Post by Thomas Uriel Bates on Aug 30, 2016 0:10:39 GMT -5
NOTE: This is just a partial list, and is in no way "THE" way to write roleplays. This is just some tips from one writer to others.
Who is your Character?
You’re going to need to create your character, and find out who he or she is. Don’t just make some random character, or copy someone from a movie or even wrestling. Your character’s entire persona depends on his or her image, size, and build. Give them a backstory as well. How was this person raised? Rich, poor, ward of the State, what happened in a person’s childhood can define an individual.
What is your Character’s Fighting Style?
Do you have a high flyer, a hardcore wrestler, a technical genius, a powerhouse? Whatever you have, this too will shape your character. You can’t have a five foot two inches’ guy weighing ninety pounds being a powerhouse, and he can’t fight like him too. If your character is small, they’re going to fight like a small person. If they’re big, they’re going to fight like a big person. Choose wisely. Your alignment and gimmick may change, but this is one of the things that should not, unless you train in character for a new skill.
Stay in character
You’re writing as a professional wrestler. You’re pretending to be a wrestler, remember that. Things will happen in your real life, and things will happen Out of Character in the fed, don’t mix them with your “In Character” persona. There is a Fourth-Wall, it’s rare that someone can break it and make it work.
Map it out
Sometimes you can just start writing, and before you know it you have a book in front of you. That doesn’t always work. Sometimes you need to map out what you want to do. Pick your scene, pick the characters that will show up, pick certain things you want to say or do, and piece it all together. Mapping out your roleplay will give you a guide while you are writing, and can help make sure you say everything you want to say.
Beginning, Middle, & End
Writing is like a burger. You need a bottom bun and a top bun. The top bun is your introduction; the bottom bun is your closer. In between the buns you need the meat, your body. You can add toppings in there to make it bigger and taster as well. Remember the basics of essay writing, and apply it to your roleplay.
Details
Sure you can say that you walked into a bar, but we’re not going to know what bar until you show us. Don’t just name it either, how many of us have really been to that hole in the wall Chinese restaurant around the corner from your house that makes the Mongolian Beef just right? It’s just another Chinese Restaurant until you describe the way it looks, the way it smells, the way it feels, the way it tastes. Describe it to us, make us want to go there with you.
Creativity
If you’re visiting that Restaurant every week, odds are we’re going to grow tired of the food and look elsewhere. Mix it up a bit, and come up with something brand new. Your character is most likely traveling the world with this wrestling promotion, take us on the journey with you.
Length
If you have a 20,000-word roleplay that is poorly written, I’m not going to read it. If you have a 20,000-word roleplay that’s barely passable, I’m still not going to read it. If you’re going to have long lengthy roleplays, make it interesting. Draw us in, and make us want to keep reading. In the same sense, don’t give us some 200-word roleplay and expect us to take it seriously. What are you doing with two hundred words? How can you give us details, or structure, when you don’t even have enough for a story? We’re not asking everyone to write novels, but give us a short story at least.
Structure
You’re a writer, act like it. Make sure your spelling and grammar are correct. If you’re not the best speller, use Microsoft Word or something with Spelling and Grammar check. It doesn’t catch everything, but at least it’s a good start. Make sure you put sentences together correctly, and make sure you have decent paragraphs. Once you’ve done all of this, and you’ve completed your roleplay; proofread it. Make sure it looks good to you, and is free of any mistakes that you can see.
Language
Almost every efed wrestler will curse. These are people fighting every single week, tensions build up, and eventually words slip. If you’re playing a character that fits that personality, go for it. However, if you’re playing a character such as a Gentleman or a Politician, Lawyer, Professional, etc, then mind your language. Too many curse words, especially when it doesn’t fit your character, can kill a story.
Change Scenes
Your character might have a lot to say, or be out and about during the day. Don’t be afraid to change scenes when it’s necessary. This can also go to lengthen your roleplay, while keeping it interesting as well. Stories within stories can be entertaining, if done right.
Code
While this is not always important, it does help with keeping your roleplay visually appealing and easy to read. If everything’s the same color, odds are people’s eyes are going to get burred reading it. If they’re different, they can separate scene from dialogue easier and be able to read it better. Again, it’s not a requirement, you can be a good writer without code. It just makes it easier on everyone.
Use your characters, not someone else’s
Don’t use someone else’s characters, use your own. You can’t have your character beat down your opponent in a house show, or attack one of your rivals backstage somewhere in your roleplays. You wouldn’t want someone else to do that to your character, so why do it to them? This applies not just to their characters, but their character’s belongings. Don’t trash their house either. Most efeds, such as the WCF, have rules against this.
Keep the story going
Read the matches, and the segments, and fit them to your story. If your rival attacked you during a show and busted you open, don’t have your character looking perfectly fine the next day. Have them bandaged up, or even do a scene in a hospital. Everything that happens on the Show moves your story forward. Don’t stop your story by ignoring the show.
Read
A writer isn’t a writer if he or she doesn’t read. Read other roleplays, even if it’s not related to your match. You may see some tricks that you could pick up.
Roleplay
Not everybody can start out as a great roleplay writer. These things can take time. Go out there and write. If you listen to advice, and practice enough, you might just become a great writer.
Helpful Links
Odin Balfore's Promo Tips
Quotes and Descriptions to Inspire Creative Writing
Purdue OWL
Who is your Character?
You’re going to need to create your character, and find out who he or she is. Don’t just make some random character, or copy someone from a movie or even wrestling. Your character’s entire persona depends on his or her image, size, and build. Give them a backstory as well. How was this person raised? Rich, poor, ward of the State, what happened in a person’s childhood can define an individual.
What is your Character’s Fighting Style?
Do you have a high flyer, a hardcore wrestler, a technical genius, a powerhouse? Whatever you have, this too will shape your character. You can’t have a five foot two inches’ guy weighing ninety pounds being a powerhouse, and he can’t fight like him too. If your character is small, they’re going to fight like a small person. If they’re big, they’re going to fight like a big person. Choose wisely. Your alignment and gimmick may change, but this is one of the things that should not, unless you train in character for a new skill.
Stay in character
You’re writing as a professional wrestler. You’re pretending to be a wrestler, remember that. Things will happen in your real life, and things will happen Out of Character in the fed, don’t mix them with your “In Character” persona. There is a Fourth-Wall, it’s rare that someone can break it and make it work.
Map it out
Sometimes you can just start writing, and before you know it you have a book in front of you. That doesn’t always work. Sometimes you need to map out what you want to do. Pick your scene, pick the characters that will show up, pick certain things you want to say or do, and piece it all together. Mapping out your roleplay will give you a guide while you are writing, and can help make sure you say everything you want to say.
Beginning, Middle, & End
Writing is like a burger. You need a bottom bun and a top bun. The top bun is your introduction; the bottom bun is your closer. In between the buns you need the meat, your body. You can add toppings in there to make it bigger and taster as well. Remember the basics of essay writing, and apply it to your roleplay.
Details
Sure you can say that you walked into a bar, but we’re not going to know what bar until you show us. Don’t just name it either, how many of us have really been to that hole in the wall Chinese restaurant around the corner from your house that makes the Mongolian Beef just right? It’s just another Chinese Restaurant until you describe the way it looks, the way it smells, the way it feels, the way it tastes. Describe it to us, make us want to go there with you.
Creativity
If you’re visiting that Restaurant every week, odds are we’re going to grow tired of the food and look elsewhere. Mix it up a bit, and come up with something brand new. Your character is most likely traveling the world with this wrestling promotion, take us on the journey with you.
Length
If you have a 20,000-word roleplay that is poorly written, I’m not going to read it. If you have a 20,000-word roleplay that’s barely passable, I’m still not going to read it. If you’re going to have long lengthy roleplays, make it interesting. Draw us in, and make us want to keep reading. In the same sense, don’t give us some 200-word roleplay and expect us to take it seriously. What are you doing with two hundred words? How can you give us details, or structure, when you don’t even have enough for a story? We’re not asking everyone to write novels, but give us a short story at least.
Structure
You’re a writer, act like it. Make sure your spelling and grammar are correct. If you’re not the best speller, use Microsoft Word or something with Spelling and Grammar check. It doesn’t catch everything, but at least it’s a good start. Make sure you put sentences together correctly, and make sure you have decent paragraphs. Once you’ve done all of this, and you’ve completed your roleplay; proofread it. Make sure it looks good to you, and is free of any mistakes that you can see.
Language
Almost every efed wrestler will curse. These are people fighting every single week, tensions build up, and eventually words slip. If you’re playing a character that fits that personality, go for it. However, if you’re playing a character such as a Gentleman or a Politician, Lawyer, Professional, etc, then mind your language. Too many curse words, especially when it doesn’t fit your character, can kill a story.
Change Scenes
Your character might have a lot to say, or be out and about during the day. Don’t be afraid to change scenes when it’s necessary. This can also go to lengthen your roleplay, while keeping it interesting as well. Stories within stories can be entertaining, if done right.
Code
While this is not always important, it does help with keeping your roleplay visually appealing and easy to read. If everything’s the same color, odds are people’s eyes are going to get burred reading it. If they’re different, they can separate scene from dialogue easier and be able to read it better. Again, it’s not a requirement, you can be a good writer without code. It just makes it easier on everyone.
Use your characters, not someone else’s
Don’t use someone else’s characters, use your own. You can’t have your character beat down your opponent in a house show, or attack one of your rivals backstage somewhere in your roleplays. You wouldn’t want someone else to do that to your character, so why do it to them? This applies not just to their characters, but their character’s belongings. Don’t trash their house either. Most efeds, such as the WCF, have rules against this.
Keep the story going
Read the matches, and the segments, and fit them to your story. If your rival attacked you during a show and busted you open, don’t have your character looking perfectly fine the next day. Have them bandaged up, or even do a scene in a hospital. Everything that happens on the Show moves your story forward. Don’t stop your story by ignoring the show.
Read
A writer isn’t a writer if he or she doesn’t read. Read other roleplays, even if it’s not related to your match. You may see some tricks that you could pick up.
Roleplay
Not everybody can start out as a great roleplay writer. These things can take time. Go out there and write. If you listen to advice, and practice enough, you might just become a great writer.
Helpful Links
Odin Balfore's Promo Tips
Quotes and Descriptions to Inspire Creative Writing
Purdue OWL