In case, you are still keeping hope that SGs will get back their thread Modes, then it's vain. We aren't going to give a feast for trolls to feed upon again and spam to increase their post-count. It's died out but not much can be done much, as far as SGs are concerned.
Anyways, I'm replying because I can't seem to understand, why you guys are suggesting to keep FF Voting thread cleaner. If you think that a FF Discussion Platform will be handed, if you promise to stop spamming in Voting Thread, you are being delusional.
Let me explain: A FF Discussion thread shouldn't allow normal discussion. There's VM, PM, Chatterbox and other sections for you guys to discuss your usual life, how's weather, anything interesting and blah blah blah. If we were to allow this, then it would increase our work load as it'll need to be strictly moderated. Talking general stuffs that are out-of-context in a FF Discussion thread will be simply be mindless spam.
However, whatever occurs in FF Voting thread is not. Sure, Lawliet is giving you lots of liberties but there's a great reason for that - it promotes the FF Contest in general. By having an active thread, more new readers attract towards the thread, old members may remember to read and vote, some readers who were seeking for a fanbase may get proper advertisement ect... Simply more votes flow in and thereby, more deserving winners may be chosen instead of having a popularity contest. Overall, this is solid reason about why this isn't going to change imo - except obviously, if you guys start pesting Lawliet like in FFotM Discussion thread and she might be forced to add some chains around you.
That being said, when I asked to suggest stuffs to increase your chances, I didn't mean to suggest a compromise solution. This suggestion has turned into: "Provide you FF-Community a Discussion platform, and in compensation, you'll stop spamming in FF Voting thread." Apart the fact that it's going to be detrimental to the FF Contest, this is no more a suggestion. Perhaps, I'm exaggerating but this feels more like a ransom demand than a suggestion.
And @Vilvake: About the long list of stuffs you mentioned, most topics are less related to Discussion. Most of them are about Tips to Write better Fanfictions. And this is highly similar to this:
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. Also, many elements can also be realized with my Fanfiction Helpguide.
Overall, whatever suggestions you made, is really advancing matters. In fact, TOC is slowly feeling that it's a useless idea. Even you, Micheal, is getting skeptical about it. Reason is simple: Most of the suggestions are jeopardizing instead of promoting your idea.
In any case, Lawliet did try out stuffs to make this happen. I also suggested different things from her ideas. We tried hard to get a solution...It's not a bad idea - it may still happen but there remains things to sort out. And on top of that, some other readers (which, by now, you may guess whom by Sara's reply) pissed both me and Lawliet in the FFotM Discussion thread.
But I'm in a kind mood; so I'm gonna propose, you guys, an alternative:
In the meanwhile, while Lawliet tries to make something happen...how about you make a Fanclub for FF Writers? Something like Fanfic Lovers or Writers' Realm (just random names, you may choose something else). A Fanclub will give you the thread-mode missing in Social Groups; while it may serve the same purpose as your Social Group. That being said, if you agree on my deal, then it'll need to posted in
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Section obviously and it'll need to abide to general
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along with following the
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.
Luck being with you, fanclubs allow general chit-chat; as long as there's no Spamming/Flaming ect... which is similar to Fanfic Voting thread. This is a temporary deal where you'll get a platform while there's no Voting Contest and your restrictions about SGs will be broken. While it'll give Lawliet and I, to think of something more perfectible instead of rushing things up.
Drawbacks to a Fanclubs will be that it won't be in Fanfiction/Writers' Base. Also, it has a concept that you'll need to add members similar to SGs. But someone may ask to join on the thread itself instead of official invites like SGs. Another thing is that I'd apply a rule where you won't be able to advertise for votes during FF Contest in the FC.
So, here's the whole package. Take it and both parties are mostly winners. Or leave it. In that case, wait for some time till Lawliet finds something but don't be ungrateful of bugging her.