GM'ing for beginners?

[Satoshi Kyou]

So i dont know if this belongs here but im a new user here and i am not experienced with roleplaying (in forums) or anything of the sorts

so is there a difference in gm'ing and being a character in that roleplay or not or is that generally a bad idea for a beginner like me?

like im already building up a world and everything right now (you can ask me about it but im saving it for when im ready for it)

[Vilageidiotx]

If you are new, you should probably at least try to join another RP. This isn't a rule, and i'm not suggesting that I think you can't manage a roleplay. Rather, it's an uphill battle to get an RP going as it is, but doing so when you don't know anybody is something next to impossible.

Find the people who share your tastes and interests, get involved in their RP's and show them that you know what you are doing. When you have built a name for yourself, make an RP.

[NuttsnBolts]

As a GM you have to know when to stamp your foot down in a variety of situations. It could be member fights, or even an unruly player. Even people that get funny about their character sheet need to be put into place. You have to sometimes be diplomatic and remember that even if one member may get annoyed or upset at you, you have a group that are standing by your opinion.

I would also,if it's your first time GMing, start with a small group of people. Up to 5 members in total. Larger groups can require a bit more work and you need to know your limitations first in your GMing abilities. You can always expand out and increase the size later if you so desire, but that's easier than trying to trim back and remove members.

Lastly, this is YOUR Roleplay. What you say goes. If you want people to have certain attributes, then they have to abide by your rules. Great example I had one time was I wanted a steampunk like world with minor world changes, and character abilities... and one application I got was a legless man in a flying wheelchair with an elephant gun and magic abilities. When I knocked back the member I had another forum member have a shot at me saying that I was being unfair. In those situations you always have the right to choose who you want to enter so you need to stand your grounds.

:)

[TJByrum]

I'm a horrible GM for several reasons.

When you GM you need to make absolutely sure you're committed to it (and that goes for RPing too). Are you just going through a short 'fad' that will vanish from your mind in a few weeks? I'm the type of person who sees Transformers, Lord of the Rings, or Star Wars and suddenly want to make an RP based on or inspired by them. But a week later I realize I kind of don't want to host a RP about them. This is my biggest weakness. I get caught up in the hype and then the hype dies down and I'm caught being a GM. Nothing like joining a fun RP when the host suddenly disappears. I've done this a dozen times, even here on these boards, and I know it's annoying.

The next thing I'm going to tell you kind of goes hand in hand with commitment. Make sure you're going to have time to do it. Gonna work a lot of overtime the next few months? Going on a cruise? Going away for a while? Make sure you at least tell people before you do these things, or wait till they're over and then host the RP.

Have a clear vision. You say you already got your world planned out pretty good, and that's a start. Make sure you know where you're going with the RP, otherwise you'll end up making stuff up on the go and it'll feel convoluted. If you have a good idea in mind of where the RP should go, specify to the players what type of characters you're seeking. You will end up getting some very creative, interesting characters, but they won't fit in the RP. Don't be afraid to tell them they can't join. Better yet, simply offer them suggestions that might make their character work in the RP.

Like I said, I'm a pretty terrible GM. But I'm improving. I've been carrying a RP of mine called 'The Hallows Inn'. since 12/14/2014, which is now 6 months. That's amazing for me to do. People are still highly interested in it as well. But it is on the BattleOn! Forums.

[Ruby]

Trick to GMing isn't the world building; it's dealing with other players and being able to walk a group of players down an IC path. Sounds simple, a thousand little issues come up along the way.

But unless you're trying to GM an Advanced or High Casual game right off the bat, you'll do fine as a first time GM, more than likely. And if you don't, get more experience as a RPer first, and try it again in a month or so.

Simple, easy.

[Satoshi Kyou]

Trick to GMing isn't the world building

@Ruby

but isnt world building also important

also what is the difference in taking part of your rp and someone elses since i am here and curious

[NuttsnBolts]

<Snipped quote by Ruby>
but isnt world building also important

also what is the difference in taking part of your rp and someone elses since i am here and curious

@Satoshi Kyou

It's more laying down the foundations of the world, not the characters. GMing a role play is not quite like story writing. You need to give your players room to expand their characters. You could be the best writer in the world but if you have bad players the whole RP will suck.

You can take part, but your role should be more narrative. So sometimes you will need to write out of your character perspective and interact with ALL players.

[Satoshi Kyou]

well i know the players are more important as they lay the story but im not talking about building a plot but just the world itself or in other words just the theme

[Ruby]

<Snipped quote by Ruby>
but isnt world building also important

also what is the difference in taking part of your rp and someone elses since i am here and curious

@Satoshi Kyou

Yes, of course, World Building is always important. Whether you're doing your own custom setting, or just trying to bring a well known setting to life (for example; comics, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, etc). World Building includes the NPCs the characters will interact with, it includes scrubbing submitted Character Sheets to insure nothing there will 'break' the feel of whatever world your setting is based in.

But most of that work is done BEFORE the game even gets started. Hence IntChecks/OOCs threads having a fair amount of setting information included.

The difference in GMing and RPing, made simple: When you GM, you write for yourself, and everyone else. You tell a story and answer to the needs/complaints of your players. When you RP, you simply write for yourself, and maybe the person responding right after your IC post. Your character is your chief concern, and most importantly, how your character interacts with the setting and the other characters.

Whereas when you GM, every aspect of the game is your concern. Character approvals, setting, post pace, post standards, OOC communication, players dropping and adding, etc, etc. I showed up to the Guild as an Advanced RPer/writer; I showed up as a really good writer...but not a lot of RP experience. So I personally took at least a few months to RP in other folk's games so I could get a feel for how they work, and how the Guild works, before I GMed my first game.

Also, it's worth noting, that people are helpful. When I first started GMing, I picked a GM I really liked writing with and talking to and I used them as a sort of "GM mentor"--if I had questions, or just needed a soundboard, I used them. This "GM Mentor" has helped me immeasurably over the years here on the Guild, and I still count them as one of my dearest Guild friends, and favorite people to collaborate with.

So don't be afraid to find someone you think GMs how you'd want to GM...then PM them with questions. The vast majority on the Guild are insanely nice when approached in this way, so don't be shy about it.

[Jig]

also what is the difference in taking part of your rp and someone elses since i am here and curious

@Satoshi Kyou

It's mostly just how much control you have over the RP.

In somebody else's game, the only thing you control is your own character.

When you're taking part in your own game, you also (usually) control your own character/s, but you should be paying lots of attention to the overall RP and seeking, through actions both in the OoC and IC sections, to guide the overall game.

[Satoshi Kyou]

@Rubyi have a experienced co-worker at my side helping me but i thought i take some advice from other people
im not going to toss a mention