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exoskeleton) wrote2017-06-21 12:39 pm
exoskeleton) wrote2017-06-21 12:39 pm
Thread Drive Generator
HI, is your thread dragging? Not sure what to reply with? Want some direction? Idk try this I guess.
Use a random number generator (or plurk dice) and roll with whatever number you get.
This is not a game with rules you have to follow so calm down if you don't like what you get, just roll again or pick and choose as you feel it is appropriate or interesting in your writing. Most of these can (and should) be implemented over many comments.
01: Talk about the environment, or have the setting impact your character in some way. Examples: weather, temperature, terrain, particular landmarks that remind them of things, smells, sounds, using a sunset as a metaphor for friendship, etc.
02: Reiterate the goal. Spend a little time writing about what your character wants out of the situation, and maybe how they intend to reach that goal. This might help drive the thread in general, especially in threads with no larger end-goal in mind.
03: Make it worse. Sometimes bad shit just happens. Throw in a complication, mental or physical. Examples: surprise enemy, a rude NPC, tripping and falling, something breaking, sudden headache, PROM IS TOMORROW. Alternatively, a character can worry about potential dangers ahead.
04: Consider the character's basic needs. Do they need to eat soon? Sleep? Are they sick, tired, hungry, crabby? Should they be doing anything to prepare to meet their needs later?
05: Reflect on a change. What did your character previously think, compared to how they view things now? Has their mind changed about the situation, the other character, or themselves? Highlight their personal growth or expanding cynicism.
06: Talk about the other character. Because honestly that's all we want out of RPing anyway, right? Take a hot minute to describe the other character from your character's point of view.
07: Create a time challenge. Find a reason for your character to do something before something else happens. Examples: winning a spontaneous race to the library, getting home before it rains, hiding before someone sees them turn into a horrible monster, getting out of a vehicle before it explodes.
08: Ruminate on a past mistake that haunts your character. Because everyone makes mistakes, and sometimes all you need to get a thread moving is a paragraph filled with regret about shit that maybe didn't go so well in the past.
09: Have your character move around, or go somewhere else. Pay attention to how your character is presenting themselves, posture, speaking style, etc., and write them moving around in the space. Alternatively, find a way to move your character into a new setting.
10: Find a way for your character to succeed at something. Whether it's helping another character, solving a puzzle, or trying to get over a personal flaw, lead them towards a victory. Alternatively, write about why they want to succeed.
11: Present a choice for your character. Give them two or more options to pick between, rather than a straightforward path. Hard mode: construct a choice where both characters in the thread are likely to discuss or even argue which choice is the correct one to make.
12: Now there is a cat. When all else fails, just throw a cute animal into the scene. I mean fuck it, we're all here to have fun, right??
Use a random number generator (or plurk dice) and roll with whatever number you get.
This is not a game with rules you have to follow so calm down if you don't like what you get, just roll again or pick and choose as you feel it is appropriate or interesting in your writing. Most of these can (and should) be implemented over many comments.
01: Talk about the environment, or have the setting impact your character in some way. Examples: weather, temperature, terrain, particular landmarks that remind them of things, smells, sounds, using a sunset as a metaphor for friendship, etc.
02: Reiterate the goal. Spend a little time writing about what your character wants out of the situation, and maybe how they intend to reach that goal. This might help drive the thread in general, especially in threads with no larger end-goal in mind.
03: Make it worse. Sometimes bad shit just happens. Throw in a complication, mental or physical. Examples: surprise enemy, a rude NPC, tripping and falling, something breaking, sudden headache, PROM IS TOMORROW. Alternatively, a character can worry about potential dangers ahead.
04: Consider the character's basic needs. Do they need to eat soon? Sleep? Are they sick, tired, hungry, crabby? Should they be doing anything to prepare to meet their needs later?
05: Reflect on a change. What did your character previously think, compared to how they view things now? Has their mind changed about the situation, the other character, or themselves? Highlight their personal growth or expanding cynicism.
06: Talk about the other character. Because honestly that's all we want out of RPing anyway, right? Take a hot minute to describe the other character from your character's point of view.
07: Create a time challenge. Find a reason for your character to do something before something else happens. Examples: winning a spontaneous race to the library, getting home before it rains, hiding before someone sees them turn into a horrible monster, getting out of a vehicle before it explodes.
08: Ruminate on a past mistake that haunts your character. Because everyone makes mistakes, and sometimes all you need to get a thread moving is a paragraph filled with regret about shit that maybe didn't go so well in the past.
09: Have your character move around, or go somewhere else. Pay attention to how your character is presenting themselves, posture, speaking style, etc., and write them moving around in the space. Alternatively, find a way to move your character into a new setting.
10: Find a way for your character to succeed at something. Whether it's helping another character, solving a puzzle, or trying to get over a personal flaw, lead them towards a victory. Alternatively, write about why they want to succeed.
11: Present a choice for your character. Give them two or more options to pick between, rather than a straightforward path. Hard mode: construct a choice where both characters in the thread are likely to discuss or even argue which choice is the correct one to make.
12: Now there is a cat. When all else fails, just throw a cute animal into the scene. I mean fuck it, we're all here to have fun, right??