I suck at starting RPs. Tips?

[GingerbreadSpy]

I don't know what it is exactly. Maybe the ideas I try to set into motion are just too boring or maybe I set in place too many limitations (farmers in that one RP and wanting the ponies up for bidding to be mares). I guess maybe the latter could be the worst culprit. When I was a kid, I used to be pretty bossy and controlling because I always had a precise picture in mind for how the games I played were supposed to be played (even pretend games... The stuffed brown kitty couldn't be a teen kitty named Brownie because she was a mother cat named Mrs. Whiskers and the brown puppy was already called Brownie). I mean, I'd like to think I have gotten less like that (I can handle playing in other RPs fine).

But maybe some of that is still there. I mean, I'm pretty sure an RP needs some direction, doesn't it? I just don't know where some becomes too much. Or how to rein in my desire to have things in a certain pattern or to go a certain direction.

[QuickLime]

A Roleplay needs structure yes, but there needs to be wiggle room for other people to have fun. Take MareCon for example, there IS structure and rules, but users are allowed to do as they wish, heck if a male wants to sneak in, or a foal they are allowed provided I get a heads up and approve it.

The key is to be lenient but within reason, yeah your "Mares up for bid" thread didn't go over so well since it was JUST mares, not taking in mind that other people might want to participate in being bid on (say males that are interested in males, or other species that ARN'T mares)

That's being a little TOO stiff with the rules

It's all about balance and remembering that it's not just about YOU, but about the people that roleplay with you too, roleplaying is about working TOGETHER, it is not just about what YOU want, it's about working TOGETHER to write something enjoyable.

[GingerbreadSpy]

Yes, I get that. And like I said, I work well when I don't have to be the one starting things up, but as soon as I am, it's like... I dunno. I can't help it, I mean, man, it takes a while for me to realize sometimes that I might be being too restrictive (it really only occurred to me a short while ago, for instance, with the auction date RP that I might have been asking too much) And that's if I come up with a viable RP idea. Most of the potential RP ideas I have often end up never making it into the post for interest-checking stage because I end up realizing they're more suitable for fanfiction than for collaborative roleplay.

[Bellosh]

Yeah, the most important thing with making a large-scale RP come to life is to make it open to as many characters as possible. The biggest reason why my Weather Factory threads have taken off is because I conjured up an excuse to get pegasi other than factory workers to well, work there for a day haha. In contrast, I previously tried to get people interested in RPs for Celestia's gifted unicorn school and Manehattan cutie mark crusading, but both proved to be niche ideas

Don't worry though; you'll get the hang of creating awesome RP threads sooner or later.

[Halide]

It's difficult to entice random passers-by with any idea, much less ones that don't promise excitement, strong interest or glory of some sort. Most successful RPs I've seen have players agreeing to play together before any threads are even started.

If you're new to the community in general, you're probably gonna have to bust your tailbone a bit making some high-octane roleplays - exploration, challenge or adventures are a good way to attract general interest, but you're probably going to get a few people that end up dropping out after a little while. However, you'll likely meet a few good roleplayers you can keep in touch with in the process.

[lordbrony]

I guess maybe the latter could be the worst culprit. When I was a kid, I used to be pretty bossy and controlling because I always had a precise picture in mind for how the games I played were supposed to be played

I don't really see that as a flaw, having seen so many RPs fail or degen to chaos because nobody had an idea of what to do and just ends up standing around, or worse playing Calvinball

I dont think its too unreasonable to state in the OOC chat, things like "Alright folks this is what's coming up next" at least people have a sense of direction and know what to expect

Just to share; I was this close to setting something that would resemble a collaborative writing project more than a RP. It was supposed to be: This <insert event> was happening, then whoever whose turn it was got to fill in the details before the story advanced. Was meant to keep the RP in line and yet give people wiggle room. Pity real life interfered hard

[Lilia]

I view my RPs as writing a great story. Always, always leave something for your partner(s) to respond to, be it an action (setting a building on fire accidentally for instance) or something that is said (An offer to be escorted around a new area by the partner/group)