What's a soap?
- Locked due to inactivity on Aug 4, '16 4:28pm
Thread Topic: What's a soap?
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If you didn't notice, some people in this forum have different definitions to the terms Roleplaying (RP) and soaping. Here, I'll use my definition of the two, but you don't have to agree.
1x1 Soap
In a 1x1 Soap, there are only two users that are soaping. Some tags that are used on other sites have a catchy title and the two users names. (E.X.: The Battle for Love; Dark22978 and ThisWriter) There is no limit to how many Original Person (OP) or Original Characters (OC) that you can use unless one of you wants a limit.
1x4+ Soap
In a 1x4+ Soap, or a Group Soap, the creator has offered to allow more than one person join in. Some tags might be a catchy name, the number of people, and expectations for writing. (E.X.: The Evil Ones; 1x6; Expert Writers or Riding with Vampires; 1x3; Beginning Writers) Most of the time, there's a limit to how many characters because it's not just two people.
1x1 Roleplay
A 1x1 Roleplay is when two people bring in random OPs or OCs and have them interact. Some users have different accounts for there OPs/OCs, and start out a thread that is usually very random. (E.X.: User called Ilya (really an OP/OC) starts a thread with the title "I RAN INTO A BRICK WALL.")
The Difference Between Soaping and Roleplaying
You're probably reading this and wondering, "They sound pretty much the same. What's the difference?"
If you think of them as different things, they have a big difference, which is the typing style. In a soap, it's like you're writing a book. In a roleplay, you have your OP/Oc's name followed by : and words or actions. The actions may be contained in the following; *'s, -'s, or x's.
How Do I Soap?
This is the tricky part. Even if you are a beginner, there are ways to start out BAD.
Bad Example:
Lawrence yawned, lazily walking into the ice cream parlor. He pulled out a gun and began to shoot everyone around him. They all died, and thus he was able to get all of the ice cream.
How did Lawrence get to the ice cream parlor? Where is it, outside, in a mall? How wouldn't someone be able to survive? Why did he do it? Another thing to think about is god modding. If "everyone" was also your partner's/s' characters, did you make sure that they gave you an OKAY to kill off that character?
Good Example:
Lawrence stuffed his hands into his pockets, walking slowly to bask in the sun. He was glad his mother had shoved him out of the door, telling him to go breathe fresh air. It occurred to him that he had a strong urge to get some ice cream. He frowned in annoyance after he realized that he was broke. A penny couldn't buy the amount of ice cream that he wanted, even if he tried to convince the owner.
Lawrence grinned as he remembered the gun in his pocket. He was already a great criminal, so why not kill a few people, steal their cash, and take the store's contents as a reward for his bravery? He was nearing the store as a plan formed in his mind. Unlocking and loading the gun, he made his way to the door.
Even though it doesn't have to be this long, it explains something and gives you a chance to ask your partner(s) if they're in the store and if it's okay to kill them. Not only that, but logically, most people would be able to get away.
How Do I Roleplay?
While there is no right or wrong way to roleplay, just like soaping, you don't want to god mod. Don't be a Gary or Mary Sue and spoil it for others.
Unlike a soap, roleplays are usually random, and you don't have to explain yourself unless it's important to.
Examples:
Lawrence: *sneaks into the ice cream parlor* GET DOWN MOFOS. *shoots a few people, eyeing the ones that are running away* *lazily steals money, going to the counter* Can I have some ice cream?
Lawrence: -sneaks into the ice cream parlor- GET DOWN MOFOS. -shoots a few people, eyeing the ones that are running away- -lazily steals money, going to the counter- Can I have some ice cream?
Lawrence: X sneaks into the ice cream parlor X GET DOWN MOFOS. X shoots a few people, eyeing the ones that are running away X X lazily steals money, going to the counter X Can I have some ice cream?
Remember that there is no right or wrong way to Soap or Roleplay. You're making the story come to life. Don't forget; You set the rules, so maybe you want Gary or Mary Sues and God Modding! Be creative, and make sure that you're happy as well as the people you're Soaping/Roleplaying with.
I hope this helps people. :3 Have fun!
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