Just in case you aren't sure how to write a good profile for this, or any, lodging house, here are some sample profiles to show you what not to do. For samples of what to do when writing a profile, check out some of the profiles in the bunkroom. Good profiles contain enough detail about the character to let someone who has never met them in chat know what they are like.
The Bad
Each profile opens in a new window, and reasons for it being a bad profile are mentioned underneath the link.
Bad Example #1: Jolie
First of all, it's full of anachronisms. The current Union year is 1904. Yes, there were automobiles at this time, but not that many, not Porsches, and only the very rich had cars. Route 66 did not exist. Tank tops and halter tops were not worn. (The easiest way to know what kind of clothing they wore back then is to watch the movie and pay attention to the costuming, not the guys.) Secondly, Ocean Side, Long Island, is several miles east of Brooklyn, and extremely far from Manhattan to be visiting often. Third, the movie boys are taken. If you want to have a relationship with one of the boys in Newsies, check out the Lower Manhattan profiles page at the Union Writer's Resource and see what is available. If you absolutely must have one of the movie characters for your very own, try searching Geocities for non-Union lodging houses. There are several out there, and they probably have places and movie characters available.
Bad Example #2: Baby Doll
The biggest reason this is a bad profile is that it's immature. If you want to e-mail your friends and use abbreviations and no punctuation, that's fine. Just don't use them when filling at a profile form, or even in your stories. The profile is the first example of your writing that we see, and first impressions do mean a lot. Again, movie characters are pretty much off limits now. See the NML link above. Also, the Bronx is not a possible selling spot, much to far from Long Island to sell there every day. If you want to be in the Bronx, apply there, not here.
One general rule when starting out is to not try to write everything with an accent, whether a street accent, Irish accent, or another accent. Dropping the Gs, or using tha instead of the, consistently writing one word in "accent" all the way through, is usually more than enough for people to understand your character speaks with a street accent. Replacing one letter with a sound in every single word, such as "oi" for "i" when trying to approximate an Irish accent, is hard to understand, also. Too much accent of any kind in the profile makes it hard for people to read. Good rule of thumb: If you can't easily read it out loud without having to stop and think of how it sounds, it's going to be hard to read.
Bad Example #3: Shi'Ar
This is a completely different kind of awful. While some supernatural activity is fine (telekinesis, talking with ghosts, etc.), being visited by aliens is taking it a little too far. Unless you were writing a parody, which would be better posted on a personal site than as a Union story. This is a historical fiction writing circle, not a science ficiton one. The other major problem is she's too perfect. No one in the real world is 100% perfect; every one has flaws. The best characters in the Union have characteristics that make them completely human, whether it's low self-esteem, vanity, or sarcasm. If your character is too perfect, then no one will want to interact with him or her, and that defeats the purpose.
The Good
Now that you've seen the bad, take a look at a few good profiles, taken from sites around the Union. Of course, there are more good profiles in the Union than just these; these are just a sample. Like above, each one opens in a new window, with my comments below the link.
Good Example #1: Slider Harvey, Harlem
Part of what makes this a good profile is the action and description throughout. Right from the start, you get an idea of where you are talking to her, as well as what she's doing during the conversation. Answers to the questions provide enough information for you to know what she's like, by what she says and how she says it. Her answers are complimented by the action; her profession to be a tomboy is backed up by her clothing and her lunch. Altogether, it provides a good picture of her character.
Good Example #2: Ragtime Scarpetta, Rose Theatre
Again, the action of this profile backs up the statement about personality. While his spoken answers are rather short, enough information is provided in the asteriks to make up for it. And while he does show his cheerful, good nature for most of the profile, other emotions to show, even if briefly, making his character more dimensional.
Good Example #3: Mallory Kinsley, Millinger's Tavern
Again, we have action that gives an idea of where you are (a tavern) and what she's doing (cleaning tables), as well as plenty of description, verbal and unspoken, and various emotions to show what kind of person Mallory is. Yes, she speaks in accent, but it is a readable accent. That makes all the difference. Mallory's creator has been in the Union for ages, so she's had practice at developing one. If you notice, none of the words seem forced, as if she was trying to make them fit an accent. Instead, it sounds natural. (Try reading her words out loud, and you'll see what I mean.)
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