Updated: November 2019 By the StaffQuick Links:Rules for StoriesHow To Create Chapter LinksBlogs for StoriesAlternative to BlogsStory ReferencesStory Thread Setup Example
Rules for StoriesThese rules have been put together for the members of our Forum who wish to write their stories to share with everyone. Please be sure to follow them faithfully when posting a story.
1. All regular
Forum Rules apply for any and all stories.
2. Limit images to no more than 25 photos per post. The preferred size for the Forum is no more than 800 width in .jpg or .jpeg format. for quicker image loading.
If you upload the photos to the forum using the attachment feature, images will be down sized to a smaller size. See this link -
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=26583.0#post_EP for more details.
Please
do not use PNG or other large image types. Learn to change file types
here to be more friendly to mobile users and reduce the size of your images. This speeds up not only uploading your images to the image host of your choice, but also smaller files save bandwidth, disk space and helps the forum load more smoothly and faster.
3. All stories must not contain any graphic, sexual, violent or overly morbid behavior or foul language.
3a. If stories deal with sensitive subject matters, please give some kind of warning message. Like reader's discretion advised. Out of respect for readers.
4. Abandoned and failed stories will be moved to the Stories Graveyard in order to keep clutter on the main stories boards to a minimum. If you have failed at your Dynasty or legacy, please indicate such in the title of the story so that the staff will know to move the thread to the graveyard.
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Any story that has not been updated by the author/original poster in or around 6 months will be moved to either the Sims 3 or 4 Story Graveyard. 5. Please do not complain about the use of thumbnails on the forum. - If complaint is found, it will be removed and warning will be given.
Some posters choose to use thumbnails to help post photos in the forum. This helps the lag image heavy posts and can and do have.
Hosting a lot of photos per post can put a real drag on the forum's resources.
Forums to this day aren't really made to host a lot of photos. The default attachment limit on our forum is 4 files. We use a mod to help take care of that, but the mod has it's limits of what it can do.
This is why it's encouraged to use an image hosting site to help lessen the lag that image heavy posts have.
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** Please note: If your story is written on a blog and you don't keep us up to date on new chapters, your thread regarding your story will be moved to the graveyard as well after or around 6 months.
The author may revive a story at any time by sending a pm request to one of the staff.
Completed stories will be moved to the board just for completed stories.
6. For readability, try not to make your stories too noisy with large characters and loud colors. That's important if you want people to follow your stories.
Listen to the staff if they tell you that you're over doing it.
The guideline is that all font should be black and no larger than 12pt for the body of the story and 18pt for any headings. Use of bold, underline and italics is fine, but please do not use anything else, including all capitals. Also, be sure to use only the default font type and left alignment for all text.
We're trying to keep the Forum tidy and consistent. This means no glow, no shadow and no marquee text. Also, please do not make the font smaller than the default 10pt. That makes it harder for some to read.
7. Always ask another author's permission first before using their characters or swap shop content in your story. Complaints from the creator will result in your story being moved to the graveyard.
8. All stories must be the author's original content. No copying or plagiarism of others' plot lines will be allowed.
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How To Create Chapter LinksWe encourage writers to add chapter lists to their stories. It helps readers know when there has been an update and helps make it easier for readers to jump straight to the most current chapter.
Create Story Chapter Links
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,1318.0.html#post_ChapterAttach and Insert Photos into Posts
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=26583.msg443597#msg443597Sharing Photos on the Forum
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=22892.msg403211#msg403211Back to top
Blogs For StoriesIf you find you like writing stories and would like more control over writing, editing the photos and text of your stories and such, we invite you to create
a blog at Wordpress.com, blogger.com (Free) or another website and then share the link with the forum.
If stories deal with sensitive subject matters, please give some kind of warning message. Like reader's discretion advised. How to start a Wordpress Blog
https://en.support.wordpress.com/five-step-blog-setup/Blogger Help Center
https://support.google.com/blogger#topic=3339243Back to top
Alternative to BlogsYou can use an image hosting sites to store your photos on. This will help lessen the bandwidth and resources the photos take up on Carl's site.
For example using Imgur to host your photos.
Photo Sharing Using Imgur.com
https://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=30847.msg492876#msg492876Back to top
Story ReferencesFor reference, below are links to stories that are nicely written and have good formatting:
Sims from Stardew Valley
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=27106.0Kyleighs Immortal Dynasty
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=29571.0Dreamweaver Immortal Dynasty
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=1847.0The Moons of Jupiter Dynasty
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=4712.0Back to top