<sub>I'm thinking of getting a friend into RPing. But she was having trouble just navigating the board. I was wondering if anyone had ideas for how I could convey the following things to her in a tutorial-type sheet, that way it would be ten times easier for the both of us, and she could at least try it.

Registering. She may need to know how to pick a character name, but she won't know that until she knows what the site is about. So.
Reading the Rules and Plot. Would you direct link them? Say "read this" and then "now read this" and then answer any questions they have? Explain that all sites are different with plot, setting, and rules?
Making the Application. That may be an easy aspect of the whole ordeal.
Making the Plot Page. Offer your own plot? Other pre-made plots from sites that offer a plot for anyone to use? Make them a plot?
Posting With Other Characters. This may be something that's easy to explain, but hard to get them to do, seeing as they wouldn't know other members very well.
Writing "Decent" Posts. Self-explanitory?

Any other suggestions? Any answers to my questions? Anybody that's willing to make it a Documentation? lol. I kind of need it whenever possible, but very soon, if anyone's willing.

Thanks.

<3</sub>

OK. I've tried getting people to start roleplaying.... and often it is WAYY harder than you think it should be. To me, finding the register button is sooo simple. However, to my friends, it's a completely different story. Normally, I directly link to the things they NEED to read. The things they post to/reply to, I explain to them. "Scroll down. Then Click the Blue button that says Add Reply."

As far as a member name... let them register with anything they want to if the administrator allows "PM an admin ASAP if you didn't register with *insert here*". That gives them the chance to use the PMing system and for them to get in contact with the admin. Also gives them more time to figure a character out.

The application is often difficult to explain. Based on previous experience, I always sit there with them (Normally on IM) and answer all of the questions they have and go through it with them.

For plottage: refer them to every other member's plots.

And for posting... just roleplay with them a little bit yourself. Once they get comfortable with you, encourage them to roleplay with others.


Help any??

Helped A LOT. Thank you so much. I've tried before, and they all end up giving up. I think it's because it seems like too much work, and I don't explain things very thoroughly.

But I think I can do it now. Thank you. :)

<3

Well you can direct link them to the plot and rules. But since they never joined a forum before/RPG before, they would still not understand completly what it's about. You should try to explain first what a plot is and what it does on an RPG, what is it's purpose and how is it used. Explain why there are certain rules and guidelines on your forum, but also mention basically every RPG has those rules and guidelines.

Writing "Decent" Posts. Self-explanitory?

No, that is not self-explanitory when you never Rp'ed before. At leats not in my opinion. Try to place yourself in that person who tries to understand the do's and dont's of the RP. If you throw them in the deep and say 'write decent posts', they won't have a clue what you are meaning. What do you mean by decent posts? Is that proper grammar and spelling, using paragraphs, describing things and not only interacting/communicating with other's in the RP thread? There are some handy documentations around RPG-D which could even help beginning RP'ers. And can make them understand what it means to write 'decent' posts.

What I think was a good suggestion too, is then eventually after the application has been filled. You yourself go do a RP thread with the new person, go on MSn or something, and while Rp'ing and replying to each ohter, talk about it in MSN. Point out things you find very good, things that should be improved, give tips and hints while playing out the thread, that should work really well imo.

Hope these suggestions help ;).

What I meant was that it was self-explanatory to the members offering help as to what I was asking for help on. But it really is hard to describe to someone what a decent post is. It's become some sort of "unwritten code" for avid, long-time rpers of what that is.

As far as decent posts go, I would include some of the following:

godmoding / powerplaying (how to avoid it)
grammar, spelling, etc.
dialogue & IC reactions (putting yourself in your character's shoes)
post length (quality vs. quantity)

And like ShinLi said, have your friend check out the documentations.