Post by Monty on Nov 17, 2010 17:15:28 GMT -5
The Roleplaying Guide: Success on a Board
Yes, it is true that life seems to keep us from wanting to write, but what happens when our muse leaves us and writer block sets in? This guide will hopefully help you overcome all those obstacles. It is with this guide you may realize the changes that needs to be done and the things you may lack in a post. For those who can’t seem to type a paragraph up, then this guide will hopefully help you in overcoming those sore thumbs and twitches that just make you want to scream.
Step One
The first and vital step is that you know where you thread is going. If you start a thread and have no idea what you want to achieve with it, then I assure you that if someone joins the thread will be short-lived and neither character will benefit from the thread. It’s best you as yourself the following questions
~What I want to gain from this thread?
~Where am I going with this thread?
~Who is it that will benefit the most from this thread?
~How long should the thread last?
~Any vital information that the thread joiner should know?
If you are able to answer these questions to yourself and to whoever is joining, your thread will be successful and useful, hopefully, getting you closer to the objective your character had in mind.
Step Two
Now it’s time to actually type up your thread. The simplest way to start is by making a descriptive paragraph answer the following important question. Later on I will go and explain how to make each paragraph more in depth. But first, these are the questions that need answering.
~Who is the character you are posting with?
~What is it that he/she is doing?
~Where is this all taking place?
~When is this happening?
~Why is he/she doing what they are doing?
~How it is that he/she came to be in the current situation?
By answering these questions and separating them into paragraphs, you will notice that already you have at least three paragraphs. Now, wasn’t that easy? If you are still stuck, then read on, if you have finally overcome that writers block annoyance, then congratulations, you’ve got the hang of getting over writers block.
Step Three
Now how to make an in-depth paragraph? Expanding on a paragraph or on a sentence may help. For example:
Jane walked into the castle, the events of the day leaving her cold and emotionless.
What’s wrong with this line? Well it’s simple; the sentence lacks in structure and doesn’t really tell you much. While it is a complete sentence and it is well written, you feel as though it’s lacking the ‘wow’ factor. Now, how is it that we change this sentence around? An in-depth sentence is:
Jane entered the lavishly furnished castle, her eyes were cold and emotionless as her clothes were tattered and blood stained, the remnants of war.
It’s funny how with adding a bit more to the sentence, you find that not only does your work look better, but it’s longer and more in-depth giving the replier more information and a clearer image of what is going on.
Step Four
You know those sentences that just serve no purpose but to just give the person a larger word count? Well this should end here! If you feel that a sentence is heavy and does not really help with your overall idea then erase it! All it does is add more confusion and sometimes makes a person look… silly. Try to stray from run-on sentences and ones that are just completely pointless, not only is it annoying, but people are most likely not going to reply to such threads.
Step Five
Grammar and spelling has been the most important part of our lives for years. You have been taught these in English classes since you were in the elementary stages… now use them! No one is a spelling bee whiz who has every single grammatical rule memorized, but that doesn’t give you the excuse of being completely hopeless. Avoid using abbreviation when you’re lost and start using the spell check, or better yet, type it all up on Microsoft word. Once those squiggly red and green lines are gone, you can paste it into your thread. Remember, Microsoft word isn’t perfect, so if a person doesn’t have the perfect grammar or spelling, the computer is limited so try to look past those tiny faults.
Step Six
Avoid clichés! Yes, I said it, avoid those silly and pesky clichés. It’s always the typical ‘I’m the best. I’m the strongest; no one can beat me… HA HA HA’. Come on, those threads are so overused that I’m sure you all want to puke remembering them. Try coming up with new and fresh ideas! People who type up length and worthwhile paragraphs about a fresh idea even if it makes your character look bad will most likely get a reply then those who type up paragraphs of how cool your character is. Be real, no one wants to hear you go on and on about how amazing your character is. I suggest if you want to do that… fanfiction is more suited for you.
Step Seven
Have fun. No really, go out there and just have fun. Taking thread to seriously results into bitter arguments and a lot of hate is present. When this happens, that’s one less person who’s willing to RP with you and usually that means that you have officially made your chances of a productive thread less-likely. If you feel as though something has been misunderstood, instead of typing up an OOC in a box and embarrassing that person, kindly send them a PM and then have them change the mistake. If they refuse to do so, and you feel as though that person has lost the whole point of the thread, then PM a staff member and I’m sure they will sort things out.
You see, that wasn’t so hard. In only seven simple steps you are ensured on having a great and successful RP experience. Remember that we are all human and all make mistakes, but there is no excuse in neglecting your duty as an RPer to be productive.
Happy RPing!