Confidence Issues

[Hey Im Jordan]

In my defense I do not think it is poorly organized at all. I had someone look it over and actually help me with it. Aesthetics I feel is over the top and really unnecessary since it is flash at best taking up the interest of everyone else from other threads.

@rebornfan320

It's not all flash if it's successful, my friend.

[Carlyle]

In my defense I do not think it is poorly organized at all. I had someone look it over and actually help me with it. Aesthetics I feel is over the top and really unnecessary since it is flash at best taking up the interest of everyone else from other threads.

@rebornfan320

Counterpoint: Aesthetics are more likely to get me to take an interest in a RP rather than something that looks bland. Even if it is some simple fontmeme/1001fonts banners or fancy pictures, it shows the OP has bothered to put more effort than needed into their interest check, which usually means they'll stick around and put the same effort into the RP.

[Bee]

In my defense I do not think it is poorly organized at all. I had someone look it over and actually help me with it. Aesthetics I feel is over the top and really unnecessary since it is flash at best taking up the interest of everyone else from other threads.

@rebornfan320

it looks entirely generic and very convoluted. it was just a lot of word barf and i don't think many people want to read word barf.

also nice colors and pictures catch the eye. i know i would be FAR more likely to read into something that has a little effort put into its appearance. first impressions are everything my man.

[Hey Im Jordan]

<Snipped quote by rebornfan320>

Counterpoint: Aesthetics are more likely to get me to take an interest in a RP rather than something that looks bland. Even if it is some simple fontmeme/1001fonts banners or fancy pictures, it shows the OP has bothered to put more effort than needed into their interest check, which usually means they'll stick around and put the same effort into the RP.

@Sola

<Snipped quote by rebornfan320>

it looks entirely generic and very convoluted. it was just a lot of word barf and i don't think many people want to read word barf.

also nice colors and pictures catch the eye. i know i would be FAR more likely to read into something that has a little effort put into its appearance. first impressions are everything my man.

@Bee

This! That first impression is the most important thing. You only get one of those, and the people who put the effort into those interest checks or first posts are definitely making the better ones. Interest checks are built to grab interest. Putting in a few plot hooks/bunnies (I think I've seen people call them bunnies before?) might help too!

[Carlyle]

This! That first impression is the most important thing. You only get one of those, and the people who put the effort into those interest checks or first posts are definitely making the better ones. Interest checks are built to grab interest. Putting in a few plot hooks/bunnies (I think I've seen people call them bunnies before?) might help too!

@Hey Im Jordan

And to give an example, @Hey Im Jordan's Our Evil Ways RP is rather eye-catching. Hell, I would've applied if my hands weren't already full + the fact I'm already working on a updated reboot of my own zombie RP/starting up a blog for fun.

[rebornfan320]

I feel flash is just too much. I'm not the flashiest person and I feel flash for an RP check is just not needed for me in general because I feel there shouldn't be anything wrong with posting what you like without needing to go to leaps and bounds while also putting down the other threads too along with their effort and hard work.

[Bee]

I feel flash is just too much. I'm not the flashiest person and I feel flash for an RP check is just not needed for me in general because I feel there shouldn't be anything wrong with posting what you like without needing to go to leaps and bounds while also putting down the other threads too along with their effort and hard work.

@rebornfan320

it's not sunlight flash. it's just a little sparkle to make things a little more appealing. there is a reason why chefs spend so much time on garnishing things or why people spend so much time decking out their tinder profiles. the more appealing you look the more likely you are to attract partners. people like shiny things, and like i said before, the more you make your interest check more visually appealing the more willing people are to stick around and read what you actually want to do.

and like sola said, if you put effort into your interest check instead of just listing stuff out, the better impression that potential partners will have.

[rebornfan320]

I feel aesthetics is more of a hate with me with it because of the unnecessary feel I have with it because I am more of a direct kind of approach with being unsure of anything flashy since I believed flashy or adding sparkle to something was not really needed if you were true to yourself. But I guess my style doesn't mesh with anyone and only go for the flashy thing like the new toy in the store.

[ArenaSnow]

I feel aesthetics is more of a hate with me with it because of the unnecessary feel I have with it because I am more of a direct kind of approach with being unsure of anything flashy since I believed flashy or adding sparkle to something was not really needed if you were true to yourself. But I guess my style doesn't mesh with anyone and only go for the flashy thing like the new toy in the store.

@rebornfan320

Presentation involving the simple use of an image, cleaning up grammar (which, again, is one of your problems, if you want me to go over every iffy looking segment I suppose I will) and generally looking clean and like you spent more than spewing words onto the guild without a second read is not only quite standard, it's quite expected in many contexts and has been for a long time. It is hardly flashy to look clean and presentable. Such logic excuses you for being hairy and wearing a huge dirty overcoat to a business meeting. Sure, everyone else 'just goes for the flashy thing', but spurring basic effort indicates to them you not only have regard for what they look for, but also that you will probably put little effort into what you're actually supposed to do.

And that's what it boils down to. Never mind flashy. You look lazy. Even if that is not the case, it is how things come across. You have not read enough interest checks, evidently, to see how this works.

[rebornfan320]

I read interest checks and I see that flashiness and over the top checks are always the ones that will always get noticed before ones that do not have any sort of flash of images. I don't think I look lazy with my interest checks and with the effort I have put into them but it doesn't seem to be enough since everyone leaves for fickle reasons and their obsession for flashiness.

[Ammokkx]

aight, rebornfan, going to be straight with you

stop the pity party

You have a shitload of people pointing you to where you're going wrong, but all you do is defend yourself and insist on your way or the highway. Don't ask for help or explanations when you're not going to accept them, especially not when it's your sixth goddamn thread.

Seriously. Stop.

[ArenaSnow]

aight, rebornfan, going to be straight with you

stop the pity party

You have a shitload of people pointing you to where you're going wrong, but all you do is defend yourself and insist on your way or the highway. Don't ask for help or explanations when you're not going to accept them, especially not when it's your sixth goddamn thread.

Seriously. Stop.

@Ammokkx

Aw, shit. I replied on multiple of them and never even remembered.

At this rate, I fully concur. @rebornfan320, if all you're going to do is deflect everyone's suggestions that run along the same course in what is literally becoming a 'year after year' affair starting soon, then you should either just outright stop and do something else or actually bother to take advice and not play 'I'm so misunderstood' every bloody time. It's fucking old.

Either come out and say you're looking for attention or stop exemplifying the literal definition of insanity.

[SleepingSilence]

Okay, just by skimming this thread alone. The only thing I've seen is critiques on someone's 1x1 page (done in a non-constructive manner) and calling it lazy, convoluted, and to "change it to make it look pretty."

@Sola, was one of the only people to even provide an example of what they might be even talking about for directions of improvements...

The rest of that alone really isn't helpful at all. So people lambasting the "I dunno, how flashy I want it to be." Makes you come across more unnecessarily spiteful than anything. It seems people love having the excuse to act aggressive on this site, but if I have to be the only one again, cut it out.

If multiple threads spread out over months are too much, you don't have to read/comment in them...

---

@rebornfan320 Just by skimming through your profile page, it really doesn't look like you've really tried to join many group roleplays at all. (As you don't have any IC posts, that I can find.) You can't really know, until you try. If just wanting to roleplay and write no matter what and it doesn't really concern you on how you accomplish that, I'd recommend going into Free and just join some group roleplays. Free RP's on this site don't stall for nearly as long and actually don't die as often and probably even post more frequently.

What @Arenasnow said about, having the wrong approach with group RP's is true. You can't simply eliminate the option on the off chance it may not have fruitful results. Many RP's will die, but that's the nature of roleplaying. If you sincerely enjoy writing, you probably won't mind going through some extra hurdles.

If you're too hesitant to take chances, whether by creating alternative looks for the 1x1 sheet, or at least actually trying to join more group roleplays. You'll continue to be disappointed, and I doubt you want that. Or maybe focus on doing some more personal writing instead for a bit, sometimes if you want something, you have to do it yourself.

If anyone else hasn't offered, I'd be willing to send you an alternative 1x1 page that may look a little cleaner in presentation. But it can still remain simplified. Besides that there's not much else I can offer.

[Bee]

what else are you supposed to say when you offer advice to someone who clearly isnt taking it? he has made multiple threads on the exact issue and he clearly hasn't taken any advice.

it's not just here either. he's done the same exact thing on other forums despite having staff intervene and give them their own advice. there is only so much we can do for someone who refuses to take advice from all parties involved and clearly just wants to deflect and complain that its everyone else's fault and not his own instead of accepting the fact that it's also partially his fault as well and making efforts to actually strive and change and take everyone's advice into consideration.

I'm pretty sure a lot of us are sick and tired of his incessant bitching about how nobody wants to RP with him despite his refusal to implement any of the advice we've given him. like I said, theres only so much we can do for someone who plugs their ears and refuses to listen.

[SleepingSilence]

@Bee I'm not trying to point fingers at anyone individually. I just feel that it isn't particularly useful. So I don't know about other sites. It's understandable to be frustrated when someone refuses to take advice, yet constantly asks for it. If that is indeed the case. But to answer what can pragmatically be done? If you think someone feeds off attention, and they aren't being malicious in their pursuit of it which then becomes its own separate issue, the best thing you can do is actively ignore those people...

[mickilennial]

The wise listen to advice.

[Bee]

@Bee I'm not trying to point fingers at anyone individually. I just feel that it isn't particularly useful. So I don't know about other sites. It's understandable to be frustrated when someone refuses to take advice, yet constantly asks for it. If that is indeed the case. But to answer what can pragmatically be done? If you think someone feeds off attention, and they aren't being malicious in their pursuit of it which then becomes its own separate issue, the best thing you can do is actively ignore those people...

@SleepingSilence

most useful advice has been expended and it is clearly not something he wants to do. it's just wasted time and effort and i'm sure nobody wants to waste further time in doing so.

the more we ignore him and let him keep doing this, however, the more threads he's just going to create and whine and bitch until someone comes along. there does need to be a stop put to this before he stinks up the whole place.

[rebornfan320]

@SleepingSilence
I have also posted an RP thread in the “Free” and “Casual” sections of my improved thread for 1x1 purposes and yet still having it called “lazy”, “convoluted” and to “change it to look pretty” exemplifies the obsessive need to add flash to a thread.
Free roleplays on this thread in terms of a group I do want to have better success overall but it has been highly elusive for me as I have suffered drops at the planning phase of an RP, during a roleplay where I have replied to the partner that was interested and they haven't replied back since I have done so. Hell, I even got blocked for no reason with no warning on another site before even joining up on this site.
I took a chance with an edited alternate RP thread when I had someone look it over and after posting it I felt pretty good then.
I have asked myself if I do enjoy writing and I do enjoy it because of the creative possibilities there are to choose from between two people.
In terms of “Taking Chances” and when it comes to me being hesitant I am because I feel no one is interested in my ideas and what I am bringing by my interest thread, sure I have edited it and tinkered with it before the serious edit I have recently done a few times.

I will say this in regards to the offer of an alternate 1x1 page you can cause no one else hasn't offered outside of one other. At the rate I'm going in terms of not having new partners I would consider as you said in your statement; “sometimes if you want something, you have to do it yourself.”

[SleepingSilence]

I have also posted an RP thread in the “Free” and “Casual” sections.

@rebornfan320

Just looking at history, nothing seems to show up for me. So that's what I'm going off of. But from the way you worded that, I assume that means you've created RP's before (as the GM) that no one joined/didn't spark enough interest to start, correct?

But that's not quite what I meant. Sometimes, people want proof that you can write before they'll be inclined to RP with you. So first start by joining others group RP's in the Free section. It's often far quicker and the easiest way to start roleplaying. So I'll stick with that as my recommendation in terms of just wanting to roleplay.

Something that nobody mentioned here, or even other threads that I can see, that will improve your chances and not require flash. (But substance instead.) Provide writing examples of how you write, then maybe create your own specific plot lines and hooks for others to grab onto. I know I find specified plot lines often more interesting than just vague genres or characters. I think anyone that asks for writing quality in any form should reflect it themselves. And writing samples might be beneficial for that.

But I'll shoot you a private message, a little later tonight then. (And I'll see a few alternatives options may look good to you.) But yeah, in the end, it's up to you whether or not you write. NaNo is starting tomorrow, the create a novel/50,000 words in a month challenge thing. So if RPing is bumming you out, you won't be the first and last person that feels that way, that is something else that may inspire motivation.

[Dion]

I read interest checks and I see that flashiness and over the top checks are always the ones that will always get noticed before ones that do not have any sort of flash of images. I don't think I look lazy with my interest checks and with the effort I have put into them but it doesn't seem to be enough since everyone leaves for fickle reasons and their obsession for flashiness.

@rebornfan320

So I'll just get this straight.

A) You want more hits on your 1x1 interest check.
B) You have noticed more 'flashiness' and 'over the top' checks get more hits.
C) Still you don't want to add 'flashiness' and 'over the top elements' to your interest check.
D) Now you are confused as to why you don't get more hits.

Then haven't we solved the thread here? There are only 2 elements to someone PMing you for a 1x1: a good idea, and a nice looking and organized thread. Anything else is secondary.

I would also like to remind you that RPG is not a site with a thousand concurrent users. There are 200 online at a good time on a good day. Of those, I'd say most of them don't even look at the 1x1 interest checks (ever) and most of them don't look at them daily. As harsh as this may sound, the audience for 1x1 is relatively small, the audience that might even look at your thread is even smaller, the amount that might have sent you a PM despite your thread flashiness is smaller than that even, and you have stated yourself that several people have dropped out of RPing with you even after they PMed you.

I'm starting to think maybe your issue isn't flashiness or images or over the top aesthetics, I'm starting to think that your issue is just that people don't want to roleplay with you. Sorry if that sounds mean -- and I don't know if it's the truth -- but you should ask yourself if maybe that's what's going on here.

Okay, just by skimming this thread alone. The only thing I've seen is critiques on someone's 1x1 page (done in a non-constructive manner) and calling it lazy, convoluted, and to "change it to make it look pretty."

@Sola, was one of the only people to even provide an example of what they might be even talking about for directions of improvements...

The rest of that alone really isn't helpful at all. So people lambasting the "I dunno, how flashy I want it to be." Makes you come across more unnecessarily spiteful than anything. It seems people love having the excuse to act aggressive on this site, but if I have to be the only one again, cut it out.

@SleepingSilence

I think it was very constructive. We told him what to improve and how to do it. Multiple people agreed (even you yourself admit that changing the thread might be smart!) so it was clearly a good idea. Unlike you, apparently, I do not have the time to create a nice looking 1x1 interest check for someone that holds up to my own standards -- I already spent enough time on my own interest check and it paid off. And even if I did have the time, my time costs money, so I'd like to get paid to do things like that (which no self-respecting person would consider paying for).

The power to write, whether it be plaintext or BBcode, is right here in your own hands. Rebornfan can do it himself if he really wanted to.

He does not want to.

And I'm not gonna do it for him, because I'm not a babysitter and I have other things to do. Plus, I just don't want to.

You can take your passive aggressive attitude and take a hike, SleepingSilence.