This is the complete guide to the forum rules, of which you are required to follow on this forum.

BE THE BOOKER RELATED

1)One Thread
You are only allowed to have one active thread. If you have more than one, your newest one will be closed. You can only have a new thread every 15 days, so if you make one before that, it will be closed. It's 15 days from the last time you posted in your previous thread, so be aware of that.

2)Character Limit
There is a character limit for posts, unfortunately, so your show may have to be posted in more than one post. This is fine, as long as each post is near the character limit, and that you're not separating it when there is still room for more.

3)Reviewing
Reviewing must be done properly or else you will receive warnings. A simple "Amazing show! 10/10!" doesn't cut it. You should give comments on everything that happened, even if it's only 1 or 2 sentences for each match/promo. Please watch what you are saying, however. Criticism is allowed, but flaming someone's work will not be tollerated whatsoever.

4)Name Changes
If you would like the name of your thread changed, simply PM an Administrator and they will change it right away.

5)Partners
For the time being, there will be no partner request thread, so you'll have to find a partner through PM or any other way of contacting somebody.

6)Advertising
The only place where you can advertise your shows is in the Advertisement Thread, or in your own thread if you are posting a preview for a show.

Credit: Hoopstar

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BE THE BOOKER HANDBOOK

Step 1 - Deciding On A Project
The first thing you have to do is decide what kind of federation you want to do. Whether it be a simple WWE thread, or a created federation from your own imagination. Maybe a deceased federation from the past like WCW, ECW, NWA or something along those lines. You could even go with an Indy federation. However if you’re not very knowledgeable about these companies or Indy wrestlers, I suggest sticking with WWE or creating your own. Once you have done that, you need to pick an owner of the company and someone with booking powers. Eg. A General Manager, a Commissioner, or something like that.


Step 2 - Creating a Roster
A suggestion to a newer writer is to start off with 40 superstars, I believe 40 is a great number because you will be able to write special events like the Royal Rumble and have enough, while at the same time being able to use the majority of the superstars on your roster, so that nobody is left out, while not writing a six hour show each week. If your doing a split federation (Raw & Smackdown shows) , then I’d suggest that both rosters have 25 superstars, again it will be more than enough for special events, but it will be small enough so that no member of your roster is left out. Now, you might say how can I narrow it down to 40 superstars, well here are some helpful hints. First, separate that 40 into Main Eventers, Mid-Carders, Cruiserweights, Tag Teams and jobbers. You should have 6-8 Main Eventers (title contenders that headline the show), 10 Mid-Carders (guys that compete for the US or IC title, they fill in the gaps), around 5 Tag Teams (self explanatory, so that's another 10 guys), and around 7-8 Cruiserweights (guys like Gregory Helms, Chavo Guerrero and Rey Mysterio) Finally throw in a few guys that you don't care about (Eugene, Snitsky, Dykstra, etc.) They can be used to make your bigger guys look stronger. And remember that you can always build guys up to a higher level, or even use them as Tag Team wrestlers for short periods of time if there's nothing for them in the singles area.


Step 2 - Creating your Titles
After you have your roster, its time to create your titles, normally I would suggest keeping the amount of titles down, maybe 4 championships, a World Title (most important, for the Main Event) a Mid-Card Title (say IC or US to use as a stepping stone) and the Tag Team Titles. Finally exit off with a Cruiserweight Title or something ofsimilar stature to add some flair into the show. Another title you could add is the Hardcore Title, or something along those lines, again you don't have to call them (Intercontinental Title, US Title, Cruiserweight Title, etc etc.) Feel free to come up with something new like the Atlantic title, or the Internation Title, or something along those lines, after you've decided on that, it's time to move on. If you have split brands then having the IC and the US on opposite shows is always a good idea. The Cruiserweight and the Women's Championship can act as the small titles on each show as well.


Step 3 - Begin Planning
First off, it's best to plan a few months ahead so you know exactly what you want to accomplish, for example if you decide to do a WWE BTB, and you want to start at the beginning of the wrestling year (April), then first thing you should do once you have your roster and titles, is figure out what you want to do at the next Pay-Per-View, like feuds and such, and then work backwards. That way you will have an exact direction that you want to take your work. Have a few months planned out before you write, keep in mind that you can still make changes as you go. But be sure to have general direction of where you want to go.


Step 4 - Developing Characters and Storylines
Once you have everything planned, and a basic outline of what you want to see happen, its time to start writing. Over the first couple of shows is when you start building your story lines, highlighting your feature talent and establishing your champions. However just as important and most often ignored is character development. While it is difficult to do with a large roster, it is important that everyone on your roster have his or her own distinguished personality to set them apart, and when your roster is shortened (40 or especially 25) it's important to create distinction between each and every person on the roster. For example, if you want to establish a monster, you use Kane, in a simple promo or act demonstrates that he is a monster with no conscience. Developing characters and pushing them correctly is the best way to get recognition for your project.


Step 5 - Writing the Show
Now that you have a good idea of your roster and a rough plan of what you want to do, its time to write your show, until you feel comfortable writing, I suggest using this formula.

1 - Opening Promo
2 - First Match
3 - Small Promo/Mid-card Match
4 - Promo to Set-up PPV match
5 - Tag Team Match
6 - Promo to set-up match next week/IC Title Match
7 - Main Event

I also suggest that the opening promo of the night sets up the Main Event for later on, while the first match is a fast paced one to get the show rolling.

Once you gain some comfort and confidence, you will be free to break away from this, start with match at the beginning, or end the show with a promo, but for newer writers I suggest it because it covers everything you need, and sets up for the next show. Now for match writing, I suggest not writing full matches, just providing either a summary of the match or maybe just the ending. Although I suggest writing Pay-Per-View matches in full, because just the ending of a WrestleMania Main Event won't cut it. Although match writing is really all up to you, some people like writing full matches, some people don't.


Step 6 - Be Creative
One of the greatest BTB's I have ever read was one where the matches themselves weren't necessarily 5 stars, but because the story lines were so unique, it was an instant hit. Be creative, and be original, take these characters that you have created and molded and throw them through situations, like friendship, betrayal, depression, manipulation, loss of faith and much more..... Experiment with characters; find out what works and what doesn’t, what works for one writer doesn’t work for another, find what works for you.


Notes:

Learn from your mistakes, as a beginner no one is expecting you to be the greatest booker ever in the first month or so, just learn from your mistakes and from the advice that others give you on your BTB.

Check grammar and punctuation. Nothing can throw a reader off like bad grammar and punctuation mistakes.

Make sure your BTB looks good and is presented well. Use italics, bolds, and different colors. The presentation can make or break you.

Credit: The Anigma (IWF Forums)

**I will make my own Handbook at a later date**

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FORUM RELATED

-Spamming
Spam is something that has absolutely no point to it whatsoever, and is not a meaningful post. It also includes bumping a topic that has not been active in quite some time. All posts are to be meaningful, so make sure they are just that. If there is continuous spam from a member, you will receive infractions, or possibly a ban ranging anywhere from 1 day - permanent.

-Flaming
Flaming is another word for insulting someone. Here on BTB Forum, all members are to be treated with proper respect, the respect they deserve. Flaming will immediately result in a ban. This involves name-calling, racism, sexuality, threats, or anything else that is hurtful and insulting.

-Double Posting
A double post is when you post back to back. Sometimes, you may do this accidentally without knowing, but if it was no accident, you will receive a warning. We won't ban you for double posting right away, but if you continue to do so, we will have to take more serious action.

-Advertising
Advertising another wrestling forum in a post is NOT allowed. This is BTB Forum, our own forum, and we don't need to hear about another forum that some of you post at. HOWEVER - You are allowed to advertise forums that are a part of forumotion, the site where you make forums. Expect a sub-forum to be made for this in the future.

~Please make sure that all of your posts are following these rules.


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User Options:

-Signatures
Each user is given the opportunity to have a signature, which is something that appears below your post every time you do post, unless you choose the option of your signature not appearing. The signature limits are 500 pixels in width, and 400 pixels in height. There is also a 500 character limit. If you wish to have an image in your signature, you hit the button that says "Image", copy the direct link of the picture, and then hit the button that says "Image" once more. If you wish to center something, put this code without the *'s. -- [*center]INSERT TEXT HERE[*/center]

-Avatars
In Avatar is a picture seen below your name every time you post. The limit is 150x200 pixels, and 64 KB. With both Avatars and Signatures, please follow the appropriate rules involving pictures, seen further down.

-Advertising
Again, you cannot advertise another wrestling forum in either your Signature or your Avatar. BTB Forum is its own community, and we want it to stay that way.

-Profile
Your profile has several fields that you can fill in so that the other members on BTB Forum have a chance to get to know you a little better. You do not have to fill out these fields, but you are welcome to if you wish.

-Private Messages
Private Messages (better known as PM) are a way for you to communicate with people here on BTB Forum. Whether it's a complaint to an Administrator, a request to a Moderator, or just saying hi to another member, please take advantage of this excellent messaging system provided for you.

~To get to your User Control Panel, click on the link near the top of the Homepage (Board Index)


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Staff
-Here at BTB Forum, we have a great staff, including both Administrator(s) and Moderator(s).


Nov - Administrator
Hoopstar - Administrator


X-Power - Moderator - Wrestling Threads
Y2J - Moderator - Be the Booker Awards, Be the Booker Lounge

~If you ever have a question about the rules, the forum, or something involving such, please feel free to give me (Hoopstar) a PM. I am looking for a team of Moderators, so please be aware of that.

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Rules directly from forumotion:

The follows acts/behaviors from any individual will be banned:
* Sexual and/or pornographic content
* Hateful or abusive content
* Defamatory content and / or affecting the integrity of a person
* Sale or exchange of medication that requires a prescription from a licensed practitioner, or medicines without prescription / drugs and any other illicit substance
* Copyright infringment / hacking
* Spam / phishing and/ or malware website
* Credit card fraud