Gemini Simming Style Guide

Simming is a form of writing that if done correctly allows weaving of stories that are both fun to read and write. Here is where you will find a style guide that teaches consistent and easy to use formatting.

Formatting Your Sims

• An example of good form: [1]
• The sim format corresponds with that used in the academy and detailed in Tutorial #1 [2].
• Additionally, all sims should be written with good grammar and spelling. A quick run through a spell and grammar checking program can turn a good sim into a great one.

Subject Lines

Subject lines should only consist of the character's rank, name, sim title, and appropriate NPC qualifier if it is an NPC. If the character does not have a rank, it can be excluded. Furthermore, if the sim is a joint post (JP), all the characters need to be mentioned. For example:

• Lieutenant Commander Lance Firestarter - The Day the Warp Core Breeched
• NPC Petty Officer Midori Arisu - Thoroughly Lost in Thought
• PNPC Makayla Riordan - Another Drink?
• JP Lieutenant Commanders Lance Firestarter and Nemitor Atimen - Double Trouble
• JP NPC Petty Officer Melody and Lieutenant Commander Nemitor Atimen - Security Woes
  • Keep in mind that this can also be shortened as such:
    • JP NPC PO Melody & Lt Cmdr Atimen - Security Woes

NPC Qualifiers

• PNPC, NPC, MSNPC Character Qualifiers
  • This tags denote if a character being simmed is a non-player character, personal non-player character, or mission specific personal non-player character. The crew roster has an active listing of PCs and NPCs.
  • Please be sure to include this in the subject line to assist history team on their updates.

What Not to Include

• Putting TAG or TAGs in the subject line
  • When simming on a ship, it is expected that you read every sim, thus the TAG qualifier is not necessary and obfuscates the title of the sim.
• Location abbreviations
  • The first line of the sim is the location, so placing it in the subject line is not needed.

Body of Sims

Location

The first line of the sim is always the location of the character being simmed. Even if the character has not moved since the previous sim, it is still required to post the location.

• Example: ((Starfleet Academy, Earth))

Character Names

• Character names should only have the first letter capitalized.
  • Example: Firestarter, or Arisu

Point of View

It is important that each character puts in their own thoughts and actions so that each character can respond accordingly. To that end, it adds depth to the character being written. Here is an example written from Jill Adrura's perspective:

::Jill was talking to Ethne, gazing into his eyes. They seemed to pull her in as she talked with him.::

oO I will never be used to those Betazoid eyes. They are as dark as space itself. Oo

Adrura: ::Shifting uncomfortably.:: How has leave been treating you cadet?

Ethne: Response?

Now, lets say that Cadet Ethne responds without removing oO thoughts Oo or ::actions.:: this can be pretty confusing as follows:

::Jill was talking to Ethne, gazing into his eyes. They seemed to pull her in as she talked with him.::

oO I will never be used to those Betazoid eyes. They are as dark as space itself. Oo

Adrura: ::Shifting uncomfortably.:: How has leave been treating you cadet?

Ethne: ::Leaning forward in his chair.:: Fine fine... and you?

Without removing the oO thoughts Oo and ::actions.:: We can't tell if Ethne was looking at Jill's eyes and it is tedious to read the same exact point of view again. A better response to the sim would be this:

::The young cadet was meeting with Adrura.::

Adrura: How has leave been treating you cadet?

Ethne: ::Leaning forward in his chair.:: Fine fine... and you?

This removes the confusion about who said what. Even better though would be to include the new character's oO Thoughts Oo and ::actions::. Below would be the best, but obviously not required :)

::The young cadet was meeting with Adrura. He was nervous about the talk and it took all of his willpower to not dig his fingernails into his arm.::

oO Are all security officers this intimidating? Oo

Adrura: How has leave been treating you cadet?

::Ladon noted how Jill was shifting in her seat, hopefully it was not due to his actions the day previous.::

Ethne: ::Leaning forward in his chair.:: Fine fine... and you?

Signatures

A signature at the bottom of your sim signifies, your character, your position, and your ship. For example:

Ensign Pon Pon

Science Officer

USS Gemini

However, there are no requirements beyond these for your signature. So feel free to spice things up with ship registry number, character status, or maybe even a quote.

"Why so serious?"

Ensign Pon Pon

Science Officer

USS Gemini NCC-80564

As Simmed by

Ensign Ashley Roy

Science Officer

USS Gemini NCC-80564

Adding to the Story

Creativity in your sims is, of course, encouraged! There are no set endings, no definite plot twists, and no command hand pulling the strings; each and every one of your contributions, whether your PC is an ensign or a captain, can change the course of the mission!

• No sim is complete without adding at few tags at the end of it to allow for others to respond. Just responding to tags doesn't make for a great sim. Be sure to bring others in on the action!

However, be sure to use some common sense when introducing twists. Does what you're about to add follow logically within the evolving story? As long as that answer is "yes," you should feel free to go ahead and write! The only usual exception to this is when new additions take control of another writer's character out of that writer's hands. For example, you should never injure another character without talking to the character's writer first.

It is always worth contacting the command team or your mentor, too, if you think your plot twist may have a serious and unexpected effect on the course of the mission. Examples may include:

• The addition of a new alien race that has not yet been involved in the mission. Sir, Romulan Warbird decloaking!
• Relocation of group of PCs that does not include your PC.
• Destruction of an important building or ship.

Ease of Reading

Removing formatting from sims is necessary. Most email clients have the capability to remove formatting.

• This typically ensures that the font is the same and is the same size.
• There is a particularly helpful forum post here that explains how to remove formatting in gmail. [3]