Post by Mad Mana on Jul 20, 2006 16:08:12 GMT -5
Today's era is full of the vast horizons of technilogical triumph. In the past decade, we have seen the rise of machines in entertainment, transportation, and communicaitons. Perhaps the greatest revelation, in my opinion, was the rise of the computer and the internet. Since it's grand beginings, the internet has become the greatest source on buying, selling, advertising, and communicating in the world. There are over a billion websites today and a good share of them are dedicated to meeting people and games [specifically Role Playing Games].
There are two types of Role Playing. Pre-existing where the plot and the setting are already in motion so that all you have to do is create a character and control it's actions. Then there are my favorite types of Role Playing, which is steadily climbing in popularity, are the postboard role plays. This is the type of roleplaying where you not only have to create and control your character, but all too often you have to create the setting, the mood, the plot, and the dynamics. Today this is the type of roleplaying situations that I will be talking about.
A lot of people, especially those who are new to the concept, perhaps think that role playing is fun and simple. All you have to do is come up with a name and control it limitedly. While roleplaying is fun, it is not really this simple. As I help you on your journey to become a better role player I want you to keep one thing in mind and never forget it; Effort is the backbone of a strong and lasting role play. Without effort, you're left with something that you hate and those role playing with you will late about you. Now let's begin shall we?
________________________________
Lesson One: Your Character and You.
A character. Without it, the RP would only be unchanging and boring scenery. Your RP character is your lasting mark on those who whitness to your roleplaying. Your character is an important part of yourself. Therefore, the more thought you put into him/her, the more life you give an RP and the more you are going to keep your audience and your fellow RP'ers interested.
Now character can be as deep or as vauge as you like. That is the fun in it all. But there are a few specifics that are required if you come up with a good character.
1. Description- A. This makes it easier to visualize everything and B. You don't have to waist time describing your characters attributes (hair, eyes, attire, ect.) in a RP, unless you are really eccentric. Often it is handy to post a picture of your character along with your profile. Not necessary, but it makes the profile less work.
2. Age- Reguardless if it is known or not. That way your fellow RP'ers have an idea of where to base their characters age.
3. History- It is important to know where the character came from. It will say a lot about their personality and how they will interact with others.
4. Special Attributes- This is where you tell of your characters race, powers, special abilities, and weapons. That way the potential battle interest of your character and even your teammates will know from the get go what your character is capable of.
Anything else you decide to put in is entirely up to you. Myself, I like to put a little photo gallery at the it so it seems as if my characters are more personable. Any extra items you put will tell anyone looking at it of your intelligance. [For more information about character profiling, see separate tutorioal. And I have that one too if you would like to see it.]
______________________
Lesson Two: Basic English.
Now I know most of you are likely to see the title of this and skip right over it. You get/got enough of it during high school right? But hear me out. Notice the word BASIC. I'm not going to sit here and bore you with the technical terms of proper English. Believe me, that is the last thing I want to even think about. But your basic knowledge of English is VERY important. Not only does it make you look intellegent and attractive, but it also makes people want to role play with you more.
Now let's break down the basics of Basic English.
1. Spelling- I always mispell at least one word in a rolepaly. It is bound to happen. But there is a difference between mistake and just plain lazy. If you don't know how to spell a word, look it up or just go with the good old fashioned failsafe. After the supposed mispelled word you put this:[sp?]. This let's players know that yes, you are aware ou probably mispelled it and yes, you are too lazy to look it up.
2. Capitalization- This is the pet peeve of a lot of people. Now you may not think it is an important factor, but it really is. Again, it makes you look intellegent but also puts you in good with Senior Rp'ers which will get you far.
3. Punctuation- Yet another golden ticket into RP popularity. If your character is excited, put an exclimation point. If your character asks a question, put a question mark. It's not that hard. This is first grade stuff people!
4. The Difference Between Thought and Voclas-
"Hello." That is actual vocalizing. You will note the captions around it. this means a person is speaking.
'Oh My God!' That could be counted as thought but most of the time thoughts are expressed in Italics. Make sure that if you are ever put in a this senario, you distinguish by telling your audience.
____________________
Lesson Three: Description.
Now I'm not promoting deep and tiresome action description, but an idea of what's going on. In a RP post there are a few things that should be described.
1. Scenery- Is it sunny? Is it rainy? Are you at school or in a bloody battle? These are examples of things your RP team needs to know.
2. Action- Are you running? Are you fighting? Are you sleeping?
3. Description- I know people can just go and look at your character's profile but the fact of the matter is that people are lazy. So it is your job to create a feel for your character to your team. Not long and in depth, unless it is necessary, but a hint of look description.
4. Facial Expressions- A face is worth a thousand words. Make sure your readers/team knows how your character is feeling.
___________________
Lesson Four: Length.
So many times people put one or two sentances and call it a post. This is one of the most aggrivating things to a senior/true role player. Again, depth comes in here too, but not too much. If you are going to bother posting, PLEASE make it at least one paragraph (3 sentances). This way everyone is happy and you get better creditablility.
_____________________
Lesson Five: Plot.
It is necessary for a good RP to make sure your story has a point. I learned this the hard way. So even if you didn't start the RP, and you feel it is not going anywhere, take the initiation to make a point, with permission of the thread starter of course.
And there you have it. No doubt there is probably somthing I have missed which my comrads will undoubtly comment on. But in my opinion, these are the most common trends of RP n00bs today. Please remember, Role Playing is an art. Imagine if Picasso put a simple strand of paint on a canvas and gave up. How would he have been labled? I guarentee he would'nt have been the legend that he is today. So next time you roleplay, mind my lessons, and show the rest of them what kind of art you are capable of producing.
((So what do you guys think?))
There are two types of Role Playing. Pre-existing where the plot and the setting are already in motion so that all you have to do is create a character and control it's actions. Then there are my favorite types of Role Playing, which is steadily climbing in popularity, are the postboard role plays. This is the type of roleplaying where you not only have to create and control your character, but all too often you have to create the setting, the mood, the plot, and the dynamics. Today this is the type of roleplaying situations that I will be talking about.
A lot of people, especially those who are new to the concept, perhaps think that role playing is fun and simple. All you have to do is come up with a name and control it limitedly. While roleplaying is fun, it is not really this simple. As I help you on your journey to become a better role player I want you to keep one thing in mind and never forget it; Effort is the backbone of a strong and lasting role play. Without effort, you're left with something that you hate and those role playing with you will late about you. Now let's begin shall we?
________________________________
Lesson One: Your Character and You.
A character. Without it, the RP would only be unchanging and boring scenery. Your RP character is your lasting mark on those who whitness to your roleplaying. Your character is an important part of yourself. Therefore, the more thought you put into him/her, the more life you give an RP and the more you are going to keep your audience and your fellow RP'ers interested.
Now character can be as deep or as vauge as you like. That is the fun in it all. But there are a few specifics that are required if you come up with a good character.
1. Description- A. This makes it easier to visualize everything and B. You don't have to waist time describing your characters attributes (hair, eyes, attire, ect.) in a RP, unless you are really eccentric. Often it is handy to post a picture of your character along with your profile. Not necessary, but it makes the profile less work.
2. Age- Reguardless if it is known or not. That way your fellow RP'ers have an idea of where to base their characters age.
3. History- It is important to know where the character came from. It will say a lot about their personality and how they will interact with others.
4. Special Attributes- This is where you tell of your characters race, powers, special abilities, and weapons. That way the potential battle interest of your character and even your teammates will know from the get go what your character is capable of.
Anything else you decide to put in is entirely up to you. Myself, I like to put a little photo gallery at the it so it seems as if my characters are more personable. Any extra items you put will tell anyone looking at it of your intelligance. [For more information about character profiling, see separate tutorioal. And I have that one too if you would like to see it.]
______________________
Lesson Two: Basic English.
Now I know most of you are likely to see the title of this and skip right over it. You get/got enough of it during high school right? But hear me out. Notice the word BASIC. I'm not going to sit here and bore you with the technical terms of proper English. Believe me, that is the last thing I want to even think about. But your basic knowledge of English is VERY important. Not only does it make you look intellegent and attractive, but it also makes people want to role play with you more.
Now let's break down the basics of Basic English.
1. Spelling- I always mispell at least one word in a rolepaly. It is bound to happen. But there is a difference between mistake and just plain lazy. If you don't know how to spell a word, look it up or just go with the good old fashioned failsafe. After the supposed mispelled word you put this:[sp?]. This let's players know that yes, you are aware ou probably mispelled it and yes, you are too lazy to look it up.
2. Capitalization- This is the pet peeve of a lot of people. Now you may not think it is an important factor, but it really is. Again, it makes you look intellegent but also puts you in good with Senior Rp'ers which will get you far.
3. Punctuation- Yet another golden ticket into RP popularity. If your character is excited, put an exclimation point. If your character asks a question, put a question mark. It's not that hard. This is first grade stuff people!
4. The Difference Between Thought and Voclas-
"Hello." That is actual vocalizing. You will note the captions around it. this means a person is speaking.
'Oh My God!' That could be counted as thought but most of the time thoughts are expressed in Italics. Make sure that if you are ever put in a this senario, you distinguish by telling your audience.
____________________
Lesson Three: Description.
Now I'm not promoting deep and tiresome action description, but an idea of what's going on. In a RP post there are a few things that should be described.
1. Scenery- Is it sunny? Is it rainy? Are you at school or in a bloody battle? These are examples of things your RP team needs to know.
2. Action- Are you running? Are you fighting? Are you sleeping?
3. Description- I know people can just go and look at your character's profile but the fact of the matter is that people are lazy. So it is your job to create a feel for your character to your team. Not long and in depth, unless it is necessary, but a hint of look description.
4. Facial Expressions- A face is worth a thousand words. Make sure your readers/team knows how your character is feeling.
___________________
Lesson Four: Length.
So many times people put one or two sentances and call it a post. This is one of the most aggrivating things to a senior/true role player. Again, depth comes in here too, but not too much. If you are going to bother posting, PLEASE make it at least one paragraph (3 sentances). This way everyone is happy and you get better creditablility.
_____________________
Lesson Five: Plot.
It is necessary for a good RP to make sure your story has a point. I learned this the hard way. So even if you didn't start the RP, and you feel it is not going anywhere, take the initiation to make a point, with permission of the thread starter of course.
And there you have it. No doubt there is probably somthing I have missed which my comrads will undoubtly comment on. But in my opinion, these are the most common trends of RP n00bs today. Please remember, Role Playing is an art. Imagine if Picasso put a simple strand of paint on a canvas and gave up. How would he have been labled? I guarentee he would'nt have been the legend that he is today. So next time you roleplay, mind my lessons, and show the rest of them what kind of art you are capable of producing.
((So what do you guys think?))
