finally.... the alt.tv.er.creative FAQ
Alice Marshall
alt.tv.er.creative mini FAQ.
Contents include: ER Fanfic Guidelines, a.t.e.c. Categories Guide, and
the Directory of Fanfic Writers... not to mention a word from our
sponsors.
The latest version of the FAQ is always available on our website:
http://atecfaq.cjb.net
---------------------
Twenty Suggested Guidelines for Fanfic.
by Michelle Hiley
e...@hiley.demon.co.uk
Note: these are not some Almighty Rules. They're just my personal
thoughts, culled from four years of writing fanfic. Some are posting
tips, some general pointers as regards manners in the fanfic world,
and the last two are aimed mainly at new fanfic writers. Suggestions
and corrections humbly received.
1. If your story is more then 25K, divide it into parts and post the
parts separately. Some providers have difficulty receiving postings
over 25K, and will cut them (aol often have this problem). Number the
parts - stories sometimes turn up in an odd order, due to the whims of
the News Gods. I once posted a 22 part story, and part 12 vanished,
and turned up three days later. Who knows.
Don't post it as an attachment - some providers strip out attachments,
and many people won't see your story. And don't post it as html -
that'll just make your story an unreadable mess. Plain text, using the
cut and paste method is the best.
2. Restrict line length to 72 characters. 80 at the absolute most, but
72 is best. This allows comfortable reading for everyone.
3. Don't forget to add a disclaimer that the characters belong to
Warners etc and are used without permission. No idea if this is really
worth anything legally, but at the very least it's polite to Warners.
4. You might consider putting a warning label on your story for any of
the following situations. As an author you have the right to write
about what you like, but it is only fair to your reader to warn them
if you're going to use sensitive subject matter. So I'm sure it would
be appreciated if you labelled for:
a. Violence.
b. Bad language.
c. Sex (specify hetero or homosexual, and also specify whether it's
consenting).
d. Excessive sadness. You don't have to give the plot away, but in the
case of a very upsetting story (for example a main character dies of
cancer or something), it might be nice to say something in the intro
by way of warning that the story is a sad one. Not everyone will want
to read very upsetting fic.
A suggested age rating is also a good idea. See Sharon's category list
for more advice. A.t.e.c often carries "nfic" - NC17 fiction, both
consenting heterosexual and "slash" (consenting homosexual). The same
rules are deemed to apply equally to both. As a general rule of thumb,
you're not expected to warn for something mild, like a kiss, but if it
gets heavier than that then you should. It's a good idea to put any
warnings at the start of the story, and also on the parts that contain
the sensitive material.
Note: there are some things that are still considered taboo in fanfic
- including stories promoting sex with children or animals. Not only
is this illegal and distasteful, but many providers have a policy of
dropping groups that carry such fic. At the very least you can expect
a complaint to your provider, and possibly even a visit from your
local law enforcement. Stories promoting sex with children or animals
are not welcome here.
5. Mention what the last episode you saw was, especially if the story
contains spoilers for that episode. This helps people avoid stories
that might spoil them. It's also useful in years to come, when people
are looking back on the archives and Dejanews. Knowing a story was
written after "A Hole In The Heart" helps them place it. If you are
setting a story in the past, mention which episode it follows as well
as the last episode you saw. Unless of course, you deliberately don't
want people to realise, for plot purposes! But always, always warn if
a story contains spoilers for an episode that first aired within the
last 8 months. And never put a recent spoiler into the title of a
story. If in doubt, ask on the group how far people have seen.
6. If you quote a poem, song etc, do mention in the intro or footnotes
where it comes from. Not only is this polite to the person you're
quoting, your readers will want to know.:)
7. If the story isn't finished, say so in the intro (or in the summary
if on a website). Posting unfinished stories isn't a problem, but
readers have the right to know if this is just one in a series.
8. Do run your story through a spellchecker first, and use the
alt.tv.er FAQ to check character names. Having Randee siting at the
recupption desk talking 2 Jeri is extremely irritating for your
readers. Nobody expects perfection, but you should at least try. The
FAQ can be found at http://www.digiserve.com/er/
9. Read your fic yourself before you post it. It's amazing what you
pick up on during the second or third time through. Even better, get
an editor to read it over and advise you. Spell-checkers don't pick
everything up. If you've used "curtain" when you meant to say
"caution", the spell-check won't know! Having a human read it through
is always best.
10. Don't forget to give your story a name. And put your own name and
a contact address on it, for feedback! Remember if you change e-mail
addresses, to contact any archives carrying your stories, and ask them
if they'll update your address.
11. Exercise caution when writing about real people. Carol Hathaway
has no feelings to be hurt, and if you want to write a story in which
she has sex with the entire hospital, well fair enough. Julianna
Margulies on the other hand is a human being, and entitled to a
certain amount of respect. Do what you like with the fictional
characters, but when it comes to writing about the actors, be more
careful. They are real people, and nobody has any right to write
intrusive and untrue stories about their personal lives.
Examples of what I mean from the X-Files group. A story in which the
main character was having a torrid affair with David Duchovny was seen
as unfair. After all, nobody asked poor Mr Duchovny. On the other
hand, another excellent story had Duchovny and Anderson accidentally
swapping places with Mulder and Scully. The horror of the actors at
their plight, and their resourcefulness in trying to cope were very
well done, and both were allowed their dignity (neither had sex with
anyone, both behaved very well). It's a question of judgement. Ask
yourself how you'd feel if that story was written about you.:)
Of course stories *only* about the actors are off-topic anyway. But
they might be brought into ER stories (like the example above where
Mulder and Duchovny change places), and if they are, well just use a
little tact.:) Kerry Weaver is indestructible, Laura Innes is not.
12. Don't use smart quotes. They're those little curly quotes
Microsoft use. They are non-standard, and often get stripped out
entirely. If you write in Word, save as plain text. It's really very
bad of Microsoft to use something so non-standard, and as an
archivist, I'd personally like to kick their butts for it (do you have
any idea how long it takes to go through a story re-inserting every
apostrophe and quotation mark?). My friend Scotty discovered that
running it through Notepad can help restore the lost quotes, should
you find yourself suddenly quoteless. But saving as plain text should
hopefully prevent it.
13. Do what I call a "logic read." Every story should have this done
at least once. Read it all the way through just looking for lapses of
logic. Then read it again, visualising it. Here are two genuine
examples from stories, which Ra and I picked up on during simple
"logic reads."
A woman is in her kitchen canning fruit from her garden....but earlier
in the story, it's been established it's early May. That fruit
wouldn't be in season yet. Reason; the story was originally set in the
autumn. The time was changed, but the author forgot about the fruit.
A woman comes into a room with her arms full of laundry - and then
pours someone a glass of water and hands it to them. What happened to
the laundry? She never put it down.
Sometimes when you've worked on a story a long time, you no longer
"see" it. So it can be a good idea to ask someone who hasn't read the
story before to do a logic read prior to posting. Amazing what a fresh
pair of eyes can do.
14. Use specialists. "Specialists" are what I call people I bring in
to help on just one aspect of a story. For ER, unless you know about
medicine, you'll need a medical "specialist" to try and help get the
medical details straight. Ask around, you'll usually find a nurse,
doctor, med student, paramedic, someone on the group who can just help
you sort the basics. Sometimes you'll need a geographical specialist,
someone who knows Chicago and can help you with scenes outside the
hospital. Non Americans should get themselves a dialogue specialist,
so that when the characters speak they aren't using non American words
and phrases. Likewise, anyone using Corday in a story might be well
advised to get a Brit to check her dialogue (she's going a bit native,
but even so there are things she wouldn't say). See point 18 for more
on this.
15. Always remember to credit and thank your editor, specialists, and
anyone else who helped on a story. Not only is it good manners, they
like to feel their hard work has been appreciated.
16. I think everyone knows this one. Don't use characters created by
another fanfic author, or write sequels to their stories without
asking their permission. This is the height of bad manners in fanfic
circles. Sometimes an author will grant permission if asked (depending
on the story), but if they say no, then you mustn't proceed. Should
they say yes, then be sure and credit them in the introduction, and
thank them as well.
I've been asked to say something about plagiarism so OK, here goes.
First up, IT IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE TO DELIBERATELY COPY THE WORK
OF ANOTHER AUTHOR. Plagiarism is wrong, pure and simple. Don't do it.
However, coincidences do happen. We're writing about a small group of
people, with limited scenarios. Inevitably, some stories might be
similar. So don't immediately assume, if two stories have elements the
same, that one has copied the other. Simple plot elements in common
happen a lot, because they're logical. If Doug is attacked, he'd
logically weep in Carol's arms, and not Kerry's. Likewise the odd
phrase or situation might crop up several times.
If you seriously suspect someone has copied your work, mail them
privately. You've the right to enquire, but they've the right to
defend themselves in private. Plagiarism is a serious accusation, not
to be made lightly. I've seen totally innocent authors destroyed by
public plagiarism witchhunts. Talk to them privately, and bear in mind
they may not be at their computer. People go on vacations, so give
them time.
Should you find yourself on the enquiry end, then one of three
scenarios is possible. And I've known cases of all three of these.
1.You deliberately copied the author. In which case, for shame. You
should apologise immediately, and withdraw your story from any
archives carrying it. This type of behaviour is completely
unacceptable.
2.You did read their story, but you forgot it, and copied it
accidentally. This does happen, the subconscious does strange things.
The correct thing to do is confess the moment you realize. Mail the
author to apologise, publicly acknowledge what happened, and wait and
see what the author says. Some authors might be happy to let the story
stand if you credit them. This happened to me once, I suddenly got an
apologetic letter from another author, who had copied me without
intending to (I hadn't known about her story). I was quite happy to
let her story stand, and she added a note to the introduction. It
happens sometimes, I understood. However if the author objects, then
you should withdraw the story.
3.You've not read their story, and it's pure coincidence. In which
case, stand your ground, you've done nothing wrong. You don't need to
apologise, withdraw your story, or add a note. The author does have
the right to politely enquire, you should just as politely explain
you've not read their story.
To anyone thinking "yeah right!", well this does happen. I once wrote
an almost word for word copy of a story I'd never read - and then sent
it to the original author, a friend of mine, to proof read! Bless her,
she never said a word. You can imagine my shock when I found her story
on an archive a month later, and realised it had been posted before my
own. In that case we had a very unusual plot, and identical dialogue
in places. But all pure chance - I'd never read her story, and she
couldn't have read mine. I wasn't obliged to add a note, or explain
publicly, but in this case I did, because the two stories really were
identical. Actually, it was quite frightening.
17. Never distribute or archive any story without the permission of
the author. For co-written stories and round robins, you should obtain
the permission of all the authors who've worked on it. Again, I think
everyone here knows this one already, and asks permission, but I
thought it wouldn't hurt to add it here. Some authors add a disclaimer
"May be archived intact," in which case fine, although they do mean
intact and unaltered. If you want to change it - go ask them.
18. International spelling and phrases. Fanfic generally does not
conform to any particular country's way of spelling things, and indeed
there's no reason why it should. As a British author, I happily take
pride in having Carol in her colourful coat stepping off the kerb. I
would never use an American spelling unless an American actually wrote
something down in my story. In the same way, I'll use British words
and phrases in general description.
Dialogue however is different. Carter might go outside to throw away
the rubbish, but he wouldn't *say* that. He'd say "trash." So I'd
probably write. "Carter paused, his arms full of rubbish. 'I'm just
taking this trash outside.'" This is more something that non Americans
have to watch for, but Americans should bear it in mind for Corday.
With co-writing, I tend to use the rule "she who writes the line,
controls the spelling." I've done five stories co-written with
Americans, (not including round robins), and a joy of mixed spelling
they are.:)
So, except with dialogue, stick to your own international flavour .
Although sometimes, a little compromise can help. I recently baffled
my American editors with the term "carry-cot." A suitably
Transatlantic "baby carrier" satisfied both Brits and Americans, and
was understood by both.
19. Never worry if a story suddenly goes in the opposite direction
from the way you want it to. A story with a life of its own is a good
thing. I've seen it mentioned elsewhere that many authors are
surprised when suddenly the characters start "talking" to them, and
wanting to do the opposite to what was intended. Let them, let the
story go the way it wants to, and roll with it. Characters taking over
is a good sign.
20. Finally, something I've been told once or twice. "I want to write
a story, but I don't have an idea." Well I suggest forget it. Not
permanently, but turn your attention to something else and don't
worry. Stories come when you least expect them. Always carry a
notebook and pen for when an idea does strike you. My husband once
found me in the middle of a supermarket, leaning against the frozen
fish counter, scribbling away. Standing waiting for a bus, in the
bath, having my teeth filled - I've had story ideas at all those
times. So get a small cheap notebook and a pen, and keep them to hand.
You never know when the idea for that steamy Anspaugh/Edson NC17 fic
will strike.....
(and finally.... a little addition by Alice at the suggestion of
Ceindreadh)
21. If you're writing a series, please put a 'previously on ER' at
the beginning.... It doesn't have to be long, just a few lines saying
who the main characters are and where you left them. This is
especially important if it's been a long time between installments or
if there's a few fics going round on a similar theme.
---------------------
Alt.TV.ER.Creative Categories List.
by Sharon McKay (Sha...@aol.com)
(with a little updating by Alice)
The following is a list of categories for fanfic to be posted on this
newsgroup. It will help readers to determine what the story is about,
and the censorship rating. The categories can either be added to the
subject line, or in the information in the first paragraph of the
first post.
Censorship ratings:
These are much like movies and television. But I thought it best to
add ages since this is an international group:)
G- General. Usually contains no graphic language, no violence, no sex,
and only the slightest innuendo.
PG- Parental Guidance. Usually contains extremely mild graphic
language, references to violence, mild sexual innendo.
M15+ - Mature. contains some graphic language (the F word could come
in here) mildly graphic violence, mild sex.
NC17- not suitable for the under 17 age group. contains graphic sex,
violence and language (all words worse than f*** belong here)
Content Categories:
DR/CH- Doug Ross & Carol Hathaway
ADA/JC- Anna Del Amico & John Carter
PB/CF- Peter Benton & Cleo Finch
MG/EC- Mark Greene & Elizabeth Corday
MG/KW - Mark Greene & Kerry Weaver
JC/KW - John Carter & Kerry Weaver
CH/LKo - Carol Hathaway & Luka Kovac
JC/AL - John Carter & Abby Lockhart
LKo/AL - Luka Kovac & Abby Lockhart
DM - Dave Malucci
JMC- Jing-Mei Chen
LKn - Lucy Knight
RR - Robert Romano
CAST- involves all or most cast members
And of course, any combination of the above is quite welcome. Feel
free to mix 'n match :)
Add the following to any of the above- eg DR/CH - R: Doug & Carol
Romance, KW - H: Kerry Humour etc...
R- Romance
H- Humour
Nfic- adult content, usually involves sex.
O- Other (might be good to specify what, if it's violent etc...)
Slash- male-male or female-female nfic
---------------------
DIRECTORY of WRITERS.
Seventh Edition, August 2001
by Alice (aemars...@hotmail.com)
Writers are listed in alphabetical order by first name with their
email addresses, and each listing may also include one or more
websites where the author's stories are archived, and/or the author's
most recent story posted on a.t.e.c. and the date it was posted. Our
writers enjoy and invite feedback and constructive criticism, so
please take the opportunity to let them know what you thought.
Alice
aemars...@hotmail.com
http://go.to/erfic/
"A World Apart" posted February 2001
Athena Nike
ath...@ipstenu.org
"Rights of Passage: Don't Get Lost", Part 4 posted January 4, 2000
Bevin Marie
erfa...@yahoo.com
"Please Remember" posted June 2001
Carolyn Abbott
csli...@aol.com
http://hometown.aol.com/cslider5/fanfic.html
"Breakdown" posted April 2000
Catherine Elliott
butto...@hotmail.com
http://cath.erfanfiction.com
"Coming Home" (part five) posted May 2000
Cathy
hunter...@yahoo.com or carte...@yahoo.com
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Salon/6144/ for PG stories
http://www.geocities.com/carterfics/ for NC-17 stories
Ceindreadh
ceind...@eircom.net
http://homepage.eircom.net/~ceindreadh/index.htm
http://ertvonline.com/fanfiction/
"A Different Day in May" (in progress)
Cimerene
cime...@gci.net
http://www.geocities.com/cimerene/fanfic4.html
"Understandings" posted April 2000
Clotho
clotho...@hotmail.com
http://home.talkcity.com/antennaav/fatespinner/
"Flashpoint" (with Cathy), posted June 2001
Ellen Hursh
ekh...@bdexx.com
"Shall We Dance?" posted July 15, 2001
Heather (Neoxer)
wyle...@yahoo.com
http://www.neoxer.com
"Learning to Say Goodbye" posted January 3, 2001
Hollie
klrh...@hotmail.com
"Recovery" (ongoing)
Jen
yl...@omn.net
http://www.spods.co.uk/~ylla/fic/fanfic.html
Jen Petric
noa...@juno.com
http://home.talkcity.com/antennaav/musen_00/FANFICTION/JEN_PETRIC.htm
"Winds of Change" posted April 25, 2000
Jess (Moonfruit)
MedaMo...@aol.com
http://www.greenenvy.cjb.net
Jordan Turner
jtur...@juno.com
http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Studio/5437/jordan.htm
"Doug and Carol" posted August 7, 2001
Kim
keg4...@aol.com
"Crush" posted February 2001
Lori (SixteenOzs)
Sixtee...@yahoo.com
http://www.geocities.com/sixteenozs02/fanfiction.htm
Lynne
mulde...@aol.com
"First Step" posted March 23, 2000
Mandy
emdro...@aol.com
"Going Fourth (Mandy.1)" posted January 20, 1999
Melissa
mca...@aol.com or carte...@yahoo.com
http://www.geocities.com/carterfics/
Michelle Hiley
e...@hiley.demon.co.uk
http://www.hiley.demon.co.uk/er/
"Lean on Me" posted March 2000
Missy
mi...@lexicon.net
http://www.geocities.com/missyliannem/
"The Reason" (ongoing)
Paula
digg...@worldnet.att.net
"Chance Meetings" posted July 1999
Pebbles
peb...@ukgateway.net
http://lukafic.tripod.com/fanfic/ff282.htm
"Ribbon of Glass" posted March 2001
Ricki
ri...@rickarby.clara.co.uk
http://www.angelfire.com/tv/
"Seeker," Part I posted April 28, 2000
Robin
(current email address unknown)
"Jump Before The Circle Closes" posted January 2000
Ryan Cooper
rya...@kscable.com
"Roads" (with Triggersaurus) posted January 2000
Sarah Clayton (Sadieclay)
sadi...@MailAndNews.com
http://www.geocities.com/erikfic
http://www.fanfiction.net
"Roadapples and Prairie Oysters" (ongoing)
Scotty Welles
scottj...@yahoo.com
http://www.spods.co.uk/~ylla/fic/fanfic.html
"Countdown" posted December 1999
Sharon McKay
Sha...@aol.com or TheOneW...@aol.com
"The Decision" posted January 26, 2000
Shelby Proaps
spr...@netdoor.com
"Desire" posted May 15,1999
Shirley Yoshinaka
yosh...@sympatico.ca
http://www.pcpages.com/shirlscorner/
http://home.talkcity.com/AntennaAv/mus_00/
"Summer Rain and Roses" Part 10 posted July 21, 2001
Sundae777
sund...@yahoo.com
"The Tracks" posted February 2000
Susan
lili...@aol.com
http://www.geocities.com/suechru/er/fics
http://www.neoxer.com/fic/Susan.html
"Vows and Promises" (ongoing)
Tamzin Cebula
tamzin...@theponies.freeserve.co.uk
Triggersaurus
trigge...@yahoo.co.uk
http://www.geocities.com/er_trig/triggersfics.html
"Every Street" posted July 2001
**If you are a fanfic writer who posts stories to a.t.e.c. and you'd
like to be listed in the next edition of the Writer's Directory,
please e-mail Alice (aemars...@hotmail.com). I'll be very happy to
include you when the next version of the FAQ comes out. I also depend
on the participants to keep me up to date on their listings, though I
do make a concerted effort to contact all those involved prior to each
revision of the FAQ. Please let me know if your email address (or
anything else) listed here is wrong... I don't like returned mail!
---------------------
and last but not least... Help Wanted!
Yes, that's right, I (that would be Alice) am still very much in need
of some folks to assist me with the FAQ. Sharon and Michelle have not
been as involved with ER fic lately, and I can't do everything on my
own. For instance:
1) It has been suggested that we put together a pool of potential
editors/beta readers and match authors up with them... which is a
wonderful idea... but not something I feel able to undertake now or
anytime in the foreseeable future.
2) The FAQ would be so much more useful if it were posted to the
newsgroup regularly (biweekly?), thus serving its primary purpose,
informing newbie-lurkers about our group. I can attempt this on my
own, but I wouldn't be at all averse to delegating such a
responsibility to someone else...
3) Doesn't this site look rather dull? I'd love a
visually/artistically-talented person to create some banners or
something.
Let me know if you can help.
--------------------
This has been a collaborative effort by Alice Marshall, Michelle
Hiley, and Sharon McKay. Seventh edition released August 2001.
(c) 1999-2001.