[not a SRP] How much control of others' characters do you find acceptable?

[Wolk]

Participating in SRPs is a bit different than simply writing, as I have discovered. The fact that other people are sharing the story with you places certain restraints on what you can and cannot do. Of course, it also brings in a whole new level of excitement but that is beyond the scope of this topic.

What I am presently trying to figure out is the amount of control one SRPer should weild over another's character. Of course, simply making the other characters do anything you like would not do, as it may conflict with what the other player had planned. On the other hand having no control over other characters whatsoever appears to risk slowing down or entirely stalling the SRP, especially if there are more than two people involved. How frustrating it is, for instance, to write about a threesome, only to have one of the writers unable to post for a few days for one reason or another, holding up the other two's progress! How short and limited in scope the posts become during dialogue if you cannot put words into the mouth of another character!

So there must be a balance somewhere in between; but where is it? Perhaps it also depends on the relationship between the two players themselves, not only their characters? What are your thoughts on this?

 

[Arioso]

The best rule of thumb

...is to ask your partners.

There is no established "rule" about how much or how little control you can exert over other people's characters -- there are only guidelines about basic courtesy.

And the consequences you might face are determined not by any SRP "police", but by your writing partners.

So ask them.

But do recognize also that you're free to have your own standards, and if they don't mesh with what other people are looking for, you can either compromise or drop a thread.

Have fun.

 

[katalynn]

It also depends on the situation as well. Like your example, a threesome. One person doesn't write for a few days, or just kind of seem to disappear, you can work around that chara some how. If its only a few days and you know they will write, then really not much ya can do. But, if they haven't been seen for while there are ways to work around it.

Make the person fall asleep or find means to drag them along in the story. Just really depends on the situation and if there are ways to work around it. Least thats how its been with my experiences.

Then, there is also Ariosos' way and just ask that person.