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Controlled Chaos: Managing Multiple Muses
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When people hear that I help run RPL as well as write 18 characters in addition to real life hassles, they tend to back away slowly. I'm not sure if they're waiting for my insanity to jump on them like a flea, or if they worry for my own health. Other times, I get the "Omg I could never do that!" reaction. Many ask how I do it. So, since we're exposing all kinds of tips and tricks here today, I figured I would share mine.
1- Be neurotic.No, it isn't a bad thing. I know every day I log in and check support tickets and the Helpdesk. I scan the feeds, check reports, send invitations, and run the abandoned accounts plugin. When Zeth or Persephone steps in to take over, I go scan the script forums and check to see if there is anything important about the bugs we have, questions on things, etc. Then I have to buckle down and write. By this time, I'm normally exhausted, tired, and not in the best mood after hours of adminning. It doesn't matter. I have writing to do and it MUST get done.
2- Be organized.How I managed to force the writing to get done is I have a notepad document called "Monthly Posts". In it, I have all of my characters listed in alphabetical order. As I post on a character, I move their name to the bottom of the notepad document. Since muses are finicky little bastards, that means I can write on the characters as the muse speaks, they're not forced to be in any sort of writing order. This helps me to easily see what I already have done and who I still need to prod along.
3- Be diligent.Don't give yourself a break. Even if the muse isn't speaking, throw something up. A small random "here's how this person's day was" or "here is a memory of this person", something. Whenever my characters are being stubborn, I force myself to write something... anything. Usually, whenever I've had to force a character to post, the next month, that character is the first to speak up. As one of the Ds admins, I hold myself personally accountable. I can't ask our group members to post once a month if I often don't do so. That means no matter what is going on in my life or in my writing, my characters each get a post. May not be a great post, but it's writing nonetheless. The longer you do something, the more it becomes a habit. Make writing a habit and it will be natural to you within a few months to simply corral the voices into an orderly line without even realizing you are doing it.
4- Find good writing partners.I admit, sometimes writing partners get annoyed. They would like more time per month, or would like more attention. Fact is, when you have this many characters you simply don't have it. Spending too much time on one character means that another's post will suffer. When I first start writing with someone, I make two things very clear. One, I write one post a month. Period. If I happen to have time and energy, I can make exceptions but that means I want everything else I have to do done first. Two, I have a writing partner that can't write unless the muses are speaking. I will always work my schedule around that writing partner. Those voices start talking? I will ignore the devil himself to go running to get a post done with that partner before their characters go quiet. Even if that character of mine already has a post done, doesn't matter, simply because we don't know when they'll speak up again. Sometimes you find a great writing partner that understands how and when you write. Keep them close with both hands, because I've been through many a writing partner and I promise they are worth their weight in gold if you have multiple characters.
5- Learn to keep secrets.I still have issues with this one. Jealousy in roleplay is stupid and it sucks and we all hate it. But it happens. I limited myself to very few writing partners because of this, simply because I cannot stand when someone gets whiny that I gave a longer/better post to this person and not them, or that I logged on to this character and not the one I share with them yet, etc. It's immature and I don't put up with it long. Don't give away all of your names. I tend to give my names away without even thinking about it. And then I have nowhere to hide. Keep a few hidden so that you can simply get a break and post by yourself every once in a while without someone jumping on you. Have one indy that no one knows about anywhere, just to lurk on for a break and write something random each month that YOU want to write. Keep a random Weebly blog or something, just to get things out. It helps more than you think it would.
6- Embrace the insanity. Seriously.If a muse is speaking, write. If your writing partner isn't online at the time, who cares? Let the words flow. I talk about my characters as if they are real, because that is how I treat them. A completely random part of my brain speaks up independently of myself. You'll often see me frown in real life for no reason. And it's generally because in my head, I'm having this conversation-
Kaly- I think we should go do this.
Me- No.
Kaly- You're no fun, you're turning into Grumpy. No one ever lets me do anything.
Me- Because you cause mayhem and destruction the second I turn around. Go back to your corner.
Simi- See, she ain't got no sense, just wandering around causing trouble. She a bad goddess, that one is.
Me- Shut up Simi. You got a corner too. Go find it.
"Normal" people would probably suggest that they make medication for this type of mental illness I possess. But I've talked to many roleplayers that have the exact type of thing going on. The more you let your character breathe and take on a life of their own, the more fun this will be, and the more they will speak up. Yeah, sometimes it's at random inopportune moments, but I've learned to type fast. My notepad on my phone is constantly filled with little tidbits I overhear from my own brain and make notes on to roleplay later. And yes, sometimes you'll wonder if brains can have partitions to lock them up in so that you can get a break and keep them from squabbling with each other. Hey, extra fun fact? It's hard to be lonely with this many imaginary friends.
7- Have FUN. This is the biggie. I write on my characters because I hear their voices and have a story that I want to write about. I've had writing partners that lost their love of roleplaying or of that character. It was hell. Sitting and waiting for months to see if they'd respond to a post. Watching them log on and chat but not post a thing for literally months. It hurts. If you don't feel a character, tell them. Let the character go. If you find you can't do so many posts a month, let the character go. Above all, this is meant to be an enjoyable pastime. I live in a state of perpetual stress, but that's simply me and how I operate. That's when I am at my happiest, is when I've got 20-30 things to do and I'm busy as hell. When I have that one post a month and see the list all at the bottom. I feel more accomplished that way as I prefer smaller, condensed posts and for storylines to be spread out to let the emotions and story develop over time. Other people can't handle that type of environment. If you find that you can't, and it isn't fun anymore, then drop a few characters. Get to a manageable level for you.
1- Be neurotic.No, it isn't a bad thing. I know every day I log in and check support tickets and the Helpdesk. I scan the feeds, check reports, send invitations, and run the abandoned accounts plugin. When Zeth or Persephone steps in to take over, I go scan the script forums and check to see if there is anything important about the bugs we have, questions on things, etc. Then I have to buckle down and write. By this time, I'm normally exhausted, tired, and not in the best mood after hours of adminning. It doesn't matter. I have writing to do and it MUST get done.
2- Be organized.How I managed to force the writing to get done is I have a notepad document called "Monthly Posts". In it, I have all of my characters listed in alphabetical order. As I post on a character, I move their name to the bottom of the notepad document. Since muses are finicky little bastards, that means I can write on the characters as the muse speaks, they're not forced to be in any sort of writing order. This helps me to easily see what I already have done and who I still need to prod along.
3- Be diligent.Don't give yourself a break. Even if the muse isn't speaking, throw something up. A small random "here's how this person's day was" or "here is a memory of this person", something. Whenever my characters are being stubborn, I force myself to write something... anything. Usually, whenever I've had to force a character to post, the next month, that character is the first to speak up. As one of the Ds admins, I hold myself personally accountable. I can't ask our group members to post once a month if I often don't do so. That means no matter what is going on in my life or in my writing, my characters each get a post. May not be a great post, but it's writing nonetheless. The longer you do something, the more it becomes a habit. Make writing a habit and it will be natural to you within a few months to simply corral the voices into an orderly line without even realizing you are doing it.
4- Find good writing partners.I admit, sometimes writing partners get annoyed. They would like more time per month, or would like more attention. Fact is, when you have this many characters you simply don't have it. Spending too much time on one character means that another's post will suffer. When I first start writing with someone, I make two things very clear. One, I write one post a month. Period. If I happen to have time and energy, I can make exceptions but that means I want everything else I have to do done first. Two, I have a writing partner that can't write unless the muses are speaking. I will always work my schedule around that writing partner. Those voices start talking? I will ignore the devil himself to go running to get a post done with that partner before their characters go quiet. Even if that character of mine already has a post done, doesn't matter, simply because we don't know when they'll speak up again. Sometimes you find a great writing partner that understands how and when you write. Keep them close with both hands, because I've been through many a writing partner and I promise they are worth their weight in gold if you have multiple characters.
5- Learn to keep secrets.I still have issues with this one. Jealousy in roleplay is stupid and it sucks and we all hate it. But it happens. I limited myself to very few writing partners because of this, simply because I cannot stand when someone gets whiny that I gave a longer/better post to this person and not them, or that I logged on to this character and not the one I share with them yet, etc. It's immature and I don't put up with it long. Don't give away all of your names. I tend to give my names away without even thinking about it. And then I have nowhere to hide. Keep a few hidden so that you can simply get a break and post by yourself every once in a while without someone jumping on you. Have one indy that no one knows about anywhere, just to lurk on for a break and write something random each month that YOU want to write. Keep a random Weebly blog or something, just to get things out. It helps more than you think it would.
6- Embrace the insanity. Seriously.If a muse is speaking, write. If your writing partner isn't online at the time, who cares? Let the words flow. I talk about my characters as if they are real, because that is how I treat them. A completely random part of my brain speaks up independently of myself. You'll often see me frown in real life for no reason. And it's generally because in my head, I'm having this conversation-
Kaly- I think we should go do this.
Me- No.
Kaly- You're no fun, you're turning into Grumpy. No one ever lets me do anything.
Me- Because you cause mayhem and destruction the second I turn around. Go back to your corner.
Simi- See, she ain't got no sense, just wandering around causing trouble. She a bad goddess, that one is.
Me- Shut up Simi. You got a corner too. Go find it.
"Normal" people would probably suggest that they make medication for this type of mental illness I possess. But I've talked to many roleplayers that have the exact type of thing going on. The more you let your character breathe and take on a life of their own, the more fun this will be, and the more they will speak up. Yeah, sometimes it's at random inopportune moments, but I've learned to type fast. My notepad on my phone is constantly filled with little tidbits I overhear from my own brain and make notes on to roleplay later. And yes, sometimes you'll wonder if brains can have partitions to lock them up in so that you can get a break and keep them from squabbling with each other. Hey, extra fun fact? It's hard to be lonely with this many imaginary friends.
7- Have FUN. This is the biggie. I write on my characters because I hear their voices and have a story that I want to write about. I've had writing partners that lost their love of roleplaying or of that character. It was hell. Sitting and waiting for months to see if they'd respond to a post. Watching them log on and chat but not post a thing for literally months. It hurts. If you don't feel a character, tell them. Let the character go. If you find you can't do so many posts a month, let the character go. Above all, this is meant to be an enjoyable pastime. I live in a state of perpetual stress, but that's simply me and how I operate. That's when I am at my happiest, is when I've got 20-30 things to do and I'm busy as hell. When I have that one post a month and see the list all at the bottom. I feel more accomplished that way as I prefer smaller, condensed posts and for storylines to be spread out to let the emotions and story develop over time. Other people can't handle that type of environment. If you find that you can't, and it isn't fun anymore, then drop a few characters. Get to a manageable level for you.