Going OOC
The very best RP happens spontaneously and dynamically.  None of the players saw this coming and it’s AMAZING!  That being said, not every session will be the best and sometimes complicated stories need planning.  Remember when you plan a story not everyone needs to be involved.  Bring in key players for planning sessions and let everyone else participate without knowing where the story is headed.
In general, it’s a good idea to communicate with the other players if the situation is turning violent.  People may not be comfortable with their characters getting hurt, and serious injuries like scars, broken bones, concussions, comas, magical maladies, sicknesses, or what-have-you really need to be discussed before they’re brought into play.  Conversely, maybe you’re looking for someone to do some violence to you.  Maybe your whole character concept is a young hot-shot who has never lost a fight, but you’re ready for him to learn humility.  You can go around picking fights, but if you want to lose in a particular way you’re probably going to need an OOC partnership with another player.
Other times, you may be having trouble moving a story forward because the situation is stagnant.  Everyone is spinning their wheels, and it feels like no one wants to take control of the situation and move forward.  In these cases your fellow players may have ideas about moving the story forward, but they’re unwilling to derail your train.  OOC communication can let other players know you want them to grab the reins, or if you want the story to proceed in a particular way you can tell your friends and get them to help out. Â
Finally, there may come a time when writer’s block rears its ugly head and you can’t think of any new story ideas.  In this case, OOC communication is a great way to brainstorm and get fresh inspiration from your fellow players.  People who RP love to talk about stories, so don’t be afraid to reach out.
Really awesome RP is spontaneous, but many times we need to coordinate in order to move a story forward. Â Just remember not EVERYONE involved has to know. Â Let the few people that really need to know talk it over OOC, then proceed with the story for everyone else. Â Your friends will be happily surprised.
The very best RP happens spontaneously and dynamically.  None of the players saw this coming and it’s AMAZING!  That being said, not every session will be the best and sometimes complicated stories need planning.  Remember when you plan a story not everyone needs to be involved.  Bring in key players for planning sessions and let everyone else participate without knowing where the story is headed.
In general, it’s a good idea to communicate with the other players if the situation is turning violent.  People may not be comfortable with their characters getting hurt, and serious injuries like scars, broken bones, concussions, comas, magical maladies, sicknesses, or what-have-you really need to be discussed before they’re brought into play.  Conversely, maybe you’re looking for someone to do some violence to you.  Maybe your whole character concept is a young hot-shot who has never lost a fight, but you’re ready for him to learn humility.  You can go around picking fights, but if you want to lose in a particular way you’re probably going to need an OOC partnership with another player.
Other times, you may be having trouble moving a story forward because the situation is stagnant.  Everyone is spinning their wheels, and it feels like no one wants to take control of the situation and move forward.  In these cases your fellow players may have ideas about moving the story forward, but they’re unwilling to derail your train.  OOC communication can let other players know you want them to grab the reins, or if you want the story to proceed in a particular way you can tell your friends and get them to help out. Â
Finally, there may come a time when writer’s block rears its ugly head and you can’t think of any new story ideas.  In this case, OOC communication is a great way to brainstorm and get fresh inspiration from your fellow players.  People who RP love to talk about stories, so don’t be afraid to reach out.
Really awesome RP is spontaneous, but many times we need to coordinate in order to move a story forward. Â Just remember not EVERYONE involved has to know. Â Let the few people that really need to know talk it over OOC, then proceed with the story for everyone else. Â Your friends will be happily surprised.
