Post by Beolakh on May 27, 2008 22:28:09 GMT -5
Auditioning
The Auditioning process is for:
This is the last step for new members to receive full membership, which grants access to all the writing and feedback boards. Those with Role-play characters will also be able to post in the World section.
The Purpose of the Audition
The idea behind hosting an audition for each new member is two-fold: as staff, we want to get a general idea of your current proficiency as a writer so we can tailor our suggestions and feedback accordingly. Secondly, we want to make sure you're committed to to the forums and won't vanish the moment you become a full member.
How Auditioning Works
You have the option of two different kinds of auditions:
A word to the wise: Pick Solo-style. They're much, much quicker, and we want you out on the boards as soon as possible!
The Details
Once your application has been approved, an admin will start an audition thread for you on the Auditions board. If you're running an RP-style audition, reply to that thread with the opening post of your story-arc. The admin will then reply to you, and so on and so forth. If you're running a Solo Aud, post your first vignette as a reply. Then, the admin will reply with your prompt, and you can reply with your second vignette.
What Happens Then
Once your Audition is complete, an admin will review the writing skills you displayed (and in the case of RP-style Auditions, your RPing manners) and place you in one of two very general groups, or "Tiers." The Tier system is very loose, meant only to give the staff a broad idea of your current writing proficiency. It is by no means restrictive or permanent; there are no areas of the forum available only to those of a certain tier, and you will have every opportunity to advance to higher tiers. So please don't lose sleep over your placement! You can read more about Tiers and advancing in the Tiers Tutorial.
After that, you're done! As soon as your account is marked with a Tier group, all the writing and feedback boards will become visible, and you'll be able to post on all the RPing boards.
Tips for Writing a Great Audition
Writing a really good audition is rather like riding a bike.
Step 1.
What's the first thing you do when you ride a bike? No, it's not "hold the handlebars." It's not "pedal."
First, you have to sit.
Metaphorical translation: SPELLING! GRAMMAR! You can't get anywhere on a bike without a base to sit on first. This base, in terms of writing, is the spelling and the grammar. Type your posts up in a word processor; maybe proofread them a few times. Make sure they're error free.
Step 2.
Now that we've been seated, we can grab the handlebars and point ourselves in a direction. Have an idea of where you want the Audition to go. Maybe you're a prodigy who really can just wing it. Most of us, though, have to have at least a vague plan to be able to throw in some higher-level tricks. Which are fun!
Step 3.
Pedal! It's your job, as the Auditionee, to move the plot. Watch your pacing. Read the thread from start to finish as you progress, and keep an eye out to make sure it doesn't stagnate. Have you spent three days chatting in a tavern (the primordial genesis of all fantasy stories) waiting for something to happen? That's a bad sign.
Perhaps a stranger wanders into the inn! Perhaps a fight breaks out! Perhaps you overhear a secret! Find ways to initiate action, to spark conflict, and to move your plot.
Step 4.
Go somewhere. Sure, when a kid is just learning to ride a bike, a trip up and down the culdesac is quite the accomplishment. There's nothing wrong with such a trip, either...but it's not going to wow people. It's not going to hold spectators on the edge of their seats. Aside from mom and the camcorder, nobody's going to remember it.
Take your story and go somewhere. Take us someplace new, so that where we finish is not the same place we started from. Give us a tour of rocky trails and high mountains, and views so jawdropping we curse ourselves for forgetting the panoramic camera.
Make your character change. Perhaps not very much--after all, you've only just started writing with him/her. But something at thread's end must be different than it was at the outset.
Make every step count. Every post, every happenstance, should be another turn of the wheels that advances us along the way. You have so much to show us, and only a few posts to do it! Every post, every word, has to count. Make every piece crucial.
Also, as you write, you should keep in mind just what we're looking for. Take a look at the Rubric, and read through the Tiers Tutorial.
The Auditioning process is for:
- Role-play members who have already submitted a character bio and been approved
- Non-role-play members who have already submitted an NRP application
- Tier I members shooting for the next level
This is the last step for new members to receive full membership, which grants access to all the writing and feedback boards. Those with Role-play characters will also be able to post in the World section.
The Purpose of the Audition
The idea behind hosting an audition for each new member is two-fold: as staff, we want to get a general idea of your current proficiency as a writer so we can tailor our suggestions and feedback accordingly. Secondly, we want to make sure you're committed to to the forums and won't vanish the moment you become a full member.
How Auditioning Works
You have the option of two different kinds of auditions:
- The Solo-style Audition
Solo Auditions are the quick-and-easy audition type, and they are available to both Role-play and NRP members. They consist of three steps:
1) You post a 1000-1500 word vignette (a super-short story). For NRP-members, this vignette can feature any character of your creation, in any setting you choose. For Roleplayers, your submission should feature the character you created in your Bio, and it should be set in the world of Domhantir.
2) An admin reads your piece and replies with a "prompt"--a basic question or scenario. You then write a 500-1500 word vignette based on that prompt.
3) The admin reads the new vignette, reviews the writing proficiency displayed in both pieces, and posts your Tier Placement! For Role-play members only, there is one additional step: You will receive an RP-Etiquette quiz via Personal Message. The quiz is very brief, simply meant to check your understanding of basic role-play protocol. Read through our Rules of Engagement and the Role-Playing Tutorial, and you'll have no problem. It's even open note, and you don't have to use a #2 pencil. - The RP-style Audition
RP-Auditions require more time and writing than Solo-style, but some members find them fun. This type of audition is only available to Roleplay members. Essentially, you and a staff member will write a short RP-style storyline between your respective characters. The admin will then rate your writing proficiency and RP etiquette. The audition concludes after 14 posts, whether or not the story is finished (this is because full RP story arcs tend to take longer than 14 posts to complete, and we don't want you hanging in limbo that long). However, if you'd like to continue the thread after the "audition" portion is over, you may do so (assuming your auditioner has time).
A word to the wise: Pick Solo-style. They're much, much quicker, and we want you out on the boards as soon as possible!
The Details
Once your application has been approved, an admin will start an audition thread for you on the Auditions board. If you're running an RP-style audition, reply to that thread with the opening post of your story-arc. The admin will then reply to you, and so on and so forth. If you're running a Solo Aud, post your first vignette as a reply. Then, the admin will reply with your prompt, and you can reply with your second vignette.
What Happens Then
Once your Audition is complete, an admin will review the writing skills you displayed (and in the case of RP-style Auditions, your RPing manners) and place you in one of two very general groups, or "Tiers." The Tier system is very loose, meant only to give the staff a broad idea of your current writing proficiency. It is by no means restrictive or permanent; there are no areas of the forum available only to those of a certain tier, and you will have every opportunity to advance to higher tiers. So please don't lose sleep over your placement! You can read more about Tiers and advancing in the Tiers Tutorial.
After that, you're done! As soon as your account is marked with a Tier group, all the writing and feedback boards will become visible, and you'll be able to post on all the RPing boards.
Tips for Writing a Great Audition
Writing a really good audition is rather like riding a bike.
Step 1.
What's the first thing you do when you ride a bike? No, it's not "hold the handlebars." It's not "pedal."
First, you have to sit.
Metaphorical translation: SPELLING! GRAMMAR! You can't get anywhere on a bike without a base to sit on first. This base, in terms of writing, is the spelling and the grammar. Type your posts up in a word processor; maybe proofread them a few times. Make sure they're error free.
Step 2.
Now that we've been seated, we can grab the handlebars and point ourselves in a direction. Have an idea of where you want the Audition to go. Maybe you're a prodigy who really can just wing it. Most of us, though, have to have at least a vague plan to be able to throw in some higher-level tricks. Which are fun!
Step 3.
Pedal! It's your job, as the Auditionee, to move the plot. Watch your pacing. Read the thread from start to finish as you progress, and keep an eye out to make sure it doesn't stagnate. Have you spent three days chatting in a tavern (the primordial genesis of all fantasy stories) waiting for something to happen? That's a bad sign.
Perhaps a stranger wanders into the inn! Perhaps a fight breaks out! Perhaps you overhear a secret! Find ways to initiate action, to spark conflict, and to move your plot.
Step 4.
Go somewhere. Sure, when a kid is just learning to ride a bike, a trip up and down the culdesac is quite the accomplishment. There's nothing wrong with such a trip, either...but it's not going to wow people. It's not going to hold spectators on the edge of their seats. Aside from mom and the camcorder, nobody's going to remember it.
Take your story and go somewhere. Take us someplace new, so that where we finish is not the same place we started from. Give us a tour of rocky trails and high mountains, and views so jawdropping we curse ourselves for forgetting the panoramic camera.
Make your character change. Perhaps not very much--after all, you've only just started writing with him/her. But something at thread's end must be different than it was at the outset.
Make every step count. Every post, every happenstance, should be another turn of the wheels that advances us along the way. You have so much to show us, and only a few posts to do it! Every post, every word, has to count. Make every piece crucial.
Also, as you write, you should keep in mind just what we're looking for. Take a look at the Rubric, and read through the Tiers Tutorial.