Ahoy everyone!

This thread is mainly targeted towards those who may feel the afore mentioned way about the forum: most likely the new members. However, if anyone else wishes to join into what I’m about to mention, don’t be afraid to do so.

So, you’re a new member and you haven’t a clue what to do. What on earth is essence? I can’t find out anything about it! Where should I start posting? I don’t want to “intrude” on other’s threads. I don’t want to read through all 260 pages in Character Introductions, but I’m too confused by just reading a few! There are so many threads here, where do I start?! HELP!

Don’t feel overwhelmed at all. First of all, all the people on this forum are really, really nice and are open to helping you on anything you need. Second, I too am relatively new and am still figuring things out slowly. Third, this post is meant to help all of that. You see, what I’m planning on doing is posting “newbie” threads and “step-by-step” threads to help all of us confused, overwhelmed writers. As a newbie myself, these threads will be what I understand in other’s explanations.

What will this do for you? Well… You won’t have to do all of the leg work looking for just the explanation you need, and you will get to join in with others just like you, new and possibly overwhelmed and confused, in the different aspects of writing on this forum. And I’ll be posting on these topics, so you can always be sure to have at least one person working with you the entire way. Things can be so much easier if you have someone working along side you, am I right? And, as a newbie myself, I will be learning with you, so you won’t have to worry about doing anything wrong, ‘cause chances are I will make plenty of mistakes myself.

Of course, if you prefer to explore the forum on your own, feel free to do that, too! These threads are just intended to help make some of what can seem really complex and overwhelming easier to swallow.

Are you ready? Then let’s get started! The first two posts I’m going to make are for essence and character fractalling. This is because essence seems to be one of the most confusing topics on here and I’m still grasping it. Fractalling is kind of overwhelming for me, but I know it will be very beneficial. So, if you want to work on essence mapping or developing your character(s), please come and join me! Also, if you have any topics you would like me to add, please let me know!

P.S. You can look out for these threads I post by looking for phrases such as “Let’s……together” and “Step-by-step…..” and “For newbies:……”

Threads up:
Step-by-step character fractalling
For newbies: The Essence of Essence.

Thanks for this, Nemo. Have fun!

Thanks, Phili!

I've already gotten my first thread up. It's called Step-by-step character fractalling and it's for anyone and everyone who wants to go through the Character Fractalling System a bit at a time instead of all of it at once. Feel free to jump right in! I'll be posting the essence thread either today or within the next few days.

Really awesome Nemo! Thanks for being a blessing to the newcomers of the forum!

Thanks, Svensteel!

OK, the thread for essence and firstX mapping is up! It is: For newbies: The Essence of Essence

I enjoyed reading this. I think this is a good idea to encourage and bless the newbies while including all of the other members, too.

Thank you, Nemo! I'm a newbie on here and was feeling a bit overwhelmed. I shall certainly read your posts on fractalling and essence.

Thank you, Nemo.

*chuckles* Thank you for doing this, Nemo.

Ahoy everyone!

Now I'm going to start going through the different parts of our forum, starting from the Bestiary. I may post specific threads in the forums, or I may just post here with suggestions. The goal right now for this thread is to go through the different sections here on Holy Worlds and get involved with them to help develop your writing, so that by the end of it, you will be quite developed in several areas.

This post will cover the Bestiary.

The Bestiary is a pretty straight forward forum with little confusion. However, sometimes it can be a little intimidating to post a thread in new ground, and then when you do post, will people comment back? One thing I would suggest is creating creative subject lines that will draw in people's attention. Make them think, "What is that? I want to go look at that."

Also, get involved with other people's posts. View what they're doing, and give them feedback. Sometimes this can be intimidating with those posts that have several pages, but be brave and dive right in! Don't be afraid to help others. And, never be afraid to ask for feedback for yourself. That's what we're all here for: creating a community.

So, for this post, I would encourage you to create your own post in the Bestiary and get involved with at least one other thread in the Bestiary. Dive in, develop your beasts, and develop others'. When I return from camp, I plan to do the same thing.

Until next time, have fun in the Bestiary!

Wow, Nemo! This thread is awesome!

I am here once again with a post encouraging you to get involved with our lovely forum! Ta-da!

The last post I made encouraged you to get involved in the Bestiary. The next stop on our list is Peoples, Races, and Tribes! Once again, this sub-forum is pretty straight forward. So, I'd like to encourage you to make your own thread talking about the peoples, races, and/or tribes in your world, and getting involved in one other person's thread by encouraging them, offering suggestions, etc. I will be posting in there just like I am encouraging you, too.

These encouragements are for everyone, not just the new members, by the way. I can't wait to see what all of you guys do! Let's get posting.

*dusts thread off* This thread needs some updating!

In this post I think instead of going sub-forum by sub-forum (because many of the sub-forums explain themselves very well), I'm going to explain how our lovely forum works, and I'll start with the Citadel.

The forum is like a wonderful village or city in a fantasy story.

First we have the Citadel
Clicking on that link will show you active topics in the sub-forums, but the Citadel also has some of the most important sub-forums.
Announcements
Library
Q&A
Holy Worlds' Projects

In the Announcements area, people will post important information for everyone to read. Make sure you check this area often.

The Library pretty much explains itself: it's a storehouse of information about the forum. If you have any questions about formatting, where something should go, or just about any question at all, look in the Library to see if you can find something to help you.

Q&A is where you will post questions that you have. You can look throughout Q&A too to see if someone has asked the same question you have.

Holy Worlds' Projects is where the bigger projects Holy Worlders work on are enclosed. It's a really neat place to try to get involved.

I hope this post helps you out! Again, if you ever want me to create a post on something specific, let me know.

*visits thread again* *chokes from dust* *coughs* Sorry about this, guys!

Taking a look at this thread, I realize that I've been all over the place, haven't really posted much, and haven't been very organized... And, oh lookey there, I've also gotten busier. SO! I have a proposition!

This thread was created to help out new members make some sense out of our forums. You know, collect information into one spot to help make the what can seem overwhelming forum into manageable slices of pie.

Thinking over this thread, I got an idea. I think a light bulb literally lit up in my head. But then I forgot about that light until today. That idea was that I could ask YOU! Yes, YOU! New members, experienced members, middle members, old members, young members...*cough* Members in general to help out! I only see the forum through my eyes, and I can't always determine the best way to carry on this thread.

I want new/newish members to post in here things they've found useful or confusing. And then solutions to those confusing things. Older members, I would like you to also help out! What were things you found confusing when you first came here? What are confusing things for you now? What do you have that could be useful to new members. Basically, anyone who wants to post in here with information to help new members get on their feet and give them useful information you wish you had when you joined, post it here!

However, we will still stick to honoring the system. If you want to tell them about things that are also in other threads, such as in the Library, direct them to the Library. This is just an area to help culminate useful information for others, but not in the same way as in the Library.

Does this make sense? Have I rambled too much? If you have any questions, please PM me, but leave this thread open for posts, not comments. I'll create a thread in GD soon for commenting for this.

Thanks so much everyone!

I have a question...what does 'summoning' someone mean?

If you reply to this, on the left hand side under the smilies, there is a box that says Summon User, and underneath that Select a User. If you click on the Select a User and start typing their username in, their username will come up. Click on that and when you Submit the message, the user you selected will receive a PM notifying them about the thread.

Oh, cool! I had seen people mentioning it in various places, but had never noticed that.

It's easy to miss.

Thank you for this thread. I'm a newbie, this is my second post, and I'm still trying to sort my way through the various areas of the forum. Question: is there an area that is devoted to marketing discussions? Thank you.

Hey Christopher! It's nice to have you.

The answer to your question is: YES! It's called Heralds' Hall. Here's the room description: "Here we discuss the best ways to proclaim the news of your work to the world. Share your experience, or resources you've found on publishing, marketing, e-publishing, etc."

I hope this thread has been helpful, and I'm sure you'll figure out the layout of the forum soon. Enjoy your time on Holy Worlds!

Thank you, Captain Nemo. Much obliged. I'm off to the Hall...

I am new here- as you can see, this is my first post. I found out about you guys a while ago, and looking at the forums has really helped the writing I intend to publish. However, I can think of a rather prominent question: how does one go about getting an avatar? (And yes, I actually write like this.)

Welcome, Nua! * smiles * I had that same question when I first got on here... You go into the UCP (there's a button at the top of the page), click on 'profile' in the little sidebar, click 'edit avatar' (which will show up underneath it in the same sidebar), click on 'display gallery', and pick an avatar out of there.

If you have an avatar of your own that you'd like to upload you can go here and ask someone to upload it to the gallery for you. It may take awhile, I think they are having some difficulties with their system right now, but you'll get it eventually.

I think I qualify for this thread. Decided to join after much convincing from Siân (who lives about 10 miles from me) I don't know what name she uses on here though. Kiev Shawn Or I think she still goes by that name was also rather influential. Many of the rest on here I only know by real names and only know tiny bits and pieces i've picked up in conversation.

Welcome to the forum, Legatus!

Do you have any books that you are working on at the moment? What is your favourite genre to write in?

ooooh only thing I do is blog and not very good at that. I don't have nearly the skill as some of you. If I did write more it would likely be Paul Washer style as I love his sermons

Ohh, well blogging is still writing! That's great. I will look up your blog when I get back from work today.

I have listened to one of Paul Washers sermons, I believe, and it was really good.