What will become of the Newsletter?

Some people may remember the first copy of the newsletter and some words to describe could have been: "Massive!" "Immense"" "Quality". Unfortunately, that same massive and immense quality have caused me problems. The first good reason I have is that I've pretty much been on my own on this one, with only two people providing (though really great) an article each. Compare that to the 6 I have to do alone (excluding the puzzle), I'm not really in a good position. Secondly, GCSEs have struck! Not literally, but being the youngest member of the guild has it's downside and I'm subject to revision and homework. I also need a social life outside of the forum and school. With all this, I find it hard to get time to do 9 whole pages by myself.

Now, the newsletter may just be a dim memory, so maybe you've thought about it once saying "Weren't we supposed to get another?". I admit I am to blame due to not raising this issue before hand, but something must be done, an idea like the newsletter is too good to give up and so I'd like to make the following changes (with everyone's consent of course):

Guild News
This is, as before, just a run-down of new allies, members, achievements, job-offers (more in-game than on forums), promotions and also some ally news thrown into the mix. This is just a brief mish-mash of everything that's been in the air.
Forum Updates (PrioryJK)
Specific to the forum, new stories, roleplaying news and the Top Thread of the Month. This is quite simple and so should be easy.
ToR Updates (Redwatch)
The Top ToR update of the month. The person who does this section can share his own personal views on the update. Leaked information will also be shown here if any.
Puzzle
Simple. A puzzle. Just a random and wacky fun game each month to keep the interest and introduce new members to topics and info they didn't know were there!
Special
A special topic each week, be it a Trandoshan's Tips, a Member interview, an Ally interview, a Holocast News or a Guest Monolgue (can be anonymous is wanted). Members can send ideas to me to go here as well.

"5 parts!?" you say. Well, I've had complaints about the length and as I've said, it's also hard for me to handle. This will keep it cheap, but in my opinion, cheerful and straight to the point aswell which is what we need. Looking back, I don't like having so many interviews and parts. I'd prefer this setup if everyone's happy to go along with it. This means that it'll go back to monthly as well. However, I still need help and I'd greatly appreciate people giving me a hand. It's you're choice though and I won't force it upon you.

In any case, I'd like to know what you all think and if this set-up is good enough to get the green light.

-H2

Once I've finished the Webcomic H2, I'll lend a hand

I agree, I think a trimmed down version is the right way to go. However, going forward I'm not convinced about the monthly puzzle. I'm not sure how many people would actually bother once the novelty wears off. I'll admit that I didn't finish the last one (I wen't off and played Fable2 instead).

For a bit of light-hearted fun how about a one-liner 'Quote of the Month' (or 'Say What?')? Something random and wacky that shows what a fun and, er, odd assortment of people we are. It'd take up no space at all too.

Redwatch wrote:

For a bit of light-hearted fun how about a one-liner 'Quote of the Month' (or 'Say What?')? Something random and wacky that shows what a fun and, er, odd assortment of people we are. It'd take up no space at all too.

A one-liner quote? from HERE?!?! By the gods, we'd get arrested!



A smalller newsletter could mean a more frequent newsletter, which I think would be a bonus, personally

Yes, but still monthly mind so we can still manage it. Over at the GTC, it's a weekly deal and they're struggling! Perhaps you're right RW, and I heard that not many others did it either. Something that has humour though - we'll see.

I'd also like all ambassadors to report to me on the 15th of each month with news from their guild, that would get the ally news nailed down I believe. Thanks!

This all sounds good. Only problem I have is the hot topics section. To be honest if its in Guild Discussion then I don't really want to release it to the public. What's said in Guild Discussion stays in Guild Discussion as far as I'm concerned, so as long as it's not taken from there I don't mind.

I've got no problem with the puzzle being in or out so I'll leave that up to you to decide Harly. Also dion't forget the guild members interview. Who's up for it this month anyway? I think I did the last the last one on Harly so it'd be nice if we had another couple of people doing this one.

I'm seriously busy at the minute but I don't mind writing an intro or interviewing an ally (probably RoM as we haven't heard from them in a while).

I believe that we have to cut down on the member and ally interviews to get this thing out faster. As I said before, I'd prefer it if we fluctuated between member interviews, ally interviews, Trando tips, Holonews, guest monologues, etc. It's all in the special section. If it goes well, we can consider making anoth slot for a "special" but for now I want to keep it sweet and simple. And yeah, the hot topic will stay out of the guild discussion!

So are we doing another newsletter? There has been a lot going recently (not counting the last few days !) so there should be plenty of news items. It's been a while since the last one so there should be plenty on swtor.com to sumarise too. I'll volunteer to help out^^

Harewood wrote:

I'll volunteer to help out^^

Check out our united front! Yeah I'm in too - got a few projects on the go at the moment, but I'm here to lend a hand.

Lunarwolf wrote:

...got a few projects on the go at the moment, but I'm here to lend a hand.

Ditto ! But it'd be a shame to let another month slip by without driving this forward. And we're stronger together! Go team!!

I'll help but where is Mr Woah?

PrioryJK wrote:

I'll help but where is Mr Woah?

Well schools don't finish till about 3:30 (or at least they did back in my day^^) and I distantly remember there being a lot of homework during GCSE years. And like he says in the OP, he needs a social life too. So when you do have time to don your Newsletter Editor-in-Chief hat, Harl, we'll help you out with whatever you need.

Cheers guys. I'm already working on this month's newsletter, but I could use the help! Is it okay if we go with the following:

Forum Updates: Priory
ToR Updates: Redwatch

You can switch round if you want but at the moment, I've got everything else covered. I also need an idea for the Special. Right now, it'll be a Trandoshan's Tips, but if you guys want something else, please send me the idea and we can work on that. Thanks!

P.S. I'm juggling with the idea of switching the Puzzle section around with another Special. Can I have your thoughts on that please guys?

I'm fine with that, how 'bout you PJK?

Just finished the Trandoshan's Tips. This month the subject is Enforcement. I've made it shorter than before for easier reading as many of you complained about the size before. But, I think you'll still enjoy it.

Yup fine, what updates should I cover Sith alignment Harewoods new guild etc or just new important discussion topics?

I've just finished the SWTOR updates section and sent it to the Editor for approval. If there're any more announcements/dispatches etc released at swtor.com before our newsletter gets released then I'll add them in too.

Harl not sure when you want it for but I'm a bit busy today and tomorrow, after that I'll good

Ok, Forum Updates is really just split into 1) Roleplaying, 2) Storytelling, 3) Important Discussions and 4) The Top Topic of the Month.

This is also due for the 25th, where I'll then hand everything into SS and Lunar.

Sorry to be a donkey guys but my editor juices have kicked in, and I'm sorry to single you out Priory but in need those Forum Updates in pronto!

There's been a whole planet reveal since I handed in my homework so I'll update the whole thing and send it to you again ASAP Harl.

Harlequin2 wrote:

Sorry to be a donkey guys but my editor juices have kicked in, and I'm sorry to single you out Priory but in need those Forum Updates in pronto!

Oh crap! I'm not going to lie Harl I completely forgot, gota lot going on, I'll get it to you before the 25th though

PrioryJK wrote:

Yup fine, what updates should I cover Sith alignment Harewoods new guild etc or just new important discussion topics?

I was going to cover that at the start in my Guild Leader's introduction bit.

BTW who's being interviewed in this newsletters "Agent Interview"?

Sureshot wrote:

BTW who's being interviewed in this newsletters "Agent Interview"?

I thought Harl was dropping the interviews.

No one, the Special Section is covered by a Trandoshan's Tips. I asked previously if anyone had any ideas but no-one came forward...