Writing tips

[Harlekin]

So I figure we could use a thread like this. We're all here for different reasons, but no matter where you come from, which game you play or yadda yadda yadda, we all obviously like writing. Some of us are trying to make a job out of it, some other lucky folks already do. As it stands, I think we'd all like to progress and develop in our skills.

Ergo, we have the 'writing tips' thread, for all your questions and well... tips.

I'll start of: as you guys know, I play Captain Nazi, and Captain Nazi is one evil sonuva*****. What I tend to do frequently is write that he's smiling. I do it so often, either by writing 'Captain Nazi smiles' or 'says Captain Nazi, smiling', that it becomes grating, unpleasant to the eye. Thing is, I want people to know he's smiling while he does his stuff (raping, maiming, killing), because, y'know, evil sonuva*****.

How can I make this clear without repeating the word 'smile' every other sentence?

 

[MaskedManJRK]

My suggestion:

Use different synonyms for "smile." Maybe instead of "smile" you can put "grin" or "leer" or maybe have him laugh. People do more then just smile, you can use that to your advantage.

 

[Red]

Maybe don't say directly he's smiling, like "he said smugly" or something.

 

[MaskedManJRK]

Also, since it's encouraged to use pictures, perhaps you can find pictures of Nazi smiling and use that at some points?

 

[Batman]

I'm with JRK and X's suggestions. I had a similar problem as I played The Joker, and it was really distracting for me to read my posts back to myself because of it. To that end, I started using different words for smiling. Example:

"Let's see if you bleed, Battyboy.", The Joker sadistically grinned, as he attacked.

See? It still gets the point across, but I'm not saying "The Joker smiled" directly.

 

[Spike_x1]

There's also the option of writing "I like kittens!" laughed Captain Nazi. With the word "laughed," you imply that he's smiling as he does whatever the act is, without specifically saying that he's smiling.

 

[Byrd Man]

There's also the option of writing "I like kittens!" laughed Captain Nazi. With the word "laughed," you imply that he's smiling as he does whatever the act is, without specifically saying that he's smiling.

You make Captain Nazi sound like a tard in that post.....

Anyway, I'm not sure what I do wrong in my posts...so I throw myself at the mercy of the RPG Jury. Tell me how much I suck.

 

[Batman]

You suck thiiis much.

*holds out arms in demonstration*

 

[Spike_x1]

You make Captain Nazi sound like a tard in that post.....

Nazis aren't tards...?

 

[Batman]

He meant that you should have had him say "Ich mag Kätzchen!".

 

[Spike_x1]

I only know how to speak and type Canadian. Sue me.

 

[Byrd Man]

Go into an igloo, watch John Candy movies while you chug maple syrup!

 

[SonnyBlack]

Three quick tips
1. Write the story you want to read.
2. Write about issues that mean something to you.
3. If you get stuck reread what you've written already.

 

[Green Lantern]

I only know how to speak and type Canadian. Sue me.

My lawyer's been called.

 

[Byrd Man]

Three quick tips
1. Write the story you want to read.
2. Write about issues that mean something to you.
3. If you get stuck reread what you've written already.

Wow...you sound like my 3rd grade English teacher...

 

[SonnyBlack]

Wow...you sound like my 3rd grade English teacher...

Hopefully that was back when teachers were still allowed to hit the students with rulers.

 

[Byrd Man]

Hopefully that was back when teachers were still allowed to hit the students with rulers.

We we're only hit when the teacher liked us...but they looked more like Bigfoot than these hot teachers you see today.

 

[SonnyBlack]

We we're only hit when the teacher liked us...but they looked more like Bigfoot than these hot teachers you see today.

That is why role playing was invented.

 

[Spike_x1]

We we're only hit when the teacher liked us...but they looked more like Bigfoot than these hot teachers you see today.

Spike's writing tip #1: Know when to use apostrophes and when not to.

 

[Byrd Man]

Spike's writing tip #1: Know when to use apostrophes and when not to.

I hope you rot in hell.

 

[Batman]

Spike's writing tip #1: Know when to use apostrophes and when not to.

Writing tips from the 'tard Nazi?

 

[trustyside-kick]

Haha this is funny...because I happen to have found myself with a similar issue with the only villain I currently play: Despero. I've used "smile with glee" so much that it gets to me every now and then too.

 

[Spike_x1]

Writing tips from the 'tard Nazi?

I'm a Nazi now?
Oh, MB, you silly goose.

 

[Blacklight]

I'm a Nazi now?
Oh, MB, you silly goose.

At this point, it's safe to say that almost everyone's been called a nazi around here.

 

[Harlekin]

Thanks, guys, those were some helpful suggestions.

Byrd, it'd help if you were more specific about what you don't like about your posts.