Creative help thread - Ask a question! Read the first Post!

[hondosfirst]

Hi all,

Im pretty new here and love the stories.Kind of wondering what it means when they say "canon" in regard to the relationship.Hope im asking in the right spot.Okay then,

Thanks Yall,

Rose from Tex

[Rane018]

canon pretty much means an already set standard/criteria. Willow and Tara are a canon couple, they are a real couple as far as buffyverse is concerned. and for example, faith/cordelia aren't because in buffyverse faith and cordelia have never been a couple. so canon is buffy/angel, buffy/riley, willow/oz, xander/cordy, xander/anya, giles/jenny, etc... i think... hehe...

[Repost Moderator]

Originally posted by AntigoneUnbound



It is with no small degree of embarrassment that I ask for help posting my fic. The actual writing isn't problematic: I proof-read fanatically; I never imply when I should infer; and no passive voice is used by me. Insofar as computer factors are involved, however, I kneel dumbly (so to speak) before the god of befuddlement. (One minor example thereof is the fact that I don't know what the acronym "HTML" means.)



Where might I go to find step-by-step instructions regarding the logistics of posting? I need to know how to ensure that such things as italics will remain as I typed them. I don't want to commit some gross Kitty faux pas or inadvertently detonate a thermonuclear warhead by virtue of my computer illiteracy. (This of course would be different from all of those warheads that I detonated intentionally...)



I would truly appreciate someone playing Iradia for me and pointing me in the right direction.



Thanks,

Mary

[Bagheera]

Mary



You managed to post your question, so you're half-way there. Briefly:

1) Forget HTML, just use the EzCodes (look under the Your Comment box for the Posting Options check boxes, ensure that EzCodes is checked)

2) For more info, click the "Use EzCodes" link to the left of the Your Comment box.

3) Use the preview button for all your posts, and keep going back and fixing things until you're happy. Then and only then hit the Add Post button.

4) If all else fails, edit your post after it's up. No-one's going to bite you.



And if you need more detail, you can private mail me. Don't be scared, posting fics is not difficult.



Kind regards,



B.



And PS: There's nothing wrong with passive voice from time to time.

It is better to be Amber Benson for a day than to live as Joss Whedon for a lifetime.

[BytrSuite]

If you're going to use the preview button, make sure you have a full copy of your post saved first. EZ Board sometimes likes to have the text disappear if you keep switching back and forth like that.

————––

"There's a whole lot of singing that's never gonna be heard

Disappearing everyday without so much as a word somehow"

[AntigoneUnbound]

Bagheera~~Thanks so much for the kind words. (You may have graciously ignored the fact that when I first posted the question it ended up as a fic thread. Poor WarDuke had to nudge me into the right thread.) I feel sorta like a frightened woodland creature, trying to decide if I should venture out into open space. I'll probably take you up on the private e-mail offer, just to clarify a couple of things. Thanks again.



BytrSuite~Thanks to you, also, for the preview tip. I'll make sure I save things carefully.



Mary

[Mrs Vertigo]

tiredsoul thank you so much for the lyrics. I've been looking for it for so long now, but with my spelling skills... heh. Thank you. Now, off with me, must go make out sweet Tara live.

---
Joss: “And what if I kill you?”
Tara: “Trust me; won’t help.”

[Bagheera]

Mary,



Your account is not set up to accept private mails. Do you want me to post my reply to your message onto the Board?



If you'd like me to mail you personally, go into your account, and check the box where it says "accept private mails" (or words to that effect)



And BytrSuite is right about having a saved copy of your post. This would normally be in your word processor or whatever else you use to write your stories. Do you know how to copy and paste text? It's a very easy way to put large chunks of text into the "Your Comment" box.



B.

It is better to be Amber Benson for a day than to live as Joss Whedon for a lifetime.

[Triscuit7]

Hi. I hope someone(s) can help here. I had a great links set up on the computer, but the computer has undergone an extensive personality change: new hard drive among other things. And I'm embarrassed to admit that the back up of my info was bad as was the earlier drive image. I've already checked the links pages here at the Kitten. So I am in quest (in a bit of a hurry for info for the next update) of the following:



1) W/T vidcaps - I once had a link to concrete's gallery but can't find it now. Also I know J uk had a site. Anyone have them and any others?



2) BTVS vidcaps



3) transcript sites - I have Psyche's, that was easy to find. Any with shooting scripts out there?



4) videos - Rally's I can get easily enough, but the mega witches link has been revised. Help?



Thanks, Melissa

**********************




I brought marshmallows!

[tiredsoul]

Hey Melissa,



Try here:



www.megawitches.net/enter.htm



www.alysonhannigancorner.com/alyson.html



clix.to/wtmagic



www.powow.com/redsun/love.html



Not sure if they're what you need. I've got a bunch if you're looking for specific stuff.



-celia

---------------------------------

"That was just rude. Now I forget what I was saying."

Edited by: tiredsoul at: 10/23/02 11:02:37 am

[Triscuit7]

Thanks, Celia - that's a start. Damn computer. At least it didn't eat my fic.



Melissa

**********************




I brought marshmallows!

[lipkandy]

ack! my brain's not working. which episode was this line in?!?

please help.



thanks,

another melissa

[mollyig]

It was in the episode "Who are you"

Adding up the total of a love that's true, multiply life by the power of two
Indigo Girls

[lipkandy]

and what happened in that one??? ugh...

sorry, not so good with the titles. except for the important ones (New Moon Rising, Doppelgangland, etc.).

[mollyig]

Faith/Buffy switch. Willow is hiding out in Tara's dorm room. Is that enough? 'Cause I could go on for a while!

Adding up the total of a love that's true, multiply life by the power of two
Indigo Girls

[lipkandy]

perfect! yes, thank you, thank you, thank you...



I'm sure my brain's around here somewhere.

is there an emoticon for smacking yourself in the head?



thanks again!

[WilTaraFan]

If this message is not right for this thread, feel free to delete this post mods.



As many Kittens know, well, those who've read my stories, I've always wanted to do a big crossover story with Buffy and Angel's characters.



I attempted to do one a while ago, but the story just wouldn't pan out the way I had hoped and I had to abandon it. I was watching some of last season's eps on my computer for both Angel and Buffy and a new idea hit me that I'm thinking about using.



I also was visiting the website I believe is run by WebWarlock. It's called the Other Side. I was looking at his 7th season RPG game and one concept that's bounced in there is Cordeilia, a higher being, being involved.



All my idea is right now is that Cordeilia contact Willow about how to bring Tara back. Like I said, it's just a starting idea, I'm sure I'll come up with other ideas to add to it, but it's just a possible story idea right now. Let me know what you think about it.



Kudos!!!

[Zahir al Daoud]

For what its worth, I think that's a lovely idea. And I'd much like to read it. But then, I've always wanted Willow and Fred to meet, and for Buffy to find out who Connor's parents are (any bets Dawn finds him cute?)



Likewise, methinks Lorne could be of some help to Willow as well.

"GOD created Man in his own image. Man, being a gentleman, returned the courtesy." -Voltaire

[Rane018]

I believe it's all fine and dandy to have the angel crew in the fic according to the rules of Pens. i do think it's safer if you keep it w/t focused with AtS as backgrounders.



we've had discussions like these before re: multiple characters/plots/stories (and where to draw the line), etc as this is a place to read w/t as the main characters (at least that is why i come here) and this is supposed to be a place untouched by ME's later crap (though i laugh at the amount of post season 6 fics. heck, i even have one).



i know i have a problem when bringing in many characters into a fic because i want to round them out and give them their own stories too (have you seen the length of Camp Flutie? lol). but i personally, and much more lately, dont feel like reading/writing about xander or anya or buffy or spike or giles, etc... and i dont feel like reading about angel or cordy or even lilah. hehe... but then again i'll probably feel different about this tomorrow. i just truly want a place where w/t are together and happy and in love and the main characters... sigh... i dont like me very much on tuesday nights when i get pissy! lol

[Denial Queen]

edited to transfer my post to the appropriate thread.

Edited by: Denial Queen  at: 11/19/02 5:34:57 am

[AntigoneUnbound]

Hey Kittens: the conclusion is now up and ready for your learned consideration. Thanks for all the great feedback!



Mary

[Rane018]

lol, mary. wrong thread hon.

"We're forgetting about the troll. Let's pay attention to the troll." Tara, Triangle

[AntigoneUnbound]

...if Tara's father was ever referred to by his first name? I know the brother is "Donny," and the cousin was "Beth," but I don't recall Papa Jerkwad being called anything but "Mr. Maclay."



Thanks,

Mary

[JewWitch18]

mary,



mr. maclay is first-nameless as far as I know. unless his first name is sir, that is.



so I have a dumb, pens-virgin question to ask that I'm sure anyone can answer...



when you start a thread to post a story...how exactly does it work? I mean, obviously you click on the "start a new thread" link, but I mean, how do you get your story (written on, say, microsoft word) onto the page? direct cut-and-paste doesn't work, cuz the "cutting" is being done on MW, and the paster on the browser toolbar isn't connected to that.



how blaringly obvious is it that I am not so much adept with the computery goodness...?



--jenny

WILLOW: Why is it always the end of the world? Couldn't it be the end of cheese or something?

--Tempus Fugit(S7) by Lipkandy

[Rane018]

to paste from word: highlight and copy and once on here use the right button on your mouse to paste.



hope that works.

"We're forgetting about the troll. Let's pay attention to the troll." Tara, Triangle

[the kat whisperer]

Okay, this has probably been asked and answered before but I can't seem to find it anywhere (and I don't think it's been mentioned on the show, unless I just missed it)...anyhoo, my question is - which state/town/city/whatever does Tara come from? (This is assuming she's not a Sunnydale native, which I don't think she is somehow). Anyone have any speculation? Facts? For some reason, I keep wanting to say "back East" but I'm not even sure if that is the correct term, since I'm not from the US.



And another thing...



On the subject of crossovers...I have written Part 1 of a rather ambitious (for me, anyway) crossover story involving W/T as a couple. The story includes W/T from Buffy, Xena/Gabrielle from Xena, Sam/Janet from Stargate SG-1, Scully/Reyes from The X Files and Janeway/Seven from Star Trek Voyager. All pairings remain intact, BTW. I have previously posted it to another W/T list (under a different name), so some of you may have read it already.



Anyhoo, the reason I mention it is that I have previously resisted posting the story here because, although W/T are involved quite a bit, they are not the focus of the story throughout, and I wasn't sure if folks would like to read such a story here or even if it's against the rules. So basically, I just thought I'd ask to make sure and clear up any doubt. Would it be acceptable if I did post it here, would folks like to read it or not? There is absolutely no problem if folks tell me to go away.



Hmm, I think that's all my questions for now.



kw





Edited to ask: Yoo hoo! Is this thing on?! I'm getting a tad desperate to find out if anyone knows the answer to the question Which state/city/town does Tara come from? Any answers would be helpful, even if it's just speculation...I need it for a fic I'm writing.

You always were a cunning linguist

Edited by: the kat whisperer at: 11/28/02 9:24:05 pm

[Katharyn]

Kat Whisperer - there is no definite origin for Tara as far as I am aware and I asked a similar question myself a little over a year ago.



Back East is a reasonable way to deal. In my most recent fic I simply avoided the question entirely. I described the landscape and environment I wanted to place the family house in and kept the amount of time taken to get there nebulous.



I am not sure there is a need to use anything real. I mean you could make up a town somewhere and never mention the state? I tend to see the family as being small town so that could work very well. Speculation I have seen ranges from North California to the American South so really you just pick something and justify it as much as you absolutely have to - which is not to say that much. As long as the reader is buying into your fic then you can get away with alot of things - take it from me I have been getting awy with things for a while.



Regarding that crossover fic question I can only venture my opinion and interpretation of the guidelines. I think you need to approach a moderator with that question for a proper answer, they may not be scanning this thread... busy bees that they are.



My opinion for what it is worth is that T/W need to be the focus of a story on Pens (though not necessarily at the cost of other characters - which is another issue), rather than just being involved. As you describe it that is not the case in that story - however it is still worth checking on this (even if I am right) as what we think of our own stories rarely matches what others think.



A test I sometimes apply is to look at the canon episodes and measure that. In Family Tara, and her relationship with Willow and her family, is the focus of the episode - even though other things are going on.



In the Body as a contrast there are some wonderful Tara & Willow scenes which surpass (IMHO) Family BUT they are clearly not the focus of the episode.



Try looking at your story in that light and see what you think. If you think that it is okay just run it past a mod with a decent description of the story (they might not have time to read it all) and they will respond and be glad that you asked. I have asked mods in the past and I probably will again.



They don't bite. Well one of them does - but in a good way.



Katharyn

-------------------------




If I want a little pussy, I got my own to play with.
Chance in Chance.




------------------------

[the kat whisperer]

Thanks Katharyn. I've kinda decided just to vague it up, as you suggest - like just have Tara come from "small town" America, nothing too specific. I'm pretty sure, that she's not from California for some reason, and I think I'll stick with that.



I was really just wanting to check this out, firstly, because I am absolutely anal about getting my facts straight and wanted to make sure there isn't canon evidence of Tara's origin floating around somewhere that I inadvertantly missed. Secondly, I wasn't sure if I was using the correct term by saying "back East". Now it's all been made clear for me, I feel better.



On a related note, what I was mainly thinking was accents. Forgive me for being an ignorant foreigner, but most regional American accents sound the same to me (apart from some broader accents like New York and Southern). However, since AB is from Alabama (I believe), I thought she might have had a Southern twang that came through on the show, because if it did that might suggest that Tara came from there too. (If that makes sense to anyone). Or is Amber good at disguising her accent (if she ever had one), so that Tara sounds Californian?



I don't know if I'm making any sense there, so I'll just move on quickly...



Thanks also for your opinion on crossovers. You've actually made it much easier for me to decide now. My story fits more with "The Body" example - that is, it's got a few W/T scenes but they are definitely not the focus of the entire plot. So looking at it this way, I do not think it is suitable for this board and probably won't be posting it here. (Which is pretty much what I figured in the first place).



Thanks again,



kw

Here's tae us; wha's like us? Gey few, and they're a' deid.

[Mayor Wilkins]

Do the fics posted have to be Willow/Tara related or can it just be Buffy??

[Twisted Minstrel]

MayorWilkins,



Welcome aboard! The fics are W/T centered - although the other members of the gang feature, sometimes prominently, the focus of the fics is Willow and Tara. Make sure you read through the FAQ, and have a look at some of the fics, they are pretty amazing.



A note - while angst is pretty common, the focus of the majority of these tales is Willow and Tara *together.* So much damage was done by ME that this maybe the one place where W/T are still safe and sound (more or less). This might sound limiting to the types of fic produced, but it isn't. I'm constantly amazed at the storylines and plot twists the writers come up with. I hope you enjoy!



Piper