Community Guidelines

Building a Respectful Global Storytelling Community

Our Values

Respect for All Storytelling Traditions: Every cultural tradition deserves recognition. Classic and Worldwide structures taught with equal depth and respect.

Educational Integrity: 400+ hours research per structure. Source-based authenticity. No shortcuts. No appropriation.

Creative Freedom: Writers should have access to architectural diversity. Choose the right structure for YOUR story.

Cultural Authenticity: Worldwide structures taught with proper context, attribution, and respect for origin traditions.

Inclusive Access: Affordable pricing ($25-40/year) removes barriers. Storytelling education for everyone.

Expected Behavior

Respect Cultural Traditions

  • Read cultural context provided with Worldwide structures
  • Understand origin before applying structure
  • Give proper attribution when sharing work
  • Don't claim expertise you don't have
  • Approach with humility and curiosity

Engage Constructively

  • Share knowledge generously
  • Help other writers learn
  • Provide constructive feedback
  • Disagree respectfully
  • Build community, don't tear down

Credit Sources Appropriately

  • When using Worldwide structures, acknowledge origin tradition
  • Example: "This story uses Anansi Web Pattern (West African Akan tradition)"
  • Don't present structures as your own invention
  • Link to GriotsWell when sharing structural knowledge

Unacceptable Behavior

Cultural Disrespect

  • Treating Worldwide structures as "exotic variations"
  • Ignoring cultural context
  • Misrepresenting traditions
  • Appropriating without understanding
  • Claiming unearned expertise

Harassment or Discrimination

  • Attacking other users
  • Discriminatory language or behavior
  • Harassment of any kind
  • Trolling or bad faith engagement
  • Creating hostile environment

Cultural Respect in Practice

Using Worldwide Structures

DO:

  • Read cultural context section
  • Understand why this architecture exists
  • Apply respectfully in your work
  • Acknowledge origin tradition
  • Learn from the structure
  • Give credit where due

DON'T:

  • Skip cultural context
  • Treat as "exotic flavor"
  • Claim it as your invention
  • Misrepresent the tradition
  • Use disrespectfully
  • Appropriate without understanding

Questions About Guidelines?

Email: hello@griotswell.com

We're here to help you engage respectfully with global storytelling traditions.