User blog comment:BraveHeart70/Need to be a better Roleplayer: HELP!/@comment-18812574-20141118004402

Let's just say I am nervous for the upcoming FC RP, and this is for one reason and one reason only: "RP" means something different on here than what I thought it meant.

On here, fanfic RP's seem to mean dude X writes a paragraph of their character attacking, and dude Y writes a paragraph to respond and then attack dude X. And on, and on, and on it goes.

Not that there's anything wrong with that approach, but to me it seems more like playing a video game than writing. In other words, it's not really writing. (In my view.)

Before I came here, I was part of a writer's site that had a section where people could RP. You created a character and then posted according to a loose plot from that character's POV. Most people used first person POV, some used third, but that's aside the point. The point was that this sort of format allowed you HUGE creative room as far as character development and plot complications and everything else. You could have action in there, sure, if you wanted to, but it mainly focused on everyone challengin each other to improve as a writer. You had to come up with good ideas to keep the story going, figure out ways to extricate characters from dangerous situations and relationships, etc. There wasn't this huge crushing deadline hanging over your shoulders. "Write now and write fast or your character could die!" Everyone could move at their own pace. I'm not sure if that's how things are on here, but here's my suggestion: Focus on the characters. Who are these people? Forget about you and how bad your writing sucks. Bring your characters to life. They should demand your attention, and the attention of others. In other words, unique, dynamic, and believable. The second thing you should do is give these characters something interesting to do. If battle-bashes are your forte, and that's what "you do," well... let's just say that I don't know about you but I would personally hit burn-out pretty fast. I'm more of a plot guy. I like a good story. You may be different, but I would reccomend trying something out of your typical norm. In other words, branch out, experiment.

Of course the biggest thing is to write, and to keep writing. Even when the going gets tough. Push through your walls. When I get stuck I convince myself to keep going by telling myself that, no matter how bad my writing is, there is always someone out there who is much worse than I am. Heh. But there will always be someone better than I am too. So don't get discouraged. Keep going.