As a mod on an RP site, how do I courteously handle annoying players?
◥		Anonymous

Private message them after discussing it with other staff members to see how they feel. Others who may think they’re being funny, or outgoing, really have no idea how they come across unless something that bothers you is communicated to them. Just remember to be polite and semi-professional, because it can turn them off if you’re rude or immature about it.

Hi there! So I joined an RP a few weeks ago and I already got tied up in a ship (and it's a nice ship, but I'm not super obsessed with it or anything), but frankly, I'm not very fond of the whole RP in general and some of the people there... well, they're not very fond of me either. I want to quit so I can focus on my other RP (I have four charries in that and love it immensely). What should I do, and if I should quit, what's the best way without hurting anyone's feelings?
◥		fiftyshades-ofpink

Quitting is up to you, if it’s not fun - what’s the point? Roleplaying is suppose to be fun, and relaxing. If you do want to quit, don’t just leave. If they have an absence board, or character moderation thread of sorts, post in both. Let them know you’re leaving, and that for you it just wasn’t a fit. Leaving on a good note is better than just dropping it. If you ever wanted to return, leaving on a good note will allow you to do so.

Hey! I have this question concerning people I RP with. A few of them always make fun of the other characters (like 2 of them with 4 characters they mock). They always criticize, but never look at themselves. Its like we can never please them.... Oh and both are admins. How would you go and handle this?
◥		Anonymous

honestly, if you feel comfortable telling them directly about it, do so. explain that no one’s perfect and highlight the merits of those characters. don’t use attacking language and criticise their behaviour, just try to show them how such might not be fostering a good environment for the members and how it’s not very nice. if you’re not so comfortable doing it yourself, you can either post it anonymously through a guest account (if it’s on a hosted site, but just know that admins can find ip addresses) and like it back to you, or i believe you can approach the staff of caution for help.

we rarely recommend breaking ties with a site because of difficulties but if you feel that the attitude of the admins is something you cannot stand for, it may just be a better option for you to find somewhere else to role-play. there is a great diversity of role-plays out there and many lovely people, that kind of horribleness just shouldn’t be put up with really.

— rita

Hey! Is there any advice you can give me. I'm starting an RP, i already have people who wanna be in it ect, so that's all good. But how do you keep structure? Do I, as the admin, put up like prompts or "events" and stuff to get people started with writing?
◥		kindleslight

Hi. Yeah, that’s pretty much what you need to do as an admin. Basically you bring the canvas for everyone else to paint, or rather write on. The first way you do it is by providing the plot or setting for the rp. Then you’d let things grow a little by encouraging members to get involved with each other, promoting plots between characters, and getting yourself as widely involved as possible. Then to keep interest up or change things up a bit you’d have an event. One of the advantages of events is that it provides a place where characters who might not otherwise have met before would get a chance to do so.

hopefully you get the chance to go ahead and start this rp. if you have any more questions, feel free to ask again.

— rita

I really want to make a rpg group with all the characters and stuff but I dont know how please help?
◥		rad-dynamite

when you say rp group do you mean one on tumblr or one hosted on another site like invisionfree, proboards, or jcink?

my best advice is to look at how other people do it, read the answers we’ve provided for other people here on this site, and go about putting together the rp you want. a great way to learn is through replication and actually going ahead and doing it. just remember that there is a very fine line between learning from how other people do things and stealing their work. you don’t want to get yourself into the messiness that follows when you’re found using something that is not your own work.

if you have any further questions feel free to ask.

— rita.

I just recently make an RP blog with my friend and it's our very first time. I don't know what I'm doing, if I'm doing it right or wrong, where I can improve and how to get people to apply. I'm a lost cause here! >.< Plus since it was supposed to be a story, we never really focus on characters aside from the main ones so we don't know-I don't know. Pfft I rambling. If it's not such a bother, would you come and help us out please? Thank you in advance.
◥		operationnonpareille-deactivate

when you’re new to rp it can be a bit daunting and hard to find your way around. often it can be even rougher being in charge of a rp and it’s not something that everyone can do. i know that i, myself, prefer to just simply be a member unless i feel that i’m a part of a well oiled machine of an admin team. again i will say that there are few ways to do anything wrong on rp. it’s all a learning curve and working out what works for you and the people you write with.

what i can say from what you’ve written is: don’t focus so much on making the story. you’re only meant to set a basic outline for people to add their own ideas into it. if you make it too rigid and create the nuances of characters for people they’re less likely to want to take them on board. managing a role-play is about cultivating the creativity of your members and encouraging them more then anything else.

if you’d like to ask more precise questions about certain things feel most free to. you can also contact me directly on my own blog if you’d like private answers. however, i will put a disclaimer out that i have not and do not roleplay on tumblr so my knowledge on the exact way things work may not be too relevant.

— rita

Okay, so I joined a new RP about a week ago, and nobody's talking to me. It;s like they all have ships they're trying to get going and I don't, or they have little cliques that I can't break into. I've tried greeting new people, posting more often, and everything! Nothing seems to work. I'm at the point where if they don't start including me, I just might quit.
◥		Anonymous

I’m really sorry that’s happening! I know that it seems like some sites have an unbreakable clique, but no one can deny that it’s easier, and more comfortable to talk to someone or plot with someone you’ve seen around or know better than someone who just joined. However, if they’re completely ignoring you that’s not right and I would suggest leaving the site. But before you do, reach out to other shippers that look like they haven’t been posted in, make an open thread, maybe reach out to someone via PM and ask for their MSN/AIM, etc to just chat with them, get to know them. But really, if you don’t feel comfortable, it may not be a site for you. I don’t think anyone intentionally alienates anyone, unless they’re purposefully being mean to you.

- Kay

Hey! So I started an RPG, and I've advertised and everything, but NOBODY is even looking at it. I tag all my posts, and I put up a ton of characters to apply for, and I made it clear that original characters are welcomed. I think my plot's pretty good, so what can I do to get more people interested?
◥		Anonymous

Get your friends to help out! If you have MSN, put the link in your personal status/text. If you are on Caution, A thousand Fireflies, etc. Put up ads there if you haven’t, post in some threads and provide a link to your site in your signature if the forum allows for you to do so to advertise. Also evaluate things like your skin, your graphics. It seems ridiculous, but it’s pretty known that people don’t like staring at a site they don’t find aesthetically pleasing. Maybe put your anon on tumblr, and then asks people to give you honest opinions, but those that are helpful and not just blatant bad-mouthing or nit-picking. You might find that people can be helpful that way. Good luck!

- Kay

So I joined this rp not too long ago and I really like it. But it's a reboot and a lot of the authors already know each other. They tend to stick together and talk only amongst themselves... I'm think I might quit it, but I also don't want to because I love my characters and the plot of the rp. Help?
◥		Anonymous

I understand it can sometimes be tough breaking through the mould especially when there seems to already be an established group on a great site. But it would be such a shame is you were to leave because you felt a little on the outs. Keep in mind that not all the rpers may have known each other before this site launched and there are probably more people on the site feeling the same when they watch the group of people that seem to know each other really well. I must admit that sometimes seeing groups of people talk and plot and get excited over what’s going on may seem a touch intimidating but at the same time I can assure you that they aren’t elitist brats that won’t talk to you. They’re lovely people who just haven’t had the chance to meet you yet and it can be worth it just putting yourself out there. Say hello and get involved in cbox conversations, reply to other people’s shipper posts, come up with fun and interesting plots with as many people as you can, set up open threads or instant messenger threads. Like many things it’s a numbers game: the more you post, the more likely you are to be active and have numerous rp partners and although it may take some time you’ll find a way to get to know everyone else.

-rita

If someone who has a history of being a 'problem member' with a reputation for unintentionally causing drama wants to join a new site where a lot of the staff and members are people they've had problems with in the past, should you, as an admin, let them? I feel bad because it was two years ago and she didn't do it on purpose, but I think she probably hasn't changed and I don't really want to go through the stress of dealing with it all again.
◥		Anonymous

Hey there!

Wow, what a tricky situation. In reading this, my first instinct is that I feel like you should give her another chance if it happened so long ago. Two years is a pretty long time in the roleplaying world and while you think that she might not have changed, she might surprise you completely! If you do choose to let her join, you could send her a PM or a message stating your concerns and just telling her that you want to keep things as drama free and fun as possible! But people do change, it’s just about whether you feel comfortable letting them have another chance and if you do, whether or not you want to sort of set ground rules from the start, which could really help.

- Kayla