Players who are familiar with tabletop games know that it’s easy to interact – you’re all physically there in the same room. Other players help work your character into the scene quickly.

But online, especially in a creative writing role-playing game like Escaping Reality, you’re on your own. We’ve noticed that both beginner and expert players sometimes have difficulties creating effective interaction with other characters.

We wrote a book on role-playing, and not just the basics. It tells you exactly how to get what you want out of role-playing, including how to interact, create action and turn your role-playing into something fantastic.

Of course, Storytellers are there to help ease your character in with an introduction or a one-on-one scene. It’s part of their job. Maybe you have a friend already playing that you can work with to get your feet wet in the game.

Cast Away

Eventually, though, the handholding has to stop. You’re on your own. You have to find your own “ins”. What will you do?

The moment they’re on their own, many players don’t know what to do to get into the game or interact. They see great scenes full of action happening all around them, but they’re stuck wondering how to shoulder in and be a part of those scenes.

Don’t have your character sit in a corner and wait for another character to approach. If you’re not doing anything interesting with your character, why should anyone seek you out?

Find an Anchor

Even if your character is a self-proclaimed loner, you still have to find ways to interact with other characters. This might mean your character takes actions you yourself might not necessarily take in real life.

Would you butt into a conversation you overheard? Probably not. But in a game that requires interaction, butting in can mean the difference between boredom and fun.

Does your character have many internal thoughts? That’s fine. Readers can enjoy reading – but their characters can’t react to what they don’t see or hear. Try to find words your thoughtful character could say aloud. Give the others around you a chance to react to it.

Be observant. What are characters in the scene doing? Is there someone having trouble with their cell phone? Maybe your character might offer his. The smallest action could have spectacular interaction.

Diving In

In a forum-based game, there are often several scenes happening at once. There’s no reason why you can’t pick one and jump in.

Find a reason to join the scene. If you’re unsure whether you could or should enter that scene, send a quick private message to the players and ask if they mind. Most likely, they’re happy to have new characters join in.

You could start your own scene, too, if there seems to be no good scene to enter available. Keep your scene open for interaction by setting your character up in a public place where other characters would easily pass by, bump into, or see your character.

There are always plenty of opportunities for interaction. You just have to keep your eyes open and look for the clues.