[DISCUSION] About the SCP Foundation and Guide for Writing Update 2024/08/02

Summary:

read em and weep, boys

[DISCUSION] About the SCP Foundation and Guide for Writing Update 2024/08/02

EstrellaYoshte 02 Aug 2024 11:37

This is an update proposal for the About and Guide for Writing pages.

Mockup:

• http://mast-nav.wikidot.com/estrella-mod:about
• http://mast-nav.wikidot.com/estrella-mod:guide-for-writing

Changes for About

• Removed the tab layout
  • This felt to me like a compromise from all the way back in the page's inception, to present both an in-universe-about and a wiki-about. As we continue to move further from that time, I don't think this is necessary anymore.
• Condensed the in-universe portion even further
  • Had to cut out the separate heading sections, and simplified the in-universe presentation to be more general.
• Addition: link to the authors page
• Addition: link to Discord next to the forum and IRC
• Addition: Site Guidelines and Conducts
  • Clarify the general culture of the wiki and expected behaviors and conduct aside from the Site Rules
  • Concern: is the listed items in line with our current expectations? Is it clear enough? Are there more needed here?

Changes for Guide for Writing

Near-completely rewrote and restructured this page.

• Outline the general steps of the writing process to be more closely applicable to the wiki.
• State upfront our expectations for those participating in the writing process.
• Add recommendations for larger reading pool + link to the Curated Lists and Seminars
• Link to some notable essays on the writing process.
• Outline the positions of critique forum with regards to how its used + links to relevant resources.
• Addition: clarification on tangential things related to posting on the wiki.

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The discussion will last for 7 days, after which changes will be implemented unless serious concerns are raised. In the event of negative or split opinions on a proposed item, it will not be implemented.

Mainsite Mirror: https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/forum/t-16897694/

Last edited on 02 Aug 2024 11:39 by EstrellaYoshte Show more

Re: [DISCUSION] About the SCP Foundation and Guide for Writing Update 2024/08/02

Mooagain 02 Aug 2024 16:56

Notes as I read through the guide for writing

Greenlighting is simply getting approval on a concept before progressing to drafting; first-time authors seeking to use the Draft Critique forum must have two greenlights on their corresponding concept in the Idea Critique forum before they may submit a draft for review.

Greenlights are given to ideas and authors, a lot of the greenlight process is to make sure the authors are receptive to feedback as well has having a good concept. I'd reword to

"Greenlighting is a vote of confidence in both story concept and an author's ability to internalize feedback before progressing to drafting; first-time authors seeking to use the Draft Critique forum must have two greenlights on their corresponding concept in the Idea Critique forum before they may submit a draft for review."

Section VII. Syntax, Formatting and Appearance

This part should probably include a bit more than links to pages full of modules. I'd say something along the lines of "Many formatting tools are used across a multitude of SCP articles. These modules can be copied from the linked pages and used in your articles. Keep in mind that formatting and themes are vessels for the writing and it's not necessary to go beyond the default style to tell a compelling story." The idea is to make it clear to new writers they don't have to use advanced syntax to stand out.

If you're posting an SCP: Find an empty slot in the current SCP Series. All empty pages show up as an orange hypertext link with a label [ACCESS DENIED]. Click on your desired number.

I'd add "Also be sure to edit your page so that any placeholders such as 'SCP-XXXX' are replaced with the correct number. Change the title of the page to SCP-[NUMBER] and then return to the series hub, where you can input the desired name (such as "The Seal of Approval") of your SCP where it says [ACCESS DENIED]."

All pages posted must be in compliance with or CSS and Technical Content Policy.

I think this should be "All pages posted must be in compliance with our CSS and Technical Content Policy."

Don't feel too pressured to post. If you're getting stressed out, it may be a good idea to take a break. Writing for the Wiki isn't all that important and shouldn't affect your wellbeing.
It's okay to stop writing a draft, even if you already got greenlights for your first concept. As a writer, if you feel when something is not working and is not salvageable, take a break or move on. You can always come back later with fresh eyes.

I'd add to one of these lines that the SCP wiki has existed for over a decade and will continue to exist many years in the future so there's no rush to contribute.

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Overall a much better guide, very happy with how it turned out. Both these pages have my full support.

Re: [DISCUSION] About the SCP Foundation and Guide for Writing Update 2024/08/02

Ethagon 02 Aug 2024 22:01

I'm not a fan of the further condensation of the In-universe portion of the About page. I think both that this constitutes the Mission Statement of the Foundation and the individual explanations of what Secure, Contain, Protect actually mean are important parts (especially since they exist nowhere else) that should be kept.

Re: [DISCUSION] About the SCP Foundation and Guide for Writing Update 2024/08/02

EstrellaYoshte 06 Aug 2024 05:42

Personally, I think the only part strictly necessary for tone setting is the Administrator's letter.

Secure, Contain, Protect actually mean are important parts (especially since they exist nowhere else)

Historically, it did just pop out of nowhere with no associated meanings; cool backronyms and all.

Last edited on 06 Aug 2024 05:43 by EstrellaYoshte Show more

Re: [DISCUSION] About the SCP Foundation and Guide for Writing Update 2024/08/02

DianaBerry 06 Aug 2024 15:46

I don't have much to say other than full support on both.

Re: [DISCUSION] About the SCP Foundation and Guide for Writing Update 2024/08/02

Kufat 06 Aug 2024 15:56

It is recommended to seek feedback before posting to the main site, to better ensure the success of a new page right from its creation.

I'd rather see something more blunt, e.g.

It is highly recommended to seek feedback before posting to the main site. Coldposts (posts made without critique) by new authors rarely survive for more than a few days.

It might be a little intimidating to read, but I think we owe it to new writers to give them a realistic idea of how unlikely it is that their coldposts will succeed. It's less discouraging to read about coldposts getting deleted than to have your coldpost get deleted, y'know?

Re: [DISCUSION] About the SCP Foundation and Guide for Writing Update 2024/08/02

AriadnesThread 06 Aug 2024 16:00

I would agree, and I'm not sure that it's even intimidating because it's just the reality. Feedback makes it more likely for your piece to survive, and we should be encouraging authors to follow what amounts to best practices.

Re: [DISCUSION] About the SCP Foundation and Guide for Writing Update 2024/08/02

Zara Calico 06 Aug 2024 16:05

I would like to see a brief mention of how to delete your work. Authors are blanking their work when they get a poor reaction, and I think they're doing this because they don't know how to actually delete. So just a quick

If you're unhappy with your work (which can happen to all of us!) you can delete your page. Just go down to +Options and then Delete, making sure the right option is clicked.

One flaw I've thought about is that the ability to delete (which they always have; I'm just talking about discussing how) is the ability to get rid of rule-breaking work before we have a chance to record it.

Re: [DISCUSION] About the SCP Foundation and Guide for Writing Update 2024/08/02

EstrellaYoshte 07 Aug 2024 02:37

added a section to IX.

Re: [DISCUSION] About the SCP Foundation and Guide for Writing Update 2024/08/02

Jerden 09 Aug 2024 13:45

Slightly missed the deadline but this is only a discussion- I'm in favour of these changes but I do think the current formatting of the "About" page is a bit chaotic, given that there's three different boxes around different sections of the text. I'd recommend only keeping the one for the letter.