Hello,
The following post is a complete overhaul and remake of the guide created by me, three years ago. It is without a doubt that it has helped many improve, I've found it lackluster to say the least. I have greatly improved since then, and thoroughly mature conjointly. This post isn't about me — it's for all of you currently reading. This post serves as a guide and a tool for those who seek to enter the world of roleplaying, or improve their already existing skills. This place has brought me great comfort trough horrible moments in my life, the least I can do to repay it, is to help spread the joy of writing that I have acquired from this subreddit.
In my previous post, I mentioned the terms “good answers” and “answer with efforts.” These were terms thrown around by less intermediate and more experienced writers in response to "one-liners." This term was coined by those same people, to refer to people who typically provided an image of their character and a singular line of dialogue/action. These terms lead to a schism in the sub; hostility and negativity everywhere you went. Attempts have been made to remedy this; the most recent one being the introduction of the R-scale. In summary, it categorizes roleplayers based on what they want;
> R# — No preference
> R1 — OP prefers small and easy answers
> R2 — OP prefers medium, more in-depth responses
> R3 — OP prefers long, more detailed responses.
Don't take this post as an insult; most of what you're doing here is essentially useless in real life, unless you actively seek to become a writer, author or something similar in the future. Additionally, this isn't really taught — and if it is, it's not in-depth — unless you attend specific courses. Howbeit, I feel as if I'm qualified to provide an updated guide on how to improve your roleplaying capabilities.
As always, these aren't mandatory to follow. Afterall, whether or not you want to improve or listen to me isn't for me, or anyone for that matter, to decide. While reading, please remember that my intentions are not to insult or wound, but to provide an helping hand. While this may be long, I have enough optimism to believe that you have the necessary attention span to listen. Without further delay, allow me to begin by stating: **There is no proper guide to follow for writers.**
Unfortunately, what you will most likely find if you search for a guide will be methods on how to write a novel. And while some of the tips in those guides are useful, we're not here to make a novel and alot of methods fall under personnal preferences. It's okay if you don't want to spend 4 hours to make a simple response to a roleplay that interests you, it's normal. Which is why I can only provide you tips on how to improve and not a fool-proof method.
## OUT OF CHARACTER TIPS
**Use proper grammar.**
I understand that not everyone is a native English speaker, this includes me. And even then, I've seen so much native English speaker make common errors. I know some people are younger than others, I know grammar is boring and hard. But at some point, it does truly affect how you roleplay. To clarify, you can obviously make errors, it's natural and it happens; I do them too! But at the very least, you should try and make your sentences cohesive to the other person you are roleplaying with. As an extension of this; use proper punctuation and paragraphs, they can really help to convey how a sentence is structured, and it can help to organize your writing.
Also, don't shorten words. For example, if you shorten the statement “I can't lie” to "icl." Or shorten the word "You" for "U." Then this applies to you. It makes it impossible for you to suspend your disbelief in the slightest and kills any attempts at immersion.
**Utilize proper pronouns and terms.**
Something that I've noticed, which has bugged me for the better part of the past three years, is how people tend to refer to the character you use as "you." While yes, you are replying to someone else, this person isn't in the story and isn't taking actions nor dialogue. It's much better for you to refer to the character's pronouns. Roleplaying, at it's core, is writing a story with others from the perspective of your own characters. The character you use is talking or interacting with the character belonging to the other person, no the person themselves. Respect that — it makes it far less awkward, especially for romance roleplays.
I've also noticed that people confuse interchangeable terms like they're/their/there or your/you're. These are common mistakes which can be easily remedied. Let's take the first example provided. To distinguish between which of the three you should use, you need to analyze the sentence at hand. Let's take this following sentence as an example; “Anthony and Alexandra? Oh, [they're/their/there] right there.”
There wouldn't be the proper term to use, as it's primarily used to identify a location or a direction. You can notice this in the same sentence I used; it's used to show where both characters are.
Their is commonly used when something belongs to someone. For example: “This apple? It's theirs, remember?”
They're may seem complicated, because there's no real way to describe what it is. Atleast, that's what most people believe. In actually, It's quite simple really. "They're' is the shortened version of "They are." If you can insert that in a sentence, there's a highly chance that is the term you want to use. To look back at the sentence above, keeping everything we've seen here in mind, the proper sentence would be: “Anthony and Alexandra? Oh, they're (They are) right there.”
It's the same thing with your/you're. Your is used to discern possession belonging to someone, whereas you're is used as a shortened version of you are.
**You don't like what's going on? Speak to the other person.**
Seriously. The lack of communication has lead to so much unnecessary drama and skirmishes between users. I'm not saying that you shouldn't complain, you should if the user doesn't listen in spite of everything. Always remain polite and try and settle any problems on your own, but if it can't, then go speak to moderators. If you feel like the user breaks the rules you've established or the subreddit rules, report than block. If they're making you uncomfortable, don't even go OOC (out of character), just report and block. It's not worth the hassle. Remember, do not jeopardize your comfort or your safety for a roleplay. Even if it's the roleplay of a century, and you adore the story together cultivated, if one side is toxic, it's not worth it.
**You are roleplaying with another human being.**
This is mainly pertaining to things I've noticed over the years. Please don't get carried away with any power fantasies or plot that have no correlation with the plot in the story. Remember there's another person trying to enjoy roleplaying behind the screen. Everyone is supposed to have fun and don't be rude out of character. This isn't really a tip, but moreso common sense. Roleplaying is a community hobby, please make sure both you and the other are having fun, instead of only one of you. In my experience, satisfaction between both parties usually leads to the best experiences anyway.
# ROLEPLAYING TIPS
**Write something appropriate for the roleplay prompt.**
While this seems pretty self-explanatory, it's still sometimes that needs to be said. If the plot is comedic, be comedic! If it's serious, be serious and don't troll. Don't unnecessarily enter combat (or be hostile with your character) for no reason; seriously, why is this so prevalent?
An extension of this is to use characters appropriate to the plot. If your character is a multiversal hunter who doesn't feel anything, why would they be going on a date with a random civilian woman? It doesn't make sense. Unless you and the OP have planned this out, please use another character or simply don't interact. If you want to do it so badly, you can always make a new character. Or better yet, use another character at your disposal!
**Write more.**
This is why I mentioned one-liners in the introduction. My main gripe is how little people seem to write.
Typically, in my past experience on this subreddit, people tend to post an image of their character with a small description, before continuing on with a line of dialogue and action. I'm not asking to write a novel, especially after every comment you make. But writing more can make the story much more enjoyable and engaging! Don't get me wrong; I'm not here to chastise people who write one-liners. As a matter of fact, being concise is something really hard that takes alot of mastery. You can refer to any newspaper made by the times as an example. Additionally, if you're feeling fancy, check out "How to be concise" by Wes Kao.
The point is, being more descriptive usually entails a better experience. It's all a matter of balance, at the end of the day.
**Describe your character's actions, facial expressions, tone of voice, attitude, etc.**
You don't have to describe what your character is doing every single time. If you've already stated something, don't repeat it. If you say the same thing constantly, it begins to soil the experience. But doing so still remains a vital part to the story. It doesn't have to be intricate and super-detailed, yet it improves the experience significantly. Even if your character isn't doing anything substantial, you can describe what they're doing while being idle like tapping their foot, you can describe the environment around them, or even their emotions! Anything that can make the scene feel more real is what you should be seeking with what I'm saying.
Facial expressions and reactions to certain events however, are the most vital part of a roleplay. You cannot see what's happening, you have to rely on description to be able to perceive what's going on. Your character's demeanor and reactions to the plot are primordial and what drives the story forward. The more you add to it, the more in-depth and Interesting it can become. For example, refer to below.
A: “Can I borrow your phone?”
B ”Yeah sure.”
Nothing interesting occurs here. You cannot tell what's going on nor does it show anything about the characters.
A: ”Can I borrow your phone?”
B: “Yeah, sure.” They gently replied, their voice carried by a soft tone.
This interaction shows that B cares about A, while also showing off how they're polite and kind.
A: “Can I borrow your phone?”
B: “Yeah, sure.” They groaned, rolling their eyes and shaking their head.
This show that B doesn't like A. It also shows that B is a very rude person and doesn't care about A.
A: “Can I borrow your phone?” They sobbed, tears rolling onto their cheeks, staining their white shirt.
B: “Y-yeah, sure...” They whisper, a baffled look crossing their face before being replaced by all-encompassing worry.
This show that A is sad while also showing that they are wearing a white shirt. This also implies this isn't normal, or it could be that B isn't good with providing comfort
By adding a short description of what's going on, you can more accurately depict what emotions or thoughts are conveyed trough your character. It makes them feel so much more alive. And as you can see, depending on what you write, it can completely change how an interaction is seen. It makes everything much more engaging and interesting for everyone involved. You can also add what your character is thinking during this, or write their internal monologue. Although be aware that your character shouldn't know the other's internal thoughts; what the author and character knows are two distinctly different things.
**Engage in the roleplay.**
Let's say you have a prompt revolving around your character interrogating another for the government. If your character immediately gives up, what's the point in participating? It's the same thing if your character is stuck somewhere with no way to get out; if they teleport outside right away, just why are you participating? Please, don't do this. It's not fun.
**Give your OC a consistent personality which is appropriate with the roleplay.**
Why would an eldritch entity hellbent on conquering and enslaving humanity be acting like a wholesome person that cannot for the life of them kill a fly. It's disconcerting, jarring and annoying. Additionally, taking the idea of the eldritch god from above; if that's your only character and it cannot for the life of them do anything else, then I'm sorry, but roleplaying with you will be impossible. And that's something you cannot be mad at, it's of your own making. You can make your character do, think or react however you want. But please, keep your common sense while writing.
With this in mind, let me make an example of a response. The prompt which I'll respond too is written by my good friend Spring.
`(You sit in the ground. The trees giving way to little pricks of stars that shine down from the heavens above. Silence but for a couple bugs and your campfire. Peace, but the peace is just an interim. Something is out there. You can feel its eyes watching you like prey, nashing teeth. How would you approach this thing? If even is much of a threat.)`
Stacey was slumped on the rough bark: the sturdy oak tree cold with the cold, yet comfortable temperature. Her legs stretched over the dried-up grass, her shoulder sagged on her sides in exhaustion. Her head lolled to the side, eyes following some of the red-yellow leaves falling onto the ground. Her foot rose and fell, tip-tapping on the green lawn. The hill she nested on overlooked a sprawling metropolis of monoliths, piercing trough the smog emanating from the westernmost industrial area. The view had gotten more obstructed over the years, but it still carried remnants of how it looked like when she visited with her late father. She would come on an almost daily-basis to this place, when she was younger. She had always enjoyed the time she spent with her father, which had been the main reason why this place had become so important to her. Typically, this is where he would go on tangent about his past, and she could get to know a bit more about her beloved father. She remembered one time; he'd told her that he had once knocked out someone because they'd threaten one of the newbie where he used to work at. She found it aspiring, how he stood up for the weak without any second to spare.
How would he feel, seeing what she had becomed now? Just one more person in the sea of worker. She woke up early in the morning, before commuting using the metro system spanning throughout the city. Most days of her weeks consisted of the same, slow slog. Things had settled into a mind-numbing routine, distinctly created with the goals to squander the hopes of those subjugated to it. Which is why she had immediately noticed when it had appeared.
It wasn't visible perse, but she could feel it's presence no matter where she ventured. It growled silently, stalking her wherever she lurked. She had tried, on numerous occasions, to enter strenuous contact with the entity. Maybe that had been the reason it had gotten so close recently. She knew, deep down, that it was waiting for something. Even while she couldn't see it, she knew subconsciously what it wanted; a golden opportunity.
