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Member Services => The Infosphere => Ask the Infosphere => Topic started by: nopinky on October 18, 2011, 05:31:56 PM

Title: How much should I control the plot?
Post by: nopinky on October 18, 2011, 05:31:56 PM
I'm trying to find a good balance between keeping the plot flowing smoothy with me in control and allowing the other people to introduce some storyline elements. I don't want people plotjacking, but I also don't want to be a supreme dictator. What's your experience?
Title: Re: How much should I control the plot?
Post by: Jenson on October 18, 2011, 05:52:37 PM
This is a good question and a difficult one to answer. I think you find the right balance after practice--it's very hard to teach.

I would say, generally, you should be open as a plot leader to changing where your plot flows a bit to incorporate ideas that have popped up from the crew's interaction, but at the same time, you shouldn't generally change your entire plot to reflect where the crew wishes to go. Although the CO is the plot leader, that doesn't mean that others can't contribute to the plot.

As I mentioned in the video on COing, I highly recommend calling conferences in your RP so that people are aware of where your plot is generally going, and to give them specific assignments. Then, they are pretty much on the same page as you, have an assigned task, and know where you are heading to the plot so they should be making additions which enhance your plot, and do not detract from it.
Title: Re: How much should I control the plot?
Post by: Klaw on October 18, 2011, 06:53:17 PM
Have you ever watched a weather report about a Big Hurricane about to make Landfall? You know how they create this large cone that spreads out across like a 1000+ mile radius and call that a predicted path..... that's how your plot should be.

Sit down and decipher a predicted direction you want it to go, making it broad to allow for the wind and changing Jetstreams (Crewmembers who have ideas) to alter the direction depending on their strength. But don't hesitate to stomp something down that goes somewhere in the opposite direction, if you can't get a feel of where your story is gonna go, imagine how the rest of us will feel....

most importantly, make sure that your crew is having fun in a structured well thought out story.
Title: Re: How much should I control the plot?
Post by: Paenitet on October 19, 2011, 10:37:07 AM
Well I remember when I done my Star Trek: Recovery Mission rp. Jenson was there and at the end of it he pmed to let me know that it was too one character based and I should let the other characters figure stuff out. I agree. When I wrote Recovery Mission it was more like a TV script than an rp. I got every detail, everythign that happened. I have learnt from my mistakes. :)

The way I see it (now I would be grateful that, if I was wrong, you could tell me Jenson or someone) is that you do a Beggening, Middle and an end. And as long as you've got those parts of the rp in the plot it should go smoothly and fine. :)