Newbie Guide

[Moss]

I've just had my first character accepted by staff, what should I do now?
DO!

• Create a Plot Page: Most of our plot pages are organised by Member/Character. Creating a plot page can help people know what you are looking for.
  
• Answer Others Plot Pages: Don't wait for people to reply to your plot page but go and reply to some others. Some of them will already have plot suggestions listed that could work for your character.
  
• Chat in the Chatbox: Our Chatbox is active and plotting is discussed in there. By joining in on the chatbox discussion, you can organise threads with members quickly and efficiently.
  
• PM members: If you'd like to thread with someone but don't feel comfortable discussing it publicly, send them a PM to see if they'd like to post with you
  

DON'T!

• Rely only on Open Threads alone: On AFP, open threads do/do not get answered quickly. You are more than welcome to create them, but you may have to prod someone to take it up as many of our members are running multiple threads at any one time.
  
• Expect others to come to you: Our members are friendly, but they can also be focusing on their existing threads. This doesn't mean that they won't be happy to enter a thread if you ask them, so throw them a line if you're interested in posting with them.
  
• Fade into the Background: With people coming and going all the time, it can be difficult for us to keep on top of who is highly active and wanting posts. Make sure everyone knows that you are here and ready to play!
  

What do I need to do to start a new thread?
DO!

• Tag if you want a specific person to answer: Just for ease for members, if the post is designated for someone, put their name in the Thread Description.
  
• Tell the member that you've posted for them: Whether this is through PM, their plot page, or just telling them in the chatbox, it is good to let people know that you've posted a new thread so that it does not get lost when other threads get replies and jump to the front of the forum.
  

DON'T!

• Be surprised if it takes a day or two for a member to answer: Our members often have 10-20 threads on the go at any one time. Therefore, it may take them a day or two to answer you. Don't be discouraged, if they know the thread is for them, they will answer as soon as possible.
  
• Be afraid to make multiple threads: If you want to make five threads for five different characters to reply to, you are more than welcome! We're here for you to have fun, so take on as many threads as you feel you can handle.
  

I've been posting with someone and now they've stopped answering. What do I do?
DO!

• Politely ask them if they will be posting: Sometimes we all need a little prod, so if it’s been a week and you’ve not seen a reply, chat to them on the chatbox or send them a PM and see if everything is okay.
  
• Check the away notices: Our members post in this forum even if they are merely going to be a little slower than usual due to reasons outside of the site. Keep an eye out for members you are in threads with.
  
• Start some other threads: If you have time on your hands waiting for a post, maybe look into starting another thread to keep you busy.
  
• Ask in the chatbox: Ask others if they’ve seen the member in the last few days, or if they know if that person may be busier than normal.
  
• Always Assume the Best: Never assume that this lack of reply is something to do with you. We all have lives off the board, 9 times out of 10 a lack of reply is just them being busy!
  

DON'T!

• Message members continually: A friendly reminder is ok, but sending constant messages asking them to reply will only annoy members and possibly make them avoid you. Our suggestion is one reminder, then leave them be.
  
• Assume seeing someone in the chatbox means that they are posting: A lot of our members come into our chatbox even if they are not in a position to post replies.
  
• Assume it’s you: It is almost never something to do with you. If you’re feeling worried, please contact a staff member!
  

I want to create a new character, but am unsure if I can do so.
DO!

• Make them if you want to: We don’t have character limits, nor a waiting time for new characters.
  
• Tell us: We will be excited and will want to talk to you about your new character.
  
• Bounce ideas off of us: Quite a few of our members have been here for a while. Even if they’re not staff, they know what’s what. They know what works and what doesn’t, so if you’re unsure, ask about them!
  
• Post a WIP: We accept WIPs, so if you can’t finish in one go, post it up and come back to it later.
  
• Branch out: If you’re unsure whether you can play a certain character, there is nothing wrong with trying! Even if it doesn’t work out, it’s all good!
  

DON'T!

• Worry alone: If you want to make a character but are worried about some aspect, we won't be angry with you asking questions. You can ask us about character creation via PM, our Chatbox, or in our Questions and Suggestions forum!
  

I want to add some lore/technology/etc to the site.
DO!

• Talk to a staff member: Let us know your idea so that we can say whether it'll work for the site.
  
• Be inventive: We love members who become so invested in the site's success that they create new stuff for us to incorporate.
  

DON'T!

• Think it's not good enough/won't work: Even if an idea won't work in it's current form, we may be able to help you tweak it to make it usable for all members.
  

I have an idea for a large plot.
DO!

• Tell members: If you can make an epic plot, we want you to go for it.
  
• Ask a staff member for help: If it's a plot you can't organise on your own, staff will be happy to help you.
  

DON'T!

• Think we'll dismiss it: We love epic plots as much as you do, but even we can't think of them all by ourselves. The more our members bring to the site, the more exciting it is for everyone.
  

I'm having a problem with another member.
DO!

• Contact someone: The staff are here to help you! We want you to enjoy your time here, so if something or someone is making you uncomfortable, please tell us!
  
• Talk calmly to the Member: If you are comfortable handling the issue yourself, send the member a PM and try to discuss the problem. If this does not work, contact a staff member to help.
  
• Stick Around: 75% of problems are minor and not worth leaving a site you enjoy over. Make sure that you, and we, have done everything possible to rectify the problem before giving up something you enjoy.
  

DON'T!

• Suffer alone: Unfortunately, we are not mind readers. We won’t know that there is a problem unless someone tells us. Even heated conversations in the chatbox can be over in a minute, so we won’t automatically assume that someone is really feeling hurt or upset. Please tell us!
  
• Feel inferior to a long standing member: Whether they have been a member for a week or a year, whether they are a member or staff, time and position gives nobody the right to make you feel bad. If you’re hurt, you’re hurt, and you deserve not to be. Do not think we will take you any less seriously compared to another member just because they have been here longer.
  

I don't feel like one of the group.
DO!

• Tell us: If you’re feeling left out, tell us! Some of our members are here every day, some only pop in, so tell us that you’d like to be more involved.
  
• Join in the conversation: If people are chatting in the chatbox, it is an open discussion and anyone can join, so speak up!
  
• Let us know your comfort levels: You will probably notice that some people have inside jokes. This is not to exclude others, but more that those people understand the other's limits. By knowing what you feel comfortable talking about, you can be included in discussions.
  
• Know that things take time: This is nothing personal. Sometimes, becoming a part of the group takes time and involvement.
  

DON'T!

• Stay quiet: We want you to feel like a part of the group and have fun with us. Let us know and we’ll try to find a way to get you involved.
  
• Think that your only option is to leave: It’s not! There are a lot of things that we can work towards together and we’d like to do so if you’ll let us.
  

I can't think of any plots.
DO!

• Ask if anyone has any ideas: Sometimes, we have ideas for plots that may not work for our own characters, or we think of something for you but haven’t gotten around to telling you, so ask if anyone has any ideas for things you can use.
  
• See where it goes: Not every thread has to be plot heavy. Sometimes, just posting with someone can spark ideas.
  
• Look at plot pages: Someone may have listed a request in their plot page that your character could fill.
  

DON'T!

• Let it fester: One of the best ways to get ideas is to play around. Don’t let yourself get bogged down with a lack of ideas.
  
• Think your idea is too ridiculous/won't work: Ideas, no matter how ridiculous, are still ideas. Even if they don’t work the way they are, we may be able to help you use elements of your idea to make it work for the site and still be enjoyable for you!
  

I'm bored of my character.
DO!

• Ask if anyone has any ideas: Like when you can’t think of a plot, ask us for help. We may think of something that sparks your interest again
  
• Consider creating a new character: Variety is the spice of life. Consider making another character to play with as well while you think of something to do for the first.
  
• Consider retiring them: We allow the retirement of characters. If you get to the end of the line with a character, this option is always available to you.
  
• Consider killing them: It's always an option, and we are sure that a death plot will be epic. However, a warning, the plot leading up to it could make you not want to kill them after all!
  

DON'T!

• Make it into work: RPing is meant to be fun! We’re all meant to enjoy writing. If writing a character is feeling like a chore, consider an alternate option.
  

I'm going to be busy for a while and I don't think I can post.
DO!

• Let us know: Even if you're not sure how active you'll be, posting an absence will cover all bases just in case.
  
• Limit your threads: Nobody likes being left with an unfinished thread. So if you know you're going to be away for a few weeks, limit the threads you take up and try to get a few finished to help fellow members.
  
• Tell us when you're back to full speed: When it's all past and you're ready to jump in all guns blazing, let us know! We'll be ready to throw threads at you.
  

DON'T!

• Disappear without word: Even if it's a one line comment in the chatbox asking someone to post an away for you, it's better than not letting us know at all.
  
• Be scared because it's been too long: If you've already been absent for a while, but you still plan on returning, don't be scared to pop in and let us know the situation. Again, it's better that we know you plan on returning, even if it's not right away.
  

I don't think this is the place for me after all.
DO!

• Talk to us: If there is anything we can do to make your time on the site better, we will try to accommodate you. Leaving should be your last option.
  
• Feel free to come back whenever you choose: Even if it's just because you miss our members and want to say hi, you are more than welcome to return at any time.
  
• Let us know your final decision: Simply so that we know you're no longer active for future members.
  

DON'T!

• Disappear without word: Even if it is just so we can wish you well for the future, we would appreciate you letting us know that you will not be returning.