Personally, I’ve had longer and more successful RP’s through 1x1. Although, if I’m being honest, it’s not a big mystery as to why. (It’s because I tend to put the maximum effort into making sure my partners are satisfied, and keeping my roleplays active.) In contrast to groups RP’s I’ve been the player in, where the GM (or “CO-GM”) has been more than half of the reasons something dies before it gets off the ground. And half-assing my creation has never been a problem for me. But, if I can offer a general truth and tips on how someone may improve their chances here...
It all starts with my observed mantra: Many players do not know what they want.
So we’ll start with how to advertise yourself with your 1x1 page. Mine, (and no I won’t shamelessly link it here) has basically everything a potential reader could need. General information about me. What I expect from my partners, and what they can expect from me. How to contact me. Many fandoms, genres and examples of plots. Writing samples. And it’s formatted to look nice and organized. Etc. Etc. I’m missing pretty much nothing, is my point.
And I recommend doing that, so when you run into people like this...you can be certain it was
their fault and not yours.
Example One: Someone who claimed they looked through my 1x1 page, so they wanted to start an RP with me. So I sent them my introduction post, and then asked them if everything was alright. They thought it was good, and then sent me their post shortly after. But it had a lot of misspellings and typos, as if it was rushed. (Though if they looked at my 1x1 page. They’d have to know that all I ask for in my 1x1 in terms of quality control, is for the general spelling to be correct as possible.) Since it really is the very easiest thing to do. So I said that I liked the post, though I simply mentioned they should check their spelling in future, and offered them a site that does it all for them.
One very nasty “I’m offended” conversation later, and it was obvious this guy didn’t read my 1x1. But if I
didn’t have that very thing specified on my page, I could imagine how that outburst might have made anyone feel. (And tip to inspiring roleplayers out there. When you defend a rush job by trying to explain it away. You can almost always edit a post faster than moaning about why you didn’t do it right the first time.)
Example Two: I was interested in someone’s IC. But they had next to no information present in it. So I sent them a polite PM of interest with a non-specific idea they had, and then sent them my IC. (You usually do this for common courtesy sake. Since you’d imagine any roleplayer would like to know more about the people interested in their stuff. But also, to indicate that you have your own plots and ideas that mesh with theirs.) However, I get this as a reply...“No, I have no ideas. But fuck you, I’m not reading your 1X1. Because if you read my two paragraphs you’d already know if we were compatible. Kthax.”
Believe me, there is no other context. But let’s pretend that would’ve ever been okay to do this to someone simply asking for interest. Maybe, if the user themselves would’ve put this in their 1x1. “Please never ever send me your 1x1’s, or give me any plot ideas. I won’t like them.” But even when a player admits they don’t know what they want...it doesn’t mean that being kind and offering a suggestion will lead to anything but unacceptable rudeness. So, hey, if you make a 1x1 page. It actually
is relevant to include, “I will not be a massive prick to you.”
Next comes partners who don’t have major antisocial personality disorders, but problems still arise from lack of clear communication. (Because say it with me now, most players don’t know what they want.) Whether one minute someone wants a purposefully fast scene to slow down, and then almost quits immediately after because the RP isn’t going fast enough. Or a frustrated player doesn’t quite understand that a ‘collaboration RP’ means you can always put your ideas in the RP too.
I always encourage my partners to introduce their ideas, characters, and use creative IC problem solving. Because I believe there’s very rarely a time where an RP fails due to too much creativity. But it can be in your best interest to plan out every conceivable thing, if you’re that type of roleplayer. As personal taste obviously applies, and there isn’t a “wrong” way to roleplay, if everyone’s having a good time.
So here’s how I generally prefer to roleplay.
- 1. Be willing and eager to fix my IC writing mistakes, if my partner brings them up. Because I believe all they want from me, is to improve both of our experiences.
- 2. Directly communicate everything. When I’m busy, when I’ll be posting, updates in my writing process, providing branching options and suggestions on how the story can move forward. While making sure my partner is on the same page.
- 3. Encourage my partner. And often, if needed. As I almost feel bad when I’m in a supposed collaboration and I’m nearly leading the whole process. So it really does help to emphasize that you like ideas, and want partners that can go with the flow. As I will never outright dismiss an idea. Quite the opposite, usually. I’ve never stopped an RP dead, because “Well, this element (you or I) introduced is something I don’t like now.”
- 4. Stay active in my writing. (And explain what I’ve observed in terms of RP shelf life. A.K.A “How long will this last without either a post, or communication why that post isn’t done?”)
- 5. Match intensity. (My biggest flaw that I’m currently working on. Which I’ve seen become an issue with some good partners.) Don’t constantly write so much more, or so little in comparison to your partner. Because it can easily lead to someone feeling bad, and assuming they’re doing something wrong. When it’s usually not a perceived problem at all. Though I do tend to write on the longer side, I really do try to keep things even as possible.
- 6. Be willing to do things out of your comfort zone. For a lewd instance, I’ve both done and tried to initiate or be in romance RP's that would include kinks or pairings that I’m not particularly into in real life. But through my general experiences, they’ve certainly made for more interesting stories. And this usually works for genres that you don’t often do as well. So the more absurd and less generic the starting point, the more potential for greatness I say.
- 7. Have all the small nagging details already clearly shown on my interest check. Because first impressions are valuable, after all.
And to end this long spiel on a positive note, I’ve been blessed with some of the better partners that I’ve had in a long while. Where my work and conduct is both praised and clearly appreciated. So here’s a non-specific thank you to my excellent partners, for being great roleplayers, and letting me continue to enjoy my hobby!
1x Thank
