The Writing Cafe Rules and Quality Guidelines for 2012 & 2013
Originally Written by PMJ; Revised & Updated by Incinermyn.
Originally Written by PMJ; Revised & Updated by Incinermyn.
1. General forum rules apply!
The consequences for breaking them here are no different than anywhere else on the forums. Check here for a reminder.
2. Stories and their chapters cannot be shorter than 1,000 words in length (approximately two pages on MS Word).
A page is typically considered to be about 500 words long on Microsoft Word. As such, we require most stories to have at least 1,000 words per chapter. If you need to check your submission’s word count, please use this online word count tool or the “Word Count” option under Tools on Microsoft Word.
Prologues, poems, and short stories are exempt from this rule. However, prologues and short stories should be of reasonable length (namely, 300 words or longer) to be posted on their own. Likewise, poems under ten lines long cannot be posted in separate threads without more being added over time. Anything longer is fine, so long as many threads aren’t being posted within a short period of time (hours or days of each other).
*Violating this rule may result in closure of the fanfic, based on the moderator’s discretion. Continued violation will result in a 10% warning for spamming per offense.
3. Stories cannot exceed a PG-13 rating!
Anything that contains constant use of strong profanity, heavy violence and depictions of death, overzealous description of drug or alcohol use, or graphic sexuality without proper warnings will be locked or removed without question! Though we allow anything that you would see in PG-13 (or similarly rated) movies, we do not tolerate anything too graphic, immoral, unlawful, or obscene in stories. For specifics, check below.
- a. Profanity: Mild swears such as hell, damn, dang, crap, and crud that aren’t already censored automatically by the forum are perfectly fine to use in fanfics without consequence. However, stronger swears (the f-word, the sh-word, the n-word, etc.) are only allowed when used sparingly. It is alright to edit them so that an asterisk replaces one vowel while the rest of the word remains intact, but finding a way to fully censor-jump the word isn’t allow.
b. Violence and Death: Light to moderate violence is commonplace in Pokémon fan fiction, therefore referencing things such as occasional bleeding or bruising of characters is perfectly fine. Heavier violence such as gunshot wounds, gouging/goring/disfigurement of a character’s body-parts, and even depictions of death are also allowed to an extent. However, most of these things should either be infrequent or downplayed to where their descriptions aren’t leaving the full impression they would in something on the lines an R-rated horror movie.
c. Drug/Alcohol Reference: Dark-sided fanfics occasionally have content where human characters are actually smoking or drinking for whatever reason. In the case of alcohol use, minor instances such as someone taking a swig from a can of beer or downing a shot of whiskey are perfectly acceptable, but it shouldn’t escalate to the point where he/she is actually getting drunk. Smoking, on the other hand, is fine so long as it’s on the lines of cigarettes, cigars, or tobacco pipes, but other types of drug use/reference (marijuana, heroin, cocaine, etc.) is strictly prohibited.
d. Insinuation: Insinuation typically involves characters talking about or displaying romantic tendencies towards one another. Mild things such as characters kissing one another on the lips, hugging/cuddling each other, or even talking vaguely about sex are fine. Full-blown erotica such as description of graphic nudity or sexual acts are strictly prohibited, however.
*Aside from closure/removal of the fanfic, violators of this rule will also receive a 10% to 40% warning for inappropriate content. If the case is severe enough, a ban may even be issued based on the moderator’s discretion.
4. Don’t plagiarize.
Plagiarism itself is considered a crime in real life, and thus isn’t tolerated here. Spoofs and parodies are the exception to the rule, but otherwise all fanfics should be your own writings. If it comes to light that you copy-and-pasted a fanfic someone else wrote and posted somewhere else, it will be removed and you will be banned for plagiarism.
5. Don’t be a hater.
Stories written with the full intent of harassing or slandering a specific group or person on the forums aren’t tolerated. Mocking people based on their race, age, gender, orientation, background, upbringing, etc. is one of the most horrible things you can do online to begin with, and writing fiction with that as the sheer focus is even worse. Mild jokes are excusable, but anything more is not.
*Violating this rule will result in removal of the fanfic and a 20% to 40% warning, depending on the severity.
6. Good grammar/spelling and proper formatting are absolute musts.
All writings must be of readable quality! Occasional grammar and spelling mistakes are forgivable, but if your fanfic is difficult to read, expect it to be closed without question.
Likewise, all paragraphs need to be double-spaced. It is very hard to read through fanfics that appear as a virtual block of text, not to mention it is downright annoying trying to forcibly peruse through a story that’s just line after line of words without any sort of spacing to denote when new paragraphs start. To rectify this issue, just hit the Enter Key twice whenever you want to start a new paragraph (This applies to dialogue as well since you’re supposed to start a new paragraph every time a new character talks anyways, even if it just ends up being a short sentence he/she speaks).
Additionally, spoiler tags (i.e.
) can be added to lengthy chapters to help separate the actual update from the writer’s commentaries or compensate for the fact that they’re so long. These are by no means required, but some people find it better to use them than simply post the chapter as is into the post.
As of November 21, 2012, scripts and script-formatted stories are no longer allowed in the Writer's Corner. These are normally poorly formatted and can be difficult to follow to begin with. While they are a critical part of plays and movies, they have no place in a fiction forum as they aren't serious attempts at fiction writing.
*Violating this rule will result in closure of the fanfic and possibly a minor warning, depending on the moderator’s discretion.
7. Number ratings are considered SPAM!
Most writers take their work seriously, so it means more when they get real input on their stories rather than just a “Good Job!” or rating on their fanfic. The occasional “Good Job!” or “I like your fanfic!” will be overlooked so long as some significant advice is given later, but number ratings will always be removed since they tend to be generally useless and spammy. Of course, this is merely foresight, as most people don’t give numbered ratings to begin with.
*Repeated violation of this rule may result in a null/verbal warning for spam, which may be increased in a regular spam warning if it becomes a problem.
8. Double posting and bumping are okay.
Writers may bump their own fanfics at anytime to either update it or get it some attention. However, you are not allowed to bump your fanfic more than once in a three-day period.
Critics can do this as well so long as they are actually giving a thorough critique and the fanfic is considered relatively recent; if a fanfic hasn’t been posted or updated within the past six to eight weeks, critics should leave it alone! The thread is considered dead and only the original writer is allowed to revive it. If it gets bumped, the thread will be closed and your post will be hidden.
9. Post new chapters in new posts.
There’s been some misinterpretation of this in the past, so for clarification, all chapters of your fanfic should be posted in the same thread. Updating your thread also means making new posts for your chapters. Do not compile them all in the OP! It’s fine if you want to post both the prologue and first chapter in the first post, but if you add them all into the same post, you’ll eventually run out of space.
As your fanfic progresses, you should make links to your future chapters in the original post. To get the link for the specific chapter, click on the number located in the upper right-hand corner of the post you made for it. Then copy the new link in your browser’s address bar and paste it into the OP as part of a “Table of Contents,” listing what chapters you have so far.
10. No abusing colors or tags.
*Violating this rule may result in either a verbal warning or removal of the post entirely.
11. Don’t quote the post with the installment.
Quoting the entirety of a chapter is strictly forbidden, especially if you’re not making any actual comments about what the person did wrong. If you want to make a proper critique, break it up into smaller quotes like most people do! It’s annoying for writers to reread an entire chapter just to pick out a few points you were trying to make, if you don’t quote it just to say “good job.” Posts like this will be removed without question.
*Violating this rule will result in a spam warning. If it happens again, the violator will be blacklisted from the Writer’s Corner indefinitely.
12. Community Blacklist
Some violators are so bad about breaking the rules that they just won’t stop. In most cases, they end up getting banned from the forums in general because they don’t listen or consistently troll moderators to the point of breaking. For those who don’t but are still unwelcome in the Writer’s Corner, there’s the “community blacklist.”
Fundamentally, it works on a three-strike system. The first violation means that the individual will be watched carefully for rule breaking, a second one deems a stern warning/warnings from the overseeing mods, and a third offense automatically results in an embargo from posting in the Writer’s Corner. If you argue against the decision, you will just get banned. Too much too often, members get cocky about verbal/regular warnings they received and this is the punishment that will ultimately ensue if they continue violating rules in the Writer’s Corner but not to the extent where it warrants a ban.
Blacklisted Writers (Reasons)
1.) rivalgary677 (Not following quality-control guidelines and being an all-around nuissance to Incinermyn)
Questions? Comments? Eternal praise? All of those should go here.
Available Critics/Proofreaders
Critic: Delta (Moderator)
Contact Methods: Private Messaging; Profile Comments
Days Available: Weekdays and weekends
Hours Available: 11:00 AM to 01:00 AM GMT + 01
Genres Covered: Miscellaneous
Critic: Dustin DeVine (Moderator)
Contact Methods: Private Messaging; Profile Comments
Days Available: Monday-Friday
Hours Available: 1 PM (EST) through 9 PM (EST) (TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.)
Genres Covered: Historical Literature, Epics, Romance, Misc.
Critic: Luckyfire
Contact Methods: Private Messaging; Profile Comments
Days Available: Weekends only
Hours Available: Between 3:50 and 6:00 PM (The critic's timezone)
Genres Covered: Miscellaneous (Horror, Mystery, and Mythical predominantly)
Critic: MrGatr
Contact Methods: Private Messaging; Profile Comments
Days Available: Weekdays and weekends
Hours Available: Varying
Genres Covered: Miscellaneous
As of November 21, 2012, scripts and script-formatted stories are no longer allowed in the Writer's Corner. These are normally poorly formatted and can be difficult to follow to begin with. While they are a critical part of plays and movies, they have no place in a fiction forum as they aren't serious attempts at fiction writing.
*Violating this rule will result in closure of the fanfic and possibly a minor warning, depending on the moderator’s discretion.
7. Number ratings are considered SPAM!
Most writers take their work seriously, so it means more when they get real input on their stories rather than just a “Good Job!” or rating on their fanfic. The occasional “Good Job!” or “I like your fanfic!” will be overlooked so long as some significant advice is given later, but number ratings will always be removed since they tend to be generally useless and spammy. Of course, this is merely foresight, as most people don’t give numbered ratings to begin with.
*Repeated violation of this rule may result in a null/verbal warning for spam, which may be increased in a regular spam warning if it becomes a problem.
8. Double posting and bumping are okay.
Writers may bump their own fanfics at anytime to either update it or get it some attention. However, you are not allowed to bump your fanfic more than once in a three-day period.
Critics can do this as well so long as they are actually giving a thorough critique and the fanfic is considered relatively recent; if a fanfic hasn’t been posted or updated within the past six to eight weeks, critics should leave it alone! The thread is considered dead and only the original writer is allowed to revive it. If it gets bumped, the thread will be closed and your post will be hidden.
9. Post new chapters in new posts.
There’s been some misinterpretation of this in the past, so for clarification, all chapters of your fanfic should be posted in the same thread. Updating your thread also means making new posts for your chapters. Do not compile them all in the OP! It’s fine if you want to post both the prologue and first chapter in the first post, but if you add them all into the same post, you’ll eventually run out of space.
As your fanfic progresses, you should make links to your future chapters in the original post. To get the link for the specific chapter, click on the number located in the upper right-hand corner of the post you made for it. Then copy the new link in your browser’s address bar and paste it into the OP as part of a “Table of Contents,” listing what chapters you have so far.
10. No abusing colors or tags.
THIS IS REALLY DISTRACTING
NO ONE WANTS TO READ A STORY THAT LOOKS ANYTHING LIKE THIS
BOLD SHOULD ONLY BE USED FOR CHAPTER TITLES/ENDING NOTATIONS
ITALICS ARE FINE FOR EXPRESSING THOUGHT OR EMPHASIS BUT DON’T GO OVERBOARD
UNDERLINE SHOULD PRETTY MUCH NEVER BE USED. MAYBE FOR EMPHASIS.
KEEP YOUR STORIES LEFT ALIGNED AT ALL TIMES
NO ONE WANTS TO READ A STORY THAT LOOKS ANYTHING LIKE THIS
BOLD SHOULD ONLY BE USED FOR CHAPTER TITLES/ENDING NOTATIONS
ITALICS ARE FINE FOR EXPRESSING THOUGHT OR EMPHASIS BUT DON’T GO OVERBOARD
UNDERLINE SHOULD PRETTY MUCH NEVER BE USED. MAYBE FOR EMPHASIS.
KEEP YOUR STORIES LEFT ALIGNED AT ALL TIMES
*Violating this rule may result in either a verbal warning or removal of the post entirely.
11. Don’t quote the post with the installment.
Quoting the entirety of a chapter is strictly forbidden, especially if you’re not making any actual comments about what the person did wrong. If you want to make a proper critique, break it up into smaller quotes like most people do! It’s annoying for writers to reread an entire chapter just to pick out a few points you were trying to make, if you don’t quote it just to say “good job.” Posts like this will be removed without question.
*Violating this rule will result in a spam warning. If it happens again, the violator will be blacklisted from the Writer’s Corner indefinitely.
12. Community Blacklist
Some violators are so bad about breaking the rules that they just won’t stop. In most cases, they end up getting banned from the forums in general because they don’t listen or consistently troll moderators to the point of breaking. For those who don’t but are still unwelcome in the Writer’s Corner, there’s the “community blacklist.”
Fundamentally, it works on a three-strike system. The first violation means that the individual will be watched carefully for rule breaking, a second one deems a stern warning/warnings from the overseeing mods, and a third offense automatically results in an embargo from posting in the Writer’s Corner. If you argue against the decision, you will just get banned. Too much too often, members get cocky about verbal/regular warnings they received and this is the punishment that will ultimately ensue if they continue violating rules in the Writer’s Corner but not to the extent where it warrants a ban.
Blacklisted Writers (Reasons)
1.) rivalgary677 (Not following quality-control guidelines and being an all-around nuissance to Incinermyn)
Questions? Comments? Eternal praise? All of those should go here.
Available Critics/Proofreaders
Critic: Delta (Moderator)
Contact Methods: Private Messaging; Profile Comments
Days Available: Weekdays and weekends
Hours Available: 11:00 AM to 01:00 AM GMT + 01
Genres Covered: Miscellaneous
Critic: Dustin DeVine (Moderator)
Contact Methods: Private Messaging; Profile Comments
Days Available: Monday-Friday
Hours Available: 1 PM (EST) through 9 PM (EST) (TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.)
Genres Covered: Historical Literature, Epics, Romance, Misc.
Critic: Luckyfire
Contact Methods: Private Messaging; Profile Comments
Days Available: Weekends only
Hours Available: Between 3:50 and 6:00 PM (The critic's timezone)
Genres Covered: Miscellaneous (Horror, Mystery, and Mythical predominantly)
Critic: MrGatr
Contact Methods: Private Messaging; Profile Comments
Days Available: Weekdays and weekends
Hours Available: Varying
Genres Covered: Miscellaneous