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age August 29 2007, 13:58:20 UTC
Meta is...how the heck do I explain....

This is one definition: Meta - is the hazy world between the actual ‘game’ and where our muse sits at our shoulder telling us what to write.

A better way to describe it would be if you were to have an OOC conversation in an IC manner.

...If that makes sense.

So, a meta answer in this case would be if someone gave you the names of two characters from to completely different universe, especially if those two universes couldn't co-exist. Character A would really have no idea who Character B is, and so would have to answer it the way you or I would answer in regards to a character in a book.

I hope that helps a tiny bit. Meta is a difficult thing to explain unless you encounter it. I could possibly give you links to threads that are considered meta.

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ladylight August 29 2007, 20:17:25 UTC
Hoo, tricky ... so it's like a theoretical bit of writing? King Arthur trying to explain the Enterprise to Launcelot? Is it the same thing if you temporarily pretend that two characters can coexist (ie. what would Julius Caesar say to Napoleon)?

... maybe I do need an example XD Would you mind? I'm all curious now.

Thanks a lot for the explanation! :D

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age August 30 2007, 23:40:56 UTC
The best place to see meta in action is theatrical_fen.

Here is one such thread: http://community.livejournal.com/theatrical_fen/1261020.html?thread=28364252#t28364252

Another from the same post: http://community.livejournal.com/theatrical_fen/1261020.html?thread=28379100#t28379100

Techincally, these conversations will have no bearing on Graham's IC character by way of the prompt answers he'll provide for Theatrical Muse, unless the writer decides that the 'fanon' developed between these characters are relevant to the prompt in question. They may not even have a bearing on his RP interaction, unless the two writers in question decided thatit would be fun to have Hermes drop down and hang out in England for a while in disguise.

*hopes this helps!*

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ladylight September 2 2007, 09:08:16 UTC
Aha, so this is linked to the fact that roleplay characters are developed through roleplay (see, I'm good) as opposed to some sort of established story? And so meta is sort of like something that doesn't count, or just doesn't necessarily have to count? Maybe? >_> I assume it's usually just for fun, then.

I've probably got totally the wrong idea, but if so it's my very special brain's fault and not your explanations XD;; Thanks a lot for the links! :D :D

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age September 2 2007, 21:55:33 UTC
Most roleplay characters begin from an established story, i.e. the fandom they originally come from, whether original or pilfered from someone else.

Once they begin to roleplay, then what you say is indeed correct: they are developed through roleplay. And yes! Meta is exactly something that doesn't necessarily count in the grand scheme of things. It's basically crack roleplay wherein we sadistic players get to do things we normally wouldn't be allowed to do under normal circumstances, and have the grandest old time ever.

If we don't like the effect the meta-play has on our character we can either pretend it didn't happen or turn it into some really whacked-out dream the character had after a night of anchovy pizza and peanut butter, thus prompted them to swear off the PB-A pizzas for life. (*snorts* I gotta use that now...that's funny.)

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