newsletter?" In response, I'd tell you that no, I did not. That article was about dialogue in general; this one is specifically about the tags we use before or after dialogue to describe the manner in which the concerned character/s spoke.
When it comes to dialogue, "said" is the most overworked verb. If you don't want to emphasise a particular aspect of a character's dialogue, it is perfectly adequate. However, if you wish to express yourself powerfully, rather than simply, you should consider using a stronger verb. Just remember to be prudent in your choice, since a strong verb can encumber, instead of enhance, your writing if used outside of the appropriate context.
The most obvious synonyms for "said" are the ones that indicate the volume of a character's voice. If a particular character is angry, afraid, surprised, or merely need to speak loudly, words like "shouted", "yelled", "screamed", "raged", "cursed", "exclaimed", or "called" are to be expected. Similarly, if a character is nervous, distracted, concerned, or must speak softly for some reason, then "mumbled", "muttered", "whispered", "confided", or "breathed" would be more fitting.
Despite these two lists of words being well-known, it is still possible to use any of them incorrectly, which is why you can't simply grab a thesaurus and descend on the first synonym you see. Some words are more neutral than others, while others may carry the same emotion, except with a slight difference. If you can tell this difference in meaning between synonyms, your task of choosing one as replacement for "said" becomes a lot easier.
For example, the words "announced", "declared", and "proclaimed" all mean the same thing, but in that order, the authority involved increases. Therefore, you can get away with having a government official announce something, but it would be ridiculous if a teacher proclaimed that the class had homework (unless you want to make the teacher appear pompous, but that's not on what we're focussing right now). If you don't choose the right verb, the effect can range from awkward at best, to hilarious at worst.
Most of the examples I have listed here are commonplace, so I want to dare you all to use verbs that are both strong and uncommon enough to stand out - verbs like countered, mused, affirmed, maintained, and so on. Experiment with what works and even what doesn't, for only then will you find your balance.
Strong verbs are like spices that boost the flavour of your literary dishes, but as with actual cooking, take care not use it too copiously, lest your writing become overpowering. Like plain old salt, "said" still has its place.
Featured Storybooker
Avast, me hearties! Come sit by me fire 'n' hearken ta a tale o' danger 'n' courage, a tale o' a man wit' a scroll o' misdeeds a couple o' leagues long! In a time now obscured by the dept's o' the temporal fog, there sailed a vessel on the waters o' the Storybook Seas... a vessel known as the Flyin' Pidgeon. Laugh at yer own peril! Aye, the mere mention o' this ship's name struck fear into the hearts o' many a brave sailor, and the thought o' her cap'n would make taverns fall still. Back in those days, he was known as Cap'n Verser. He 'n' his brother were notorious fer their masterful navigational skills, their devastatin' broadsides, and their bloodthirsty boardin' crews. They disappeared for a while, and some folks thought they 'ad come ta rest in Davy Jones' Locker. But not I.
Recently, hearsay 'as it this cap'n 'as returned, and under a new name: Cap'n @Poopsie. I 'ad some ships weigh anchor 'n' investigate the reports. A week passed, but then I received a message in a bottle confirmin' all the stories. Ports all along the coast 'ave been soundin' their alarm bells, for the newly returned cap'n was pillagin' academies, raidin' harbours - even imitatin' the Jolly Roger 'n' harassing the ships o' the gods! I say ye better belay any voyages ye may have planned 'n' wait fer the fearsome scallywag ta pass, but if ye cannot delay yer departure, amend yer particulars before ye leave 'n' scour the seas for him 'n' his mateys. If ye happen ta encounter him, divvy yer spoils wit' his crew and pray he doesn't make ye walk the plank, fer while he keelhauls his foes, his mateys ought ta feel luckier than a parrot in a peanut factory ta be sailin' wit him. Be sure ta fire a few hail-shots ta illustrate yer good will the next time ye see the Flyin' Pidgeon pass.
Storybookers To Look Out For
This month, two new landlubbers ventured onto the ocean for the first time. Both set forth from a port known for its Eccentrics, and both discovered three treasures to claim as their very own. But who to commend? After much deliberation, there was decided it would only be fitting to congratulate both @soundofmind and @mcleo1 for their accomplishments. Be sure to give them a salute when next you see them! (Not a twenty-one cannon salute, though - we like our recruits alive and kicking.)
Gender:
Points: 24185
Reviews: 299