I've always wanted to write a story. Well, I certainly "did" when I was young. Jokes and fighting, derivitive of games. But eventually I hit a wall when trying to evolve. It's been over a decade since then but the ghost of writing still haunts me to this day, it lingers over my shoulder as I type this even now.

Back when I was a teen I did do some roleplaying, though I don't suppose I was ever good at it. Either I got too excited and "godmodded", telling a story with everyone's characters, or the opposite problem occurred--much like in conversations, I don't know what to say so I do not advance any sense of plot forward and nothing happens.

But I need to learn to do these things. I have to. The number #1 writing advice I hear is to just do it. Which is complete gobbledegook to my ears, because how does one know how to write without know what it is they are writing? And yet... I get it. Everything we do is born and maintained by habit, and write now I've only written notes of dialogue and ideas, so I've got years and years of dead creative weight on my shoulders holding me back from developing a healthy routine of creativity.

My only answer to this is to seek help and/or find boxes such as writing prompts. I am hoping somehow, someway I can awkwardly fumble my way into being a writer by committing the act of writing until I can just... do it. It has occurred to me that roleplaying may be one such an avenue, though I am very trepidatious.

Roleplay is its own art, one which I never really knew, so I will have to learn the acroynyms and the common rules and so forth. If there is a place for me to soak that in, or a place for me to slowly dip my feet into this pool of spontaneity and improvisation, I would appreciate any directions or help! And also I would be thankful for any understanding for my shortcomings, provided I follow through here on this site, for I've signed up for things in the hopes of helping me self improve, only to display a disappearing act the next moment.

It's alright mate. I've been doing this for close to two decades and while I've certainly improved, I can't say I feel like I'm the biggest fish in the pond. And while you may have missed out on valuable writing experience, you do have more life experience, and what is writing fiction but writing about someone who never existed?

Welcome to the guild! I'm sure you'll find something that catches your interest. We have all kinds of sections on writing advice, but as you mentioned, sometimes you just gotta do it! Most RPs I've seen are relatively judgement free, and as a GM it's always very rewarding to watch a roleplayer's skill grow over time. GM meaning "game master," the big cheese of an RP if you were curious. There aren't too many terms that get tossed around that much, but anyone who wants +1 players in their RP would have no problem showing you the ropes.

@HolderoftheHeel
welcome.

Hopefully this site will be of help to you, and that you have fun. :)

Welcome!

I guess the only advice I can give at the moment as far as the forum itself goes, is don't be afraid to reach out to people. If you're looking for a group roleplay to join, you can see the GM (as Broken mentioned above) listed in the RP threads and with a banner on their posts in that thread. The RP threads have a status you can see if they are currently accepting new players, it will read "apply" or "jump-in." If you're looking to just write one on one with a partner, well the 1x1 section is always active. "Interest check" sections are where you can go to find the most recent ideas people have and see if any appeal to you.

Anyway, hope you find what you're looking for!

Cryptic, and cringey - but it slays hollowness. Which I'm glad you've tried. Usually I see people slay mellowness, not really hollowness. I do have an ire of creepyness, though. Perhaps it's plausing skills refined from dexterity, perhaps it's - Doh, welcome to the Role Player Guild!

Hey look here, down below, there's A Guide For New Users With A Ridiculously Long Name, I did it all by myself with absolutely no help or involvement from anyone else at all.

Not really. It was a group effort and the folks involved are credited in it, but do look at the little guide to getting started thing. It's the second yellow link in my signature at the bottom of this post. Or if you just want a grip of writing prompts check out:

roleplayerguild.com/topics/188422-cha…

It's a series of questions like...

- What do you like to do for fun?
- What qualities do you like in a person?
- If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
- What is your favorite food, and why?
- Who's had the biggest influence on your life?

and a bunch of posts of Writers answering those questions as their characters.

@HolderoftheHeel welcome back to the craft.

I am also trying to jump back into this. Good Luck Im here with ya

bro, I feel this. big time.

Not that anyone asked, but I've fucked off and come back several times over the years. Sometimes for a year or more at a time.

Try finding some writers or RPers that you like and just read the stuff they put out. For me it helps me get to thinking about what character I might want to join that RP with and what I might want to do with it. Or if there are like 4 great writers and 1 not so great writer who has a cool character it might get you thinking about what you would do differently if you were writing for that character.

It's always easier, for me at least, if I start in thinking about what I would like to do before I just start doing it.

Ohhh, that's a cool Captain America, but you missed an opportunity there to have So and So show up.

Ohhh, what a cool Batman. I'd like to RP as that guy's Joker, or Robin, or Commissioner Gordon.

Ohhh, what a fun bunch of people doing an Elder Scrolls RP. I'm not very creative so I'd like to join as a big orc with a big smashy hammer.

Or even just following some good stories and then shamelessly ripping them off. The secret is to have no shame.

Any prose is a good prose.

Same boat - good luck!