Animation Source Forums

Before anyone is offended by this, I just want to say that I am in no way suggesting, in any part of this topic, that the current three roleplaying guides are of poor quaility or are not good enough. In fact, I read through these guides at least once a year just to brush up on my roleplaying. So, please, no one post saying that I am disrespecting those members or the hard work they put into their guides. Thank you.

This is mostly a topic for roleplayers or anyone concerned with the roleplaying sections of this site. Anyone is welcome to post their thoughts, though!

There is a problem going on mostly in the General Open Roleplay section of this site. If you do not know what issue I am talking about, just browse through this section of the site for a few minutes and read through some of the poorly thought-out plots and one-line responses that contain horrible spelling, grammar, and puncuation along with no story progression and cliche characters. For a more detailed look on this problem, you can see the complaints of many senior roleplaying members on My Roleplay Rant.

With all of that aside, I really think that a new roleplay guide may help the situation. I know that we already have three quaility ones, but they do no address the issues we are dealing with at the moment. I also think that the members who are causing these issues do not want to read these guides. You have to admite, it's a rather daunting task. I think that creating a new guide to post on the General Open Roleplay section and keeping it on it's own topic for a little while, new members might be more willing to read it. After a time, the guide can be combined with the others.

Now, to the point of this topic. I would really appreciate some suggestions for what should go into this guide. I know what I want to put in it and what I think are important issues, but I don't know what you would like to see in a new guide. If you have any ideas for the content or set-up or anything else for this guide, please post!

Also, I would really like anyone who reads this topic to take two seconds and at least answer the poll. If I get too much negative feedback about creating this new guide, I will reconsider the idea. But if you do not think the site needs a new roleplay guide or you think it's just a bad idea, please post a comment as to why. I think it is a good idea, so I will need some convincing if you think otherwise.

Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts!

P.S. Mods, if you think this is in the wrong section, please move it to where you think it would be best posted. I considered posting it in requests since I am requesting ideas, but it seems like that section is mostly for fanart and fanimages. I think it is in the right section because I am asking for suggestions. If I am wrong, I apologize and would not object to it being moved. Also, I am considering posting this topic in the request section as well to get it scene by more members. Would that be allowed?

I definitely think this is a good idea, and I support it full force!

As for the issues concerning the roleplays, my main one would be 1) grammar and 2) characters.
People seem to think that their characters can be perfect and Mary Sue like, but that's just not the case in real life. People may argue 'Oh but it's not real life in a roleplay, you can make it anything you want' and while that may indeed be true, having perfect characters in a perfect universe makes for a very uninteresting roleplay, even for those who might support the idea.

Grammar is just off the charts bad, and this is coming from people who speak the language for heavens sake. If it's not your first, then I can understand, but if it's your first language? I mean c'mon. You don't have to be an english teacher to know some proper grammatical rules. The length in posts these days coming to once sentences is outrageous, especially considering this used to be against the rules oh-so-long ago. It's just disappointing, if nothing else. These would be, in my opinion, top priority issues to address in the guide.

I agree with Moki Hunter!

I'd say that the problems are: grammar, post length, no or too many details, and "perfect" characters/situations. The two that really annoy me the most are definitely the grammar and post length issues. Seriously, it really isn't that hard to use basic punctuation. I can almost understand subject-verb agreement and spelling issues for newer members, but most of the people that I've seen posting in the General Roleplaying sections claim to be at least high school aged, and there's absolutely NO excuse for these type of grammatical errors for people claiming to be at least fifteen or sixteen years old. Still on the grammar issue, what's with the "shout box" posts? This is a forum, not a shout box, nor is it a theatrical script. I'd say it takes less energy to write responses correctly verses writing everything in first person or using *'s.

Secondly, post length. I decided to separate this from "grammar" because technically, "Dog ran fast." is grammatically correct. However, one to two liner posts make a terrible roleplay, and honestly, it really isn't all that difficult to stretch a post out to three sentences at the least even with writer's block. If only a short response is needed for a character's dialogue, throw in some body language. Or, describe the surroundings the characters find themselves in. Not only does this improve a post, it gives more information for other members to work with.

No or too many details: for the most part, "too many" usually refers to a character's appearance. Yes we want to know what the character looks like, but no one can remember every detail. For instance, I'll bet that very few people care to read how many tattoos a character has, how big they are, where they are, etc. Or, spending several sentences describing a character's outfit down to the thread. However, not having any details makes for a very short and dry post that few people can work with...unless they completely disregard what was said, which is never good. Yes details need to be included, but they also need to be relevant. For example, if I were describing grass, I wouldn't use "velvety" or "silky"; I'd say it was "prickly" -or if it were a well cared for lawn, I might compare it to a plush oriental carpet.

And as far as "perfect characters" in "perfect situations", I think Moki Hunter pretty well covered that. However, having only "abused characters" in "horrible situations" is just as bad. However, what's probably the worst is "perfect personality" and "horrible situation" -what I mean is something along the lines of this: a character has abusive parents who killed their pet in front of them, but go to school the next day and party. If something like that is going to be included, it needs to be explained how it affects the character mentally and emotionally.

So...I guess that's pretty much it from me.

Thank you guys for thoughts! I am definately going to mention all of those things in this guide. I am even dedicating an entire section to just discuss characters. I also know exactly how I am going to explain using too much or too little detail. The parts I am having some trouble with are grammar and post length. I mean, what else do I say other than use good grammar and post more than one line?

Also, I would like a couple people to read over this guide before I submit it. Mostly to check spelling and grammar, but also to tell me if something is unclear or doesn't make sense. And also to tell me if I forgot something important. So, any volunteers?

I think explaining how to add details should hopefully help with post length

Also, I found this:
http://www.gingersoftware.com/grammarcheck/

I experimented with it some, and so far it corrects basic grammar/spelling errors. I dunno... it's an idea, anyways. My only other thought is to imagine some crazy British professor slapping their wrists with a ruler every time they make an error...

I have a section on adding details, so I really do hope that is enough. And thanks for the link. I will definately use that both for the guide and for personal use.

BTW, to everyone, where do you find pictures for your character appearences? I would like to add some suggestions to the guide, but I only ever use DA.

I use google images, lol. I usually look up pictures depending on my character (Example: "brunette teen guy" or "blonde girl" or whatever).

I use google images too. Sometimes I use imdb as well if I have a certain profile in mind and I know an actor/actress that can fit it.
I also really think this is a great topic Rose!

Thanks WolfCall! And I'll add that into the guide as well. Thanks for the suggestion!

Read through it, and it's fantastic! Can't think of any suggestions to add, so I'm working on proofreading for spelling and grammar errors.

Thank you, I need help with that the most! I am awful when it comes to typos.

During my first read through, I didn't spot very many, but no point in giving certain members fuel for their fire. I think I counted four total. Now to go back and correct them!

Haha, yes, I am getting ready for the firey arguements and insults I will get from a certain few members. Oh well, I knew that was going to happen.

FINISHED!!!! (over excited much? )

About to send it to you, though I don't plan on putting the coding back in. (No me gusta coding! >_<)

Haha, that's okay. I completely understand, I'm not a fan of it either.