When I first starting writing these role plays, I was bad. And when I say bad, I mean baaaaad!!! Where other people would write two or three paragraphs for their character, I would write one...barely... My proudest accomplishment of the time was a post I'd written consisting of about four long sentences and a quote. And I was writing with the beginners. It was that bad. But I met a boy who wrote with me and showed me the very basics of how to write fuller posts. I took his advice and ran with it. At first, I was just writing with him. A simple story about a girl and a boy traveling together on a quest to find his family. Of course there was quite a bit of magic thrown in there to keep the story going. When I could write an average of two paragraphs per post, even on a bad day, I decided to branch out. At first, I tried to join more experienced RPs. Stories that were just starting with a minimum requirement of three paragraphs per post. I could handle the writing, but the people I tried to write with were rude and stuck up. To the point of kicking me out of a story where I was really the only one trying to even interact with other people. It was harsh. After the third try, I took what I'd learned and put it into my own stories.
First, I would like to say, I'm not proud of how one of my most successful stories started out. See, what happened was, I was browsing the forums for a new story when I stumbled upon one about eight people living together in a house. The story went that when these eight people met, they'd been in high school, but for whatever reason they'd all either left or run away from home. Now they all had to live in one house, paying their share of the rent by working minimum wage jobs and trying to make their way in the world. The characters were split into four couples. Each individual had person problems that translated into couples problems as the story was to progress. I tried to join this story as a girl who's lost her family so moved into this house with her boyfriend and her best friend. I wrote the profile, carefully chose a reference picture, then sent both in an email to the story's creator. The next morning I received this reply:
"Sorry. Another girl asked for this first. Just waiting on her profile. Try another story."
I didn't get it, really. Hadn't his personally written rules stated that he wouldn't reserve characters without a profile? And yet, that's what he was doing for this girl. About an hour later I saw the other girl's profile. Not only had she stolen my reference picture, she's used half of the things I'd written in my profile word for word! That was the last straw. I didn't care about the story or even the fact that she'd stolen my work. What made me upset was the rude and hypocritical acts of the story's creator. I hated that these people thought that because they made the story, they could treat their writers like crap. I wanted to write with people who just wanted to have fun. I wanted to have a place where you could go no matter what level of writing you were, just to enjoy writing. So, I stole the story.
Mind you, I didn't take things word for word. I took the general idea, added a few more of my own to up the character count to ten. Added my own pictures, wrote the description in my own words. By the end of the day, my "better" version of his story was up and ready for people to join. Instantly, there were three profiles in my inbox. All three were added and the posting began.
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Monday, October 22, 2012
Sunday, October 21, 2012
A Whole New World
When I was sixteen, I transferred to a school called Harvest Christian Academy. There I met Eric, still one of my friends today. Back then, he and I were inseparable. We could sit and talk for hours on end about nothing. We texted, called, IMed, and played MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Play Games) all the time. It was my good friend Eric (Air, I affectionately began to call him) who introduced me to the world of Gaiaonline (dot) com.
For those of you who don't know, Gaia online is a free online community created by those for those who love anime and all things related to it. It has expanded and gained popularity since I joined. Back when I joined, it was a small privately owned website. Now it's got a nice big staff and everything. Very cool. Airic and I were hanging out one day when he told me about this website. I got very excited. You could make friends, play games, own a house, earn money and buy and sell items to create your own personalized avatar. It sounded like fun so I rushed home to create my profile right away. But making an avi and playing games wasn't the only appeal, nor was it the reason he wanted me to join. Airic wanted me to join this site for a very specific reason. To role play!
Okay, now pause this for a second. Not many people these days understand what role playing means in this context. I didn't, and it took me four years to explain it to my parents so let's give it a try here. On Gaia online, role playing is simply this. A person writes up a basic plot summary, then presents to the public a format in which you, the role player, can create your character profile. You put your character's name, age, background, personality, and anything else the RP monitor asks for. Then you submit this application to the RP monitor and wait for a response. If he or she accepts your application, you may then begin to write. Yes, write. You write posts, interacting with other characters and playing out scenes and situations the monitor presents to you. Sometimes this is done in large groups, sometimes privately between a few people. Sometimes people find a partner, and those two will go from RP to RP writing characters for each other whether it be friends, siblings, or even romantic couples. According to the rules and regulations posted by the website, all RP forums must be capped at a PG rating. Which means limited violence, swearing, and sexual interactions. Put basically, you are writing a story, collaborating with several other people. All fun and kept fairly innocent. Airic introduced me into this world in order to write a story with me. I absolutely loved it! I took off in this new world of role playing. I didn't just write with him, I wrote with others too. Lots of others. I joined countless RPs and created even more of my own. There wasn't a story I didn't want to be involved in or a characters I couldn't play. It wasn't long before I was addicted!
For those of you who don't know, Gaia online is a free online community created by those for those who love anime and all things related to it. It has expanded and gained popularity since I joined. Back when I joined, it was a small privately owned website. Now it's got a nice big staff and everything. Very cool. Airic and I were hanging out one day when he told me about this website. I got very excited. You could make friends, play games, own a house, earn money and buy and sell items to create your own personalized avatar. It sounded like fun so I rushed home to create my profile right away. But making an avi and playing games wasn't the only appeal, nor was it the reason he wanted me to join. Airic wanted me to join this site for a very specific reason. To role play!
Okay, now pause this for a second. Not many people these days understand what role playing means in this context. I didn't, and it took me four years to explain it to my parents so let's give it a try here. On Gaia online, role playing is simply this. A person writes up a basic plot summary, then presents to the public a format in which you, the role player, can create your character profile. You put your character's name, age, background, personality, and anything else the RP monitor asks for. Then you submit this application to the RP monitor and wait for a response. If he or she accepts your application, you may then begin to write. Yes, write. You write posts, interacting with other characters and playing out scenes and situations the monitor presents to you. Sometimes this is done in large groups, sometimes privately between a few people. Sometimes people find a partner, and those two will go from RP to RP writing characters for each other whether it be friends, siblings, or even romantic couples. According to the rules and regulations posted by the website, all RP forums must be capped at a PG rating. Which means limited violence, swearing, and sexual interactions. Put basically, you are writing a story, collaborating with several other people. All fun and kept fairly innocent. Airic introduced me into this world in order to write a story with me. I absolutely loved it! I took off in this new world of role playing. I didn't just write with him, I wrote with others too. Lots of others. I joined countless RPs and created even more of my own. There wasn't a story I didn't want to be involved in or a characters I couldn't play. It wasn't long before I was addicted!
Saturday, October 20, 2012
It all started when...
To understand our story, we must start at the beginning. I'll rush over the boring bits. You're welcome! Haha. I have been writing all my life. The earliest I remember, and have proof of, is when I was six. I wrote poetry for my mom, and I remember thinking (and telling her) that someday I wanted to write for Hallmark! Not every normal girl's dream job, I know. Normally when you're six you hope to grow up to be a princess or a fairy. Not a writer for a greeting card company. Anyway. Also around that time is when my sister and I started acting out elaborate stories involving our stuffed animal. (We had hundreds) Our stories could last anywhere from a day to several weeks!! We never got bored of adding twists and turns to torture our poor toys with.
The big step that I consider my first real interest in the world of story telling was when I was ten and had my first sleepover. My best friend (at the time) Kinza had been inviting me to her house for months and our parents finally agreed!! I took my Barbies, and she and I stayed up half the night playing with them. But when the lights went out, and neither of us wanted to sleep, I decided to finish our game by telling her the rest in a story. She was captivated. Hooked! Whenever we were together she'd ask for another. Sometimes she'd stay up all night listening. I couldn't believe it. Story telling was so fun!!
I was homeschooled through the sixth grade. Entering middle school was my first experience at the world outside of my home and church. I was twelve. My class wasn't the friendliest bunch of girls you'd ever meet, but I did make a couple friends with girls in the classes below and above me. Two girls in particular were in the six grade class at our little Christian Academy while I was in the seventh. Judy and Clarissa. They became two of my best friends (at the time) and we did everything together. Even a basketball trip to the state championships in San Antonio, TX. It was then that I shared with them my love for story telling. They were as eager to listen as I was to tell, but we couldn't always spend several hours together while I told my little tales. So I wrote them down. I'd write several pages in my own classes, then pass it to them in the next class for them to read. Having someone read my work page by page as I wrote it, and begging for more, was a real ego boost I needed at that point in my life and the reason I still write today! That's what kickstarted my love for writing. But it wasn't until several years later that I'd discover what brought my true best friend and I together.
The big step that I consider my first real interest in the world of story telling was when I was ten and had my first sleepover. My best friend (at the time) Kinza had been inviting me to her house for months and our parents finally agreed!! I took my Barbies, and she and I stayed up half the night playing with them. But when the lights went out, and neither of us wanted to sleep, I decided to finish our game by telling her the rest in a story. She was captivated. Hooked! Whenever we were together she'd ask for another. Sometimes she'd stay up all night listening. I couldn't believe it. Story telling was so fun!!
I was homeschooled through the sixth grade. Entering middle school was my first experience at the world outside of my home and church. I was twelve. My class wasn't the friendliest bunch of girls you'd ever meet, but I did make a couple friends with girls in the classes below and above me. Two girls in particular were in the six grade class at our little Christian Academy while I was in the seventh. Judy and Clarissa. They became two of my best friends (at the time) and we did everything together. Even a basketball trip to the state championships in San Antonio, TX. It was then that I shared with them my love for story telling. They were as eager to listen as I was to tell, but we couldn't always spend several hours together while I told my little tales. So I wrote them down. I'd write several pages in my own classes, then pass it to them in the next class for them to read. Having someone read my work page by page as I wrote it, and begging for more, was a real ego boost I needed at that point in my life and the reason I still write today! That's what kickstarted my love for writing. But it wasn't until several years later that I'd discover what brought my true best friend and I together.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Best Friends
All my life, I have always been extremely close to my family. I consider my mom, sister, and grandma to be some of my closest friends. But looking back on my life up till now, I have to be honest in saying that I have not had many good friends outside my family. Of course, there have been the many BFFNs. Best Friends For Now. As long as you have something they want, they will stick by your side till the end...of your convenient services. And there have been many BFWYHs. Beast Friends While You're Here. But the minute you leave, whether it's leaving town or leaving the room, they've turned on you. Next thing you know, then entire world knows your secrets and your left friendless and exposed to ridicule. Welcome to middle school, by the way... That's about all you can expect from THAT crowd.
So it's safe to say my experience with friendships has been a rough one, but I have found a few friends. People who like what I like and enjoy being with me for the sake of being, and I with them. I can say now I have three friends who really fit that bill. Friends I can talk to for hours on the phone, and always depend on to be there when I need them. Even if they aren't close, an even though I miss them a lot, it's nice to know they'll always be around. But even those three aren't my best friend.
A best friend is someone who knows you better than any other friend ever has. She (or he) takes the time to learn you. Your likes and dislikes. Your ups and downs. How to tell when you're safe just from the sound of your voice or the lack of 'lol's in a text. A best friend is someone who will tell you the truth, even when it'll hurt. Who'll always be there for you, no matter what. A best friend is someone who loves you like family, and accepts every quirk and whim you have without question. You can be completely yourselves around each other and you love each other for it. A best friend understands you. And most importantly, a best friend is deserving of all of that from you too. The whole 'Be a friend to find a friend' thing is more true than you could imagine!
I have one best friend. And she's the greatest woman in the universe!! But we've never met. Like penpals, we met over the Internet. We were introduced by another girl. That was almost four years ago. When I met that girl, I never once in my life ever imagined she and I would be so close!! And yet here we are. She's the closest thing I have to a twin and I wouldn't trade her for the world!!!
My parents think its strange. They don't understand how two people could become so close and never have even met once. Well, I don't know exactly how it happened, but I'm gonna tell you. Step by step. Maybe somewhere along the way you'll figure it out with me. Then maybe you can try explaining it to my parents! Haha.
So it's safe to say my experience with friendships has been a rough one, but I have found a few friends. People who like what I like and enjoy being with me for the sake of being, and I with them. I can say now I have three friends who really fit that bill. Friends I can talk to for hours on the phone, and always depend on to be there when I need them. Even if they aren't close, an even though I miss them a lot, it's nice to know they'll always be around. But even those three aren't my best friend.
A best friend is someone who knows you better than any other friend ever has. She (or he) takes the time to learn you. Your likes and dislikes. Your ups and downs. How to tell when you're safe just from the sound of your voice or the lack of 'lol's in a text. A best friend is someone who will tell you the truth, even when it'll hurt. Who'll always be there for you, no matter what. A best friend is someone who loves you like family, and accepts every quirk and whim you have without question. You can be completely yourselves around each other and you love each other for it. A best friend understands you. And most importantly, a best friend is deserving of all of that from you too. The whole 'Be a friend to find a friend' thing is more true than you could imagine!
I have one best friend. And she's the greatest woman in the universe!! But we've never met. Like penpals, we met over the Internet. We were introduced by another girl. That was almost four years ago. When I met that girl, I never once in my life ever imagined she and I would be so close!! And yet here we are. She's the closest thing I have to a twin and I wouldn't trade her for the world!!!
My parents think its strange. They don't understand how two people could become so close and never have even met once. Well, I don't know exactly how it happened, but I'm gonna tell you. Step by step. Maybe somewhere along the way you'll figure it out with me. Then maybe you can try explaining it to my parents! Haha.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Who Am I?
Likes and Dislikes:
Music? I like country music. No, I like Rock and Roll!! But the soft rock from the 80s. Nooo. The Hard Rock from the here and now! But I like show tunes... But I really love Pop!
Food? I like Pizza, but not always. Sometimes I like hamburgers. No, cheeseburgers. No, ham and cheese! I like sushi... and ramen... and Chinese food... and Korean noodles... and Thai food... German? I like sausage... and Pasta!!! That's Italy...
Movies? I hate actions movies... unless they involve super heros! I hate gore. I like kids movies. Disney and Barbie and Pixar. Animated movies are my favorite! But I don't really like Disney shows... but I love cartoons! The classics!!
Books? Romance. Or fantasy. Or fantasy romance! Something funny maybe? I don't really read... but I have lots and lots of books! There's just no time... But I love books!
Family and Friends:
Parents? Loving, wonderful, happily together. I love them!
Siblings? Little sister is my best friend! But we don't talk much... Little brother is weird... but he's a boy so I forgive him for it!
Friends? Friends... Not many... Only a few worth mentioning. Can my best friend be in siblings category? No? Oh...
Most influential person in your life? My best friend.
Who is your best friend? Kiki. We've been best friends for years.
What makes her your best friend? We're just that close. We know each other better than anyone. We care about each other like sisters. We have almost everything in common! She's as crazy as I am so we put up with each other well.
Where did you meet her? Um... Well... I haven't actually... Is that weird? I guess you could say we met online.
Who do you hang out with? No one... except her.
Do you go out and have fun like a normal girl in her early twenties? Not really... no... But I don't like going out with the people I know around here...
Do you realize this is sounding more and more pathetic the more you talk? Do you realize that you're asking answers from yourself so technically you're calling yourself pathetic???
Yesh. Did you?
Myself hates me...
Music? I like country music. No, I like Rock and Roll!! But the soft rock from the 80s. Nooo. The Hard Rock from the here and now! But I like show tunes... But I really love Pop!
Food? I like Pizza, but not always. Sometimes I like hamburgers. No, cheeseburgers. No, ham and cheese! I like sushi... and ramen... and Chinese food... and Korean noodles... and Thai food... German? I like sausage... and Pasta!!! That's Italy...
Movies? I hate actions movies... unless they involve super heros! I hate gore. I like kids movies. Disney and Barbie and Pixar. Animated movies are my favorite! But I don't really like Disney shows... but I love cartoons! The classics!!
Books? Romance. Or fantasy. Or fantasy romance! Something funny maybe? I don't really read... but I have lots and lots of books! There's just no time... But I love books!
Family and Friends:
Parents? Loving, wonderful, happily together. I love them!
Siblings? Little sister is my best friend! But we don't talk much... Little brother is weird... but he's a boy so I forgive him for it!
Friends? Friends... Not many... Only a few worth mentioning. Can my best friend be in siblings category? No? Oh...
Most influential person in your life? My best friend.
Who is your best friend? Kiki. We've been best friends for years.
What makes her your best friend? We're just that close. We know each other better than anyone. We care about each other like sisters. We have almost everything in common! She's as crazy as I am so we put up with each other well.
Where did you meet her? Um... Well... I haven't actually... Is that weird? I guess you could say we met online.
Who do you hang out with? No one... except her.
Do you go out and have fun like a normal girl in her early twenties? Not really... no... But I don't like going out with the people I know around here...
Do you realize this is sounding more and more pathetic the more you talk? Do you realize that you're asking answers from yourself so technically you're calling yourself pathetic???
Yesh. Did you?
Myself hates me...
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