SO, YOUâRE NEW TO ROLEPLAY?
A Friendly, Beginner-Safe Guide to Tumblr RP (G1N Edition)
Welcome!! If youâve wandered into the Gotham 1 News inbox and thought:
âWhat does mun mean?â
âHow do people write as fictional characters??â
âWhat is a private RP?â
âDo I have to be good at writing?â
âDo I even need a special account?â
âWhy is everyone yelling about multiverses?â
âWhat am I supposed to DO?? đâ
Then congratulations â you are exactly who this guide is for.
Tumblr RP can look intimidating from the outside, but itâs actually incredibly welcoming once you know the basics. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, step by step, using clear examples and friendly language.
And at G1N, we specialize in being beginner-friendly â so youâre safe here.
⨠What âmunâ means
Mun = the real-life person behind the blog. If someone runs an account as Wonder Woman, she is the muse (the character), and the human typing is the mun.
It just helps people know whether youâre speaking as the character or as yourself.
Extra info: Some people will write their OOC (âout of characterâ) comments in parentheses so you know which voice theyâre speaking with. Examples:
((OOC: Iâll reply later!))
((Mun Note: Sorry for the delay, life is chaotic!))
â The Mun
You NEVER have to do this in a perfect or specific way. Everyone has their own style.
⨠What an RP account is
An RP account is a Tumblr blog where you pretend to be a fictional character. You âwriteâ as that character in asks, posts, and threads â like acting, but through text.
Thereâs no special setup required. Your blog is your character when you talk in-character.
You can make your own storylines with that character and it does NOT have to be related to canon at all.
You can even change the character to be anywhere from slightly to completely different from that character's canon (we call this the Multiverse: Anything can be explained via different multiverse, timeline, or dimension!!)
Extra info: On Tumblr, most RP blogs fall into loose categories, and you donât have to pick one â but here are the terms youâll see:
Canon Blog: Writes the character as they appear in the official source.
AU Blog: âAlternate Universe.â The character is changed but recognizable.
OC Blog: âOriginal Character.â Entirely created by the mun.
Crossover Blog: Mixes fandoms (ex: Naruto meets Batman).
Crack Blog: Chaotic, meme-heavy, not serious.
Serious Lit Blog: Writes long, descriptive prose.
ALL of these are valid. You donât have to âfitâ in any box to RP.
⨠How RP interactions work here at G1N
You can send asks to us as your character, and weâll respond as Gotham 1 News, like youâre in a shared universe.
Totally beginner friendly! You donât need fancy writing or special formatting â just talk as your character would.
Examples:
âHello G1N, this is my detective reporting a strange creature sightingââ
âMy hero would like to submit a tip to the newsroom.â
âMy witch character wants to yell about whatever just came out of the sewers.â
We accept: âď¸ Canon characters âď¸ OCs (That means your own Original Character; someone not written into the canon of a universe, but instead you created it to be there, like if you wanted your character to be Tony Stark's kid in the Marvel universe; that's an OC! For another example, Gotham 1 News is actually an OC!) âď¸ Crossovers from literally any universe âď¸ Multiple versions of the same character âď¸ Silly, serious, chaotic â whatever your vibe is
If you ever get stuck, just ask! Weâre happy to help.
Extra info: You can write in ANY length:
One sentence
A paragraph
Multi-paragraph
A meme-style dialogue
ACTIONS in asterisks
Or just vibes
There is no âwrongâ way to RP here.
⨠What âTHIS IS FOR A PRIVATE RPâ means
Sometimes people want a news story written just for their storyline.
If you add:
THIS IS FOR A PRIVATE RP
that tells us:
Weâll write the news report
But other people wonât jump into your thread
Itâs only for your character and whatever story youâre working on
We wonât treat it like an open starter for everyone else
If you donât write this, we assume others are allowed to join in and interact with the news post. Sometimes, a roleplay thread will say "CLOSED RP". This is the same thing; they're asking for it to be private.
Extra info: Public threads = great if you want to meet other RPers. Private threads = great if youâre building your own dedicated story.
Both are equally valid.
⨠What is a pinned post?
A pinned post is a post we put at the very top of the blog so itâs the first thing you see when you visit. It's not required; but it makes RP so much easier! Think of it like the front door sign or welcome desk of the blog.
Itâs where we put:
how to interact with us
what this blog is about
important info for roleplayers
quick guidelines so youâre never confused
any rules you want for interaction (i.e. This blog is 18+ only! or No NSFW please!)
any artwork of your character (if you want!)
description of your character (again, not required, but still fun!)
yours and/or character's pronouns
character's backstory
Make sure to always check another RP's pinned post before interacting! It will save a lot of confusion. If youâre new, start with making yours â it tells everyone everything they need to know before jumping in!
Extra info: Pinned posts can also include:
DNI lists (Do Not Interact)
Trigger warnings
Shipping rules
RP preferences
Connection lists
Verses (different versions of your character)
Again: You DO NOT need all of this. You can add things slowly over time.
⨠What if I donât know how to âsound likeâ my character yet?
Totally normal. Most people grow into their character over time.
You can:
Write short replies
Use emojis
Write however feels natural
Change your style later
Ask questions whenever you need to
RP is about fun, not perfection.
Extra info: A lot of RPers start off nervous and gradually become SUPER confident. There is no timer. You learn by doing.
The ONLY rule is: Have fun.
⨠What tags you should know
Not required, but helpful:
IC = in-character
OOC = out-of-character (you speaking as the mun)
RP = roleplay
Ask = a message someone sends your blog
Starter = a post you can jump into to start an interaction
Thread = the ongoing back-and-forth between characters
Mun â the real person
Muse â the character
Youâll learn the rest as you go â promise.
Extra info: Other common tags you might see:
Queue â pre-scheduled posts
Headcanon â your personal take on a character
Mains/Exclusives â people you RP with the most
Verse â a specific AU or storyline
Dash-only RP â RP happening on the dashboard, not in reblogs
Reblog Karma â âIf you reblog a meme from me, send one backâ (optional rule)
You DO NOT need to use these unless you want to.
⨠So basically:
âMunâ = the real human behind the blog
You send asks as your character
We reply as Gotham 1 News
Write âTHIS IS FOR A PRIVATE RPâ or "CLOSED RP" if you want a story only for you
Crossovers and beginners are 100% welcome
You do NOT need special formatting, skills, or experience
Youâre already doing great just by asking! If you need anything â explanation, tips, or help starting â weâll happily walk you through it đ
⨠How to Start Your Own RP Account
Starting an RP account on Tumblr is way easier than it looks â promise! Hereâs a simple step-by-step guide so you can jump in without stressing:
1. Make a new Tumblr blog (or turn your current one into an RP blog)
You can:
Make a sideblog just for RP
Or turn your main into an RP blog if you prefer
Most people use sideblogs so their regular posts stay separate, but either way works!
2. Pick your character
Your character can be:
Someone from any canon (DC, Marvel, anime, etc.)
A completely original character (OC)
A version of a canon character you changed or customized
A mash-up, AU, multiverse variant â literally anything
There is no wrong choice. Pick someone you love or someone you think would be fun to write.
3. Choose a username
Your username can be:
Your characterâs name
Something themed (âbatboy-archives,â âstar-witch-filesâ)
A pun
Something aesthetic
Or literally anything
Donât overthink it â you can always change it later.
4. Write a pinned post
This is your blogâs âwelcome desk.â
It usually includes:
Who your character is
Your boundaries or rules (if any)
How others can interact with you
Whether youâre okay with private RPs
Your pronouns
Your characterâs pronouns
Anything else you want people to know before they start writing with you
RP blogs without pinned posts tend to confuse people â this one step makes everything easier for everyone.
5. Add a small bio or character info
Not required, but very helpful.
You can include:
A short personality overview
Abilities/powers
Appearance
Their job or role
Their universe
Doesnât need to be long â two sentences is totally fine! You can always expand later.
6. Make an intro post
This tells the RP community: âHi, I exist!â
Your intro can include:
Who you write
What universes youâre comfortable with
Whether you accept asks
Whether crossovers or OCs can interact
Your general vibe
Tag it with:
#rp
#roleplay
#rp community
#open rp
#ask game
And tags related to your character (like #dc rp or #marvel rp)
This helps other RPers find you.
7. Start interacting
You can:
Send asks to others as your character
Reblog someoneâs starter post and join the thread
Reply to open starters
Make your own starter
Answer asks people send you
Chat OOC to make friends
React to posts in-character
There is no wrong way to start.
8. Donât worry about writing style
Some people:
Write long paragraphs
Write short sentences
Write in scripts
Use emojis
Donât use punctuation
Write like itâs a novel
Write like itâs memes
Whatever feels natural is correct.
Youâre not being graded. RP is creative chaos. Enjoy it.
9. Learn as you go
Every RPer learns by doing â everyone. Even the 10-year veterans.
Youâll pick up:
Formatting styles
How threaded RPs work
How to plot
How to make a starter
Your characterâs voice
What you enjoy
You do not need to know everything up front.
10. The golden rule: communicate
If youâre confused, ask. If something feels overwhelming, ask. If you want to start a thread but donât know how, ask.
RP is built on communication, not perfection.
⨠New RPer Checklist (So You Donât Forget Anything!)
A super simple list to help you get started without feeling overwhelmed:
Before You Start
âď¸ Pick a character (canon or OC) âď¸ Decide if you want a sideblog or main blog âď¸ Choose a username âď¸ Set an icon + header (optional, but helps people recognize you)
Set Up Your Blog
âď¸ Write a pinned post âď¸ Add your pronouns + your characterâs pronouns âď¸ Write a short bio or character sheet âď¸ Add tags to your pinned post (so people can find it) âď¸ Set up a tag system if you want (like #ic, #ooc, #starter, etc.)
Make Yourself Visible
âď¸ Write an intro post: âHi, I write X character!â âď¸ Tag it properly (#rp, #roleplay, #open rp, etc.) âď¸ Follow other RP blogs âď¸ Like or reblog posts from the RP community so they know you exist
Start Interacting
âď¸ Send your first ask (IC or OOC) âď¸ Reblog a starter âď¸ Respond to asks people send you âď¸ Write a small starter post of your own âď¸ Communicate your comfort level (length, tone, whatever makes you comfy)
General Good Habits
âď¸ Be nice âď¸ Donât pressure yourself to be perfect âď¸ Tell people if you need time to respond âď¸ Put âTHIS IS FOR A PRIVATE RPâ when needed âď¸ Reblog memes, ask games, etc. to help people interact with you âď¸ Take breaks â RP should be fun, not stressful!
⨠Common Mistakes New Roleplayers Make (And How to Avoid Them)
RP is easy once you understand the basics, but beginners often fall into the same little traps. Hereâs how to dodge them like a pro:
â Mistake 1: Overthinking everything
People worry: âI donât sound like my character!â âMy writing isnât good enough!â âWhat if I mess up the rules?â
âď¸ Fix: RP is improv. Jump in messy. Youâll learn by doing, not by waiting.
â Mistake 2: Not reading someoneâs pinned post
Every RP blog has different rules and preferences. Missing those can cause confusion.
âď¸ Fix: Check pinned posts before interacting. It solves 99% of misunderstandings instantly.
â Mistake 3: Thinking you need long paragraphs
You donât! Some people write two words. Some write novels. Both are valid.
âď¸ Fix: Write whatever feels natural. Length does not equal quality.
â Mistake 4: Panicking about formatting
Fancy formatting is optional. Bold, italics, icons, gifs, fancy dividers â all optional.
âď¸ Fix: Start simple. You can evolve your style later.
â Mistake 5: Feeling like you need a huge backstory before starting
Many beginners freeze because they think they need a full wiki page.
âď¸ Fix: Start with a few facts. Build the rest as you RP.
â Mistake 6: Taking on too many threads at once
You get excited, jump in everywhere, and suddenly have 20 RPs to respond to.
âď¸ Fix: Start with 1â3 threads. Add more once youâre comfortable.
â Mistake 7: Comparing yourself to veteran RPers
Others might have been doing this for years. Thatâs okay.
âď¸ Fix: Donât compare â everyone starts somewhere. Veteran RPers love new people.
â Mistake 8: Thinking you âmissed your chanceâ to reply
Some beginners think: âItâs been too long. I canât respond now.â
âď¸ Fix: You can always reply. Days, weeks, months later. RP time is fake.
â Mistake 9: Not communicating when confused
Everyone gets lost at first.
âď¸ Fix: Ask questions. RPers love helping new folks.
â Mistake 10: Not having fun
If it feels like homework, somethingâs wrong.
âď¸ Fix: Write what makes you excited. Your joy is the best fuel for RP.
⨠How to Send Your First RP Ask (Step-by-Step)
This section is for the absolute beginners who donât even know what an âaskâ looks like yet. Hereâs a simple guide:
1. Decide if you want to send the ask IC or OOC
IC = in character
OOC = out of character, you speaking as yourself (the mun)
If IC, write like your character would speak. If OOC, write like âHi! Quick questionââ
2. Go to their ask box
On desktop: blogname.tumblr.com/ask On mobile: scroll to find the ask button.
3. Write your message
Examples:
IC examples (your character speaking):
âGotham 1 News, this is Detective Hawthorne. Iâm reporting smoke rising from Crime Alley.â
âMy witch found something glowing in the sewers. Should we be concerned?â
âThis is Captain Solaris of the Starship Astraeus requesting a broadcast frequency.â
OOC examples (you speaking as mun):
âHi! New to RP â can my character interact with your latest post?â
âQuick question: whatâs the best way to start a thread with you?â
4. Add âTHIS IS FOR A PRIVATE RPâ if necessary
Only if you donât want others joining in.
If not, leave it out â most people love open interactions.
5. Hit send
Thatâs it. Youâre RPing now. You did the thing.
6. Wait for their response
People reply at different speeds. Hours, days, weeks â itâs normal.
7. Continue the thread
When they reply, you:
Reblog their response
Add your characterâs reply underneath
Keep going back and forth
That back-and-forth is âa thread.â
8. Donât be afraid to send follow-up asks
You can send silly asks, serious ones, chaotic ones â whatever fits your character.
RP thrives on interaction.
(More will be added to this post as the need arises; it will also be included via link in our pinned post!)













