(08-20-2014, 10:17 AM)Berrod Armstrong Wrote: Personally, the way I plot is to first decide who I want to entertain, and for how long.
I've run a few plots in the MMOs that I've played (usually guild stuff) and the reviews have been fairly okay.Â
I look at my 'target audience'. Friends? FC mates? People who frequent a certain area? And wonder 'what can I do to keep all these people in a heightened state of entertainment for X amount of time?'. From there I chat with a few of them, find out their interests, then begin to craft something that will give each of their characters a time to shine.
Once I've decided what I want, I go with the ending first. I'm a sucker for bittersweet stuff and pulling heartstrings is my favorite pastime. Occasionally I employ the truly happy ending. If people want tragedy and loss to affect their characters, I tend to go with that instead!
With the ending in mind, it becomes a map of how to get there -- and it's not a single road, either. There are so many variables that can lead things ALL OVER THE PLACE, even away from the original ending that you planned! There MUST be an ending, though.Â
Communicate! Of course you can't share everything with everyone,that'd spoil it! But look at your audience, decide who needs to know what and work with -each- of them to help make sure things go smoothly. If you're employing PCs instead of NPCs for plot stuff, make sure communication is CONSTANT. And bake them e-cookies, yes.
Also, don't be afraid to let other characters help you carry the plot. Once of the most rewarding things while running a plot is sitting back and watching your captive group just -take- things forward without you having to lift a finger. It can't go on that way all the time, you'll need to nudge and insert your direction when necessary -- but man, it's a sweet deal!
There's a whole bunch of other stuff involved, but I'm lazy and I'll stop here for now. I'll probably poke you sometime to talk more!
/pants heavily
how do you people type so much without dying
That's amazing, Berrod. I tend to look at personalizing aspects of storylines as "fluff" for the overarching theme. ( I -did- mention that I have a wide scope of view a moment ago.
 ) I do agree that it's highly rewarding to see your troupe or group of friends just run away with the story. Entertaining, especially. That might be deep water for Hornet to start swimming in though.Regardless, this is sound advice for any aspiring teller of tales. Great post! Now breathe, don't die on us.
What a colossal waste of time and energy.
