Post by ELIZA MARIE CUNNINGHAM on Dec 5, 2021 1:39:43 GMT -5
As we are becoming more active and there's a lot more going on right now, I think it's time again just to remind of a few etiquette things.
-- A reminder to keep your plotting to the plotting board or plotting Discord channel. Please keep the c-box OOC as well as the general chat Discord channel. These should be for ooc conversations, not about personal plots or gushing about your characters. It can make everyone else feel left out and like they shouldn't participate in the conversation. It isn't happening a lot, but I've started to notice it happening again, so it's better to say it sooner so we can stop it from getting to a bad place.
-- Treat people as you would like to be treated. And hopefully, you want to be treated with respect and kindness. Because that's how you must be here. No one - absolutely no one - should be criticized for their plots. If something is against the rules, bring it to a staff's attention. But never, ever, ever gossip about others' plots in a negative way or message them to say how you disapprove of them. Whether they are another member or staff, it doesn't matter. No one deserves that treatment. How would you feel if that happened to you? Quite discouraged and probably rather upset. Even if you can take it, don't dish it out. Ever. If I hear of this happening again, there will be consequences. It's never happened before (to my knowledge), so I don't see why it's happening now.
-- Respect everyone else's plots and what they have going. I've also heard of this happening a few times - and it happened to me about half a year back too. Godmodding isn't just controlling someone else's character's actions but also how you interact with them based on them. For example, if Character A is being super kind and supportive, then don't constantly have Character B perceive them as mean and calculating when no one of their actions are like that, just because that's the plot that you want. Remember that this is a collaboration and if someone isn't writing their own character the way you wish they would, you can't control that, and trying to will just discourage and upset them. If how that character is being written doesn't suit your needs, then plot what you're wanting to do with someone else, but don't ruin their plots in the process. Again, this isn't something that I've seen prior to about 6 months ago, so it needs to stop now and never start up again.
In general, just be more sensitive to how your actions may be perceived. Unless someone asks for advice on a plot, don't give a criticism. And definitely don't try to use other people for your plots without realizing that they have their own characters they are writing and their own plots. Don't try to twist their words or characterizations to suit your needs. Do write collaboratively and realize that roleplaying is 50/50. Every thread or plot isn't going to be 100% how you envisioned because it's a collaboration. The other writer isn't there to be a plot device for your own enjoyment. Roleplaying is for everyone's enjoyment!
Again, this isn't something that's very widespread right now. So I hope our new people won't be discouraged by this announcement. I like to get to things earlier before they fester and become a huge problem when I can. But that also is exactly why if I hear about it happening again, action will definitely be taken. If you're not sure if something is inappropriate to talk about or ask, you can ask a staff member. But a good rule of thumb: If it's negative or needlessly critical in any way, don't share your thoughts. It's unnecessary, hurtful, and can ruin people's muse or desire to even come on the site. And no one wants that. <3
-- A reminder to keep your plotting to the plotting board or plotting Discord channel. Please keep the c-box OOC as well as the general chat Discord channel. These should be for ooc conversations, not about personal plots or gushing about your characters. It can make everyone else feel left out and like they shouldn't participate in the conversation. It isn't happening a lot, but I've started to notice it happening again, so it's better to say it sooner so we can stop it from getting to a bad place.
-- Treat people as you would like to be treated. And hopefully, you want to be treated with respect and kindness. Because that's how you must be here. No one - absolutely no one - should be criticized for their plots. If something is against the rules, bring it to a staff's attention. But never, ever, ever gossip about others' plots in a negative way or message them to say how you disapprove of them. Whether they are another member or staff, it doesn't matter. No one deserves that treatment. How would you feel if that happened to you? Quite discouraged and probably rather upset. Even if you can take it, don't dish it out. Ever. If I hear of this happening again, there will be consequences. It's never happened before (to my knowledge), so I don't see why it's happening now.
-- Respect everyone else's plots and what they have going. I've also heard of this happening a few times - and it happened to me about half a year back too. Godmodding isn't just controlling someone else's character's actions but also how you interact with them based on them. For example, if Character A is being super kind and supportive, then don't constantly have Character B perceive them as mean and calculating when no one of their actions are like that, just because that's the plot that you want. Remember that this is a collaboration and if someone isn't writing their own character the way you wish they would, you can't control that, and trying to will just discourage and upset them. If how that character is being written doesn't suit your needs, then plot what you're wanting to do with someone else, but don't ruin their plots in the process. Again, this isn't something that I've seen prior to about 6 months ago, so it needs to stop now and never start up again.
In general, just be more sensitive to how your actions may be perceived. Unless someone asks for advice on a plot, don't give a criticism. And definitely don't try to use other people for your plots without realizing that they have their own characters they are writing and their own plots. Don't try to twist their words or characterizations to suit your needs. Do write collaboratively and realize that roleplaying is 50/50. Every thread or plot isn't going to be 100% how you envisioned because it's a collaboration. The other writer isn't there to be a plot device for your own enjoyment. Roleplaying is for everyone's enjoyment!
Again, this isn't something that's very widespread right now. So I hope our new people won't be discouraged by this announcement. I like to get to things earlier before they fester and become a huge problem when I can. But that also is exactly why if I hear about it happening again, action will definitely be taken. If you're not sure if something is inappropriate to talk about or ask, you can ask a staff member. But a good rule of thumb: If it's negative or needlessly critical in any way, don't share your thoughts. It's unnecessary, hurtful, and can ruin people's muse or desire to even come on the site. And no one wants that. <3
