I need advice on making better RP characters

[Iwana]

Hi there! I've been a member of RPNation for a while but I have only participated in a couple of RPs. There are two reasons for that. Firs is that I tend to get intimidated by obviously more experienced RPers and I avoid participating in Detailed roleplays out of fear I might ruin it for them. The second reason is what I really need advice about.


As someone who is used to writing original stories with my own setting and my own characters I'm afraid I tend to pay too much attention in making my character stand out more than the rest, like a protagonist. Lately I've been thinking that roleplaying might just not be my thing, that I should stick to writing my own stories. But I was so excited at the idea of roleplaying and I thought it would be a great chance for me to improve my writing skills. So where should I focus while writing a character for a roleplay and what should I do different from when I write characters for a story of my own? I really don't like to think I am annoying people with characters unsuitable for roleplaying.

 

[Chordling]

The simplest advice I can give to you is to post whatever content you wish to have critiqued in the Character Feedback forum. There are several users who are willing to read through your character descriptions and give the advice you may need to improve.


Making a good character sheet is only half the battle, however. The other half is learning how to make your character interact with their surroundings in the roleplay. The method you use to make your character interact can be affected by the type of roleplay you are in, whether the roleplay is a group roleplay or a one on one roleplay. This will now lead into the more detailed advice that I can give to you.


If you want my opinion, group roleplays are harder to play with than one one one roleplays. The reason being is that you have 'x' amount of characters in a group who all need to react to one specific action. Even the smallest things like a vase falling from a table can become complicated. If the GM has not set a posting order, all of the characters who witness the vase falling will want to react. And if they all say they caught the vase just in time before it crashed into a million pieces, there's going to be some confusion as to who really caught the vase. It's an extreme simulation to look at, yes, but it's one of the bigger elements you need to look at when you're in a group roleplay.


As for one on ones, I find these a lot easier to deal with. You only have two people roleplaying, yourself and your partner. If we want to link back to my example for group roleplays, there is all ready a set posting order, so there won't be any question as to what happened with the falling vase. I find it a lot easier to make my posts flow from one to the next. I consider the last action that my character made in my previous post and I consider the exact moment that my partner had left of their post, and write as if I was simply continuing a story.


In truth, I would not have figured this all out were it not for experience. I've been roleplaying for about five and a half years now. You said you've only participated in a few games. Do not get discouraged. Believe me, I have had more roleplay failures than success. You just have to be persistent.

 

[PicaPirate]

I can totally understand where you are coming from, as I worried myself over this in the past.


The first gripe is something that while it may worry you, not to be afraid about. Go out there and experience detail if you so wish! You can only learn by failure and success in your posts and to accumulate experience. Go for a swim, drown for a bit, learn whatever works for you.


If you're worried about giving a bad impression, be honest and admit your inexperience. The RP's which don't mind this are the ones to go for, those who are willing to help you along.


The second is an interesting point. Character plot development is generally key. A one sided character with no development is incredibly boring to both roleplay as and with. Those characters that don't develop intentionally are usually more intricate and have a reason to.


Everyone wants to be the MC, but in roleplay, everyone is the MC. If you have plotlines you wish to explore, talk to the GM and players who want to help develop that. Want to explore the backstory or change a character? Maybe even develop someone alongside another character, like relationship dynamics?


The main point I guess I'm rambling towards is to talk to people. Too much talking can't harm anywhere near as much as not enough. People are not mind readers, especially when intonations are lost in text (



), so be honest about your own intentions and your opinions.
Not every roleplay will click or be compatible with you, but the beauty of RPN is that you'll be spoilt for choice.

 

[CrookedCompass]

I think the biggest thing with building a roleplay character isn't so much about the character you create as it is about how that character plays with others. The key to roleplaying when you're used to writing your own stories is that you are not the author. Other characters are going to do things that you may not like that much or feel that it doesn't highlight your favorite parts of your character.


And honestly, that's the point of roleplaying with your OCs! It's a great way to test your character, explore their traits in a safe & fun environment, and build your writing skill. And as an extension of what PicaPirate said, network network network! The more involved your character is in the RP and it's plot, the more fun you'll have (so long as you communicate!).


I hope this helps, Leuffteria!