Vivi's Comprehensive Guide to Livejournal Roleplaying
This is probably never going to be finished, but I thought I'd leave up what I have in case it's useful to anyone.
SOMEONE ELSE:
--Games (activity, friending, OOC/online comms, logs)
--Etiquette (godmoding, concrit, using foreign languages, conflict, crediting, timezones)
--Tagging (notifs, simultaneous threads, group threads, comment styles, future-dating, back-dating)
ME:
--Journals (character info, names, LJlogin, contact/sticky posts, keeping track of threads)
--When not to drop (self-confidence, lack of activity, muse death, hiatus)
--The end (thanks, questions, updating)
Table of Contents
About the Author
Who to Play
Journals*
Layouts and Icons
Applications
How Games Function*
Tagging*
Etiquette*
When Not to Drop*
Resource Links
Glossary
The End*
* indicates unfinished.
About the Author
Back when I was fifteen, my history teacher began the class by explaining his background so that we would know his bias, and could judge his words for ourselves. I'm rather fond of that approach so I'll do the same here.
I'm known as Vivi online because that was the first character I RPed on LJ, back in July of 2007 - not really that long ago. I have, however, been RPing through IM since 2003 or so, and I have the habit of flinging myself completely into whatever captures my attention. To that end, I have roleplayed a whole lot of people since then, and have gotten into graphics and layout making as well. I've modded a few comms, most of which have fizzled out by now. I'm a complete spelling and grammar nazi, but tend to be nonconfrontational.
I have, of course, also fallen prey to some typical RP vices, most notably to serial apping, where I play a character for a week and then drop them. This is not due to lack of interest, but rather lack of inspiration. I hope this guide helps you to avoid these kinds of issues.
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Who to Play
Before you can do anything, you have to decide on who to play. This can seem obvious, but oftentimes a player can get caught up in the excitement of being a member of a community, of making journals or icons, of the idea of playing with a certain person... The reasons each person has for playing who they play are many and varied, but from my experience I've noticed several common, less than ideal trends. Keep in mind that these of course are nothing but my opinions.
Pick characters that honestly inspire you, ones that cause ideas for posts to flow into your mind readily. Make sure it's someone with a canon you wouldn't mind getting very familiar with, not only through Wikipedia but via watching and rewatching, or reading and rereading. Ensure that you're willing to commit heavily to this character for more than the short term. Even if no one recognizes your character, perseverance and dedication to them will gain universal admiration, equal to if not more so than your playing ability; eventually, relationships and plots will form with them if you simply keep trying.
But it can be extremely difficult to ensure that you even want to commit to a character before you start playing, as I know myself firsthand. If you find yourself thinking of possible threads you could have with one specific other character and just that character, you're liable of having of a one trick pony on your hands. There's of course nothing wrong with enjoying yourself with a friend one on one, but if that's what you truly want, it's better to talk to that person - even if you don't know them - and ask if they'd be willing to play privately in journals or through IM. If things flesh out in all respects, and it turns out that you do think you could commit to that character, by all means - go ahead and apply.
Another way to discover if you resonate with playing a character is to utilize a dressing room. There are many fandom specific dressing rooms which can be found quite easily through Google, as well as some universal, panfandom ones. Some of those are thedressingroom, sixwordstories and dear_multiverse. They're good for short term play, and even long term play if you find a niche; however, there is no quality control, and oftentimes there are many OCs, so if that's not your cup of tea, you should stay away.
Once you've determined who you'll play, the next step is making a journal for them.
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Journals
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Layouts and Icons
First of all, know that graphics are in every way frivolous add ons to the role playing experience. Ultimately, no matter what anyone says, it is about writing. That aside, graphics are pretty and we all like to feel pretty. Many RPers, myself included, spend $2 or $3 a month in order to obtain more icons. A journal is automatically created as a Plus account, which has ads and fifteen icons. By downgrading to Basic, the account has six icons and no visible ads (although other visitors to your journal do view them). Paying for a Paid account eliminates ads and increases the userpic limit to 30, with another couple dollars a month increasing it to 100. There's other changes as well, but they're largely immaterial for RPing. You may also acquire a paid account for free (if you don't mind everything being in Russian) by utilizing a Sponsored account.
Icons are a unique aspect of LJ RPing and one that may at first seem unnecessary. But the fact is, many players spend hours perfecting which icons they use, their keywords, crediting them, and even what order they appear in. It's not uncommon to use song lyrics, poetry or any other meaningful quote as the keywords, and it's considered good etiquette to credit the icon maker in the comments section for each one.
The easiest way to obtain icons for your character is to locate the LJ fan community for their series by interest searching the canon title underneath the Livejournal logo on the top right. Oftentimes, the more well-known series have a community just for icons of it, which can usually be easily found via a simple Google search ("naruto livejournal icons" or some such). You can, of course, also make your own icons, for which I direct you to icon_tutorial.
If your character is from a book, however, they won't have a preexisting image. In that case, what you need is a PB, or played by. Common sources for these include Hollow Art and dont_be_so_base, but I encourage anyone who's decided on who to use to do an interest search and Google search to locate other icons as well. These icons will represent your character where words may fail you, so it's good to be picky with them.
As for layouts, most layout posts include instructions on how to install them. Don't be alarmed; the vast majority are incredibly easy. Just remember to keep in mind if the journal has a paid, plus or basic account, and watch for additional instructions. Layout makers are often not keen to receive questions that could've been answered if you'd simply read what they'd wrote. Here's a list of my favorite layout makers. Warning: I'm a veritable layout whore. If all else fails, dig through mintyapple, which is also the place to go to for profile codes.
thefulcrum
noveltybox
minty_peach
frozen_mint
milou_veronica
thrashmetal
beatcrusher
estiloamor
walkingparasol
kill_brainz
resplandor
velvetb0x
barubaron
biconic
milkgloves
refutare
flagorneur
floodplains
interlinea
fruitstyle
knotloved
novaless
palebird
visualwit
phailboat
unequally
yearzeta
ohcodey
ribbonized
sperme
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Applications
Content by lazynin.
When deciding to join a roleplay, many communities require proof that you are capable of playing the character before you're free to join them. Often, what they ask of you is an application (or an "app" as it is often called). This usually applies to roleplays that are not a dressing room, as the nature of dressing rooms is different. You will see if an application is required either by seeing a link to it on the community's profile page or by reading the rules and seeing in there if it's needed.
Applications are needed for a number of reasons. First off, they are proof that you are capable of playing a character at the level of skill that the mods think is appropriate for their roleplay. Not only do you show yourself capable of writing a character in an application, but you show that you are willing to put thought and time into their roleplay. In writing an app you get a feel for the character's "voice" and show that you would be comfortable writing in the setting of the roleplay you are aiming for.
An issue often faced in roleplays is multiple people aiming for a character that's in high demand. If three different people want to play character X, through applications it can be decided who of the three can play them best. Not only is the ability to characterise looked at in applications, but also your ability in the write overall. Applications show your grasp on grammar, spelling, capitalization and other important functions of writing. Seeing as how roleplay is entirely writing based, this is a very important part that the mods have to consider.
The rules for applying differ from community to community. Some places have the option to send in an application at any given point in time, while others have application periods that are only open once a month. Whether applications are open or closed will usually be stated either on the communities profile, FAQ, or the application page they provide.
Usually, there is a post in which the details of applying is covered. Either you will be asked to leave a comment with your application in it on that post, or an email account will be provided to which you can send the application. The method they prefer should be stated clearly on the post. There are other methods that include sending a private message to the mods journal or even sending an IM but those are less likely options that do not often arise.
As for the application itself, every one is different. There is a myriad of different things asked for in one. However, they typically consist of two parts: the "you" and the "character". The "you" asks information about yourself as a player, while the "character" asks for things about the person of whom you are applying -- this section can be broken into the "facts" and "sample". Remember that all roleplays do not ask this much of you, but any of these may be seen on an application.
You:
Name/alias What you are called! Usually they like to have a name for you outside of your character.
RL Journal What journal you use for your "real life" things.
Age Some roleplays have age requirements or may not let you post certain subjects under an age limit. Do your best to be truthful with this section.
Email Email may be required for contacting you at some point.
AIM/MSN/etc. Again, out of character contacting can be important.
How did you find us? Those running the community may be curious what bit of their advertising worked.
Who do you currently play here? For if there is a character limit or they want to simply keep track and recognise that you are not someone new to the roleplay.
Do you play anywhere else? / Roleplaying history Some places like to see proof that you have played a character before.
Did you read the rules? Often there will be a hidden keyword in the rules that they ask of you to post, or they simply want to trust that you've read them.
Character facts:
Name The full name of the character you are applying for.
Canon/Series The series this character is from. Sometimes it will be required to provide a wikipedia link, too.
Universe (canon, au, etc.) If you are playing in a community where alternate universe takes on this character are allowed, they will ask which "variation" of the character you will want to play.
Timeline When in the series you are taking your character out of (end of chapter x, end of anime series, etc.)
Age The age of your character.
Gender Their gender.
Sexual Orientation Sometimes this is required for certain games.
Appearance What your character looks like. Rules over whether this can be a picture or must be a written description differ from place to place.
Personality An overview of the characters personality. This may have a word count minimum.
Abilities Describe the skills that your character has. You may see a section that asks for their strengths and weaknesses which is the same overall idea.
History The story of your characters life. This may also have a word count minimum.
Character sample:
App sample (3rd person) If the roleplay is based off writing in the third person this is often requested. This section requires you to write something in-character in paragraph format. For this section there is usually a word count minimum, and sometimes prompts may be provided for you to choose from. (Jimmy thought he was the coolest person ever. He went to the store today and said to the clerk, " 'sup?" He thought it made him sound cooler.)
App sample (1st person) This is sometimes referred to as the "journal entry" and is written in-character in the first person. (I, Jimmy the Cool and Awesome, went to the store today, and said something to the clerk that made me sound cooler. Aw yeah.) It can also come in the form of what is currently happening and action tags may be allowed. (*is a cool guy* *goes to store. sees clerk* 'sup?) This will usually have a word limit, also.
IC form Less common, but sometimes a form is provided that you are to fill out entirely in-character.
In smaller roleplays, there is a single mod or a few mods that run everything and they will look at your application. In busier ones, an application team will be chosen and they will be the ones who look it over. In more democratic roleplays, there will be voting amongst the players that are already in the roleplay. Regardless of how it's decided, after a wait (unless those overlooking the apps are very speedy), the final decision will come: you are either accepted into the roleplay, you are "pending", or your application is turned down.
When accepted there is a number of things you must do including setting up the character journal and joining the community with it, adding other character journals as friends, and so on. There may be a list compiled for the roleplay for what to do once accepted. Application pending usually means they like your app but there is a section or two that could be improved upon, and the mods or app team will give you a second chance to fix those before they make a final decision.
Rejection usually includes criticism (from a good mod or app team) that can help you improve. Remember that being turned down is not the end of the world! Try again and work to improve, listening to their crits (and perhaps getting yourself a beta) and with perseverance you can better your application and try again.
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Resource Links
Writing
Grammar Guide #1
Grammar Guide #2
Grammar Guide #3
List of Dictionaries
Online Spell Check
Word Counter
Basic List of Entities
Complete List of Entities
Sparkle Text Generator
Sparkle Text Directory
Rainbow Text Maker
Technical
LJ Login for Firefox
Lazarus Form Recovery for Firefox
Livejournal Addons for Firefox
Ad/Script Blocker for Firefox
Gmail Checker for Firefox
HTML Guide #1
HTML Guide #2
Hexcode Color Guide
Layout CSS Tutorial
Flexible Squares Stylesheet Breakdown
Smooth Sailing Stylesheet Breakdown
On LJ, OOC
rpg_listing
anonmemearchive
bad_rpers_suck
roleplaysecrets
rpanoncomm
app_this_plz
On LJ, IC
dear_mun
rplanguageclub
sixwordstories
thedressingroom
8_dressing
omnisphere
lovesphere
the_love_hotel
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Glossary
AU
Alternate Universe--in which you change something in the character's canon past for purposes of the game. Be careful when making a character AU in a large-scale game because it can be very easy to unintentionally upset people with what they perceive as OOCness. Also known as AR; alternate reality.
Backdate
A backdated post is one that takes place chronologically before it was posted. Oftentimes this occurs because the players didn't have the opportunity to RP it earlier, when it should've taken place.
Backtagging
Continuing a thread from weeks, if not months, earlier. Sometimes said backlogging.
Beta
Someone who will read your writing and review it, telling you what worked and didn't. Often a critical part of the writing process. The term refers to the secondary nature of a beta.
Butthurt
Immature feelings of hurt. Often considered to be whining.
Canon
The source material a character is taken from, e.g. a manga, anime, TV show, movie, or book.
Concrit
Short for constructive criticism. Can also be shortened to simply crit.
CR
Character relationships.
Derp
Essentially the noun version of fail.
Dressing Room
A roleplay community that does not require applications, and keeps no records of its members. Multiples of characters and alternate versions are allowed.
Fandom
A community of fans for one specific series. Can also mean fan communities in general.
Fanon
The popular fan interpretation of a series. Sometimes used as a negative term, implying lack of accuracy to the canon.
Filter
The privacy setting of a post or comment. If it is filtered away from someone, they cannot read it; if it is filtered to someone, only they can read it. Interchangeable with lock.
Gary Stu
Male version of a Mary Sue.
GDI
God damn it.
Godmod
Also known as godmode. To attribute actions or thoughts to someone else's character without permission.
Hackable
Can be read by a character despite other privacy settings if the mun wishes them to.
Hiatus
A temporary break; someone on hiatus is unavailable for RP during the duration. Semi-hiatus means RP can still occur, but one should not expect it to.
HMD
How's my driving. A post in which players ask for feedback on their portrayals.
IAWTC
I agree with this comment. Variant: IAWTP, or I agree with this post.
IC
In character.
Infomod
To give a character information they did not obtain in game. General rule is that OOC information ≠ IC information. Also known as metagaming.
Lock
The privacy setting of a post or comment. If it is locked from from someone, they cannot read it; if it is locked to someone, only they can read it. Interchangeable with filter.
Log
A thread that takes place specifically in real time between the characters, not online. Often written in third person prose. Can also be used as a verb. See also: RL.
Mary Sue
A female character that is subject to the fantasies of her player. Characteristically all powerful, universally loved, and has a close relationship with a character the player is fond of. Almost always used in a derogatory fashion.
Metagaming
See infomod.
Mod
Short for moderator. A person that runs the comm. The head mod has greater authority than the other mods, and often but not always was the founder of the RPG.
Mun
Short for mundane. The real person behind the character.
Muse
From the Greek concept of the Muses, divine inspirations. Actually refers to a played character.
Muse Box
A community for specific players. Typically not formalized; largely for messing around with characters and whimsical plots. Rules vary.
NPC
Non player character. Originally from video games; an unplayed character.
OC
Original character. A character created by the player. Be sure to check that they're allowed before applying for one.
OOC
Out of character.
orz
Supposedly looks like a person kneeling on the ground, with the O as the head and the Z as curled legs. Largely used as an onomatopoeia for regret or failure.
OTL
Variation of orz.
OTP
One true pairing. A pairing that is preferred above all others. Sometimes P is altered to be a number, thus making one true threesome, etc.
PB
Stands for played by, like an actor in a movie. Refers to the real life person used to portray the character in icons. Most often used for book or original characters.
Ping
To grab someone's attention. Used as a verb.
Playercest
Threading between two characters that are played by the same mun. Can be used as a verb, e.g. playercesting.
Post
A journal or community entry. What you are reading right now is a post. Also used as a verb; to post can mean either to make an entry or to comment on a preexisting one.
Pup
Can be short for puppet. Yet another term for a played character.
Purple prose
Overly descriptive language, often to the point of being unrealistic or grotesque. An insult.
RL
Real life; one's life outside of the internet. Sometimes used as IRL, or in real life. In terms of RP, can mean a log.
Godmod
Also known as godmode. To attribute actions or thoughts to someone else's character without permission.
Screened
See filter.
Shoujo-ai
A romantic relationship between two girls. Literally "girl love".
Shounen-ai
A romantic relationship between two boys. Literally "boy love".
Tag
A comment. Saying "tag Rukia" means you have replied to Rukia's comment; you have tagged her.
Thread
Back and forth comments between two journals. A thread collapses when the comments are no longer visible without expanding them; threading is the process of creating a thread, aka roleplaying itself.
tl;dr
Too long; didn't read. Sometimes called a "teal deer". Indicates something that is so long many people simply skip it entirely.
Wank
Highly emotionally charged conflict, often over something relatively trivial. Characterized by a large number of comments and hurt feelings. Someone that is upset and overly dramatic can be said to be wanking or causing wank. See fandom wank for prime examples.
Yaoi
A sexually explicit relationship between two males.
Yuri
A sexually explicit relationship between two females.
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