New to Play by Post?

Okay, there are a ton ideas out there on playing by post so I'll put some of my own opinions (and stuff I stole from elsewhere) here.

Before we get into the below though, please know that I could only ever got a B in English, and that was a LONG time ago. I am not going to criticize anyone's writing, spelling, grammar, etc. so please try to feel as comfortable as you can. Some poeple are very eloquent and will drop out a dynamic and evocative posts in minute. Some people take time to get comfortable with things or are more comfortable with just a sentence or two. Just post. :)

Three Cardinal Rules of Posting

Post! This is the name of the game, if you aren't posting you aren't playing!

Proofread! In own my eagerness, I forever fail this one. It's particularly critical if you post from a mobile device. Make sure you are actually saying what you think you said. :)

Progress! Optimally, every in-character post should move the story forward. That doesn't mean in-game color, jokes, banter, idle speculation are not welcome. Just make sure when it's your "turn", make your post count.

...Or use an ellipsis if you have nothing to contribute at that point in time.

Collaborate! I added this one myself. We are creating this story together. I don't own it so feel free to make sh!t up! ...Within reason! You want to pick a rock up? Don't ask if there are any! Say you do, and it happened! You want to use a torch holder to assist traversing the pit trap? Say so and it's done! ...unless I said there weren't any. :) Just try to be sensible with this and avoid anything that might affect story; if you think it might, check with me first. In any case, I reserve the right to "adjust" you a bit afterwards.

I stole that from RPG.Net. I've read most of this guy's Words on Screen thread. Good stuff.

Mode and Tense when Posting?

Okay, I said I wasn't going to criticize, but try using Third Person, Present Tense when you post actions. What am I talking about? It' just a way you describe your character's actions. For example:

Third Person, Present Tense: Starlord pulls his blasters and fires at the guards with wild abandon, screaming, "You'll never get me!"

First Person, Present Tense: I pull my blasters and fire at the guards...

Third Person, Past Tense: Starlord pulled his blasters and fired at the guards...

Third Person, Future Tense: Starlord will pull his blasters...

Why this way? Third Person, Present tense? I think it reads well, people definitely know who is doing what and even if the outcomes aren't yet determined, the action is happening "now".

In any case, I'm not going to cry about it. :)

Thinking of what to post?

Okay, it can sometimes be hard to think of what to post. Here are some things to think about regarding your characters motivations and thoughts. It might help you formulate something if you are at a loss for words.

- What does the PC see from his perspective? Be descriptive; use lots of adjectives.
- What does the PC think about what he is seeing at that moment? Will it affect him in the near future?
- Will it have long term effects?
- What is your PC going to do about what s/he sees? Talk? Run? Fight? Miscellaneous Action?
- Who is standing near the PC and how will this affect them?
- Does having someone else nearby make your PC think or act differently versus if he was alone?
- What does your PC feel inside? Does this make him happy, sad, angry, and murderous?
- What does your PC say to the people around him? His friends? The bad guy? To God? To whoever else is around?
- When you say that, what reaction should the PC expect? Are his words going to be friendly in tone, defensive, hostile?
- What equipment does your PC have at his disposal that will help him in this situation? How is he going to use that weapon or object and what does he hope to achieve? Is he proficient with that weapon? Is it the best weapon to use or the best piece of equipment for the job? Why or why not?
- Finally, what does your PC do? Before he acts write what the PC is thinking at that moment so we know what is motivating the PC to do that particular action.

I stole this from Roleplaying Tips