Hello and welcome to Hatate's Writer's Lounge,
Are you a writer wishing to show your works?
Are you a reader searching for new exciting tales to consume?
Do you wish to discuss fiction and writing in general?
Or are you visiting for the first time?
Whichever it is, you have come to the right place.
Take a seat, have a tea, and read on to learn all about Patchouli's Scarlet Library!
What is this thread?
Hatate's Writer's Lounge serves as the entryway into the world of fanfiction on MotK.
In this thread you will find the rules for this sub-forum, convenient links to help you find your way around, information about the people responsible for PSL, and more.
It also serves as a general discussion thread for all things fiction and writing related.
READ THIS FIRST: Patchouli's Scarlet Library (PSL) Rules and Guidelines!
Regarding NSFW fiction:
It has been decided we would rather not have excessively NSFW fiction posted on this forum. Please post it on your own blog, adultfanfiction, or somewhere like that. It's okay to link it, of course (see the general forum rules (http://www.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php?topic=17.0), we consider this to be covered by rule #1).
Don't sweat too much over the definition of NSFW; if your writing is the kind of stuff we no longer want here, you are probably well aware of it. Minor transgressions are okay, just no overt pornography.
If your topic disappeared and you didn't keep a local backup of your story, but want it back for archival purposes, PM an admin - we can grant you access to the hidden subforum where it was moved, if necessary. No voyeurs please.
Regarding Word Filters:
Word filters work as a simple input-output function. The filter searches a post for the input string (to use a recent example, "God"), and every time it sees that string it poops out the designated output string (in the case of "God", "Suwako"). It only does this for display purposes, however, meaning the original content of your post is left untouched. This means the process is easily reversible - remove the word filter and your post's display will go back to normal.
If you are a writer and you see a new word filter interfering with your works, do not panic. The change is only on the surface and your story is still intact. What you should do is PM a staff member and politely let them know that your work is being interfered with. They should then remove the word filter and things will go back to normal.
Regarding making suggestions in people's works:
Let's preface this by saying that constructive criticism is perfectly fine. This rule is not supposed to discourage people from posting anything that could be construed as negative in another person's story topic. For example, if you see spelling, grammatical, formatting, etc. errors, go ahead and point them out - in my experience, the writers here are generally receptive to having their works proofread from a technical standpoint. Presumably, if a writer doesn't like it, they'll say so.
That being said, suggesting a path a given story should take (or a new story altogether) is incredibly disrespectful for two reasons:
- It says that you think your story preferences are more important and/or better written than the topic creator's.
- It assumes the topic creator is so bad at what they're doing that they're merely stumbling along as whims come to them with absolutely nothing planned out for the future.
So out of respect for our hard-working writers, if nothing else, we don't want to see "You should do [put own ideas here]!!!" posts, unless the author explicitely asked for suggestions.
If you really desire to see your ideas played out, rather than suggest them to the writer, you should politely ask them if you can write your own spinoff using their setup (and their characters, if they created any). If they grant you permission, then hey, knock yourself out. Just please make sure you ask first, and definitely don't jack their stuff if they don't give you permission.
Regarding Non-Touhou fiction:
While PSL is of course a board for Touhou-fiction first of all, you are allowed to post Non-Touhou and original fiction here as well.
It's not a hard rule, but it's generally appreciated if you put some info about the nature of your story in the topic-title in such cases.
For example you could add [Non-Touhou], [Original] or you could add the name of the series that your fiction is about.
And that's it. If anything about those rules is unclear, do not hesitate to ask about it.
How to find your way around PSL
Since its reconstruction in February 2010, PSL has grown quite a lot and by now stores about 300 different threads containing fiction. So that all of you readers and writers are not overwhelmed by the amount of material, here are some convenient links to make your life easier and help you find the things you are looking for:
The Great MotK Fanworks Listing (http://www.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php/topic,4840.0.html)
The most handy thread in PSL if you are searching for some fiction to read.
It contains a list of all fiction posted in PSL sorted by genre and giving a small summary for each work.
The list is updated twice a year by volunteers during the big Library Cleanup.
Kosuzu's Book Index (http://www.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php/topic,7953.0.html)
In addition to the main board, PSL has its own sub-board called Kosuzu's Grand Bookstore (KGB), where works are stored a while after they have been completed.
Look in this list if you are specifically looking to read stories that have already been finished.
Aya's Writing Workshop (http://www.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php/topic,6591.0.html)
This thread is for all of you writers to post story-ideas and -outlines you may have, but are still unsure about, and collect opinions on them.
Who is responsible for PSL?
For any questions, suggestions, feedback and everything else regarding PSL, there are two people you can contact:
Sakura-Rurouni (http://www.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=142)
Sakana (http://www.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1079)
Of course you are free to contact any other staff-member as well, but if it's about PSL, chances are it will be redirected to either Ruro or me anyway.
PSL's IRC-channel
Not satisfied with reading and writing? You want to talk to your fellow PSL-comrades in real-time? Then here's something for you:
Since August 23rd 2010, we have an IRC channel as well, where you can relax, get to know your fellow writers, discuss fiction and writing and much more!
The channel is #scarlet-library on irc.ppirc.net
For those that have no IRC-experience, you can easily connect via TSO's handy webchat feature (http://webchat.ppirc.net/?channels=scarlet-library). Just enter a nickname and hit 'connect'.
See you around~
While I was reading through the New World trilogy by Iced Fairy for the Library Catalog project, I came across something that I thought was particularly interesting: in particular, the way Iced chose to write a particular bit of exposition. Figuring out how to write exposition can be a tricky thing, since anyone can slap a stream of facts down on some paper, but presenting what cold hard facts the audience needs to know in a palatable way takes finesse. The scene in question is found on this post (http://www.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php/topic,6097.msg451942.html#msg451942), a part of which I will include spoilered below, alongside a bit of commentary provided for context:
To recap what had gone on in the story thus far: Maribel and Renko end up teleporting to the moon under unknown circumstances, and from there get sent by the Watatsuki sisters to Gensokyo. This Gensokyo is set about 500 years from the time of the main Touhou games, and among other things Yukari Yakumo had died some 300 years ago.
It turns out that Maribel is the reincarnation of Yukari, and has inherited Yukari's power over boundaries and borders--indeed, this is how Maribel and Renko ended up on the Moon in the first place, when Maribel's slumbering power awoke. After stumbling about Gensokyo for a bit, Maribel and Renko are taken to Myouren temple, where Byakuren, among other things, attempts to give Maribel some direction by explaining what exactly her newly found powers entail.
Byakuren shook her head. ?But that's for later. First let's handle your own power.?
?You can do that? That would be great!? Maribel shifted a bit in her seat. ?I've been troubling Keine and Mokou for the past week, not to mention the pain it causes me. Anything that can help would be good.?
?Very well, let me explain your power first,? Byakuren set her tea cup to the side and closed her eyes. ?The power that both Yukari Yakumo and you wield is the power of boundaries. Within the world of illusions boundaries are the most important power. The Boundary of Death defines Life, and even outside of Gensoukyo, the Boundary of Dreams defines Reality.?
?Without limits and boundaries there is nothing, as you see whenever you look at Fujiwara no Moukou. She is neither alive nor dead, but a unique existence. Not fully allowed to live in either realm.? Byakuren opened her eyes again. ?So all we need to do is change the limit of your powers so that you choose when to see boundaries and when not to.?
The two women looked at each other for a minute.
?Um, that's nice and all... but how do I do that?? Maribel asked.
?By having you read this aloud.? Byakuren raised her arms over her head, then pulled them apart in an arc. As she did so a rainbow colored scroll formed in the air, shining brightly throughout the dim room.
Maribel tried to look at the scroll, but the glare caused her eyes to water. ?Is there any way to turn that down??
?You have to endure the light. Don't worry, it's not long.?
Maribel gritted her teeth and tried to look at the scroll once again. She tried shielding the light with her hands, but that only made it worse. She tried closing her eyes and reading the red splotches on her retina, but that didn't work either. So in the end she just kept staring and blinking the tears away, until finally she thought she could see the kanji printed on it.
?Namusan!?
Maribel sighed with relief as Byakuren closed the scroll, returning it to where ever it had come from. ?Very good.?
Maribel rubbed her eyes vigorously. Then took a look around the room. ?Um... Did it work??
Byakuren nodded and waved her hands. This time a window appeared in the air, showing Renko, Ran and Shou chatting about something. ?You should now have to concentrate to see the border.?
Maribel frowned, then did try to focus her eyes. As she did so the abnormality in the border of space quickly became evident. In fact Maribel thought she saw better then before. Instead of simply seeing the presence of power she saw threads of power forming the alteration in the boundary. Of course that might just be Byakuren's magic.
?This is great! Thank you so much!? Maribel smiled at the magician. ?So what kind of spell was that? Can you use it to teach me how to use my abilities in other ways??
Byakuren coughed lightly. ?I'm sorry. I'm afraid that there wasn't a spell at all. If I were to compare it to something I suppose it would be a placebo effect.?
?What?? Maribel stared at Byakuren incredulously. ?But, you're saying that wasn't a spell? Then how...??
Byakuren took a sip of her tea. ?Explaining it will be both simple and difficult I'm afraid. To start with, I performed no spell. However you altered your own abilities in response to my suggestion.?
Maribel thought on that for a moment. ?You're saying I could do that all along, I just didn't try hard enough??
?It's not that simple.? Byakuren sighed. ?It has to do with your power. All powers are defined by their limits. For example, one's strength is defined by the limit of their lifting capacity. Do you understand??
Maribel nodded slowly. ?I think so.?
Byakuren returned the nod and continued. ?Your power is the alteration of limits. In short, it was impossible for you to control your powers, but you changed that. Now controlling your power is within your limits.?
Maribel, thought about the matter. Then thought about it some more. ?Wait. Did I really just give myself the power to control my powers??
?Yes.?
?Isn't that a paradox??
?Somewhat.?
Maribel's head was spinning. ?Wait. So my power can do whatever I want it to do??
Byakuren nodded again. ?Indeed. You can alter the boundaries of your abilities to do almost anything.?
Maribel considered that for a while. ?Doesn't that make me omnipotent??
Byakuren sighed. ?No. You see this is where it gets complicated.?
Maribel sipped her tea and listened.
?As I said before, power is defined by boundaries. Without limitations on your power you actually can't do anything.? Byakuren held out her hands. ?This is true for most magic. I can summon a ball with pure willpower.? A ball appeared in the magicians hands. ?But if I don't limit the spell to summoning a ball nothing would happen. I can't summon 'something.' I must limit the spell so I'm not just wasting energy.?
That made sense, Maribel thought. ?So I have to know what I'm doing, and limit myself to a certain level of power??
Byakuren smiled happily. ?Yes. Exactly.?
Maribel considered the matter a little more. ?So what keeps me from making myself effectively omnipotent??
?Two things.? Byakuren held up two fingers to emphasize the points. ?One, you must believe the action is possible. That's why I tricked you into thinking you were casting a spell. Now that you've accessed your abilities voluntarily you believe you can, but before you would have doubted. And that would have prevented you from making the alterations.?
?Two, you can only perform actions you comprehend, obviously.? Byakuren shrugged. ?If you don't know something exists you can't alter its boundaries.?
?Hm...? Maribel nodded. ?But it's got to be hard to believe you can change something that you understand very well just by thinking about it.?
?Very good.? Byakuren rewarded Maribel's insight with another smile. ?That's one of the reasons magic is difficult. The other reason is that with magic other people's disbelief actively hampers a spell. That at least is something you don't have to worry about.?
Maribel happily took another sip of the tea. She liked Byakuren. In fact the temple just seemed like a friendly place in general. This seemed like a good place to study her power. Especially, she remembered with sudden distaste, since going to the Hakurei Shrine would mean dealing with that fox woman.
In this case to think was to act. ?Thank you for the instruction Miss Hijiri. You seem very knowledgeable about my abilities, would it be possible to study with you??
And now I will explain why I thought this was particularly well done, spoilered in case there are those who haven't read New World yet:
The reason why I thought this bit of exposition was cleverly handled was because the exposition, by this point in the story, is something the audience desperately wants. A lot of exposition in stories--mostly setting details--may enhance the reader's experience of the story when known, but getting the audience to absorb and digest that info is the hard part, since not everyone feels like getting a history/geography/culture lesson in the middle of an exciting tale. In this case, however, the audience is just as curious as Maribel is about what exactly the power over boundaries entails--we've heard from various characters that Maribel has such a power, and some vague descriptions on what it can do, but Byakuren is the first to offer concrete, easy-to-understand information about the nature and limits of Maribel's power.
Given that the story is basically all about Maribel's new power and the effect it has on Gensokyo, it was vital for Iced to convey to the reader its precise limits (har har) such that the audience goes into the rest of the story with an understanding of what Maribel can and cannot do. But Iced couldn't just force it down everyone's throats at first opportunity--that would be painful and boring. So what he opted to do was entice the audience into greatly desiring to know about Maribel's power by teasing the audience, dropping bits of info here and there to keep the audience interested while he goes about setting the rest of the story and the setting up. Then, once the audience is hooked and desperate to know, he drops the exposition in a way that is clear, precise, and sensible. By doing this, the audience is never forced to sit there and listen to how Maribel's powers work; instead, the audience learns along with the baffled Maribel. So rather than a boring, dry lesson on metaphysics, we got an answer to a mystery we've been desperate to solve. (The fact that the scene also neatly conveys Byakuren's warm, patient, and guiding nature is merely icing on the cake.)
So that is how Iced skillfully conveyed what could have been boring exposition in an interesting way--by enticing the audience into desiring that exposition. This was beyond mere feeding the audience bits and pieces of exposition interjected amongst characterization and dialogue, this was a giant block of exposition text that nonetheless ended up being interesting to read, thanks to the efforts of the author.