URPG Stories Chat and Feedback

Re: URPG Stories Chat & Feedback

I noticed people posting reviews of other peoples work in here, so I'm wondering if someone can check this out and give me a non-grader opinion?

 

Re: URPG Stories Chat & Feedback

I've noticed some graders mark down for not having a long/detailed battle or a battle against the Pokemon that's specifically being captured. In the guide, though, it says that a battle isn't necessarily required. The IRC channel members (and some of the admins there) have even gone so far to say that the Pokemon you're trying for doesn't even have to be the focus of the story; it just needs to be involved in some way.

Can I get some confirmation on this? Most of my story outlines are very different from the 'battle -> capture' plots being graded right now, and they generally focus more on befriending Pokemon and character relationships than they do acquiring new critters. They don't actually involve the same characters each time, either, so I dunno. What's the consensus?

 

Re: URPG Stories Chat & Feedback

What if that Pokémon had evolved through battling? Would it be okay for us to add a story element about how it evolved then?

(I really want to keep my stories cohesive )

 

Re: URPG Stories Chat & Feedback

It depends on the preference of the grader, first of all. I personally don't mind, sometimes. However, if you're going to omit the battle, there has to be a reason why.

If your plot involves the main character befriending a Pokemon, and you write that plot really well, then yes, the process of befriending the Pokemon could take the place of a battle. However, if you just omit a battle because you don't feel like writing one, and there's no plot point to take its place, then that probably will not go over well.

I generally tell newer members that they need to have a battle, especially if it's their first story, just to get them acquainted with the way URPG stories work. After all, as I said in one of my grades earlier, you have to know the rules in order to break them.

You can do ANYTHING in a story. ANYTHING - sometimes, you might not get a passing grade, but something like that isn't going to affect your grade in any way. Also, evolving the Pokemon in your story has no effect on your stats, so if you wanna do it, then go ahead. You don't even have to use the Pokemon in your stats in your story.

 

Re: URPG Stories Chat & Feedback

I have a question about more collaborative storytelling. An idea sparked in my mind when one of the other members posted something in the general questions thread - about the various villainous teams, rocket, magma, etc - and whether it was supported to be part of them. I'd had the idea myself, but never gave it too much thought; I didn't think there'd be interest.

There may still not be, it may only be the two of us; and I know our stories are our own, we can write anything we really want; my question is, could we do some sort of collaborative theme whereby our stories all fit together to make a Rocket/ Galactic/ Magma storyline? And in the same vein as the Gym Leaders, Elite 4, etc could we have a villainy hierarchy if it turned out there was the interest?

(also, and mostly unrelated - can everyone else see my sig? it should be just 'evan f's stats' with a link to my main page, but though i tell it to include on all my posts, I haven't seen it yet. I'm not sure if there's a minimum post count before it displays, or if you just can't see your own sig)

 

Re: URPG Stories Chat & Feedback

I've posted a review on the thread itself so it doesn't get clogged up in here

It's in 'Mock-Grading Style' but I must stress that I am not a grader. To give you a quick summing up, overall, excellent. Check out the thread for details.

Hah, that happened to me! I did the exact same thing and could not see it, and it suddenly started showing randomnly at some point fairly recently. I suspect it is a minimum post count before it displays to yourself: I can see your sig perfectly fine.


How long would/should a Grader take to do a good job on average?

 

Re: URPG Stories Chat & Feedback

The rule was changed quite a while ago, I thought. I don't recall it ever being changed back.

 

Re: URPG Stories Chat & Feedback

Umm, is that having a go at me for being a plonker? :embarass:

I have noticed other people posting things like "This is far too short. I'm not a grader but this will not make the cut" in other people's threads so I thought I could post a review.

I also recall reading a rule that was very similar, however it instead said that you were allowed to post if the TC allowed you.

Of course, I'm probably in the wrong, so I apologise. Should I delete my post then?

 

Re: URPG Stories Chat & Feedback

Can I just say how much I laughed when I noticed the added bold text. ;p

Thanks for the analysis, it helped a lot and I'm trying to iron out those issues now.

 

Re: URPG Stories Chat & Feedback

I think the rule you mean was the one allowing you to give them feedback if they asked; I don't know that it specified where it could be posted, but I remember seeing something similar myself. Unfortunately, we can't pm them until we've made 15 posts.

(and my sig is now displaying properly for me, in fact did it on the post I asked about. Go figure )

 

Re: URPG Stories Chat & Feedback

Oh, whoa. I misread this before. Gah. Now I hafta use an even bigger font than you did. You CAN post in someone else's story if that person specifically requests comments. There's no need for PMing crud, if the author doesn't wish it.

SILLY KAT.

 

Re: URPG Stories Chat & Feedback

No problem. Glad to help.

Hmm. I guess this is a case of my 'selective memory' which seems to occur far too often.

And about the sig...weird.

EDIT:

Oh, that's a relief.

Is that rule actually written up somewhere, or did I imagine reading it? (Apart from your post I mean!)

 

Re: URPG Stories Chat & Feedback

The author did ask for commentary, so I suppose it's not too big a deal unless they ask you to remove it from their thread. However, the people that are randomly going into people's stories to tell them the story is too short should not be doing that unless they're graders. I think we graders have got that covered well enough.

 

Re: URPG Stories Chat & Feedback

That's great to know. :yahoo:

On a side note, how long would/should a Grader take to do a good/thorough job on average? I mean, obviously it will differ for varying lengths, but for a medium-sized story?

 

Re: URPG Stories Chat & Feedback

Is there any sort of a priority queue for story grading? As in, are established members given a nominally higher priority, or are new members, or is it basically up to the grader to pick a story they like the title of regardless of the writer?

Just curious for insights into the process. I may be tempted to become a grader, but I definitely want a) more practice writing first, b) better familiarity with the grading structures, and c) a little more time hanging around the forums for my notoriety.

 

Re: URPG Stories Chat & Feedback

Not counting actually reading the story, and assuming you don't get sidetracked while you're doing it (I always seem to xD), then it should take between 30 minutes to an hour.

Oh, and @ evanfardreamer: Most graders just look for the oldest story, though there are some who won't grade certain types of stories based on what they feel comfortable grading. However, if you personally ask a grader to grade your story, then they might skip over older stories to do yours if it's been waiting for a little while.

It's also possible that graders might go looking for the more experienced writers' stories, because they know that those stories are going to be very enjoyable to read, but it's not like those authors are on a list somewhere that says "ZOMG YOU MUST GRADE THESE AUTHORS' STORIES IF THEY WRITE SOMETHING BECAUSE THEY ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT."

 

Re: URPG Stories Chat & Feedback

I think the Graders just pick a story that they like, or alternatively they feel that they can greatly contribute to.

Lol, fair dues.

 

Re: URPG Stories Chat & Feedback

The rule is in the very first post of this thread, ironically enough.

 

Re: URPG Stories Chat & Feedback

There IS a priotiry queue.
The oldest stories get first dibs since they've been waiting longer.

However, if someone asks someone they know well to grade a story, then they might grade that first. Also, as Elrond said, sometimes well-known writers will get their stories graded more quickly, since ther stories have a history of being enjoyable.

 

Re: URPG Stories Chat & Feedback

Fantastic. I was sure that I was going crazy.