Important Rules for RPers
The following is a small compilation of general rules every Tumblr roleplayer should be sure to follow.
•ALWAYS READ RULES/ABOUT PAGES BEFORE YOU INTERACT WITH SOMEONE. It’s extremely important to know your RP partners’ boundaries so you don’t make them uncomfortable. Always read rules/about pages first and foremost, and be sure to stick to those rules to the best of your ability. Some people require passwords to make sure you read them, and if they do, always be sure to send one in. If you can’t find their pages, it’s always a good idea to ask for a link.
•NO MEANS NO. If someone turns down your offer to RP, it’s not the end of the world. You shouldn’t pressure them or harass them about it. Just move on and keep looking for partners.
•DON’T IGNORE PEOPLE. If someone is harassing you, tell them to stop and block them if they don’t. If someone ISN’T harassing you and is just asking a question or asking to RP, it can be confusing (and sometimes even anxiety-inducing) for them not to receive an answer. No, people aren’t entitled to your attention, but people aren’t mind-readers, and the best way to get your feelings across to other RPers is to communicate with them.
•HAVE A LEGIBLE THEME. Aesthetic themes can be fun, but it can get frustrating to navigate them. Make sure your text isn’t too small/a color that blends into the background, keep your color palette easy on the eyes (pastels and mustards work great for this!) and make sure your navigation links are clearly labeled and easy to find.
• DON’T REPOST/STEAL ART. Always be sure to link any art you use for your blog theme, icons, etc. back to its original creator. Don’t repost others’ art on your blog or use their art for your icons without permission. And if you can’t find a source to link the art back to, don’t use the art.
•RP HAPPENS AT THE RPER’S OWN PACE. Take as long as you feel you need to give your partner a quality reply, and be patient with them in return. Some RPers are faster, and some are slower. Don’t rush others for replies. However, do bear in mind that it is fine to poke your partner about it if it’s been a long time/you feel like Tumblr might’ve eaten it.
•ASK THREADS ARE TOUGHER TO CUT. Instead of continuing a thread from an ask meme by reblogging it, it’s better to make a brand-new text post and link back to the meme. Mobile users cannot cut ask threads, so you’ll be doing them a huge favor by doing this.
•TRIM YOUR THREADS REGULARLY. Long enough posts can sometimes cause Tumblr to lag or even crash if they pop up on people’s dashes. As a general rule of thumb, if your thread is going to be more than 2 screen-lengths long after you reply, it’s time to trim it. This applies to both mobile and desktop, as the issue does affect both. Not to mention most people really don’t like having a lot of long, long posts on their dash all the time.
•BE POLITE TO OTHERS. RPERS ARE PEOPLE TOO. Even if you’re mad at a partner for some reason, be polite about it. Address the situation with them privately and see if there’s a way to work it out calmly. Don’t harass others or turn people against them. And if you really don’t like them/really don’t think you can compromise, then just unfollow and move on. There’s no good reason to start petty drama over a bunch of fictional characters on the internet.
• AND LASTLY… HAVE FUN! RP is a hobby, and it should be fun for everyone involved. If you find yourself feeling frustrated, bored, or stressed, it may be a good idea to change your approach. Drop some threads, search for some new RP partners, or talk to some of your partners who you feel you have a problem with. Not everyone’s writing style/character is going to click with yours, and that’s okay. Remember to put yourself and your own health first and foremost. It’s okay to back out if you aren’t having fun.
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