I've been reading lots of RP's now, and I've noticed a couple of flaws in lots of peoples writing. (I know I'm guilty of a few.) I'm feeling a bit like procrastinating, so I made this, and I put them in a list in hopes of improving the interwebs. *shot*
1. Idealism: Situations never seem to go to hell on these RP's. Generally the classic form of writing is to build up problems and suspense, but you never get to worried for the character in the majority of these posts on theO. Basically this comes down to a suggestion to make the problems bigger, and the penalties for screwing up bigger. In addition, the characters don't always have to win. Sometimes it makes a better story if they lose the battle, just make sure they always win the war.
2. Flat Characters: I feel like this might have the most offenders. The characters many times have tons of good characteristics, but very few flaws. It makes the characters generally feel bland. They also never seem to have that bizarre of a personality.
3. Environment: This one is minor, but it's nice to include. Many times you never get a description of the environment, which makes it harder to write for the area and will lack a proper atmosphere for the story. Short descriptions of the environment can go a long way in making the post more interesting. Also make sure not to go in the opposite direction, and make the environment description too long.
4. Bold: Be a little more bold in your posts. You have just as much right as anyone else in the story to choose the direction the story goes. Many times the story will grow stagnate due to no one being bold enough to create a new problem, plan, or direction for the story to go. Be the person to pick that new direction.
5.Post: Only join an RP if you plan on posting in it. It gets annoying fast, that mysterious character that just follows everyone around doing nothing.
6.Above and Beyond: Making fan art for an RP is always really nice, along with anything else you can think of that isn't just posting.
7.Wrapping it Up: Many times people will start a problem, and end it in the same post. Give some people a chance to join in.
If you think I'm a baka, or should add something to the list, leave something in the comments.
