And all through his update, he wouldn't quit mentioning it, even after it made everyone irate!
Welcome back to your weekly addition to the blog, this one brought you by my enthusiasm, because I'm looking at only two more shifts before I kick the work dust off my feet and say "seeya!" until next year, because I am hauling out until January 7th! What does that mean to you the readers? Well, not a whole lot, other than I'm going to have some extra time on my hands for writing and project development. The blogs will continue of course, but they might update at an usual time (depending on the way my sleep schedule rolls out during that time period), so you'll just have to be prepared for that. Anyway, you will still get an update on December 20th, and then January 3rd, as December 27th is our monthly skip.
Now that I've had the opportunity to annoy and/or make you extremely jealous of my ability to accumulate time off, let's get back to what's truly important: Giving you the rundown on what's new at Valucre! ;D
What's Happening Valucre?
Orisia's Winter Ball and The Fortune's Spiral Tournament- Well, if that wasn't a mouthful, I'm just going to assume you spend a lot of time shoving large things into your mouth. The event itself has nothing to do with oral insertion, but instead opens up the next chapter in major events occurring within Orisia Isle. These events take place after the eradication of the undead infesting the woods, bringing back together numerous guests and warriors to enjoy some activities designed to help alleviate some possibly unspent energy, as the undead scourge ended in a rather anti-climatic manner. This winter themed event will take place over three parts, divided by 'Dances', which speaks both literally and figuratively.
- The First Dance: Everyone comes together for a winter themed ball, where guests and combatants alike come to socialize and mingle. If you've ever wanted a chance to do some IC sizing up of future challengers, this is your chance to do so. After the events end, guests are allowed to rest up in special guests quarters. This begins December 22nd.
- The Second Dance: This is the tournament itself, starting January 5th of next year. There will be a pair of matches each day (for 8 total participants), going on for 4 days total (IC, with OOC lasting as long as required). At the end of the 4th IC day, a champion shall be crowned. This tournament is Realistic Melee, a challenging variation.
- The Third Dance: On the 6th IC day, a final Ball will take place, honoring the champion and allowing another night of celebration. Events end at dawn the next day, with this thread beginning immediately after the end of the tournament.
Shrine City's Team Battle Tournament- Feels like tournament season is about, and if a small based Realistic Melee tournament isn't quite up to your tastes, you have the option of doing something on the other end of the spectrum. Soap MacTavish is throwing together an event involving team based T-1 fighting, allowing abilities up to Mild Powers to come pit themselves against other teams in varying stages of combat. The more people who join, the larger the purse gets, so people should start considering who they want fighting at their side. If you think a team based match might be something new and interesting to try, you can go check it out over here. The buy in is 45vb, and the tourney is slated to start January 15th.
Canonical Updates for Terrenus- Looks like Supernal got bit by a bit of ambition, because he's been rolling out some new additions to the lore for Terrenus cities over the last couple of days. I've taken a gander over some of the new additions, and there is some new and interesting information to be had. If you get the chance, you should come take a look at this thread to see a list of the updates and to give Supernal your feedback. Before you ask- no, there is nothing about a landscaping business included.
Exploration of the Isle of Gesen- This is a pretty cool and unique idea, so I definitely had to throw it in here. One of the creators of this land area is looking for help developing the lore through IC explorations- that is, he wants to RP discovering different things rather than just write them up on a lore page. By doing so, you get a better feel for the lore itself and then build upon some character background on the land itself. The thread author (Toren, aka Totem ;) ) is the one requesting the help, and offers VB to those willing to give a hand. If you think this sounds pretty neat, you should come join the exploration.
A Trip to the Nether- A quest based RP open to anyone, this strange adventure will take you to the realm of the Nether, where the dead go to wait for passage into the afterlife and where dreams take place (according to the lore of this RP so to speak). Somethingrandom, the one heading up this quest, is looking for 5-6 participants (at this point, looks like they have three) to join his character in heading to this region to recover an important figure. Upon entering however, they discover that evil forces are at work, enslaving the waiting spirits and making it impossible for the dead to move on to their final resting places. There's lots more to be said, but I think it's best that you just mosey on over and read the thread for yourself. I could regurgitate more details, but who wants pre-digested goods? Check out the details over here.
Blue Dream Hotel, Grand Opening- High Crest City has now expanded to include a high class resort, sitting right on the coastline. The Hotel is headed by OIC, but the general populace doesn't know, and it really doesn't matter, because the place is a nice location to get away and relax. If you want some RP with little strings attached (and what goes on at the Blue Dream Hotel, stays at the Blue Dream Hotel, if you know what I am sayin), then this is certainly not a bad place to start. Also, if OIC members are inside Genesaris but fail to visit, -Rob might kick your ass. Just fair warning! :) You can come pretend to be on vacation, like I am soon going to be(!), by coming over to this thread.
Question of the Week!!!
Well, a pair of last minute entries made my day today! Prior, I only had one response to the question this week, and I was feeling a bit disappointed. However, just as my hopes were dwindling away, a couple different folks dropped in their answers for the week, making me feel much better. If you can do the math, you already know that I have three responses for you this week. These three folks are the first three entered into the monthly draw which occurs on the first update of next month, so good luck to those who enter in future contests.
Btw- remember, if I get an average of 5+ answers per week, I up the prize to a $10 value. :)
Anyway, last week's question: Hey Valucre, is there anything you like to do before/during your writing of posts? We covered music, but what about habits or food?
The answers:
Response One: My quirks for writing posts are to first read the recent post than the last three posts or the last post of the last turn to help get me in the proper mindset of the situation. But besides that I don't have any other habits.
Response Two: I'm new at writing. I can't say I've always had something to keep me going with it because I am new. Music is distracting and I don't eat a lot of crap with the things I do so food and music don't count. I've been making a pot of coffee when I get home. It helps me with energy. Coffee could very well become my staple. I won't know for several more weeks. I used to smoke and quit two years ago. You'd think I might want something in hand. That's not the case. I'm good.
Response Three: I used to be a tootsie pop and jaw breaker/atomic fireball junkie, especially when writing a piece emotionally draining. I needed something long lasting to act as a soothing agent. Candy did it. Well, I had a diabetes scare when I developed gestational diabetes this last time around. I'm still free of diabetes but have turned to healthier, but not so healthier, alternatives to candy. I favor cinnamon bark. I imagine it's not good for my teeth, but oh well. It's long lasting. Two inches take me about forty minutes to suck and chew through. It's actually really good. If you like cinnamon, give it a try :)
Okay, three responses to that last one, let's see if we can do better this week.
Question of the Week: What do you think of the blog format? Do you mind the random bits of humor, or do you want it more serious? Do you like the Holiday based pic inserts, or do you want to skip it? Is there anything stylistically that really irks you, or that you really like?
Now, be gentle, but honest feedback is great. :)
Say Hello to Our New Members and Returns!
Looks like this week we have 11 new members to meet and greet. Better yet, we have FOUR returning members to give a big warm welcome back to, which if I recall correctly, is a bit of a record. I don't recall ever getting more than two or three in a single week. So, a decent amount of new faces and a good serving of returning friends to make the whole buffet of membership complete!
Now I'm hungry. ><
Welcome, Mfaver
Welcome, Korac Thrioh
Welcome, Duskskully
Welcome, Mad
Welcome, Deinosuchus
Welcome, Platinum
Welcome, Akabaraokami
Welcome, Lullabylindsay
Welcome, Virtus
Welcome, Bayfang18
Welcome, Lord Aeonheart
And the returns-
Welcome back to our new friends, and a big welcome to those who are new. Be sure to check out Blue Shoelace's Role-Play Direction Thread to get some help finding an ideal RP for you. Also, while you're at it, head over to the Tavern of Legend to get your feet wet!
Speaking of New Folks...
I'm always looking to expand the readership here, so here is a bit of competition. We have new members, and we have members who just might ignore the thread updates. ;P
See how many people you can get to start reading the blog. If you get someone to start reading, have them send me a PM at least 'saying' they are subscribed to the update thread, and have them give me a blurb about what they like in these blogs (or at least the most recent one). For each new reader who messages me, I'll give them 50vb. The person who refers the most by January 1st, I'll work out a prize with you, that can include any of the following: $10 e-certificate, $10 in VB, free items from the Genesaris shop, or special favors IC that you might want one of my characters to do (please, keep your mind out of the gutter 0_o)
Announcement:
I ran a poll recently, asking how people wanted to see the updates continue. After all votes came in, the winner with 77.78% of the vote, is to keep it the same.
So, the majority has spoken, and the blogs will continue on their regular schedule. That is all!
Other Highlights?
Hey- guess what? You're making me do more work, and I don't care, because I am going on vacation at the end of this week. That's right, three solid weeks off from work, so ha ha! Take that, you insatiable readers you. Three weeks of easy street.
The Training Room- Hey, have you seen that little board called The Training Room? This is a place for new members and old to come and brush up on some things, ask forum related questions, or things along those lines. If you're wondering whereabouts to put questions pertaining to the forum itself, go get some training!
Did You Know?- Group Subscriptions: Did you know that you can subscribe to your Groups? They'll show up in your Settings, beneath any thread subscriptions you might have, and above your Reputation panel. It will allow you to see whether any new members have joined, and more importantly whether any new threads have been made or posted in.
Go to the Group. Group Tools > Subscribe to this Group.
See the rest of the Did You Know? archive over here: More to Know
Closing Thoughts?
Time for the closing thoughts
A lot has happened this week, both around the world and locally, and many things tempt me to reflect over events, especially a particular incidence that strikes awfully close to home. As much as I’m tempted to, I am going to skip over the subject, as no amount of parsing on the tragic subject is going to change the outcome, nor is it going to provide anything of worth to the board at large. Instead, I’ve decided that I want to reflect on the Water Cooler process, specifically, trying to get responses to your interest checks. If it seems like we’re beating a dead horse (after all these changes we put through), I apologize, but I think it’s relevant, and so I help you get something useful from it!
So, you have an idea for an RP, and you would really like to get some people to come collaborate with you on it. You put up an interest check in the water cooler, wait a couple of days, and when you see no one reply, you give it a bump. Another couple of days go by, and you still have no response. At this point, I usually see one of three things:
1. Another bump (Continue until worn out, then go to 2 or 3)
2. Rage quit (leave inflammatory message about people’s lack of response, then give up)
3. Simply Give up (giving up without inflammatory remarks)
It’s an easy thing to assume that your interest check failed simply because other people did not want to RP with you. Or you might assume it is because they can’t appreciate your ideas and artistic vision. Maybe you internalize it and think people don’t like you. I’ve heard a gamut of reasons given for why someone thinks their idea failed to generate interest, and far less often do I hear someone admit to what is the most common denominator:
You did a poor job with your interest check.
Yep, I would say 90% of the time, if you fail to get any sort of response at all, it means you did a poor job putting together your interest check. It does not necessarily mean the idea itself was bad- hell, it might be an awesome idea- but if the interest check consists of two lines and within those two lines very little information, people are generally inclined to skip right over it. I cannot speak for everyone on Valucre, but honestly, if someone puts very little effort into his or her interest check, I am automatically turned off. Why is that? Because if you could not be bothered to put any effort into the thread meant to entice me, how much effort are you going to put into writing the rp and developing the story?
Putting up your interest check is more than just asking others if they like your idea. This is your one chance to show how dedicated you are going to be with this thread. This is your chance to show that you intend to put the work behind this RP, that you have ideas and plans to work with, and that you will stick around for the long haul. If you put up five or six interest checks in a month, put very little effort into any of them, and then quickly move on when one does not immediately generate attention, I am going to be very disinclined to RP with you. I want to see that you are willing to put in the work to make something fun, engaging, and worth writing.
It does not have to be the -best idea ever-.
You do not have to write with the talent of William Shakespeare’s and Herman Melville’s illegitimate offspring.
You don’t have to put up an RP thread that promises to rock my world and make me a sandwich
You just need to show me that you have some sort of plan that jumps out beyond two to three lines.
Now, you might ask- how do I do that?
Well my friends, part of that new overhaul included a couple of handy guides put out to help you understand the process. We have a rough template, as well as the pasted blog of a fellow storyteller’s guide to putting up an interest check that will work-; well, work 90% of the time.
Basically, you are going to include details like:
The Genre, Location, Idea and FAQs, through these four steps:
1. Tell us about your character who is involved.
2. Tell us the idea. What is the main basis of the idea, and what sort of story are you building- plot driven, character driven, etc?
3. Tell us what your plot is going to be, what you are hoping to accomplish, what challenges others might face, and what roles you need filled.
4. Provide other relevant information.
These are watered down versions of what you can find on the linked page, so I highly suggest that you check it out.
A few more tips:
Ask yourself:
1. Is this story only serving me, or can I find a way to have it serve others? If your story is focused on your character and largely revolves around your one character and another already defined sort of character, you are less likely to have success than if you find a way to incorporate another person’s character with goals of their own in mind. If you can find a way to accommodate so you both mutually receive your needs, you are more likely to get someone to join you. If you don’t think this is possible, you might want to consider doing a solo RP or requesting a Storyteller.
2. Is my idea new, or is it a lot like a plot already going/already seeking players? If you can find a thread already going that sounds very similar to what you are proposing, you might want to see if you can join that thread instead. If people are already role-playing in an Alien Brothel thread, chances are, when you put up one seeking people to play aliens trapped in a prostitution ring, you might not get interested parties. People who are interested in those sorts of role-plays are already involved in another very similar story. Now, this does not mean you can’t try- you might find others who wanted to do it but couldn't because the thread filled up.
Last tip: Sometimes, to get someone to jump off the fence and join you is to simply get that thread going and start posting, regardless if others join you or not. If they see where you are going with the story based on the posts you are providing, you might get someone to decide to go ahead and join it, instead of hanging around in indecision.
If you do all of the above, and find that you still cannot get your thread to generate some interest, then you might fall into a case that occurs about 1 in 10 times:
People just aren't interested right now.
Now, this is NOT personal. This does not mean that the idea is necessarily bad, or that you are an unappreciated member- it only means that, at this time, people are not interested in that idea, for whatever reason. It might not be anyone’s taste. It might be that the group of players who normally enjoy that RP are burnt out on it right now. It just might be some unusual, that people just don’t feel like venturing into it. Whatever the reason, you should remember NOT to take it personally. If this idea did not work out- it’s okay!
Just try again with something else.
Alright, those are my closing thoughts. Hopefully, the resemble something slightly organized. I am in a bit of a rush today, because I got behind due to some work related events.
Until next time!
- Acies
Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.
~ T. S. Eliot
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