Don’t Wait

Honestly, if I wait until the deadline, I’ve forgotten things. If you can’t write your PEL within the first few days, at least sit down and make a list of topics. Then you can peck away at it bit by bit instead of waiting for a big block of time, and you won’t overlook topics. I personally also recommend sleeping on your PEL, then looking it over before you submit it. You’re less likely to overlook something.

Use Headers

Many people write their PEL chronologically. However, it’s more useful if you group your writing by topic or plotline, then give each a heading. It’s easier for us to check over, and cast can look for specific things. It will be useful for you too if you’re looking something up later.

Do Not Write In Giant Blocks of Text

It’s really hard to read giant blocks of text. Break it up into small paragraphs. Use bullets. Anything but the wall I can’t read.

Writing IC or OOC Doesn’t Matter, but Differences if Your Views Does

We don’t care if you write in character or out of character. Honestly, it’s usually faster and easier to write out of character, and it can be easier to read. However, if there is a difference between your view IC and OOC, that matters. Maybe your character hates that something happened but you, the player, thought it was awesome and like being forced to tears. That distinction matters.

Write it Somewhere Else First (if there is a specific place to post PELs directly)

Write your PEL using a word processor of some sort and save it yourself somewhere. It helps reduce careless errors like spelling mistakes that makes a PEL harder to read (though you have to teach it words like necromancy). It will be easier to see your formatting and lengths. It will always be there even if something happens, and it will be searchable for you later. I also believe you should keep your own copies of BGS questions as well. Again, you have them just in case, you’ll remember what you already did, and it will be searchable.

PEL Everything

It doesn’t have to be 20 pages long, but tell us things that happened. If you picked up something strange in the woods, that might matter. If you had a 20 minutes conversation with me, I’d expect to find it in your PEL or I’ll think you forgot about it or it had no meaning to you.

We Want To Know Your Character’s Views, Plans, and Goals

If we know what you’re thinking we know if you’re on the right track or off the tracks completely and can work with that. We know if you noticed something important to a plot or wonder if everyone missed it. If we know what you are planning, we are better prepared. If we know your goals, we are better able to help you with them. You can do this anywhere – by plot or in a separate section, but it is very useful to us. Some people list their goals, what they have done so far to achieve them, and what they plan in the future. That’s awesome and easy for us to refer to.

Be Specific and Constructive in Your Praise and Criticism

We want to know what you like and why. The why matters because it helps us determine what you might like in the future. We really appreciate specific positives. You should also talk about what concerns you. We don’t know what you don’t tell us. Unless it is something personal, sensitive, or you are trying not to offend someone, it is better everyone sees it in a PEL rather than you just talking to one cast member, even if it’s an owner. We all need to know what is going on and player views. We all need to know what you like and are looking for – not just the person you think writes your plot, or your real life friend who is on cast.

Also, it is important to remember that your view is just from your own perspective. You may be unaware of the greater picture. Phrasing it in a way that demonstrates that makes it easier for us to hear you.