locknes
<3
Title basically says it all. I've always wanted to roleplay with people but have been too shy to start. I want to try now, but I don't know how to go about it. Any advice?
Other How do you get into roleplay as a newbie?
- Thread starter locknes
- Start date
Bum Bear
So I'm an alien now
Ye, I agree with Yoaisami. You kinda have to jump into it,
see what you like and then go for it. If you can't find something
than go about making an interest thread for it and see who you can
get. Try one or two and see how it goes and if they work out yay,
but sometimes you might find something that isn't all that great, but don't
let that discourage you. A lot of rping with other people is trial and error.
Sometimes you succeed and other times you fail, but just keep doing it regardless
of the result is my bit of advice.
see what you like and then go for it. If you can't find something
than go about making an interest thread for it and see who you can
get. Try one or two and see how it goes and if they work out yay,
but sometimes you might find something that isn't all that great, but don't
let that discourage you. A lot of rping with other people is trial and error.
Sometimes you succeed and other times you fail, but just keep doing it regardless
of the result is my bit of advice.
ashwynne
🌧 pluviophile 🌧 art: peritwinkle
The 1x1 Interest Check threads are the absolute best. Browse through a couple pages of it and keep the ones that pique your interest in a separate tab (or copy the links to them somewhere). You'll find people's preferences for post length, OOC chat, plots, pairings etc. in these interest checks and when you find ones that really inspire you, the hard part comes next.
I personally prefer to privately message people rather than post on their threads (and some people will say that they prefer PM anyways). It's always a bit nerve-wracking when you message people asking if they want to RP with you, but if you find a plot that really inspires you and/or the person's requirements for a writing partner suit you perfectly, it gives you a place to start from.
Sending a very simple "Hello, I saw your interest check and really loved this plot of yours (insert plot here)!" alongside any info they may have asked for (like how often you post, a writing sample, average amount of writing etc.) is an easy way to get started with minimal stress.
I find it helps to remember that people posting interest checks are actively wanting someone to write with them! They WANT you to message them and talk to them, which takes out some of the stress. Just make sure to read through peoples whole post so that you're sure you're a good fit for them and then just be yourself c: I've already met a bunch of wonderful people and I'm sure you will too!
You do have to go for it (as people above have said), but everyone I've met on here has been incredibly wonderful to deal with so I think you'll find someone who clicks with you pretty easily
I personally prefer to privately message people rather than post on their threads (and some people will say that they prefer PM anyways). It's always a bit nerve-wracking when you message people asking if they want to RP with you, but if you find a plot that really inspires you and/or the person's requirements for a writing partner suit you perfectly, it gives you a place to start from.
Sending a very simple "Hello, I saw your interest check and really loved this plot of yours (insert plot here)!" alongside any info they may have asked for (like how often you post, a writing sample, average amount of writing etc.) is an easy way to get started with minimal stress.
I find it helps to remember that people posting interest checks are actively wanting someone to write with them! They WANT you to message them and talk to them, which takes out some of the stress. Just make sure to read through peoples whole post so that you're sure you're a good fit for them and then just be yourself c: I've already met a bunch of wonderful people and I'm sure you will too!
You do have to go for it (as people above have said), but everyone I've met on here has been incredibly wonderful to deal with so I think you'll find someone who clicks with you pretty easily
Nenawa
Passing like the wind that shapes the clouds
It's totally understandable to be shy at first, but honestly, oftentimes the hardest part is just starting in the first place and then it should get easier from there as you get more comfortable and familiar with things and with people you're roleplaying with! The thing is, all you really have to do to start things out is make a post (for example, making an interest thread of your own or responding to someone else's). And you already made a post when you made this post, so there you go!
Everyone else has added great advice so far, so I'll just mention that if you're feeling self-conscious or unsure of how to do things, it's perfectly ok to just communicate openly with a roleplay partner or potential partner or any other roleplayers who are willing to help out as mentors! I love helping out newer roleplayers because I still remember when I was a newer roleplayer and other people helped me out too, so feel free to ask directly or post here any time you have any questions!
Everyone else has added great advice so far, so I'll just mention that if you're feeling self-conscious or unsure of how to do things, it's perfectly ok to just communicate openly with a roleplay partner or potential partner or any other roleplayers who are willing to help out as mentors! I love helping out newer roleplayers because I still remember when I was a newer roleplayer and other people helped me out too, so feel free to ask directly or post here any time you have any questions!
Onmyoji
HanGuang-Jun
Just jump into it. The more you wait the less you'll feel inclined to do it because it will seem overwhelming.
I agree that starting with 1x1 might be easier because there will be only one person you'll need to communicate with. but don't let that limit you if you want to try group roleplays you can totally start with them.
Either way, don't be shy to contact people. If they say they're looking for partners/players it means that WANT to be contacted. If you're hesitant to make the first step, start a search thread of your own and people will reach out to you if they get interested with your ideas.
There is also a helpful thread with glossary of common terms used in roleplaying, it may help you to be less confused about them. Generally, browsing tutorials section may help on some things, but may also confuse you lol so the best way to get into roleplaying is to just try it yourself. No theory will help you experience things.
Just be prepared it may not work out well from the first try in either case. As fun as roleplaying can be, the drawback is that it can take time to find a good rp partner or group. Your group roleplays will fail, rp partners will stop replying for seemingly no reason (it's commonly referred to as 'ghosting') and that is normal. A part of the roleplaying hobby is learning when to engage and when to move on.
When you find a rp partner it's good to let them know you're new to roleplaying. It may scare a few people off but generally people will try to help you get into it and explain some things or terms you may not understand.
Good luck!
I agree that starting with 1x1 might be easier because there will be only one person you'll need to communicate with. but don't let that limit you if you want to try group roleplays you can totally start with them.
Either way, don't be shy to contact people. If they say they're looking for partners/players it means that WANT to be contacted. If you're hesitant to make the first step, start a search thread of your own and people will reach out to you if they get interested with your ideas.
There is also a helpful thread with glossary of common terms used in roleplaying, it may help you to be less confused about them. Generally, browsing tutorials section may help on some things, but may also confuse you lol so the best way to get into roleplaying is to just try it yourself. No theory will help you experience things.
Just be prepared it may not work out well from the first try in either case. As fun as roleplaying can be, the drawback is that it can take time to find a good rp partner or group. Your group roleplays will fail, rp partners will stop replying for seemingly no reason (it's commonly referred to as 'ghosting') and that is normal. A part of the roleplaying hobby is learning when to engage and when to move on.
When you find a rp partner it's good to let them know you're new to roleplaying. It may scare a few people off but generally people will try to help you get into it and explain some things or terms you may not understand.
Good luck!
Crayons
Iconoclast
I want to add here that some of the best RP partners I've had were newbies when I met them. Inexperienced doesn't necessarily equal bad or incompetent. (Experienced doesn't necessarily mean good either XD ) It's probably helpful to let the person know that you are new, so that you know if they are open to giving you advice and helping you. It's best to know up front.
xxchioniiexx
i'd sell u to satan for a cornchip
I remember the first time i ever RPed it was on a website called mycandylove castiel is bae
And I remember how...weird it was at first, however they focused more on group RPs rather than 1x1. I felt more at ease in a group RP than I did in a 1x1 when I first started out, 1x1 is (for a lack of word) intimate. And sometimes, that would freak me out because I was shy starting out (it gets better, i promise) so I opted for group RP where there was more people putting in their own thoughts, and I also felt like group RPs have some of the best ideas - not saying that any of my previous or current 1x1 partners don't have amazing ideas - but it was like, someone would pitch an idea and everyone else would build off of it and rapidly. whereas with 1x1 it might be a more slow starting point.
I agree in searching 1x1 interest checks, as well as group interest checks, just so that way you can dip your toes into it and see which you like best :'))
And I remember how...weird it was at first, however they focused more on group RPs rather than 1x1. I felt more at ease in a group RP than I did in a 1x1 when I first started out, 1x1 is (for a lack of word) intimate. And sometimes, that would freak me out because I was shy starting out (it gets better, i promise) so I opted for group RP where there was more people putting in their own thoughts, and I also felt like group RPs have some of the best ideas - not saying that any of my previous or current 1x1 partners don't have amazing ideas - but it was like, someone would pitch an idea and everyone else would build off of it and rapidly. whereas with 1x1 it might be a more slow starting point.
I agree in searching 1x1 interest checks, as well as group interest checks, just so that way you can dip your toes into it and see which you like best :'))
Emotional Enigma
Empathetic Empress
I started on Gaia tbh and just sent into threads and read how people RPed. Then I started with one liners and grew into 1 paragraphs and now I do like an average of 4 or 5 paragraphs.
Just takes practice, be patient with yourself
Just takes practice, be patient with yourself
silvercharizard
New Member
It's kind of like jumping into cold water or taking off a band aid. You just have to...go for it. To get over the shock. Plus pulling off a bandaid one hair at a time REALLY sucks lol 
Wyn
Little Writing Bean
Honestly, I used to run a section in a group RP that was a sideplot to the main story and was for beginner role players only. You could luck out and catch one of those or post that you’re new and looking for your first roleplay/partner. I’m sure there’s at least a few people willing to show you the ropes!
kevintheradioguy
Salt
Back in the day, when the Internet was new, and personal websites - something out of the ordinary, I have met a lady who was really into werewolves. Not as the fantasy beast, but more into the myths of them, and where they originated from depending on the culture, all the occult, and all the weird religious things behind them. She had a small website on basic HTML she was filling slowly but surely with the information - a website that I think gave her around 50 Mb of free space (a lot by those times' standards), but the information was so vast, it didn't fit. Then, she found a new service that gave her 200Mb of free storage (unbelievably lots back then), and we moved there. I was a romantic kid, and I was writing a lot, contributing in stories and verses department, soon to be given admin rights on the previous website, and on a new one taking a role of a moderator, as one of the main things the new service was known for, were their forums.
I have been set to look at art and chit-chat departments, making sure everything is okay, and since that lady was a good PR person, as well as those were easier times when you could not google a thousand websites by your inquiry, and would only find a handful to look at, a flow of people was vast and I had a lot to do. Once I settled in, and the tools became comfortable to use,, I ahve started looking through other forums when I first ran into the RP section of it. By then, I have roleplayed live for a while (in fact, I have started when I was four or five, as my uncle liked to roleplay, and when I visited, we'd always sit over his fantasy map and roleplay wonky adventures), but I never managed out those together. I quickly noticed that people didn't behave the way they usually did. They were writing a sort of a story about a werewolf pack, and as I read into it, I have realised they made up a character - each their own - and were "as if" writing the story together, but responsible for a single character. Back then I thought you had to present yourself as something on your avatar. Back then, so I look like an admin albeit not being into the edgy wolf thing, mine was some black-furred werewolf lady with a white stripe along the body, so I have decided to join, quickly thinking that if she has unusual fur like that, she must be something else but an ordinary hunter. Maybe that's a mark. Maybe she's some sort of spiritual guide or a shaman, and the mark was left by ghosts or demons of sorts. So I hopped in, and carefully wrote the first post about this old shaman lady getting out of her lair and watching the younger pups... whatever they were doing in their RP, I don't know. I did not expect anything at all, but few messages later someone replied to that post, and tried engaging in character. Unfortunately, the place was not very well monitored, and there were no real rules, which confused the hell out of me at the time. I remember walking off just a few posts later, when one of the players suddenly took the charge of the whole "pack" that consisted of other players, and went to ransack my old wolfess' lair, which I thought was unbelievably unfair towards all of us, so I have decided to move along.
That, however, picked my interest.
My next experience was short, and I noped up of it. I was curious in one animated series, and joined a fan forum of it, when I got my first DM. Someone noticed i liked a couple of character so many people shipped, and the message said - I remember this clear as day, although it was fifteen years ago - "Would you be willing to roleplay as [character1 name] sadistic dom if I am [character2] a masochistic slut?" after the hellos were exchanged. I remember it, as this is where I took my parasitic "would X be willing to" phrase. Huh, what an impact. I absolutely freaked out, noped out of the discussion, and excused myself from the forum, fearing it was actually deeply pornographic, and I was not interested in that sort of thing.
Time passed, I got acquainted to DnD a little, albeit having a set party was a struggle. For the most part, we were talking about how we would play, creating characters, and then our DM would ghost us, so there's that. Again, no connection in my brain between that and the Internet RPing. I have forgotten about this thing at all, but then, at some point I was looking for specific fanfiction fandom, when instead of a website with it, I have ran into another fansite which, once more, held a forum. And that forum was absolutely dedicated to RPing. Being a lawful person I am, I went to read the rules, and quickly a "WAIT A SECOND!" popped into my mind, as I realised this was not a real forum - they were playing pretend. Writing their own stories, posing as one or another character. Since I was in that fandom, I have decided to try out one of my favourite characters - luckily, he was free for the taking - and probably failed miserably, as, although I loved him a lot, he was holding worldviews I despise. But before that all happened, and I played him very much IC, it all started with small social stuff. I made up a story on why he was not around for the entire game, and introduced himself to the rest of the group via making him come back from wherever he was, and meet new people and old friends. We talked in the game, I was testing the waters by adding a little extra each time in my post. What is he not just talks and walks around, and interacts with objects in this post? What if he suddenly appears behind that character and tries to scare her? What if instead of RPing this specific moment, I will write how he goes off, makes some tea for the group, and then returns? What if I say he leaves altogether, and transport him into another thread where there was a fight - that sounded much more interesting! All the while, I kept in mind my then-dislike to Mary Sues, and did not want to overdo what I played out. So I always made... maybe less than I could in such a game, to let others shine, and when promoted again to an admin (weird how that kept happening throughout my life), started demanding the same from the rest. "Be sane, don't overdo stuff, let others shine as well, don't be an asshole". When is tarted telling about it, it started clicking for me how this was the same as tabletops, just fewer rules. Especially after iw as tasked with rewriting those on the RP site, and I managed to convince the admin to put "We aren't special: this roleplay permits what most other roleplays permit, and forbids what most others forbid". I think later it became first of solely three rules we ended up with. Which, ironically, made us stand out with such few rules.
Anyhow, I played... a little. Maybe mostly enjoying coming up with stories, and leading the RP somewhere instead of taking part in it. Later, I have met more people, and strongly disagreed with some of them, or the way they played their characters to be precise. I have expanded my roleplays on other websites - seeking those specifically after a while - and taking the roles I was not agreeing with. Like... almost to spite. Changing people I engaged with made me learn more, both how to write, and how to react in-game. I have met a few friends, I have talked with them, some were DMs, some created their own worlds, and i loved them, and took part in them with utmost passion. I don't think I have not been in at least two RPs since 2007, and I don't think any of them were too... lighthearted at all.
So, no, I did not just jump into it. I had a lot of discoveries. Maybe so could you, or, with how different the web is now, you'll have much easier time on your journey.
I have been set to look at art and chit-chat departments, making sure everything is okay, and since that lady was a good PR person, as well as those were easier times when you could not google a thousand websites by your inquiry, and would only find a handful to look at, a flow of people was vast and I had a lot to do. Once I settled in, and the tools became comfortable to use,, I ahve started looking through other forums when I first ran into the RP section of it. By then, I have roleplayed live for a while (in fact, I have started when I was four or five, as my uncle liked to roleplay, and when I visited, we'd always sit over his fantasy map and roleplay wonky adventures), but I never managed out those together. I quickly noticed that people didn't behave the way they usually did. They were writing a sort of a story about a werewolf pack, and as I read into it, I have realised they made up a character - each their own - and were "as if" writing the story together, but responsible for a single character. Back then I thought you had to present yourself as something on your avatar. Back then, so I look like an admin albeit not being into the edgy wolf thing, mine was some black-furred werewolf lady with a white stripe along the body, so I have decided to join, quickly thinking that if she has unusual fur like that, she must be something else but an ordinary hunter. Maybe that's a mark. Maybe she's some sort of spiritual guide or a shaman, and the mark was left by ghosts or demons of sorts. So I hopped in, and carefully wrote the first post about this old shaman lady getting out of her lair and watching the younger pups... whatever they were doing in their RP, I don't know. I did not expect anything at all, but few messages later someone replied to that post, and tried engaging in character. Unfortunately, the place was not very well monitored, and there were no real rules, which confused the hell out of me at the time. I remember walking off just a few posts later, when one of the players suddenly took the charge of the whole "pack" that consisted of other players, and went to ransack my old wolfess' lair, which I thought was unbelievably unfair towards all of us, so I have decided to move along.
That, however, picked my interest.
My next experience was short, and I noped up of it. I was curious in one animated series, and joined a fan forum of it, when I got my first DM. Someone noticed i liked a couple of character so many people shipped, and the message said - I remember this clear as day, although it was fifteen years ago - "Would you be willing to roleplay as [character1 name] sadistic dom if I am [character2] a masochistic slut?" after the hellos were exchanged. I remember it, as this is where I took my parasitic "would X be willing to" phrase. Huh, what an impact. I absolutely freaked out, noped out of the discussion, and excused myself from the forum, fearing it was actually deeply pornographic, and I was not interested in that sort of thing.
Time passed, I got acquainted to DnD a little, albeit having a set party was a struggle. For the most part, we were talking about how we would play, creating characters, and then our DM would ghost us, so there's that. Again, no connection in my brain between that and the Internet RPing. I have forgotten about this thing at all, but then, at some point I was looking for specific fanfiction fandom, when instead of a website with it, I have ran into another fansite which, once more, held a forum. And that forum was absolutely dedicated to RPing. Being a lawful person I am, I went to read the rules, and quickly a "WAIT A SECOND!" popped into my mind, as I realised this was not a real forum - they were playing pretend. Writing their own stories, posing as one or another character. Since I was in that fandom, I have decided to try out one of my favourite characters - luckily, he was free for the taking - and probably failed miserably, as, although I loved him a lot, he was holding worldviews I despise. But before that all happened, and I played him very much IC, it all started with small social stuff. I made up a story on why he was not around for the entire game, and introduced himself to the rest of the group via making him come back from wherever he was, and meet new people and old friends. We talked in the game, I was testing the waters by adding a little extra each time in my post. What is he not just talks and walks around, and interacts with objects in this post? What if he suddenly appears behind that character and tries to scare her? What if instead of RPing this specific moment, I will write how he goes off, makes some tea for the group, and then returns? What if I say he leaves altogether, and transport him into another thread where there was a fight - that sounded much more interesting! All the while, I kept in mind my then-dislike to Mary Sues, and did not want to overdo what I played out. So I always made... maybe less than I could in such a game, to let others shine, and when promoted again to an admin (weird how that kept happening throughout my life), started demanding the same from the rest. "Be sane, don't overdo stuff, let others shine as well, don't be an asshole". When is tarted telling about it, it started clicking for me how this was the same as tabletops, just fewer rules. Especially after iw as tasked with rewriting those on the RP site, and I managed to convince the admin to put "We aren't special: this roleplay permits what most other roleplays permit, and forbids what most others forbid". I think later it became first of solely three rules we ended up with. Which, ironically, made us stand out with such few rules.
Anyhow, I played... a little. Maybe mostly enjoying coming up with stories, and leading the RP somewhere instead of taking part in it. Later, I have met more people, and strongly disagreed with some of them, or the way they played their characters to be precise. I have expanded my roleplays on other websites - seeking those specifically after a while - and taking the roles I was not agreeing with. Like... almost to spite. Changing people I engaged with made me learn more, both how to write, and how to react in-game. I have met a few friends, I have talked with them, some were DMs, some created their own worlds, and i loved them, and took part in them with utmost passion. I don't think I have not been in at least two RPs since 2007, and I don't think any of them were too... lighthearted at all.
So, no, I did not just jump into it. I had a lot of discoveries. Maybe so could you, or, with how different the web is now, you'll have much easier time on your journey.
DarkNerd
The Heart yearns for what it cannot have.
I agree with this person's statement: Experience <> Talent in Writing. They're correlated but not causative.
I think as long as you're open to roleplay and so too is the other, you can commiserate differences as they arise. No need to have every aspect fleshed out; there's some fun in letting the exchange determine the development of the character.
I think many of the people are would also be open to you as a roleplay irrespective of experience.
