Writing Content Course #1: Creating Engaging Posts And Threads
Tue Oct 04, 2016 8:48 am
WRITING ENGAGING POSTS
This content course is for learning how to create more engaging writing material. Now, this is all in my personal opinion, so don't take this as fact or anything like that. With that said, I'm going to list some of the different areas of a post that can help to create a more compelling post.
Remember, you don't have to create some Lord Of The Rings trilogy sized post to have something with good quality. As long as it has these elements below, you'll be alright. Besides, if you aren't further along in the thread, chances are a person might not even be that invested in your character to write those lengthy post. It's best to ease on into that until they have a reason to care. And, with these tips, you should achieve that with practice.
Direction
What exactly is direction? Well, it's simple: what does your character want out of the thread? There is always a rhyme and reason as to the motives of your characters. Even if they are an embodiment of chaos, they still have a reason to cause it out of their nature. So try to create some type of direction for your character to follow in.
I.E. We will experiment with Captain Character Boring. This character could have a direction for wanting to explore the world around him and learn more ways to become powerful in order to make himself a stronger hero for those who need one. While, Character A could have been fighting against a threat which had damaged his homeland. From these interactions, Character A could have been stressed and looking to see if there was any good person left in this world to help them.
We'll be using these two more later....
Purpose
Well this can be similar to direction, it isn't quite. Purpose simply means what is the function of the thread suppose to be for those involved in it? Are they suppose to learn something new about the world around them? Are they suppose to fight? Are they suppose to do a certain mission or event? Again, it doesn't have to be something intricate, but decent threads and posts have purpose in them.
Even social threads can have a purpose in the fact that if you had a character that had done nothing but battle, it would be a nice contrast to see them be caring and compassionate with another for the purpose of expanding their character growth.
So purpose is pretty important. However, don't be surprised if it changes as the thread goes on.
I.E. Captain Character Boring will be joining a thread with Character A because of the fact that they have plots which could create some type of purpose if they threaded. Therefore, they would create a meaningful thread and have something of substance be produced.
Engagement
What is most important with creating a good post is engagement with the other writers character. There really isn't much point in making a post entirely about your character; as you may as well start writing a book at that point. Role playing is a collaborative effort of different writers and it would be in your best interest to remember that.
So, with that said, I'd recommend figuring out ways to piece together their plot, histories, personalities or actions in order to create a more meaningful thread interaction.
I.E instead of having Captain Character Boring simply stare and look at a Character A and add nothing of substance to the thread, have them add some dialogue or actions if you notice a Character A just standing around them. If your character is trying to learn more about the world, ask them if they live around here or know the area well.
Then, from there, begin to engage with one another and develop the interaction to a point where you can begin having meaningful post. As, at that point, Character A could then engage with Captain Character Boring and get them involved in their plot by having them come to a sacred training location to strengthen themselves against a threat invading their homeland. And, since Captain Character Boring is a good guy, he could accept the task and work with the second character to fight against it.
It doesn't have to be as complex as the Da Vinci code, but you can't expect to have a decent thread with a character who is about as engaging as dry paint on a wall.
Take Away
And most importantly: what did your character(s) take away from the thread? Even if it's something minor, no character should leave the same way they entered a thread. So, it's best for you and the person you are RPing with to have something to take away from the thread. Whether that be a new character development, some type of item discovered, a plot furthered, new knowledge gained or whatever; a good thread will usually have something of importance to take away from it.
I.E. From our previous example, Captain Character Boring could have realized he had a charitable spirit for wanting to help a person he had just met defend their home against a powerful threat. And, from that interaction, Character A could have realized that there isn't just monsters in the world and that there are good people who are willing to fight for what is right in his mind.
TL;DR
Direction: This is important because it gives your characters a route and theme to follow.
Purpose: This gives your thread some sort of function to serve and a way to unite characters.
Engagement: Don't have your characters just be background scenery and do absolutely nothing of value. Add something of substance to the thread and engage with your RPers character.
Take Away: At the end of the thread, what in Neptune did both characters gain from their interactions?
SHOW WHAT YOU LEARN
https://www.platinumhearts.net/t16616-operation-engagement-writing-content-course-mission#107803
In the link above, if you think you understand these concepts, then go ahead and apply for that mission and apply these lessons for rewards.
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