Consulting Partners (brainstorming this idea)

[Matt Larkin (author)]

Updated the main post with our newest victims. Once we get a handful more we can start the process. Again, we'll call for PMs at that time, where you can list any project you're interested in contributing to. We'll get Ishmayl to match us up that way.

[Matt Larkin (author)]

I've been thinking about another thing we can do for this. Previously, most settings had review badges. Maybe we can make larger (or special) versions more like the guildies or other special awards:

Elite Contributor badges.

For example, I tried making the Eschaton badge the same size as a guildy (so it'd probably be spoilered):

[Matt Larkin (author)]

I had a different idea on the badge:

Anyone that is a Consultant can add that to their profile somewhere.

If anyone has any ideas to make this project more workable, please speak up. If any of the guidelines seem too restrictive, or we need others, let's hear it!

The CBG has some great settings, but few members can read them all. This project gives a reason to dedicate focus, and should provide feedback to others as well.

[LordVreeg]

Love the conultant thing.  Springbaord from there please

[Drizztrocks]

Just saying, this is a great idea. Really brings the community together and accomplishes the original goal of the site.

[O Senhor Leetz]

I'd love helping out on Arga, or if Leetz doesn't show up, then the Ark by Wensleydale :)

Well thank ya sir. But right now, Arga seems to be on the rocks (check out the Low-Tech Science Fiction Brainstorm, as that is where my imagination has been pulled towards)

But I have no problem checking out Broken Verge when I remember, I'll try to leave some solid comments.

Well, on second thought, I also don't see why I can't work on two things at once, I'm just afraid the ideas may start to overlap a bit.

[Matt Larkin (author)]

Love the conultant thing.  Springbaord from there please

Okay, so let's brainstorm a bit, then I'll rewrite the main post.

It seems like calling it the Consultant Project gets more to a workable idea than review partnering. We don't just want reviews--we want someone to listen to ideas and give feedback.

And let's be honest, we all like to talk about our settings. They're our passions, that's why we're here.

[ic=The Idea]
You gotta give to get. If you want help on a project, you have to be willing to help someone else.

-It can be hard, but it only seems fair. Anyone disagree with this assessment?

-I think many members would be willing to throw themselves into helping on a project, provided they'd receive the same in turn. Am I wrong?[/ic]

[ic=The Goal]
To give each member that wants one a person they can count on to provide feedback on their latest ideas for a project.

-Anyone think we need a different goal?[/ic]

[ic=Developing the Consulting Project]
-To achieve the goal, I think we need to pair settings. Either we can have volunteers, or we throw things in a queue, then you get to say which things in the queue you'd be willing to work on. Then someone (probably Ish, or if he's too busy me, will pair up projects).

-We want to accommodate anyone that wants to participate

-I think we want to pair projects one-on-one for the highest quality feedback. If everyone in the project has to review a bunch of stuff, all we've done is created a mini-CBG within the CBG.
---My fear is that even consulting on more than one project would become a burden and detract from the help that could be offered on any given one

-Presumably a consultant would offer more frequent and/or deeper feedback than casual reviewers (who should still be welcome).

-Do we need rules or guidelines?[/ic]

[ic=Potential Pitfalls]
So, please sound-out on whether you think each is serious and how we deal with it.
-Getting a consultant then abandoning the project after a couple of weeks

-One partner offering more than the other either because one is more prolific, or one has more time/drive/inspiration/etc.

-Should members be allowed to submit more than one project? (Knowing that would mean consulting one more than one themselves).

-Should a project be allowed more than one consultant? (I'm thinking no because that could leave some settings with several and others with none).[/ic]

[ic=Recruiting]
-If you wouldn't participate, why not?
-What would it take to get your project as a participant?
-What would you want from your consultant?[/ic]

[Eladris]

I would love to be a part of this, but I'm more interested in reviewing than being reviewed [right now] on account of time concerns.  Converting scratched out notes and maps for Ansolon to electronic form will take me weeks to months.  I mean, if you look at my [dormant] Wake setting even the small amount of content there is the product of... 7 years of work?

Granted, I've got a weekly game running that keeps me focused on Ansolon.

Anyway, this is a good idea and I'd like to help it along by helping out. :D

[Xeviat]

I have always done my best work when I have a sounding board to bounce ideas off of it.

Please, consider me in on this project. Include my setting too:

Three Worlds: Terran is a world much like our own. In this world, though, myth and legend are undeniably true; spirits live within every thing, fantastic beasts and monsters fill the land and sea and sky, the priests wield magic blessed by the gods, and wizards can harness the very element's themselves. Terran is a world where all of mankind's wildest dreams and nightmares come alive in a vivid, but true-to-life fashion.
   Terran is a world of dualities, where the struggle between Light and Dark, the Civilized and the Wild, and the New and the Old dominate. The history of the common races is relatively new, but the world abounds with signs of older civilizations, be they the mysterious ancients, the fallen reptilian races, or the antediluvian mad ones. It is where these dualities combine that adventures are found.

AS always, I am available for Krunch work, but don't count me out of story.

[SilvercatMoonpaw]

I have always done my best work when I have a sounding board to bounce ideas off of it.

I enthusiastically agree with that statement.  At the very least it can be a lot easier to answer a question someone's asked than force it out on your own.

[O Senhor Leetz]

Amen to that dude.

@ Cataclysmic Crow - if you want to partner up Arga/Broken Verge, I would be totally down, I'll just need to learn how to change gears. And be consistent. And punctual. Ugh.

And Silvercat, I'll still drop some stuff on yours too dude.

[Jharviss]

I've been reading and in love with this idea since the moment it was posted.  I haven't responded yet because I've been debating how I want to approach it.  Nonetheless, I thought I'd respond to some things.

The Idea
Your idea is completely solid.  Give help to return help - it's a perfect system.  The "Buddy" system.


...okay, I was going to quote you, but I'm not good with that.  I'll just talk.

The Relationship
I see this being almost like an intimate relationship. Is there potential for multiple consultants per setting?  Yes, but there are a lot of potential pitfalls with that.  I'm sorry for being crass, but this would be akin to a polyamorous relationship.  Contrary to popular belief, this can work for some people, but it's not for everyone.  It divides attention.  If three people were in a consultant triangle, one person could end up getting reviews from both people but only really spend time reviewing one of his consultants.  He probably wouldn't even realize it since he feels he's doing what's he's supposed to be doing.

Now, this could work if the more active members had multiple consultation partnerships.  For example, a really active member could be the consultant for two other people.  Would he be splitting his attention?  Yes.  But if he can handle it, so be it.  Regardless, it would be two relationships rather than a group relationship.

(I apologize for all the relationship analogies.  They just work.)

'Bout Me
I'm in a similar boat to the one SilvercatMoonpaw mentioned earlier, just opposite.  I would LOVE to be a consultant, but my setting is a company effort and I have writers on staff to do that sort of thing.  :P  That just wouldn't be fair!  I've been thinking about stealing portions of our setting and posting them on the CBG to get a fresh and unbiased view on the setting, but I'm not quite sure yet.  In any case, I'm still debating what I want to do.  

Regardless, this is a great idea.  Best one I've seen in years.  Keep it up!

[Matt Larkin (author)]

@Jharviss
The poly-amorous analogy made me laugh. I tend to agree that having someone consult multiple places could lead to problems, but I'm curious how everyone else feels. One option is that you can only be an official consultant on one project, but are free to have an informal arrangement on others.

@Xev
Three Worlds is a CBG classic. Glad to see it on our side!

@SCMP
I agree.

@Leetz
I'll start making consultant lists soon, and we'll make you guys the first official ones.

@Eladris
Thanks for the support! Maybe having someone to consult for Ansolon (or Wake?) would help it along? Of course, if you have everything like you want, you maybe don't need a consultant anyway.


Thanks for the responses, all. I'm still wondering what, if any guidelines or rules this project needs to set. I suspect we will need a few as indicated in my earlier post.

Also, there's the question, of how often a consultant should be expected to correspond with the author. Obviously, a reasonable amount, and any definition would have to be flexible. Or maybe we don't need to specify anything, I'd just hate to see an author frustrated if (s)he posts a question and doesn't get a response.

[Eladris]

@Eladris
Thanks for the support! Maybe having someone to consult for Ansolon (or Wake?) would help it along? Of course, if you have everything like you want, you maybe don't need a consultant anyway.

I think Wake development is on hold, for now.

Ansolon would certainly benefit from review, were there anything to review!  I've only put up a handful of narrow posts as I write them for my players.  I feel like it needs a bit more -- anything, a world map, something -- before it gets some real criticism.  I might just build out the Bitter Sea region for the campaign (levels 1-10) and the continent for the next (11-20), rather than spend any effort on a macro level.

[Matt Larkin (author)]

One of the things I hope this project can accomplish is to give members that want one a brainstorming partner to bounce ideas off at any stage in the project. But those that already have their ideas fairly developed need that less.