10 things I don't understand about you

[andrew_in_drag]

You know what I don't get? Role-playing.

As in, the collaborative fanfic writing kind of role-playing. When it comes to people pretending to be virginal milkmaids and well-hung stable boys in the privacy of their bedrooms, I'm sure they find their romantic shenanigans very fulfilling, so if they can keep a straight face during all that then frankly, more power to 'em.

But I've never understood RPing. How do you get around the crashing awkwardness of that? By building friendships? No! Let's write porn together: no friendship is that strong!

It's the same reason I don't really get these kind of forum things where everybody picks a character and then directs that character as they go to town on stuff. Of course, I'm also such a control freak that the mere thought of somebody tampering with my storylines elicits a near stroke - and not even a stroke of genius. Just a shitty normal stroke.

What do you think, guys? Should I be more open-minded? Or will I forever be giggling at my own naughty words in the privacy of my own Open Office document?

This entry was pointless. Also, I'm writing porn right now.

That is all.

Comments

[dnleila.livejournal.com]

I think you should be more open minded about it. Role-playing is a fun thing to do once you get a hold of it. ALso while you roleplay usually there is no plot, so there is no time to procrastinate over something going wrong. I mean its like real life just written. In your life you don't know what will happen or how other persin will respond or what turn the matter will take. Or it's like a move or a book or a fanfiction that you don't know the plot of. :) For some people it could be a slight way of an escape. Because you can be someone else in some other place for a matter of time. Well this just became to serious. Though, over all RP-ing is fun and maybe you just need to try it in order to understand it.

sorry I rambled on a bit.

[vmnoneko.livejournal.com]

*laughs*

Well, I wasn't into role-playing until I met my (now-permanent) writer's block. I still wanted to write so I had fun writing with others, sometimes there's plot and sometimes there isn't. Occasionally some ppl come up with really unpredictable stuff that I wouldn't have thought of myself.

And it's not always writing smut! About writing porn in RPs though...I find that quite awkward most of the time so I skim past itXD

Anyway, it's fun but it may not be for everyone~

[tcharlatan.livejournal.com]

I have mixed feelings about it, actually. Years and years ago, I used to do a line-by-line roleplay sort of thing via instant message, and it was a lot of fun, developing plots on the fly and such. Buuut, yeah, the prospect of smut scenes in that context was SUPER AWKWARD so I always skipped over it, and there were more than a few arguments about directions the plot went that would pigeon-hole someone's characters or block others out entirely. I've never done the forum-style because it looks TERRIFYING AND ALSO WHAT IF YOU GET AN AWESOME IDEA FOR THE STORY AND CAN'T DO IT BECAUSE YOU ONLY HAVE CONTROL OF ONE CHARACTER?! D:< So I definitely get where you're coming from. I think it's just what part of the story appeals to you more, and your writing style in terms of planning/control.

[velvet-liquor.livejournal.com]

I hesitated before commenting on that, but oh well.

I'm a bit of an undercover RP lover, like it's a bad thing. It has good points, though it also have negative sides. It can be fun, since you can start from scratch and discover how things go, as in real life of just like with a fanfic you're reading for the first time. It can also be helpful, when you're stuck and your mind can't come up with nice plot twists (I have a hard time thinking on my own, I need another brain to plot with me and point out incoherences or point out the different roads the plot could take). It helps developing a character, giving them strengths and weaknesses, creating a life for them, what they like and don't. It's a bit of a writing exercise. It helps. Though, what doesn't help me is that I RP in French and I feel shy writing too sexy scenes, and I just can't do what I can with French (I do think English is better for a whole lot of things, but there's also the fact that it isn't my native language, so in a way, words are less... 'powerful'? You won't make me cringe with bad words in English, but in French, I do feel when it's getting a bit too extreme. But maybe that's just me not being acquainted-enough with English? I don't know), but while I become stuck with a certain writing style in French, I just don't practice all that much in English, so my own fanfics don't progress. Also, indeed, it's frustrating if you have a certain plotline in mind and the other character don't follow the rules you have in your mind, but well, that's part of the game. But sometimes, you can just get the upper hand and become somewhat manipulative, if your character is up for it.
Well. Yeah.
This definitely looks like a useless comment. *shrugs*

[andrew-in-drag.livejournal.com]

Ah yeah, you've actually given me a lot to think about.

I suppose the parts of RPing that I struggle with are a) being English, and therefore really not into talking about sex a lot, and b) I am the Biggest Fucking Control Freak when it comes to writing.
For big projects like House of Cards I have sheets and sheets of hard copies that show relationship maps, floorplans of buildings and houses, as well as having detailed character biographies - I like to feel like this is my world and I'm in charge of it, I guess. I hate making mistakes even if they're the type that I only I would notice, so I guess the lack of control caused by another person would drive me crazy.

I think I understand what you mean about the language aspect, as well. So many people on these comms do so well to talk in English all the time, and to write in it. I feel like if I had to give up my native language, I'd be permanently bereft! That's another control thing, I suppose.

And no: not a useless comment ;) when I say "I don't understand this!" I love to have people help me understand. I tend to get a little arrogant, like my opinion is the best opinion, so it's good to have people I like and respect reasoning with me!

On the other hand, I guess RPing really would provide a pretty inspirational environment.

[ankaraferus.livejournal.com]

I've actually done some collaborative writing (not in the RP sense, but actual WRITING) with my friend random_x13 that came out really nice and we had fun with it. Keeps you on your toes when you don't have TOTAL control (we agreed on the broad strokes before hand, of course, but the little things were total surprises). It's an excellent way to get the juices flowing when you're creative well is running a little low.