Writing and editing articles[]
New information is welcomed! It is all right to fail to match the format given below - the administrator will probably be happy to come by and clean up the additions if they fail to match the format below.
General guide to how articles should be structured[]
All articles about in-universe topics should be written in-universe and in past tense. Out of universe information goes in the Behind the scenes section (or Tidbits if that seems a better option).
Articles on real-world subjects (books, etc) should be written from an out of universe perspective. A given character or other topic should only be linked twice in any article: once in the introduction and once in the body of the article.
Character articles[]
Larger character articles should have an introduction that serves as a brief summary of the character's life, a biography section, and a personality and traits section. For minor characters those sections can be skipped. Sections can be subdivided as appropriate. The introduction to an article should not be referenced, since it is a summary of the rest of the article.
Any character with sufficient material in canon should have a top-of-article book quotation that serves as a descriptor phrase. Major characters may have more than one (usually due to multiple sections); e.g., Konstantine Bothari. Incidental characters (e.g., Sandy Hereld) seldom will need a descriptor phrase.
Article naming conventions[]
Character articles should be at their full name without any titles. Later names are preferred to earlier ones. For instance, Vaughn Weddell instead of Hugh Canaba, Elena Bothari-Jesek instead of Elena Bothari.
Biography[]
Background of the character and summary of notable events the character was involved in.
Personality and traits[]
Physical appearance, notable quirks, psychological issues.
Appearances / Notes and References / References[]
As appropriate. Major characters may well have more than one of these.
Planet articles[]
Also applies to space stations that serve as major habitations. Add one or more of the following, as information exists.
Description[]
Climate, geography, local wormhole jumps, etc.
History[]
Historical overview.
People from "Planet"[]
A list of anyone known to be from that planet
Locations[]
Places of interest on the planet
Government[]
How the government works
Events[]
Important events and incidents that are never specifically named typically should be the location followed by "Incident". e.g., Kyril Island Incident instead of Kyril Island Mutiny. Exceptions to the rule may apply.
Give these the "Events" category.
All in-universe articles[]
Behind the scenes / Tidbits[]
Optional, as relevant. Out of universe information. Continuity notes. Unpublished author speculation and statements about the topic on the List.
Appearances / References[]
Try to include. In-universe appearances in novels and short stories in order of in-universe chronology. Novel titles should be italicized, short story titles should be in quotes.
Sources[]
As relevant. Published articles referencing the topic in Dreamweaver's Dilemma, The Vorkosigan Companion. Sorted by publication order.
Notes and references[]
Articles with more than one source should be fully referenced. If List posts, dendarii.com, outside interviews, or other sources not eligible for Appearances or Sources are used in writing the article, they need to be linked when referenced.