RPing in the AWO

[Scott Sears]

Hey, I guess this is the place to ask this.

Um, I have done a few feds before, but everyone's writing abilities were WAY lower than all of yours, so I dominated. I was just wondering how you think I may be able to adapt to this. Should I play off of what other people say to increase the length and quality of my rp's? I find that I run out of things to talk about, and I try to rush the endings.

Thanks in advance.

[Chris Bond]

That's a great question, and although I am not Maverick, I would have to say that you should indeed play off of what other people say. Play off of their mistakes, and their phrases. However, if someone ever comes to you with an idea of "Bondage" run away, fast, very, very fast.

Mav will go into detail futher, but I just thought that I'd offer my two cents. Welcome to the AWO, and I should say that it'll be interesting to see your style.

[Maverick]

Firstly Scott, thank you for being the first one to take this board seriously. Secondly, that is a very good question and a common problem for people who move between federations of varying qualities.

Having read your first RPs in the AWO, I've gotta say you're no slouch and you should do well. Especially considering that you had no match and no opponent to bounce off, which usually makes it easier. The two things I really like about those two RPs is that (except for one that I counted) there were no spelling mistakes which really makes it easier to read your work and automatically puts you in good stead. The second thing was the degree of humility that most people lack around here, creating themselves into demi-Gods with no weaknesses and everybody is always scared of them with their huge stature and clown make up *cough*. Your style lends a degree of realism that is very refreshing and good to read, showing that your character is flawed and unsure of himself when nobody else is around to see, just like any person.

That's what you're doing right so you can continue to do that. Now to address your question. Finding a way to match the 3000 word RP's that some people produce is something I personally struggle with, because I'm naturally a succinct person and don't try to bullshit. So, it's important to note that the honourable president grades the roleplays with a 13 point system. A possible 3 points for length and a potential 10 for quality, TEN.

If you find yourself intimidated by massive posts, don't be, because it's not everything. The only plus of that is the more you say, the more likely you are to say something of quality, by the law of probability. It is more than possible to win by posting a series of 1000 word RPs, provided what you do say in those thousand words is of a high quality. If you do insist on writing longer roleplays though, it helps to map out what you want to say beforehand, simply because once you get around the 3000 word mark, you're more than likely to have repeated yourself if you don't have a plan. Set out your key ideas on a piece of paper if need be, just know what you're doing before you start. Once you start actually typing it, have a main idea for each concept. Follow this by explaining it and backing it up; a wise man once told me that for this part, just saying each sentence three different ways by swapping the key words will automatically triple your word count. In this way you will produce a very formidable RP.

This brings us to the next aspect, quality. There is no set formula for quality. However, the main way to achieve a five star level RP is to stick with what you know. If you're a naturally funny person, use humour. If you're the next Shakespeare, throw around your vocabulary and flare. If you're an arty person, be creative and a bit quirky. Whatever it is, follow your ability and you can't go wrong. You want to distinguish yourself by being original. Originality can't be stressed enough, develop a style, a particular way of writing (this will happen naturally) and people will recognise you by that style.

With regard to bouncing off other people, it's always very important if you don't want people to walk all over you. Show the flaws in their promo; try to go for the main idea of the promo rather than nit-picking on individual sentences - pointing out spelling mistakes or gramattical errors will NOT put people in their place. Going for the main idea is the way to go for the jugular, rather than just chopping off the pinky finger. Read the RP thoroughly and find what the person is trying to say (this will be harder with some opponents than others), then illustrate why this is wrong, pointless or contradictory (more damagingly than "You're stupid and I don't like you" as true as it may be at times).

I think this has covered just about everything. If it doesn't then feel free to PM me or get me on MSN or reply back here. I hope that helps.

Your new best friend,
Maverick

[Scott Sears]

Thanks alot, Mav.

Haha, yay, I have a new best friend <_<

[Prez Shay]

*enjoys the thread, until he reaches Maverick's part*

No way am I reading all that.

And Chris Bond, are you saying you became better by trying to be Scruffy Dog? No doubt I'm the king of wrecking people for saying stupid stuff. Ahh the Cheap Shot CourtRoom RP... my finest hour.

[Prez Shay]

what the fuck? I just read some of it though. I don't believe I ever labelled my RP judging criteria to the AWO members Maverick. Since it isn't perfected, I would have preferred not to. Another obvious reason is that if they know exactly what the system is they can easily think of ways to break through it.

The 10 points has also changed slightly since I told you that. Basically, the quality rule does still apply, but it's changed so it's not quite that simple. In fact, length also applies to the ten now, but in a very small way.

[Maverick]

So if it's not perfected then nobody knows exactly what the system is... Problem solved. Regardless, the point was that there is a larger emphasis on quality rather than quantity. Obviously it's going to evolve through time in the interests of fairness to all so that if people start exploiting things, it won't work for long.

Although, you didn't seem to have a problem with laying down your judgement scheme before now, so why would it suddenly become an issue?

awo2004.proboards23.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=AllOutofCharactermessagesgohere&thread=1098030385

[x]

ok Mav...

Lets see what you can gather fomr my rp for now I'm very curious

[Maverick]

Your first one? Or is there another coming? And is there any particular aspect that you were concerned about or were you just hoping for a general review? This board is supposed to be for addressing issues rather than just me critiquing every RP that's posted, but I guess I could give it a look...

[Prez Shay]

maverick said:

Although, you didn't seem to have a problem with laying down your judgement scheme before now, so why would it suddenly become an issue?

awo2004.proboards23.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=AllOutofCharactermessagesgohere&thread=1098030385

You're right. 'I' meaning 'ME, Shay Semmens' didn't have a problem laying down my judgement scheme before now. But did I, Shay Semmens, just do it again? No. You did.

I don't mind overly, and I've lost all interest in the topic, I just thought I'd get that said.

[Scott Sears]

X is poisoning my awesome thread. Make your own thread, maggot.

[x]

Awww pooor babe.. want me to get you some cheese with that whine?

[Mike Icon]

You stole a line from a Tom Arena RP, X? Fuck me running, you're REALLY scraping the bottom of the barrel!

[Mike Best]

Haha, doesn't everyone feel foolish for training Scott Sears now that you know who he was?

[Mike Icon]

Uh. Who is he? Who *was* he? Huh. =|