The Writers' Block

[Drasnia]

Congrats Golgothastan!

[Noahs Second Country]

What issues concern the soda sales industry?

[Drasnia]

What issues concern the soda sales industry?

You should learn how to search the spoiler thread. Open it and ctrl+f for common words, like "soda", "drink", etc.

It's as much work for us to do it for you as it is for you to do it yourself.

[Freedomstaki]

Hey everyone, it's your favorite author, Freedo, editor of issue #248, the Sky is Falling!

So, just wondering my fellow authors, anyone ever receive any "hate" telegrams regarding issues you wrote? I've recieved two... well the second one isn't really hate, just someone who's a little upset a the results of their choice in option 3 of my issue.

So without ado, here's my first telegram I recieved from a nation who has now CTE'd:

I hope you get a kidney stone for your writing of the "The Sky Is Falling" issue. Allowing licensed concealed carry firearms=bombs are "permitted" on planes? Like, really? Cool, dude, cool.

ಠ_ಠ

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I replied...

I have long since lost the original draft, but I'm pretty sure that was added by Sirocco, the editor for my issue. I didn't remember making that it that extreme. Remember, many issues have results have that drift toward the extreme, per the FAQ.

https://www.nationstates.net/page=faq#politics

I work airport security IRL, so I thought I'd have some fun and make an issue based on it and well, Sirocco decided to make it more zany.
I'm sorry it turned out that way for you.

Never heard back from him.

Now onto the second!

Did you make the issue for "The Sky is Falling"?

My reply:

Yes.

They asked:

I chose to allow citizens to carry guns on the plane but this popped up and this is not what I wanted. "Following new legislation in Jimmistonia, bombs are permitted on planes for the 'security of the passengers'." Why would you put that if we wanted just guns. If you wanted citizens to have bombs on planes then you should have put that in the choice.

I replied:

You're the second nation to ask me this in two months... hmm...

I think this question from the FAQ will partially answer it:

[quoted an FAQ here]

Secondly, while I have long since lost the original draft, I believe that was one of the changes made by Sirocco who edited the issue.

In the end, he accepted my answer

Also, here's a archived telegram from way back loving my issue!

Dear Freedomstaki,
I have just recieved the issue, "The Sky is Falling" and think it is the best I have ever read. It was hilarious and full with satire. Just like an issue should be. I just thought I'd commend you for this.
Sincerely,
Buffett and Colbert

Thanks BC! I miss you!

[Candlewhisper Archive]

Internet full of idiots. For comparison just try making a vaguely feminist comment anywhere on Youtube, and watch the death/rape threats roll in.

Look at it this way - you've had that issue in the game for years, and this is the first time you've had kidney stones wished on you.

I, meanwhile have been screwing up people's lives by editing issues for less than a year, and already people are telling me how I have personally ruined their nations, etc. etc.

My opinion is that if someone sends a message like that, they're a dick, and if I've made an dick's life a bit less pleasant, then I take just a little bit of pleasure from that.

[Luna Amore]

Just a reminder, TGs can be moderated too, so if someone is flaming you over a TG, don't hesitate to report it via the GHR.

[Ransium]

I'm pleased to announce that Golgothastan has rejoined the issues editing team. He had to step down at the start of the year for RL reasons, but has returned to activity since.

I had assumed they had an issue idea for the contest that was so good you guys just made them an editor to prevent the world from seeing it

[Candlewhisper Archive]

I'm pleased to announce that Golgothastan has rejoined the issues editing team. He had to step down at the start of the year for RL reasons, but has returned to activity since.

I had assumed they had an issue idea for the contest that was so good you guys just made them an editor to prevent the world from seeing it

It's funny because it's true...

You know how many unpublished issues I got queued up?

[Sedgistan]

I'm pleased to announce that Golgothastan has rejoined the issues editing team. He had to step down at the start of the year for RL reasons, but has returned to activity since.

I had assumed they had an issue idea for the contest that was so good you guys just made them an editor to prevent the world from seeing it

What's the point in Issues Editors if the submissions are too good to edit?

[Canton Empire]

Is there an issue out there about a cabinet minister having relations with a child? I swore there was one out there

[Luna Amore]

Is there an issue out there about a cabinet minister having relations with a child? I swore there was one out there

Not that I can think of and my gut feeling is that that topic shouldn't be broached in the issue base.

[Aclion]

Is there an issue out there about a cabinet minister having relations with a child? I swore there was one out there

Not that I can think of and my gut feeling is that that topic shouldn't be broached in the issue base.

Scandal rocked @@name@@ when a tabloid paper snapped several photographs of the Minister for commerce inviting children to sit on his lap in exchange for gifts.

"Hohoho" said the Minister in question, sporting a fancy red suit and rather impressive beard..."

[Canton Empire]

Is there an issue on nepotism?

[Ransium]

Is there an issue on nepotism?

#523 is all I can think of. IMHO there may be room for another well crafted issue on the topic, particularly if staked out different ground from #523

[Candlewhisper Archive]

Not that I can think of and my gut feeling is that that topic shouldn't be broached in the issue base.

Scandal rocked @@name@@ when a tabloid paper snapped several photographs of the Minister for commerce inviting children to sit on his lap in exchange for gifts.

"Hohoho" said the Minister in question, sporting a fancy red suit and rather impressive beard..."

Done like that, that's pretty funny. An issue about child safeguarding / Santa regulation could have the above as effect line humour, so long as the premise of the issue itself wasn't directly about abuse.

We've had implications of pederasty in some places (like the effect lines of 648.1 and 644.3), but its always been a conscious decision to avoid making direct reference to that side of life. I admit, I'm more inclined to black humour than most, which has sometimes needed to be toned down, so don't take my stance as that of the team as a whole.
If in doubt, present a draft, and be ready to be told whether or not that blurry line has been crossed.

It's still a topic to be wary of. In my view, an issue about a cabinet minister that has sexually abused children is too far. OTOH, an issue about whether teachers should be allowed to hug kids, that'd be fine. It's all about how you approach things.

[Ransium]

I have a question for the validity of an issue I'm writing: Are there any issues which outlaw trains?

[Noahs Second Country]

I have a question for the validity of an issue I'm writing: Are there any issues which outlaw trains?

Not that I've seen.

[Aclion]

I was wondering how long I should wait after drafting to submit. My draft's been sitting without input for a few days now and I'm fairly happy with the way it turned out. Yet it hasn't had as much input as I expected.

Scandal rocked @@name@@ when a tabloid paper snapped several photographs of the Minister for commerce inviting children to sit on his lap in exchange for gifts.

"Hohoho" said the Minister in question, sporting a fancy red suit and rather impressive beard..."

Done like that, that's pretty funny.

Don't encourage me, we have enough holiday themed issues as it is.

[Candlewhisper Archive]

Not all drafts get a response. I've done draft threads with five pages of responses, and draft threads which went entirely uncommented, even though they racked up views.

Avoid bumping for the sake of it, and just send it in.

[Noahs Second Country]

Not all drafts get a response. I've done draft threads with five pages of responses, and draft threads which went entirely uncommented, even though they racked up views.

Avoid bumping for the sake of it, and just send it in.

Is there some kind of guide when to and not to bump?

[Drasnia]

Not all drafts get a response. I've done draft threads with five pages of responses, and draft threads which went entirely uncommented, even though they racked up views.

Avoid bumping for the sake of it, and just send it in.

Is there some kind of guide when to and not to bump?

The rule of thumb for this forum seems to be do it when either 48 hours have passed since it was last commented on or it has fallen off the first page.

[Golgothastan]

Not that I can think of and my gut feeling is that that topic shouldn't be broached in the issue base.

Scandal rocked @@name@@ when a tabloid paper snapped several photographs of the Minister for commerce inviting children to sit on his lap in exchange for gifts.

"Hohoho" said the Minister in question, sporting a fancy red suit and rather impressive beard..."

No, not phrased like that.

But institutional cover-ups of child sex abuse are such a regular topic in the news that I don't for my part feel Issues should shy away from them, any more than they do homelessness, or refugees, or war crimes.

[Candlewhisper Archive]

So, a message on my RMB made me aware of this for the first time:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Harambe

Ohmigod, its like a pre-built issue. It's even got a crazy third response in the form of internet meme grieving.

[The Grim Reaper]

So, a message on my RMB made me aware of this for the first time:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Harambe

Ohmigod, its like a pre-built issue. It's even got a crazy third response in the form of internet meme grieving.

I'd like to submit that wikipage as my contest entry.

[Canton Empire]

So, a message on my RMB made me aware of this for the first time:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Harambe

Ohmigod, its like a pre-built issue. It's even got a crazy third response in the form of internet meme grieving.

How did you not see this?!?!?!?!?!

I can draft an issue on it....