1.) What’s the best way to get and keep everyone involved, so the plot doesn’t end up solely gravitating around one individual / group?
First of all, knowing what your group likes or might like to try would be key. And to keep people involved? Break up branches. Think FF6 where everyone splits up for awhile and makes new friends!
2.) What sort of pitfalls or common / easy mistakes would you guys warn against falling into?
Common pitfalls is thinking that everyone wants one thing. Communication is key.
3.) Conversely, what are the things that may not be obvious, but I should be doing anyway?
Communication to the point it might seem annoying to your folks. See what they want, see what they could add, pool their writing abilities OOCly.
4.) Any other tips, tricks, suggestions, warnings…?
Communicateeeeee!
Know your audience. If your group is pretty happy with short but consistent stuff, but you want to lay on some major mechanics change, you should bring it up with them.
Some groups are all about constant and big moving plots while other FCs are a tad looser or prefer closer-knit things. It's the nature of large and small RP circles.
It's inevitable every few months I get a sense of dread that my folks aren't happy since we really don't do massive overarching FC plots but rather all have our own things going on and weave in and out and also have some group things in the form of jobs or gatherings nearly weekly. Then again, most of my ilk have been spurned in the past of not making "REQUIRED GAME EVENTS" and such, which, again, might appease some folks especially those in college or on break. Adult life is a tad more difficult!
TL;DR -- Communicate until you become the next AT&T and then communicate more.
First of all, knowing what your group likes or might like to try would be key. And to keep people involved? Break up branches. Think FF6 where everyone splits up for awhile and makes new friends!
2.) What sort of pitfalls or common / easy mistakes would you guys warn against falling into?
Common pitfalls is thinking that everyone wants one thing. Communication is key.
3.) Conversely, what are the things that may not be obvious, but I should be doing anyway?
Communication to the point it might seem annoying to your folks. See what they want, see what they could add, pool their writing abilities OOCly.
4.) Any other tips, tricks, suggestions, warnings…?
Communicateeeeee!
Know your audience. If your group is pretty happy with short but consistent stuff, but you want to lay on some major mechanics change, you should bring it up with them.
Some groups are all about constant and big moving plots while other FCs are a tad looser or prefer closer-knit things. It's the nature of large and small RP circles.
It's inevitable every few months I get a sense of dread that my folks aren't happy since we really don't do massive overarching FC plots but rather all have our own things going on and weave in and out and also have some group things in the form of jobs or gatherings nearly weekly. Then again, most of my ilk have been spurned in the past of not making "REQUIRED GAME EVENTS" and such, which, again, might appease some folks especially those in college or on break. Adult life is a tad more difficult!
TL;DR -- Communicate until you become the next AT&T and then communicate more.
