Well, if you want to get technical about it...

A few questions... by OpinionedAngel on 2010-06-19 16:30:00 UTC Reply

I've been working on my agent ideas, though I'm not sure how long you have hang out here to be eligable for sporking.

I was also wondering about new recruits that haven't been used yet, and if any of them are eligible to use.

And one last question: What do you need to exorcise Video Game badfic? And say you're like me and don't really play video games... but still like a good number of them anyway?

Thanks... by OpinionedAngel on 2010-06-21 17:10:00 UTC Reply

Thank you everyone for your input. I would like to get into badfic sporking... I just want to make surer my characters are good, and the sample writing thing has put me on edge, seeing as my last attempt was more or less a flop. I'll still be working on it, though,

And one more thing- my last question inolved the exorcism of video games, and I guess I should clarify. See, I don't actually play a lot of video games, nor do I have some of the systems/games for the ones I do like, so I'm wondering what I could use for exorcisms. Maybe my other agent could have a few...
For Video Games by PoorCynic on 2010-06-19 18:28:00 UTC Reply

There are plenty of websites where one can research the various canonical aspects of video games. Major games such as Left 4 Dead, Halo, or Kingdom Hearts almost always have their own Wikis.

It also helps if you can get a beta reader with experience with the game in which your fic is set.
A few answers... by Elorie on 2010-06-19 16:47:00 UTC Reply

I'm somewhat a newbie myself, but I'll try to answer all the questions to the best of my ability.

To be "eligible for sporking", aka take on missions, you have to hang around the Board at least a month, be active so people get to know you, and then post a Permission Request entailing a short description of your agents, a Permission Request itself (can be anything from a simple "Hey, I would like to write missions." to an elaborate hundred sentences like "I solemnly swear to banish the evil that is the MarySue whereever I encounter it in the Word Worlds."), and a writing sample to show that you have a good grasp of English grammar, spelling and vocabulary. Can be PPC-related, but doesn't have to be. You could for example choose an essay you wrote for school which you are very proud of.
Then the Permission Givers will either give you Permission or not, in which case they will explain what you lack in their eyes.

About new recruits: It depends. Whoever rescued them from a fic has the ultimate say in things. Go ask them.

To exorcise Video Game badfics you need a CD-ROM or something similar with the game on it (Canon Material), and depending on you, candles, bells, chimes, incense and the like. The character to be exorcised is hit with the Canon Material and variations of "Get thee out! The power of (original author) compels you!" until the Author-Wraith appears and is charged and slain.
To handle missions in continua, you need a working kwnowledge of them. I am not sure if you have to play them, but I don't think so. You just have to be able to tell what's Canon and what isn't.

I hope this helps. The wiki is also a good place to look for answers.

That seems to cover just about everything :) (nm) by Sedri on 2010-06-20 04:11:00 UTC Reply
Thanks! by OpinionedAngel on 2010-06-19 17:24:00 UTC Reply

I've been around for a while, though I'm not sure if I've been active enough.

And as for the writing sample part, well, for me, is a bit of a concern, seeing as I don't exactly have much faith in my own writing skills...

I'll have to look into it.

No worries by ObscurumAeterna on 2010-06-19 18:24:00 UTC Reply

I'm sure everyone's had problems like that at some point. I myself like to think I'm a damn good writer when it comes to technical skill, diction and vocabulary, but I suck so hard at writing humour I make Stephen Hawking look like Tommy Cooper.

In these spork-filled surroundings, however, I'm sure us newbies will improve on whatever flaws our writing may suffer from. In my case, unfortunately, I'll pretty much be required to. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
You're welcome. (nm) by Elorie on 2010-06-19 18:18:00 UTC Reply
Re: Thanks! by anamia on 2010-06-19 17:41:00 UTC Reply

Traditionally, people write the scene in which their agents get to know each other/meet for the first time for their writing sample, but you don't need to. And it doesn't need to be brilliant. The permission givers just want to make certain that you have a decent grasp of the English language and can write decent characters.

From your mention of exorcism, can I assume that you're going into DBS? It would be lovely if you were; we need more recruits.

--anamia

Re: Thanks! by Simon on 2010-06-19 20:53:00 UTC Reply

I've been wondering about that bit actually, because as you don't scritly have permission to publish something based in the PPC-Verse yet, a sample where your agents meet doesn't fit.
In fact, my first PPC-Fic is more likely to be my agents meeting ending as the alarm goes. (Speaking of the alarm, I want to put an unoffical claim on Sick from the Firefly 'Verse.)
And as another aside, can someone suggest a decent second name? Damien Jet sounds slightly Stu-ish. Email me it so we don't derail this thread further XD

Well, if you want to get technical about it... by anamia on 2010-06-20 08:12:00 UTC Reply

...then no, it's not allowed. But in practice, it's done often, and actually preferred by the permission givers because it shows that you can write in the spirit and style of the PPC. (Disclaimer: I am not a permission giver, nor have I consulted any permission givers before writing this. The views expressed are purely the result of my own observations and conclusions. Thank you.)

--anamia