How do you even organize a prompt anyway?

[commandercomplainer]

When I'm writing a prompt I'm always at a loss on how to...set it up, you know? I usually end up sort of reverse pyramiding from backstory to current character action but I can't help but feel that there might be more interesting ways to go about it. Start in the middle of the action, thread exposition through the action, start with the action and descend into backstory? Thoughts?

[terepy]

i find myself really often doing the reverse-pyramid sort of thing for a lot of my prompts. in my experience it works really well, if for nothing else than to just be able to end the prompt with plenty of action so the other person knows exactly where to start and it blends together.

however i have been trying to sort of sandwich the exposition now, like starting with a quick glance over what's happening, (ie: presenting your character getting ready for a big event or in the calm before the action of the prompt itself) then going into a sort of 'how did i get here' way of shedding light on the situation, then cutting back into the action just as it reaches the point the other character enters

i dont know if thats particularly good or not, but it felt clever and flowed well when i wrote it!

[astrivid]

I typically make NAPS so maybe this won't help, but I always always put things like tags ('TW:', 'H/C', Fluff etc), characters I'll play, and then characters I'm looking for first. Just to avoid people looking through a prompt only to be let down at the end when they see the poster isn't looking for anyone they rp.

For example:

[ONLINE] TW: gore, body horror, nudity. H/C

I'll play: -blank-
I'm looking for -blank-

the rest is explaining what the set-up is.



I don't think that's what you were looking for, but I'm here anyways.

[Chairubplay]

Honestly, my method of operation has been strictly limited to, "Does this sound cool? Throw it in!" I don't apply actual structure to my prompts where the prose is concerned and I don't think of the placement of exposition vs action and whatnot, it just sort of happens. How I managed to get this far without knowing a lick about how to actually write well is honestly mystifying, but it works well for me so I see no reason to fix what ain't broken!

[davedudie]

oh man this is gonna be weird but heres what i do and im so sry im like combing through all the threads rn and putting in my two cents
basicallY i start w my idea and then i think about it for at least a half hour or whatever and i latch onto like. a feeling? or some setting thats got my character in it that gets my emotions/excitement a-going and a single word or phrase will pop into my mind even though it doesnt make sense why yet, and i dive straight into writing from that to expand a scene. just go with it

like for example ive been thinking a lot about aristocrat striders and jane austen novels and so i pictured dave in the world in the manor, in the rolling hills of the gardens, the pebbled streets of the local township, in a bar,, just exploring that in my head and then i latch onto a feeling he or i might have about something and then i write. that.
ok this makes no sense.
ANyway after i write that i comb through it and see where i can fit in some information that i havent already that the responder is gonna definitely need in order to reply, but usually its sparse backstory and some appearance description that i weave in. everything else i cant fit i either put it in the ooc, or if its not desperate i save it up for later in the rp.
i focus a lot on sensations, dialogue and action more than exposition so. i have to work on using more exposition tbh.
so i guess i just do action. sry omg i rambled

[rainekitty]

Tend to open a word document and write the prompt, not look at it for a few days, edit it to not pure crap, add ooc at the top with trigger warnings and stuff... and pray;

[Chairubplay]

Tips to being the very best like no one ever was:

-Have An Idea (anything from a couple words to a paragraph of plot goodness can work.)
-Word Vomit, just all over the page, write everything you can think of, don't try to make it good (I always fail this step and that's why all my early prompts are first drafts I'm too lazy to fix.)
-Make An Editor Friend (you can make this out of anything, leaves, twigs, matchsticks, whatever you've got lying around.)
-Have Your Editor Friend Edit and then go over the proofed version yourself for anything they missed. (Keep in mind that any pair of fresh eyes going over your writing is fine, good writers might not necessarily make good readers, but good readers will still find anything that "feels off" with your writing.)
-Cry (very important step, do not skip.)
-Pop on some OOC and take it out for a spin!

Congrats, you done it!

Sometimes what helps me in figuring out what I want to include in my writing is outlining (you know, that thing that your teacher made you do in high school), but realistically-speaking, I personally don't go for the option very often and instead choose to see where my idea takes me naturally without any structure to help it along, and that's what works. I do recommend giving outlining a try, though, as it provides you a nice skeleton to build upon and you can add as many details or little asides to yourself as you like.

[Dave Strider]

I only read chair's last post because I'm too lazy to catch up lmao.

Anyway personally, first I get an idea. Most important step, the idea. can't do SHIT w/o the idea.

Then I write an OOC with the basic premise, the triggers I think will be included etc

Then I write my shit. Which can take from 5 minutes to three hours or more.

And if needed, I edit the OOC

Basically, I make no sense.

[Astro]

Reverse pyramid all the way (im sorry Im boring and inexperienced.)


I start with an attention grabber (As in a shocking/vague sentence that guides the reader to the story "The first time the cat got out, it was the end of the world" or something like that) And then I explain, and then it leads up to action and a chance to interact.

Now that im thinking about it... its kinda like a video game cutscene

[Debbie Does Dallas]

connect w/ ur inner muse

& when you have listened to what their desires are

dump a bucket of water on ur keyboard

( this works 10/10 i can confirm ?? )

alternatively, paint a sacrificial circle on the bedroom floor. adorn edges w/ candles. u must have a human heart and bones, also a copy of Sweet Mother so u may memorize the passage which u will be reciting. roses are optional. once u have chanted the sweet mother prayer, the dark brotherhood will send an assassin to contact u and receive ur contract. payment may be dished out b4 or after ur assassin completes his mission.

u see it can take any set amount of time for ur assassin to complete his job. days. weeks. months. typically he will start by following the lead you have given him; a name, a location.

when he pinpoints your enemy there will be several strategies available to the agent. he might follow said person and record their tracks, figure out what they're like, what they're doin, where they are goin. OR he could jump right into it and save the back tracking for later.

or not. he might leave it completely open ended.

the operations of the dark brotherhood are an enigma. the night mother will always hear ur prayers, as we are all her children.

open ur heart n accept the warmth of darkness. allow your third eye to open and see the various paths in front of u. listen to the night mothers calling. her voice... so gentle...... like a whisper..........

it always helps to listen with an empty mind. that way you absorb her instructions like a dry sponge.

and then you just do it! no doubts!! balls to the wall!!!! get it all out while it's fresh in ur head!!!

there's always time to review l8r!!!!!!


and that's how i write my prompts.