Post by Fluffy on May 13, 2008 18:43:12 GMT -4
The Volpe Sanctuary is a role-play site, and its good for members to know how to role-play before they try it out. If you don't know how to role-play, it would be best for reading up on this guide, for a few pointers, perhaps even ask me up for a try. For those who do know how to role-play, read up too, see what I missed, PM me so I can add it in!
Now, first off, I'm not the best role-player in the world. Nope. Still working on it though. So there's room for improvement for me, and you can free style your way of role-play.
Let’s start with basic Terms.
OOC: Out Of Character. This term is used usually at the beginning and/or end of posts to tell a comment, question, Etc. It shouldn't be part of the character's perspective in any way. Using double parentheses, (( hello )), is my way of doing a OOC comment.
BIC: Back In Character. This term is for when you've made a comment usually at the beginning of a post in OOC and are going back in character.
IC: In Character. Just another way to say BIC in most ways. this term can also be used when you're not in role-play, generally for saying who you are IC. For example, I'm Data IC.
RP: Role-play. I like using RP instead of role-play just because its shorter. Roleplay, RP, either works really.
I think that’s all the terms that should be covered. You might be seeing those a lot around site.
Now, on to just exactly how to role-play!
I like to role-play in third person, makes you feel like you're telling a story. Meaning, you'll type a RP post like this:
"Data walked around in circles. She didn't quite know what to do."
That’s third person, used the most in books and the likes. Some people like to use first person as well, meaning you are suggesting you are the character, like this:
"I walked around in circles. I didn't quite know what to do."
There's a different feel between the two, my liking goes to third person the most. Also, you should role-play in past tense, rather then present. Past tense gives the feel that’s its happened, and you're telling the story of it. And its rather hard to role-play in present tense, I don't see how you could really XD But role-play however you like, there isn't a set in stone way how you should role-play.
Also, proper punctuation, spelling, and grammar is key. When ever you use 'i', make it 'I' when referring to yourself. I know a few people who do that, though it isn't bothersome, it shows a more mature level. Whenever posting punctuation, please add a space behind it. It doesn't make the lines squished, and again, shows maturity. Capitalize words at the beginning on a sentence and all proper nouns such as names. That’s kindergarten, but I have to admit, I've slipped up before.
Spelling shouldn't be a problem, as there's a spell check button. Please use it. A misspelled word every here and there is okay, but try to clean it up. Chat speak should never be used in role-play posts, and its against the rules anyway. Oh, and also smilies. -Never- put either in your role-plays. Messes them up badly.
Okay, those are the general basics. On to actually role-playing!
I like to start my posts with an action taking up the entire first line, usually just one word. Then a sentence after that telling what happened. So this is what it looks like then I start a thread:
"Spinning.
Just spinning what seemed to be forever."
Why? I think it adds a mystery effect. I've always love that mystery effect authors put into their books, and I've incorporated that into role-play. Also, add in pictures at the top of your RP. Many prefer to put the image of their Volpes that their interacting with on the pet of the RP. Anyway, after my mystery effect, I go onto the body of the post.
"She didn't know why either. She just wanted to."
The first part of the body is the character. The third line is where I usually add in my character, at least. Now, its best if you don't start off with names. And please don't start with a name beginning the post. Its a nasty habit, and when I look over my past newb RPs, its not a pretty sight. Even though it seems unaviodable, there's always a way to edge around using a name as the first work in a post.
Now, after introducing your character, and when starting a new role-play, introduce the weather and setting.
"The dimly lighted sun peeked over the mountains, starting to wash away the night. Warm breezes blew up and died down in a soft rhythm, brushing the dead leaves away from the spring grasses. Clouds overhead changed their shape endlessly, going with the flow."
Try to make the weather a good sized paragraph. I prefer to use metaphors to explain further. That’s good in a role-play, but be sure not to overuse it. Overuse of anything can change a nice role-play into a dull one. Try to restrict to the beginning post. Words are also restricted to use a few times per paragraph. The over use of a name can make a dulled effect to a role-play. Putting in 'She said' multiple times in dialog can get a bit boring. Elaborate, add detail. Details always make for good stuff. Grab a thesaurus, it'll be needed for role-play in a few places.
Next, I like to put in the character again, further explaining what they're doing.
"Data plopped into the grasses of the hills, dazed by spinning. The nice weather made it a good day to be outside, but without a thing to do, it was a bit boring. After recovering from the daze, she looked at the Volpe staring up into the skies. "Nami, don't cha want to do anything?", she asked, crawling over to the fox creature."
Now we're getting somewhere! You can start to use your character's name. Put in a second character, if its the right situation, in your explaining paragraph, and try to have interacting between the first and second character. More and more details, always try to add those too. Nami's name was opened to the public from Data talking to her. Try to have some sort of way to let the name be known, without telling it yourself. Also, notice how I didn't use Volpe instead of fox creature? Since I already used Volpe before, it’s best to have a synonym instead of using it again. After this. your post can go on for more detail, or you can close it and wait for others to join you.
"Nami didn't look didn't look back to the girl. The Volpe watched the clouds go by, and enjoyed watching the sunrise. Data sighed and rolled onto her back to join Nami in watching. It wasn't what she quite wanted to do, but there wasn't anything else. Spinning till she was dizzy would lead to a dizzy stomach as well, and she didn't want to lose her breakfast. She wanted to be outside and here she was. With nothing to do except for company her companion in watching the sun rise, and wash away the night. There was nothing wrong with that."
Your ending can be with metaphors just like the beginning, but you don't need the mystery theme again. On from here, only include a tiny part of the weather. You won't need a full blown intro and weather setting again, now that you have it, unless you'd like for a change to happen, like the winds picking up and grey clouds appearing. That adds good stuff to paragraphs, but don't constantly change the weather. If you didn't start the RP, don't change the weather. It’s rude. However, you can interact with the weather and manipulate it a little bit, but not too much.
Be sure to make clear separations from your separate parts of the reply, so everything's not squished in together.
And always remember, this is just an example of how -I- would role-play. You can create your own style! Aim for 300+ words per post. Set goals and challenge yourself to become better.
Anyway, your end result, a nicely written post:
Its always best to center the starting post of a RP, makes things look pretty. Add your own font if you like, bold or color words, italicize thoughts, whatever you like! (just not -too many special effects XD) The little example looks pretty official, eh?
^-^ Hope I helped!
Now, first off, I'm not the best role-player in the world. Nope. Still working on it though. So there's room for improvement for me, and you can free style your way of role-play.
Let’s start with basic Terms.
OOC: Out Of Character. This term is used usually at the beginning and/or end of posts to tell a comment, question, Etc. It shouldn't be part of the character's perspective in any way. Using double parentheses, (( hello )), is my way of doing a OOC comment.
BIC: Back In Character. This term is for when you've made a comment usually at the beginning of a post in OOC and are going back in character.
IC: In Character. Just another way to say BIC in most ways. this term can also be used when you're not in role-play, generally for saying who you are IC. For example, I'm Data IC.
RP: Role-play. I like using RP instead of role-play just because its shorter. Roleplay, RP, either works really.
I think that’s all the terms that should be covered. You might be seeing those a lot around site.
Now, on to just exactly how to role-play!
I like to role-play in third person, makes you feel like you're telling a story. Meaning, you'll type a RP post like this:
"Data walked around in circles. She didn't quite know what to do."
That’s third person, used the most in books and the likes. Some people like to use first person as well, meaning you are suggesting you are the character, like this:
"I walked around in circles. I didn't quite know what to do."
There's a different feel between the two, my liking goes to third person the most. Also, you should role-play in past tense, rather then present. Past tense gives the feel that’s its happened, and you're telling the story of it. And its rather hard to role-play in present tense, I don't see how you could really XD But role-play however you like, there isn't a set in stone way how you should role-play.
Also, proper punctuation, spelling, and grammar is key. When ever you use 'i', make it 'I' when referring to yourself. I know a few people who do that, though it isn't bothersome, it shows a more mature level. Whenever posting punctuation, please add a space behind it. It doesn't make the lines squished, and again, shows maturity. Capitalize words at the beginning on a sentence and all proper nouns such as names. That’s kindergarten, but I have to admit, I've slipped up before.
Spelling shouldn't be a problem, as there's a spell check button. Please use it. A misspelled word every here and there is okay, but try to clean it up. Chat speak should never be used in role-play posts, and its against the rules anyway. Oh, and also smilies. -Never- put either in your role-plays. Messes them up badly.
Okay, those are the general basics. On to actually role-playing!
I like to start my posts with an action taking up the entire first line, usually just one word. Then a sentence after that telling what happened. So this is what it looks like then I start a thread:
"Spinning.
Just spinning what seemed to be forever."
Why? I think it adds a mystery effect. I've always love that mystery effect authors put into their books, and I've incorporated that into role-play. Also, add in pictures at the top of your RP. Many prefer to put the image of their Volpes that their interacting with on the pet of the RP. Anyway, after my mystery effect, I go onto the body of the post.
"She didn't know why either. She just wanted to."
The first part of the body is the character. The third line is where I usually add in my character, at least. Now, its best if you don't start off with names. And please don't start with a name beginning the post. Its a nasty habit, and when I look over my past newb RPs, its not a pretty sight. Even though it seems unaviodable, there's always a way to edge around using a name as the first work in a post.
Now, after introducing your character, and when starting a new role-play, introduce the weather and setting.
"The dimly lighted sun peeked over the mountains, starting to wash away the night. Warm breezes blew up and died down in a soft rhythm, brushing the dead leaves away from the spring grasses. Clouds overhead changed their shape endlessly, going with the flow."
Try to make the weather a good sized paragraph. I prefer to use metaphors to explain further. That’s good in a role-play, but be sure not to overuse it. Overuse of anything can change a nice role-play into a dull one. Try to restrict to the beginning post. Words are also restricted to use a few times per paragraph. The over use of a name can make a dulled effect to a role-play. Putting in 'She said' multiple times in dialog can get a bit boring. Elaborate, add detail. Details always make for good stuff. Grab a thesaurus, it'll be needed for role-play in a few places.
Next, I like to put in the character again, further explaining what they're doing.
"Data plopped into the grasses of the hills, dazed by spinning. The nice weather made it a good day to be outside, but without a thing to do, it was a bit boring. After recovering from the daze, she looked at the Volpe staring up into the skies. "Nami, don't cha want to do anything?", she asked, crawling over to the fox creature."
Now we're getting somewhere! You can start to use your character's name. Put in a second character, if its the right situation, in your explaining paragraph, and try to have interacting between the first and second character. More and more details, always try to add those too. Nami's name was opened to the public from Data talking to her. Try to have some sort of way to let the name be known, without telling it yourself. Also, notice how I didn't use Volpe instead of fox creature? Since I already used Volpe before, it’s best to have a synonym instead of using it again. After this. your post can go on for more detail, or you can close it and wait for others to join you.
"Nami didn't look didn't look back to the girl. The Volpe watched the clouds go by, and enjoyed watching the sunrise. Data sighed and rolled onto her back to join Nami in watching. It wasn't what she quite wanted to do, but there wasn't anything else. Spinning till she was dizzy would lead to a dizzy stomach as well, and she didn't want to lose her breakfast. She wanted to be outside and here she was. With nothing to do except for company her companion in watching the sun rise, and wash away the night. There was nothing wrong with that."
Your ending can be with metaphors just like the beginning, but you don't need the mystery theme again. On from here, only include a tiny part of the weather. You won't need a full blown intro and weather setting again, now that you have it, unless you'd like for a change to happen, like the winds picking up and grey clouds appearing. That adds good stuff to paragraphs, but don't constantly change the weather. If you didn't start the RP, don't change the weather. It’s rude. However, you can interact with the weather and manipulate it a little bit, but not too much.
Be sure to make clear separations from your separate parts of the reply, so everything's not squished in together.
And always remember, this is just an example of how -I- would role-play. You can create your own style! Aim for 300+ words per post. Set goals and challenge yourself to become better.
Anyway, your end result, a nicely written post:
"Spinning.
Just spinning what seemed to be forever.
She didn't know why either. She just wanted to.
The dimly lighted sun peeked over the mountains, starting to wash away the night. Warm breezes blew up and died down in a soft rhythm, brushing the dead leaves away from the spring grasses. Clouds overhead changed their shape endlessly, going with the flow.
Data plopped into the grasses of the hills, dazed by spinning. The nice weather made it a good day to be outside, but without a thing to do, it was a bit boring. After recovering from the daze, she looked at the Volpe staring up into the skies. "Nami, don't cha want to do anything?", she asked, crawling over to the fox creature.
Nami didn't look didn't look back to the girl. The Volpe watched the clouds go by, and enjoyed watching the sunrise. Data sighed and rolled onto her back to join Nami in watching. It wasn't what she quite wanted to do, but there wasn't anything else. Spinning till she was dizzy would lead to a dizzy stomach as well, and she didn't want to lose her breakfast. She wanted to be outside and here she was. With nothing to do except for company her companion in watching the sun rise, and wash away the night.
There was nothing wrong with that."
Just spinning what seemed to be forever.
She didn't know why either. She just wanted to.
The dimly lighted sun peeked over the mountains, starting to wash away the night. Warm breezes blew up and died down in a soft rhythm, brushing the dead leaves away from the spring grasses. Clouds overhead changed their shape endlessly, going with the flow.
Data plopped into the grasses of the hills, dazed by spinning. The nice weather made it a good day to be outside, but without a thing to do, it was a bit boring. After recovering from the daze, she looked at the Volpe staring up into the skies. "Nami, don't cha want to do anything?", she asked, crawling over to the fox creature.
Nami didn't look didn't look back to the girl. The Volpe watched the clouds go by, and enjoyed watching the sunrise. Data sighed and rolled onto her back to join Nami in watching. It wasn't what she quite wanted to do, but there wasn't anything else. Spinning till she was dizzy would lead to a dizzy stomach as well, and she didn't want to lose her breakfast. She wanted to be outside and here she was. With nothing to do except for company her companion in watching the sun rise, and wash away the night.
There was nothing wrong with that."
Its always best to center the starting post of a RP, makes things look pretty. Add your own font if you like, bold or color words, italicize thoughts, whatever you like! (just not -too many special effects XD) The little example looks pretty official, eh?
^-^ Hope I helped!
