Character Permissions Guide

This page contains a short--and hopefully enlightening guide--on when and how you should gain permission from Another Player when writing fanfic and other stories based on this or any other shared environment. If you're in doubt which category below applies, it is always best to talk to the player before writing or when realizing one of their characters is involved.

Mentions and Cameos

Since these types of character uses often occur without much planning, it's a good idea to simply speak to the player at the time of occurrence. While most players (at least at our site) may give blanket permissions for this type of thing, it's still always best to let them know. This is a one-time deal, whether a short story or novel-length work.

Template

"Hey, I'm working on [this story] and your character [name] is mentioned/appears briefly. Are you comfortable with that?"

Examples

Mention: "Hey, did you get to ask Matsuo about that old bit of pottery you found at the dig?"

Brief Appearance: Matsuo shows up to examine the pottery. (1 paragraph through a few pages.)

Secondary Characters

This is a character that appears throughout a story as a minor or supporting character. Do speak to the player, and give them an idea of what the story's about, and how their character fits in. See if they have any questions, concerns, or restrictions.

Template

"I'm writing [story] in which your character [name] appears a few times as a supporting character. The main plot is [plot], and your character fits in with [skill, friend group, etc.] Is this okay with you, and if so, do you have any questions about it?

Examples

Minor support: Matsuo is constantly spoken of or said to have been called/spoken to for information even if these scenes don't appear in the actual narrative. He may appear once or twice.

Support: Matsuo examines the pottery, and in later scenes provides more information, participates in a short dig with the group, or is found to have gone off by himself after examining the pottery and now needs help or rescuing which will appear in the narrative.

Major Characters in FanFic

Your character and another player's character begin a romance, and you are writing the story, as well. Let the other player know you are doing this, and see if they have any concerns. If they're also into the project, they may have helpful ideas or even write some of it themselves.

This may also apply to group stories, where a particular group of characters embarks on a quest or adventure, and many players may become involved in the planning, writing, and giving of input.

Best Practices

With this type of writing, it is best to:

(a) Ask questions about what so-and-so will do when asked a specific question or in certain circumstances. This is especially helpful when you're not quite sure on IC/OOC yet. Large decisions especially should be made by both/all players for events happening out of play.

(b) Provide the other player(s) with the draft of each installment for their input before finalization. Do incorporate their ideas and directions, and any specific lines they give you for their character with minor editing if necessary.