How's My Driving | July 2013

[ironwood]

Three months have already passed since the last HMD? You betcha! This means that it's time to kick off the fourth quarterly gamewide HMD here in Tu Shanshu! Things are getting structured a little differently this time, so read on for details.

How's My Driving?
While each and every character must have an HMD page available, we offer a gamewide HMD once every calendar quarter. This is an opportunity to get together and discuss IC interpretations and portrayals in a respectful, beneficial fashion. In a nutshell, it's a chance to see how we're doing in the grand scheme of things.

There are a few ground rules to cover off before we can start:

• Participation in the quarterly HMD is 100% optional.
  
• Be respectful, anon or not. It's a lot easier to give and receive crit if all parties are making it a discussion of it rather than an argument.
  
• IP logging is off and anonymous commenting is on. You can offer crit signed-in if you like, but the option's there.
  
• New! We ask that each concrit provided consist of one positive and one constructive bit of feedback. Bring up something that you like about that player, and in the same comment provide something that you feel they could work on. This is to help round out the feedback and provide a better experience all around.
  

That's it, that's all!

And, to make things easier, here's a handy-dandy codeset:

<big><b><i>Player Name</i></b></big> <i>Character Name:</i> <i>Canon:</i> <i>User Name:</i> <I>Focus:</i> Optional. Do you have particular concerns about your portrayal that you'd like to be the focus of crit? You can link any threads you'd like a second opinion on here. If you're looking for structural feedback, or would prefer things like grammar not be mentioned, put it here.

Comments

[traumatizing]

Frank
Character Name: Terrance Ward
Canon: Marvel 616
User Name: traumatizing
Focus: As always, I'm concerned with his voice. In canon there's the two issues of a) you never see how he is socially so I have no way to know how he actually talks to people and, b) he has a complete personality change after he becomes a therapist and so I'm trying to pair the two ways he acts at different points. UM. I know not a lot of people have read Initiative, so I guess my query is about consistency?

On a related note, I'm worried he's been too emopants about everything? I'm trying to find a balance so I'm not shoving that at everyone?

Finally, anyone who has me on plurk is probably aware I have quite a hectic schedule, so I was wondering if anyone else whose lives are busy/unpredictable have any tips for keeping on top of everything?

[jirk]

I really love Terry and I feel like you're an absolute joy to thread against. You really dig into the meat of his characterization to justify his thoughts/motives and I love that, it's amazing to see. I think you're a really phenomenal writer and I always love having your tags hit my inbox!

Really, my one concern is that you have a tendency to promise threads or posts that either don't happen, or happen a month later when the scenario/situation may no longer be applicable. I know this comes back to your schedule, but maybe try not to commit yourself to certain tags or posts, just write them naturally when or as they come? That way you can stay up to date and current without worrying about maybe having to backdate something to a few weeks ago, and it also cuts out some of the guilt and/or feelings of being obligated or locked in to specific scenarios you may no longer have the time or energy for.

[traumatizing]

Yeah, that's a pattern I've started to notice in myself recently. (With a side order of, "have I always been like this? I'M A MONSTER!!!") I think it's probably the reason I find myself feeling overwhelmed even when I only have about two tags I need to do.

I appreciate you pointing it out! It's helpful to know it's not something that's just in my head because of reasons and I'm definitely gonna take that advice on board. I think Rica gave me some ideas a ways back that I forgot, so the combination of the two should helpfully help me keep on top of things.