Tips, Tricks and Personal Growth

[EasilyAmused]

This thread is for anyone to add to or view for advice from others on how to better ourselves as writers and role players.

Rules of this thread

• Do not patronize anyone for their tips. This is how they function and work; just because it's not your functionality for writing doesn't mean it won't work for anyone else.
• Take what you want, leave what you want. This thread is meant for a motivational tool and a way to help everyone develop their skills. Some people value things more than others and it's totally fine to state what you value but don't tell someone "that's not right", or "You're doing it wrong." Because it's how they do it.
• If you are going to be specific to Multi-Character Role Playing style, Single Character, Arena, Round Table or any other ones, please indicate so people can find specifics. If it's just general tips, label it a such, or come up with fancy titles.

Let's get sharing!

[BingTheWing]

Realistic characters are often inspired by real people. It’s easier to take an already existing example from the real world than to build a character from the ground up.

[EasilyAmused]

Tips to increase the Length of Posts

1] Describing is very important.
*Details about the surroundings; using the 5 senses. Sight, Sound, Smell, Taste and Touch (feeling).

2] Build a picture in your head and convey it on paper.
*What do the area look like? What colors are there, what sounds, smells, design, layout?

3] Flashbacks are great filler.
*Remembering back to a time when [insert past activity] happened is a great filler and insight your fellow role player gets to what your character has done/dealt with in the past. Especially with OCs, this is a great way to give someone a peek into your character.

4] Dialogue and Inner Thoughts.
*Thinking is something we all do and indicating them in a role play can give everyone an insight into you character's personal functionality. Using italics or another color with italics really helps readers know the difference.

5] What Happened Before It Happened?
*What happened before the role play takes place, where was your character before their arrival to the role play. This isn't so much a 'flashback' as it's used for the first post.

Example Simple
Jim carried the large box down the stairs from the apartment and loaded it into the car.

Example Detailed
Jim blew some unruly blonde hair from his emerald eyes as he slowly climbed down the stairs from the apartment. The disgusting place could burn down for all he cared, he was on his way to bigger and better things! After 3 years of living in that run down dump, he had finally purchased his own house and was moving in! The large box strained Jim's arms but luckily he had his new car where, with a wave of his foot under the back bumper, the trunk popped open! Placing the heavy box inside he let out a hefty sigh and grinned. The final piece was now in his chair and as he closed the trunk, he felt like he was closing the old chapter of his life and starting a new one.

(above is 133 words)

Good amount of a single (1) paragraph count: 1,000 characters, 8 lines in the text box or 200 words.
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I write in Microsoft Word and write with Times Roman and 10 point font. It's a bit on the small size (size of the print wise) but it makes me write more and helps me out.

Threads of Goodies
Symbols, characters, bobs and bits, useful for creating titles and pretty stuff.
Credit to: @Odin
Great to flashy things to add to your role plays, chit chats and flashy titles!
The Art & Beauty of BBcoding [COMPLETE]
Credit to: @tsukune
Codes of Coding! Check it out!

Goodie Tricks and Treats!
Font Meme
Credit to: Google
This is a free website that allows you to make fancy words like the images on here. Please note that once you "Generate" the words, click "Embed" or all your images will be temporary and won't last long.

I use the above often and both help with making snazzy Character Sheets. Take it in strides though, they both hold a lot of information and can be overwhelming!

[WolfLover]

Fandoms: It depends, if I am doing a fandom rp or not. Eg. Harry Potter. I tend to watch some fan made videos I like. It gives me inspiration, and helps with some visual aspects, from the film that I want to bring into my posts.

Music: I find that listening to music helps me write. Some songs, speak more to me than others. Sometimes, I feel like they match a character, or a couple...or the story well. And then inspiration flows.

[ArenaSnow]

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If basically everyone to respond to your inquiry by saying what you're doing is flawed, and they give suggestions to improve, the least you could do is listen to those suggestions and attempt to see the other side instead of casually denouncing them and waiting for a response along the lines of "you're doing great, everyone else is wrong".

Yes, this relates to a particular circumstance, but it applies well in general.

[EasilyAmused]

This one may sound odd but I mention it because I had a long discussion with someone about it.

Avoid Gender limitations by trying to write both your gender and the opposite gender. This is about increasing your creative writing as a whole. Especially those who want to branch out and write short stories or novels. Your main character may match your gender but I would be stunned if your book did not involve an interaction with members of the opposite gender. I'm not saying to go out and write smut as the other gender or even being involved in a romance while you're representing another gender but just general usage.

Here are some helpful tips!

1] Base your first other gendered character off of someone you know: your partner, your parent, a friend you're close with.
2] Don't start out in the romance department with your first other gender writing experience; I suggest doing a friendship based role play because yes, they exist and they are out there.
3] Watch TV and become inspired by a character, maybe a TV show/book/movie crush? (don't worry this suggestion is to adapt their personality not to do a fandom cannon role play).
4] Write how you would want to be treated by the opposite gender.

I promise it's easier than it sounds and it will open up a completely new writing world!

[pugbutter]

So you want to be a better roleplayer?

Read.

Read the thread you're signing up for, so that some of your questions may be answered without your needing to ask. Read the other players' character sheets, so you can design relationship potential within your character: romance, rivalry, friendship. Read other threads too, even the ones you have no intentions of joining, to see how other players handle this same process.

Read classical literature for its masterful grasp of language, and to understand the historical context of many of our favorite clichés. Read Young Adult lit for fast-paced, gripping plot ideas.

Read good books to learn what works, and what to do. Read bad books to learn what doesn't work, and what not to do.

Read resources on your characters' careers and hobbies. Whether it's heraldry, brewing, or computer programming, you owe it to your character, and to your readers, to portray these activities with some degree of accuracy. It will also help you to write longer posts, as you will suddenly know some of the jargon, some of the details to which you should be paying attention while on these topics.

Furthermore, engage yourself with other types of texts entirely: film, poetry, comics, video games, short story magazines, pulps; because you never know where a good story may arise, and because creativity takes many forms indeed. T.S. Eliot once said that "good writers borrow, great writers steal," so why would you not want to steal from as wide and diverse a selection as possible? That, after all, is how your writing becomes truly unique and inspired; ideas are not created in a vacuum. Star Wars is just Flash Gordon plus Westerns plus Kurosawa. The Witcher is just Elric of Melniboné plus Slavic folklore.

Read.

[GeekFactor]

1. Read (as stated above). The more you read, the better you'll write, because you'll increase not only your vocabulary and your grasp of various subtleties of grammar, language, and syntax, but your overall knowledge of the world and its people. So, unless you only ever intend to RP yourself, or a mirror image of yourself, you'd better learn as much as you can about *other* people, cultures, ideas, time periods, etc.

2. Practice writing! Don't just write when you RP with your friends. Write stories. Make up new characters. Don't be afraid to suck at it, at first. The only way to learn is by trying, failing, and learning from your failures. Write a story for a new character, leave it for a few days, then read it again. Sometimes, just a bit of time in between writing and reviewing gives us a fresh perspective for things we could improve, or things we might have missed.

3. Be teachable. The most unbearable RPP's are the ones who think they know everything and are perfect masters of their craft, worthy of peering down their noses at others. Even if you dislike another person's style or material, you won't get anywhere by being a jerk or a snob. If you don't want to RP with someone, then don't. If they seem open to critique, offer it politely, then allow them to accept it or reject it, without turning into an ass if they don't embrace your opinion. By the same token, be willing to hear "I think you could have done this better" without snapping in defense, or you'll only wind up limiting yourself; not only in who'll RP with you, but in what you can learn and how you can grow.

4. Remember that there is no story, no character, and no RP that is more important than the people behind the characters. I can't stress this enough. If you value a fictional character more than the flesh-and-blood human being behind the other screen who is providing that character for you to enjoy, you need to re-examine your priorities.

5. QUALITY OVER QUANTITY. I have to respectfully disagree that being overly descriptive trumps a story with some depth and substance to it. You don't have to make every post a novel. If you can convey your idea in ten words rather than a hundred, sometimes that is *all you need to do*. I don't need to hear about your "plump tiers curling slightly upwards at the corners" every time your character smirks. I really don't. I know what a smirk is. Describe it once, maybe, then move on. No amount of flowery descriptives will make your story interesting. If it lacks substance, all you have is a very boring and uninspiring list of adjectives.

[ArenaSnow]

4. Remember that there is no story, no character, and no RP that is more important than the people behind the characters. I can't stress this enough. If you value a fictional character more than the flesh-and-blood human being behind the other screen who is providing that character for you to enjoy, you need to re-examine your priorities.

@GeekFactor

Guilty, I roleplay for the sake of the characters involved, not the individuals

[GeekFactor]

<Snipped quote by GeekFactor>

Guilty, I roleplay for the sake of the characters involved, not the individuals

@ArenaSnow

Well, most of us do ;) But when you *value* the characters above maintaining a mutually respectful relationship with the person behind the character, that's a problem for me. I've seen people treat players like dirt, yet expect them carry on the RP because they only want the story, without remembering that without that player, there'd *be* no story. I hope that makes better sense.

[SleepingSilence]

My very quick ways to improve writing and using tools to help you realize your crutches as a writer and advice for roleplayers and GM's.

wordcounttools.com This is one of many sites that can help you do these things.

1. Spellcheck, before you post on the thread. It's simple, several browsers (and add on's.) straight up do the work for you and it shows the basic amount of respect that you're putting effort with those you're roleplaying with. Don't do a job, half-assed. Especially a hobby that's supposed to be based on passion and imagination.

2. Check for the words/phrases you're using. (or overusing) The more vocabulary you can use the better. Check with tools. For unique word percentage and it can give you an idea of grade level. (Though not perfectly, because fantasy words will skew it. More complexity doesn't automatically make writing good, though it doesn't really hurt if you know how.) Since roleplaying is an interactive medium between others, you have to make your writing actually interesting. Skip how detailed the bridge their crossing is, no one cares. Eliminate words that you don't need. Add real drama/turmoil. Do whatever to you can to not repeat yourself, quality over quantity is the most important.

3. If you cannot go with the flow when roleplaying, don't do it. GM's just let people have fun and don't add hundreds of unnecessary rules that just confuse most people and aren't followed anyway. You really don't need rule that says, don't god mod. This is obvious. If the rule can be described as "I'm the GM, I have final say." Then just post that. Players don't question or argue with the GM ad-nauseum. If you're the one stupid enough to try to god mod, prepare to be punished for it.

4. If you're going to drop something or go somewhere for a long time, post why and if/when your coming back. There is no excuse. We all live in the real world, everyone values not having their time wasted. It's common courtesy.

5. Have fun, be active and take constructive criticism in your writing. You can only improve when someone tells you about flaws you didn't know you had.

[ArenaSnow]

<Snipped quote by ArenaSnow>

Well, most of us do ;) But when you *value* the characters above maintaining a mutually respectful relationship with the person behind the character, that's a problem for me. I've seen people treat players like dirt, yet expect them carry on the RP because they only want the story, without remembering that without that player, there'd *be* no story. I hope that makes better sense.

@GeekFactor

It's certainly valid to expect the other person to at least be congenial for a roleplay to work.

I must admit, a roleplay goes much smoother with a lively OOC in support. Dead or toxic OOC tends to invalidate the roleplay >.>

[GeekFactor]

<Snipped quote by GeekFactor>

It's certainly valid to expect the other person to at least be congenial for a roleplay to work.

I must admit, a roleplay goes much smoother with a lively OOC in support. Dead or toxic OOC tends to invalidate the roleplay >.>

@ArenaSnow

Truer words were never spoken :)

[ArenaSnow]

There's something relevant in light of new user registrations.

No, if you don't get a full lobby of players in 1 hour, it does not mean people hate you, or that your idea is stupid, or that the site is dead. Same applies to 4 hours, 8 hours, and even 24 hours. Sometimes it just takes time for the concept to snag the right people. Canceling the RP for lack of interest within any of those durations is premature and not going to get you anywhere.

And, ah, expect failed roleplays frequently at least once in a while, as interest comes and goes, and it doesn't necessarily mean you're <insert the aforementioned things>. If you do think it's you that's the problem, give yourself a review, or have someone do that for you.

[Light the Dark]

Don't ghost people. If you don't like an RP/don't have time for it, tell your partner.

I know, I know - it's easier to just drop off the face of the world than tell someone that. But I've learned from experience, that it is ALWAYS better to tell your partner(s) if you have to drop. You don't even have to go into details, but let them know.

[EasilyAmused]

-bumping for donations-

[Mokley]

- Try basing your character's personality on a favorite character you know from books/movies/tv. Change the name, build on the character's complexity, sprinkle in new traits and habits, create a brand new history, take out what doesn't work. Not only will you end up with an original character you're guaranteed to like playing, but you have a familiar voice to fall back on during those inevitable times you're just not in that character's mindset.

- The story, the characters, and the players' enjoyment of the game are far more important than accuracy of information. Resist the urge to correct other players. Sometimes posts, character sheets, or OOC posts will contain suggestions or information that you know in your heart is wrong -- they've mixed up simple technical terms, they obviously don't understand how spaceships work, their knowledge of a certain time period is clearly inferior to yours, etc -- and a deep urge to (gently) correct them rises up in your throat. Unless the mistake is directly in gross conflict with the RP, and unless you are the GM, do nothing. Once again: only if BOTH of the listed criteria are true should you correct someone who didn't ask for clarification. It doesn't matter.

- To echo several statements above, quality over quantity. Read poetry. Keep a list of words and phrases that immediately evoke images or emotion. One paragraph, with the right words, can vividly describe an entire scene in the reader's mind.

- As a GM, your job is to write prompts. Everything you do, from the interest check to answering OOC questions to posting IC, should inspire the other players to write. If they get stuck, if they can't decide what to do or they say there's nothing they can do, it's your job to motivate them with further prompts and questions. The best feeling, as GM, is when the players prompt you. That's when you know the RP is going to be awesome.

- If you're feeling angry, close the tab. Walk away. Do something else for at least an hour, maybe a day. Write your grievances somewhere else, vent to someone outside RpG, play a game, do anything else. When you've cleared your head and you can see things objectively, reread the situation. If it still upsets you, calmly state your case via PM, never in the OOC. Calling out grievances in public puts people on the spot, and they'll be forced to be defensive instead of helpful in solving the matter.

[shamrocknroll]

-This isn't a marketplace, don't go bland: Stories need to be bland in order to be marketable. Rock music no longer has the edge it once had, same with any fiction. Why is GoT so popular? Partially because fantasy got it's edge back with it. Why is Orphan Black so acclaimed despite the small audience? Because it's a hard science fiction story centered on characters not plot like most hard science fiction stories. Between something that's off the beaten the path and one that's safe always go with the beaten path. You're not catering to the masses so you don't need to censor yourself for being weird or off kilter.

-Is your character the person you look up to or the person you wave to across the street?: This is the Marvel vs DC question. Are you like Marvel and focus on characters that are distinct and just like you or are you DC where you focus on archetypes and make them those you feel safe around? There's a reason why Peter Parker lost his everyman mindset in the 90s and early 00s, he no longer became relatable, he just spun his wheels like a high school student. There's a reason why evil Superman's so terrifying apart from his superpowers. Because the beacon of hope you admired for so long and a surrogate father to many... has become the abusive monster people flocked to Superman to save them from. Pick which one your character is and don't blink