Post by Avalikia on Aug 25, 2010 13:50:02 GMT -7
Well, now that the muck is built, it's time to get all the rooms described. To that end, we are now hiring descers.
Signing Up
We're nearly finished and the last rooms have been claimed, so we're not accepting any new descers.
A Guide for Descers
Now, the tricky part of having a bunch of different descers is keeping the quality of the descriptions. To that end, I've written up the following guide to help:
Additionally, make sure that you include details about the plantlife of the area from trees to bushes to flowers and grasses. Think about the room from the perspective of a carnivore and an herbivore, of creatures of different sizes, those who can fly or climb and those who can't, and include details of interest to all of them. Also, mention what you should be able to see in all directions from that location.
One last thing: as I was designing the muck, I came up with a very clear version of what each room is. While I am not expecting you to capture my vision for me, if you have any questions at all about the room while you're writing feel free to ask me. For example, I know everything from how cold the water in the river should be at any given point during any time of the year to exactly how big that cliff is. But at the same time you shouldn't feel like you have to get all the details right - after all the rooms get desced I will go through and gently edit all of them to be consistant if they need it when I have time.
Useful Link:
An online version of the map - bubbl.us/view.php?sid=716957&pw=yaoKI6izCNlc2MzRERWQ1YzVST3Fjdw
Signing Up
We're nearly finished and the last rooms have been claimed, so we're not accepting any new descers.
A Guide for Descers
Now, the tricky part of having a bunch of different descers is keeping the quality of the descriptions. To that end, I've written up the following guide to help:
Problem | Example | Why it's Bad | Solution |
2nd Person | - You pad into a... - You look around and see... | This is a description, not a pose. You should be describing the room, not how the character is interacting with it. Especially since these types of things usually assume things about the character - if I am a bird, I do not 'pad' anywhere. If the word 'you' is in there, then you're doing it wrong. | Exclude all references to the player. |
Implied directions | - It gets wetter here... - The terrain here is steeper... | There are very few rooms that can be entered from only one direction, so make sure that what you're saying applies to every possible direction the player could have come from - even the sky! | Remove information that only makes sense if you're going a certain direction. |
Implied season | - Flowers bloom... - The ground is covered in snow... | This muck transitions through many varied seasons, so details like this don't make sense unless what you're describing literally happens year round. Also remember to include details about what the place is like during the different seasons it experiences. | Either don't include the detail, or qualify it like so: - Flowers bloom here all spring and summer... - During winter the ground is covered in snow... |
Implied time of day or weather | - The sun is shining on... | It's not always midafternoon on a cloudless day. Details about how the room changes, for example, when it's raining or at night should be included. | Either don't include the detail, or rephrase to qualify it: - When the sun is shining... |
Additionally, make sure that you include details about the plantlife of the area from trees to bushes to flowers and grasses. Think about the room from the perspective of a carnivore and an herbivore, of creatures of different sizes, those who can fly or climb and those who can't, and include details of interest to all of them. Also, mention what you should be able to see in all directions from that location.
One last thing: as I was designing the muck, I came up with a very clear version of what each room is. While I am not expecting you to capture my vision for me, if you have any questions at all about the room while you're writing feel free to ask me. For example, I know everything from how cold the water in the river should be at any given point during any time of the year to exactly how big that cliff is. But at the same time you shouldn't feel like you have to get all the details right - after all the rooms get desced I will go through and gently edit all of them to be consistant if they need it when I have time.
Useful Link:
An online version of the map - bubbl.us/view.php?sid=716957&pw=yaoKI6izCNlc2MzRERWQ1YzVST3Fjdw