The Mercurian Empire
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Writing a sample application
http://hermertia.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=83		 Page 1 of 3
Author:  Arcel [ June 23rd, 2015, 9:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Writing a sample application
Hey all,

Seeing as we are starting our first recruiting drive with the new website, I was thinking that we should write a sample application and sticky it in the application forums so new applicants can get a sense of what we expect. We could also make a "bad" application, so people can see what not to do. I plan on writing up a sample tonight and I'll post it here for edits/comments to make sure it is a solid example.
Author:  Wysterian Labourer's Council [ June 23rd, 2015, 10:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing a sample application
I hesitate slightly in that, in my view, unique applications have always been a cool thing; I think it has been a good idea to simply point out the general requirements we're looking for in an application and let the applicant chose to present those however they want; I worry a bit that a stickied 'good' application would encourage everyone to follow that boilerplate. Maybe that's just me overreacting though.
Author:  Joren [ June 23rd, 2015, 10:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing a sample application
I sorta agree with Nick here. I think giving people a rough outline of what we'd like to see in their application (ex. rough lore, previous builds, why the would like to play on the server) is good, but making it too rigid may encourage uniformity, which isn't necessarily a good thing. I'd still like to see what you cook up though, if you do get around to that Aurennis!
Author:  Arcel [ June 23rd, 2015, 10:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing a sample application
I see what you guys are saying. I think that sometimes what we mean by a "lore backstory" is unclear, so I was thinking of writing a basic sample for that part only (leaving out builds, why they would like to play, etc.) I figure they can figure the latter out on their own, but lore can be a bit tricky.
Author:  The Chairman [ June 23rd, 2015, 10:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing a sample application
I think providing some guidance is a good idea, but we need to be clear that, whatever form it takes, it is only meant to help and not meant to be the standard. That way people can feel free to write what they want.

In addition, I remember the one of the Alethians wrote a guide on creating lore and a backstory. Perhaps neonsturm has a copy?
Author:  Joren [ June 23rd, 2015, 10:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing a sample application
Good idea. I think in the past we had a stickied post titled "how to write your lore" or something along those lines. I actually think it might have been NeonFrontier that wrote it way back when. Anyways, I think it did help a lot of people so that would definitely be worth your while! Thanks for working on that Aurennis!
Author:  Arcel [ June 23rd, 2015, 10:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing a sample application
Instead of writing a full sample piece, would it be better to come up with a list of basic questions that should be answered in one's lore backstory (e.g. where is your character from, why are they here, etc.).
Author:  Joren [ June 23rd, 2015, 10:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing a sample application
Aurennis wrote:
Instead of writing a full sample piece, would it be better to come up with a list of basic questions that should be answered in one's lore backstory (e.g. where is your character from, why are they here, etc.).


Yeah, that would probably be even better. Gives a person a rough template to work with.
Author:  Arcel [ June 23rd, 2015, 10:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing a sample application
Cool. I'll get to work on that.
Author:  The Chairman [ June 23rd, 2015, 10:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing a sample application
We should also probably include some "things not to do", like giving your race special powers, making a "chosen one" or other clichéd characters, etc.
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