Other So... why do you roleplay?

How long have you been role-playing in writing format? (not counting video games or card games)

  • <1 year

  • 2-3 years

  • 4-5 years

  • 6-7 years

  • 8-9 years

  • 10+ years

Results are only viewable after voting.
It’s kind of like gaming, except I get to make my own character, choose what they say and generally influence those around me, like a secondary life where I get to choose my origins and have cool powers and just get to enjoy the presence of others. Not to mention I basically get to pretend I’m in one of my favourite series or whatnot and get to see everyone else’s ideas of “cool” and simply watch a story unfold at the same time. I quite like books, and roleplaying is like writing a book with others, in my eyes, at least.

It brings me child-like glee which is oh-so-rare is the short summary of it.
 
It's a way to put the characters I have randomly floating in my head or on a piece of paper into fun environments. More-so than that, I love to write, and being able to create these entire worlds and elaborate stories in a collaborative effort with some cool people is just so much fun. In addition, it's a cool way to kind of escape your reality into one that's much more interesting and exciting.
 
Funny enough, my reason to roleplay developed and changed over time!

When I first started roleplaying, I did it to improve my English and writing skills. I was just returning to my home state in the U.S. after living in the Philippines for a looooong time, and since I did little to no schooling for English there and had to pick up in 6th grade, I decided to kinda teach myself on a platform I understood -- The internet.
Though learning quickly turned into a way to meet new friends and to release my creative energy. I met a handful of friends, many of which who I still talk to today and we still roleplay together. I even invited my friends in school to come roleplay with me. It was how I expressed a new, creative side to myself. It allowed me to freely express myself without the watchful eyes of my strict household.
Soon after that, a traumatic event happened along with my family life gradually deteriorating as I grew up and started high school, and roleplay became my security blanket. I made characters with darker backstories and portrayed them in a way that I felt only I understood. Yet, somehow, other people did understand. It was almost like free therapy for me. Of course, there were times when I would just feel a sudden drop in the urge to roleplay and stop until I felt better. But no matter what, I always came back.

Well nowadays it's a mix of all of those! It's a way for me to improve my writing for college essays, meeting friends through similar interests and fandoms, a retreat from my problems like family and my own mental health, and it's a way for me to immerse myself in a world that simply reading just doesn't do for me. I feel... free, I guess would be a simpler word to use. Albeit, my family will probably never understand why I still continue to roleplay after all these years, but little do they know is that roleplay one of the many reasons I want to write books and be a therapist today.

Hehe that's a mountain of text, my bad. But I really enjoyed reflecting on this! <3
 
Last edited:
In all honestly, roleplaying is one of my few outlets-- aside from art-- that lets me drain my creative mind in a fun, interactive way. I GM a lot because I have too many story ideas on the brain, but not dedication or time to write a 200 page book on those ideas. I like writing, but i like it more when I collab and write with somebody else, act out characters i've put love and thought into, and be able to sneak off into this other world e and my partner(s) have created.

I actually wouldn't enjoy creative writing or reading to an extent if it wasn't for online roleplaying, so S/O to rping for that.
 
Larimar said:
In all honestly, roleplaying is one of my few outlets-- aside from art-- that lets me drain my creative mind in a fun, interactive way. I GM a lot because I have too many story ideas on the brain, but not dedication or time to write a 200 page book on those ideas. I like writing, but i like it more when I collab and write with somebody else, act out characters i've put love and thought into, and be able to sneak off into this other world e and my partner(s) have created.

I actually wouldn't enjoy creative writing or reading to an extent if it wasn't for online roleplaying, so S/O to rping for that.
Click to expand...
OoooooOOOoooo. I'm feelin' you~ :D

Would you happen to have an open rp fer me, rn?
 
Omega-3 said:
It's a way to put the characters I have randomly floating in my head or on a piece of paper into fun environments. More-so than that, I love to write, and being able to create these entire worlds and elaborate stories in a collaborative effort with some cool people is just so much fun. In addition, it's a cool way to kind of escape your reality into one that's much more interesting and exciting.
Click to expand...

love hearing all the enthusiasm of writing and creativity ~ . ~
 
Smol Unicorn said:
Funny enough, my reason to roleplay developed and changed over time!

When I first started roleplaying, I did it to improve my English and writing skills. I was just returning to my home state in the U.S. after living in the Philippines for a looooong time, and since I did little to no schooling for English there and had to pick up in 6th grade, I decided to kinda teach myself on a platform I understood -- The internet.
Though learning quickly turned into a way to meet new friends and to release my creative energy. I met a handful of friends, many of which who I still talk to today and we still roleplay together. I even invited my friends in school to come roleplay with me. It was how I expressed a new, creative side to myself. It allowed me to freely express myself without the watchful eyes of my strict household.
Soon after that, a traumatic event happened along with my family life gradually deteriorating as I grew up and started high school, and roleplay became my security blanket. I made characters with darker backstories and portrayed them in a way that I felt only I understood. Yet, somehow, other people did understand. It was almost like free therapy for me. Of course, there were times when I would just feel a sudden drop in the urge to roleplay and stop until I felt better. But no matter what, I always came back.

Well nowadays it's a mix of all of those! It's a way for me to improve my writing for college essays, meeting friends through similar interests and fandoms, a retreat from my problems like family and my own mental health, and it's a way for me to immerse myself in a world that simply reading just doesn't do for me. I feel... free, I guess would be a simpler word to use. Albeit, my family will probably never understand why I still continue to roleplay after all these years, but little do they know is that roleplay one of the many reasons I want to write books and be a therapist today.

Hehe that's a mountain of text, my bad. But I really enjoyed reflecting on this! <3
Click to expand...
Wow! I never knew you had such a deep and involved history with roleplay!
Thank you for sharing your story~ ^u^

Whoo, a Phinay~ (i have some friends who are from the philippines... they're all super great!)

Heheh, I like the free therapy bit. I could use that. Maybe I'll decide not to do counseling next semester! I feel it's so unnecessary and involves another human being whom it's not really necessary to involve. I'd much rather write and express myself on paper/via words, rather than say stuff to a counselor. And it helps me understand my own self better in some ways :)

thinking from a sociological standpoint, yes, I think roleplay is a great release of stress and mental struggles! Much better outlet than letting it boil on the inside. Or getting messy in *real life*. The internet is a strange, diverse, and ever-evolving place... I guess I feel some sense of safety or comfort here too.
Like, there isn't an emotional force behind typed words. It's what you make of it. So if someone says something hurtful, you have the benefit of doubt to brush it off as a joke. Or maybe you might know that person well enough to know that they're joking. I hope that more people can come to rp as a way to have fun and hang out online! All while practicing their self expression, communication, social skills, and writing! These are all essential to real life as well :-)

I can definitely understand how those things would make life tough! But I believe you're a tough kiddo too! <3 *gives huggle*
 
Awakening AKIRA said:
Ah best of luck - those things always stress me out b/c ew endearing myself to people
Click to expand...

AGREED
its taking me forever to sort out my ideas and not be embarassed about putting them out there;;; partner searches are always hard for me to write, even though i prefer 1/1 rps;;;;;
 
I started roleplaying to better my writing skills but by now I think I do it because it's amazing to write with others and see how different each character reacts, well and then there is escaping reality for a little while, getting creative and having fun coming up with a new character and trying to step into their point of view in order to write what they would do and say. Meeting people who like the same thing you do and talking about it is just another bonus.
 
1/1 or actually group of three? Arinemone Arinemone
A Awakening AKIRA ;D No need to push yourself over the edge trying to win someone's "like!"

NexNight said:
I started roleplaying to better my writing skills but by now I think I do it because it's amazing to write with others and see how different each character reacts, well and then there is escaping reality for a little while, getting creative and having fun coming up with a new character and trying to step into their point of view in order to write what they would do and say. Meeting people who like the same thing you do and talking about it is just another bonus.
Click to expand...
*is low-key crushing on your avatar... so purdy~ *
 
So based on the above survey that is voluntary, I have found that most rpn members have been role playing in writing format for 2-5 years. There is also a number of "old-timers" who have rp'd for over ten years. *hats off to the old-timer members!!!*
We have the least number of people who have been writing rps for less than one year, and that makes sense because those who click on this thread link probably have some solid reasons to roleplay and have been involved in this form of recreation for a bit.

-Your dear reporter.
That is all~
 
I roleplay to explore the worlds and characters of my favorite fandoms. It helps keep my mind sharp too. I suppose you could say I hone my writing skills but the only writing I do anymore is for roleplay. I've tried to write fanfic a couple times but my brain's so used to having a partner to bounce words off of that it never really gets past the idea phase.

Maybe someday I'll figure it out.
 
The reason I RP is Honestly pretty simple. First off, let me explain that I’m the type of guy who, if I can’t find something to satisfy me, does or makes it myself. I found myself so unsatisfied with a lot of stories, and I had ideas for ones that (at least I felt) could be good.

And that’s the thing. I get all these ideas in my head, and I want to share them with others, express myself creatively. So, I started looking up stuff and eventually came around to the idea of role playing and role playing sites. Here, I just started writing characters and stories. And honestly, I can’t be any happier when doing this. I had to take a break from the site, due to personal life stuff. And honestly, I missed the hell out of doing this.

It drives me insane when these ideas come to my head and they go to waste. While there are a few things that do that to me, this is the one I know how to do and create. So because of this, and how happy it makes me feel, how satisfied I am from doing this, I RP. And I don’t plan on stopping. I have way too much stuff on my mind to. Plus, I don’t write books because no one will read it, it won’t be published. So, that’s also why I do this. I also like the instant sort of gratification of posting and knowing it will be read and people will play off of it and make posts following that, due to yours.

But man, I will say, sometimes this is exhausting. I wrote a huge post last night that took me hours to do and my brain was soup after finishing it.
 
Frank said:
You never know until you try. (I assuming you haven't tried based on the way you worded that.)
Click to expand...
Writing a book? No I never tried. I feel like it would be pointless if it’s not getting published. Sure, I write the stories for myself to an extent, but I would get more enjoyment out of people enjoying a story I had written. I don’t know where I would publish it, and if people would actually enjoy it.
Then again I have this huge idea for a video game that’s probably never going to happen so I guess then it’s the same thing with that.
 
Peacemaker .45 said:
Writing a book? No I never tried. I feel like it would be pointless if it’s not getting published. Sure, I write the stories for myself to an extent, but I would get more enjoyment out of people enjoying a story I had written. I don’t know where I would publish it, and if people would actually enjoy it.
Then again I have this huge idea for a video game that’s probably never going to happen so I guess then it’s the same thing with that.
Click to expand...
Look it up. The internet has a wealth of infomation and I would be happy to show you somethigs that'll help you be an author. Start working on some story in your free time, take some thouse ideas you have and just start writing.

What's the idea for the video game?
 
Peacemaker .45 said:
The reason I RP is Honestly pretty simple. First off, let me explain that I’m the type of guy who, if I can’t find something to satisfy me, does or makes it myself. I found myself so unsatisfied with a lot of stories, and I had ideas for ones that (at least I felt) could be good.

And that’s the thing. I get all these ideas in my head, and I want to share them with others, express myself creatively. So, I started looking up stuff and eventually came around to the idea of role playing and role playing sites. Here, I just started writing characters and stories. And honestly, I can’t be any happier when doing this. I had to take a break from the site, due to personal life stuff. And honestly, I missed the hell out of doing this.

It drives me insane when these ideas come to my head and they go to waste. While there are a few things that do that to me, this is the one I know how to do and create. So because of this, and how happy it makes me feel, how satisfied I am from doing this, I RP. And I don’t plan on stopping. I have way too much stuff on my mind to. Plus, I don’t write books because no one will read it, it won’t be published. So, that’s also why I do this. I also like the instant sort of gratification of posting and knowing it will be read and people will play off of it and make posts following that, due to yours.

But man, I will say, sometimes this is exhausting. I wrote a huge post last night that took me hours to do and my brain was soup after finishing it.
Click to expand...
Ever heard of an editor...? Hey, who knows. Maybe you could get self-published. I've heard of youngsters doing it and being fairly successful.

I was thinking: wouldn't it be cool to publish roleplay in book format? I think it could be an interesting avenue...
 
Peacemaker .45 said:
Writing a book? No I never tried. I feel like it would be pointless if it’s not getting published. Sure, I write the stories for myself to an extent, but I would get more enjoyment out of people enjoying a story I had written. I don’t know where I would publish it, and if people would actually enjoy it.
Then again I have this huge idea for a video game that’s probably never going to happen so I guess then it’s the same thing with that.
Click to expand...
And there's always online publishers. I've had poems submitted and accepted and "published" in online mags before. You just have to find somebody; and submit to many many journals.
 
Frank said:
Look it up. The internet has a wealth of infomation and I would be happy to show you somethigs that'll help you be an author. Start working on some story in your free time, take some thouse ideas you have and just start writing.

What's the idea for the video game?
Click to expand...
I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to do so. I’m not sure why I never looked that stuff up. It might be because I could put the stories in here as an RP. But being how RP’s are on this site, and how they often seem to fail, I guess I just never did it on here. I suppose my reasons for not considering writing a book has been a lack of motivation, and how my ideas are all floating around, but not necessarily connected. I don’t know. I’ll thibk about it during this break until next semester.

Now for that video game story... whole different discussion. Admittedly, I’m not the biggest gamer. But I think they are my favorite median to tell a story. So I’ve had an incomplete one floating around in my head. Again, that’s a whole different story.

n.y.c.t.o. said:
Ever heard of an editor...? Hey, who knows. Maybe you could get self-published. I've heard of youngsters doing it and being fairly successful.

I was thinking: wouldn't it be cool to publish roleplay in book format? I think it could be an interesting avenue...
Click to expand...
I thought about self publishing once, but I didn’t know if I’d have enough of a story in my head to write an entire book. I’d really need to let those ideas get more weight to them in order to get what would be a whole book out of it. Now for a book on RP format, I’m not quite sure how’d that work.

n.y.c.t.o. said:
And there's always online publishers. I've had poems submitted and accepted and "published" in online mags before. You just have to find somebody; and submit to many many journals.
Click to expand...
Hmmmm I’ll consider that potentially if I have a full story mapped out to write a book.

Thanks for the advice, y’all. It helps!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 4 (members: 0, guests: 4)

Similar threads

Bakuyoshi
Advice/Help What do you think let's an RP stay active?
Replies
2
Views
120
Idea
Idea
RascalRoadkill
Viewpoint What are some common RP traits that you don't understand the appeal of?
2
Replies
39
Views
975
ViperBite
ViperBite
Auralunabella
Viewpoint I want to do ALL of the RPs
2
Replies
29
Views
437
astroslothic
astroslothic
JyoMonty
Experiences When RPs fall off, what happens to your OC?
Replies
11
Views
271
catbounty.
catbounty.
ThatOneVoid
Advice/Help I want to start an RP, but don't know how to find someone
Replies
1
Views
72
Idea
Idea
Back
Top