I've wandered into that dark place many times over my years here, and I've yet to see a post explaining it, what it's about, or why it's even fun. I don't even know what the rules of that section even are. And I don't mean to demean anyone for participating. I just have no clue what's going on in there.
Norcal put it simply, but I'll expand on it.
WZCW is basically a creative writing fueled e-fed. Writers create their own characters and then write RP (roleplays) which amount to basically expanded promos about their next match, the current storyline they are involved in, or to reveal or create backstory for the character they're writing for.
The Creative team meanwhile will judge the RP's for each match and determine a winner. Once all winners have been decided they will then go about writing out either 2 regular shows, or the PPV show pending on the schedule complete with matches, promos, commentary, etc. The Creative team is also tasked with coming up with storylines, feuds, and show cards, with non creative members more than able to suggest ideas. What's unique is unlike actual wrestling booking, the Creative team books and writes around the voting results instead of following a linear storyline.
I have been a part of WZCW for over 7 years now. I've been the World Champion twice, I've been Head of Creative and ran the whole show. We've built an entire universe in that time not dissimilar to the Marvel or DC universe. It's basically an entire community involved in helping further along this fictional universe. Some have made minor appearances, some are legends that have been forgotten, others are remembered for their failures, and some are fondly remembered.
In the 7 years I've had a one character be one of the most evil characters, turn into a proud warrior and champion, and back again. The purpose of any writing is to manipulate the readers and their emotions. From the people writing for their character, they want you to feel for their character, whether you sympathize, laugh with/at, or get angry at them. It's the same concept and goal as writing a fiction book, only we're doing it with a group of around 30 or more people participating to make these stories. It allows everyone involved to allow their creativity loose and make something from just the ideas in their head in a setting that clearly we all love or we wouldn't be on a a wrestling forum. It's also a competition to be the best writer, some prefer the competition side of it, others simply enjoy the stories being told regardless of wins and losses for themselves. Some of the best writing and storylines I've been a part of have been when I lost multiple times in a row.
So why is this fun for me? I love to write, I love to see the characters I created interact with others and the stories I've envisioned built and interpreted by others and what they understand my vision to be. I've been lucky to simply build that vision on my own while being on the Creative team. I've been pushed to write the absolute best quality I can by so many, and I've returned the favor. As a group we've all pushed one another to become better writers, and it's fun to see that growth in those that have become successful. Yaz was a guy I cracked a joke at/with when he first started, and now he runs the place and is a former world champion. He's gone from being intimidated by me, to becoming a really good friend and confidant. I've gotten a great number of friends from the fed that I keep in contact with even the ones that aren't around the forums anymore.
I love writing, wrestling, and the community in WZCW. For the likes of Lee and myself, we've been around since WZCW was just coming out of it's extremely rocky beginning and we both helped build it up to the success it is now. It's something to continue watching and be proud of, who'd think when we were in the process of making it work that seven years later we're still running strong?
