Seems like I keep writing ooc posts. I'll have to change that, but I think this one needs to be written.
So many times I see the following from RPers:
"I'm bored."
"I can't come up with a storyline."
Or this conversation:
RPer 1: "I'm bored. Anyone wanna RP?"
RPer 2: "I'm bored, too. Sure."
RPer 1: "What do you want to RP?"
RPer 2: "I dunno, I was just bored. What do you want to RP?"
Then there are 20 ooc posts and they are still no closer to RPing.
*headdesk*
If you come up with compelling, interesting, varied SLs, you will get more and more people to follow you, and those people will want to join your RP (if they are RPers). People will ask to join you.
I almost always have a plot in mind when I log on. I may not do it (depending on if others are on, we will sometimes coordinate a different plot off the cuff), but I at least have it in mind.
People have asked how I come up with so many plots. A lot of times they just pop into my head and I write them down for future use.
But there are times when I have to just sit down and plan something out.
Here is my Sooper Sekrit RP Plot Formula (TM). And I'll walk you through my thought process.
1. Pick a place.
Don't know why, but knowing where the action is taking place helps me. Since I'm in sci fi, it's usually another planet.
So I look at a Star Wars galaxy map (since that's the genre I RP in) and start looking.
I'll read through and see if anything jumps out at me. Today I like the Outer Rim Territories. I click that.
Browsing.....browsing....reading the history.....browsing....
Oooh. The Si'klaata Cluster. Let's look at that. *click*
Reading.....reading....oooooh. Non-Hutt access was restricted. Interesting.
Four planets are mentioned in the sector: Klatooine, Tas-La, Vontor, and Vodran. *click click click click*
Klatooine? Nah. Tas-La? No, not much info. Vontor? No. Vodran? Hmmmmm....this is promising. Jungle planet? Swamps? Me likey.
Okay, so this mission is going to Vodran.
2. Why do they go?
Reading.....reading....
The dianoga evolved there. Maybe NavKor needs new garbage disposals. Hehehe. That could be a fun plot. Much pissing and moaning from those sent. Let's do it.
(I could have also chosen a bounty hunter mission, cargo pickup or delivery, etc.)
3. What happens during the mission?
This is the fun part, and this is where you can get the input of others. At this point, you have a basic idea and you can ask others to join in.
So now, instead of saying "I'm bored, wanna RP?" you can say "I have a mission to Vodran planned. Anyone want to help?" And, in the meantime, you can have your character going through steps to prepare for the mission.
What happens on missions is the fun part. Will it go smoothly? Does someone get hurt? Do they run into Darth Maul along the way? Is a crew member captured by a rival smuggler's ship? Does one member get captured by the Hutts and forced into slavery until rescued? Will they have to crash land somewhere? Do they meet someone that will join the crew?
Always remember these words: "What if....?"
That's the key. So many possibilities.
If you are in another 'verse, use similar resources for your genre. Start reading, pick a place (country, city, building, etc.) and then work from there. Where is it? What kind of place is it? Why would they be there? What could go wrong?
There's never a reason to be without a plot. Use some reference materials and let things go from there.
And one more thing: Use DMs or chat to plan a plot. If you plan everything in ooc tweets, I have no reason to watch it. I already know what's going to happen! (I feel another ooc post coming on....)
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