Helpful Reminders for Paragraph-Based RPing
Hello friends! I’ve been RPing for at least 7 years with many different characters, and one thing that I find pretty common is nervousness/insecurity about para-based RPing. So I decided to make a quick guide of things to keep in mind and little bits of etiquette too, because even seasoned folks want some pointers now and then.
(I am by no means an authority on this! Obviously these rules aren’t universal, but they’re a good starting point!)
What to include in your post:
What your character says- This is generally the most important aspect of the RP. The dialogue between characters is important as it guides the flow of the thread. (Obviously not if your thread is more action-based, like a fight or sex, but this rule generally applies.) If you don’t have enough dialogue, it may be harder for your partner to think of a way to reply. But if you have too much dialogue, it may be difficult for your partner to get a word in edgewise where necessary. Instead of filling your whole post with dialogue, consider these other things to add..
What your character does- When you’re having a real conversation with someone, you don’t stand there motionless. You may be walking somewhere, you might move your hands, you’re almost always going to have a facial expression. Describe these things! It helps to make the thread more realistic, and it helps your partner to get an idea of what you were thinking when you wrote your post.
Icons and GIFs are really helpful tools for this! If you have some of your faceclaim, use them! Otherwise, make some or search Tumblr tags for reaction images. (never claim something as your own if it isn’t!) Most posts will limit the amount of icons to one or maybe two so as not to distract from the thread.
What your character feels- Important to give readers and partners an insight into why your character says/does what they do. This helps to discern voice tone, too- if your character is being sarcastic, you don’t want your partner to think they were being intentionally rude!
What your character thinks- This is similar to the above point. But take caution when using thoughts/inner monologue- since your partner will almost never be able to know exactly what your character is thinking, it is important to also give your partner something in the post that they are able to play off of and respond to.
It takes practice to find a good balance between these aspects, but I find it helpful to run through all of these and see what I can add if I find my response is too short.
Length! When writing a reply, it is helpful and considerate to try and match the length of your partner’s reply. They took the time to write it out, and it makes everyone feel good to see that you took just as much time. It also makes it easier for them to reply in return. Obviously it is sometimes difficult to match the length of your partner, but most RPers use the general rule that you try to at least match half of their length.
If you still struggle with length, look at the above list of things to include in your post and see what you can add. Or consider…
Description! Describing your character’s surroundings is also a helpful tool. Your character is probably 99% of the time not going to be in an empty void. What do they interact with? What do they see? Think of the five senses. This is a great way to add length to your post if you are struggling.
When using description, one must still be careful. Try to avoid purple prose, and don’t spend so much time describing the environment that you neglect to move the plot along or give your partner something to respond to.
Also keep in mind that setting the scene is important when starting a thread.
Other guidelines/etiquette to keep in mind:
Godmodding- Most people are familiar with this. Basically, godmodding is when an RPer takes control of/decides the actions of another player without permission. It’s like the biggest faux pas in the RP community. So just be careful, ask your partner if you’re unsure of something, and don’t make too many assumptions about your partner’s character.
Threads with more than 2 characters- It happens sometimes and can be really fun! If you plan something out, make sure all players involved are aware of it. Also, it is Very Important to set a reply order to avoid accidentally skipping turns, or worse- people replying to different people and the thread splitting and nobody knowing who replies to what when. I can’t even explain how confusing and frustrating this is, so avoid it at All Costs if you can.
Don’t jump into someone else’s thread. This also can make things awkward. Two characters might even be talking about your character, but threads are closed and don’t involve you. If you want a part in the action, it is best to privately message the player(s) involved and discuss it with them then. They might just do a new separate thread with you.
If you have questions, ask. Confused about your partner’s reply? Want to plot? Wondering what to do next? Just message your partner. It’s always okay, honestly. So many people just Don’t Do This and I have no idea why.
Check out your partner’s about and rules page, if they have one. Do this BEFORE you start interacting with a new character. The player might have specific rules that apply to you, triggers you need to know Not to Use, or helpful headcanons that might make your replies a lot easier if you know them. I can’t stress enough: please do this. We all put a lot of time into these pages so that they can be a resource to our partners.
That’s honestly all I can think of right now, but I hope this is helpful to some people! Please feel free to reblog this, and if anyone has anything to add, don’t hesitate to do so!
