Joint Posts Tutorial

Image: Joint post creation flowchart.

In the following Tutorial, we will attempt to guide you through the basic process of writing a joint post (JP) with one or more fellow writers in Star Trek: Theurgy. At the bottom, there is also some etiquette to follow.

JPs are useful for the quicker flowing conversations that occur when characters interact or when events progress or one-on-one scenes which does not include a lot of introspection and thoughtfulness, which might be better detailed in a solo post without loosing the pace of the scene. A JP can be written in the middle of a thread with solo posts too, if the situation allows for it and both writers think its appropriate for the situation.

There are several different mediums that can be used for this process (OneDrive, GoogleDocs, Emails, etc.) but for this tutorial, we will stick to the basic usage of the forums Private Message System since it's available for all writers on the site. Please remember to remove the [quote] and [/quote] formatting between each reply, though! The first thing that should be agreed on by both/all writers is the loose manuscript/direction of the scene, so that both writers try to aim towards that goal. This is not absolutely necessary but is a great way to guide and frame everyone's writing. Once done, you decide who writes the first section.

Joint Post Rules & Etiquette

First, read the General Rules of ours when it comes to writing JPs, but here is also some etiquette for making this as enjoyable as possible:

• Besides the start of the JP, which may be setting the scene, please refrain from writing too many consecutive paragraphs in a row, because then you might as well post a solo-post on the forum instead. This is important so that you may retain the pace that JPs are good for.
• Unless you have written many times with the co-writer of a JP before, please don't go overboard with adding slots since that might rail-road your co-writer into an In-Character situation that they don't want. Also, the slots may also become a fill-in-the blanks chore, rather than stimulating the creative narrative of the scene.
• If you leave a slot for the co-writer, you may of course suggest development, but some may think it too controlling, so please bear in mind to phrase the suggestion for what it is: a mere suggestion. Likewise, never get irritated if suggestions are rejected.
• Since you are only writing 1-2 paragraphs at the time while building the joint post, please don't keep your co-writer waiting for as long as one might wait for a solo post. JPs are meant to be quickly built and then undergoing formatting and final touches in the end.
• Please, please, always remove [quote] formatting with each reply so that your co-writer doesn't have to filter those for you. Even worse, if you do not remove that formatting, all the other formatting in previous replies will be lost (italics, bold etc.)

Example Joint Post

Below is an example of a JP written between two Theurgists, Numen and Stegro88, where their characters interact with the NPC Quartermaster CPO Abraham Savali. It was agreed upon that the conversation would end once Mickayla had received the location of her quarters from Savali. Please note the use of <<Slots>> to denote where text from the other author could be added and how the post is built up between several additions. This process needs simply to be repeated until all writers are happy. The finished text is then posted on the forum.

First step is to write the starting paragraphs, which Numen did in this PM in the example below. Her writing will be coloured in teal. When Stegro88 then replies, his text mass will be shown below in white, just to illustrate how the JP is gradually built. Both use the "Quote" button every time to retain the co-writer's text - but remove the [quote] formatting before sending. Please also notice the <<Slots>> in yellow, which are filled in by those who reply next.

Private Message #1, Starter by Numen

When Mickayla retorted, with no expression on her face, Khorin snorted. It seemed that, despite everything, there was still some fight in her. It was a beginning. He preferred her angry and violent self to.... whatever he might call how she was now. Lackadaisical? Perhaps, although it was one of those words too long and with a too obscure meaning for him. Whatever it was, there seemed to be hope for her. 

Without wasting any more time on semantic disquisitions, he continued to relate his plan of action, and the NCO seemed to agree mostly with him. Or at least she didn't protest too much. Well, perhaps she didn't seem too keen to help him with his move, but in that respect Khorin cared little for her opinion. She was going to do it, whatever she said. It would keep her distracted, and it would help both to waste some of their time. It was a flawless plan.

Soon, they both came out of the turbolift and their footsteps led them to Savali. The thin-haired human seemed nice and ready to help, despite the bandages covering his arm. He had possibly been injured in one of the battles the vectors had recently suffered. Given how busy was the sickbay most of the slightly injured were only patched enough to leave a stretcher free and the infinite flow of patients could continue to flow. 

"You seem to have had a busy trip, eh Savali," he said by way of greeting. "I've here a new crewmember, Mickayla MacGregor, former USS Endeavour crewmember. Ranks... errr"

Private Message #2, by Stegro

When Mickayla retorted, with no expression on her face, Khorin snorted. It seemed that, despite everything, there was still some fight in her. It was a beginning. He preferred her angry and violent self to.... whatever he might call how she was now. Lackadaisical? Perhaps, although it was one of those words too long and with a too obscure meaning for him. Whatever it was, there seemed to be hope for her. 

Without wasting any more time on semantic disquisitions, he continued to relate his plan of action, and the NCO seemed to agree mostly with him. Or at least she didn't protest too much. Well, perhaps she didn't seem too keen to help him with his move, but in that respect Khorin cared little for her opinion. She was going to do it, whatever she said. It would keep her distracted, and it would help both to waste some of their time. It was a flawless plan.

Soon, they both came out of the turbolift and their footsteps led them to Savali. The thin-haired human seemed nice and ready to help, despite the bandages covering his arm. He had possibly been injured in one of the battles the vectors had recently suffered. Given how busy was the sickbay most of the slightly injured were only patched enough to leave a stretcher free and the infinite flow of patients could continue to flow. 

"You seem to have had a busy trip, eh Savali," he said by way of greeting. "I've here a new crewmember, Mickayla Macgregor, former USS Endeavour crewmember. Ranks... errr"

"Petty Officer First Class," Mickayla replied to the older man. "Formerly of the USS Endeavour."

<<Slot 1>>

"A good ship," Savali observed calmly. "You'll be needing the usual then? Combadge, replicator rations and quarters."

"I would be grateful, sir," Mickayla responded calmly.

"Any preference on who is in the other room?" Savali asked as he scanned a list of available berths.

"No sir," Mickayla said. "Beggars can't be choosers."

<<Slot 2>>

"Excellent," Savali declared with a smile. "Deck 15. There is a weapons specialist that has an opening due to a recent promotion. I'm sure they would love company again."

<<Slot 3>>

Private Message #3, Starter by Numen

When Mickayla retorted, with no expression on her face, Khorin snorted. It seemed that, despite everything, there was still some fight in her. It was a beginning. He preferred her angry and violent self to.... whatever he might call how she was now. Lackadaisical? Perhaps, although it was one of those words too long and with a too obscure meaning for him. Whatever it was, there seemed to be hope for her. 

Without wasting any more time on semantic disquisitions, he continued to relate his plan of action, and the NCO seemed to agree mostly with him. Or at least she didn't protest too much. Well, perhaps she didn't seem too keen to help him with his move, but in that respect Khorin cared little for her opinion. She was going to do it, whatever she said. It would keep her distracted, and it would help both to waste some of their time. It was a flawless plan.

Soon, they both came out of the turbolift and their footsteps led them to Savali. The thin-haired human seemed nice and ready to help, despite the bandages covering his arm. He had possibly been injured in one of the battles the vectors had recently suffered. Given how busy was the sickbay most of the slightly injured were only patched enough to leave a stretcher free and the infinite flow of patients could continue to flow. 

"You seem to have had a busy trip, eh Savali," he said by way of greeting. "I've here a new crewmember, Mickayla Macgregor, former USS Endeavour crewmember. Ranks... errr"

"Petty Officer First Class," Mickayla replied to the older man. "Formerly of the USS Endeavour."

"Yeah, yeah, exactly, almost what i said"  Khorin nodded emphatically. The sudden movement caused his mane to stir around him, like a wild halo. 

"A good ship," Savali observed calmly. "You'll be needing the usual then? Combadge, replicator rations and quarters."

"I would be grateful, sir," Mickayla responded calmly.

"Any preference on who is in the other room?" Savali asked as he scanned a list of available berths.

"No sir," Mickayla said. "Beggars can't be choosers."

"Are you serious? A beggard? That's not what you are!" Khorin roared in an outraged tone. Mickayla once again placed his hand on his shoulders, in a gesture that pretended to be kind but mainly consisted of shaking the woman as if she were a straw doll. "After what we've been through you deserve something good," He assure her, a shit-eating grin etched in his broad face. He then looked again to the Quartermaster.  "Listen Savali, give the girl a room with views and well positioned, that she needn't say that in this starship we don't appreciate our replacements, wherever they come from."  

"Eh... yeah, yes sir" Savali declared with a forced smile looking at the klingon male. The balding human typed for a minute on his padd, scrolling through the complex layout of quarters he managed. Suddenly, his eyes lit up and his face relaxed, showing a sincere smile again. "Excellent," he said, tapping in the screen a couple of times. "Deck 15. There is a weapons specialist that has an opening due to a recent promotion. I'm sure they would love company again."

"Oh, one of the FAB buddies, maybe"  Khorin asked.

"Yes sir, the new head of fighter weapons Savali clarified looking at the new CPO profile.

"Perfection" stated Khorin in his most  bombastic display. "That way I'll make sure they keep an eye on you."

<<Slot>>

Private Message #4, by Stegro

When Mickayla retorted, with no expression on her face, Khorin snorted. It seemed that, despite everything, there was still some fight in her. It was a beginning. He preferred her angry and violent self to.... whatever he might call how she was now. Lackadaisical? Perhaps, although it was one of those words too long and with a too obscure meaning for him. Whatever it was, there seemed to be hope for her. 

Without wasting any more time on semantic disquisitions, he continued to relate his plan of action, and the NCO seemed to agree mostly with him. Or at least she didn't protest too much. Well, perhaps she didn't seem too keen to help him with his move, but in that respect Khorin cared little for her opinion. She was going to do it, whatever she said. It would keep her distracted, and it would help both to waste some of their time. It was a flawless plan.

Soon, they both came out of the turbolift and their footsteps led them to Savali. The thin-haired human seemed nice and ready to help, despite the bandages covering his arm. He had possibly been injured in one of the battles the vectors had recently suffered. Given how busy was the sickbay most of the slightly injured were only patched enough to leave a stretcher free and the infinite flow of patients could continue to flow. 

"You seem to have had a busy trip, eh Savali," he said by way of greeting. "I've here a new crewmember, Mickayla MacGregor, former USS Endeavour crewmember. Ranks... errr"

"Petty Officer First Class," Mickayla replied to the older man. "Formerly of the USS Endeavour."

"Yeah, yeah, exactly, almost what i said"  Khorin nodded emphatically. The sudden movement caused his mane to stir around him, like a wild halo. 

"A good ship," Savali observed calmly. "You'll be needing the usual then? Combadge, replicator rations and quarters."

"I would be grateful, sir," Mickayla responded calmly.

"Any preference on who is in the other room?" Savali asked as he scanned a list of available berths.

"No sir," Mickayla said. "Beggars can't be choosers."

"Are you serious? A beggard? That's not what you are!" Khorin roared in an outraged tone. Mickayla once again placed his hand on his shoulders, in a gesture that pretended to be kind but mainly consisted of shaking the woman as if she were a straw doll. "After what we've been through you deserve something good," He assure her, a shit-eating grin etched in his broad face. He then looked again to the Quartermaster.  "Listen Savali, give the girl a room with views and well positioned, that she needn't say that in this starship we don't appreciate our replacements, wherever they come from."  

"Eh... yeah, yes sir" Savali declared with a forced smile looking at the klingon male. The balding human typed for a minute on his padd, scrolling through the complex layout of quarters he managed. Suddenly, his eyes lit up and his face relaxed, showing a sincere smile again. "Excellent," he said, tapping in the screen a couple of times. "Deck 15. There is a weapons specialist that has an opening due to a recent promotion. I'm sure they would love company again."

"Oh, one of the FAB buddies, maybe"  Khorin asked.

"Yes sir, the new head of fighter weapons Savali clarified looking at the new CPO profile.

"Perfection" stated Khorin in his most  bombastic display. "That way I'll make sure they keep an eye on you."

"Wonderful," Mickayla deadpanned. Savali just smiled in response as he held out a small PADD and a combadge.

"Locations on the PADD. Anything else and you can contact me here or just ask Thea," Savali explained. "Welcome aboard Petty Officer MacGregor."

"Thank you, sir," Mickayla acknowledged before looking over at her walking tree trunk of a companion. "Where to next? And who is Thea?"

Conclusion

And here is the link to the finished post, after a final spellcheck.

Klingons On Parade Joint Post

Please note the announcement of the JP between writers at the beginning of the post (which can be made more subtly at the end of the post as well) and the combining of characters in the header. You can also consult the flowchart at the top of this page for a visual explanation.
That's it! Enjoy your writing!