"Availability" Categories
This page explains the various ways in which creators may contribute ideas to our shared universe while retaining the appropriate amount of control over the development of those ideas.
When creating events or concepts for TTU, any information you put into a story or on the wiki is always available for other authors' use -- the entire point of a shared setting is that all "canon" events and all world history are common to all of the stories! You can "call dibs" on events by writing their description on the wiki, or by requesting that your stories be the first ones to flesh it out, but you can't make restrictions on letting other people use the basic idea of the event itself. What would a TTU story be like if, for example, you couldn't mention TheChanges?
Characters, Groups, and Locations (CGLs) are another matter; they're unique entities that exist in the setting but don't define the setting. When filling out the "Availability" tag for a CGL that you have created, use one of the following categories:
Open - Free for any use
Public - Ask permission for major changes (default)
Limited - Ask permission first
Restricted - Use only in specific ways
Private - For creator's use only
Public - Ask permission for major changes (default)
Limited - Ask permission first
Restricted - Use only in specific ways
Private - For creator's use only
The categories are explained below.
One note: No matter which Availability category a CGL is in, stories will not be added to canon if they create major conflicts with existing material. "Availability" is about how conflicts are resolved when multiple writers have different ideas about where to take the CGL.
Open - Free for any use
Creating an Open CGL
You don't have any attachment to your CGL, and anything beyond existing canon can freely be altered (even in large ways!) to accommodate other writers' ideas. This is a perfect category for minor characters you have few plans for, or elements of a story that you intended to be a one-shot.
A CGL in this category can be modified at will as long as the changes are consistent with existing canon. New stories can be written without so much as consulting the creator. Backstory can be added and profound developments can be layered in. If there's a disagreement over the direction a CGL should take, whoever adds their idea to canon first gets dibs on developing the CGL.
If your CGL is Open, also add the link "CategoryOpen" to the bottom of its page to insert it into the Open CGLs index.
Using an Open CGL
Characters: Writers may take any liberties desired without contacting the creator. Characters can move or marry or learn magic or turn into Second Wave theris -- or even die!
Groups: Writers may take any liberties desired without contacting the creator. Groups can have new members/residents added or removed at will, even pivotal or highly placed ones. They can take sides in other authors' conflicts, change emphasis, become famous, scatter, or schism.
- Note: If a character is also a member of this group, their use is determined by the character's Availability. This is for the group as a whole.
Public - Ask permission for major changes
This is the default category for TTU characters, groups and locations.
Creating a Public CGL
You have no problem with other authors' stories modifying your CGL -- sometimes even in dramatic ways -- but you'd like to keep some control over the broad arc of its development. You'll happily write the big plot twists that other authors throw at your CGL into your own stories, but when it simply doesn't work for your vision of the CGL you need to be able to say no.
If you choose this category, be willing to let your collaborators pitch in on the small stuff. Other authors are encouraged to take liberties with your CGL -- fleshing out parts of their personality or background (or architecture) that you have not addressed. What CharacterJEDyer generally does with her weekends, or what the inside of her home looks like, or what she studied in college, should all be fair game if they are things that neither canon nor the wiki have specified.
However, when an author's ideas would have large implications for the character, they must run their broad vision past the creator before starting work: "Hey, you haven't said anything about CharacterJEDyer's sexuality, and I was thinking of making her gay and writing a story where she hooks up with her friend Jennifer. What do you think?"
As the creator, accommodate other authors unless the request contradicts your existing plans. Even if so, do your best to reach a compromise that will give the other author something to work with: "Well, that would certainly be interesting. But JE and Jennifer live across the country from each other - plus JE's got some specifically hetero relationships in the works after moving to Las Vegas in 1997. If you did want to write JE with another woman, maybe she could go bisexual after Vegas falls apart for her in '98?" If discussions come to an impasse, you do have veto power over adding that story to canon, but the goal of the Public category is to encourage unexpected collaborations.
Using a Public CGL
Characters: Assume that you may use this character in your story. However, any story events that create significant backstory or elements of their personality must be cleared with the creator. Same with events that cause major character development or physical alteration. When in doubt, ask before writing.
Groups: Assume that you may include this group in your story. Regular members may be added or removed at will. However, any story events that significantly affect the group's visibility, ideology, membership numbers, or high-profile members must be cleared with the creator. When in doubt, ask before writing.
- Note: If a character is also a member of this group, their use is determined by the character's Availability. This is for the group as a whole.
Limited - Ask permission first
Creating a Limited CGL
You're willing to let other authors' stories include or modify your CGL -- but you have firm ideas about it and need to keep an active hand in its development. If other authors offer you a cool idea for the CGL, you'll gladly work it in, but it'll require some shuffling to displace the existing cool ideas that haven't yet been written.
If you choose this option, explain your restrictions in the Notes field of your CGL page.
If the restrictions you're considering are free of spoilers and easy to explain ("this character will move to Boston in August 1998"), the default "Public" category should give you enough control -- simply mention on the CGL's wiki page what elements you haven't written into canon yet, and refer other authors to your notes. This category is more appropriate for larger restrictions ("I want to be the only author to reveal this character's backstory", "the plot arc that ends in June 1998 leaves this character a very different person", "there are things you don't know about this group yet that will be revealed in my upcoming stories"). As more of the CGL's canon is written and these objections vanish, it may be appropriate to transition them toward Public.
Other authors may take liberties that develop your CGL around the edges, but should run their vision past you before starting work. If CharacterJEDyer was Limited, such a request might run: "Hey, I'm writing a story and I want my main character to be a martial-arts student of JE's named Leyla -- a fifth-grader who JE also tutors in English every Saturday. The wiki says JE's got a college degree and mentions nothing about the kids she teaches, so that seemed like an interesting character twist for her. Would that create any problems for you?"
Be willing to accommodate or to explain why those don't fit with your own plans: "Well, in March 1997, JE will be moving across the country and can't tutor any more -- but before that it doesn't specifically conflict with anything. I had been writing my own stories under the unspoken assumption that JE's weekends were more fluid, but I can work that in. Care to give me more details about Leyla so I can write one of their tutoring sessions from JE's perspective?" However, if necessary, creators do have veto power over any stories using their CGL or changes to their CGL.
Using a Limited CGL
Characters: Assume that when you contact the creator, they will be receptive to your use of the character, but that your plans may have to be revised to take into account the creator's vision. Name-dropping and cameos will generally be OK, but ask if there's any doubt.
Groups: Assume that when you contact the creator, they will be receptive to your use of the group, but that your plans may have to be revised to take into account the creator's vision. Groups in this category can have new members added only if the creator approves. Name-dropping and cameos will generally be OK, but ask if there's any doubt.
- Note: If a character is also a member of this group, their use is determined by the character's Availability. This is for the group as a whole.
Restricted - Use only in specific ways
Creating a Restricted CGL
You're willing to let other authors use your CGL, but they should tread with caution -- the CGL must interact with others in a certain manner, or has immense influence/power that could throw history into a screaming left turn, or the CGL's backstory/personality is so intricate that someone else's poorly chosen dialogue could explode months worth of your plotting and writing.
This category is appropriate for characters that have complicated ongoing story arcs, and little-known groups with specific membership lists. This category also covers everything from TTU's most pivotal celebrities to the unearthly landscapes seen by failed teleporters. There's no easy way of summarizing the reasons this category might be chosen. So, if you pick this, explain your restrictions in the Notes field of your CGL's page.
Other authors should run their specific plans past you before starting work, and (ideally) collaborate with you during the writing and editing process as well: "Hey, I'd like to write a story in which CharacterKiasu challenges the main character and beats him in a duel to make him miss his bus to work. The fight's going to take about 30 seconds, which I know is a lot, but my character's a REALLY strong mage. Of course Kiasu won't say anything beyond the usual. You willing to work with me on that?"
Stories won't be added to canon unless the creator approves of the way their CGL was used. If a modification is proposed for a CGL in this category, the creator has veto power and is under no obligation to accommodate the other writer. Please note: Since it is more difficult to collaborate to keep Restricted CGLs in the TTU spirit, if your CGL has canon issues any admin may tell you to change it or risk removal.
In all cases, see the individual CGL's Notes field for further explanation.
Using a Restricted CGL
Characters: Assume nothing about the use of this character; read their canon and wiki page and work closely with the creator while writing your story. If also listed in CategoryFamousCharacters, may be name-dropped at will (actual use is what is restricted). If not famous, even name-dropping may require special approval.
Groups: Assume nothing about the use of this group. Restricted groups generally will only contain the characters the creator specifically names, and creator permission is required to have any effect on their membership, ideology, reputation, or fate.
- Note: If a character is also a member of this group, their use is determined by the character's Availability. This is for the group as a whole.
Private - For creator's use only
Creating a Private CGL
Your CGL is generally off-limits to other writers. This goes against the spirit of a shared setting and should not be chosen lightly, but it has a few acceptable uses -- perhaps there are copyright issues; perhaps you identify with a character sufficiently that sharing them with other authors would cause problems (though remember: No self-insertion); perhaps a domain in LocationTheShadowlands has enough significance for a write-up of its own but is simply inaccessible to everyone but its owner.
If you choose this option, your CGL must not have any significant fame or reputation; celebrities -- and even most ordinary people -- by their nature are talked to and talked about. (Imagine how hard it would be for TTU authors to write as if CharacterDennisRedwing didn't exist!) If you choose this option, it's polite to explain your reasoning in the Notes field of your CGL page (and any circumstances for which exceptions to your no-sharing policy may apply).
Other authors cannot add works that include your CGL to the wiki or to canon -- though you may make exceptions. Any wiki modifications that other people make to your CGL should be taken as gentle suggestions, and you have full authority to roll changes back. Please note: Since we can't collaborate to keep your CGL in the TTU spirit, if your private CGL has canon issues any admin may tell you to change it or risk removal.
Using a Private CGL
Characters in this category: Assume that the creator will NOT grant permission to write stories about them. Name-dropping or brief cameos MAY still be OK, but don't count on it -- you MUST contact the creator before ANY use.
Groups in this category: Assume that the creator will NOT grant permission to write stories about them. Other authors' stories may not impact group membership, ideology, status, etc. Name-dropping or brief cameos MAY still be OK, but don't count on it -- you MUST contact the creator before ANY use.
- Note: If a character is also a member of this group, their use is determined by the character's Availability. This is for the group as a whole.
Trivia
- 'CGL' is pronounced "seagull."
If you have any questions about a particular CGL's availability, please contact the individual creator. If you have any questions about this as a whole, visit QuestionsPage or contact BaxilDragon.
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