So over 10 years ago or so, we used to have a newsletter called Trope Report, which covers all of the changes that happened on the wiki weekly. I have been nostalgic for it recently so I thought of it and it seemed to be a fun way to inform tropers about the changes going on around the wiki.
The sandbox for the project can be found at Sandbox.Trope Report Dummy Edition and the sandbox for ideas/plans can be found on Sandbox.Trope Report Ideas. After a new issue is published, revert the Dummy Edition back to a template using the text on Sandbox.Trope Report Template.
Edited by GastonRabbit on Aug 8th 2023 at 1:16:11 PM
Just checked the newsletter (would be interested in contributing, if there's a spot) and saw one of the tropes I've queued up on TRS given a mention (Lying In The Dirt Together). Honestly think there's a lot holding its current incarnation back from success, but that's not the point of this thread. Ah well.
Vehicle-Based Characterization | Grief-Induced Split | Locker MailLike on this site in general? Most of my years as a user were spent just adding examples to pages, but I've gotten into foruming in the past couple months (almost exclusively TRS) and some TLPing even more recently than that. Have made some character sheets that I'm proud of.
But basically, I like rooting around to find niche tropes and would love to contribute to "obscure tropes" or "pages needing help," though I'm generally amenable to anything. I just like learning new things, copyediting, and helping others.
Vehicle-Based Characterization | Grief-Induced Split | Locker MailThat actually was brought up, however, my personal take was that either the newsletter gives the trope an influx of new wicks and attention, or we just TRS it anyway, but in the short term using a queued Not Thriving trope isn't really a big deal because maybe it would help the trope.
Working on: Author Appeal | Sandbox | Troper WallOkay, I can do Pages Needing Help! Do I submit suggestions here first, or?
Vehicle-Based Characterization | Grief-Induced Split | Locker MailIf you're unsure about them, sure. I tend to just add my stuff to the sandbox immediately, but it's really your call.
Also, since we don't really do set roles anymore, you can add to other sections as well (aside from Image of the Month) if you'd like to.
Anyway, for Works Needing a Page, I realized that the blurb talks specifically about List of Shows That Need Summary and that have a lot of wiki redlinks. Has this ever been enforced as actual criteria for the section?
Edited by WarJay77 on Jul 11th 2022 at 1:14:54 PM
Working on: Author Appeal | Sandbox | Troper WallAlright, I chose Briana Venskus for creator birthday (photo, tropes, longer bio), Literature.Autofac for work (photo, quote, examples), and Goblin Face (examples/wicks) for trope. Did I do this correctly?
Vehicle-Based Characterization | Grief-Induced Split | Locker Mail![]()
No, not at all. I sometimes choose works that don't have any wicks at all, and I believe plaky does the same.
The only section you're not allowed to add to is Image of the Month, because I always tackle that one (Grandfather Clause, yo). There's two other special cases, though: the description, which we do near the end of the month so that we know what to put, and the sponsor, which requires consensus first — for those, anyone can write them, but those conditions must be met first.
Edited by FernandoLemon on Jul 11th 2022 at 3:05:32 PM
Wait I screwed up completely? I'll delete if that's the case.
Edit: Or maybe the "no" wasn't directed at me, oops.
Edited by Yindee on Jul 11th 2022 at 2:06:52 PM
Vehicle-Based Characterization | Grief-Induced Split | Locker MailSpeaking of the sponsor, we still want to do the SOS Club, right? I'm surprised they haven't come up yet, given this site's, er, history with Haruhi...
Working on: Author Appeal | Sandbox | Troper WallOkay, finally added my first entry. I'm still thinking of doing Clamavi de Profundis and at least one of the non-English works that I brought up before.
I added Diplomatic Back Channel to the "new tropes needing a boost" section, if that's alright. It launched at the end of June.
I've quickly realized that my creative writing skills aren't up to par with the newsletter's style, despite my best attempts. If anyone has any better phrasings/ways to lengthen my entries, by all means go ahead and fix 'em!
Vehicle-Based Characterization | Grief-Induced Split | Locker MailI have somehow still not done the Changelog. I'll get on it shortly.
EDIT: Done for now. Will keep editing as time goes on.
Edited by themayorofsimpleton on Jul 11th 2022 at 6:48:06 AM
Works That Require Cleanup of Complaining | Troper Wall![]()
It's pretty short, but that's an easy fix. What is the trope about? Add that, and it should be good to go.
Also, you can add yourself to the contributors section.
(Speaking of, I'm not changing my signature this month; I'll extend my honoring to two months.)
Edited by FernandoLemon on Jul 11th 2022 at 9:49:03 AM
Alright, I tried to expand on it! Added Samba too, with an attempt to tie it to the month (in a non-US-centric way!). Am I taking too much of other people's territory??? I'll stop adding if so.
Vehicle-Based Characterization | Grief-Induced Split | Locker MailNah, you're fine, we don't really do "territories" anymore. We mostly just try and stick to the "rules" of each section and avoid bloat.
Working on: Author Appeal | Sandbox | Troper WallI really like when things are tied to the newsletter's month. It's a nice touch! What do you think about There Is No Rule Six for an obscure trope? It's gotten 23 wicks in a decade-plus (among many issues), though it seems like people could definitely scrounge up examples for it (the trope is: "when rule No. X on a list is of 'there is no rule X'"). It ties into the month because originally, August was the sixth month on the Roman calendar and named Sextilis.
Vehicle-Based Characterization | Grief-Induced Split | Locker MailI didn't use up all my ideas, honestly. I'm just coming up with things as I go along!
And I didn't actually add the "Six" one, that one's completely in the "ask for input" stage. Honestly, if you've got anything better, go for it. I just enjoy when you guys've tied entries into a monthly theme!
Vehicle-Based Characterization | Grief-Induced Split | Locker Mail
I'm not good at tropes myself.
I think I've only ever plugged one in the entire time I've contributed (Satyr Play for April's issue, which ties to April Fools' due to comedy)
Edited by FernandoLemon on Jul 12th 2022 at 8:44:00 AM
Here's my entry for Last Day of Normalcy. Any comments before I add it?
- A person, or perhaps a group of people are going about their ordinary day; Attending school, going to work, shopping for clothes, taking walks in the park... all mundane activities. What they aren't aware of is that this will be their Last Day of Normalcy, for their lives will suddenly take a turn to the bizarre, fantastical, or dangerous, kickstarting their involvement in the story. While a common way to introduce the protagonist in media, this trope was launched on June 24.

I would like to suggest Produce for the Older/Obscure Work Spotlight. I launched the page a few months ago, and despite being one of the first horror games it's rather lacking on cross-page wicks.
There's so much I wish I could take back.