Question #30342555: Advice on writing CCA applications

[JACJoe]

So someone spent their birthday reviewing CCA applications, and told me this:
Denied: Work on Everything
And I really want to improve my work, so I welcome any advise, if you really want me to, I'll Copy Paste my Application, but really, I just want to know how to make a good application for a character, I'm on my 3rd now, and soon I'll have to Double Check on my laptop during breaks in Advanced Algebra class. (JK)

 

[Nitra]

Do as the guidelines say.
Keep it nice, don't just say a few words. The more the better, but make it meaningful.

Some questions to think about while you're writing (Or when you're in the CCA)
-Why does your char want to join the CCA? Just to get a better meal, or something personal?

-How will your char react to the increased power over the citizenry?
-How will your char/unit get along with other CPs? How do they feel about other squads?

 

[JACJoe]

Do as the guidelines say.
Keep it nice, don't just say a few words. The more the better, but make it meaningful.

Some questions to think about while you're writing (Or when you're in the CCA)
-Why does your char want to join the CCA? Just to get a better meal, or something personal?

-How will your char react to the increased power over the citizenry?
-How will your char/unit get along with other CPs? How do they feel about other squads?

This helps a bunch, thanks.

 

[wester]

if you really wanna know exactly why it was denied, PM Flatpancake, he reviewed your application.

 

[JACJoe]

if you really wanna know exactly why it was denied, PM Flatpancake, he reviewed your application.

While I see your point, I also want others to inform me on how to make a good app.
Also, I've already PM'ed him once about my ATT, so I don't want to bother him anymore.

 

[Scone !]

You know, you can use the shoutbox now. I bet that could start to answer all these questions.

 

[Dandy (dethroned)]

stop these threads

 

[broccoli_lad]

i don't think you should worry about bothering flatpancake, i'm sure he'd be happy to help you with some constructive criticism.

 

[JACJoe]

stop these threads

While I'm trying to tone back on the posting, this IS the help section.

 

[FlatPancake]

I don't recall your application and I'm not going to review it right now, but here's some pointers:

• Stop starting applications with "[John Smith] was born [Month Day, Year] in [Country of Origin] to [Father] and [Mother], a [Father's Profession] and [Mother's Profession]." It's bad writing and it's very tiresome to read so many applications ad nauseam that start with this sentence.
• Stop portraying rebels as these completely heinous sinners who rape, murder, and pillage citizens. Conversely, stop portraying Civil Protection as these excellent and well-trained military soldiers who are incapable of flaws. Do both exist? Perhaps to some degree, but they're characters and living people just as your character should be.
• Generic characters will sometimes get through, but it doesn't hurt to make your character flawed or have personality quirks that make them "bad".
• Stop making blank slates and/or avatars.
• Referencing pre-war material and how it affected your character is good. Only focusing on pre-war material and going through it like a check sheet is bad.
• The applications are designed to check three things: 1) can you write a short story or well enough in English, 2) can you create a character who is close to three-dimensional, and 3) do you understand the history and lore, and can you incorporate elements into your character so they feel like a part of the setting? You should strive to hit all three points, although reviews are heavily subjective, which is why I sometimes let people in if I think they're capable enough.
• It's been ten years since the war. Take this into account when considering how young or old your character is, how they'd respond to being shipped out from city to city completely haphazardly and at random dates, how they'd adjust to this completely different lifestyle (though perhaps fairly reminiscent of pre-war urban centers following the Portal Storms).
• Avoid In-Character and first-person perspective applications. They almost never work.

That should cover most of it. I'm sure there's other things worth noting that are slipping my mind.

 

[JACJoe]

I don't recall your application and I'm not going to review it right now, but here's some pointers:

• Stop starting applications with "[John Smith] was born [Month Day, Year] in [Country of Origin] to [Father] and [Mother], a [Father's Profession] and [Mother's Profession]." It's bad writing and it's very tiresome to read so many applications ad nauseam that start with this sentence.
• Stop portraying rebels as these completely heinous sinners who rape, murder, and pillage citizens. Conversely, stop portraying Civil Protection as these excellent and well-trained military soldiers who are incapable of flaws. Do both exist? Perhaps to some degree, but they're characters and living people just as your character should be.
• Generic characters will sometimes get through, but it doesn't hurt to make your character flawed or have personality quirks that make them "bad".
• Stop making blank slates and/or avatars.
• Referencing pre-war material and how it affected your character is good. Only focusing on pre-war material and going through it like a check sheet is bad.
• The applications are designed to check three things: 1) can you write a short story or well enough in English, 2) can you create a character who is close to three-dimensional, and 3) do you understand the history and lore, and can you incorporate elements into your character so they feel like a part of the setting? You should strive to hit all three points, although reviews are heavily subjective, which is why I sometimes let people in if I think they're capable enough.
• It's been ten years since the war. Take this into account when considering how young or old your character is, how they'd respond to being shipped out from city to city completely haphazardly and at random dates, how they'd adjust to this completely different lifestyle (though perhaps fairly reminiscent of pre-war urban centers following the Portal Storms).
• Avoid In-Character and first-person perspective applications. They almost never work.

That should cover most of it. I'm sure there's other things worth noting that are slipping my mind.

Hey man, thanks a bunch, I'll be sure to use these tips next time!