RaymanZone

ryanmcd · Last edited by ryanmcd on Mon Jul 26, 2004 1:22 pm, edited 3 times in total

The FanWorks forum is producing more and more illegible FanFics. I made these guidlines to help some author beginners.

Guidlines for neatness.

1. ALWAYS write your FanFic in Word. It is absolutely essential, as it points out all grammatical and typographical mistakes.

2. NEVER just press the enter key once. For paragraphs or lines of speech, double tap it, as for bigger divisions, like levels, three or four times is recommended.

3. NEVER try to write a FanFic entirely or mainly out of speech. ALWAYS write actions and give the surroundings for a clear and easy to read FanFic.

4. ALWAYS write present tense actions in asterisks, then everyone on the forum will know what you are talking about, eg. *Rayman pushes the button*

5. ALWAYS make it clear who is talking. Seperate different character's speech by double tapping the enter key, eg.

Rayman: Hi Globox!

Globox: Rayman, I didn't see you there!

6. NEVER try to use colour keys in text, it makes it distracting to read.

7. ALWAYS title each chapter, and underline it.

8. Use punctuation. Word should automatically fix most errors, but it can't see all of them. Get into the habit.

9. No-one will attempt to read your FanFic properly unless it is all on the first post. You can post each chapter separately, but always edit your first post as well, and paste it there.

10. Ignore babble pasted from Word. Babble is the strange code that appears in posts when you paste a symbol that isn't used in veranda (the font that posts are in.) Such symbols are thing like speech marks, and triple dots. When you post it, the code will go away, and the correct symbol will replace it. If you still aren't sure, press the preview button. Also, don't try fiddling around with the code that appears, leave all &'s and others in there. The computer knows what it's doing

11. Remember: No-one will read your FanFic if it is a struggle to do so.

Guidelines for attractiveness.

1. Make it interesting. Do not use a "Return of the Pirates" or "Return of the Hoodlums" plot, we've seen it all before. Make sure you have the plot worked out before you start writing. That way, you can insert clues to what is going to happen early on, unless you want to maintain the suspense. Always keep it clear at what point in the FanFic you are.

2. Add files. Pictures are the main ones, as they are much easier to use than words. Also, you may even want to try music files, they work excellently to maintain interest.

3. Use humour. Remember, this is Rayman we're talking about

For "GameFics"

1. Start with a cinematic. All games do. Remember to include the title appearing in this first cinematic, and any extra credits that you want.

2. Clearly label what is GAMEPLAY, CINEMATIC, or OTHER, eg.

(Start cinematic)

*Globox falls off a cliff*

Globox: AHHHHHRGH!

(End cinematic)

3. Clearly show the scoring sytem, and any pickups you may find. Also describe well any new charcters.

I will add any other guidlines that come up. Remember that's what they are though: Guidlines. Many people create their own rules. These don't have to be followed, but it is strongly recommended.

Bowsermkii · Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 7:13 pm Post subject:

Ooooh dear, rolesfamily didn't read the guidelines for interest, did he? (I'm talking about the Rayman 4: Return of the Pirates fanfic)
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ryanmcd · Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 7:19 pm Post subject:

That's why I decided to make this. His FanFic is unreadable.
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Block · Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 7:23 pm Post subject:

There should also be guidelines for making a gamefic (a fanfic that's also in game form, like RotW).
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Rayfan · Joined: 07 Mar 2003 Posts: 2423 Location: Elsewhere.

Well, if people follow those guidelines the thing will at least be readable, if not interesting. But that business of putting actions in between asterisks isn't how you write English, it's internet-speak. Okay for this forum, I guess.

jona NL · Moderator Joined: 22 Mar 2003 Posts: 10222 Location: ...

Something between asterisks describes an action performed, or, if you prefer, further explanations.
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lobasuu · Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 7:39 am Post subject:

Useful thingy, althoguh im sure, im not gonna make a fan-fic...
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Spaceray · Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 1100 Location: What about it?

Thanks ryanmcd. This might come in useful some time.
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Cool pic isn't it. I'll pay you if you can find where I found it.

Now calling all old members of TRAQ, visit it, now!!!!!!!!!!! It's on again!!!

ryanmcd · Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 10:18 am Post subject:

Okay

I'll add to it.
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Raymenboss · Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 10:28 am Post subject:

So you saw my topic and decided too many people needed help,thanks anyways!

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ryanmcd · Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 11:27 am Post subject:

What topic?

Edit> Jona says to post sticky requests, so here it is:

Sticky request.
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jona NL · Moderator Joined: 22 Mar 2003 Posts: 10222 Location: ...

No problem, there are sticky spots free. *sticks*
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ryanmcd · Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 1:23 pm Post subject:

Oh good. This will hopefully be commonly refered to now, and won't have to be bumped

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GameNerd · Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2004 10:12 am Post subject:

Well, my fanfic doesn't score to much points...
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Raymenboss · Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2004 7:25 pm Post subject:

Awwwwww!!!!! People still don't reply to my raging rampage!

THERE'S A LINK TO IT AT MY SIG!
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ryanmcd · Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2004 7:58 pm Post subject:

Mine neither...
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Phoenixan · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 6:57 am Post subject:

goldfistbb · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 7:27 am Post subject:

These days, people never read people's stories. I've added new links in my sig(my stories) but it links to a word file..so if someone doesn't have word..I would have to send them the story by pm or something like that instead.
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En Taro Adun!

rolesfamily · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 7:48 am Post subject:

goldfistbb · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 7:53 am Post subject: