The focus here is on writing characters, not on having lots and lots of characters who seldom post. We prefer that those participating in our games post frequently so that things can move swiftly. While we do not have a required word count, we do require the same number of posts per week for each character as you have characters, and that those posts be at least 200 words in length.      That means if you have three characters, you are expected to write three posts per week for each character, with each post being at least 200 words to be counted. You can write a one-word post here, as long as it is appropriate to the character(s) involved. However, a one-word post will not be counted toward that character's required minimum count.      Our site maintains a rolling count of all activity and will provide you with feedback and alerts if you are falling behind. Likewise, if you exceed the requirements, your character will be more prominently featured as a reward for their posting reliability.

When writing, please write your posts in the third-person perspective. The third-person point of view is a form of storytelling in which a thread-runner or handler relates all the thoughts, feelings, and actions of a character using third-person pronouns such as "he," "she," "ve," and "they." It is the most common perspective in works of fiction, and all in-character postings on the site are expected to adhere to this perspective.

All replies should be written with viable hooks, preferably three hooks per post. This means that your post will have content to which others can reply. If your post is 100% internal dialogue, we encourage our handlers responding to write whatever they want, and whoever wrote the pure thought monologue will have to deal with the ramifications. For example, if the handler of Die Fledermaus writes a post where Die Fledermaus stands aloof, lost in deep, dark, soul-suffering angst, making no acknowledgment of anyone else, the next person replying can write about the shock their character felt when Die Fledermaus jumped out the window and died like a mouse flattened under a speeding Mack truck. Your character doesn’t need to reply to someone directly, but your post should give those writing with you something to respond to. If your character is ignoring another character, intentionally or not, make it evident to the other writer so that they don’t feel as if you are ignoring them. Give your character a reaction—perhaps a look, or turning their back. This gives the other person something to respond to. If you fail to do this, be prepared for the other person to respond with a site-sanctioned bit of carte blanche. Carte blanche replies are allowed to ignore all waivers and triggers—i.e., yes, we will sanction god-modding in very specific instances. Be considerate of those you are writing with; they aren’t your audience, they are your writing partners, who are acting in good faith and trusting you to do the same. They deserve to be treated equitably with respect, consideration, and kindness.

Finally, in addition to the flexible word/post count and writing in the third person, we also ask that our handlers embrace new members and actively seek them out when looking for new threads to begin or participate in, if and when possible. For every character you have, you are expected to create one new thread with a handler whom you have not written with before. We ask this of our members to help foster a sense of community and inclusion. Many sites welcome new members, help them create a character, and then leave them to fend for themselves in the game world. Here, we try to ensure that new characters find themselves plopped into the thick of a welcoming community. If handlers can’t find opportunities to write, they will write elsewhere, and when that happens, everyone loses. Note that if you have written with everyone on the site, ask yourself who you haven’t written with lately and go make some pretend with them.