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evlpez · 04-20-2005, 07:43 PM

New Questions Thread:

Here are the more common questions that have been answered before. Please read through them before asking your question:

Who are the Fan Fiction moderators?

angelwing , Blackened , evlpez , Ozzy , demented_death_eater and Taking Back Kirstie moderate the Fan Fiction forums in Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place. Sir_Spots is in charge of The Sphinx's Sofa (Poetry Forum) and Rovie heads the Creative Tapestry (Fan Art).

I've read the rules and wondered how to actually make a ff. It doesn't appear in forums when I log in even after I read the rules. And I can't reply to ff either.

Ah! You're still a newbie. You must post at least 10 times in Hagrid's Newbie Hut before you can enter all the forums on this site.

I want to write a ff but where do I go to type one? (How do I make a new thread for my fan fic?)
I would encourage you to write/type and save your story on your home computer in a Word Processor like MS Word. Then come to Grimmauld Place and choose the category your story fits (Comedy, Romance, Character stories, etc...) and post a new thread in it by clicking a "Post new topic" button at the top or bottom of the forum page. Fill out the fields for title and such, including your first chapter in the first post. Click submit; a Fan Fiction Moderator will then validate your thread (or decline it if it doesn't follow the site rules) and you'll find it in the forum in which you posted it. This sometimes takes a while, depending on how busy the mods are. Before you do this, you should familiarize yourself with The FF Rules.

I'm gonna post a FF, do I have to PM it to you first, or can I post it right away?

Post it right away. After it is approved by a moderator, it will show up in the forum in which it was posted.

I went to post a fanfic, I typed a bit left it minimized and left it, I came back and finished the bit and clicked ok. It turned out I wasn't logged in anymore so I logged in and it said it was saved so will it appear, in Others, in a few days. just it took me back to the forum page.

Ah, Okay I see. Snitchseeker doesn't save anything for you. If you didn't submit it then it won't show up. I think you should write it again logged in and then submit it again-logged in. Try that, because if you weren't logged in and you didn't submit it it won't save because Snitchseeker doesn't have those capabilities. Write/type and save your story on your home computer in a Word Processor like MS Word before posting so that you don't lose anything by timed-out connections.

I was writing a fanfic but Im not sure if I sent it or not. the computer shut down right when I pressed the button. Should I wait a week to see if its accepted or should I resubmit it?

Wait a day or two. If it didn't show up then it either didn't go through or it was declined by a moderator. Try posting it again.

Hey I try to create FF. But whenever I finish and press send in new topic it never shows up? What should I do?

After you submit a FF it has to go through Validation. There, a moderator must check it to see if its okay and then accept it or delete it. You shouldn't have to wait long. It shouldn't take too long. Just wait 2-3 days and review the rules before trying to submit it again if it doesn't show up.

How long does it take from submiting a fan fic until it appears on the site?

There are five FF Mods who validate fan fiction threads. They all work as their schedules permit. Sometimes your thread will be validated within the hour, sometimes it may take a day or two. (evlpez: I usually check the control panel a few times a day during the week, and at least once a day on weekends, in the morning. If you had a thread awaiting validation and it didn't show up within 24 hours, then it was declined for some reason. We're fairly lenient on spelling, grammar and punctuation, unless you 'typ lyk dis an uz #s 4 wurdz an stuff', don't capitalize anything or completely omit punctuation.)

I wrote the start of a ff but it's been a week and it hasn't appeared. There was nothing wrong with it what could have happened to it?
It could have been declined because of:

A. Too many Grammar mistakes and it just had to many things wrong with it
B. You didn't add enough to your first post. You need to at least write a decent amount of 1 chapter.
C. The Mod thought it was inappropriate, or violated rules somewhere.
D. There wasn't a rating in the title.

Other than that you should have been fine. Try submitting it again.

Does your story have to approved of and found interesting before being posted by a moderator?

When you submit the first post of your story, a Moderator will read it, and if they think it is appropriate, they will approve it. They do not necessarily have to think it is a strong plot, or one that personally interests them, as long as it is appropriate and doesn't break any rules.

Do you have to put a disclaimer in because I've seen some that have them but then there's some that dont? If I didn't put a disclaimer up could that be a reason why it hasn't been approved yet? Thanks.

Disclaimers are always a good idea, but your thread won't be disallowed for not having one.

About how long should the first post of a fan fiction be? Because that might be the reason why mine didn't get posted.

Your first post should have much of a first chapter in it. Give us some story. New threads that say things like "This is a story about Harry & Ginny hooking up and I'll post more about it later." will NOT be validated.

How do I update my fanfic?

You just post a new reply with the new chapters of your FF.

Can you make more than one ff?

Yes, if you can keep up with it. If you can't then just requst for it to be deleted or moved.

Can you read as many ff as you want?
Sure you can.

Are you allowed to use netspeak?

You could try, but it won't make it past the Moderators. Please use only proper english spelling, grammar and punctuation in your threads and posts.

Hey! I just thought I would ask this just in case; I've just posted -to be approved- a ff in the comedy thread. There's no actual *cussing* but there's a word that is quite so. The thing is that *word* is necessary for the story, not just blatant cussing, and it helps people know what the story is about.

No, the SS board rules say we are not to allow Cursing of any sort whether it be with the **** or not, it's not allowed.

Is slash allowed here? I mean, if the FF is rated PG-13 or under.

There is no slash allowed on Snitchseeker.

FF Rule # 21. There will be NO sexual scenes. If we find ANY kind in your FF it will either be probably deleted. Also there will be NO Slash FF's. NONE, not even in the Restricted Section.

In the rules it says no sex scenes. could I put that ? n ? went to bed together but I just skip to the morning. And what is a newbie, is it some1 who isn't a member?

I guess if you don't have too much of those get in bed together scenes and if you don't get into detail about them, then, I think you should be fine. A newbie is someone who is new to the site and has less than 10 posts. (And we sometimes use the term to describe someone who uses symbols and numbers in their words.

)

What if my fan-fic has some kissing in it? Is that ok?
It's ok if it's a little kiss. Not some deep emotional kiss that makes everyone squirm around their chair reading...

What kind of story would have to be PG-13? What would make a story PG-13?

A guide to ratings is here in the FF Rules.

We no longer use the Motion Picture Association of America's ratings system (PG, PG-13, R, etc..) We use our own rating system.

Can you be as dirty as you want in the over 15 forum?

NO. Being to "dirty" can cause you to get a warning and maybe even more if the content is serious enough. Read the The Restricted Section Rules before trying to post there.

Err...well...people aren't allowed to flame you, right? Cuz...I'm not sure I'm so good of a writer...

Don't worry. People know what's best for them. If you do happen to have someone flame at you or made a rude comment, don't hesitate to PM a FF Mod. We'll take care of them.

Can our fan fics be about anything we want?

They must be Harry Potter Related.

Where do we post stories that aren't Harry Potter?
You don't. Only Harry Potter related stories are allowed.

Do you have to write about Harry Potter stuff??

It must contain Harry Potter related things.

Do you need to talk about Harry Potter stuff?

Yes.

^This is a common question. Read the answer twice before trying to ask it again, please.

Hi! Ummmm I was wondering, what is a "Mary Sue" FF (I think that's what it's called) Ohh and I was also wondering if my FF has to do with Harry Potter.

Mary Sue FF means that there is a made up person in your story which is pretty much perfect in every way and fall in love with one of the main characters. Most people don't like them and I understand but I don't want people to go bashing someone's FF just because its a Mary Sue. Thats all. Yes, your FF Has to be Harry Potter related somehow.

I really would like to start a new fanfic, but I'm not sure if I'll be able or willing to commit to it. What should I do?

I say start one! Then, if you can't finish it just place it in the Inactive fan fics. If your FF hasn't been updated in a month it will be automatically moved to the Inactive fan fiction area. Plus, if it does get moved and you want to start it up again you could always just ask an FF mod to move it again so you could continue it. Once ithas gone 3 months without an update however, it's gone for good.

Hi I am sooo sorry if this has been asked before but I want to start a ff and its going to have some tragedy (sadness) in it. Where do I post it?

You probably want it in Other Stories maybe. Or if there is tragedy because of a war or because of love then you can put it in Romance or Epic and Adventure Stories. Check the ratings guide and make sure to rate it properly. If it's really serious stuff, it might be too mature for Grimmauld Place. Stories rated Sa16+ belong in the Restricted Section.

Can you make more than one ff?

Yes, if you can keep up with it. If you can't, then just request for it to be deleted or moved.

Can you read as many ff as you want?
Sure you can.

Does it matter how long your ff is?

No, doesn't matter at all.

Do you have to finish a FF?
You don't have to finish it. However it would be nice for your readers and the site if you do. When a fan fic is not updated within the last month we will automatically move it to the Inactive Fics forum. After three months from your last update, it's deleted forever.

Are one shots allowed?

Yes, they are! Just announce that your new thread is a one-shot, and after it's been open to comments for up to a month, PM a Fan Fiction Mod or Post in the Delete Thread to have it moved to the "Finished Fan Fics" forum.

I'm gonna follow my character all through school,should I write it all in one FF or should I have llike year 1 year 2 ect.?

It's up to you. You may start a new thread for each year that your character attends Hogwarts (or another known wizarding school in the Potterverse), or you can have it all in one thread.

How can I contact a Fan fiction Moderator to change the title of my story, or have it moved to another genre (Comedy, Mystery...)?

You can send a PM to a Fan Fic Moderator or post your changes request in the Delete Thread. Always provide links, as Mods do not want to go hunting for thread titles.

I was just wondering if I can change the description of my ff? If I can then how?

At present, the site's forum software no longer supports 'thread descriptions'.

I had a fan fiction that I hadn't worked on forever and it was moved into the Finished Fics section. Now, I want to begin it again but make minor changes and edit the name. Can I just repost what I've already written under a new name and make my changes or is it mandatory to move my fic out of the finished fiction area?

You can make a new thread for your edited story. You may want to ask a mod to delete your old thread, if the changes aren't significant, or leave it there if the new story is significantly different from the old one.

My FanFic has be moved to the Inactive section because I haven't posted that much over the Christmas period, how do I get it moved back?

To reinstate a FF, you should PM a FF mod (Kitty Loves Steps, demented death eater, angelwing or evlpez). Or post your request to move it in the the Delete Thread. Always provide links... One of us will move your thread to the Finished Fics forum for you.

If you have a finished ff do you have to pm a mod?

Yes, please. Or post your request to move it in the the . Always provide links. One of us will move your thread to the Finished Fics forum for you. If you don't PM a mod, we will probably find it when we scan for inactive fics, but there is the risk that it gets sent to Inactives and eventually deleted if it's not clearly marked finished.

Can you change the title of your FF?

Yes. You can send a PM to a Fan Fic Moderator or post your changes request in the Delete Thread. Always provide links.

A fanfic has recently started, there are currently only a couple of chapters up, which has the same title as mine and contains some similar story lines as mine. What should I do about it?

PM a Fan Fiction Moderator. Provide links to both stories and the Moderator will assess the situation and deal with it accordingly.

Ok I have a fanfic that I would like to post here but I also have it posted on fanfiction.net. How do I prove I'm not plagerizing?

You should state in your first post if it's posted elsewhere, so no one thinks you've copied someone else's. It helps if your account e-mail address is the same for both Snitchseeker and fanfiction.net.

Is it important that my ff has to be exclusive to SS?
What I mean is that ....is it ok if I'm posting the same story on 2 diff sites?

If it is yours then its fine. However you should state in your first post if it's posted elsewhere, so no one thinks you've copied someone else's.

Can we turn an rp that we did with our friends from another site into a rp? I would take out the curses. It wouldnt be plagerizing if we got our friends permission.

RPs belong in Knockturn Alley. Grimmauld Place is for Fan Fiction/Fan Art only. If you want to write a Harry Potter Fan Fiction based on an RP you were part of somewhere else, that's fine, as long as you have permission from your RP partners to use their creations. Better yet, encourage them to join Snitchseeker and write the story together.

evlpez · 04-20-2005, 07:44 PM

How can you advertise a ff?

In your signature. If you are unable to put what you want in your signature please go to Madame Malkins. There you can submit your signature and read the rules and get a lot of signature help.

Um ...... Besides advertising your fanfics in ur signatures can you advertise them somewhere else also.........?

Nope, Only in your signature.

Is there a place I can open a topic asking for an idea for a fanfic? Would it be okay if I opened it on here...?

No, I'm afraid not, and if you post a topic like that its going to get closed down.

I was reading the rules and they were talking about EEFFDs and I was just wondering was that stood for.

EEFFD stands for the Evil Elite Fan Fiction Darers. It's a fan fiction dare game/club which began in Zonko's Joke Shop. It is now hosted in the FF Rules and Resources Forum so that people can find it better. Members provide a list of strange occurrences or items (A dare) that must be included in a short story. Participation is completely voluntary; members choose which dares they'll accept from an approved list of dares added to a post in the first page of the topic. More information about how to participate can be found in this thread.

How do you get to be an Evil Elite Fanfic thingy? like, where do you go to ask the people to give you one or whatever they do??

Look at the link in the previous answer. You'll find what you need to know there.

I have a question I want to post something that I wrote but its not really a Poem where do I post it at?
You may post it in one of the Fan Fiction sections, which are arranged by type, if it is a story. If it is a poem, you can post it in the poetry forum. If it is a more mature Fan Fic, It goes in the Restricted Section under The Forbidden Forest. Check The FF Rules to see the ratings guide. Stories deserving of an Sa16+ rating belong in the Restricted Section.

If I wanted to make a restricted fan fic do I just make it in the restricted place or do I post the topic somewhere first?

Go post it straight in the Restricted Section.

Just a random question of curiosity...how often do you have to delete fanfics? And usually for what reasons?

When a story hasn't been updated in one month, it's moved to the Inactive Fan Fics forum. After three months without any updates or requests by the author to reactivate it, it gets deleted forever. There are several Fan Fic Moderators who work the forums at their own pace, but usually we're pretty good about staying on top of inactive fics. Currently, evlpez is in charge of the Inactive Fics forum, and is pretty good at deleting threads on time (within a week of the three month mark of each thread). Other than inactivity, there are only a few reasons why a story might be deleted, and they usually involve people breaking the rules.

I was wondering...what's up with all the "open topic (no new replies)", "open topic (new replies)", "hot topic (no new replies)", and "hot topic (new replies)" classifications? What's that all about?

Those terms refer to the status of a thread since the last time you looked at it. Hot Topics have a certain (higher) number of replies, Open Topics are open topics to which people can reply, and New or No New Replies refers to whether there are new posts since your last visit.

evlpez · 04-27-2005, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Princess Potter

In a chain letter i had a fanfiction sent to me, and it is very, very good, and i would like to share it here, as long as i make a disclaimer in the first post that it's not mine (i dont know the author) and i don't take credit for it being mine, would it be alright for me to post it here?

No, I don't think it's appropriate to post someone else's work, even with a disclaimer. If the author wishes to share it here, he or she would do so. (Look at it this way: Imagine someone recorded you singing karaoke. Even if someone thought you were really super-good, would you really want some other stranger posting it all over the internet?)

Quote:

Originally Posted by HP&GW FAN

I have a fan fic named A Summer Worthy To Be Treasured Untill Eternity in the Romance Section - Page 1 & I want it to be put in the Finished section cos' I am going out on a Vacation for nearly a month or maybe more & I won't be able to post in it & I think that even after coming back it will take a lot of time to start where I left off. So, I want to know how to do that, ie put it in the Finished section?? Could you please tell me??

You've done the right thing. When you need a thread moved (to Finished, Inactives, or another genre) you just PM a Fan Fiction Moderator or post your request in the "Delete Thread". Posting about it here works, too, and adds your question to the FF Q&A for everyone's benefit.

Your thread has been moved.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PBLOVER

um is it ok if i use some of the same characters from another fic? They're hp characters, but would i still be able to use them if i take the story a whole different direction?

As long as the characters belong to you or Jo Rowling (with credit) you may use them. If they're made-up characters from another Fan Fic writer's story, get permission and credit the writer in your first post please.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hpfan142

is hell considered as a swear??

That word does not trip the 'bad word' filter, however some of our younger North American members do take offense to its use. Please refrain from using it if you can, to avoid offending our youngest members and earning a warning for language. Using the word doesn't often earn you a warning automatically, but if there is a complaint, you may get one.

edit: 05-01-06 - The Administration has recently announced that the use of the words hell, git and damn shall be allowed in dialogue of Fan Fictions and Role Plays only. Your characters may use these words, but they must be part of the story.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrokenHearts13

U cant have dirty bisnuss in anything pm or posts? bc someone said u can. but i dont believe them. But u cant right?

I don't think this is a Fan Fiction question. SS Rules say you cannot have "dirty bisnuss" anywhere on the site. Anyone posting such anywhere in the forums will have their post deleted and be warned and/or suspended, and anyone using the Private Messaging system or chat room for sexual or predatory behaviour will be banned without warning.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hogwartsluvr64

The HBP spoiler policy annoucement is gone. Does that mean we can have HBP spoilers in our stories now?

That's right. A quiet announcement was made here in FF Announcements. We do ask that if you add post-HBP info or create a new post-HBP thread, please announce it in the first post of your thread so that readers are warned and don't get spoiled by accident.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mugglemom

I am having trouble accessing finished ff's...can we not read those that are finished? For instance, I tried to access from the home page A Twist Of Fate, and was not allowed. I have enjoyed reading the ones I hav been able to and would like to red more...thanks!

A Twist of Fate, by Biochemkris? It has been moved to where it can now be accessed The Finished Fics are all located here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OtterySt.Catchpole

My question is this. When I finish my fic I want to have the last post. In other words, I'd like it locked with my post being the last one, a kind of "Afterwards" if you will for my story, and I would love nothing better than to ask my readers to respect that, but they don't all read so well.

I don't want to ask that their posts be deleted, if they do so, but can they? If I ask? For no other reason than that I wanted to have the last word? Egotistical, I know, but I really would like to have the last say, after the stories done. Is there anyway I can ensure this?

lol. Yes, Ottery. It's your thread. Just PM me when you've posted your last and I'll whisk it away to the Finished Fics for you. (As long as it's not the middle of the night.

)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melanie_Woodbane

I have a story that I'm working on, but I really don't know what genre to put it in, so can you help please?

It's basically Harry Potter through the eyes of 4 girls who have nothing to do with the main HP storyline, but have their own "adventures" while still being aware of the public events in the Harry Potter books. It's gonna be a 7 story set, and there's gonna be romance, and action, and adventure, and comedy, and I really don't know what to put it under.

It's related to HP, but not in and of itself ABOUT HP.

Help me?

Also...the story includes a long Author's note at the beginning, and someone told me that there's a limit to how many characters you can have in a post...Would I be able to post both the Author's note and the first update within first creating the thread?

Good questions, Melanie. If you're unsure about your genre, or your story will include more than one, go for "Other Stories". It's a safe bet, and if your story ends up leaning a certain way, we can always move it for you later.

Not sure about the character limit allowing a huge author's note. Why not PM me the first part of your story. When you post your new thread, if it doesn't all fit, I'll have read your PM and can validate/decline it based on the story bit you PM me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melanie_Woodbane

What is the character limit anyways?

It's 22000 characters. I just checked. It may be different for me because I'm an administrator, but I'm not sure. When you submit a new post, you'll get a message if you're over the limit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by She-Who-Is-Not-To-Be-Psycho!

About the new ranting. I'm not an active writer but I'm intrigued about it. Like I explained in a PM I'm sending, I'm having problems to see the differences between the ratings Sa5+, Sa9+ and Sa13+ I must sound dumb, but they sound the same but for minor lip-kiss kind of differences and seem to be easily split into two cathegories, not four.

Adding to it, I would like to ask why the rating is bellow the Harry Potter books in general, which I think all users in this site have read? By book 4 we have already a good description of Crucio and its effects and we get visual descriptions of wounds and blood since the 1st if not, definitely, 2nd book. Rating of the HP books is 11+ or 12+ in those two books.

My question is, shouldn't the site respond to the rating of the books it's dedicated to? Not to mention it's pradoxical to write fanfics on books while not responding to the books (to the situation, to the allowed violence and language, etc).

Nothing else.

Yes, we have ratings well below what Harry Potter contains. But we're not all likely to write entire novels here, and we're not all likely to kill off characters in our fics. A good rating system includes ratings for ALL CONTENT, not just that which you or I are likely to read or write. We're covering all bases.

Also, Snitchseeker is not Jo Rowling.

Here at Snitchseeker, we need to be more vigilant for the parents of our younger members, who discriminate between approved reading they've given their kids (the HP books) and un-tested reading (Fan Fiction by any member here). If we put ratings on all of our fics, the reader (and his parents) can tell generally how mature the content will be, and families can decide whether to read it or screen it for kids to read later.

As for not allowing content which may be common in the HP books, that is the site owner's choice. Better safe than sorry. We don't allow adult material here because most of our members are not adults. Parents are happier about letting their children to visit websites which err on the side of caution.

I think the differences in the ratings are fairly clear, but here's another way of explaining them:

pSa: pre-school style. (Think childrens' television; talking/singing puppets.)
- Romance = none
- Violence = none
- Mature situations = nothing beyond what a toddler understands.
(This is not really going to be a common rating here at SS, but we need to cover all ages.)

Sa5+: For 5 years old and up.
- Romance = Hand-holding only (5 year olds don't date, so other than hand-holding, there are no romantic situations in this rating.)
- Violence = None (A bat bogey hex would be funny to a 5 year old, but Crucio would be too scary. If you have bat bogey hexes or even Liberacorpus as your worst 'violence', your fic might fit here.)
- Mature situations = More mature than singing puppets, but nothing a 5 year old wouldn't understand.

Sa9+: For 9 years old and up.
- Romance = Flirting, friendly or awkward embraces, kisses on the cheek or a peck on the lips, hand holding (things a modern 9 year old might understand).
- Violence = Some action violence like wizard dueling, without detailed (bloody or painful) description of the effects of serious hexes. (You can use Unforgivables, but don't make them graphically detailed.
- Mature situations = Nothing a 9 year old couldn't handle.

Sa13+: For 13 years old and up.
- Romance = Same as for Sa9+
- Violence = Slightly more allowed than Sa9+, but don't make it bloody and nightmarish.
- Mature situations = Minor suggestive adult themes, like grief, death, loss.

Sa16+: For 16 years and older. *Restricted Section*
- Romance = Hand-holding, romantic embraces, flirting, kisses on the cheek or the lips are okay, minor snogging sessions (without too much detail.) No groping (sexual touching) or bedroom scenes.
- Violence = Detailed use of hexes (unforgivables too) but not too gory or nightmarish. Some blood is okay but it shouldnt' be "Friday the 13th" or "Nightmare on Elm Street"
- Mature situations = grief, death, loss, depression, suicide, cutting, mild mention of alcohol or drugs

Sa18+: For mature adults only
- explicit sex, violence, mature themes and coarse language. This content is not now or ever allowed anywhere on Snitchseeker.

Does that clear it up?

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonks26

Okay, I'm still absorbing the new ratings system (pardon me for the dimwittedness ), but I'm a bit confused as to what rating I should give my fanfic Two In A Million. I'm writing this as I feel it--I have a plot and everything, but I'm still not sure if the future posts would have more "serious" themes than the previous ones. I placed mine in the Romance section, bec it is generally about romance, but I did mention the Cruciatus Curse at one point. I say that my fic is hovering around Sa9+ for now, but then I look back and see that what I'm wiritng could also fall under Sa13+ - which is for the Restricted Section.

I guess my question is, if my story is at Sa9+ for now, and I do write stuff that is above that rating, would you automatically place it in the appropriate section and give its rating later on, or should I just follow the Sa9+ rating it has now? Sorry if I'm running round in circles here, I'm just a bit lost.

I think you should stick to Sa9+ but then in the later chapters change it to Sa13+. That's just me though...

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonks26

Okay, I'm still absorbing the new ratings system (pardon me for the dimwittedness ), but I'm a bit confused as to what rating I should give my fanfic Two In A Million. I'm writing this as I feel it--I have a plot and everything, but I'm still not sure if the future posts would have more "serious" themes than the previous ones. I placed mine in the Romance section, bec it is generally about romance, but I did mention the Cruciatus Curse at one point. I say that my fic is hovering around Sa9+ for now, but then I look back and see that what I'm wiritng could also fall under Sa13+ - which is for the Restricted Section.

I guess my question is, if my story is at Sa9+ for now, and I do write stuff that is above that rating, would you automatically place it in the appropriate section and give its rating later on, or should I just follow the Sa9+ rating it has now? Sorry if I'm running round in circles here, I'm just a bit lost.

I would say that you should choose the Sa9+, if that is what is appropriate for your fic right now. The rest is up to you, you may continue to write your fic within that category, or in the future you may decide that you are moving in to the Sa13+ direction. You can PM me at that time, and I will make the necessary changes to your rating and forum.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lexy91112

Hey, I'm not entirely sure if this is a nessicary post seeing as most of my fics are finished or inactive (I haven't received a PM about rating my inactive one, but that is the one I am questioning) but I would like to be sure on this, espicially if I decide to pick my fic back up...after all, I did promise I would finish >.<

Years two and three of "My Little World of Magic" are...well, rather deep, I suppose. I don't recall reading anything in the rules against stuff like this so it was never an issue I guess. (plus all my readers are older than me XD)...but it deals with some tough issues, like attempted-suicide and some mild self-mutilation. There was also a sort-of murder, and alot of pain that someone had to go through to deal with it. It's often rather intense (I cried *cough*), and maybe a bit depressing? Anyway, I just looked at the sorta updated version (with the possibly added 16+) and that may be sorta where it belongs (no issues with romance though, even though it's in the romance section XD)
I suppose it would at least be in 13+?

But that feels SO weird because I'm only 13. Personally...I'd almost rather delete my fic than see it in the Restricted section. I'm not a bad kid, or anything (>.< That sounded so corney) And...yeah...I just don't know, what do you think?

Sounds like it does belong in the Restricted Section. Please don't let that deter you though! The RS isn't a bad place, or a place for bad fics! It's just that not all kids your age have knowledge or experience with subject matter as mature as that in your fic, and it's not our place to expose them to it accidentally. That's why we're rating all fics this way, so that no one encounters subjects they don't want to, or that their parents don't want them to.

If you have Sa16+ material in your fic already, we're not going to make you edit it out, but we will ask that you continue your fic in an Sa13+ manner unless you see an announcement saying otherwise.

The Restricted Section is not for bad or naughty fics! It's for fics that are just a bit more mature than what some of our youngest members may be ready for. Please don't feel bad if your fic gets moved there in this rating period. You should feel proud that your characters are tackling some pretty heavy issues, and proud that you are kind enough to rate it appropriately and protect the younger kids on this site.

Edit 05-01-06: This question was answered before Sa16+ fics became allowed in the Restricted Section.

Quote:

Originally Posted by weasley6

Um...I was just wondering about this new rating system. I got a PM asking me what I wanted to rate my stories and I replied and the next time I tried to look in to them and add more I suddenly couldnt find them! Could the rating system have anything to do with this? Or did i do something wrong?:S

If you told your mod that your thread was Sa13+, your fic would have been moved to the Restricted Section.

And if it was in the RS already but you rated it Sa9+ or lower, it might have gone into a forum in Grimmauld Place. That's the only moving that should be taking place during the implementation of the ratings system. As long as your thread hasn't been deleted, you will always find it by looking at your own profile and clicking 'find all threads by this member.'

evlpez · 10-31-2005, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ottery

I like to bang my head against walls...because it clears up my thoughts or Ottery would like to point something out...(Please feel free not to care). None of this is intended to offend anyone, and it is not directed at anyone personally!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS

Sa13+ - Contains content not suitable for children; Suitable for teens, 13 years and older, with some violence, and minor suggestive adult themes but free of any coarse language. Wizards can duel and use unforgivables, but don't go into detail about the effects of any nasty hexes like Sectumsempra. Hand-holding, romantic embraces, flirting and brief kisses on the cheek or the lips are okay, but nothing beyond that, romantically.

Quote:

Originally Posted by http://www.mpaa.org/movieratings/about/

PG-13:"Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13."

PG-13 is thus a sterner warning to parents to determine for themselves the attendance in particular of their younger children as they might consider some material not suited for them. Parents, by the rating, are alerted to be very careful about the attendance of their under-teenage children.

A PG-13 film is one which, in the view of the Rating Board, leaps beyond the boundaries of the PG rating in theme, violence, nudity, sensuality, language, or other contents, but does not quite fit within the restricted R category.

First Ottery, let me say that we no longer use the MPAA ratings because they don't want us to. Sa13+ is NOT the same as PG-13.

Secondly, you seem to equate "The Restricted Section" with "Restricted Movies", or the like. That's not what the RS is for. The name of the forum refers to that part of Hogwarts' Library reserved for material meant for older students and teachers. It's a name. That's all. At Snitchseeker, it means that the content in that forum is reserved for those who are older than our younger members.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ottery

My point is. I'm not happy with the idea that my fic is in the restricted section!

Then make it appropriate in such a way that the PARENT of a 12 year old will not object to his/her child reading it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ottery

I don't think that the rating system as it stands now is as it should be. There's no nudity, sensuality (which is ironic, does that imply I can't discuss use of the different senses in my story?) and on the subject of language...
**** ****. If PG-13 movies...actually I think PG movies are allowed to use them too, just not excessively, but I'll get to that in a minute.

I don't recall the word 'sensuality' being used in the ratings guide (nor do I recall observing common use of that word to describe the use of one's ordinary senses

). We object to SEXUALITY in fics in Grimmauld Place. Twelve year olds do not need to be reading/writing about these themes, as I'm sure their parents would agree. About language and the fact that **** is considered cursing; it's not a Fan Fiction rule, it's a site-wide Rule, approved and enforced by the entire administrative staff and the owner of the site; the guy who pays the bills. If you must curse, then post your story elsewhere. I cannot change this rule for you or anyone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ottery

Before, the restricted section was for stories for people ages 15+ and I agreed with that I even posted a story there which is probably really PG but...I'd rather be safe than the reason fascism is taking a hold of the world right? Anyways, my point is, I do think my story isn't suitable for people under 13 (maybe, I'd rather err on the side of caution I always have, people know this) but I don't think it should be restricted like I'm going to write pervy fiction, or like I'm writing something 'mature'. *Teddy pops in* T: Trust me. The words mature and Ottery don't go together in a sentence... *Ottery chasing Teddy* I think 13+ is a good divider but we need one 15+ like before, because I really don't think my story is anywhere near rated R in the movies...and yes I think dividing 13+ is necessary from 15 because there is a major difference, and you're right not to want to host 16+ on this site.

At this point, the only real thing keeping many 9 and 10 year olds out of the Restricted Section is their own desire to stay away. Therefore, in the best interests of properly serving and protecting our members (and likely the wishes of our members' parents), the current rules about what can and cannot be posted in Grimmauld Place and/or The Restricted Section stand at this time. Nothing lasts forever though, and If/when there is a change in what ratings of threads may be posted somewhere, we'll tell you about it, I promise.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ottery

But...*chocking on the restictive ratings* if you are going to restrict my story then I think we (the authors bound therein) should be allowed the priviledges that come with that.

We're not restricting your story. Everyone has access to it except Newbies, Guests, those who are in the process of registering (e-mail's not yet validated) and COPPA members (those for whom we're awaiting parental consent for their membership). All other members can access it (which is more than can access the school RP, even). It's just not located in the same location as the majority of stories right now. Being an administrator doesn't give me any special privileges about what I can post around the site, so I don't feel that you're suggesting a fair resolution to your problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ottery

If motion pictures allow the use of foul language, which is to say nothing of the fiction kids read in school (Huckleberry Finn & The Catcher in the Rye, readily come to mind) (T: Mention television, go on TV) why aren't we? ****, there's not a **** thing wrong with that if it is used to prove a point and isn't taken to excess.

Huck Finn and Catcher were both written a long time ago, before mass media began raising our children for us. I don't allow my kids to see movies or TV with foul language in it, and I'd rather read them fiction without foul language in it, too. Are they going to be exposed to foul language? Yes. Will it be at Snitchseeker? No, it won't. Just because North American television allows something, doesn't mean Snitchseeker should too. There will be no infractions of the site's language rule allowed in Fan Fiction or anywhere else at this time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ottery

And I'd like to lodge an objection against banning the word ***. It's in Peter Pan for pete's sake and it refers to a mule...which I can be sometimes about somethings I guess. I don't imagine any of this will change...but I thought I would point out my view on some of this stuff. I already know where you stand on this...and no this doesn't begin to scratch the surface why I hate restrictions...

The problem with this word and a couple of others is that they are not bad words. Used in their proper, original meanings and contexts they're fine. However popular western culture has adopted them as expletives and uses them in inappropriate context for Snitchseeker. Therefore, they are filtered. Is it a great idea? Not really, but it's the best way to protect our members from encountering them in their improper uses. If you want, get really creative and create new expletives for your characters to exclaim. They're wizards after all, aren't they?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ottery

In conclusion. I would just like to say...I'd love to say *** and not have it banned.

I'd love to say a lot of things. But I don't say them here. Rarely is there ever a real need for specific words in a piece of fiction. (Go ahead and write something to prove me wrong in that statement. I won't read it though because I'm tired of this argument.) The beauty of the English language is that it is so versatile and vast that we can find numerous ways of stringing words together to express the same idea. You do not need to use the word(s) you're complaining about. If you think you do, then allow me to recommend Mirriam-Webster's online Dictionary and Thesaurus.

evlpez · 11-23-2005, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ginny7

I want to start a FanFic and I was wondering... What if I want to have lots of spaming in-between each of my story posts, and a bit of criticism too? Can I have that? Thanks!

Well it's not very fair to your readers, who'll have to wade through the spam in order to read your fic. Comments and constructive criticism is FINE! GREAT, in fact. Off-topic or 'short, pointless, annoying messages' or SPAM, is not cool.
SPAM is against site rules and therefore, so forbidden in Fan Fics. So the answer is no. You can't allow spam in your thread, thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fortune_Cookie

Hi
I've read that once a ff has been in the "finished fanfics" section for 3 months, it's deleted. Does that mean that all your posts are deleted too? Like, if you had 845 posts and then your story got deleted, would it decrease by the number of posts you had in your ff?

Thanks!

We don't delete finished stories. We keep those forever (if we can!). When a story hasn't been updated by the author in a month, it's sent to the Inactive Fics forum. If it's not reactivated and updated within 3 months of the last update, the thread is deleted forever. The posts therein are lost from the post counts of the members who made them. We don't go and manually add them back when we delete a thread.

Personal note: I don't get the fascination with post counts. Because Snitchseeker is a well-maintained site, members' post counts are flexible. They count for nothing; you don't earn status, privileges or anything by attaining a high post count.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonsie B.

alrighty. that was a lot of reading, but i didn't find it. i just accepted a dare, and the ff help site said go to zonkos, but zonkos said go to hogsmeade arithmancy. and i can't find it. i have til Dec. 15, so i'll start writing while i'm waiting for an answer. Also, they said put all my stories in one thread, which is a good idea. But my q to you is, How do i describe that it will be all EEDDF instead of just doing the first one? gtg and thanx.
Brittney.

Don't worry. We have a sub-forum JUST for the Evil Elite threads. It's HERE. Just submit your dare piece in a new thread in that forum and once it's validated by a FF Mod, you'll find it listed among the topics there. After that's up, You'll post all future dares you accept in that same thread. Good luck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moxie

What is slash? I mean, I know it's not allowed, and I know it's really bad, but what is it? I'm confused.

"Slash" refers to homosexual pairings in fan fiction. Slash is not 'really bad'. It's just not allowed at Snitchseeker because slash fics very often contain content which is more mature than that which we're willing to allow here. That being said, we do NOT make exceptions for writers who 'promise to keep it clean'. It's just not allowed, end of story.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniellovesemma

I was thinking to ask this: where do i post my FF in Actor Stories?? I posted it by clicking on New Thread...but its not being posted...is there anyother way that i don't know??

No, you did the correct thing. Unfortunately you have not read the Fan Fiction Rules which tell you that all FF threads are moderated and your new thread will not show up until a Fan Fiction Mod or admin validates it.

I've just checked the control panel and your thread is not in there. So either another staff member deleted it because it didn't follow the rules or it didn't post correctly. Don't forget to hit the 'submit' button. Try again please, after you read the Fan Fiction Rules.

EDIT 05-01-06: Actor Stories are no longer allowed on Snitchseeker.

Quote:

Originally Posted by skool hater

ok how do i rate my thread? do put it in my title ? plz help me!!!!!!!!!!!

skool hater

To rate your Fan Fic, you must read the Fan Fiction Rules. All of the ratings used here at SnitchSeeker are described in detail. Once you decide upon a rating for your Fic, you must determine the forum you would like to post in, and submit there with the rating in your title. No Fan Fics are approved without a rating! So, please read the rules before submitting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by susanpotter

Ok! I've read the ff rules. I think i rated it right. But how come i can't fine my fan fic in Romance?

It says in the FF Rules thread that all new fan fiction threads must be validated by a moderator. They don't just show up in the forum when you post them. This may take up to two days, if mods are busy, but that is rarely how long it takes. A half an hour is a bit too fast to expect though.

It sometimes happens, but it's not guaranteed. Your thread has been validated since you posted this question.

Quote:

Originally Posted by squibby

Hello,

I'm working on a translation project of a fanfiction a friend of mine (who doesn't speak English very well, therefore is not registered here) wrote and I beta-read. I have her official permission to do so and to publish it. The first chapter contains a porper disclaimer.
Should or do I have to contact a mod before sending it to validation, proving her email-address and an (off-site)link to the original so they can verify my claim?

As wonderful as the story may be, it is our policy to disallow members to post stories on behalf of other people. The risk for plagiarism is very high in fan fiction as it is, and while I do not doubt your sincerity or your honesty, we cannot in good conscience bend this rule for you. I'm sorry. If your friend wishes to become a Snitchseeker member and post a story, that would be great. But we don't allow ghost-posting, nor do we host fan fiction created by non-members.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wild_prairie_gal

first... like to point out that having fanfics is a great idea.

the question I have is about my fanfic. It's got no cussing, excess romance or violent scenes. I edited it so the grammer is ok (Even thought it's hard to tell from this). I've put that it's a Sa9+ in the romance section.

but it's been rejected, and I have no idea why, the beta reader that read over it said that everything should be fine. I can't think of anything else I can do to change it.

Thanks very much for your help.
A devoted SS fan.

Recently we've had a technical problem which we cannot explain, wherin a member tried several times to submit a new thread in the FF section and it never reached the Control Panel. It could be that you're experiencing the same problem. It is not in the Mod CP right now, has not shown up in the forum, and the threads I declined yesterday did not comply with the rules (if your beta reader checked it, yours should comply).

I suggest you keep trying once per day to submit the thread, until it shows up. Sorry I can't be of more help. I shall forward the problem to our technical team.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisd2000

can someone betaread my story: isabella black: Sirius' daughter and tell me what I need to do.

sometimes when I write end missing words or mispelling them completly from any story, poem, and any other thing I have written or anywhere else. I had a problem with that for as long as I can remember so don't criticise me for what I write.

I never had betaread read my fan-fics before so this is the 1st time I am going to ask for one. This story isn't plagarized and it is my story. The plot of it is my own and some of the characters are mine, but the rest is JK Rowlings.

Please don't be too harsh on me and give a hard time on my story on how beter to write.

Sorry, but this thread is only for asking questions about the FF section of Snitchseeker or about the FF Rules. To find a beta reader, please browse the posts of available readers in The Snitchseeker Beta Readers Thread and PM someone to ask them to beta read for you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pigwidgeon Took

alright, i was just trying to see, the hard way, if my FF had been moved to the restricted section, and it has, but i couldn't even find the link to the restricted section, pathetic i know. could someone please tell me where i could find it? thanks

It's tucked away a bit.

SnitchSeeker.com > Forums > The Hogs Head > The Forbidden Forest (15+) > The Restricted Section (FanFics)

Another way to find your thread is to look at your own profile and choose to see all the threads you've started. It would be there, linked, from that list. Above every page in the forum (in the white box beside your PM Notices) is a string that leads to the location you're in. For example, this Questions thread is located here: SnitchSeeker.com > Forums > Wizarding World > Grimmauld Place (FanFics&FanWorks) > FF Rules & Resources > Questions and Answers. Find your thread from your profile, look up to the top of the screen and you've found the RS. At least, that's one of the ways I find my way around.

Another thing I do is keep a folder of Just Snitchseeker book marks. I personally find it easier to have all my SS stops bookmarked in my browser's toolbar.

Quote:

Originally Posted by haveigotnewsforu

Hi I tried to post an FF a few days ago and a messege came up saying that the website i was trying to view was not responding so i clicked retry and it sent me back to the 'post new thread' page. I tried to post my FF again and it said the message I tried to send is a duplicate of a message I sent in the last 5 mins but now Im not sure if my FF has been sent to be validated, Its called A Lost Soul, did it send? Cheers!!

I don't see it in the control panel, so either it didn't go through or another FF mod declined it. I suggest you review the FF rules and make sure your thread complies, then try again. We'll try to help you get your fic up as soon as possible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by missy-dancer-skater

i meant to wright Sa13+ but i forgot the + by mistake will it still become a story or do i have to wright it over again???

As long as the rest of the post complied with the rules, it would have been validated. We generally fix errors in the title for you when we see them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ellen4Potter

Hi;
I have posted the first Chapter of my sotry named Self Return( Gryffindor's Grandson) in Character stories some days ago. I dont know what was its trouble. I cant see it. can you help me please?
thanks

To find any thread by you, click on your own name from the index page of the site, where the online members are listed. At your profile, click 'view all threads by this member'. If your thread hasn't shown up in that list, then there was something about your post that didn't comply with the FF Rules (Sometimes, it's something as basic as having too many spelling, punctuation or grammar errors for us to take time to fix, so please proof read your post before submitting). Review the FF Rules and make sure your new thread complies, then try again please.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DestinyAwaits

One quick question: Would it be okay if say my FF deals with Harry's kids, but really not him? Not sure if it would fit any where.....Thanks.

Absolutely. If you have all original characters in Harry's world, it is still HP fan fiction and still allowed on SS as long as it follows the rules.

Quote:

Originally Posted by i m a potter fool ^_^

How will I know when, and if my ff is approved?

Check your own profile by clicking on your name in the member list or beside a post you made. Click on the link to 'find all threads by this member'. If your fic was validated, it will show up in the results. If it hasn't shown up in that list within 24 hours, chances are it was declined validation. Review the FF Rules and your story & title again to make sure everything complies. Then try submitting again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kira Radcliffe

okay. i have one little question. how do i get the siggie someone made for me to be my signature when it keeps saying that i can only have 50 characters?

i heard somewhere that i need to ask permission from someone (cant remember hu).

Kira

This is Grimmauld Place, the Fan Fiction department. You're looking for Madame Malkin's (Signatures and Avatars), third floor and to your right. Please do check out the Site Rules & Frequently Asked Questions on the way. Welcome to Snitchseeker!

Quote:

Originally Posted by i m a potter fool ^_^

I posted my ff about 3 days ago. It has not been approved. I checked everything, and there was nothing wrong with it; it abides by every rule. Should I post it again?

Yes please. If you look back in this thread, we were having some trouble with the forum not sending some new threads to the CP at all, even after repeated tries. We're not sure why yet, though we have asked the Tech team to look into it.

As you may already know, our team has been doing lots of work lately to try and optimize the site and server so we can upgrade the forum software, and we're getting timeouts and database errors. Anything like that might have highjacked your post too, so we really really appreciate your patience with this process. We'll try to get your thread up as soon as we can. When in doubt, post again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by i m a potter fool ^_^

Okay. Thanks. I just have one more question:
My story is about Fred and George, does it go into the "character" thread, even though it is about two main characters? Or, does it belong in the "Other" category? (sorry for so many questions)

That's completely up to you. If it's more about Fred & George than it is about being funny, then I'd put it in Characters over Comedy.. but the Other category is a hard one. If you're really not sure what genre suits your story best, then it goes in Other. At least if you know it's mainly about the Twins and their personal characters/personalities, it certainly qualifies for Character Stories.

If in the course of writing it you decide it belongs in a different forum than you choose now, we can always move it for you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by carmu

hi my question has probably been asked loads of times but i'm not entirely sure what to do!
I tried to star a ff a few weeks back and it didn't appear. then i tried it again and a couple more times recently, but it still hasn't appeared! i don't know what the problem was, but i saw that there was problems with the system or something is it possible that something is wrong or has my ff just been declined? (Soryy if i'm wasting time asking stupid questions!)

My advice whenever this happens is to consult The FF Rules and make sure your thread complies with them. Make sure you have a rating in the title (see the rules for the guide to rating your fic) and that you've proof-read your work and used proper english spelling (US and UK spellings accepted), punctuation and grammar (we do not validate threads written in chatspeak or leet). Make sure your content isn't too mature and that the rating you're giving it is appropriate for the maturity of content.

If you have more trouble, please PM me and I'll try and help you out privately. We'll get your fic up as soon as we can, ok?

Quote:

Originally Posted by carmu

thank you for your help, turns out i hadn't put a rating in! silly me. lol.
New question!
How do you advertise your ff in your signature? i can't figure it out!

Head on over to Madam Malkin's forum, where you'll find all you need to know about getting a signature put in.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rox_my_sox8674

I'm not sure if this was asked/ answered before, but are we allowed to use html in our fanfics? (Like to put music in it or something.)

You are welcome to post links in your posts, but SnitchSeeker's forums have html disabled in posts for security reasons.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs.Lupin

I had sarted a new thread yesterday in one of the ffs and its not up...I was wondering why it wouldnt be up.

Please read all previous answers in this thread before posting your questions.

Quote:

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