Prompt set one on OOC Questions and Comments

DH Skies

October 20, 2018 2:04 AM

Other by DH Skies

Any other business that does not fit under the existing headings, including notifications of absences etc

Subthreads:

Nanowrimo! by DH Skies with Nathan, et al, Nano Challengers

Aronos posting order by Tarquin Fox-Reynolds with Isaac Song, Evelyn Stones, Nathaniel Mordue

Fast and Furious by DH Skies with

YEARBOOK! by Professor Rory Taransay with Brockerts

Yearbook Surveys are HERE! by Professor Rory Taransay

Head Student ballots are up (nm) by Headmaster Brockert

Fair is up! (nm) by Headmaster Brockert with Ben Pierce, Zevalyn Ives, etc, DH Skies

0 DH Skies Other 26 DH Skies 1 5

DH Skies

November 01, 2018 8:31 AM

Nanowrimo! by DH Skies

Dear All,

November is upon us again, which means it's National Novel Writing Month, or Nanowrimo!

Nanowrimo challenges you to write a 50,000 word novel in the month of November.

Whilst some of you may be pursuing the official Nanowrimo challenge, we like to get into the spirit here at Sonora by having a month of goals and challenges for Sonora writing. Normally, these are prompt based challenges. We have also had individual authors set their own personal challenges for the month.

This year, we are going to set some benchmarks of word count goals, alongside personal challenges. These numbers have been based off previous Nanowrimo achievements.

We are offering four award levels:

Participant:
Set your own challenge. Declare it on the OOC board and let us know how you're getting on. Some examples of challenges might be:

- participate in Sonora prompt challenges
- post all my characters every week
- write for five minutes every day

The latter is one I've found super effective in the past when I "don't have time to write" - it's amazing what you can get done! Obviously, the time bands in the latter two goals can be adjusted to what would be a challenge (but a workable one!) for you.

Bronze medal: 6,000 words
This is equivalent to writing one minimum word count post per day. Given that most posts well exceed the word count, this is achievable with a few hefty class posts plus some light conversation!

Silver medal: 20,000 words
During my 'write every day' challenge last year, I managed 14,000 - and that was with me being 'busy.' If you're Sonora-ing hard, this goal is achievable and I'm pretty sure we've had authors hit this as a personal challenge in the past.

Gold medal: 50,000 words
The full nano quota! I don't know how achievable this is, but I am willing to find out.

Declare your goals below, and watch this space for writing prompts!

13 DH Skies Nanowrimo! 26 DH Skies 0 5

Nathan, et al

November 01, 2018 9:07 AM

I’m in! by Nathan, et al

Word Count: Aiming for 15k, hoping for 20k.

Also I plan to continue my 2018 resolution to post all of my student characters (that’s six of them) at least once every 2 week period.

And I’ll be doing the challenges of course.

1 Nathan, et al I’m in! 28 Nathan, et al 0 5

Selina et al

November 01, 2018 9:41 AM

My goals by Selina et al

I am aiming to:

- participate in challenges
- write for at least five minutes every day
- hit at least silver

13 Selina et al My goals 26 Selina et al 0 5

Grayson Wright et al.

November 01, 2018 9:28 PM

More goals. by Grayson Wright et al.

I shall

- Engage in challenges
- Write 15 minutes every day*
- Very very very tentatively aiming in the direction of silver (shiny!)

* Contingent on Massive Work Projects remaining out of evidence - if one appears, I'll be writing a lot more than that per day, it just won't be much wizards.

16 Grayson Wright et al. More goals. 113 Grayson Wright et al. 0 5

Nano Challengers

November 04, 2018 1:28 AM

Prompt set one by Nano Challengers

This year, the first challenge is to use one of the speech prompts below. Normally, with prompt challenges, this is the inspiration for a one shot fic. As Sonora is an ongoing story, you will be credited as passing the challenge if you use these within any post - i.e. if you work up a new post using one of these as a starting point, or if you work one of them into a current thread you are in.

5 house points are on offer for each successfully used prompt. If the prompt it used by a character without a house affiliation, such as a staff or family member, the author can choose where they would like the points to go.

Many thanks to Mary Brooding's author for this list. If you would like to help set any of the Nano Challenges, get in touch with Selina via chatzy/facebook/gmail or the sonora chairs email address.

List of speech prompts:

"Where's the other one?"

“What counts as ‘stealing’ though?”

“Hungry is relative. I could eat a unicorn! Okay, that’s a bad example.”

“I bet you a broomstick Professor ___ and ____ are dating.”

“There’s nothing quite like the magic of a good milkshake.”

“No, I could definitely pass for 21.”

“Well my dad is… no, yeah, your dad sounds pretty cool.”

“What do you think would happen if I just casually followed ___ into their common room?”

“Okay, but how many other people know that?”

“I didn’t realize you spent so much time here.”

“I’ve never heard of a _____."

“What do you think would happen if I [used the professor in their own lesson, ex: had Mary try the potion, cast the spell on Tabitha, levitated Grayson, transfigured Selina’s buttons, etc.]”

(Note, if your character is not a fluent English speaker, you may appropriately mangle the grammar to make it plausible that it's them speaking. Otherwise, prompts should be used as they are).

13 Nano Challengers Prompt set one 0 Nano Challengers 0 5

Tarquin Fox-Reynolds

November 04, 2018 5:10 AM

Aronos posting order by Tarquin Fox-Reynolds

After some discussion in chatzy, the majority felt that the Aronos thread should generally follow multi person thread rules, i.e. we all post in the order we joined, with some flexibility/negotiation (e.g. if someone is addressed specifically or Tarquin needs to step in because things are getting out of hand).

This means the order would usually be:
Julius
Evelyn
Isaac
Zevalyn
Nathaniel
Tarquin
Ivy

As Evelyn just posted, it would normally be Isaac's turn next. However, Evelyn pretty blatantly addressed only Julius, so it probably makes sense for him to go next followed by resuming the above posting order (with continued negotiation via chatzy and/or this board/Facebook).

Does that work for everyone (and especially Isaac)?

13 Tarquin Fox-Reynolds Aronos posting order 1464 Tarquin Fox-Reynolds 0 5

Isaac Song

November 04, 2018 11:42 AM

Sounds good by Isaac Song

That works for me. I’ll post after Julius replies to Evelyn.

19 Isaac Song Sounds good 375 Isaac Song 0 5

Evelyn Stones

November 05, 2018 2:26 AM

sounds good by Evelyn Stones

Thank you for clearing that up! I meant to reply in order and then somehow skipped Julian and got all over the place. Thank you for that.

22 Evelyn Stones sounds good 1422 Evelyn Stones 0 5

Nathaniel Mordue

November 06, 2018 12:33 PM

No objections (nm) by Nathaniel Mordue

16 Nathaniel Mordue No objections (nm) 1412 Nathaniel Mordue 0 5

Nano Challengers

November 10, 2018 6:16 AM

Prompt set two by Nano Challengers

Our second set of prompts are all about dynamics, e.g. posting a specific interaction type. Thanks again to Mary Brooding for some of these ideas.

5 house points for any post creating or attempting to start the following types of interaction:

Student-Teacher
Character-Animal
Character-Portrait
More than 3 year age gap

You can post with yourself, or set your character up in a thread aiming to receive a reply, e.g. have them pet a strange kitty and let someone claim it was their pet. Note, there are no portraits authored at present, so that interaction would be best done within your own post.

This challenge is stackable with the previous challenge, i.e. you can work the dialogue prompts into these dynamics and then claim for both challenges.

13 Nano Challengers Prompt set two 0 Nano Challengers 0 5

DH Skies

November 10, 2018 10:56 PM

Fast and Furious by DH Skies

We're bringing back 'Fast and Furious,' a 48 hour posting window where the word count is lifted. When authors are on together, this can lead to short sharp exchanges, happening almost in real time.

We have two proposed dates:
17th and 18th November - i.e. this coming weekend due to some authors already voicing that they aren't available on our original date

or

1st and 2nd December - get people over their post-turkey slump and not overlap with Nanowrimo

Please let us know if you have a strong preference for one date, a slight preference for one date, or no preference.

13 DH Skies Fast and Furious 26 DH Skies 0 5

Sylvia Mordue

November 11, 2018 12:22 AM

I've never heard of a.... by Sylvia Mordue

(Used in herbology

13 Sylvia Mordue I've never heard of a.... 1413 Sylvia Mordue 0 5

Georgia

November 11, 2018 2:19 AM

Meet Eleanora! by Georgia

In MARS

13 Georgia Meet Eleanora! 346 Georgia 0 5

Jasmine

November 11, 2018 5:35 PM

Maybe? by Jasmine

Not sure if 3rd year Jasmine replying to 6th year Georgia counts as "More than 3 yr age gap" as they are exactly three years apart.

1 Jasmine Maybe? 1397 Jasmine 0 5

Nano Challengers

November 11, 2018 7:26 PM

Counting by Nano Challengers

It counts. I should have phrased it as 'three or more' - basically, as you pointed out in your post, someone they would never have shared classes with.

0 Nano Challengers Counting 0 Nano Challengers 0 5

Heinrich Hexenmeister, Aladren

November 13, 2018 5:15 PM

Where is the other one? by Heinrich Hexenmeister, Aladren

Posted in CoMC

1 Heinrich Hexenmeister, Aladren Where is the other one? 1414 Heinrich Hexenmeister, Aladren 0 5

Heinrich

November 14, 2018 12:44 PM

Getting Coached by Heinrich

Character-Portrait interaction, also in MARS

1 Heinrich Getting Coached 1414 Heinrich 0 5

DH Skies

November 17, 2018 6:38 AM

Challenge three by DH Skies

It's the return of the old favourite...

FLASHBACK CHALLENGE.

Write a post either entirely set in the past or with a substantial flashback scene.

Bonus points for centering around the following:
- Accidental magic
- Being ill
- Owl post

0 DH Skies Challenge three 26 DH Skies 0 5

Brockerts

November 17, 2018 7:18 AM

Question by Brockerts

Does this have to be an active character? Cuz "being ill" works better with some of my alumni.

11 Brockerts Question 0 Brockerts 0 5

DH Skies

November 17, 2018 11:23 AM

Answer? by DH Skies

So long as it's a flashback post, it counts - that's the post type for the challenge, the themes are just to give some extra ideas.

An alumni can't earn house points, but the challenges are meant to be fun and spark your creativity, they aren't just about points, so it's up to you what you do with it.

0 DH Skies Answer? 26 DH Skies 0 5

Dorian

November 17, 2018 11:51 PM

Done by Dorian

Two part flashback scene, with certainly some underage magic, most likely accidental. Ish.

Part one.

Part two.

13 Dorian Done 1401 Dorian 0 5

Professor Rory Taransay

November 20, 2018 7:49 AM

YEARBOOK! by Professor Rory Taransay

Hi all! We're bringing back the Sonora yearbook, and we want your opinions on the questions that will be included.

Below is a link to a google doc; follow this for more information on how the yearbook will work, and for a starting list of questions. Please comment on the questions (if you have any opinions on them). We want this yearbook to be fun for everybody, so we want all authors to have the chance to be included in planning the questions!

Do ask me if I haven't explained it very well, or if you have any questions about the yearbook.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MD2I3kTPetfMnWSpYg4qy0mZzzocFkojqTceApbMq50/edit?usp=sharing

9 Professor Rory Taransay YEARBOOK! 33 Professor Rory Taransay 0 5

Professor Taransay

November 20, 2018 12:43 PM

Faceclaims by Professor Taransay

If you have a preferred picture of your student for use in the yearbook, please email it to me at valoisevreux@gmail.com

If you already have a picture on your student's site profile, I'll use that unless instructed otherwise. If no picture is submitted to me, I'll find the picture myself using your faceclaim, and will do my best to make sure it matches to any description on the character's profile!

Disclaimer: your picture should be of the correct age (ish), and appropriate for a school yearbook, otherwise I may not be able to use it.

9 Professor Taransay Faceclaims 33 Professor Taransay 0 5

Heinrich

November 20, 2018 10:12 PM

Done, too by Heinrich

http://disc.yourwebapps.com/discussion.cgi?disc=226262;article=1195;title=Aladren%20Common%20Room

1 Heinrich Done, too 1414 Heinrich 0 5

Professor Rory Taransay

November 23, 2018 11:54 AM

Yearbook Surveys are HERE! by Professor Rory Taransay

Hi all! Thanks for all of your comments regarding the yearbook questions. I have tried to take everything said on board and, in cases where there were opposing opinions, have gone with the majority opinion. Hopefully no-one is too disappointed with the end result, and we can always revise the process before next year if we find any problems.

Below are the yearbook surveys. These are to be submitted IC (in character) - that is, please fill them in as your characters would, not as you the author would. Each author is permitted to fill in a survey once per character (e.g. if you have two first years, you may fill in the first year survey twice, once for each character). Characters may only fill in the survey for their year group, not for other year groups. You may also fill in the whole school survey once for each character you write (e.g. if you have three characters, you may fill in the whole school survey three times, once for each character).

It's generally accepted that we try to nominate everyone for at least one award, if that would be consistent with your character's behaviour. Voting is IC, so this is not a hard-and-fast rule, but it's nice for everyone to get something! I have also put the option of 'no suitable candidate' for every question. This may be something you want to make use of sometimes in smaller years, rather than having to nominate someone for an award that does not suit them.

The yearbook surveys are of course not mandatory, but hopefully you'll all enter into the fun of it!

The DEADLINE for surveys is MIDNIGHT on WEDNESDAY 28th November (Central Time). This is so I can have the yearbook ready for the midsummer event. If you will not be able to complete the surveys by this date and time, but still wish to participate, please let me know and I will see what we can do. This is also the deadline for pictures to be submitted (send to valoisevreux@gmail.com).

Hopefully this is all clear; do ask if you have any questions or concerns, or if you spot any errors in the surveys. Without further ado, here they are:

Whole School survey: https://goo.gl/forms/Qa4ZMcGiLykrLKbn1

First year survey: https://goo.gl/forms/mLqmCzTdv1ch1qi22

Second year survey: https://goo.gl/forms/s67TOCXkKeKtCPBZ2

Third year survey: https://goo.gl/forms/Z8WASXvdP5NPXkWB3

Fourth year survey: https://goo.gl/forms/mhFirrcAy2Y1Z6Mu2

Fifth year survey: https://goo.gl/forms/EYbipWARb7Ns7pzz2

Sixth year survey: https://goo.gl/forms/8MqcI7W7llVtiUcu1

Seventh year survey: https://goo.gl/forms/Hnd9buCznONoh4B82

9 Professor Rory Taransay Yearbook Surveys are HERE! 33 Professor Rory Taransay 0 5

DH Skies

November 23, 2018 7:05 PM

Fast and Furious LIVE NOW by DH Skies

We are using the Hospital Wing board but threads can be set anywhere. They can be set any time this term. They can be new threads or continuations of existing ones.

The word count is waived (though if you find yourself hitting it, it's not a problem!) from now until 10pm site time on Sunday.

Enjoy!

13 DH Skies Fast and Furious LIVE NOW 26 DH Skies 0 5

DH Skies

November 23, 2018 7:20 PM

Challenge Four by DH Skies

This weekend is Fast and Furious - contribute at least ten times!

0 DH Skies Challenge Four 26 DH Skies 0 5

Professor Rory Taransay

November 25, 2018 8:41 AM

Re. Faceclaims for Lily, Amelia, Simon, Gary, Sylvia, Lyssa by Professor Rory Taransay

I'm missing faceclaims/pictures for Amelia Layne, Simon Mordue, Gary Harper, Sylvia Mordue, and Lyssa Fitzgerald. If you would like their picture to be in the yearbook, please reply to this with the faceclaim name, or email me a picture at valoisevreux@gmail.com

Lily Spencer: what's more important, looking older or having short hair? I've found a picture of a more age-appropriate Kate Maberly with her hair length pretty much hidden by a cap, but she has long dangly earrings which don't seem so Lilyish? But pics of her with short hair make her look rather young. Let me know if you'd prefer one look or another, or feel free to send me a picture at valoisevreux@gmail.com if you'd like to!

9 Professor Rory Taransay Re. Faceclaims for Lily, Amelia, Simon, Gary, Sylvia, Lyssa 33 Professor Rory Taransay 0 5

DH Skies

November 26, 2018 9:02 AM

It was fast. It was furious. It was FANTASTIC by DH Skies

Whooooooooooooooo!

What an epic weekend of fast and furiousing! So many people got into the spirit. It was great to see long threads, existing relationships being worked on, new ones springing up out of nowhere, and people just generally throwing themselves in and making the most of the event.

The weekend is over, but if you don't feel like your thread is, you can carry it on on the appropriate board (with standard length posts).

I had AN ABSOLUTE BLAST. And I feel full of ideas, with plenty of things I want to continue. I hope you all do too!

13 DH Skies It was fast. It was furious. It was FANTASTIC 26 DH Skies 0 5

Brockerts

November 27, 2018 4:57 PM

Faceclaims by Brockerts

Just so you know, I updated all my profile pics for my current characters.

11 Brockerts Faceclaims 0 Brockerts 0 5

Angelique Brockert

November 27, 2018 5:49 PM

In Mars by Angelique Brockert

http://disc.yourwebapps.com/discussion.cgi?disc=244183;article=1156;title=MARS

11 Angelique Brockert In Mars 332 Angelique Brockert 0 5

Grayson Wright

November 30, 2018 9:49 PM

My breakfast... by Grayson Wright

...incorporates a flashback which is prompted by owl post, includes the line "there's nothing like the magic of a good milkshake", and can be found here.

16 Grayson Wright My breakfast... 113 Grayson Wright 0 5

Jasmine

November 30, 2018 11:33 PM

I hate snakes by Jasmine

Flashback scene featuring accidental magic posted in the Intermediate DADA class in MARS.

1 Jasmine I hate snakes 1397 Jasmine 0 5

DH Skies

December 01, 2018 9:13 AM

Achievement unlocked by DH Skies

.... and then some

13 DH Skies Achievement unlocked 26 DH Skies 0 5

DH Skies

December 01, 2018 9:20 AM

Nano Goals/Stats by DH Skies

I participated in all challenges, am pretty sure I wrote every day and I exceeded the word count for silver.

For anyone interested in my stats....

I wrote a grand total of....

37,318

(of which 8,893 happened at Fast and Furious. So, that idea that it might be bad for Nano... Well, I'd eat my words if I didn't need them all!)

Breaking down by character, we have....

Tarquin - 569 (1.5)
Kyte - 877 (2.4%)
Raine - 1,077 (2.9%)
Selina - 1297 (3.5%)
Georgia - 2,427 (6.5%)
Sylvia - 2598 (7%)
Ness - 2876 (7.7%)
Cleo - 3,542 (9.5%)
Kir - 4,438 (11.9%)
Dorian - 17, 617 (47.2%)

13 DH Skies Nano Goals/Stats 26 DH Skies 0 5

Nathan et al

December 01, 2018 9:45 AM

Re: Nano Goals/Stats by Nathan et al

So I did not meet the personal goal I set of 15k, but did break 10k (10839) which gets me into the bronze range anyway. Also completed every challenge except F&F where I only managed six posts.

Sadly, I don't have a breakdown of my words by character. Will remember to do that next time. Heinrich was my nano buddy, though, having been agreeable to post for each challenge.

1 Nathan et al Re: Nano Goals/Stats 28 Nathan et al 0 5

Grayson Wright et al.

December 01, 2018 3:46 PM

And the results are.... by Grayson Wright et al.

Participated in three of four challenges, did not write every day, did not reach silver...final word count is....

15,091!

Despite not reaching the stated goal, I'm not entirely displeased with this, given the fathomless depths of my mid-month slump of non-productivity.

By character...

Joe Umland: 1,486
Amelia Layne: 1,243
Simon Mordue: 1,955 (!)
Tatiana Vorontsova: 3,325 (no comment)
Nathaniel Mordue: 1,177
Katerina Vorontsov: 1,275
Professor Wright: 2,286

So there you go. I'm sort of surprised by how comparatively evenly dealt with everyone was, and wonder how those last 5,000 words would have fallen out - but that's all for now folks!

16 Grayson Wright et al. And the results are.... 113 Grayson Wright et al. 0 5

Grayson Wright

December 01, 2018 3:47 PM

Note: by Grayson Wright

If you do the math, you will observe it does not quite add up to 15,091. This is because I included the text of an unfinished app and an unfinished WtS post. Carry on.

16 Grayson Wright Note: 113 Grayson Wright 0 5

Headmaster Brockert

December 08, 2018 1:29 AM

Head Student ballots are up (nm) by Headmaster Brockert

11 Headmaster Brockert Head Student ballots are up (nm) 6 Headmaster Brockert 0 5

Headmaster Brockert

December 11, 2018 5:58 AM

Fair is up! (nm) by Headmaster Brockert

11 Headmaster Brockert Fair is up! (nm) 6 Headmaster Brockert 0 5

Ben Pierce, Zevalyn Ives, etc

December 11, 2018 10:06 PM

Fair Questions by Ben Pierce, Zevalyn Ives, etc

Since it's not on school grounds, I assume, (a) permission slips were necessary, and (b) parents/other family might be around?

Relatedly, as Tumbleweed is a magic town, I'm guessing muggle parents can't go there?

1 Ben Pierce, Zevalyn Ives, etc Fair Questions 339 Ben Pierce, Zevalyn Ives, etc 0 5

DH Skies

December 12, 2018 6:57 AM

Opinion by DH Skies

Whilst I would say it's possible for families to go there, I wouldn't necessarily think it would be normal or encouraged by the school. For comparison, my school trips were to public places, but my parents didn't go along and visit on the day when I was there cos that'd just be sort of weird.

Given that, on this occasion, it would create a division between children from different backgrounds, I suspect the school would not encourage parents being there, or that Muggle parents would be able to be there accompanied - we have seen the Grangers shopping in Diagon Alley in the books. It's not like the existence of magic is a secret from those particular Muggles.

Next year is the concert, which is a good chance for families to be pulled in, so it may be easier if they aren't here for this without good reason.

This is just my opinion/suggestion.

Presumably yes, permission slips were signed. Presumably yes there are also various safety measures in place to stop kids wandering off or going missing or doing terrible things. Don't do anything crazy y'all.

13 DH Skies Opinion 26 DH Skies 0 5

Headmaster Brockert

December 12, 2018 10:42 AM

Agreed (nm) by Headmaster Brockert

11 Headmaster Brockert Agreed (nm) 6 Headmaster Brockert 0 5