WORDS AND THEIR MEANING
Bundle - A Bundle is a collection of chapters (tales/chat stories). A Bundle can be made by the TTT Editorial team. It can also be made by the Community in two ways- a) Assembling existing pieces OR b) Creating a new one from scratch.
Chapter - A tale/chat story becomes a chapter when it’s part of a Bundle.
Contest Flags - Contest flags signify an ongoing contest/writing challenge on the app by the TTT Editorial team. Eg: A flag called WriteFor21 means the post is a prompt under that particular challenge. You can find Bundle and Post Challenges under the Challenge feed in the Community tab.
TTT Pick (Blue star) badge - This badge is given by the TTT Editorial team to signify that they’ve read it and liked it and have hence picked it for the community to read.
Popular (Yellow thumbs up) and Rising (Grey zig-zag arrow) badges - These are badges given to signify the popularity of the tale among the community.
TTT Recommended Writer (Purple diamond) badge - The purple diamond badge on a profile indicates that the writer is a TTT Recommended Writer. This means that we recommend that writer to app users.
TTT Verified Writer (Green tick) badge - The green tick on a profile indicates that the writer is a verified writer. This badge is reserved for celebrities or well-noted personalities. And is given by the Editorial Team only.
WHAT CAN YOU DO ON THE TTT APP?
Create Bundles - Compile your stories into mini books for other readers to discover.
Read and Listen - Read and listen to Bundles created specially for you by our Editorial Team.
Create chat stories - Write chat stories with multiple characters and share them.
Templates - Pick from a wide range of backgrounds and templates for your story to share on social media.
Prompts - Customized writing prompts. For getting you started. And for when the writer’s block feels too hard to get by.
Write in your language - Share your story with the world in the language you’re comfortable in.
Write really short stories on the go - A story can strike you anywhere. So, why make it wait? The TTT app lets you write whenever, wherever.
Write in your favourite genres and formats - With a range of formats and genres, tell the stories you’ve always wanted to.
Build your feed and your following - Build a fanbase of readers who’ll see ‘every’ story you publish.
Drafts - Not happy with your piece? Don’t publish yet. Save drafts that can be edited later.
What can I use the TTT app for?
> You can use the TTT app to create Bundles (mini-books), stories, poems, musings, rants, blogs, articles, haikus, sonnets, movie/show reviews, writing diary entries, notes, thoughts, chapters of your novel, or any other form of fiction writing.
You can use it to create Bundles (mini books) out of your existing pieces. Or write a new one from scratch.
You cannot use it for advertising, plagiarizing anyone’s stories, hate speech, self-harm, bullying, harassment, grocery lists, or storing your plans for world domination.
I’m not a writer. What can I use my TTT account for?
> Our main Originals feed has Bundles with stories of different genres inside them created specially for you by TTT’s Editorial Team. Some of them have audio stories too.
Besides that, you can discover and read Community Bundles and stories in the Community section.
We’ve got a story for when you wake up, a story for when you go to sleep, and one for every moment in between. You can read stories written across genres, formats, and writing styles. With some of the finest voices on the TTT app, we’ll make sure you read and learn from the best.
Does the TTT app have prompts?
> Yes, we realised that sometimes writers just need a nudge. And so on the writing screen, we have a prompt generator. Click it, swipe through them, pick a prompt you like, and write.
Besides this, follow the main TTT account on the app for regular challenges that you can write on.
ACCOUNT
Why can’t I change/edit my name on my profile?
> Your profile name is pulled in during login. It can be changed only 3 times.
What is a ‘pen name’?
> Pen names are special, so we’re letting each writer have one. On the TTT app, your pen name is your handle. Readers can find you faster using it. Remember that fancy pen names are nice to read. Simple pen names are easier to find.
> Can I change/edit my pen name?
Yes, you can. Just head over to your profile and click on Edit Profile.
An account is falsely claiming to be me/an organisation or someone I know. What do I do?
> We take impersonations very seriously. You can report the account. Here’s how -
Go to the profile you want to report.
Click on the three dots in the top right corner.
Select Fake Profile.
Tell us in detail who’s being impersonated. Sharing a link to the profile of the person/organisation who’s being impersonated is mandatory.
While reporting is the best way to tackle this, feel free to write to us at support@terriblytinytales.com, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
What do I need to write in my bio?
> Anything you want! We know it’s the toughest to write. But bios are you, the whole you, and nothing but you. Tell your readers who you are when you’re not a writer, or when you are one.
What can I post a link to, on my profile's Instagram/Blog/Website link section?
> Links are a great place to direct your readers to get in touch. Or to share a purchase link to a book you’ve published. But like they say about everything on the internet, be careful with what you share.
Can I urge my readers to click on the link on my profile through my pieces? (e.g. click the link to read more/ click on the link to buy my book)
> Since we don’t allow explicit business promotion, posts that are explicit ads or only share links to get people to click on them are removed.
However, we allow it if your post has a story first and is then followed by a link to purchase your book.
We do not encourage users to post one half of the story and then redirect readers to click on a link and go elsewhere to read the other half. Doing so may cause the post to be removed as a violation of our Community Guidelines.
Can I make my account private?
> Not yet. Currently, all accounts on TTT are public.
Can I deactivate my account?
> Sometimes, you might need a break. And we understand that. If you feel it’s time for that, click the 3-dot menu on the top right corner of your profile, select Settings and choose Deactivate. But hey, come back soon, okay?
Why is my account suspended?
> If you find your account suspended, it’s most likely because it violated our Community Guidelines. We would have sent you an email regarding this.
I don’t think my account violated TTT’s Community Guidelines. What do I do?
> At TTT, we believe in being fair, hearing you out and giving you a chance to put your point across. And so in the notification email, we send you, we tell you how you can appeal to us.
If you in any way feel that your account was wrongly removed, you can write to us at support@terriblytinytales.com with a detailed explanation and/or proof.
The subject of your email should be Reported Account | <<Your pen name>>
Please make sure that in the email you send, you mention your name, pen name and the date the notification email was sent to you.
WRITER
How do I get to the writing screen?
> Just simply tap on ‘Write’ on the bottom panel, it’ll give you four options - Tale, Chat Story, Bundle, Draft
Tale - Allows you to write a single piece in a format of your choice.
Chat Story - Allows you to create a chat story with multiple characters.
Bundle - Allows you to either assemble a Bundle from your existing pieces or create a new one from scratch.
Drafts - Gives you access to your unfinished drafts.
I’ve never written a story before. How do I start?
> While you’re free to experiment with your styles and formats, here are three things we feel make for a good story.
Intent - What you want to say. It’s the idea, insight or emotion you’re trying to get across.
Content - What you’re saying. Word choices, grammar, context, information; all form a part of this.
Construct - How you say it. Sentence structure, syntax, rhythm, and the visual presentation.
How can I become a better writer?
> It’s the toughest question to answer. But here are some writing tips we swear by-
Kill your darlings - Discard the first obvious thought. Let your mind wander more.
Good is the enemy of great - Never settle for good. Favourite thoughts aren't necessarily the best ones.
Edit mercilessly - This sentence can do better.
Read out loud - Listen for the rhythm in well-written pieces.
Zoom in, zoom out - Write as a writer. Edit as if you're a reader.
Read more.
I have writer’s block. What to do?
> Writer’s block is scary. Sometimes you don’t know what to write about, a few other times you don’t know where to start. And so the TTT app has writing prompts for you. Tailored and regular.
You can find the latest prompts in the prompt generator on the writing screen.
Besides this, follow the main TTT account on the app for regular contest prompts that you can write on.
How do I get featured in TTT picks?
> A story gets a TTT Pick flag when the Editorial Team picks it.
Every post you create stands a chance to get a TTT Pick flag. A great way to get it is to post engaging and well-written content consistently.
What are these badges I see beside some user’s names?
The Purple Diamond badge indicates that the writer is a TTT Recommended Writer. This means that we recommend that writer to new app users regularly. We have certain internal mechanisms in place to give out the TTT Recommended Writer badge.
Some users may also have a green tick badge beside their name to tell you they're verified (authentic) profiles. This badge is usually reserved for well-noted celebrities or personalities. And is given by the Editorial Team only.
POSTING AND PUBLISHING
Why is there a different character count for different formats?
At the bottom of your writing screen, is a ticking character counter. Don’t be afraid of it, it’s there to help you while you’re writing certain formats.
Like a [ 140 ] has to be 140 characters or fewer, a [ thought ] has to be under 300 characters. For longer formats, we’ve given you 5000 characters. Write away.
Does the character count affect my chances of getting published on TTT’s social media accounts?
> Formats like 140 and thought have certain character restrictions on the app. But for longer formats, you can write a piece that’s up to 5000 characters long. However given social media restrictions, your piece will be considered for our social platforms only if it’s under 2000 characters.
Why are genres and tags important? And why are there so many of them?
> Genres help categorise your pieces according to their mood and tone and in turn, make them more searchable. A good way to pick your piece’s genre(s) is to see under which broad emotion it fits and work your way there on.
What do I do if my piece doesn’t fall into any of the mentioned genres?
> Pieces which don’t necessarily fit in any of our genres can come under ‘Literary’.
What are tags? What do I fill under ‘tags’ while posting a piece?
> Tags are keywords or phrases that make your piece more discoverable. They help readers while searching for specific stories. Tags have to be comma separated and can capture the theme or context of the story. Tags need not be a repetition of the genres.
Why are tags important?
> Tags play an important role during special days when we run prompt contests.
For example if TTT runs a #ChristmasTales contest, tagging your story with this will allow us to consider it as a contest submission.
Similarly, tags are also relevant during topical tale submissions. For example, if the community is writing on a created hashtag, using that in tags exposes your piece to the wider audience that’s searching and reading it.
Why are tags auto-filled when I attempt TTT’s writing prompts?
> For us to consider your post as a submission to our prompt, we’ve crafted unique hashtags for each of them. This also makes it easier for us to track your submission.
Remember that if you remove both the auto-filled hashtags, your piece will no longer be considered as a prompt submission.
How do I get to know if my piece is going to be posted on TTT’s social media platforms?
> We may at times, pick a piece you’ve written on the app and feature it on our social media platforms. If we do so, you’ll be notified via an email and given due credit for the piece.
If your piece is being published on our social platforms as part of a brand collaboration, you’ll be notified about that as well.
Can I post the pieces I write on the TTT app on my personal social media platforms?
> Last time we checked, some of our 140s are still doing rounds on WhatsApp groups. And so we feel your story too, deserves to be shared.
You can share your stories from the TTT app to your social media platforms or WhatsApp groups and let them travel.
And make sure you include your pen name while sharing so your friends know how to find you and follow you on the TTT app.
CONTENT
My piece doesn’t fit any of TTT’s formats. What do I do?
> Every piece can have only one format. And we have a wide range of formats to suit different writing styles. But we do understand that some writing may not fit into any of them.
So if your piece doesn’t fit any of the formats, feel free to choose the format ‘Page’.
Does fanfiction count as plagiarism?
> No, some of our favourite stories have been fanfiction. And about characters from different universes crossing paths.
How can I share a post I liked?
> You can share a post to your social accounts by clicking on the share icon at the bottom of every post.
How can I save a post I liked?
> You can save a post you liked by clicking on the bookmark icon.
REPORTING AND BLOCKING
How do I report a bug?
> Found a glitch, lag, bug or think something’s wrong with your app? Click the 3-dot menu on the top right corner of your profile and select ‘Report a bug’. It’ll open your email along with support@terriblytinytales.com as the recipient. Write to us with your concern, and we’ll get it fixed.
How do I report a post?
> Click on the post to open it and click on the three dots on the top right corner. Select ‘Report’ and choose your reason.
How do I report a post for a reason other than those mentioned?
> We’ve listed out a bunch of reasons based on our Community Guidelines to help you tell us why a piece should be removed. However, if you do not find your reason listed, you can select ‘I don’t like this’ and tell us why you don’t.
While reporting is the best way to reach us sooner, feel free to write to us at support@terriblytinytales.com, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
How do I block someone’s account?
> Click on the person’s pen name to go to their account then click on the three dots on the top right corner. Select ‘Block User’ to block them.
How do I report an account?
> Click on the person’s pen name to go to their account then click on the three dots on the top right corner. Select ‘Report User’ and choose your reason.
My piece was removed even though there was no objectionable content. What do I do?
> At TTT, we believe in being fair, hearing you out and giving you a chance to put your point across. And so in the notification email that we send you, we tell you how you can appeal to us.
If you in any way feel that your post was wrongly removed, you can write to us at support@terriblytinytales.com with a detailed explanation and/or proof.
The subject of your email should be Reported Post | <<Title of your post>>
Please make sure that in the email you send, you mention your pen name, the title of your post and the date the notification email was sent to you.
Why has a profile/ piece not been removed even after I’ve reported it?
> We have a dedicated Report Abuse team looking into every report we get. However, since the frequency of reports is high, going through each of them does take time.
We believe in studying and evaluating the context of every report with the account/post it was made against.
If you’re seeing a profile/piece has not been removed even after two weeks, we’re either investigating it further or didn’t find it to be violating our Community Guidelines.
What if I come across inappropriate content on the app?
> If you’ve come across an inappropriate post and feel it should be removed, you can either report the account or the post.
To report the account - Click on the person’s pen name to go to their account then click on the three dots on the top right corner. Select ‘Report User’ and choose your reason.
To report the post - Click on the post to open it and click on the three dots on the top right corner. Select ‘Report’ and choose your reason.
Why do you ask me to write in a dialog box about why I’m reporting something?
> Reasons help us understand the context better. The more detailed your reason is on why you’re reporting an account/post, the better it is for us to evaluate it faster and reach a conclusion.
Do I have to add a link while reporting?
> Yes, adding a link while reporting is mandatory. Links help you make a strong case. If you’re reporting an account that’s impersonating someone or a post that’s plagiarised, add a link to the original source/person’s social account.
FEEDBACK
How do I report a technical issue or provide feedback on the app?
> For any technical difficulties or to give us feedback, feel free to write to us at support@terriblytinytales.com and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
PRIVACY
How does TTT ensure privacy & safety of my data?
At TTT, we value you as a community and so the safety of your data matters a lot to us. We’ve crafted our Privacy Policy in a way that it’s easy to understand. You can read our Privacy Policy here.