Welcome to the jungle...

Subject: Welcome to the jungle...
Author: Phobos
Posted on: 2012-07-05 18:48:00 UTC

...or house, whichever. Glad to have you.

-Phobos

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Sib houses, continued again. by Neshomeh on 2012-07-03 20:20:00 UTC Reply

This time with house descriptions and Big Sib names included, because I want us to have a good idea of the itty bitty numbers we're currently working with and hope more people jump on board as Big Sibs. {= P I've tweaked some of the descriptions a little, so let me know if I've screwed anything up.

(ALSO! If your name is Shellfur or LunarHuntress and you haven't contacted me off-Board yet, I'd love it if you did, just so I know you know how. Thanks!)

Latest revision of How This Works:

1. PPC Goals

These are the primary goals of any PPCer or group of PPCers.

To encourage and celebrate good writing, be it by reading and/or writing good stories, by giving concrit, by beta-reading, etc.

To have fun with bad writing, be it in the form of missions, MSTs, just talking about it, etc.

To celebrate fandom in its many forms, whether in writing, in art, in role-play, in nerdy holidays, etc.

To have fun, fulfilling, and safe community interactions with other PPCers, wheresoever you prefer to do so.

To do the above with respect for each other, for badfic authors and others, and for our community spaces, so we can all have a good time and not give anyone a justification for calling us big fat annoying stupid meanie-heads.

2. House Goals

Secondary to the above PPC Goals, these are the specific aims of the system of "houses" for Sibs.

To make it easier/less scary for newbies to approach and get to know older PPCers.

To give newbies a mentor/teacher they can always ask questions and advice.

To provide a systematic selection process for Big Sibs and Little Sibs, preventing much flailing and confusion over who should step up.

To provide a network of support for Big Sibs in particular, but all members in general, so no one person gets overwhelmed trying to mentor/advise/guide/correct/befriend/whatever all the new people, and so there are clear channels of support open for advice on given topics.

To get older PPCers more involved and more personally invested in the PPC Goals by giving them a specific obligation toward other PPCers. In other words, you're responsible for teaching your Little Sibs and correcting them if they make mistakes, so if they're consistently driving us up the wall we're going to come to you to find out why.

Not to become cliques whose members never talk to anyone outside their sibs/house.

Not to devalue the importance of other houses' interests. For instance, just because your group isn't big on giving concrit doesn't mean people in it should believe concrit is stupid, since that would contradict the PPC Goals.

3. House Structure

This is how houses work.

Houses shall be made up of oldbies willing to be Big Sibs to newbies, with the responsibilities that role entails.

Each Big Sib may be in a maximum of two (2) houses, if they feel up to keeping track of two sets of fellow Big Sibs and two sets of potential Little Sibs. No more are allowed in order to prevent overzealous oldbies from overreaching themselves, and also to keep things relatively uncomplicated in line with House Goal 3.

All Big Sibs shall have a working knowledge of PPC in-universe canon and PPC rules, policies, social mores and folkways, etc., and be willing and able to teach their Little Sibs about the same.

Each house shall have a stated area of expertise that sets it apart from other houses, to provide newbies with something to identify as a particular (but not exclusive) personal interest and thus efficiently narrow the field of potential Big Sibs—House Goal 3 again. However, this area of expertise should not be too specific (i.e. Lord of the Rings humorfic concrit in the IRC), because that would just get really silly really fast and leave us open for too many Clue jokes. But seriously, basing a house on a specific fandom or PPC hangout is right out.

Each house shall have a silly name that doesn't necessarily bear any relation to its area of expertise.

Upon introducing themselves to the PPC, newbies shall be given a list of houses and their descriptions, and asked to select one (1) and only one. In order to prevent popularity/intimidation from becoming a factor, this list shall not include names of Big Sibs. Anybody should feel free to do this for newbies, so if you want to help out but don't feel up to being a Big Sib yourself, go for it!

A Big Sib from the newbie's chosen house will then elect to adopt that newbie as their Little Sib, according to availability and/or compatibility; considerations may include fandoms in common, interest in the IRC or wiki, and other matters too specific to be covered in house descriptions.

Each Big Sib may adopt as many Little Sibs as they are comfortable with.

Little Sibs may "graduate" without ceremony when both the Little Sib and Big Sib agree that they are functional members of the community without needing frequent help from their Big Sib. At this point, Little Sibs may become Big Sibs to the next generation of newbies if they so desire, and join any house (or two) that they feel confident about.

4. Existing Houses

Listed in alphabetical order.

House Darjeeling: This house is steeped in the history, lore, and traditions of the PPC. Also delicious with scones. Current Big Sibs: 3. (Neshomeh, July, hS)

House Grave Energy Initiative: This house has an emphasis on original writing, working on not just PPCing but the mechanics of fiction in general. Worldbuilding, proper description, character building and motivation, the whole nine yards. Grave Energy Initiative's ultimate goal is to produce more authors of original universes, thus ensuring that the PPC has a steady supply of authors revolving in graves for eons to come. Current Big Sibs: 1. (Tungsten Monk)

House Kind Words and a Two-by-Four: This house is big on giving constructive criticism. This house is made up of Boarders who are interested in improving their writing skills, in general, and helping other people improve as well. Current Big Sibs: 2. (Phobos, PoorCynic)

House Parmandili (Quenya Book-friends): This house is for those utterly obsessed with their fandom (to the point where they, say, learn the languages). Of course that doesn't mean all of us can answer every question about every canon ever—but we can help you find someone who can, and discuss how much enthusing is appropriate in the community. Current Big Sibs: 2. (hS, Elcalion)

House Skull Goblet: This house is for those who are mainly interested in the PPC's community aspect. Goals include teaching newbies how to hang out and have fun in various ways without leaving others so frustrated they want to turn the newbies' skulls into goblets. Current Big Sibs: 1. (Data Junkie)

You may observe that I didn't list a couple that were proposed, but I didn't forget them. I suggest that proposed Houses Fruitbat (VM) and Tryforce Area (Artic Blade) consider expanding their directives somewhat. Perhaps Fruitbat could cover mission-writing and the PPC spirit in general as opposed to just Rule of Funny, and Tryforce Area could handle fic-writing generally with an eye for converting concepts from various media into words, rather than just video game fic?

~Neshomeh

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House Tryforce by Artic Blade on 2012-07-15 23:27:00 UTC Reply

That sounds like a better directive for a house Nesh. I was also contemplating an emphasis on Crossovers as well, since a lot of people tend to have issues with joining those up in a cohesive way, but my brain am not thinking good with stuff right now.

Another alternative... by Artic Blade on 2012-07-15 23:33:00 UTC Reply

House Rubberglue, which is dedicated to helping the creative process, regardless of whether it is original or fanfic. For example, if you want to include a certain element in your story, you could go to this house to sorta thrash out the idea and get some other opinions. I do see this potentially clashing a little with House Kind Words and a Two-by-Four, though this house would differ in that it's involved during the process, as opposed to after, which the description for House Kind Word and a Two-By-Four seems to imply.

Trouble is... by Neshomeh on 2012-07-16 19:25:00 UTC Reply

That also overlaps more with Grave Energy Initiative, since they've got original writing cornered. I'd still encourage a fanfic-in-general direction. It, like PPC writing, has some special concerns that set it apart from other types of writing, IMO. Plus it's easier to point to something like fanfic and go "Yes, I am interested in that." Being easily identifiable is a good thing when it comes to attracting members.

That said, though, it almost sounds like you're talking about beta-reading, which might work. Editing is different enough from critiquing, I think, and it's a good thing to encourage new people to learn to do well. You really have to have pretty beefy writing chops in order to be good at it, since if all you're doing is checking for SPaG, the author might as well just stick to spell-check.

I still think "fanfic house" is likely to be more attractive to potential newbie initiates, but that's my two cents.

~Neshomeh

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Now that my brain is working again... by Artic Blade on 2012-07-17 16:18:00 UTC Reply

I would agree. Though House TryForce might not be a suitable name for it...

Volunteering by firemagic on 2012-07-12 00:25:00 UTC Reply

I'm volunteering for House Book-Friends. I know a slightly strange amount about Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha, and I can also do Puella Magi Madoa Magica if need be.
Big Sib volunteer by Antigone68104 on 2012-07-07 14:17:00 UTC Reply

I'd be willing to act as a Big Sib, the trouble is I'm not sure which House would be my best fit. I was thinking about Grave Energy Initiative, but most of my worldbuilding work has been for tabletop RPGs. I don't know if that's close enough for House purposes.

I think... by Neshomeh on 2012-07-07 14:39:00 UTC Reply

... that the same basic principles apply. An RPG has a different structure of storytelling, what with games being cooperative, but the work the GM does making up a world to run around in is the same work an author does. Character-building is also important in both media, since without it all you have are collections of numbers.

So, for my money, I think that works. It's up to you, though—you should pick whatever you feel most comfortable and confident to mentor about. {= )

~Neshomeh

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I'm in by Antigone68104 on 2012-07-08 01:39:00 UTC Reply

House Grave Energy Initiative it is. :)

Welcome aboard! by Tungsten_Monk on 2012-07-08 02:14:00 UTC Reply

We always need more people on the team. Those graves won't fill themselves, after all . . .
In that case... by Neshomeh on 2012-07-08 02:11:00 UTC Reply

*points at the thread above this one* I think ThArcanist is waiting on a GEI Big Sib, if you want to jump right in. {= )

~Neshomeh

So, uh... by Data Junkie on 2012-07-06 19:30:00 UTC Reply

I just sort of realized that holy crap I have two newbies, one of whom stays in fairly regular contact, despite a disappointing lack of involvement on the board. Which I can't really criticize him for, because I was largely the same way until recently, and he has mentioned visiting the IRC a couple of times so at least he's getting involved?

Anyway, what I'm getting at is that I don't really think I could handle a third newbie, and while House Skull Goblet isn't exactly the most popular house, we could definitely use someone besides just me, even if it is on a "just in case" basis.
A few sort-of things. by VixenMage on 2012-07-05 19:34:00 UTC Reply

First off, yes - I didn't really mean to make it pure Rule of Funny; my intent was more along the lines of "Writing Comedy in general," including things like comedic timing, what irony is (and what it isn't!), and generally going over things like... er, like that.

Second off, I dunno if I plugged it here, but a while back I wrote up a Wiki article to go over Houses specifically? It's here, I'm not sure if it ever really got... er, connected to anything. http://ppc.wikia.com/wiki/Sib_Houses

Cue facepalm. by VixenMage on 2012-07-05 19:37:00 UTC Reply

Aaand approximately thirty seconds later, I notice that it has indeed been edited and connected. Sorry.

(Yes, I kinda still regard the Wiki warily, like unto a nuclear reactor the manual of which I have not yet read. I might poke it or deliver equipment, but mostly I am going to be waaaay over here watching and not touching, lest I accidentally press a Big Red Button of Destruction.)

Heh, no problem. by Neshomeh on 2012-07-06 00:38:00 UTC Reply

Anyway, I'm still a little concerned that comedy is a bit specific and yet also overlaps Grave Energy if it includes original writing and maybe Tryforce Area if it includes fanfic, whereas mission-writing definitely includes everything you said, but has other aspects, too, and isn't really covered yet, and probably should be. Plus it might help attract more oldbies, so you're not alone, and we definitely get newbies who turn up wanting more than anything to write missions (without necessarily knowing what that really means).

Does that make sense? I don't want to argue you into doing something you don't want to do, I'm just trying to optimize the houses based on my perspective in putting all this together. If I'm missing something, let me know.

~Neshomeh

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Well... by VixenMage on 2012-07-06 01:42:00 UTC Reply

Er, it all makes a great deal of sense. But the caveat is that I would be about the exact wrong person to start a humor-mission-centric house; as you may recall, the number of Actual Real Complete Total Missions I have finished is exactly zero. (Cafeteria missions are fun, but they really aren't at all what most people are looking for.)

Maybe I could broaden by talking about tone in general, instead of humor? How to achieve specific feelings with word choice and sentence structure and the like? That seems a bit general too, but it also seems a bit more useful - IIRC, the issues with some of the more serious-aiming newbies isn't so much that they want to be more serious as how they go about it. Likewise dark humor does take a more subtle touch than slapstick, and so on.

(If none of this works out, I can always join another house, too. I just think tone in writing is something that comes very naturally to some of us, and thus gets neglected as a Taught Thing, leading people to be probably be quite confused about why their permission piece didn't go over so well.)

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Hmm. by Neshomeh on 2012-07-07 14:49:00 UTC Reply

Yeah, I think pushing it toward tone/mood in general makes it overlap more with Grave Energy.

For what it's worth, I think you probably know what you're talking about when it comes to missions just by dint of being around enough of them, but I get where you're coming from. ... Hm. What if it were PPC writing in general?

Or, how about this: if there aren't any volunteers for a mission/general PPC-writing house, we'll just stick with what you originally said: comedy in all its forms and how it's really important to the PPC. Sound good?

(Out of curiosity, what would your other pick be?)

~Neshomeh

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Aye. by VixenMage on 2012-07-08 00:16:00 UTC Reply

Comedy and humor and suchlike, as you are right that tone would just push it towards Grave Energy.

(Probably Skull Goblet - general laughing-at-things-with-friends community, rather than specifically writing humor; and if Data can't find anybody else who's interested, and neither can I, maybe we could merge.)

Re: Aye. by Data Junkie on 2012-07-08 13:10:00 UTC Reply

For the record, I'm completely okay with that idea.

Oh, right. Need to actually be part of a house . . . by doctorlit on 2012-07-05 18:45:00 UTC Reply

I would like to join House Kind Words and a Two-by-Four, if Phobos and PoorCynic will have me?

Seeing as I've probably typed more words of critique and beta than of actual fiction in my time in the PPC. 0_0

Welcome to the jungle... by Phobos on 2012-07-05 18:48:00 UTC Reply

...or house, whichever. Glad to have you.

-Phobos

...How have I managed to overlook this before? by Cassie on 2012-07-05 08:37:00 UTC Reply

I'm not sure if I've managed to miss the bit on "how to become one", but I'd like to join House Parmandili as a Big Sib. I think a lot of you guys know me as a Tolkien nut, and given I'm also mad on Discworld, Harry Potter and most of David Eddings' stuff, I could, uh, make a case for being in that house? :P

Yay, more Big Sibs! by Neshomeh on 2012-07-05 15:42:00 UTC Reply

... You know, I don't think there is a "how to become one" bit. You've just demonstrated it, though. {= )

I think I can add a line to House Structure point 1 about that. Thanks!

~Neshomeh, who likes that the numbers of points are now 5, 7, and 9 respectively, and doesn't want to change that unless absolutely necessary. >.>

Questions by ShatteredSanity on 2012-07-04 03:34:00 UTC Reply

First: Are houses absolutely mandatory? If you aren't in a house, is this bad?

Second: What about the people who are neither newbie's nor oldbies? Should we sign up for a house in the same way that a newbie would I.E. create a thread saying "Hey guys! I would like to join House x!" Or could we do it in this thread as to not create unnecessary ones?

Third: Can we ask our Big Sibs about topics that aren't covered in our house? Or should we go to the house that specializes in that thing? For example, if I were in House Kind Words and a Two-By-Four, could I ask PC stuff about the PPC's canon? (After I've looked on the wiki, of course).

Seconded. by SeaTurtle on 2012-07-04 04:06:00 UTC Reply

Also: can we join a house but not be assigned a Little Sib? I'm interested in joining House Parmandili but only to hang around and talk about fandoms and stuff. I don't really have the time (or seniority) to show newbies around but I would be happy just to talk and share knowledge and dabble in new things.

Re: Seconded. by Phobos on 2012-07-04 05:11:00 UTC Reply

No. You cannot join a house and not be assigned a Little Sib. The point of the houses is to pair up oldbies and newbies. This would be the important bit of Nesh's post:

"3. House Structure

This is how houses work.

1. Houses shall be made up of oldbies willing to be Big Sibs to newbies, with the responsibilities that role entails."

Of course, we want you to be able to hang out and talk about fandoms. That is what the community is for, after all.

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Gotcha. (nm) by SeaTurtle on 2012-07-04 05:36:00 UTC Reply

Answers. by JulyFlame on 2012-07-04 04:03:00 UTC Reply

First: No, houses are not mandatory. It's just a system to help with big sib and newbie distribution so we don't have a pileup on popular people and to help with the variety of interests we might have so we can have something to narrow it down from.

That said, newbies are going to be strongly encouraged to have a big sib, considering how much of an issue things have been to have us come t this idea in the first place.

Second: No. You're only in a house if you're a Big Sib. Newbies get asked in their newbie thread. If you feel you still need a mentor and want one, you can ask any time, including right in this thread if you feel.

Third: Yes. You are supposed to ask your Big Sib anything and everything with regards to the PPC. If a Big Sib can't answer most questions about the PPC on their own, they shouldn't be one.

The Houses are there to provide a sort of orientation for how to pair people up, so we don't have people who have little in common shoved together.

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In that case by ShatteredSanity on 2012-07-05 05:53:00 UTC Reply

I would like to join House Kind Words and a Two-By-Four.

Clarification, please by Phobos on 2012-07-05 16:21:00 UTC Reply

Are you wanting to join up as a Big Sib or a Little Sib?

-Phobos

How does one sign up to be a littlesib? by AnnaBee on 2012-07-03 23:40:00 UTC Reply

I would adore the chance to learn at the feet of you, O Mighty Nesh, Phobos, and hS.

...Was the gratuitous sucking up necessary? (nm) by JulyFlame on 2012-07-04 02:50:00 UTC Reply

Okay, perhaps that was too harsh. by JulyFlame on 2012-07-04 03:22:00 UTC Reply

For that, I apologize.

However- this is not supposed to be a popularity contest. Quoting from Neshomeh: "In order to prevent popularity/intimidation from becoming a factor, this list shall not include names of Big Sibs."

So, why'd you look it over and then immediately decide to publicly prostrate yourself before hS, Nesh, and Phobos?

This has multiple things to it. You don't need to brownnose other people in the community. You don't need to fangirl them. It's dismaying to the people it's done to- hS can vouch for that- and frustrating to the people who get ignored because their friends are the 'popular' ones. Not to mention annoying as all hell when any 'friendship' that might occur isn't based on being, y'know, friends and equal, but on 'how close can I get to my idol?'.

We're all equals here, so please act like it.

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As I am sure you read... by Phobos on 2012-07-04 00:20:00 UTC Reply

...you post to the Board asking for a sib from a specific House. That house will then decide who your Big Sib is.

And if you didn't read before asking, shame on you. You should know better than that.

-Phobos

I have been AWOL due to lack of internet at home. by AnnaBee on 2012-07-04 20:55:00 UTC Reply

I deeply apologize.

And okay. Will do.

@ JulyFlame: Sorry, friend. I will really try to stop fangirling. ^^; I just really admire Nesh, Phobos, and hS. I'd like to learn from them.

*bows* That is all.

Lack of internet isn't an excuse when it's all in that post. (nm by JulyFlame on 2012-07-04 21:31:00 UTC Reply
Actually, no it is not. by AnnaBee on 2012-07-04 21:05:00 UTC Reply

Can I join Grave Energy Initiative? *picked because I don't think it has ANY of the people I fan over in it*

Erm... by Neshomeh on 2012-07-05 16:13:00 UTC Reply

I feel you're still missing the point. Who's in a given house isn't supposed to have any influence. One way or another. At all. You should choose a house according to its description, based on what you're most interested in. Go ahead and take a look at my reply to ThArcanist above to see the list without names attached, if that will help. I've only shown names in this thread to encourage more people to be Big Sibs; it's not supposed to be viewed this way in practice.

Also, if you really want to learn from me, I'd like it if you started by paying closer attention to my words. I choose them carefully, so it's frustrating when they seem to go ignored. Or, if you did read attentively and there was something I said that specifically confused you, I'd love it if you pointed it out. I imagine that goes for everyone else, too.

~Neshomeh, who likes specific concrit better than vague praise, for future reference.

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I am ashamed. by AnnaBee on 2012-07-05 16:56:00 UTC Reply

Newbie Ranger Excitement Pink needs to be a bit less of a spaz.

*facepalms self* All right. I am leaving this particular thread for a few days, recombobulating, and then coming back with a proper decision.