Conversing with others in an RP is a very important thing, because without it
there would be no point in RPing, correct? However simple talking to
another character MAY seem, there is actually a lot of skill required to do it
correctly.
I, however, can converse very well.
No you can't.
Yes I can.
No you can't.
Yes I can!
Only because your schizophrenic.
Am not.
Then why are you talking to yourself right now?
Well... well... I don't know, really.
Then get back on with the guide, would you?
Right, sorry about that...
- Quiet Characters
- Talkative Characters
- Tone Of Voice
- Multiple People
- Give/Get Cycle
When RPing with other people, you have to be careful not to make them drag
on the RP for you.
Quiet characters can be fun to RP, if you are up to the challenge.
However... they can be one of the most annoying sorts of people to run into.
If you start RPing with a quiet character (who doesn't know how to RP) then
you'll end up dragging along the RP like a dead dog on a leash. It
just... doesn't work. The bad quiet character RPers simply state
nothing, or if they do its a simple yes or no. Then they just sit there,
staring blankly, doing nothing at all. If this ever happens, simply make
up an excuse and have your character leave. It is pointless to try to RP
with someone like this.
HOWEVER... there are those who can RP good, quiet characters. These
people use actions instead of words to portray their character, and they help
drag the RP as well. Although they do not verbally communicate, they do
talk nonverbally, therefore giving the other person something to reply
to. This sort of RP is successful.
So there are two warnings... 1. If you RP a quiet character, you better be
good with actions 2. If you get stuck with a silent RPer, don't
hassle yourself into all that stress of carrying on an entire RP by yourself
Talkative Characters are the opposite of quiet characters... and they can
be just as bad.
Talkative Characters are the people who blab on and on and on... but that
isn't the bad part. That's alright, as it could be a personality flaw.
However, what they DO do, is they switch from topic to topic 400 times per
RP. When responding to such behavior, it's nearly impossible to have it
all make sense. One second you're talking about the tavern and the next
about the evil dragon next door.
It gets confusing, and it isn't fun to RP with. Give the person a
chance to reply to. Your posts shouldn't be made up of all speaking, in
fact, that should be the smallest part. You want detail and inner
feelings, not just words that have been spoken.
It's a hard balance to find, but once you do, you're in the advanced RPer
club. Not to mention people won't run in the opposite direction whenever
you ask to RP with them...
Whenever you are in an RP where you are conversing with someone else, your
tone of voice is ALWAYS an important detail to have. It can be the
difference between joking, an insult, sarcasm, or a serious comment.
Without notifying the reader of what your character's voice sounds like, they
cannot determine the true meaning of the statement.
Not to mention its a detail that can add a lot to the reader's image of the
scene. It's easy to just say "Sally said"... but you could
make it a lot more hearable just with a few more words: "Sally
said, her voice high-pitched and whiny as if someone was plugging her
nose". Not only can you actually hear the voice, but you learn a
little something about Sally. She's probably a snob.
Whenever you are in an RP with multiple people, you have to be careful
of how you carry it about. It can be a very entertaining and skill
increasing experience, or it can be a living nightmare. There is one
basic rule that should be followed at all times, whenever the number of people
in an RP exceeds 2.
Lets say Sally starts the topic. Joe replies. And Holly replies
as well. That's three people. That should be your big flashing light bulb
over the head moment... "THREE PEOPLE! WAIT! CASSANDRA SAID TO DO
SOMETHING WITH OVER 2 PEOPLE!"
It's good to know someone listens. Now then, who should the next
poster be? *Jeopardy music plays* *buzzer sounds* WRONG! The next
poster should be Sally. Then Joe. Then Holly. The same order
that it was originally... but I'm sure you noticed the pattern, correct?
You never, ever, want to skip a person's turn in an RP. It isn't fair
that they miss out simply because they weren't online at that moment in
time. Have patience, and join another RP while you wait.
With a set order it is a lot more organized, and you don't have to worry
about someone posting at the same time as you, and then having to modify your
posts to match the other's response. The only time you should skip
a poster's turn is if they have had a day or so to reply, but have not done
so.
It's all a matter of patience, and giving respect to those in your
RP. Give them a chance to get on, and reply. Until then, wait your
turn, and go give the admin some money.
No, that wasn't a joke. I was being serious.
One of the main parts of RPing with other people is called the
"Give/Get Cycle". In other words, you get what you give, and
you give what you get. If you post one paragraph RP's, with no detail,
nothing about what your character is feeling, no spoken words... then that's
what you're more then likely going to get back.
You want to make your RP's replyable. Meaning, you want other people
to be able to reply to your posts. You can't just expect them to carry
on the conversation as well as the RP, you have to contribute. Even if
it's just in an action.
Reaching your hand out for a handshake is better then staring blankly at
the person, saying hello but doing nothing else. By interacting with
each other, you both have a MUCH easier time writing RP's with detail and
length.
