Post by Admin Friday on Mar 8, 2009 12:59:24 GMT -6
I, myself, do not generally write over 500 word posts, my spelling isn't that great (which is why I chose ProBoards with the spell check built in), and my grammar sometimes is a little off, but my posts generally hit all the marks required for good role play which are:
To convey a feeling or evoke a response from the reader as well as leaving an opening for those replying to return the favor.
Spelling and grammar help too.
Which means it's interesting to read, fun to follow what happens next, and leaves something for your other co-writers to respond to. Also, it's best if everyone writes in first person, unless they are having a 'inner thought' moment which could be set aside in italics.
But what if you've written a post and you know it just could be better? Try the following:
Thoughts
Surroundings
Connect to memories
Appearance (of self or others)
The way things feel/smell (physical)
Reactions (of self or others)
Label (use proper nouns more often)
If meeting a PC for the first time, check their profile for habits and quirks you can use that wouldn't be considered 'godmoding'.
Example:
He watched her walk over to him and said "Hi."
Yarg...
So, what if we add in some of those other things...
Bob leaned back against the table and scanned the room. Cassandra was making her way over to him, brushing by the others in the room, her hair tucked behind her ear as usual. In fact, he couldn't think of a time she wasn't tucking that wayward wisp back out of her face. He fought the urge to wipe his grimy hands on his jeans to be more presentable; that would indicate that she mattered to him. Or that her opinion of him did. He looked away until he felt her coming close and then glanced over. "Oh, hi." He said. "Didn't see you there."
Still not a huge post, but much more engaging to read and react to. It helps the reader form a feeling for the setting, the relationship between the two people, and Bob's personality.
To convey a feeling or evoke a response from the reader as well as leaving an opening for those replying to return the favor.
Spelling and grammar help too.
Which means it's interesting to read, fun to follow what happens next, and leaves something for your other co-writers to respond to. Also, it's best if everyone writes in first person, unless they are having a 'inner thought' moment which could be set aside in italics.
But what if you've written a post and you know it just could be better? Try the following:
Thoughts
Surroundings
Connect to memories
Appearance (of self or others)
The way things feel/smell (physical)
Reactions (of self or others)
Label (use proper nouns more often)
If meeting a PC for the first time, check their profile for habits and quirks you can use that wouldn't be considered 'godmoding'.
Example:
He watched her walk over to him and said "Hi."
Yarg...
So, what if we add in some of those other things...
Bob leaned back against the table and scanned the room. Cassandra was making her way over to him, brushing by the others in the room, her hair tucked behind her ear as usual. In fact, he couldn't think of a time she wasn't tucking that wayward wisp back out of her face. He fought the urge to wipe his grimy hands on his jeans to be more presentable; that would indicate that she mattered to him. Or that her opinion of him did. He looked away until he felt her coming close and then glanced over. "Oh, hi." He said. "Didn't see you there."
Still not a huge post, but much more engaging to read and react to. It helps the reader form a feeling for the setting, the relationship between the two people, and Bob's personality.
The Smallest Picture: Motivation Reaction Units
Now let's look at the smallest picture in your story: the Motivation Reaction unit.
Events in your story can be broken down into a cause, followed by an effect. A "motivating stimulus" followed by a "character reaction."
Motivation:
1) Pick your motivating stimulus carefully. It should be significant to the character--her personality and/or goal will influence what she notices around her. It should also be pertinent for the plotline--your reader will assume every stimulus is important for the story.
2) The stimulus should require your character's immediate action.
Reaction:
1) It should be a reactive feeling, a chosen action, and/or specific words spoken. Not all reactions need to include all three (feeling, action, speech), but at the very least, your character's actions and/or speech should indicate her reactive feeling. Emotion is key.
2) The reaction should be in character (or reveal the character's personality) and a reasonable response. Nothing will put a reader off more than a stupid reaction to a stimulus--the infamous "Too Stupid to Live" heroines from horror flicks.
3) The reaction should serve to forward the story.
The M-R Unit:
The simplest MR Unit is two sentences:
a. Write a sentence without your character (motivation, or cause)
b. Follow it with a sentence about your character (reaction, or effect)
The man in the corner turned and took off his hat, revealing his features. (motivation)
Sara's hand tightened around her water glass. (reaction)
It slipped through her fingers and crashed on the floor. (motivation)
She ducked her flaming face and crouched down to pick up the pieces. (reaction)
The thump of a pair of cowboy boots grew closer, then stopped behind her. (motivation)
Her heart stopped beating as she waited for him to speak. (reaction)
Your scene is built on M-R Units. Once you get used to writing them, they'll become automatic. Like learning to drive: at first you have to remember each action--like pressing the brake, turning the key, putting the car in gear--but eventually it all becomes second nature.
By Camy
Now let's look at the smallest picture in your story: the Motivation Reaction unit.
Events in your story can be broken down into a cause, followed by an effect. A "motivating stimulus" followed by a "character reaction."
Motivation:
1) Pick your motivating stimulus carefully. It should be significant to the character--her personality and/or goal will influence what she notices around her. It should also be pertinent for the plotline--your reader will assume every stimulus is important for the story.
2) The stimulus should require your character's immediate action.
Reaction:
1) It should be a reactive feeling, a chosen action, and/or specific words spoken. Not all reactions need to include all three (feeling, action, speech), but at the very least, your character's actions and/or speech should indicate her reactive feeling. Emotion is key.
2) The reaction should be in character (or reveal the character's personality) and a reasonable response. Nothing will put a reader off more than a stupid reaction to a stimulus--the infamous "Too Stupid to Live" heroines from horror flicks.
3) The reaction should serve to forward the story.
The M-R Unit:
The simplest MR Unit is two sentences:
a. Write a sentence without your character (motivation, or cause)
b. Follow it with a sentence about your character (reaction, or effect)
The man in the corner turned and took off his hat, revealing his features. (motivation)
Sara's hand tightened around her water glass. (reaction)
It slipped through her fingers and crashed on the floor. (motivation)
She ducked her flaming face and crouched down to pick up the pieces. (reaction)
The thump of a pair of cowboy boots grew closer, then stopped behind her. (motivation)
Her heart stopped beating as she waited for him to speak. (reaction)
Your scene is built on M-R Units. Once you get used to writing them, they'll become automatic. Like learning to drive: at first you have to remember each action--like pressing the brake, turning the key, putting the car in gear--but eventually it all becomes second nature.
By Camy