Nemaisare

OOC Gender Restrictions

Since I joined in in the status bar, I figure I'll add my two cents to the thread, too. While breasting boobily along, because ahahaha, I'm still laughing at that. *coughs* Sorry, totally serious here. My two cents are really not worth much.

I've only ever seen this popping up in the 1x1s and have heard about it happening during a D&D campaign start, but usually I don't wind up writing with those people because, following their rules, I can't or I don't like their plots. I've been a bit disappointed on occasion, but I never really thought much on the subject because there's lots more fish in the sea. But reading all the posts and arguments, I have to agree that, generally speaking, it's not the best way to make a good impression or gain the best results. As Sierra said though, it's their choice, and it has some consequences. Like most choices.

Most of the time, I'd say it's silly and not at all openminded, however, I have heard instances of trouble with other writers who couldn't separate themselves from their characters and became horribly possessive and stalkerish of their partner and their partner's character whether their partner wanted them to be or not. I've also heard of spouses and significant others having a hissy fit about their loved one writing romances with people of the opposite or same gender. In these instances, I could understand why someone might try to limit their interactions, and why they might be upset about someone lying to them. Even if they've been having a blast prior to learning the gender of their partner.

Granted, the first would be generalizing from one or two (maybe more, I dunno, though I'd say go whoever's persevering) bad experiences, but those can severely ruin any chance of fun someone might have had and they could be hoping to avoid that in the future. And the second is probably suggestive of a need to get out of that relationship (or communicate a whole lot more), but that's not an easy thing to do.

Those are the two instances I can think of where I would say yes, okay, fair enough. But I'm certainly not going to ask them to justify their choice if those are reasons I think are valid. I'll simply hope they have better luck and eventually grow brave enough, or their situation changes, to give them the chance to branch out. I'm not sure it would solve their problems either, but it's an attempt I can understand making.

I have no way of knowing how these people guarantee that their partners are of the requested gender, and maybe it's enough that they feel they can trust them to have read and followed the rules. And for that reason I do think it's a bit of a darker area to be lying about your gender, even if it's by omission, unless you know why the person wants the specified gender. Though I still don't think lying is the best solution to that problem, I also don't think it's hurting anyone, if it is just that they prefer one gender over another. I've been tempted to do the same myself sometimes. If I saw a plot I really really wanted to play, but couldn't, I'd probably just borrow it and see if I can find someone else whose preferences I do satisfy who wants to give it a go with me.

But, I also don't often write romances, I'm apparently horrible at it. Even if I love the story idea. Maybe if I wrote them more, I'd have a better understanding of this issue.

How do *you* get into your characters' heads?

I'm pretty sure most of what I do to get into my characters' heads has already been written down here, in some form or another, but I think it's cool to see different methods people use. And how they interact with the voices in their heads. I like that it's not an end all, be all, one size fits all type deal. There isn't any one method that fits everyone, and, honestly, now and again I find myself jumping back and forth between them.

Sometimes, I need silence to get into the right headspace. Sometimes I need music, any sort, just to motivate me to get the words out. And sometimes it needs to be a specific song, played on repeat for days... Just because it suits the character and the mood I want them in perfectly.

Ordinarily, I'd say I'm one of those people who takes aspects of themselves to stick into their characters, and this would not be wrong, but it also confuses me no end when I realise I've gone and written many fantasy creatures of a differing gender and species than myself without batting an eye. Gotta wonder what about that character was an aspect of me, but I'm still sure it's there somewhere, because I write best what I know. This doesn't mean I only use personal experience to express myself, because there's a lot of things I haven't experienced in this world, and definitely plenty I never will in a fantasy world. But I build off what I know. And what I know is body language.

So, often times, if I'm stuck finding the words to explain how a character is feeling in a certain moment, I'll find myself not quite acting it out, but making the expression I want, or doing a gesture I know the character would make and trying to combine them. Somehow, it helps me understand the emotions of that moment by echoing the movements and mimicking what their feelings bring them to do. If that makes any sense at all? I guess it's sort of like how smiling is supposed to make you happy. If I know how a character is reacting but am not quite sure why, I can just take into account the motion and their facial tics and try to go from there. So, yes, I'm one of those people who will be making faces at her computer for no particular reason. Fun times...

I find it works wonders for me to record, or at least remember (I'm usually too lazy to make actual lists), certain gestures and expressions characters make in different situations that shape the way others see them and flavour their interactions with the world. From what it means when they rub their neck to what makes them laugh or why, even just how they talk and what words they use. Even just knowing that a girl plays with her sleeve cuffs so often they're frayed on near every outfit she's got, and whether it's from boredom or nerves or something else. Which, in turn, helps me when I'm doing my silly miming game trying to figure out how to describe a mood or explain an action.

Sanctuary

Hey! No worries, I understand! Take whatever time you need. :)

Sanctuary

No worries, I'm happy to wait. :) Thanks for letting me know, though.

blackbird claw, raven wing [ closed for El Taco Taco && Nemaisare ]

*preens*

And awesomesauce! *hugs*

The Redwatch

I am annoyed at myself for not being able to hold up my end of the bargain. But as I haven't finished those other posts I owed, this is a good sign that I am currently full up of rp and need to not apply here until I'm less full. But this looks like it will be awesome and I wanna join in so I'll definitely be keeping an eye on it. Might jump in down the road if there's an opportunity. :)

Mouseguard/Redwall Inspired RP

Oh goodness, you incorporated a tortoise city! I'm going to go to sleep grinning over this fact.

I'm thinking of a Redwatch scout from Westercroft, or maybe two... Possibly siblings, one rides a bird... Not sure yet.

Sanctuary

Sounds good! No rush though, if you need to take more time.

Mouseguard/Redwall Inspired RP

But ancient history is important! :P I mean, that's like... two years ago if you're a mouse...

Tentatively count me in. Provided I can finish the posts I owe before you finish your write up.

Need some help with Wolf heirarchy

Don't know how well this stands up as far as wolf hierarchy ideas go these days, but I remember once hearing that betas were usually the biggest, most boisterous and troublesome in a wolfpack. Always ensuring that everyone knew their place and that the alphas were still fit to be the alphas. So, that's what this situation makes me think of: that your armour making badmouther is forcing the alpha to prove himself in order to make sure the alpha remains suited to the position. Not because they're being an ass (though they could well be that too) but because it's for the good of the pack to make sure the alphas are capable.

I honestly have no idea how to deal with that though, cuz I'm sure it can get a bit tiring. But in order to keep things from escalating, that's how I'd try to spin things, so that the alpha simply doesn't need to back down, rather than having to put this smith in his place. Sort of a... oh here we go again routine.