READ THIS FIRST - Rules for Stories

[Pam]

These rules have been put together for the members of our Forum who wish to write their stories to share with everyone.  Please be sure to follow them faithfully when posting a story.

1. All regular Forum Rules apply for any and all stories.

2. Limit screenshots to no more than 25 per post. The preferred size for the Forum is 800x600.  If you use the Carl's Sims 3 Gallery, it will automatically resize the images for you.

3. All stories must be family friendly and may not contain any profanity or inappropriate behavior.  This includes sexual content and violence by any of the Sims in the story.

4. Abandoned and failed stories will be moved to the Stories Graveyard in order to keep clutter on the main stories boards to a minimum.  If you have failed at your Dynasty or legacy, please indicate such in the title of the story so that Moderators will know to move the thread to the graveyard.  For abandoned stories, any incomplete story thread that has not been updated by the author/original poster in around 6 months will be moved.  The author may revive a story at any time by sending a request to one of the Moderators.  Note:  completed stories will remain on their original board.

For readability, try not to go overboard and make your stories too noisy with large characters and loud colors. That's important if you want people to follow your stories. Listen to mods if they tell you that you're going overboard.

For reference, below are links to popular stories that are nicely written and have good formatting:

Dreamweaver Immortal Dynasty

The Man Dynasty

The Moons of Jupiter Dynasty

[pallyndrome]

About the rule of 25 screenshots per post, does that mean 25 images the size of normal screenshots, or 25 screenshots no matter how big or small?

[Simstar3]

Ergh. Sorry, two of those quotes I know are mine.
I'm really sorry, I'll try to stop making frivolous posts from now on.

[CandyHeartedSim]

I agree, I find it incredibly boring to be reading a Story, and having to go through lots of pages of comments. I will try to keep my frivolous comments at Bay.

[Pam]

About the rule of 25 screenshots per post, does that mean 25 images the size of normal screenshots, or 25 screenshots no matter how big or small?

25 of the final image.  For example, if you're talking about putting pieces of more than one screenshot into a single image, that would count as one screenshot/image for the post.

Ergh. Sorry, two of those quotes I know are mine.
I'm really sorry, I'll try to stop making frivolous posts from now on.

I wasn't trying to single out anyone, Simstar.  You're not the only one by far.  Those were just the first quotes I saw and grabbed as examples.

[Seabody]

Regarding rule number 3, if we use little or no screenshots (like I do frequently), do we have a particular max font size, or is it 12pt for any update?
And regarding Screenshots, if we have, for instance, 35 Screenshots we would like to share, can we do a 25-screenshot post, then another 10-screenshot post?
And how exactly is a frivoulous post defined? Is it simply a post along the lines of "Yay! Naomi got married!"? Would a non-frivoulous post be something like, "I like Naomi's hair. Where did you get it?"

[Pam]

Regarding rule number 3, if we use little or no screenshots (like I do frequently), do we have a particular max font size, or is it 12pt for any update?

If it's primarily a text story, then stay with the default 10pt font.

And regarding Screenshots, if we have, for instance, 35 Screenshots we would like to share, can we do a 25-screenshot post, then another 10-screenshot post?

No, you'd need to trim down the screenshots you want to use.  35 screenshots to tell one piece of a story is too much.  There's likely some duplicates or near duplicates that you can cut out.

And how exactly is a frivoulous post defined? Is it simply a post along the lines of "Yay! Naomi got married!"? Would a non-frivoulous post be something like, "I like Naomi's hair. Where did you get it?"

Where have you been while I've been fussing about frivolous posts for the past 2 months?  Your examples are pretty much correct.  Asking a genuine question of the author is fine, but don't just tack on a question so that you can make a post.  What I'm trying to fix is when we have 3 or 4 pages of pointless comments between updates by the author of the story.  It becomes quite cumbersome and ultimately is bad for the Forum overall.

[pallyndrome]

Seabody, if you want to show more screenshots, try decreasing their size on a program like photoshop, and combining 4 smaller shots into one normal size shot. See my story (link in signature) for examples.

[TheChronicR]

I'm so sorry. I know that I am one of these people and that my story threads are filled with frivolous comments. :facepalm:

I am limiting my screenshots to around 20 per post for abour four months already. Lately you may have noticed - I am making rather 'question-oriented' and long comments on others' stories. I believe this is not considered frivolous, right?

Another thing I am doing with my legacy, I post an update, wait some time, people post comments (of course if they choose to), then I come when there are a few comments already, quote each comment in my reply, answer the questions in the same reply too, and then go ahead and update the story in an new post. Maybe it is a double post, but at least I make only two posts a day. So far so good. I hope it's okay.

[Pam]

I'm so sorry. I know that I am one of these people and that my story threads are filled with frivolous comments. :facepalm:

I am limiting my screenshots to around 20 per post for abour four months already. Lately you may have noticed - I am making rather 'question-oriented' and long comments on others' stories. I believe this is not considered frivolous, right?

Another thing I am doing with my legacy, I post an update, wait some time, people post comments (of course if they choose to), then I come when there are a few comments already, quote each comment in my reply, answer the questions in the same reply too, and then go ahead and update the story in an new post. Maybe it is a double post, but at least I make only two posts a day. So far so good. I hope it's okay.

Like I told Simstar, I'm not trying to point fingers.  It's just something that needs to get under control.

I appreciate your effort to make long and question oriented comments.  Just remember that adding more words doesn't necessarily remove the frivolous aspect.  And if you really do have a question, ask it.  However, don't think up questions just to leave a comment. 

The way you're doing with your legacy is fine.  I don't consider it double posting and your update will be easier to read if it's in its own post.

[Natsuko]

Thanks for posting this Pam. I tend to make some frivolous posts also, so it's good to know this. I'll try harder not to that in the future.

I've been using italics and 12 point font size in my stories. Is that okay? Because personally, its easier to read for me because I have failing eyesight. But if you want, I could change that and remove the italics.

[Pam]

I've been using italics and 12 point font size in my stories. Is that okay? Because personally, its easier to read for me because I have failing eyesight. But if you want, I could change that and remove the italics.

Your font choice is fine.  I use that for my stories, too.

[Ausette]

Would compliments be considered frivolous? If I see something I like, it's going to be hard to restrain myself from gushing over it. I'm guessing things like "Awwwww so cute! :3" would be inappropriate, but would "Your characters are hilarious and I'm really enjoying the plot" be acceptable to post? I understand the need to keep the forum clean, but encouragement is probably what keeps a lot of people going.

[Pam]

Would compliments be considered frivolous? If I see something I like, it's going to be hard to restrain myself from gushing over it. I'm guessing things like "Awwwww so cute! :3" would be inappropriate, but would "Your characters are hilarious and I'm really enjoying the plot" be acceptable to post? I understand the need to keep the forum clean, but encouragement is probably what keeps a lot of people going.

True.  It's a fine line we're treading.  Just use your best judgement and be aware of the frivolous problem.

[RubyLovesSims]

Good to know you got the rule set together Pam! Also, would a comment like this be considered frivolous?

"I'm so glad you decided to re-start. I really enjoy reading your Dynasty!"

[Pam]

Good to know you got the rule set together Pam! Also, would a comment like this be considered frivolous?

"I'm so glad you decided to re-start. I really enjoy reading your Dynasty!"

In my opinion, yes.  However, I don't want everyone to become suddenly cold and unfriendly, either.  I definitely don't want that.  I can't really make calls like this here because each story and situation is unique.  Just try to refrain from making what are obvious frivolous comments and be prepared to have them deleted if you do.

[lvrugger]

Pam,
One question for you - do you have a preferred size for screen shots?

[xFezIsAFreakx]

A question I have is if there is any limit to editing screenshots or how much we can edit them, etc?

[CarlosLordofTacos]

Does the no violence rule extend to Sim Fu?

[Simstar3]

@lvrugger
If you use the Gallery, screenshots are automatically resized to the preferred Forum Size.

[Alexandria_]

Thanks for the rules Pam, I think they're very clear and helpful.
And thank you so much for the mention of The Moons of Jupiter as a reference - that really brightened my day.

[jeanamariex3]

How do I post links to the specific chapters. I know the basic BBC coding to how to post a link, but is there a specific URL I have to type to link to that post within the thread? Like what's the URL of the replies/posts with in the threads I have to type? I want my story to be organized like this:

The Chapters

Chapter 1:  I Am Called Uriah
Chapter 2:  Scrap Heap
Chapter 3:  A Day in the Life
Chapter 4:  It's My Birthday!
Chapter 5:  A Season of Changes
Chapter 6:  A Very Good Day
Chapter 7:  Short and Ring
Chapter 8:  Wedding Bells
Chapter 9:  Endings and Beginnings
Chapter 10:  The Times, They Are A-Changing

[Pam]

How do I post links to the specific chapters. I know the basic BBC coding to how to post a link, but is there a specific URL I have to type to link to that post within the thread? Like what's the URL of the replies/posts with in the threads I have to type? I want my story to be organized like this:

The link you want to copy is the one where you click on the subject line of a specific post.  Try it out and if you need more help, let me know.

[Pam]

Does the no violence rule extend to Sim Fu?

Sorry I missed this one, Carlos.

Sim Fu isn't violence.  The game tells us that just because your Sim knows Sim Fu, it doesn't mean that violence is the solution (or something like that).  If you plan to use Sim Fu as a way to kill someone in a story, then no, I wouldn't want that.  But if you're using Sim Fu the way it is intended, such as spars and tournaments, it will be fine.

[Pam]

Pam,
One question for you - do you have a preferred size for screen shots?

Another one I missed!  I'm sorry, lvrugger.

The preferred size for screenshots on the Forum is 640 x 480.  If you use our Gallery, it will automatically resize your images when you upload them.