Posted by Kim on January 3, 2013, 4:54pm
My dearest friends,January is the time of year when most people think about bettering themselves and their lives. This year, we want you to consider also bettering your roleplay.
Good roleplay is electric. We're all looking for more of those characters that are so engaging that we can't tear ourselves away, even though it's far past our bedtimes and we have tests to be studying for. We're all yearning for that scene that is so engaging we don't even notice the approaching dawn and the waking songs of birds, and when it finally ends we find tears on our cheeks.
Roleplay can be just as much of a craft as any other kind of writing or acting. And like any craft, it can be learned, taught, practiced and honed to legendary proficiency! But unlike writing, roleplay is done with a group, and the decisions that we make affect how much fun our friends are having as well.
So over the next two months, we will be hosting a series of moderated discussions surrounding some of the central questions of RP as a craft. We aren't looking to preach one style of RP over another: We want to learn from you, and for you to learn from each other.
No matter our experience level, we can always get better -- and we can always use more of those truly spine-tinglingly excellent games. It is within our grasp to create them more often!
Our first discussion about the craft of RP will be on Saturday, January 12th, from 12 noon PST to 2PM. For those of you on the east coast, that's 3-5PM EST. Mark your calendars!
The first topic that we will be exploring is do players have a responsibility to make sure that everyone else is having fun, too? We'll ask whether those responsibilities are different for new and old players, and if that has implications for character creation as well.
Think about it, but don't answer now! Please join us in the chat next weekend. Bring your experiences, your consideration, and your curiosity. We can't wait to hear from RPers from many walks of game. We think we'll all become better RPers, and we'll become more close knit as a community.
Until then, let's kick things off with the following ice breakers:
1. What has helped you improve as a RPer in the past?
2. Did you have some embarrassing moments when you were just starting out? (Or maybe some more recent flubs!)
Posting your answers in the comments will help others feel more comfortable opening up as well!
Next: Tomorrow, 12 noon PST: Join us for a discussion on the craft of RP »
« Previous: 2013: Year of the group
Comments
Just registered...I like to roleplay, been doing it for about 2 years now. Not great, but not bad, really. I think. I like to do fantasy role plays with some technology, like steampunk-magic stuff. Just thought I'd say hi to the people here.
Hi everyone!!! I'm new here, but I am not new to rping. I have been rping for almost 14 years now and I plan on attending this discussion, not only to tell my own experiences and ideas of rping, but to learn more from everyone else as well. I'm a firm believer of we may become experiences enough to be teachers, but in the end we are all always students.
Anyway, as for the ice breakers, I have dyslexia, although it's kind of gotten better now. I started rping when I was around 10 and have been ever since. I've always been determined to get better not only to improve my rp but to not be so horrible at spelling from my disorder. Marching band helped me with the left and right part of it though.
Another thing that made me better, aside from the determination, was the people who helped me. Some of those people have moved on and will never rp again but I will always remember them and be thankful. In the end, it's just always rping with people who are better than me because it gives me a chance to learn from them. This does not, however, mean that one of the better rpers should be stuck up about the fact they are better. In fact, most of the better rpers I've been with have been so nice and have said they learned from me as well. I will always rp with those of all different ranks of rping.
One of the funniest things that has happened to me though, has happened recently. I play mostly on Furcadia these days and I had two characters in the same dream in the same room. I ended up posting a post on the wrong character in the middle of a very busy very public area. I was so emberassed!!! But my friends found it funny and since then, I've been sure to keep my characters kind of apart when in public rps. xD
I'm a firm believer of we may become experiences enough to be teachers, but in the end we are all always students.Anyway, as for the ice breakers, I have dyslexia, although it's kind of gotten better now. I started rping when I was around 10 and have been ever since. I've always been determined to get better not only to improve my rp but to not be so horrible at spelling from my disorder. Marching band helped me with the left and right part of it though.
Another thing that made me better, aside from the determination, was the people who helped me. Some of those people have moved on and will never rp again but I will always remember them and be thankful. In the end, it's just always rping with people who are better than me because it gives me a chance to learn from them. This does not, however, mean that one of the better rpers should be stuck up about the fact they are better. In fact, most of the better rpers I've been with have been so nice and have said they learned from me as well. I will always rp with those of all different ranks of rping. One of the funniest things that has happened to me though, has happened recently. I play mostly on Furcadia these days and I had two characters in the same dream in the same room. I ended up posting a post on the wrong character in the middle of a very busy very public area. I was so emberassed!!! But my friends found it funny and since then, I've been sure to keep my characters kind of apart when in public rps. xD
I've been addicted to video games ever since I got my first primitive console at about 7 years old: the SNES. After a couple years, I had already fallen in love with the epics: Zelda, Prince of Persia, Diablo. At the age of 13 an older friend introduced me to DnD, and the possibility to create my own epic story: I was instantly hooked. Come two more years I discovered freeform on a site called Gaia Online.
Initially I found that generally the roles of the heroes and damsels were rarely open, so I would frequently adapt the role of the devious but dignified villain - and I loved it. Nowadays, even when I do play virtuous characters I love playing with the reader's notion of right and wrong - using the most despicable means for an honorable end, or performing a series of lesser, necessary evils for the greater good.
Considering my experience with the art of storytelling, I hit the ground running. By my sixth or seventh roleplay, I had fans: People that would not only stalk me with a vengeance, but jump on my bed about getting me to play their villains and throwing themselves at any roleplay I liked enough to join. Come college, my major ensured that I had little to no time for all my hobbies, and I left.
Of course, I couldn't just give up completely: I loved the art too much, but I no longer had hours upon hours for two A4 pages of diamonds per post. So I switched to the faster-paced, less committing IM roleplaying, where posts could be shorter for a quicker back-and-forth that could be done in a day instead of taking months - making it pointless to join the forums again for the holidays and then leave. Which is how I found Furcadia, and through it, RPR.
Initially I found that generally the roles of the heroes and damsels were rarely open, so I would frequently adapt the role of the devious but dignified villain - and I loved it. Nowadays, even when I do play virtuous characters I love playing with the reader's notion of right and wrong - using the most despicable means for an honorable end, or performing a series of lesser, necessary evils for the greater good.
Considering my experience with the art of storytelling, I hit the ground running. By my sixth or seventh roleplay, I had fans: People that would not only stalk me with a vengeance, but jump on my bed about getting me to play their villains and throwing themselves at any roleplay I liked enough to join. Come college, my major ensured that I had little to no time for all my hobbies, and I left.
Of course, I couldn't just give up completely: I loved the art too much, but I no longer had hours upon hours for two A4 pages of diamonds per post. So I switched to the faster-paced, less committing IM roleplaying, where posts could be shorter for a quicker back-and-forth that could be done in a day instead of taking months - making it pointless to join the forums again for the holidays and then leave. Which is how I found Furcadia, and through it, RPR.
Ulysses
January 6, 2013
8:43pm
I began RPing at age thirteen, but I began writing around age eight alongside an interest in older novels; RP merely provided a more tangible vehicle through which to exercise an urge to mimic the likes of Bram Stoker, H.G. Wells, Jack London, Victor Hugo, and many others. I began (as seems to be something of a trend) on Furcadia, engaging in wanton unoriginality and one-dimensional ideas exacerbated in their thinness by a painful competitive streak that was compounded by the individuals I associated with at the time. Rather than being influenced in what to do by those that were experienced than I, the crowd to which I flocked ultimately proved more of an example of how to not conduct myself or design my characters.
Ultimately, I would say RP has encouraged me to continue in writing, but I pursue it as a pseudo-competitive venue in which to compare my writing skills to those around me and constantly strive for improvement while individuals such as Lovecraft, Hugo, Dickens, and Huxley have proved a far greater influence on my actual abilities with prose, and ultimately have altered my perspective and reasons on RP drastically.
Ultimately, I would say RP has encouraged me to continue in writing, but I pursue it as a pseudo-competitive venue in which to compare my writing skills to those around me and constantly strive for improvement while individuals such as Lovecraft, Hugo, Dickens, and Huxley have proved a far greater influence on my actual abilities with prose, and ultimately have altered my perspective and reasons on RP drastically.
I started roleplaying in junior high, though my exact age at the time escapes me. My friends and I would pass a notebook around in a circle and write out our posts amateur script-style--often one liners, generally containing only dialogue. Setting the scene and descriptive action just didn't happen. Did a bit of D&D-type tabletop RP, as well, but that generally involved more talking than writing.
I first got into RP on the internet via Furcadia, some time in 2006, which makes me something of a late-comer to the scene. I'd just graduated from high school. Between then and my earliest RP adventures, I'd been part of a writing circle which honed my prose by a lot. But writing a short story by yourself and RPing really do require different things from a person.
I believe roleplay, on its own, has taught me a lot about dynamic character interaction and on-the-spot writing which I wouldn't necessarily have learned just writing by myself. That, and immersing yourself in a casual, creative atmosphere of the sort that good RP communities provide is an enriching, endlessly inspiring experience.
I first got into RP on the internet via Furcadia, some time in 2006, which makes me something of a late-comer to the scene. I'd just graduated from high school. Between then and my earliest RP adventures, I'd been part of a writing circle which honed my prose by a lot. But writing a short story by yourself and RPing really do require different things from a person.
I believe roleplay, on its own, has taught me a lot about dynamic character interaction and on-the-spot writing which I wouldn't necessarily have learned just writing by myself. That, and immersing yourself in a casual, creative atmosphere of the sort that good RP communities provide is an enriching, endlessly inspiring experience.
Without doubt, I've learned something from everyone I've ever roleplayed with, regardless of their skill level.
I've no shortage of embarrassing moments: everything I've ever written. Including current roleplays - I'm never satisfied with my writing, and am always trying to improve.
I have also never created an original character that was interesting or memorable. This is forbidden knowledge, terrible and strange: reserved for the Masters themselves.
I've no shortage of embarrassing moments: everything I've ever written. Including current roleplays - I'm never satisfied with my writing, and am always trying to improve.
I have also never created an original character that was interesting or memorable. This is forbidden knowledge, terrible and strange: reserved for the Masters themselves.
I am really enjoying reading all of these stories. They contain so many of the same themes, over and over, but they're all so very personal. I'm surprised to see that 12(ish) seems to be the age a huge majority started at, and tickled that so many people have named more experienced role models as part of their learning process. It's nice to see "better" players with the patience to interact with newbies, and how big those little investments of time and kindness have paid off in all of you!
I must've started RPing about 10 years ago. I first joined a RP forum on a whim and I quickly became addicted. This RP forum had a huge emphasis on improvement. There were special moderators appointed who would specifically roleplay with the beginners and give them pointers.
I was a horrible RPer to begin with. I had many characters, with the exact same personality (that is, none at all). I used to create them on a whim, putting no real thought or passion into them.
After about a year at this forum I because one of the special moderators who helped the newcomers. At the time, I thought I was a great RPer, but looking back now I realise how bad my was at that point.
So yes - in my case there always was a drive and pressure for improvement. I was always in an atmosphere where improvement was sought after and encouraged.
I don't think very highly of my writing, but I can see how far I have come. Sometimes I look back at my old writing and laugh because I remember how proud about it I used to be.
I was a horrible RPer to begin with. I had many characters, with the exact same personality (that is, none at all). I used to create them on a whim, putting no real thought or passion into them.
After about a year at this forum I because one of the special moderators who helped the newcomers. At the time, I thought I was a great RPer, but looking back now I realise how bad my was at that point.
So yes - in my case there always was a drive and pressure for improvement. I was always in an atmosphere where improvement was sought after and encouraged.
I don't think very highly of my writing, but I can see how far I have come. Sometimes I look back at my old writing and laugh because I remember how proud about it I used to be.
I think I started roleplaying around the age of 15, and boy, was I awful. Miserable characters, Mary Sues, decent Fan characters who basically got twisted into something awful, and made up plots that would destroy the fabric of time... ALL THE TIME. Yeah, I had a rough start in RP.
I started on Furcadia, and XinonHyena helped me getting the basics under control, for which I am still grateful. It'd take me years otherwise to understand RP is about action and reaction. Still, I managed to look like a complete idiot towards other people. Looking back on it I'm amazed how tolerant people were of me.
What helped me improve into thestud man I am today was honesty. People with the courage to tell me I was doing a horrible job were the ones who helped me out in the end. They'd give me helpful tips on how to look less of an idiot and have a more credible character. Reading through scenarios of others also helped me with adding fun little twists and bits to keep my posts enjoyable to read.
What I learned was to never be afraid to ask how one can improve in Rping. No one can be perfect, and every post will have some sort of grammatical error or an uninspired action. But in the end tolerance and patience go a long way.
I started on Furcadia, and XinonHyena helped me getting the basics under control, for which I am still grateful. It'd take me years otherwise to understand RP is about action and reaction. Still, I managed to look like a complete idiot towards other people. Looking back on it I'm amazed how tolerant people were of me.
What helped me improve into the
What I learned was to never be afraid to ask how one can improve in Rping. No one can be perfect, and every post will have some sort of grammatical error or an uninspired action. But in the end tolerance and patience go a long way.
I started rping at about 15 years of age, when I first got my internet, and I was absolutely horrible! Like many things I end up doing I was actually rping before I knew the full extend of what rping actually was. It all began on something called Habbo Hotel and the rp I did there sucked hard and the characters were fan-characters. The first character I remember to have ever really rped for a long time there was a heavily OOC version of Banzai from the Lion King.
The place where I really started RPing in truth was Furcadia, although the first month I ran around there I had absolutely no idea what the point of the game was. It wasn't until I ended up in Redwall Abbey, a dream that doesn't exist anymore I think, that someone finally took the time to explain what RPing was to me. I feel sorry I don't remember this person's name, because thinking about it I owe her a lot! From there on I went to Gryffehold where I first made characters that were horribly made and a few shades shy from Mary Sues. Strangely enough, through many reworkings, my two main characters from that dream Xiana and Anuba Darksand, ended up evolving into characters I still use today.
I hung about various dreams in the years following and also RPed on World of Warcraft and forums, steadily improving by reading others' rp and getting a better grasp on the English language by reading books in the meantime too. The place that really set me straightest though must have been Northkeep.
The place where I really started RPing in truth was Furcadia, although the first month I ran around there I had absolutely no idea what the point of the game was. It wasn't until I ended up in Redwall Abbey, a dream that doesn't exist anymore I think, that someone finally took the time to explain what RPing was to me. I feel sorry I don't remember this person's name, because thinking about it I owe her a lot! From there on I went to Gryffehold where I first made characters that were horribly made and a few shades shy from Mary Sues. Strangely enough, through many reworkings, my two main characters from that dream Xiana and Anuba Darksand, ended up evolving into characters I still use today.
I hung about various dreams in the years following and also RPed on World of Warcraft and forums, steadily improving by reading others' rp and getting a better grasp on the English language by reading books in the meantime too. The place that really set me straightest though must have been Northkeep.
Reading and observing others' RP styles helped me improve and grow my own style into something I preferred; in observing other writers, I could discover what I liked or didn't like, why that might be the case, and how I could go about adapting what I'd learned into my own writing. Much like Darth, as I've just noticed.
As for myself, who hasn't been embarrassed by their RP flubs! Looking back on my past RPs and character ideas, I've realized that it appears I've struck every low imaginable in writing--or at least, I've come very close to it. It makes me glad to see I've been improving over the last 10 to 11 years, watching both myself and my characters grow from power-gaining overlords that appease a quick writing fix to real three-dimensional people living in our own worlds.
As for myself, who hasn't been embarrassed by their RP flubs! Looking back on my past RPs and character ideas, I've realized that it appears I've struck every low imaginable in writing--or at least, I've come very close to it. It makes me glad to see I've been improving over the last 10 to 11 years, watching both myself and my characters grow from power-gaining overlords that appease a quick writing fix to real three-dimensional people living in our own worlds.
Reading a lot and writing scripts and short stories helped to improve my storytelling and roleplay. I look to writers I admire and try to learn from them.
Basically, learn from others, be inspired and practice your own style.
I don't use it so much anymore but Twitter helped me too. When I did use it, I'd make sure each tweet was fairly meaningful (so you'd never see me posting about my lunch for example) and the 140 character limit forces you to think about how to get the most out of your post. Too little and it won't grab anyone's attention, too much and it won't fit.
I realised it was helping my characters have better dialogue because they'd get to the point instead of rambling on with long speeches.
I'm pretty tired so those are my tips for now. More to come, I'm sure though and I see there have already been some excellent posts.
Basically, learn from others, be inspired and practice your own style.
I don't use it so much anymore but Twitter helped me too. When I did use it, I'd make sure each tweet was fairly meaningful (so you'd never see me posting about my lunch for example) and the 140 character limit forces you to think about how to get the most out of your post. Too little and it won't grab anyone's attention, too much and it won't fit.
I realised it was helping my characters have better dialogue because they'd get to the point instead of rambling on with long speeches.
I'm pretty tired so those are my tips for now. More to come, I'm sure though and I see there have already been some excellent posts.
SeraphicStar
January 3, 2013
7:01pm
I started roleplaying at the age of seventeen, in a small website that belonged to someone who is now one of my best friends ever. Do not let his relatively old age to start roleplaying fool you - I was absolutely horrible. My style was passable, but my characters were lousy, one-dimensional, usually overpowered one-trick-ponies that I'm surprised anyone ever wanted to interact with.
Nowadays I don't even like to think that I had characters like those. Guess you can all them an old shame of mine.
I never felt forced to improve, nor have I ever improved on purpose. I just kept roleplaying until I was more experienced, observing and learning about the amazing roleplayers and characters I had surrounded myself with, and gradually trashed those old crappy characters and started making new, not-as-crappy characters.
One could say this journey of mine wasn't about improving my writing as much as it was about improving my characterization!
Nowadays I don't even like to think that I had characters like those. Guess you can all them an old shame of mine.
I never felt forced to improve, nor have I ever improved on purpose. I just kept roleplaying until I was more experienced, observing and learning about the amazing roleplayers and characters I had surrounded myself with, and gradually trashed those old crappy characters and started making new, not-as-crappy characters.
One could say this journey of mine wasn't about improving my writing as much as it was about improving my characterization!
When I started out I played in Buffy themed RPs back in the AOL chatrooms. I thought I was the coolest thing ever with my one liners and what I thought were big words. Soon my world shifted because I'd read my very first Harry Potter novel and boy did I feel energized! AOL had HP Themed RPs as well and I happily threw myself into those as well. Sheba Black. My very first self made HP character. But it wasn't until I learned of CC (Cyberchat for those who aren't from there!) that I actually learned to post with details. I'd say no longer have a character limit and having new people to RP with made a huge difference. Eventually I made new friends who helped me perfect my style and learn to make characters (My favorite part!).
I've been roleplaying probably since I was twelve or so years old, and, boy, have I come a long ways. I used to be that one-liner type of roleplayer who could really use a thesaurus. I would join about every roleplay I could land myself in, perhaps stay in them for a week, before moving onto a new batch. I thought roleplay as more of something I do when nothing else seems interesting, rather than a hobby, something you do to connect yourselves to others.
I really think I started enjoying ot, and getting better at it when people began talking to me. They asked if I wanted to do a one-on-one to improve a bit, and so on. I learned so much from various roleplayers, and while I still have plenty to learn, I know I've come a long way. I think it'll be great to chat and see how we can improve ourselves-- and others-- further.
I really think I started enjoying ot, and getting better at it when people began talking to me. They asked if I wanted to do a one-on-one to improve a bit, and so on. I learned so much from various roleplayers, and while I still have plenty to learn, I know I've come a long way. I think it'll be great to chat and see how we can improve ourselves-- and others-- further.
TheLily
January 3, 2013
6:03pm
I got started in some mature themed roleplay. I mostly did that, but sometimes I would do some very bad fantasy roleplay. When I was 13, though, I ended up in an X-Men: Evolution roleplay on MSN groups. It was terrible. It was a big group and the guy who was my main partner was a terrible roleplayer. Since then he's improved greatly. We never play anymore, but I watch some of the groups he's in because I'm a stalker a bit.
I think that what helped me improve from those days wasn't actually the people I played with. It was my own desperation to be good at writing. I started to write more and more. From there, as my writing improved, my characters improved. I took a lot of breaks from roleplay back in the day because I wasn't allowed to use the computer a lot, so each time I came back I would lose friends and gain new ones.
I dunno, I'm bad at explaining things like this.
I think that what helped me improve from those days wasn't actually the people I played with. It was my own desperation to be good at writing. I started to write more and more. From there, as my writing improved, my characters improved. I took a lot of breaks from roleplay back in the day because I wasn't allowed to use the computer a lot, so each time I came back I would lose friends and gain new ones.
I dunno, I'm bad at explaining things like this.
I started writing at the age of twelve and wrote a variety of stories and fell in love with many diverse characters I created. It wasn't until a little over a year ago that I discovered and fell in love with RP. My best friend at the time kind of threw me into the wolves' den, which now I am appalled by all my mistakes. My characters weren't very detailed because I couldn't organize my thoughts! I struggled to write a paragraph of information and making friends. I almost gave up.
I learned a lot from watching many different RPers. Sometimes, if I was lucky they would unearth a character and write with me! It was like being thrown delicious table scraps! I mean I have a fierce pride but learning is something I enjoy and learning isn't the same without role models. I noticed that each person has their own style and that gave me the confidence to develop my own. I used to struggle with multiple lined paragraphs and match pace with other writers. I was too afraid to develop my character, so I kept them all shy and quiet.
Now I am much better! I love my characters and enjoy writing and keeping pace with others. I still have to work on forum RPing because it is so new to me, but I like this place already so I think I am in good hands. I still have a bunch of college years ahead of me so hopefully I'll be able to keep RPing and improving.
I learned a lot from watching many different RPers. Sometimes, if I was lucky they would unearth a character and write with me! It was like being thrown delicious table scraps! I mean I have a fierce pride but learning is something I enjoy and learning isn't the same without role models. I noticed that each person has their own style and that gave me the confidence to develop my own. I used to struggle with multiple lined paragraphs and match pace with other writers. I was too afraid to develop my character, so I kept them all shy and quiet.
Now I am much better! I love my characters and enjoy writing and keeping pace with others. I still have to work on forum RPing because it is so new to me, but I like this place already so I think I am in good hands. I still have a bunch of college years ahead of me so hopefully I'll be able to keep RPing and improving.
I suppose I'm relatively new to roleplaying--especially with original characters. Don't get me wrong, though, I've written loads of stories filled with one-dimensional characters and flat stanleys to fill a house with, and my previous roleplaying experience was using characters from movies, tv shows, and anime. But through all that, I've learned how to craft (hopefully) somewhat engaging characters--even if I do struggle with coming up with plots. (What can I say? I'm character-driven.)
As with any art, there's always room for improvement and I'm still learning. Roleplaying original characters with other people is especially a challenge since other people don't know your characters like you do, and then to add on that, the storyline can go in so many directions...it's a wonder anything can get written--let alone those amazing story lines you look back on and go "wow, did we just write that?"!
I suppose what has helped me out in the past (which really isn't all that long ago!) is realizing that RPing involves teamwork. Duh. You'd think I'd get that by now. But it's something I still need to work on--which probably isn't all that surprising given how I've kept my writing to myself and haven't really had anyone to write with in my personal life. In the same vein, I also need to work on communication. I'm trying to get better at both, and so I'm really appreciative towards everyone who I have interacted with here at RPR. You all are so friendly and awesome, that I promise I will get better!
On a parting note: I mentioned in a post elsewhere about noveling: "I had to make all the mistakes before I could learn from them." So through trial and error, the point is keep on trying and eventually you will succeed! It just takes practice and effort, but the results you will achieve will be well worth it.
As with any art, there's always room for improvement and I'm still learning. Roleplaying original characters with other people is especially a challenge since other people don't know your characters like you do, and then to add on that, the storyline can go in so many directions...it's a wonder anything can get written--let alone those amazing story lines you look back on and go "wow, did we just write that?"!
I suppose what has helped me out in the past (which really isn't all that long ago!) is realizing that RPing involves teamwork. Duh. You'd think I'd get that by now. But it's something I still need to work on--which probably isn't all that surprising given how I've kept my writing to myself and haven't really had anyone to write with in my personal life. In the same vein, I also need to work on communication. I'm trying to get better at both, and so I'm really appreciative towards everyone who I have interacted with here at RPR. You all are so friendly and awesome, that I promise I will get better!
On a parting note: I mentioned in a post elsewhere about noveling: "I had to make all the mistakes before I could learn from them." So through trial and error, the point is keep on trying and eventually you will succeed! It just takes practice and effort, but the results you will achieve will be well worth it.
I started RPing when I was 12 years old. I've always had an 'okay' level of English ability. My grandpa had a Doctorate in English literature and was always on me (and my siblings) about the importance of writing intelligently. My problem was, more often then not, I wrote too much and I was way too detailed. I wrote everything lol. Truth be told, when I get really excited about an RP I still fall victim to that bad habit of over thinking scenarios, which leads to mind numbing paragraphs full of details.
Apart from peer review in actual play it took a non-fiction writing course, in my first semester of college, for me to start changing and improving my writing style. I found that it is an extremely difficult thing to do, especially when you are so set in your ways. It's an old dog, new tricks kind of deal. I know that I still have a long way to go in my writing. My biggest concerns are that I over punctuate and in my attempt to make less detailed posts I probably get a little stiff sounding.
In the end I think it comes down to doing a lot of reading and writing. Practice makes perfect. There also needs to be an admittance of faults and a desire to get better. My biggest suggestion is that you pick up lit books, anything you can get your hands on. Two of my favorites, the first that I got from that writing course, was The Elements of Style (4th Edition) by William Strunk, E. B. White and Roger Angell and A Pocket Style Manual, Fifth Edition by Diana Hacker. They are both fantastic books full of ALL the help.
Apart from peer review in actual play it took a non-fiction writing course, in my first semester of college, for me to start changing and improving my writing style. I found that it is an extremely difficult thing to do, especially when you are so set in your ways. It's an old dog, new tricks kind of deal. I know that I still have a long way to go in my writing. My biggest concerns are that I over punctuate and in my attempt to make less detailed posts I probably get a little stiff sounding.
In the end I think it comes down to doing a lot of reading and writing. Practice makes perfect. There also needs to be an admittance of faults and a desire to get better. My biggest suggestion is that you pick up lit books, anything you can get your hands on. Two of my favorites, the first that I got from that writing course, was The Elements of Style (4th Edition) by William Strunk, E. B. White and Roger Angell and A Pocket Style Manual, Fifth Edition by Diana Hacker. They are both fantastic books full of ALL the help.
Dean
January 14, 2013
10:50am