RPing for me personally

[World of Untold Horror]

I have always had a bit of a hard time roleplaying in a conversation based way. I sorta get, scared? anxious?... I don't know if those are the correct words per say but close enough. I'm not sure what it is either, but something makes me feel like that about RPing. I do like it to most extents, especially if the world/universe that the story/RP takes place in is "dark" or has a "dark undertone". Also, I sometimes have a problem with the idea of not knowing where the RP is going or could go. Both of these things could come from the fact that I have a fear of not knowing things. This is a serious problem of mine, but when I don't know things I tend to feel scared and underpowered. I would like to know what generally any of you have to say about this. Thanks.

 

[Tellural]

I'm not a hundred percent sure what you're referring to when you say 'conversation based RP'. My immediate thought is short, first-person perspective (using me and I) replies that go back and forth in a similar way to how a conversation would. Either writing in properly punctuated sentences or with actions in *asterisks*.
EX. Punctuated Sentences; Breathing heavy I locked the door and backed away slowly into the living room. "Travis?" I called. "Travis are you here?"
EX. Using asterisks; *I lock the door behind me* Travis? *I start walking into the living room* Travis are you here?

In any case, this is of course far from the only style that you can RP in. Some people use the previously mentioned methods but in third-person instead, others tend to RP with a writing style that's similar to the way a novel is written, most often third person or third person omnipresent. In my experience, RPing in third-person tends to make things less personal (less you as the character more the character as their own entity) so I'm not sure if that would help you at all either? Those are the two most notable styles that I've come across but honestly, a large part of RPing is finding a style that you really enjoy and are comfortable writing in and using that.

Bottom line though, I think something that you really should consider if you're having these feelings often when you RP - especially with regards to the fact that you've stated that you worry about where the RP is going to go/what is going to happen next - is talking to your partner OOC and building communication both about the RP and about who you are as a RPer even before you start. This way you can talk through what you want to happen long before it actually does and as a result have that knowledge going into the RP. Not only is talking OOC with a partner good for developing a world/universe that you enjoy but it's also a good way to air any concerns you have and to grow your skills through mutual practice. All around good things.

Hopefully, this helps in some way or another. Feel free to tag me in a reply if you have any questions about what I've said or anything like that.

Cheers!