Before I begin, I just want to make sure I'm clear about the fact that I'm pretty passionate about storytelling. This isn't a hobby for me, it's what I believe to be my god-given purpose in this world, because it's what I'm best at. So the following dives into my personal opinions, tastes, and techniques when it comes to roleplaying. I don't want anyone to feel like I'm being condescending or pontificating on the subject. I just want to lay out my MO as a writer loud and clear. I understand that everyone has their own tastes and style, and that there is NO correct, or incorrect way to write a story. So please understand that the following is just opinions and tastes, furthermore a bit about why I feel that way in some cases. When I say I don't like certain things in stories, I sometimes like to explain why I've come to that conclusion.
Name: Michael J. Saulnier
Age: 29 (4/16/85)
Nation/TZ: Canada/Atlantic
Experience: RP: Nov. 2006-Present, Creating Worlds, Characters and Stories: Roughly 1996-Present (I began to imagine up the foundation of what would become my Azure Dawn series).
Favored Genres: Realistic, Fantasy, SciFi, Hybrid Fantasy, Apocalyptic (Well Balanced, with my specialties).
Ill-favored Genres: Teen, Highschool (unless done well, and by well I mean with some grit and realism, not angst and romance/drama, or Lycan/Vampire schools), Western/Historic(again, unless incredibly well-done and researched).
What I Like in a Story: Intellect*, Complexity*, Good Dialog*, Plot Structure and Mechanics*, Mystery, War, Plot Twists, Character Development, Purpose/Meaning*, Impact & Statement*, some Drama, some Action, some Romance, some Humor. (But it depends on the nature of the story)
What I Avoid in a Story: Simplicity, Stereotypes, Choppy or Cheesy Dialog, Cheesy, 'Imported' Characters (this just refers to bad characters, or good one's that feel like they should be in another RP. For example, I was in a DBZ RP once, and a guy joined with a rollerblading Jamaican(the Jamaican thing is a random detail, and carries no racist undertone. If you saw his pic, you'd understand why he should never be in any DB story) with dreds and spray paint. His ability was magic tag cans that casted spells and summoned beasts... 'Import' Character. Like a Jedi Federation Captain who's a Cylon cyborg leading SG1 in a Stargate RP; He just don't belong.), I pretty much avoid the opposite of what I like in an RP, but it all varies based on the Story at hand. (I'm pretty open-minded and versatile)
What I Like in a Character: This is all situational. I hate when people talk about what makes a good character, how to make one, what steps to follow, or mold to use. No. Every character is different, and there are billions of possibilities. You can't teach or formulate truly good character, because it's inherently impossible. However, there are some things which I love in my characters. Weakness/Flaws*(I have no use for perfect, infallible characters. They speak directly to the character of the writer; their insecurity and vulnerability. The ability to show weakness and depict failure is a sign of maturity and wisdom. But there are times when a character who is physically, politically, or socially infallible. That's usually a villain, or a hero post-culmination of sorts. But those characters still have to have their flaws and weaknesses. And no, being too evil, or too introverted and not giving a fuck about doing what's right, DO NOT count), Depth & Complexity, History & Origin, Blurring that fine line between Face & Heel; Good & Evil*.
What I Avoid in a Character: I do have some things I avoid. Bad, unnatural, awkward dialog. I understand some people just ARE awkward, that's perfectly fine and when playing one, I AM awkward. I also understand that awkward moments just happen, but not all the time. When Bob asks Stan a direct question, Cindy and Mark wouldn't continue the conversation, forcing moments to elapse before Stan replies... RP is a delicate form of writing, a delicate form of art. The scene structure of your plot can either be phenomenal, and prove for an engrossing, addictive read (at the cost of taking time, making a few time & post-based sacrifices, working from a selfless angle, rather than imposing your character upon a story every chance you get), or it can be a choppy, sloppy, cumbersome, awkward read. It's up to the collective writers. John and Sue have been running a series of scenes together. They've just wrapped one up, but are dying to start this new one. But wait, Eric and Cindy just started a really intense, important scene which is bouncing back and forth nicely. John and Sue are faced with a choice. Force ahead and interrupt Eric and Cindy's scene by power-posting THEIR scene, or respect not JUST Eric and Cindy, but the best interest of THE PLOT & STORY. You might think your RP is a great read because you've got something special in theory, but believe me, when you have rampant, unorganized posts jumping all over hell's half acre, it makes for a nasty read, regardless of character or plot strength. A good DM manages this process and directs his/her project in a manner that makes his writers happy and content, without throwing the story under the bus. The story is bigger than you, or your hobby, or your character. That's good RP'ing 101.
First RP: My first RP was a vampire/western/fantasy mash-up back in '06 called Pride Sin & Glory. It featured a unique vampiric science and origin in a fictional world based on the old west. It also featured demons and spirits summoned from the underworld by Draxx Necro, the first, and King of vampires, and the primary antagonist. It was successful and spawned 2 sequels, and several revivals. As well, the PS&G vampiric system ended up being used for, and evolved for A Legacy Written In Blood.
Favorite RP: Possibly the most epic choice I've ever had to make... Based on innovation and intellectual substance, A Legacy Written In Blood. Based on it's epic, emotional, powerful nature, Final Fantasy 1-3.
Favorite Characters: I know this is a lot, but:
Casius Magnus (Final Fantasy)
Samuel Blithe (A Legacy Written In Blood)
Wyland "Mac" McRae (A Legacy Written In Blood)
Bones Lancet (Pride Sin & Glory)
Preacher (A Legacy Written In Blood)
Ctp. Leon Blackthorne (Nebular Delirium)
Owen Thorne (OT's The Living Dead Series/Dead Frontier)
Luseth Denova (Azure Dawn)
Xai'er (Azure Dawn)
Leo Strata (Final Fantasy)
Cpt. Clayton Stillwell (Derringer Odyssey)
"Doc" Holliday (Renegade Souls; Fictional character named after John Holliday)
So, that's a bit about me.
Name: Michael J. Saulnier
Age: 29 (4/16/85)
Nation/TZ: Canada/Atlantic
Experience: RP: Nov. 2006-Present, Creating Worlds, Characters and Stories: Roughly 1996-Present (I began to imagine up the foundation of what would become my Azure Dawn series).
Favored Genres: Realistic, Fantasy, SciFi, Hybrid Fantasy, Apocalyptic (Well Balanced, with my specialties).
Ill-favored Genres: Teen, Highschool (unless done well, and by well I mean with some grit and realism, not angst and romance/drama, or Lycan/Vampire schools), Western/Historic(again, unless incredibly well-done and researched).
What I Like in a Story: Intellect*, Complexity*, Good Dialog*, Plot Structure and Mechanics*, Mystery, War, Plot Twists, Character Development, Purpose/Meaning*, Impact & Statement*, some Drama, some Action, some Romance, some Humor. (But it depends on the nature of the story)
What I Avoid in a Story: Simplicity, Stereotypes, Choppy or Cheesy Dialog, Cheesy, 'Imported' Characters (this just refers to bad characters, or good one's that feel like they should be in another RP. For example, I was in a DBZ RP once, and a guy joined with a rollerblading Jamaican(the Jamaican thing is a random detail, and carries no racist undertone. If you saw his pic, you'd understand why he should never be in any DB story) with dreds and spray paint. His ability was magic tag cans that casted spells and summoned beasts... 'Import' Character. Like a Jedi Federation Captain who's a Cylon cyborg leading SG1 in a Stargate RP; He just don't belong.), I pretty much avoid the opposite of what I like in an RP, but it all varies based on the Story at hand. (I'm pretty open-minded and versatile)
What I Like in a Character: This is all situational. I hate when people talk about what makes a good character, how to make one, what steps to follow, or mold to use. No. Every character is different, and there are billions of possibilities. You can't teach or formulate truly good character, because it's inherently impossible. However, there are some things which I love in my characters. Weakness/Flaws*(I have no use for perfect, infallible characters. They speak directly to the character of the writer; their insecurity and vulnerability. The ability to show weakness and depict failure is a sign of maturity and wisdom. But there are times when a character who is physically, politically, or socially infallible. That's usually a villain, or a hero post-culmination of sorts. But those characters still have to have their flaws and weaknesses. And no, being too evil, or too introverted and not giving a fuck about doing what's right, DO NOT count), Depth & Complexity, History & Origin, Blurring that fine line between Face & Heel; Good & Evil*.
What I Avoid in a Character: I do have some things I avoid. Bad, unnatural, awkward dialog. I understand some people just ARE awkward, that's perfectly fine and when playing one, I AM awkward. I also understand that awkward moments just happen, but not all the time. When Bob asks Stan a direct question, Cindy and Mark wouldn't continue the conversation, forcing moments to elapse before Stan replies... RP is a delicate form of writing, a delicate form of art. The scene structure of your plot can either be phenomenal, and prove for an engrossing, addictive read (at the cost of taking time, making a few time & post-based sacrifices, working from a selfless angle, rather than imposing your character upon a story every chance you get), or it can be a choppy, sloppy, cumbersome, awkward read. It's up to the collective writers. John and Sue have been running a series of scenes together. They've just wrapped one up, but are dying to start this new one. But wait, Eric and Cindy just started a really intense, important scene which is bouncing back and forth nicely. John and Sue are faced with a choice. Force ahead and interrupt Eric and Cindy's scene by power-posting THEIR scene, or respect not JUST Eric and Cindy, but the best interest of THE PLOT & STORY. You might think your RP is a great read because you've got something special in theory, but believe me, when you have rampant, unorganized posts jumping all over hell's half acre, it makes for a nasty read, regardless of character or plot strength. A good DM manages this process and directs his/her project in a manner that makes his writers happy and content, without throwing the story under the bus. The story is bigger than you, or your hobby, or your character. That's good RP'ing 101.
First RP: My first RP was a vampire/western/fantasy mash-up back in '06 called Pride Sin & Glory. It featured a unique vampiric science and origin in a fictional world based on the old west. It also featured demons and spirits summoned from the underworld by Draxx Necro, the first, and King of vampires, and the primary antagonist. It was successful and spawned 2 sequels, and several revivals. As well, the PS&G vampiric system ended up being used for, and evolved for A Legacy Written In Blood.
Favorite RP: Possibly the most epic choice I've ever had to make... Based on innovation and intellectual substance, A Legacy Written In Blood. Based on it's epic, emotional, powerful nature, Final Fantasy 1-3.
Favorite Characters: I know this is a lot, but:
Casius Magnus (Final Fantasy)
Samuel Blithe (A Legacy Written In Blood)
Wyland "Mac" McRae (A Legacy Written In Blood)
Bones Lancet (Pride Sin & Glory)
Preacher (A Legacy Written In Blood)
Ctp. Leon Blackthorne (Nebular Delirium)
Owen Thorne (OT's The Living Dead Series/Dead Frontier)
Luseth Denova (Azure Dawn)
Xai'er (Azure Dawn)
Leo Strata (Final Fantasy)
Cpt. Clayton Stillwell (Derringer Odyssey)
"Doc" Holliday (Renegade Souls; Fictional character named after John Holliday)
So, that's a bit about me.