Well, what do we have here?

[crestfallen]

Must be a new arrival.

Hey, there. I'm Crest, one of the newest of the newcomers to this lively gray site here. I've been lurking for a few days, checking out all that this place has to offer, and finally tonight I caved and figured what the hell, can't hurt to give it a shot, can it? and here I am. A brief introduction is in order, I suppose.

- My roleplay experience is almost nil, except that I co-authored books with my best friend when we were in middle school. From what I can tell, the process is similar. I've got a few more independent writing chops, but inspiration has been a little thin these days. I like this site's format & the accountability system set up here, and I hope that this will get me writing regularly, instead of in short spurts.
- I'm a university student--something like an English major with a little bit more philosophy and theology thrown in. I also teach Shakespeare on the side, so if you need help with your Romeo & Juliet homework/monologue performance, I'm your girl.
- I love fantasy & mythology. Dragons, magic, gods, spirits, swordsmanship, gritty, light, high, low, all of it. Creative worldbuilding is my aesthetic. Interesting storytelling, twists on the genre... hell yes.
- I'm the token aromantic/asexual, so I tend not to write much romance into my stories. I hope this won't be much of a problem. From what I've seen, it seems to depend on the roleplay, so I will be open about this & establish all that good communication jazz that makes for strong & healthy platonic/working relationships.
- I did think of one exception to my "all of it" fantasy rule. I can't stand fey. Not even creative twists. Sorry about that.

In return, I have a serious question and then a fun question just for getting to know people.

Serious question: How can I be the most successful roleplayer I can be? Activity is obviously a part of it, but what is there beyond that that would make for a really great, successful roleplay?
And as an extension, fun question: What was/is your favorite roleplay that you've ever been a part of?

I know it's a little unorthodox, but, like I said at the beginning, this is all pretty much spur-of-the-moment, what the hell sort of joining up. Feel free to ignore the questions. Can't wait to start writing with you all. See you 'round.

-Crest

Oh, that's all we need. Another inquisitive soul.

[I Own Cows]

Welcome to the guild! You'll like it here, assuming you don't go hollow.

I've never really been all that great at telling people how to roleplay, but I would have to say communication is definitely important. Getting to know the people your roleplaying with goes a long way. I'm sure other people can come up with some better advice.

As for my favorite roleplay, it'd have to be the first one that I created. It was the generic post-apocalyptic setting, with half breed mutants. It was still a lot of fun though. The website we were posting on shutdown before we could finish it, which just sucked. A year worth of effort down the drain.

[ArenaSnow]

Another one? Seems like they're coming even more these days. Gettin a little crowded 'round here...

---

On the serious side - depth, thought and attention for what makes your post worth reading are the primary criteria I think of. A long post is pointless if it's just a bunch of jumbled words without much thought for if they attract any interest.

I can't really tell you how to do that, it just comes to certain people over time, and some slower than others (it's a snail for me). Practice is the key, I suppose. Try starting in free or an "open" casual roleplay and work your way up; free can have some good ones with standards and that work like casual in some cases. Advanced I would wait until you're comfortable with the particulars of the site.

If you haven't seen it yet, this is a good reference.

[crestfallen]

@I Own Cows Thanks for the advice! Sorry your site shut down, that's the worst. I'd hardly say the effort was down the drain though, what with friends and experiences and the like. You know how to run a kickass RP at the very least.

@ArenaSnow Thanks for the link. I figured I'd lurked enough and was ready to try my hand at actually taking part. No doubt there will be a few missteps, but I'm exited to try something different. I'll keep your advice in mind.

[Aimee]

Welcome to Roleplayer Guild, Crest!

I don't think you being aromantic or asexual affects your chances of roleplaying at all! Many of my past partners were and there was no problem whatsoever. But if it does, then you're with the wrong people!

If you have any books to recommend, please let me know, I like that you're into fantasy! My niche is more in Young Adult books because my attention span is short with books sometimes but I've got some that I'm looking forward to reading soon. :)

Hope we can be friends!

Happy holidays!

[Sombrero]

Fantasy, mythology, dragons, gods, magic, spirits, swordsmanship, grittiness and highness!?

All those things get involved at some area or another at the RP link in my sig! *Shameless self promotion*

If you're into worldbuilding, however, you could also join Duck's game, which is a fantasy game where everyone is the creator/GM, or SepticG's game, which looks like it'll be all about worldbuilding and anything else you make it.

Regardless, welcome to the site! You're in for a great time! ^.^

[crestfallen]

@Aimee Thanks Aimee. I figured it wouldn't be much of a problem--I can write romance and such, but my confidence goes down tenfold and I worry about every other word and I just really wouldn't prefer that kinda life, especially since I'm so new. Ace is ace, man. Ace is ace.

As for books, if you haven't read Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo, I highly recommend it. I just finished the first book and I can't wait til I can get my hands on the second one. Also, I've really wanted to read The Raven Cycle by Maggie Steifvater for a while, which is supposed to be great, if you can find the damn books. I've checked everywhere. I need a Kindle or something.

@Sombrero Thanks for the thread recs. I actually hadn't seen those when I was browsing, and they look pretty great. I'm really interested in your game, too, if you'd have a newbie.

[Sombrero]

@crestfallen I'd be glad to have you aboard!

[crestfallen]

@SombreroAwesome! Thanks man.

[Karoline]

Welcome to RPG, Crest!

[crestfallen]

@Karoline Thank you!

[CallMeChaotix]

Welcome. ^.^

[Glitch]

Straight from the get-go, let me apologize for taking 3 days (omigosh!) to reply to this wonderful introduction of yourself! Thank you for choosing Guild-Air, we hope you enjoy your flight and in case of a crash you're pretty much screwed. Either way, great to have you aboard my friend!

As for your positively interesting question (of which the initiative I adore, by the way), my personal answer would be this:

First of all, How can you be the most succesful roleplayer you can be? That's an easy one, really. Have you ever played a board game? Did you ever see a commercial of it? Did you ever see someone on the losing side in the commercial and *not* laughing?
Writing is like that. It's easy to lose yourself in the feeling of responsibility to cater to the person on the other side of the book. Sometimes you'll feel like you want to write something, but you write something else so the other person can respond better/enjoys the sentence better. Always remember you write, because you chose to. You're not writing for anyone else, you're writing because it makes you happy!

My personal best roleplay I have ever been in is a short-lived one. It was a Dungeons & Dragons game and while it wasn't perfect (far from it), it was the most blissful childish moment in my life. I got to play pretend again as if I were ten years old and had amazing fun in the most magical world a person can think of. If you ever get the chance to play D&D with someone (if you haven't already) I'd surely reccomend it!

Tl:dr. GL HF bruh, welcome to the Guild :3

[crestfallen]

@CallMeChaotix Thanks. ^___^

@Glitch Thanks for the advice. I agree, it's definitely really easy to cater to an audience outside of yourself when you're writing. I can see how those pressures would work here (I may or may not already be feeling them, honestly). I'll be sure to remember what you said.

As for D&D, my friends and I played a small campaign, once upon a time. I hope to do it again soon, because it really was some of the most fun I've had since I was ten and swinging sticks around pretending to be a Dragon Rider.