FAQ - Newcomers Take Note!

[eithne]

1) Are there any particular guidelines regarding what a story on this site can and cannot contain?

We are pretty free and open minded around here, but stories shouldn't be too sexually explicit, because this board is for all age groups, young and old. Also stories that are deemed too violent by me or one of the other staff members will be removed. Stories that are racist, sexist, homophobic etc., will also be removed.

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2) Are authors allowed to make up their own characters for stories?

The answer is yes BUT, and I emphasise the but, your story must contain at least one Coronation Street character. If not it would be fiction, not fan fiction obviously.

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3) Crossovers with other soaps? Allowed or not?

Again yes, but they should contain at least one Corrie character.

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4) And what about other TV shows?

Yes, same as answer number 3).

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5) I've heard about the Emmerdale Challenge, on the other board. Can I challenge the members of the board myself?

Yes, you definitley can. Just make it clear what you are doing in your post, so people don't get all confused.

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6) How long should stories be? And should they be in chapters/parts or all together in one long post?

Stories can be as long as you want, although usually it is helpful to know where you want to end up at the start of a story. And it may get slightly boring when we reach Chapter 197.

For the other question, I'd say that it is probably better if stories are in parts, as there is a limit to how many characters you can put in a post.

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7) What about fan fiction for other TV shows such as Coronation St., Bad Girls etc.?

Please post them in the relevant boards. (http://letstalksoap.proboards34.com/index.cgi)

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8) What if I have started a story and done it as a story, but what happens if I decide to alter it to a script?

That is okay. The Emmerdale challenge is written by several authors who have different writing styles, so I can't object to it.

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9) Can I use the same opening scene for two different stories?

Yes. That would be really, really interesting actually. It could end up sort of like Sliding Doors.

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11) What can I do if I've got any other questions about fan fiction?

You can PM me, eithne, or post your questions in a reply to this message. It's probably better to post here, as I have been known to forget all about my PM inbox, though it's up to you.

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HELPFUL LINKS:

And now a few helpful links to help you on your way to becoming a top online fan fic writer.

dictionary.reference.com/ - Not sure about that spelling? Check here.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page - A free encyclopedia.

www.babynames.com/ - If you are looking for a name for a character you've created, then try here.

www.bbc.co.uk/dna/getwriting/ - The Beeb's Get Writing site, where you can enter your scripts for competitions!

Any more links? Post them!

(Thanks to Sharon for her PMs, which gave me the idea for this)

[soapyfiedellie]

HOW DARE YOU DELEAT MY POSTS
I'LL B SPEAKING 2 THE MANAGER

[Lori]

I'm sorry but I think it was necessary. Please don't trouble our staff for simply stating the rules. We aren't telling you how to write soap, but simply stating what we allow on this forum. As we want it to remain suitable for all ages.

If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to ask.

[eithne]

I was just putting up some FAQ's, and telling people to be nice in their stories. I cannot understand how you got so annoyed with me, posting these FAQ's.

They were not there to cramp your style in any way - just there to help first time authors/first time users of this board.

[soapyfiedellie]

Lori said:

I'm sorry but I think it was necessary. Please don't trouble our staff for simply stating the rules. We aren't telling you how to write soap, but simply stating what we allow on this forum. As we want it to remain suitable for all ages.

If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to ask.

Oh do you, and why exactly should I value your opinion when you choose not to value mine or even to show my replys on your board.

[soapyfiedellie]

eithne said:

I was just putting up some FAQ's, and telling people to be nice in their stories. I cannot understand how you got so annoyed with me, posting these FAQ's.

They were not there to cramp your style in any way - just there to help first time authors/first time users of this board.

Firstly Eithne!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you'd have read my reply then you would understand why I was annoyed, I CLEARLY stated all my reasons, perhaps you would care to publicise my reply then people could decide for themselves whether I was "in the wrong" , instead of just being bias to you because you are "staff". What is this? A SCHOOL?

[Lori]

soapyfiedellie said:

Firstly Eithne!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you'd have read my reply then you would understand why I was annoyed

Eithne did read your reply. The staff have put in the effort here to create a forum for you guys, the least we should be able to do is create our own rules, and if you don't like them, we're not forcing you to stay.

[soapyfiedellie]

SheWolf said:

No it's not a school soapyfiedellie, but it is a place where people have put in time and effort, and I did see the original message which I thought was rude and arogent.
No one makes you come here, and no one wants to stop you. But while you asked to abide by the few rules that are here. And of course if you feel up to writing fan fiction, then by Eithines guide lines which are put there for a reason.

TEXT I am not rude and arrogent, I was just stating some hometruths.
"No one makes me come here"- it's a website not a building.
I do feel up to writing fan fiction and have all ready done so, however people have chosen to critisize my work; did they get penelised in this way?

[SharonHarvey2]

soapyfiedellie said:

TEXT I am not rude and arrogent, I was just stating some hometruths.
"No one makes me come here"- it's a website not a building.
I do feel up to writing fan fiction and have all ready done so, however people have chosen to critisize my work; did they get penelised in this way?

Whoa whoa hang on a sec, tempers are flaring here, I am not trying to be funny here, but I have aslo put my work on the boards and it has been critiscised BUT I want that as It makes me understand where I am going wrong with my writing which is my passion, it is not a slur on you at all., and I can alter that, so I appreciate ANY critisiscm. As for the rest of the board, we try our VERY best to accomadter EVERYONE, but sometimes can't and yes, it may be just a website, but people still need to make rules.