Getting over newbie nerves

[Bobby Worthing]

I'm not sure whether this should be here or WESTSIDE BOIIIII so if I got it wrong, my apologies, it seemed like it could fit in either to be honest.
Just wondering, were any of you guys nervous when you first started posting here? I mean, I am. I'm new to RPing and have never really done something like this before, so I'm constantly worried when I post that I'll be treading on toes or messing up or just not putting out posts of sufficiently good quality. Just wondering who else felt like that in the past and how they got over it.

[Harlan Higgs]

Oh yeah. I was a bit intimidated when I first started posting. Buuuut I picked a faction quest and just kind of went nuts with it.

[Ezrihel]

To be honest, I wasn't. I'm always wary of joining a new community to some extent, but I don't consider it nervousness, I'm just cautious and slow to warm up to new things. I kinda just... Forcefully loved people in a way and that seems to have worked, ha. But- I completely understand how you feel, just don't worry. In time you'll slide right down into the seat we've always had reserved for you and you'll get along relatively well with this great big OV family.

[Sylvan Ravenhead]

Hm... Love your character, read a lot, play through the scene/ scenario you wish to describe in your head not twice, not thrice, but a LOT of times, then write from the deepest pit of your heart(s) and never. EVER. reread what you have wrote more then half a year ago I think those would be general advice to anyone.
As for my personal experience... I have been in this business for more then 5 years, with long periods of inactivity, and while the concept/ background of my previous character (yes, one character through all this time ) changed several times, he was always an extension of myself at the time. I tried to create several other characters to play with, but got real bored of them too fast. So I stick to something that is more or less represents my inner being, rather than some fragment of my imagination. Love the character. You cant hate yourself, can ya?
On the more serious note, I actually spent almost two months writing nearly daily on different subjects, preparing for my uni entrance exams. That helped a whole fkn lot. Like... before I could hardly express myself literally in writing, despite having read a ton of books by that time, and after, frpg'ing was easy. Though the understanding of your coplayers and learning to tone down your own awesomeness within the story is still something that comes with time and experience. Probably.
And I am still nervous every time I open up a forum to see a reply from a game companion. What if I fckn messed up and he was not happy (to put it mildly), despite me being perfectly fine with my own posts. I guess you never cease to be nervous about this things when not soloing it.
On the end note, I prefer writing while listening to something good. Like true high quality metal good. That also helps to produce nice posts, bringing inspiration from the lyrics and "visions" from the music. Something along those lines.

[Jade Harley]

I was SUPER nervous and didn't talk in the chatbox for, like, two months after joining. Making friends OOC really helped me to come out of my shell and start writing with other people, because until I started reaching out in the cbox I was kinda on my lonesome in the Fields, throwing posts out into the ether like a lonely, sad maniac. Writing with other people is A++ grade, 10/10 a good decision, and improves output 100%!

Just ask questions if you're worried you might tread on some toes. Just say, "Hey, is it alright if I write your character? Would they say this in this situation? What would they do, man?" That's kind of the fun of it, although some people just don't want other people writing their characters. It never hurts to ask.

And try not to worry about post quality. Just keep writing; you're guaranteed to improve the more you write. Lemme tell you, I was terrible starting out. I'd like to think I'm pretty alright, now, but my first posts were cringeworthy by comparison. Just write!

[Tearen Wover]

There is very very little you can do that will permanently draw the ire of either your fellow writers or the staff. Just focus on having fun and you'll do fine.

That's what worked for me, at least.

[Alex]

Find a partner.

I haven't had newbie nerves in 12 years <_< , but I remember that the #1 thing that really helped me develop my first two characters and get the ball rolling here in the OV was having partners to write with to push me forward. Roleplaying with Nanoha/Samus and Atelos really helped me to understand and figure out the direction I wanted to take Proto Man and Shang Tsung. Without that partnership, I can 100% guarantee you that they would be totally different characters (and who knows what their fates would have been).

[The Vision]

Adding to what Tearen said, here's a sample of a convo between me and Goku (who also plays Lord Dominator) on Skype. I made a mistake, stepping on Goku's toe. This is possibly the harshest thing anyone has seriously said to me on this website.

Goku: The only question I have is why Goku would have called Vision weak? xD
Vision: Because he's a robot and I dunno seems like Goku would do that
Goku: Eeeh, not so much as a rule! He doesn't tend to call people out on being weak even when they are. But! He's been through a lot, it's cool.
Vision: Alright I see. Eh I also wanted it to be like a "oh nvm he's strong" moment later
Goku: thumbsup

This was maybe the harshest thing someone said to me on this website. "He wouldn't normally say that but I think we can make it work." I have been here for three years, I think, and that is by far the harshest thing someone from the Omniverse said to me.

My point is we're all nice here. Just crack some jokes in the cbox. Maybe post a story request or something. Sign up for one of the five thousand interest checks out there. Put yourself out there! We don't bite.

[Gildarts]

I STILL get nervous writing with new people and or people I hold to a high regard, but overcoming that every time is always worth it to me (Yes, I punned). The nerves go away whenever I face them so I've gotten in the habit of doing it and it made me stronger as a person (I am quite shy).

#real life character building

100% find a partner that suits your timeframe and writing style, as well as character style, it's hard to know what you want your character to do at the very beginning, but when you've got a friend you start saying "hey wouldn't it be cool if..." and then the ideas just start BOUNCING.

You do something unique, go on quests, meet MORE new friends and eventually.

You could find that you're a monk and your new best friend is a robot and you go off to chase down this bounty of this really scary guy and actually win!

^.^ you'll do great, good luck.

[Trixie]

Find a partner.

I haven't had newbie nerves in 12 years <_< , but I remember that the #1 thing that really helped me develop my first two characters and get the ball rolling here in the OV was having partners to write with to push me forward.  Roleplaying with Nanoha/Samus and Atelos really helped me to understand and figure out the direction I wanted to take Proto Man and Shang Tsung.  Without that partnership, I can 100% guarantee you that they would be totally different characters (and who knows what their fates would have been).

This is me as well.

[Deadpool]

The best advice I could give you is that you should jump into any/all site events.

Site events/sagas (like Dante's Abyss) are really good platforms to read others' work, have your work read, and also create some cool and interesting character relationships with other members.

The reason I say events over just the simple 'find a partner' answer is because as a new writer, I know how intimidating it can be to try and write with another person when both of you have your own story ideas--awkwardly asking around of offering to write with others, always with rejection clawing at your mind.

Events usually gives characters a common goal or purpose, which makes it much easier to interact without the worries of getting involved into an arc you're uncertain of.



Maybe you can try the secondary saga? While you wouldn't be playing as your Prime, it could potentially be a good way to get your feet wet, and acclimate yourself with some of the other members, OOC wise.

[Bobby Worthing]

Thanks for the advice peeps and peepettes I've got a little thing planned in Camelot, then I'll put this stuff into practice ^_^