So everybody, if you've decided to read this and apply it to your roleplaying skills, I applaud you. You've taken a marvelous step towards people liking you in the Rp threads. So, keep in mind, that I, myself am not a perfect role player, and if anyone would like to add some more tips that I've forgotten, then I would be more than happy to add them.
Number 1: I think the most important thing about serious roleplaying is spelling words correctly. I'm not talking about the occasional mistake, because everyone makes them. I'm talking about words like "U" and "r" and "luv". It makes me kind of want to rip my hair out and put a drill to my temples, so don't do it.
Number 2: Use proper grammar. This is another biggie. If you don't use proper grammar, again not perfect because everyone is bound to make a mistake sometimes, it becomes hard to read, and oftentimes confusing.
Number 3: Use descriptive words. I cannot stress enough that using adjectives improves your posts incredibly. It makes you sound intelligent, and it really does paint a picture for the readers and for the players.
Number 4: Do not use asterisks or colons when describing an action. It shows you are not intelligent. Writing out your movements, with adjectives, is important, not only for the people who you are rping with, but for you as well. It is also sometimes hard to read.
Number 5: Do not use L33t or netspeak, end of story.
Number 6: Don't just leave in the middle of your roleplaying without telling anyone. It's annoying and most of the time totally ends the role play for good if it's just starting up. It makes people agravated because a lot of the time, these people like where the roleplay storyline is going.
Number 7 sad Contributed by Call_me_Lolly) Characters are also an important part of role playing. If they are cliche or uncreative the roleplay can do downhill very fast. That is a very good point. Thanks!
Number 8:Godmoding is a big fat no-no. If I catch you doing it, I will be forced to carry out an extreme punishment. So don't do it.
Number 9: (Contributed by: Final Halcyon) To create a so-called 'Literate Role-Player' is not so easy as to read and follow guidelines. Instead, the role-player must accumulate necessary writing and grammatical skills through reading books and writing. This is a process that can take several years. There is no 'silver bullet' that will turn someone into a mature, intelligent RPer. And by RPer I mean writer.
Number 10: (Contibuted by: Tsayka)My personal advice is for a role-player to try lengthening their posts and making their actions realistic. On top of that, they should try to have their characters learn and adapt as they go, much as an author of a book would.
Number 11: (contributed but Glein) Practice is a major tip. If you didn't ever need ot practice, why start a thread on how to be better? I even practice, and do 2-3 paragraph's worth of work at many times now. I went from 1-liners to paragraph length posts, all thanks to a few tips, and pratice. Do some practice posts, in a word style object. I suggest Word, because it has spell check and grammer check. But do remember, PRACTICE!!!
Number 12: (contributed by Reikisamuraigirl) Be realistic. Even when you're roleplaying something like fantasy, you have to be realistic. Otherwise your character/description won't sound believable
Number 13: (contributed by Nerthus_Onne)Perhaps it should be noted that your character has to interact with other characters to get the story going. I don't *care* if your character is a loner and likes to cut themselves in the corner. What if the other people's characters don't go 'homigawd, Some loner kid! Aww, poor thing. *goes over to*'? It always irritates me when people just make no attempt in adapting their characters for the sake of keeping the storyline going. I realise that some people just have characters like that and I respect that they're staying in character, but there is a point [of no return? xD] where you either discuss it with the other person [if it's a one-on-one roleplay] or figure something out if you want to continue roleplaying.
Number 14: (Contributed by Fleabag)My biggest tip for anyone is to not bluntly describe anything. "She was five foot three with silver hair flowing to the small of her back. Slightly curvy, but not too obese."
Hide your descriptions, sort of. "A strand of her hair stood out against her shirt, a stark silver on a black backdrop." Don't put things plainly. It doesn't express creativity, or hook the reader at all.
It's sort of as if you're listing a math statistic e.e;;
(^^That has got to Anaralii's favorite contribution^^)
Number 15 (Contributed by Morgana Faye) Realistic Characters. e.g. If you have a two foot faerie it could not take down a eight foot ogre with just physical strength. Otherwise God-moding. You should know that there isn't supposed to be someone as good a Legolas. If there was it makes the Roleplay a little boring and unenteraining.
Number 16: If you come into the middle of a Roleplay on a thread, DO NOT think that you own the world. You are considered to be a newb of the roleplay. Some people won't want to interact with you because they already have something to go on with someone else, or you are being ignorant and butting in. DO NOT DO THIS!!!
Well, if anyone else wants to add, then just post! Thanks!
Ani!
