I think it's impossible not to RP something that someone will perceive as being cliché for one reason or another.  Most things have been done somewhere along the lines, in some capacity or another, and there is very little that is truly, truly original.  Even if that is the RPers intent, there is probably some story, novel, video game, TV show, movie, or whatever else that has taken a look at the very same concepts but using different characters, settings, etc.  I know that's kind of a cynical approach to this to start, but please don't write me off yet.
I think the most convincing RPers are the ones who make use of a few of these potentially cliché elements to weave together an interesting story.  And I think the Mary Sue types are the ones who grab pretty much everything they've ever seen that they think is interesting and mush it all together into their character.
I think a truly interesting character is one who has depth, offers interesting conversation (or some compelling reason why he's not a conversationalist), comes with some sort of backstory to explain how he came to be the way he is today, and reacts appropriately (for the character) and realistically to RP situations. Â These reactions should also be consistent or if they're not, there should be some specific reason why. Â This realistic character should also come with varying strengths and weaknesses, and even if a proverbial "jack of all trades" - should have at least a few things that he's simply never experienced before, though doesn't necessarily need to admit to that if it's not in his nature.
There is beauty in imperfection and I like that a lot of RPers I've met in this community are able to recognize that. Â
I think the most convincing RPers are the ones who make use of a few of these potentially cliché elements to weave together an interesting story.  And I think the Mary Sue types are the ones who grab pretty much everything they've ever seen that they think is interesting and mush it all together into their character.
I think a truly interesting character is one who has depth, offers interesting conversation (or some compelling reason why he's not a conversationalist), comes with some sort of backstory to explain how he came to be the way he is today, and reacts appropriately (for the character) and realistically to RP situations. Â These reactions should also be consistent or if they're not, there should be some specific reason why. Â This realistic character should also come with varying strengths and weaknesses, and even if a proverbial "jack of all trades" - should have at least a few things that he's simply never experienced before, though doesn't necessarily need to admit to that if it's not in his nature.
There is beauty in imperfection and I like that a lot of RPers I've met in this community are able to recognize that. Â
"One of the deep secrets of life is that all that is really worth doing is what we do for others." Â ~ Lewis Carol
Eva's Journals  |  Eva's Wiki Page (coming soon)  |  RP Handbook
Eva's Journals  |  Eva's Wiki Page (coming soon)  |  RP Handbook
