Post by Kale on Oct 7, 2011 23:33:13 GMT -5
Here are some pointers on how character creation works on Sun and Shadows. It's a little long, but you'll find no better description of what you're expected to put into your applications--follow this, and you'll most likely be accepted!
Creating Your Application Thread[/size]
The first step to creating an application is to start a new thread in the appropriate section for your character (that is, canon or original character boards). This thread's title should be the name of your character. The content should be you filling out the application form which can be found here. Simple enough, right? Just copy-paste from the 'code' box at the bottom, then start filling the blanks. Keep in mind, if you're applying for a canon character, someone else may try to apply for them at the same time, but that unless there's a stark difference in quality, whichever application was started first receives priority.
Filling In the Form: Tips and Requirements[/size]
Hopefully, the bio form shouldn't be too confusing--if you get lost, you can always check one of the approved applications to see where things go. Note that some things are optional: you don't have to provide a picture of your character, for example, but it's preferred that you do. Finding a picture of a canon character only requires a quick web search; if you'd like to create your own but don't have any artwork of them, you can use this pony creator. You can also request artwork down in the fanart boards, but this will likely take longer--and it's best that you at least have some sort of image for the artist to go off of, anyways.
Note that on the form page, a few requirements are listed: minimum word counts for personality and history descriptions, for example. We use the word 'minimum' here for a reason--these sections are your chance to really get creative. Try to really explore your character! If you've seen the show, you can tell that the Mane Six aren't just flat heroes--they have talents, weaknesses, flaws, and actual lives. This is also where the 'strength,' 'weakness,' and 'fears' lists come along: these should be BALANCED.
I repeat, BALANCED.
Nopony likes a boring ol' Mary Sue or Gary Stu. So, try to make sure your character's flaws are just as real and important as their strengths--it doesn't count as 'balanced' if you had one of each, but the strength was super speed and the weakness was an allergy to wheat. Try to make sure the quality of both is matching, not just the quantity. (And speaking of quantity, no less than 4 of each--except for fears. You can have a minimum of 3 fears.)
Special Conditions[/size]
Some things will depend on what kind of character you're applying for. If you're applying for a canon character--especially one of the Mane Cast--the standards for your application will be raised a little. This is why canon applications require a roleplay sample; we have to be sure you can actually pull off the canon you're applying for. Likewise, if you're creating a unicorn, the ability/abilities you give them will be up for scrutiny. Remember that 'balancing strengths and weaknesses' thing we talked about earlier? Yeah, that's why. Not everypony can be as powerful as, say, Princess Celestia.
And perhaps the most important part of all...[/size]
...QUALITY. It doesn't matter if you know the character like the back of your hoof, the application's not going to be approved if it seems to be written by a three-year old. This doesn't mean we expect a novel with absolutely spotless English, but it does mean it should seem like some thought was put into it. A few errors here and there are acceptable, but if there's so much that the reviewer starts cringing, you'll be asked to fix the mistakes before you can start RPing. And never forget, the fewer mistakes to muscle through, the happier the reader will be. Good grammar and spelling are your friends--and friendship is magic!
PHEW. If you've read through all that, congratulations. You're now ready to start your application! At the bottom, you may have noticed the 'codewords' spot? Write the following: "Eeyup, harmony." Happy apping!
Creating Your Application Thread[/size]
The first step to creating an application is to start a new thread in the appropriate section for your character (that is, canon or original character boards). This thread's title should be the name of your character. The content should be you filling out the application form which can be found here. Simple enough, right? Just copy-paste from the 'code' box at the bottom, then start filling the blanks. Keep in mind, if you're applying for a canon character, someone else may try to apply for them at the same time, but that unless there's a stark difference in quality, whichever application was started first receives priority.
Filling In the Form: Tips and Requirements[/size]
Hopefully, the bio form shouldn't be too confusing--if you get lost, you can always check one of the approved applications to see where things go. Note that some things are optional: you don't have to provide a picture of your character, for example, but it's preferred that you do. Finding a picture of a canon character only requires a quick web search; if you'd like to create your own but don't have any artwork of them, you can use this pony creator. You can also request artwork down in the fanart boards, but this will likely take longer--and it's best that you at least have some sort of image for the artist to go off of, anyways.
Note that on the form page, a few requirements are listed: minimum word counts for personality and history descriptions, for example. We use the word 'minimum' here for a reason--these sections are your chance to really get creative. Try to really explore your character! If you've seen the show, you can tell that the Mane Six aren't just flat heroes--they have talents, weaknesses, flaws, and actual lives. This is also where the 'strength,' 'weakness,' and 'fears' lists come along: these should be BALANCED.
I repeat, BALANCED.
Nopony likes a boring ol' Mary Sue or Gary Stu. So, try to make sure your character's flaws are just as real and important as their strengths--it doesn't count as 'balanced' if you had one of each, but the strength was super speed and the weakness was an allergy to wheat. Try to make sure the quality of both is matching, not just the quantity. (And speaking of quantity, no less than 4 of each--except for fears. You can have a minimum of 3 fears.)
Special Conditions[/size]
Some things will depend on what kind of character you're applying for. If you're applying for a canon character--especially one of the Mane Cast--the standards for your application will be raised a little. This is why canon applications require a roleplay sample; we have to be sure you can actually pull off the canon you're applying for. Likewise, if you're creating a unicorn, the ability/abilities you give them will be up for scrutiny. Remember that 'balancing strengths and weaknesses' thing we talked about earlier? Yeah, that's why. Not everypony can be as powerful as, say, Princess Celestia.
And perhaps the most important part of all...[/size]
...QUALITY. It doesn't matter if you know the character like the back of your hoof, the application's not going to be approved if it seems to be written by a three-year old. This doesn't mean we expect a novel with absolutely spotless English, but it does mean it should seem like some thought was put into it. A few errors here and there are acceptable, but if there's so much that the reviewer starts cringing, you'll be asked to fix the mistakes before you can start RPing. And never forget, the fewer mistakes to muscle through, the happier the reader will be. Good grammar and spelling are your friends--and friendship is magic!
PHEW. If you've read through all that, congratulations. You're now ready to start your application! At the bottom, you may have noticed the 'codewords' spot? Write the following: "Eeyup, harmony." Happy apping!
