#still adding things!

The Significant differences between RP-Styles and Novel Formats.

The biggest difference between RP-Styles and Novel Formats is that one is written as a Response, Action, and Reaction sequence that doesn’t flow right with typical Story Structures and the other is written for a wide-variety of audiences and consumption.

RP Styles:

Randomized: No prior talk between two or more participating Authors are needed, they simply begin the story and let it take whatever direction it takes. This requires no work on any Authors part, and the stories usually do not conclude, as in, there is no finish to these ‘for fun’ entires. The stories usually have no direction or ‘meaning statement’ and the content creators simply go off the last Response given. The rules, etiquette, and standards of RPs are often tossed to the wind.

Co-op: In this style of RP writing, two or more participating Authors discuss Genre, Characters--including profiles or bio references, story arcs and elements. There is a lot of planning before actual writing takes place. An example of this planning may be: 2-Main Characters, Genres: Adventure Fantasy with Romance elements, and Magic Rule Table Explained. Followed by a small description bio of each Authors’ list of characters, abilities, and summary of personality including backstory. After prior discussion, the RP begins with a clear direction of plot, setting, and character. The Authors then proceed with this path in mind and these complex stories are usually finished if regular time and motivation restrictions don’t get in the way. Both Authors have equal control over story plot and the direction the story takes with each responding entry.

Secrets: The total opposite of Co-op mode, where two or more Authors specifically hide details of their planning. They still discuss Genre, very little on Characters as they retain or withhold information in their bios and profiling, and only give a Statement of plot and nothing more detailed than that. An example of this would be: 2-Main Characters, Genres: Action Shonen, brief character details such as summary of personality but excluding backstory that hasn’t been revealed yet. During the course of the RP, some Authors may go back to the Bios or Profiles and add details as more is revealed. Abilities and the like are only added when demonstrated within Canon RP story mode. The RP then begins with a vague understanding of where things are going, and both Authors equally still control plot like in Co-op with each responding entry advancing the story along. Often times, the story changes in these Secrets mode, resulting in shocking surprises and plot twists to entertain and excite the other Authors. These stories are not always finished, but some can be given time and effort--and avoiding the dreaded ‘Writer’s Block’.

Mastermind: Similar to the structures found in the famous Dungeons and Dragon’s game, it is where one Author control the entirety of the story’s plotline, guiding and responding to one or more other Authors participating in the story. In this, the Genre, most of the NPCs, and the like are controlled mainly by the one Author, but still maintaining the proper regulations of RP style writing. The other Authors continue through a story reacting and choosing actions within the given story they’re responding to from the main Author. Usually, it is preferred that the Mastermind is an avid and experienced Roleplayer, otherwise, chaos and stress can ensue if the Mastermind is breaking the standards that are meant to protect the Authors’ characters, creative liberties, and enjoyment. An example of this would be if the Mastermind controlled the death of an Author character against their wishes, or made a battle too overpowered to where it stops the advancement of the story for the other Authors and their characters to advance in. Remember, it is the obligation of every Author in RP Style Writing to advance the story and plot. The Mastermind can choose whether to tell elements of the story, characters, etc. of their plot, but it is the right of the other Authors to determine if they still want to do Character Bios (Summaries including personality, abilities, and backstories) and Profiles (Pictures, description, or other character details such as Audio or Visual aid.), or also keep those hidden like in Secrets too. In this case, you could have the combinations of Secrets/Mastermind or Co-op/Mastermind.

All these Modes (RP-Style Settings) are compromisable according to the needs and desires of the Authors all participating. That being said, many can be combined into unique playing fields for creative minds to run amok and wild with their imaginations. These are the basic, core fundamental styles of most Roleplays.

In Novel Format Writing styles, you learn about forming tight sentences with exact rules of grammar, structuring, and story arcs. In RPs, you have two or more creative minds all working off each other, and thereby, the POV changes unlike normal storytelling; where you now face unedited sequences that may not make sense down the road of the story. In this sense, all RPs are rough drafts of an overall story that has yet to be invented yet! Imagine the possibilities!

Also, the basic sequence for a Novel is completely different than that of Roleplaying Writing Styles, since they follow the basic format of Reaction, Action, and Response.

2. Rules, Etiquette, and Standards of Roleplay Styles.

There are many unspoken rules in Roleplays, such as to not be Overpowered, to not take control over another Author’s characters or things directly relating to them unless you have their permission to do so--such as asking for permission to kill their character, or have control over the fates of their backstory’s parents, etc. as to list the major ones.

The typical format for a story is A. Reaction, the part of the Entry--or Author’s turn Response--where they react to the previous Entry of events according to what their character thinks and feels during the events of the previous turn. Next, is B. Action, the part of the Entry that explains what the characters does during these events happening in the previous turn, and then finally a few given actions of what happens next after them. These can be in the form of attempting a hit, trying for a daring act, or asking a question/giving an answer to a character also in the scene as described in the previous turn. Lastly, their Entry ends with C. Response, a follow-up ‘tell’ if you will that is usually a Reaction, Action, or a foreshadowing, thought-provoking question or line that adds style, depth, and emotion to their characters predicament. It can often be a powerful punch at the end of an Author’s response, such as a closing line or finishing Action or thought. This is a direct lead-in sentence, usually allowing a ‘What will happen next?’ sort of opening for the next Author to jump in on. In this way, no Entry written is meant to be complete or stand alone like in Novel Format Writing. This encourages cooperation and suspense, giving a direct ‘baton pass’ to the next Author to then React, Act, and Respond accordingly to what has been thus given.

An example would be like such:

Tony tried his best to climb the wall, but was slipping with the mossy, gross and wet weeds that entangled by his boots. He looked down, seeing Thomas was trying to conduct a spell of Dry Heat to give better footing to them, but that may take a minute.

With his attempt to swipe at Tony’s legs and get him to stop climbing, it only motivated him more as he tried to climb faster, dodging the good-hearted but party-pooping attempt from Thomas to ‘save’ him.

“Hey, Thomas!” cried Tony, as he had just managed to get an arm and elbow over the stone, ancient wall’s top, providing the young wizard wrong. “Maybe just burn the weeds after we’ve scaled the wall, yeah?” he joked, worried his comrades Henry and Janette would fall and lose all their progress up the wall.

He scoffed at his sarcasm, finding himself hilarious, and as he swung a leg over and sat--quite happy with himself--straddling the wall’s two sides, he looked down and smirked at the others.

No one was as a good a climber as he! YT

YT = Your Turn, it is common courtesy to show you are done with your section of writing through this ending. If you are still writing and need more time, BRB = Be right back, also will help your fellow Authors know where you’re at in your Entry, and not to pursue pass you and continue on thinking you’re finished.

Designated colors often help Authors distinguish each other, but this is rather optional. However, a specific turn order is a proper and right etiquette for most Roleplays. In this, we see that the top of the current turn order is the Author for Tony, showed in a primary blue.

To break down his Entry, he seems to have left his Reaction rather short. Not a bad thing, but not incredibly exciting to poor Thomas, who seemed to be in the turn order above him. Thomas is in designated color neon Green, easy to see and tell apart from other colors, and the Author has told us what he is reacting too. He’s clearly reacting to Thomas’s last entry of his attempt to cast a Dry Heat spell.

Notice how in all these descriptions, it’s most a ‘If’ statement? That means, we still don’t know if it will succeed yet. This is mostly done in Mastermind or when something directly affects another Author’s character, such as follows: Thomas tried to swing an hand up and hook Tony’s leg to get him to come down and have a rational discussion of a plan before climbing the wall like a lunatic with jock energy radiating from his chaotic nature. If that didn’t work, he’d simply start up on his spell and mutter the enchantment while glaring at the daring fool, masquerading as a hero. “Fine, get yourself killed by sliding to your death. See if I care!” He began to start casting Dry Heat, a spell which would allow him to make the moss on the wall sticky, and less slippery for his comrades to scale up to.

However, it was clear that Thomas wasn’t going to wait for him, so he just hoped Henry and Janette would have some common sense… for a change… YT

Here, we can see the previous entry, and now we fully understand that Tony was responding to Thomas’s attitude with similar attitude. We can also see that the Author for Thomas is giving Tony’s Author a chance to decide if the swing landed or not, tripping up Thomas or having Thomas continue climbing the wall, or having Thomas fall but then just go to climb again. It’s completely up to the unique writing preferences of each individual Author, as we all have a beautiful way of writing something, and can learn from how others write as well.

Switching between first person to second person from two different entries is not frowned upon either, or for an Author who controls a Main Character and a NPC to have omnipotent view over both, but then have the next entry be clueless as to those specific character’s thinkings. In this way, comedy is always possible in Roleplaying Style, as one can choose any way to write, so long as they follow the basic guidelines and are respectful of their other Authors.

This example seems to be more leaning towards someone playing Mastermind, since either Thomas could have said the spell worked or may do so in his next Entry after interacting with Tony, unless someone else is controlling the stage. If not, this would be a Multi-Co-op RP, meaning that multiple Authors, usually more than two--which is the standard number--are playing. In this case, either Henry or Janette could say the spell worked if they asked permission from Thomas first to confirm that. In Secrets, where communication between the Authors are limited, it may be better to wait for Thomas’s next turn, and err on the side of caution. In Randomized, anyone could do anything, and whoever is next in the turn order, could just as easily be playing to turn on the party and use the Dry Heat spell to burn Tony and blame it on Thomas, who knows? She’d still need permission, but only to say, “Can the Dry Heat spell work?” And then use it as she saw fit. However, in normal instances, that would just be for planning ahead--since backtracking too heavily in RP style is a bit of an annoyance. Everyone wants to keep the story going, editing is for if you want to make something out of the story, not for the goal being to simply complete it.

Also, choosing ‘readable colors’ is also best. The neon Green might give the other Authors a headache…

Henry chuckled at Thomas and looked to see, in amazement, how far Tony had already scaled. “Geez, man. Take it easy! He wasn’t kidding about you breaking your leg!” he exclaimed, but soon found he had scaled right passed him too.

Well, he wasn’t about to just stop and wait for paint to dry, so he couldn’t miss up a challenge!

“Wait for me, Tony ol’boy!” he started to grip and check each foot hole or stony-edge grip for his fingers much quicker now. He had a fire under his bum and he wasn’t going to let this young imposter fool him twice!

Back in town, he had really began to admire him as the local hero, until realizing what a sham that all sounded like. “I won’t be bested twice!” he gritted his teeth and continued to climb. “Mind your step, Janette!” he called from what he supposed was Janette beneath him, not really looking to check as only beating Tony was his main priority!

At hearing Tony’s snarky reply, he noticed it was a lot higher than he originally thought it was. Hadn’t it only been a second? He looked up and gawked in a fitted, but humorous, flabbergasted jaw-drop at how swiftly Tony had made it to the wall’s top. He couldn’t say anything at first, until seeing Tony’s nasty smirk, and then raged forward up that wall like a Jaguar to a monkey in a tree.

He just hoped he didn’t spray up too much moss and debris on Janette, if she was behind him, on his way up to Tony, though… YT

Let’s go over some more steps. First, the Author addressed the first person in the Turn order, and not directly Tony. (This doesn’t apply to our Dark Academy RP unless it’s a combined scene, meaning two or more players are directly interacting in the same space and time.) This keeps with Chronological order of events, even if everything is happening at once, it is not polite to ‘skip’ a reaction of another person’s turn unless your character wasn’t directly there to react to it. Since Henry is in the same scene with multiple characters, he is giving equal reactions to each thing. He could have gone longer and said, “Henry could see Thomas was getting annoyed by Tony’s behavior.” and go into more thoughts on that, but choose to have his character more directly see the challenge posed by the other Author’s cocky character. He also listed, briefly, why his character felt this way about Tony, and gave clear motivation as to why he was mostly ignoring Thomas’s heed of caution to stop climbing and wait, but instead, saw it as a challenge.

He also gave Janette, the next Author’s character in the line up behind him, a chance to respond and feel included. It is proper manners to give these ‘lead-ins’ and ‘Action Potentials’ to the Author behind you. He also didn’t assume Janette was behind him, but left it open for the Author of Janette to decide where she was on the wall, or if she hopped off of it, or even sped by him while he wasn’t looking! This would create a hilarious reaction on his next Entry Turn, wouldn’t it?

The colors make it easy for each Author to see what they need to respond to that directly affects their characters, but it’s definitely considered nice to make sure you try and respond to all that has happened, whether with a few words or more.

You’ll also notice that most is written in the Past Tense, except for what is directly happening in that Author’s Entry Turn at that moment. This helps with time and backtracking. Having a chronological order and leaving room for the Authors to respond to your Entry is key to a successful Roleplay, so being mindful of each Author’s time going through your response is important as well.

Now, let’s see how Janette responds.

We’ve seen that each Author so far has Reacted to the last events in their own unique ways, and then made a Action response that is meant to be Reacted to by the other Authors if they so choose to mind it--which is a choice but relatively considerate to do so. We also see the open-ended ‘If’ statements that give all power to the Authors, and allow the story to progress as it should. To avoid Overpower moments, please remember that you must let your ‘If’ statements work/hit every now and then, unless the other Authors are fine with constant dodges or spells not working.

Rules for language, age appropriateness, and the like are optional to the party of Authors and any additional or subtracted rules should be agreed upon at your discretion.

‘Childish men.’ Janette sighed at their ridiculous behaviors, seeing Thomas getting annoyed and Tony being a wildcard as usual.

‘Not you too, brother.’ she sighed, seeing Henry take off after Tony. Deciding it best to wait out the Dry Heat spell, she opted to climb down and do the smart thing.

“Hey, Thomas,” she whispered rather closely to his ear as he seemed to be performing the spell in his usual way. “Take heed, I’d rather have my brother alive and well than burnt to a crisp. Maybe make it a nature-growing spell, then? Get them tangled up in their own egos for a change.” She moved away and giggled, looking up at her silly brother and that pompous… although charming, fake hero.

She stuck her tongue at Tony’s mocking smirk, and as the debris came down from Henry she just batted them away and spat to the side, “Watch it, brother!” Hearing he had mentioned for her to watch her step, she already decided to respond to it, but knew he probably wasn’t minding her much anyway. “I’m already off the wall!” she called up, but then looked to Thomas as though saying, sick’em. YT

 Although Janette may have messed up a bit of the chronological order, she saved it by stating she hadn’t responded to it when it was first spoken yet. As well, she did something amazing! Anytime she was speaking of another Author’s Character, she made sure to indicate it with their color. This definitely will help her co-writers out, but not just that, she knew Thomas was next in the Turn Order, and gave him a polite ‘Lead-in’ so his character had some direction on what to respond to next round.

She Reacted with thoughts, which the other characters canonically--meaning within the rights of truth to the story and characters, a definitive clarity on position or actuality--do not know about so they can’t actually respond too. This differentiates Reactions from Actions, as Reactions aren’t always necessarily needed to be responded too. However, it still adds a great deal of character to Janette to know her inner-thoughts and feelings, such as her opinions on her Brother, who we have learned is Henry, and her growing affections towards Tony. This is great characterization, though it needn’t be addressed by the other characters, but fun for the Authors to have the ‘inside scoop’ of what may be transpiring.

Now, if there are multiple characters that aren’t Main Characters to the Authors, they needn’t use color differentiation but instead, simply stick to their one color. Such as: “Janette patted her familiar’s head, Ostin, as it growled slightly that it hadn’t even made one inch off the ground before sliding back down from the slippery moss on the wall.” Ostin and Janette would both have the Red Color indicating them throughout the story, neither would need to have their own color scheme, since the colors are based on the Author who’s writing, not the characters.

Thomas just shook his head and smiled at Janette’s request, “If I do that, it make take forever to yank them out of the ‘entangling nature’.” he half-heartedly chuckled before releasing the spell, and under Henry’s footings, the moss may appear to be stickier than normal, if he wasn’t under mostly cobblestone by now.

Although searing like a hot day, the worst the spell could do was a sunburn if exposed too long to it. However, Thomas smacked his lips as though the spell made him thirsty, and then … ignoring all else of the dramatic scene ahead of him, he just started to carefully climb the wall. YT

One thing that should be commented, is that maybe this is just Thomas’s character? But it could be considered rude to completely ignore the events, and another thing, he didn’t leave off with a ‘Lead-in’ Action for the next Author in the turn. This is very close-ended, and without that little ‘kick at the end’, it’s hard for Tony to be able to keep the progression of the story going.

Some may say this is acceptable, and that’s under your own discretion, but for the most part--remember to be courteous to all players, and give them something to work with. Along with that, it’s way more fun to respond with at least multiple reactions that no one need react to, but a few Actions that others may be able to respond to.

Tony, aftering seeing Henry’s resolve, kicked his feet to try and spray the moss in his feet while saying, “Get back, get! Get!” just to be petty and funny about his ‘king of the wall’ mindset.

He looked to Janette as she whispered to Thomas and saw her stick out her tongue, and just smiled at the crazy sister to an equally crazy brother..!

It wasn’t long before he could see the fire in Henry’s eyes and worriedly gripped his place on the wall so he wouldn’t get knocked over on accident by his new friend’s passionate fury.

“I know you care, Thomas!” He called, being too distracted by Henry’s attempt to reach him to pay him much mind. “And what are you two whispering about!? Not that I’m jealous. Any woman can whisper sweet nothings in my ear, and I’d hardly blush!” he joked once more, before still keeping his eye on what Henry would do next.

“Go away!” he kept spatting out, “My wall! Mine!” if Henry got close enough to him, and coming in like a hot missile in a hostile, mad dash to the top after him, he might be tempted to lift up his heel and hit him back. However, the objective was to just not fall over and crash on the other side, he didn’t actually want to accidentally knock over Henry, and had one hand waiting and willing just in case his heel landed and Henry started to fall back.

Thomas’s Dry Heat spell was still warming up… pun intended, so he kept one eye to Henry and the next directly on Thomas, but since his eyes couldn’t perform at the same capacity as an chameleon's, his head just kept jerking up and down at the two, looking rather comical to say the least. YT

Now, the Author for Tony forgot to do the colors, and it makes it harder for the other Authors to see where they need to absolutely respond to, or what even is being said about their characters. However, in your Roleplay, if you feel it unnecessary and keeping the story from progressing, that is completely up to your party and you.

Tony not only responded to Henry first, being the first in the turn order after him, but also responded to the next Author’s character, Janette, and added his own little two cents after. However, since Henry’s was the most prominent thing happening to his character, the Author for Tony spent more time giving Action responses to him, but also opening it up to Thomas with a question, response to his words previously that he had forgotten to respond to before--which could be considered a no-no but he made up for it, since it hasn’t been that long since Thomas spoke to Tony, and even put a ‘If’ statement for Henry. However, covering his own rear-end, he also made sure his character was paying attention to Thomas while also ready to Act to whatever Henry may do on his next turn. In this way, he has prepared himself for all fronts.

However, having nothing to go off of for Thomas, it makes sense that Tony’s Author would pull from something earlier. Maybe Tony’s Author thought Tony had climbed so fast, as was implied--but should maybe have been mentioned by Tony himself rather than Henry’s re-implying of Tony’s speed in scaling the wall--that he didn’t hear Thomas. But, coming around back to it, even if it’s out of turn order--normally not a good thing--it does give him a past-lead-in that he found to keep the tumble-weed of events going and progressing smoothly.

Before I continue on with my short TED-Talk lesson, any questions?

(I made this for my RP group, since many don't know these common techniques, what do you think?)

3. Fighting Scenes in RP Style Format

(This will be important later on in our RP :3c) Most fighting still stays within the Reaction, Action, Response formula, but the sequences go much faster and although detail is nice, the waiting for the next corresponding reply or entry becomes more necessary to see if your attack hit or what additional effects it might have done. Explaining in detail what an Author’s character did, what affects it could do if success, and waiting with a prepared action like crouching back down behind cover, for example, would be how these three steps are utilized. The passages are usually shorter but quicker to reply too.

Lauren ducked against the first punch swung but was immediately tripped by the counter, low-sweeping kick that the possessed man through out. She fell on her back and looked to see his tongue drooling over the blade as he angled it down in his hand and went for the stab.

“Not likely, I won’t let your master kill this time!” Lauren summoned her force energy and with her two hands outside where the blade was going straight at her, tried to focus the energy between those two points and lock the blade in the center.

It would take a lot of effort, but if this worked, she would be able to push or repel the blade’s hilt back and into the possessed, puppeteered dead man’s head and hopefully, stumble him back a bit. YT

As predicted, the possessed man was hit with the hilt of the sword at her exerted effort. All that training allowed her to get an edge on him. He stumbled back with his eye now lodged in his skull, causing his laughter to cease with just a sound of mild agitation… after all… the dead can’t feel.

He held up his hand to the eye and looked down at her with a sunkin’ face, “My master requires you… You will not escape.”

She would be thrown in the dungeon again, as he reached for her, a black as night oozing face with blood that had been dead for a while. The putrid stank of it might have distracted her somewhat from the gorey scene, but then his blade rose with a dislocated shoulder’s full windmill slash.

Would she be able to get up in time? Or would this finally cut her down a size, and force her to be returned to the Vampire’s mansion? YT

Lauren wouldn’t go down so easily. The smell did cause her to gag and cover her mouth, but she rolled out of the windmill blade’s strike and uncoordinatedly got back up on a squat to her feet.

This wouldn’t be the last time the Vampire would try and reclaim her again.

For some reason, her powers were coming because he was trying to make her a Vampire as well… but she didn’t know why.

His flirtations were clearly to manipulate her into giving her blood willingly, but she wouldn’t be subjected to the same hypotisms and deaths that the other girls in her party that had first arrived for the supposed ‘Mansion Tour’ had to go through.

Even the Guide was undead and she didn’t know it.

She tried to see if the zombified slave, her once foregin tour guide, had an unstable footing. If so, she’d kick him down and try and loosen his undeadly grip on the blade, resorting to her new super-human, biting fangs if she had to.

So far, she got the powers and the fangs, but there were more powers to receive in the coming nights from the different stages of the moon. But for now, at least she still required human food and not… not…

She tried to get the stench of blood out of her nose, but it was no use. She just had a plan. Trip him, get on his back, straddle him down with her new strength, and get. That. Blade! YT

Clearly, this is staged and written by one Author, but for the purpose of understanding rhythm, length doesn’t really matter if it’s simply just Reactions, meaning her thoughts, memories, feelings, or inner-dialogue to name a few options. Authors don’t have to respond to this, but it is optional too. Both ‘supposed Authors’ look to be in a Mastermind/Co-op style RP, but the sequence of Actions that you see with the ‘If’ statements are spot on. They’re just a few things, and relatively simple to understand but were expanded upon just to give the ‘thrill’ factor instead of going.

Lauren threw a kick. YT

Zombie was tripped, but tries to go for a swing. YT

‘Excellent,’ thought Lauren, ‘I’ll grab his hand.’ she attempted to gorilla-grip her body around his arm, then donkey kicking him in the face. Maybe… just maybe… her newfound powers could dislodge his head and he may become motionless without it.

‘Gosh, how violent have I become?’ she wondered, but mentally shook her head. ‘No, I have to fight to survive this. If I can get to the Vampire Slayer’s Guild in time, they can cure me of this mess.’ Was that even true? She would have to only find out after defeating her possessed, undead foreign tour guide that the Vampire Master ended up using as a servant... 

Poor Mr. Ieyong. ‘Sorry about this..!’ She closed her eyes and, if the grip worked and she was able to fast-pass the swing which she thought she could with her new vampiric powers still developing, went in for a back kick. YT

So, an example of something too short, and an example of something with more Reactions than Actions. Usually, this is best. To react more and give actions with lead-in sentences at the end is ideal. She also slightly jumped ahead, but because this was just a description of her planning, it could be glossed over, since she used the ‘Attempted, Tried, Went for’ adjectives of uncertainty, which is the ‘If’ statements. This way, it’s up to the corresponding Author to then decide if her first action worked, and if the rest of her plan went smoothly or not. This makes sure the canon isn’t toyed with too heavily to lead to confusion, but also gives the player a chance to ‘Prepare’ for whatever the other Author’s new entry may have in mind for her.

Actions are defined as any movements, questions, or anything regarding another NPC or Author’s character being interacted with as well as the environment if it’s a Mastermind RP. In Co-op, both players have equal right over the plot, and in Secrets, many surprises lay in store that is hard to ask permissions for early on--but are only asked when the action is about to take place. For Randomized, all goes! There should be a ‘flowchart’ if you will when writing RP style:

I kicked off my shoes (Action, giving a physical thing that the other Author can use for a Reaction if they so choose to.) and laid them by the fire near Samantha. (Action that could be reacted to by the Author chara) “Hey, Sam.” I asked, not bothering to look at her while I sat down beside her, “Think we’ll ever get out of here?” (Action demanding Reaction, also note that this Author likes to use First Person. That’s totally fine! His past tense is helpful for the other Author but needn’t always be the case, so long as chronological order isn’t being too heavily affected by such writing styles.) YT (This Author’s Entry was rather short, and although he gave a lead-in statement with distinct actions, he could have lengthened his entry a bit with the excellent characterization Reactions of inner-thoughts, memories he’s contemplating, or even how he feels about things.)

Sam didn’t say anything at first, but then finally opened her mouth after a long sigh, “I don’t know, Frank. I honestly don’t know.” (Reaction “Sigh, hesitation, etc.” Followed by an Action in the form of an Answer.) Her mind wandered back to her farm fields before the alien invasion… and how her cows would graze while the Alpaca stood watch and the sheep and newborn lambs skipped along the pasters in play and relaxation. It was paradise. (Reaction in the form of Innerthoughts.) “Do you miss your wife and the way things were, Frank?” (Action) she poked at the fire (Further Action that the other Author could react to or physically see to React too. Since so much of this Author’s entry was in their character’s head, it’s good to leave these Actions that are ‘telling’ or ‘showing’ so the other Author has something to work with and respond accordingly to if they so wish. Now, this is still something the other Author doesn’t necessarily need to React to, but the fact that the Author left them with something to React to is common curtsey since they’ve been in their head this whole time.), knowing he was a junkie for these sort of thrills, but not sure how well he was taking it. Acting and playing scenarios in video games, theatre, or larping weren’t quite the same as actually living through an apocalypse. (This is all just fluff or Reaction stuff of her inner-thoughts again, she didn’t have to highlight in his color where she said ‘He’ but every Author has their own way of indicating things, so it’s just up to the group and individual writing styles. She also uses Third-Person to his First, that’s totally fine and fun!) YT (This Author’s Reactions were nice, and they gave a great lead-in too, but they could have lengthened it a bit by responding to things with Reactions directly given by Frank or creating more Actions for Frank to go off of if they wanted to.)

Overall, these two barely Reacted to each other. So here’s some added lines to show them giving more depth to their interaction in RP style format:

I noticed her poke the fire as though her mind was elsewhere, and frowned deeply as I had hoped to make her feel at ease now that we were tag-teaming this whole ‘survival’ thing. We used to be rivals… it was nice that we weren’t anymore.

“I’ll always miss Amanda.” I decided to state, “But she died before this whole fiasco even started.” I took out some shoe shiner and started on my worn shoes, just keeping my hands busy as I spoke with her. “You and I always fought at the market for the best grain, seeds, and hay, but… we never did get a talkin’, did we?”

I snorted at that, “She’s been gone, Sam, for about four years now.”

I wondered if that made Sam’s heart drop, or… if it somehow elated her to know I was single for so long.

Not that this whole trip hadn’t gotten us closer… but I... wouldn’t mind taking my mind off of things for a hot minute… I leaned back and put my arms behind my head, laying down to rest and take a deep breath in.

Trying to create a mood~

“You’re a spinster, aren’t ya?” I teased, lifting an eyebrow up to get her attention again as I worried I lost it for a second with the gloom mood. I crossed one leg over the other and let my sweaty socks dry by the fire’s flickering flames, hoping to also warm up my feet a bit. YT (Can you identify the differences? There’s far more Lead-ins and emotional Actions that Frank created for Sam’s chara to play off of. Not only that, but the possibilities of Sam’s Reactions and Actions to his words, movements, and playful banter as well as his emotional reveal can go many different ways. This is a good example of Reactions, Actions, and Responses to go off of.)

Sam eyed his laidback attitude, he had always been a loudmouth to her (See how she said ‘to her’? This is her opinion, and the Author of Frank may not see his characterization as that, but this clears up any misunderstanding by saying ‘It’s just how she views him’ to avoid that scenario but still give Sam’s honest inner-thoughts.) and constantly squabbling over anything she wanted at the market. It was almost like he was targeting her for some reason, (The ‘Almost’ is a ‘If’ statement, as though this is Sam guessing Frank’s motives, which still is respectful and mindful of the Author’s true view of their character Frank, but keeps the honesty of her own character’s impressions intake while not assuming Frank as a character either.) she couldn’t put her finger on where their rivalry first started anyway. “I’m… I’m so sorry, Frank.”

As he was momentarily shining his shoes, (The Author decided to React to Frank’s Author’s Action.) she noticed how it looked almost careful how he was applying it, (More ‘If’ statements because the Author didn’t mention how he was polishing his shoes, again, to preserve the character rights of the other Author’s vision.) but then quickly switched over as though ADHD, (‘As though’ is treated as a ‘If’ statement, Sam is guessing and interpreting this in her own unique way.) which she had always suspected was why he had such sporadic behavior. (More Reaction and insight into how Sam views Frank and their relationship over the years of knowing each other for so long. Just nice fluff to add pizazz.) At his last comment, she gasped at his rudeness and started to try and repeatedly hit his legs by her side in defiance, (More ‘If’ statements, and an obvious Lead-in Action for Frank’s Author to run with. The other Author will have to React to this Action from Sam!) “Watch. Your. Manners. Old man!” she said each part with a hit as best she could to his possible squirming, (More ‘If’s because the Author doesn’t know how Frank’s Author will react to this, so it’s all just guess work for now.) but also made sure to pivot and move her body mostly away as she turned to him, just in case he tried to retaliate. (A ‘Prepared Action’ in case Sam has to React to something Frank does in return. This is common in RP style, it’s just like a ‘Held Action’ in DND scenarios.) “I chose to not marry, for your information!” she huffed, “The man I wanted already got married, so there!” she stuck out her tongue and turned back to the fire with a fiery disposition of her own. YT

I immediately misinterpreted that to mean myself.

I couldn’t hide the expression on my face, I was completely implying the very thought I was thinking through it, smiling as I turned away and let out a--”Shuu-wee!” at her declaration of affections for me.

“All the way back then, you were butt-hurt, were ya? Explains a lot.” I sat up, rubbing my knees as I had flinched at each hit, but the woman couldn’t hurt a puppy when it was compared to one of them Aliens (This is his attempt at implying this is just how it feels--description wise--to Frank, as in, the Author is implying her hits did barely anything to Frank)… but I knew it heated up my legs for sure.

“Don’t be sorry now, I don’t mind you waiting on me.” I laughed, rubbing my knees before deciding to try and loop an arm around her, “Dance with me, Sam!” I really hoped she’d holler and try and fight me, but I was gonna get this woman up off her feet one way or another! YT (He’s lead into a direct Action, and now, the fight begins! This is an example more of a ‘play-fight’ scenario, but still has the basic rule sets as listed before in a ‘real fight’ moment.)

When he let out that exclamation, Sam’s face immediately grew heated with rage as she turned around and tried to whack him again, but he didn’t react to her swats and she realized they weren’t doing anything to him. She huffed at that, too, (Reaction and Action that confirmed the other Author’s replying Response. The Author of Sam is now aware that Frank didn’t really feel anything from her swatting, and her character isn’t too happy about it!) “Not you, you dolt!” she had meant Robert Tamming, but she knew he probably wouldn’t listen to her explanations now. He was too over the moon, it seemed, from his misunderstanding. (More ‘If’ statements)

She hated that expression on his face! And wanted to smack it off, but as she moved to try and whack his head and turn his face right-round like in a cartoon, he looped a hand around her waist (Confirming Response to his Action, it did work, unlike her whacks not really affecting him.) and she pushed back but with his arm already around her, it made her fall back. Would he fall with her? (A Reaction mixed with a Action, then a direct, obvious Lead-in Action for Frank’s Author to consider what she may be implying.) YT

Let the wrestling commence!

With my hand already around her waist, and her sudden lean in, I had such a firm grip around her that I shouted out, “Oh, boy! Timber!” and laughed as I fell forward with her immediate push to get away from me.

Supposing she’d kick or try to get me off, I grabbed her other side and tried to wrap both arms around her, hoping to get Sam pinned with tickles! YT (He didn’t really React to anything else she was doing, which is considered just a tad bit inconsiderate, but now he has started the fight sequence of events.)

Sam continued to hit in hopes it might actually at least bother him this time! She heard him cry out Timber and yelped as they crashed to the ground. (Reaction that showed his Action was heard and worked.)

His arm behind her seemed to plunge into her back and force it to arch, gritting her teeth in a hissy-fit. (More Reaction, his arm was already confirmed to have been around her, so this is her mostly Reacting to that, which he doesn’t have to respond to if he doesn’t want to, if he didn’t see her teeth tighten or hear the hissing of slight uncomfortable pain.) She had time to smack and kick, but more so, tried to wiggle out before feeling his grip tighten. (Reactions, then a clear Action that was blocked by his ‘Prepared Action’ statement which the Author shows stopped her escape.) Tsking out her muffled annoyance, she grabbed the iron rod she had used to poke the fire and tried to tickle the lingering warmth on his feet, fighting his own tickling, which she was used to squabbling with her eight brothers so her tolerance for tickle fights was far superior than anything he could possibly do! YT (Reactions to his ‘Prepared Action’ to show a new tactic which he’ll have to respond to as a Lead-In, something he can’t ignore. It also shows the Author is asking for some equilibrium, since they’ve been letting the other Author get away with a lot so far…)

So, she was stone, after all?

None of my tickling was working and suddenly, warm metal tapped at my toes and I was off her like a rearing horse.

I looked back and frowned, “Give me that, are you crazy, Sam!? That’s hot!” and tried to yank the iron off of her as I laughed and tried to roll us to our sides. My arms were off from under her but I still didn’t want to stop the play…

For a second, I stopped yanking on the iron rod and just looked her in the eyes… If I had rolled her to where she was behind the fire (The Author to Frank can’t assume he rolled her over, nor assume where their placement is if the other Author doesn’t agree. Since this seems to be Co-op RP, that means that they both have equal right over environment and plot, basically, what happens next. To this extent, these two have probably already talked about where the plot was going, and this is just another plot point they were making between these two. In a fight scene or any other scene, utilizing ‘If’ statements save a lot of time and keep the two Authors from having to go back and edit too frequently, meaning the RP’s story may never get completed and just--honestly--stop the fun of the moment or the thrill of the sequence they’re currently writing on.) then I would see the most beautiful effect of flickering red and yellow flames crackling behind a woman of pure amber hair and copper eyes… (Frank’s Author probably knows this from her Bio and Profile sheet, but if he didn’t know what Sam looked like, prior talk would be required before assuming her appearances.) probably angrily looking back at and wondering what I was doing by pausing so suddenly, (Another ‘If’ statement, just his Character making assumptions just as the other Author’s did as well.) but… just maybe… she might just stop and stare back at mine. YT (Another obvious lead-in to imply an action he wants too. Plus, letting the other Author get away with more to ensure equal dodges and hits. However, he forgot to put a ‘If not, then’ statement. Which means the ball is entirely in Sam’s Author’s field.)

This--too--would be considered a ‘Fight Formula’ for RP style writing!