Forums » RP Discussion » Picky about RP partners

So, I'm super picky about my RP partners. For example, I desire quality over quantity. Posts don't have to be long, just clear and concise with a very good grasp of the character and situation -- mentally, emotionally, physically.

Because of this it's very hard for me to find an investment in a storyline or plot.

Does anyone else have this problem?
Am I nuts?

Discuss

Huh.

Well, maybe it's just me, but that sounds pretty rational. If you put time and effort into making something to share with others, why wouldn't you want that investment to be equally returned? Never mind punctuation or grammatical error, and forget being snooty about sentence structure or even a particular style of writing displayed; if the person you're rping with doesn't use a character with some manner of depth, personality, or appeal... the rest of it is rather pointless, isn't it? Such behaviors can hinder your own character's development, smear goals until they blemish the plot rather than support it, and leave you feeling a bit hollow. In the end, the entire event can be less than entertaining and more like an irksome chore.

Still, I'm the type to say take a chance. Why? Because if you love something, then eventually you have to do so one way or another. You can sift through countless posts, check PMs, and ask a thousand questions; ask for a test post, read lengthy or short profiles, accept or deny anonymous partners... but in my experience none of that is foolproof. You take a person at their word and hope it all blends. If it does, great. If not, you hope you can end things amicably. And if the latter can't happen, then you at least hope they didn't tarnish your idea to the point you drop it entirely, or that you didn't wreck the one you joined, depending.

Being picky makes sense. But there's a lot to be desired in waiting it out for the right match. You do what you enjoy and cut your loses when it stops being that. That can weigh on you, sure, but maybe it should if it matters at all what you choose to write - however you choose to write it. Avoid walking dictionaries with more structure than heart, and you'll likely find those qualities you've described in others.

Of course, if you come off as too demanding, you might spook someone less experienced or more easily flustered and therein stifle those same qualities beneath their nervousness. So there's that. All in all, I don't think you're nuts. But I don't know the levels of pickiness we're talking about here so a second opinion wouldn't be offensive to me.

Best of luck and happy hunting!

Give this person a medal

Yeah, this is the case with me. If you go look through "Looking for rp" you'll notice a lot of topics state that paragraphs are required. That's completely fine, but it kind of discourages some of the newer, shyer users. In my case, I'm more of a one-liner person (not that I'm incapable of paragraphs, they're just very difficult for me unless it's a starter or I'm invested in the RP).

(Then again, my one-liners are boring and dull so I can't really complain)

I also agree with this ^^

I agree. This is very clear. I am well aware of this "issue". I however don't see it as an issue. Instead if you find someone like this, try and talk to them. Show them how to write clearly with depth and detail, whilst also keeping it interesting.

I am pretty picky myself. I love a good story and something that keeps me going. As a canon character Rper, I don't judge or put down people who RP OCs but I will stay away from the ones who bash what other people RP as.

There isn't anything wrong with being a picky RPer.

I would like to start an Rp with one of you guys or gals using Roemello or Thorn'Detrax, my OC's

I'm picky normally, but I find myself having to lower my expectations just to find an RP partner.

I'm actually beyond picky on the inside: I can't do overpowered characters that lack any personality other than a simple two to three-word statement. Bonus points if the writer wants them overpowered for some reason that could easily be covered by character personality, development, and research. It's never fun if they destroy anything and everything that comes their way, then my characters have to sit there and "praise" them when they could've handled it just as well with more struggle and character development. It also shoots down any possible plots in mind if that "threat" was needed for the story.

Don't get me wrong: massive power combined with captivating personalities and hidden depth are always welcome, mind you. It's just characters that are clearly built to "win" a RP through fighting and not much else that's kinda off-putting.

Poorly written profiles, or those who would clash personality or genre wise with my own characters also turn me off a little. (Ex. Small and meek high fantasy witch character with an uncaring person from a realistic modern-only genre who does drugs and smokes while being a high-school dropout.) I also prefer some element of maturity or adult themes in my RPs, it always makes things richer in my opinion.

However, when it comes to actually accepting RPs? Sometimes I have to swallow my pride to the middle two, parts of the first, and some of the last even if I want more meat and depth to a character. I think that's what some people end up doing if they want a decent RP nowadays. Sometimes it works, sometimes it's just as bad as you expected, which is why it's important to keep trying.

It ultimately depends on the person behind the character. The way I see it, sometimes you have to be picky for quality, even if it takes a while to net you one good fish out of the many others in the RP Ocean. But it's also not too good to bypass a mass majority because their profiles aren't as full as you like, etc. It squanders away good RPers who may do better in actual scenes with others than in profiles.

I'm picky in a way, but I'm willing to give anyone a shot. I suppose I prefer to see what someone has to offer first, then pass judgement, but that's just me. I will say though that people who do little one sentence replies rather irk me. I don't want a page or anything, but I am someone who likes a paragraph or two that has good detail in it. To me, that's what drives an rp. I don't know though, just my thoughts.

I'm particularly VERY picky with people when it comes to grammar in posts. For some reason or another, posts that have no capitalization, no periods, shorties, and typos every ten seconds irk me. To an extent to where I don't want to RP with a person that types like that. It's also gotten to the point where I occasionally avoid joining RPs where people type like that. Now, for more detail, it's specifically capitalization, punctuation, and shorties that REALLY grind my gears. Does anyone else here feel that way about this stuff? (and trust me, I could care less about post length and a few mistakes here and there, just give me something that doesn't look like a eight year old typed it. basic English is all I need. heck, I even make mistakes sometimes.)

Now, I get that you can be on a phone, or English isn't your first language, but on a phone you could at least do me a favor and proofread your posts a few times before sending them. As well as at least tell the people beforehand that you might not fluently type in English so I won't have to pop the question. (and trust me, I REALLY don't want to ask : "Hey, uhh are you on a phone or something, because y'know... all these typos and stuff.")

And yet, you just got to swallow your pride, and join one every once in a while. Because you never know, they might type like a cat's walking on their keyboard, but they might be able to make a story like a Grade A author.

Pistachios and Almonds are arguably the best types of nuts. If you are either one of those then I don't think you have a proble-

Oh...

That's not what this is about?


~On Topic~


Chemistry mean's a whole lot but also contribution. It is hard having to be the person who pulls the twists and turns. When you know all the surprises its hard to stay invested? I think it is fine to have standards and want a good partner that will keep things interesting.

Investment is hard especially when the Roleplay isn't in an active format (such as Pms or Forums)