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Logo by Mark Poa
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Logo by Mark Poa
ImproFicRoast: Guide to MSTing the ImproFicRoast Way
Written and Updated by
Mark Poa
With Input from:
Jonatan Streith
Idea inspired by
Mystery Octagon Theater Style Guide by Thomas "Wanderer" Wilde
For use with ImproFicRoast
Not for sale or rent or consumption.
Not taken as a threat, or a repository.
May be illegal in Portugal.
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Ye Obligaetorie Introductione Thingie
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The problem with having different writers writing an MST is having to
feed everyone good snacks. No, not really, but I was checking if you
were paying attention. Anyway, this style guide is a way of helping
out the poor editors with their work in crafting the MSTing masterpieces
of ImproFicRoast. It would also help out those with an itchy hand to
edit (like me) to have some kind of guide when helping to edit between
posts.
Potential MSTers, keep in mind that this would really help out ye olde
editors, as well as add to the aesthetic value of the MSTing. To quote
someone I can't recall right now, "There's only one thing worse than
reading a badly-written fic; it's reading a badly-written fic that's
been badly MSTed."
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Ye Guide to ImproFicRoast MSTing
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1) What is ImproFicRoast and who can MST?
ImproFicRoast falls in the category of Meta-MSTing. It is a
fairly unorthodox way of writing an MST. Normally, MST fiction
is written by one writer or a group of writers. However, the
MST process in ImproFicRoast involves allowing a pool of writers
to contribute their riffs and jokes in a messageboard environment.
The end result is compiled and edited, the culminating product
of the whole group.
ImproFicRoast uses author avatars instead of the usual Joel/Mike
and the Bots cast. The theater is usually composed of five to
six seats, though this may change depending on the general
consensus or when we would like to try something out. Author
avatars are chosen during the "dibs season" when the admin calls
out for dibs on theater seats. Advance dibs for particular
riffing sessions are generally discouraged, but that hasn't
stopped anyone before.
We're easygoing like that.
Mads or the Guest Villain are taken on a volunteer basis. Being
a Mad means that you volunteer to write the sketches. The Mad
scientist attire should not be taken lightly. (See the Writing
Sketches section for more.)
Anyone and everyone who wants to MST a current work is welcome
to contribute. We only ask that riffs and jokes be sensible,
reasonable, and funny. The term "shadowMST" applies to people
who MST even though their avatar is not in the theater. This
is encouraged. Knock yourself out.
2) Posting Do's and Dont's
(a) Spelling and Punctuation
DO: Reread before posting.
Since most of the MSTing "targets" we roast in this forum are
dens of misspelled words, incorrect punctuation, and typos
aplenty, it wouldn't be in good taste to riff them when our
own work is victim to the Bad Grammar Gods.
[pointless interlude]
Pot: Hey, Kettle! You're black!
Kettle: But am I Cool?
[/pointless interlude]
When posting riffs, double-check your work for typos, grammar,
punctuation, and spelling. Spell check might be helpful, but
I wouldn't trust it as much as good old-fashioned rereading.
A quick rereading through your work before you click on that
"Post" button would help make the MSTing that much better.
DO: Help out with the editing. If you see a spelling or
grammar mistake in the previous post before you, take the
time to correct it. Your editors thank you.
DO: Check to see if spelling and grammar mistakes are
intentional. On special instances, such as for the avatars
Mr. Knht or the Mad Dr. Thinker, the lines are intentionally
written with bad grammar and spelling.
(b) Merging Posts
DO: Merge threads whenever possible.
Whenever writers post at almost the same time (thus making the
thread fork), it is advisable that the one who posted second
merge the threads. Or if you're full of free time and would
like to post after them, merge the posts first before adding
your own contributions.
DO: Merge threads as _completely_ as possible.
When merging, take the time to make sure that the merged thread
is indeed a merged thread. A common danger in merging is that
some jokes will be missed. Be careful merging.
DON'T: Post a new post underneath only one thread when an MST
diverges. Not only did you possibly miss a joke or two in the
other thread, it is also an indirect insult to the other writer.
Merging two MSTing threads would ensure that succeeding writers
would not miss good joke opportunities or write in a riff for a
line already riffed good. Plus, it's pretty much common courtesy
to save the editors the trouble of having to merge threads during
the compiling and editing process of MST production.
(c) Other advice
DO: Introduce yourself first before posting for a riff. We would
like to know who contributes to the MSTing so proper credit is
given.
Admin Jonatan says:
Introducing yourself is a good idea when you show up here, whether
you want to riff or just hang around.
Introductions should likely be along the lines of "Hi, my name is
and I'm from ...". Lengthy descriptions of your
avatar should likely wait until people have gotten to know you; some
people can get ornery over having a lengthy intro thrust in their
faces from a newcomer they don't yet know. While we're far too nice
and lenient to complain about that (much), it helps to be careful.
DO: Give constructive criticisms and encouragement.
DO: Use the "Preview" button. It helps.
DO: Feel free to add jokes. The funnier, the better. But don't
feel limited or shy. If the joke's not that good, it might still
be improved by you or a co-writer.
DON'T: Flame, insult, or start a fight with anyone in the MB.
Remember to keep criticisms civil. We're all here to have fun.
Don't ruin it for the rest of us. Bitch.
DON'T: Feed the monkeys. They bite.
DO: Feed the management staff. FEED US, SEYMOUR!
3) Writing Script-type MSTing
(a) Script format
MSTings are written in script format. The present tense is used
for actions using this format. This format is characterized by
the speaker's name preceding the dialogue. To illustrate:
> You have no life. HAHAHAHA!
Jon: I hate this fic.
Mark: Yeah. It's not only badly written; it's rude, too.
Special attention to writing is given since this format does not
allow detailed instructions, especially for actions and
descriptions. The focus of the format is on the riffs or
dialogue. Ways of getting around this limitation are in the
succeeding section.
(b) Brackets and Script Situations
The usual brackets used in the ImproFicRoast MSTings boil down
to this simple guide:
( ) -- used for actions
[ ] -- used for imitations, mood, and voice changes
However, ImproFicRoast is quite lenient regarding the use of
these brackets. As long as the intent is clear, alternative
ways of denoting the actions or imitation of the characters
may be used.
Other alternative brackets may include < > or { }. However,
these tend to stand out when written alongside the commonly
used ( ) and [ ]. It is still preferred that the previous
be used.
When adding dialogue in a previously written series of riffs,
it is better to follow the style used by the previous writer.
For example, if the preceding post has the following lines:
W4: (Alucard) Dracula is my father.
Skrib: (Dracula) That's a lie!
Added lines should follow the style used. In this case:
W4: (Alucard) Dracula is my father.
Skrib: (Dracula) That's a lie!
Mark: (Belmont) I am his mother.
Or, the next writer may use a different style, provided he edit
the whole thing. For example:
W4 [Alucard]: Dracula is my father.
Skrib [Dracula]: That's a lie!
Mark [Belmont]: I am his mother.
Looking at the following example, we can see how not following
this rule of thumb can cause style conflicts:
W4: (Alucard) Dracula is my father.
Skrib: (Dracula) That's a lie!
Mark [Belmont]: I am his mother.
It is also advisable that brackets used for imitation be different
from ones used for actions. This helps avoid reader confusion and
enhance reading ease.
*GOOD EXAMPLE:
Jonatan [evil scientist]: I shall see you in hell! (grins)
*BAD EXAMPLE:
Jonatan (evil scientist): I shall see you in hell! (grins)
Here are some examples for different script situations
and their suggested formats.
*MOOD:
NeoVid [bored]: Been there, done that, got the T-shirt.
*IMPERSONATIONS:
Ranma X [Superman]: You see, Lois. Supergirl's secret
is...
*SOUND EFFECTS:
R.Jak: How can this be any worse?
(*Ominous thunder*)
R.Jak: I had to ask.
*SINGING:
Jon: o/~Goodbye, everyday! o/~
or
Jon [singing]: Goodbye, everyday!
*A SINGING IMPERSONATION IN A CERTAIN MOOD THAT LEADS
INEXORABLY TO VIOLENCE AND HENCE A SOUND EFFECT: (Idea stolen
from MOT...just because it's too funny to pass up. ^_^)
Skrib [Akio, happy]: o/~I wanna be the very best, like no
one ever was! o/~
Ranma X: (eyetwitch) Pokemon? (Gets out his spatula) Die!
(*CRASH*)
Skrib: Itai! @_@
*SIMPLE ACTIONS:
Kate: (scratching her head) Why did we just facefault?
*COMPLEX ACTIONS:
R.Jak: That's it! I'm going for a drink.
(R. Jak gets up and heads for the door. He opens it and
heads out. Sounds of a faucet running is heard. R. Jak
returns with a glass of water and sits down again.)
Mark: Wait, the door was open?
R.Jak: Yeah, it...
(A pause. The riffers look toward the door. As one, they
make a break for it. All exit.)
*REFERENCING THE MAD
Sig: Hey, W4!
W4 [over intercom]: Yes?
Sig: Is it over yet?
W4 [over intercom]: It's not over until the fat lady sings.
Sig: Does a fat dragon scribe singing count?
W4 [over intercom]: No.
Sig: Damn.
Note: The Mad or Torturer is never inside the theater. His
lines should always be written as coming from an intercom.
Please limit interaction with the Mad to a minimum; he or
she is torturing the riffers, not riffing the fic with them.
(c) Grammar issues
** Capitalization
*Consult a good book on grammar. It has everything you need
to know... except about the birds and the bees, though.
*Proper nouns are capitalized, except for some names. For
reference, look at how the original writer writes that
name. 98 times out of a hundred, it's the way it should
be written.
*Special cases may sometimes require special attention. For
instance, NeoVid types his avatar's name that way. Jonatan
uses a strange system for writing his name that defies
understanding by others, apparently.
** Here are some handy guides for trailing off lines:
*When the line trails off at the end, use only three periods
in a row:
Jon: I don't want to know...
*When beginning a line by trailing, capitalize the first
word only if it's a proper noun:
Mark: ...I think I'm to be sick.
*If the first word in the sentence is an improper noun, it
isn't capitalized:
Skrib: ...no, story, I really don't think that's possible.
*Note: Spaces are unnecessary before or after the periods.
*Additional Note: The above does not refer to lines that
trail off... then has a follow-up. You need to put a
space between the ellipses and the first word in the
follow-up. To illustrate:
Writing like this... is right.
Writing like this...is wrong.
*One More Note: Ellipses are always three periods. Three
as in dot dot dot. Don't make us hurt you...
** Continuing a line riffs
*In riffs that finish the sentence of the original text,
there are ways to write them:
>The car ran over the hill and
VARIATION 1
Mark: ...went over the side.
VARIATION 2:
Sig: --found itself in China.
VARIATION 3:
Jon: -Won the Indie 500.
(d) Character issues
Writing for someone else's avatar is tricky at best.
The danger of writing someone out of character, or OOC,
is a regrettable error. It is, unfortunately, also more
or less unavoidable in the long run. However, here are
some handy hints to avoid conflicts regarding this:
** Before writing
*Read the Profiles page to get an idea of how a
specific avatar acts or riffs. Most avatars have a
personality profile already in place from prior MSTs
which could give you an idea of what lines or actions
best suit them.
*Consult the writer who uses the author avatar. He/
she has the best idea of how his character is. It
would also help you to know how flexible he/she allows
the avatar to become. Some authors can be accommodating
to OOC situations or lines, depending on the situation.
*Also, one should not be afraid of making a other-avatar-
riff for fear that it might be OOC and offend the other
person. If in doubt, go ahead; if there are objections,
those will be sorted out as smoothly as possible. (We
still have that crack team of gun-carrying nuns running
around somewhere around here... -M) (They're my nuns,
damnit! -J)
** If you are the one who makes the mistake
*Try to correct the mistake as soon as possible.
Suggest alternatives.
*Do not force your perspective at the author. The
writer of the author avatar has the right to his/her
character.
** If it is your author avatar being written OOC
*Do not go ballistic immediately. Express the reason
why the avatar is OOC and state alternative treatment.
Be understanding and don't take it personally. Mistakes
happen.
*Modify the lines or actions to make it in-character
or delete it. You have the right to. It's your avatar.
*If the OOCness is not that significant, consider if
you can allow it. After all, it might be funny and/or
written in an entertaining way.
(e) Other issues
** Excessive swearing is frowned upon. Avoid the
f-word and s-word. The occasional "damn" or
ASCII characters are fine, but use them in
moderation. We'd like to maintain a PG-rating.
** Okay is written this way. "OK" is okay, but not
advisable. Similarly, it should be "all right",
not "alright."
** The names of the riffers are often written in
full but some may prefer the short form. For example,
Jonatan may be written as Jon while in script format
or in conversation. Signus may be written as simply
Sig. To best maintain consistency, look at how the
previous writer writes it and follow suit. That way,
there won't be confusion as to how many riffers
there are in the theater or who's who.
** Author-bashing should be kept to the absolute
minimum. Common "I will kill the author when I get
out" riffs are acceptable; but direct flaming or
insulting of an author through the riffing is not
a Good Thing (tm).
** ImproFicRoast uses author avatars. The theater is
composed of a group of riffers. Do not make your
character the center of attention always. Spread the
riffs around and allow other writers to use joke
opportunities on occasion. Also, twinks and uber-
powered avatars are usually frowned upon or ditched.
Equal opportunity is where it's at, baby!
** When there are no mention of specific issues here, try
to follow what previous writers have done or how they
wrote it. If still in doubt, consult a good grammar
book, ask an admin, or consult the board in general.
4) Writing Sketches
Sketches are the parts of the MSTing wherein the riffers
are not riffing. (Like, duh!) These include the standard
introduction sketch, the ending sketch, commercial parodies,
skits, and breaks. Sketches are used to "frame" the riffing
by setting up the situation of the riffers, why they are in
the torture, who their characters are, what they do, and
others.
The normal procedure of ImproFicRoast is that the designated
or volunteer Mad for the episode would write the sketch.
The sketch is posted whereupon it is available for editing
and modifications by other parties. (Of course, we're not
really that big on following normal procedures...)
Any person may write a sketch. However, since the Mad has
dibs on them, he/she should first be notified. Common
courtesy, folks.
After all, the only rule we enforce is "as long as you tell
everyone, and people agree on it, you can do whatever you
like."
Sketches may be written in prose format or script format.
We're not picky about it, just as long as you stick to one
of the two.
5) Compiling and Editing
Editing tasks fall on the admin of ImproFicRoast. However,
volunteers may come forward and edit the compiled MSTs. It
all boils down to helping each other out.
Similarly, asking for help is also not a bad idea when RL
becomes a bitch. Someone else might have free time on
their hands.
Editors should keep in mind that consistency in writing style
and good formatting is as important to a good-looking work as
good grammar and spelling. It is also advisable that editing
is not limited to one run-through. If possible, the editor
should run through the entire thing again or have someone else
run through it to find any errors missed.
The editor will put up a rough draft on the main site which
can be browsed and criticized at your leisure, or at least until
the editor decides it looks good and puts it up as complete
version.
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Comments? Suggestions? Additions?
Post them to:
http://network54.com/Hide/Forum/51339
ImproFicRoast
http://indiemadnesse.sandwich.net/ifroast/ifroast.htm
IndieMadnesse
http://indiemadnesse.sandwich.net
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