How to write a story: S&T tricks and tips

[Alexius08]

1. Think of a plot/theme before starting a story and stick to it throughout the story. Have a clear plan for your ending but be flexible for the middle.
2. Update at least once a week to keep your story going. Update too frequently and you'll overwhelm your readers. Leave your ongoing story idle for some weeks (without prior announcement) and readers will assume it's dead.
3. Balance the amount of screenshots with the amount of text. Too many screenshots will leave readers confused and too few screenshots needs to be supported with some well-written paragraphs.
4. When spam reaches your story, resist joining the spammers but consider alluding to the spamfest on your next update.

 

[Optical]

Olaf's Tips

1. If you're in a good mood when you decide to start a story, you'll probably decide to try and be funny. If you don't think you can keep this up... don't try and write a funny story.
2. Don't have too many stories (4 would be my absolute maximum) and update them regularly.
3. Don't force an unnatural-feeling writing style.
4. If you can think of an innovative way to make your story different, by all means, do it. We're all eyes.
5. CFCers like to be involved in your story.
6. Never, ever, EVER use the Jersey Shore pic.

 

[hoplitejoe]

1. 
   When spam reaches your story, resist joining the spammers but consider alluding to the spamfest on your next update.

1. I like you put it as When it reaches
   
   

   6. Never, ever, EVER use the Jersey Shore pic.

   

 

[Civ'ed]

Other Civ'edish tips:

• While History always does well, ahistorical stories are also fun.
• RFC usually has most fans, followed by ROM AND.
• Try to let the theme refer to some of the already existant things we talk about. Examples are:
  • Polandball
  • Ulm
  • Stutendenland (inohotep has gone though)
  • There's always a lot of Communism somewhere (sign flashing and pointing at me)

There.

 

[Alexius08]

5. If your story uses Rhye's and Fall of Civilization, an update that is all about the most recent congress and nothing else won't be read.

 

[Yoshiegg737]

5. If your story uses Rhye's and Fall of Civilization, an update that is all about the most recent congress and nothing else won't be read.

I'll remember that one

 

[hoplitejoe]

• If you don't have many screenshots for an update pray for congress

 

[SouthernKing]

This is a good thread idea.

 

[mayor]

thanks

 

[Dhoomstriker]

@hoplitejoe
Thanks for posting what was meant by a Jersey Shore picture, so that I COULD use it in my story!

A tip: If in doubt about the contents of your story, run your idea past a Moderator before posting your thread.

Another tip: If you're not into photobucket, imageshack, or imgur, you can also try out mynetimages, which is a picture-hosting site that has been working very effectively for me and appears to have some extremely fast response times when viewing one's uploaded images.

Yet another tip: Rather than making a table of contents (or you could make one, too), instead go back and edit the end of each message in your story with a link to the next message in your story. That way, you can click through from one message to the other. Okay, a table of contents is alright if you want to open the entire story in a bunch of windows and tabs, so maybe make both.

 

[Tomorrow's Dawn]

Requesting a sticky for this.

At least when all of the tips have been compiled anyway.

 

[Mosher]

Don't make a SG where you play unmodded Civ, if Ilduce wants to join.

 

[hoplitejoe]

Requesting a sticky for this.

At least when all of the tips have been compiled anyway.

Just checking you know you need to notify a mod to get something stickied.

 

[Yoshiegg737]

I think Mayor, the OP, would have to do it

 

[mayor]

Yeah, I'm planning on requesting a sticky as soon as I have compiled the Tips and sorted out the once that are usable and the once that aren't

 

[Optical]

Olaf's Tips Continued

7. Some stories (or story types) are higher maintenance than others. Write in a way that allows for real life commitments, and don't promise updates if you know you won't be able to deliver.
8. If you're uncertain about whether your story will get views, post it anyway. Take a risk. Who knows? Even though you might not realise it yourself, you could have a msterpiece on your hands.
9. Some things should be neither mentioned nor commented on. Never ask what the 'P-word' is. It's a flying colourful animal. Never mention it. Avoid it at all costs. NEVER MENTION IT - it's caused trouble in the past.
10. Advertising for your story should be kept in the Central thread or your sig.
11. There's a Social Group for S&T regulars. If you want an invite, feel free to ask Yoshiegg737, ilduce349, Red_Spy, Mosher, Duke of Britain, hoplitejoe, Civ'ed, SouthernKing or myself (General Olaf) via a PM. Only Yoshi can add people to the group, but any of us older S&Ters are good people to talk to, especially if Yoshi's unavailable.

 

[hoplitejoe]

I think only Yoshi can add people to the group Olaf.

 

[Optical]

I know. But then we can suggest it to everyone else, and Yoshi can actually do the invite. The other names are there as secondary options, I guess, and if Yoshi was unavailable, PMing any of us would at least get the suggestion out there...

 

[hoplitejoe]

Fair enough

 

[Optical]

Anyway, it was a good point and I've edited it in.