Post by The Writer on Nov 7, 2021 18:14:04 GMT
Plotting Tips
Joining a new role play can at times be overwhelming and intimidating! Once your bio has been approved, many of us can have that next question of ". . . What now?!" So we have created this thread to help you get some ideas and starting points for your characters so that you do not feel stuck or at a loss for plots and ideas! We have lots of different ways for you to get things rolling with your characters so we encourage you to take a read at the suggestions we have. Here are some things you can do and some things to keep in mind!
NOTE: Having over 10 years of staffing various role play forums, these are some of the notes that we have compiled just based on experience with a variety of role plays and members! We hope you will find it helpful and if you have anything to add, please feel free to send a PM!
- Plotters
- These can be found in the SETTING ON YOUR PATH board. You are free to create a thread in which you can plot for your own character(s). This is an easy way not only for others to get in contact with you on neutral ground, but for you to do the same. If you have an OC, we strongly recommend you put a brief description about them in your plotter so that it saves another member from having to read through your entire bio should they prefer a quick overview rather than immediately looking at the application.
- A few characters already have plotters. If you want to rp with someone, the plotter is one way to approach them. Feel free to post in it and express your interest to role play with that character, or even suggest some potential ideas. It will help generate discussion for a plot!
- Plot Ads
- We have a sub-board in the SETTING ON YOUR PATH BOARD called PLOT ADS. This is basically where someone with an idea which is not specifically aimed at a certain muse, can post an ad to see if someone would like to do the plot with them.
- You can always post your ideas there to see if someone would like to do them with you. Maybe this way you can do the plot you always wanted to do with someone you might have not expected.
- Muse Memes
- Muse memes are a great way for some in character shenanigans and scenarios that you may not have otherwise thought of for your muse. You can find all the different memes in our MUSE MEMES board and details on how this activity works!
- Take a look at the main info thread for each meme to see which members are accepting the meme. You can then tag them in a new thread with the appropriate prompt or symbol. The member you are tagging may reach out to check over a few details with you or for further clarification regarding timeline, dynamic, etc (especially if it is a shippery meme). Please be prepared to help this member with ideas and decisions if they do so.
- You are of course welcome to accept the member yourself, however if you would like people to tag you in meme starters, then we strongly recommend you tag other people too. There is more of a chance and likelihood that members will do meme starters for you if you do ones for them.
- Personal Messages
- We have this feature on the side so you can privately send the other people messages.
- If you want to rp with someone, shoot them a message, be proactive about it!
- Chatbox & Discord
- The Chat Box and/or Discord is an easy place to start chatting with another member, or members before approaching them for plots.
- If you then want to rp with them, pm them or you can even start discussing ideas in the cbox or discord itself!
- Try to avoid telling the other (or other users as a whole) to pm you; instead, you can assure them that you will be sending them a PM and then follow through with it! Rather than always expect others to come to you, it could be more effective to approach other members or express interest by discussing some ideas in the CB and then taking it a step further via PM.
- Be active, show the other your interest, it will make it a lot easier for the two of you to plot!
- Canons & OCs
- If you rp an OC, please don't feel like the Canons have to come up with all the ideas.
- You as the OC probably know the Canon a lot better than the Canon knows your OC.
- It will be a lot easier for the mun of the OC to help collaborate ideas for the OC and Canon to interact than for the mun of the Canon, so don't take it personally if a Canon struggles with nailing down an idea after approaching you. Help them plot, come up with ideas as well. We understand if it can be tough sometimes, however all we ask is that it not be totally dependent on the other member to come up with the plots. Even if you can suggest a timeline for your OC to fit into, or give information that would allow the member to have a better understanding of your OC. All these things will help with plotting and allow both members to feel inspired for threads!
- General Etiquette
- Try to make the other know you're interested in plotting! For some approaching you is hard; you will help that along massively if you show interest and enthusiasm in plotting.
- Try to come up with ideas. Plotting lives off of discussion. You will find your plots a lot more engaging for the both of you, if you both contribute to it and that it is a collaborative effort!
- Try to help with deciding. If your partner gives you multiple ideas and asks you to decide, it can appear as discouraging if you tell them to pick whatever they like without any personal input of your own. It may appear that you are disinterested in plotting and chances are your partner actually wanted to, but may have needed your help deciding.
- Do not feel pressured to change your portrayal of a character (either canon or OC) to conform to a suggested plot! You can always say "I really like that idea, but what if we did _____ instead because my muse would or wouldn't etc etc". This way, you are collaborating on an idea without compromising the way you write for your character as this can cause writing block for you as the thread/plot progresses. So when suggesting a plot, keep an open mind to feedback and willingness to compromise so that it works for all characters involved!