Advice, Guides, and the How To's of the Battle Arena

If you enjoy writing, storytelling, using your imagination, and creating your own characters along with interacting with others who like the same, the Escapists' Haven (known more popularly by most of the older members as just the "BA", for Battle Arena, what it was once called) is a very fun section of the boards to participate in. :] Any skill level can join, and by RPing there, you can definitely improve your writing too! So no, you're not expected to be some kind of author or even have been getting the best grades in English at school or anything to start off with to join. ^^ ~ Altamira

A lot of members have come forth to share their knowledge of writing in the BA. From character creation to RP plot formation to respectful behavior with your peers, Councilors, and moderators. They have all been gathered here for everyone to reap the benefits of the experienced and learned. So now you don't have to go hunting around for them. They're all here.

You can get your advice or guide thread linked to this collection too! If you want your advice thread added here, you must PM me with a link to the thread. If you have questions about a thread, post it in that thread. There will be no questions answered in this thread (as it will be locked).

First the basics:

• The BAer's Guide to the Arena - basic info about the section and getting started, how things work

  Mary Sueism and Self-insertion – Some things you want to avoid doing.
  Character Creation – Avoiding Mary Sueism and tips on writing a good profile.
  Crossroads Role Playing – Tips on how to respect each other, how to make an RP run smoothly, and advice on creative writing.
  Battle Role Playing – Tips on how to make a battle RP run smoothly.

• The Battle Arena Rules - good place to check to familiarize yourself with the rules
• The Newbie's Thread - a good place to introduce yourself as a new member, especially if the Out of Character Thread (OoC) seems too intimidating or big at first (we're all very friendly though ^^)
• The Character Policies and Guidelines - this will help you understand how to go about making your first character and their profile

Secondly, the next other stuff:

• Sakume's Unofficial Homeroom - This is Sakume's run down on all the technical points of creative writing. Everything from colors, body language, ideas, research, characters, plot and story, point of view, conflict, dialogue, setting, and archetypes
• Navi's LISTEN!! Thread - Fairess's tips on character creation/profiling in Characters and Resources
• General Guidelines for Having a Character Here - Drammor's advice in character and RPer behavior in the BA
• Another Bundle of Joy - Fairess's advice in creative writing and RPing
• 5 Ways to Avoid Creating a Godmoder - Fairess's advice in character creation and avoiding the infamous godmoder
• How to Get Connected with Other RPers - A Shrubbery's advice in creating connections in the BA, staying involved, and RPing with new members