Pull Out of the Pits of Romance??

[Miss Jack]

It has been brought to my (Big Mama Administrator's) attention that a few of our members feel disgruntled at the lack of plot and the emphasis on romance.

This is, as we all know, nothing but the truth.

I'm inclined to believe this is not only due to lack of plot, but also lack of members. When there is no plot, and only a handful of characters to work with, relationships are the only fallback to give the characters something to do!

Now, I have nothing against starting up a plot. Our last site was chock full of plot. However, it was chock full of plot surrounding MY characters and that also led to quite a few disgruntled members.

Again, the current disgruntled members say they have TRIED to start different plots, but to no avail. Well, here's the thing. A plot, just like in a book or movie or anything of that sort, has to be good. Before anyone gets offended, I'm not saying your plots are BAD, I'm saying they might have worked better if you'd planned them out with several different members and gotten feedback.

Let's be honest. We're dealing with a sinking ship here, and the few of us hanging on to our "plotless romances" are hanging on because we just like RPing, and can't help ourselves.

I am all for putting some life back into the site, but I also don't want yet another serving of "why-is-everything-about-you-Big-Mama". That means somebody else has to step up to the plate and get things rolling.

Though, if no one else does, I WILL bring up some plots, and yes, they will focus on my characters, and yeah, there might be a little romance.

But I want people to be happy. And I do love this site.

That being said, it does irk me a little when people think the site should be one way or another, or the rules of the Isle of Morpheus should be this or that. We are pretty much a family here, and I exercise little authority over anyone, but it's still my site, and getting told again and again how it should be run is a little irritating.

Though, this time, our disgruntled members are right, as they were before, and I'm perfectly willing to fix the problem. With some help, yes?

Since I have continually failed to bring about general happiness among my peers, I'm open to any and all suggestions, and will totally back people willing to bring forth their ideas.

My final issue is concerning a sometimes-tendency to single out one member as the problem, and consequently treat said member with a grudge-like malice.

Enough.

I'm not kidding. If you don't like someone, that's fine-- I'm not saying it's not justified, but I am telling you, as an administrator, to maintain distance if you can't maintain civility.

And on that dreary note, I'd like to hear the thoughts of everyone else. Honesty- please!

[redtopaz]

Hmm. Well, honestly, I tend to put being a friend before being a board member and consequently wind up being everyone's advocate, as you've all likely experienced. This makes me a little complacent about certain things, which I'm sure is annoying, but I'm wiling to come out with what I think for the sake of honesty.

My personal feelings are that disagreements can be worked through with COMMUNICATION and no one need take sides over it. I also agree that lack of membership is a major contributing factor to lack of plot, BUT lack of plot could be a factor in lack of membership. Hence our dilemma.

Plot ideas? Um, okay. I'm always kind of cool with hanging in the background. I'm not on as often as I would need to be to be central. This is, however, something I've resolved to change for the New Year. So, sure, if Kel's the only one willing to take the bull by the horns and we've all already jumped her for it last time, than I'm happy to try and step up. The thing about plots is they NEED a central character. It doesn't quite work without one. However, multiple plots can mean multiple mains, but for a overall plot we need a somewhat overall central character.

I don't take offense that easy. My ego is NOT fragile. With everyone's help, we can come up with a charrie or plot point we can all rally around.

Tried and true WORKS. If we need to resurrect an overarching evil presence of some sort, let's do it! I've never tried explicitly evil, but I'll give it a shot. DEN doesn't seem to be doing to much, but they're a push in the right direction!

If any of that was coherent, tell me what you all think. If anyone was offended, it wasn't my intention. I was asked for honesty and I responded. Taking offense at first glance is one of the things that's holding us back. So if you're upset, take a deep breath. This wasn't an attack. This was a suggestion in a forum for discussion. I truly believe we all can stay together and get along with just a little patience and a lot of talking.

[Jules]

I agree that the lack of plot is a problem. But luckily, it's one that's easily fixed as long as, like Alex said, everyone is open to discussion. Including everyone seems just about important as a decent plot. It might be a bit difficult, but there's no reason there can't be more than one major plot running.

As for ideas? I don't know, it seems we've already covered the basics in previous plots---rebellion against the crown, overarching evil, etc. I have a few ideas myself, but I really have no idea if they're any good, or too complicated, or too passive.

Since it's been a while since the two worlds joined, the population of Dreams and Nightmares has probably mixed notably. As in, a rise of marelocks. And perhaps they're a bit bitter about there lack of a true place in a world that is still pretty clearly divided in two halves?

Or maybe something could effect the world itself. I was thinking the human world is probably quite a bit in the future, if time has passed like we say it has (because we are obviously the masters of a feasible timeline). So what if humans have found a replacement for sleep? Seeing as it's such a waste of time. Our characters, Dream and Nightmare alike, would feel the repercussions of this. And this could tie in with Molly's Jekyll and Hyde character(s?), who I think needed to find a way to make artificial fear?

I don't know, and I'm not going to be offended AT ALL if no one likes these ideas. They can be changed, or completely trashed. I'm sure there's better ideas than these out there ><.

[redtopaz]

Julia has some good ideas! I particularly like the one about the humans not needing sleep any longer... (<-- sci-fi dork).

She's also right about including everyone. So, I'm going to try and air the problem the way I've been led to view it.

Molly sent a PM to Katie, Kel, and Elyse saying she was leaving. She then sent one to me with a copy of the PM and an explanation as to why she sent it. One sentence seems to be a major source of contention.

"It is very frustrating to be involved in something and then have someone butt in and attempt to latch onto whoever they think will be the main character."

For whatever reason, Molly feels she's been pushed out by the group. I think she's focused on Julia, which isn't fair, as we all, as a group, can shoulder a little blame for her feeling that way.

So, I know tempers are running high. What I'd like to ask everyone to do is to try and discuss this objectively. I truly just want us all to be able to RP together again. : )

[Maestro]

Yes, I know, I'm sorry. I tried to be as polite as I possibly could and I did not MEAN to target Julia. That's just how it sounded, for which I am sorry. I'm not good at communicating; I know this, but I tried. So, I'm apologizing to everyone for being a jerk, but it's just been so frustrating. I've been trying to be "a good sport" about everything, but I'll admit that it has been hard.

It's true, I haven't been on that much lately. But that is because there ARE only romantic-related things going on, which none of my characters are involved in. I tried, but failed miserably, because I haven't been on much. I'm sorry, but the message that I'm receiving there is "if you're not on EVERY SINGLE NIGHT for LONG periods of time, we're going to shove you to the sidelines." Which ... is kind of what happened.

When I've been on, I've TRIED to sort of revive the plots that involve my characters, but to no avail. Now, they've been pretty much dropped. Again, I know that I haven't been on much, but again, I'm doing a million things in my life as well as trying to deal with a psychological disorder and I simply cannot be online all the time. Which in turn leads to feeling that if I can't be online a LOT, I might as well not be online at all because the people I had been working with will just not respond to what I've posted.

Having romance is fine, I am all for romance, but not when the entire site is devoted to it. It's partly my own fault for not saying anything sooner, and I'm sorry.

Thing with a monarchy is that there is usually some sort of rebellion against the crown; true, it's been done before, but what hasn't, honestly?

As Alex has volunteered, I will, as well. I have played "evil" characters before and will do so again. However, if we can perhaps try to contact Caitlin? I mean, the whole thing with Seth was kind of interesting and could be again, if we actually settle on some sort of plot. At the same time, though, it might be interesting to give someone else a chance to play evil.

Or, if we want to go the other direction, with uniting everyone (since there is still contention), maybe something with the more liberal Dreams and Nightmares and "cross-breeds" trying to unite everyone, since the land is still divided?

I do like the sound of the "sleep is no longer needed" idea, as well. Because then, there would be a bit of a "starvation crisis" and major crises usually bring people together. Plus, the scientists onsite (and there are more than just Jekyll and Hyde) could sort of come together and see if they can solve this. Or, they can figure out a way to invade human subconscious while that mind is still awake, which also offers some interesting possibilities. And, if anyone has gotten tired of some of the characters they are currently playing, here's a good way to get rid of them, if you wanted to. Character deaths (though I'm not saying they SHOULD happen) always create lots of intriguing reactions.

I think I'm out of ideas, for the moment (give me a little bit and I can probably think of some more, haha), so I'm just going to apologize yet again for all my crap. I honestly did not mean to single anyone out or offend anyone, even though it came out that way. Again, I am truly sorry, from the bottom of my heart and I hope that you all forgive me.

[Jules]

To be honest, yes, it will be difficult to keep up a major plot if people are not going to be on very often. Not to say it can't be done! But we'll have to be careful, because it'll need to be flexible enough to fit everyone's schedule. So that for people who ARE on often, they don't have to not rp for risk of leaving people who can't get on too often, behind (if that made sense). I think that's where the no-sleep plot could help, because it would still leave room for side-rps. Balanced with a major plot, perhaps rps that have more to do with personal relationships won't be so glaring. The site does have to move at a reasonable pace lest it becomes stagnant.

I'm not at all trying to offend anyone here, so I hope I haven't crossed that line. The thing with Seth, was a bit creepy, but it was still the same Dream VS. Nightmare. I love Caitlin's characters, and she certainly has a knack for the villain, but trying something new might help in rejuvenating life around here.

But of course, this is not to say the no-sleep plot is a forgone conclusion~~

[Princess Katie]

I'm so glad we actually have a plot brainstorming thread again. Makes me think of the good ol' days. I think a famine would be amazing! I mean... not from THEIR point of veiw, but you know. It'd affect everyone! A Nightmare or Dream can buy as MUCH food as they want, but if they don't get their fear/joy, they'll still starve to death. I think that's brill! & I can use Finola more, in her scienceyness. (<- Scientific Terminology) OH. Once the development of a replacement Fear/Joy was created, we could have bootleggers-- LIKE IN THE PROHIBITION WHOO HISTORY. Cherry'd be perfect. Just an idea.

So, my stepdad was sent away (AGAIN!!), but luckily only for three months this time. This is relevant because HE TOOK MY LAPTOP CORD. Therefore, 'til a new one gets sent, the Katie sightings will be sparse. I'll be on, but I don't think there'll be many BLOCKS OF STRAIGHT RPING for me.

I'd also like to appologize, Molly, if I came across as bitchy. I don't want there to be any animosity between anyone, including us.

[Miss Jack]

I've sent Caitlin a little e-mail, so she might come back. But she might not. Villians were her forte, it must be said.

I think that we can most definitely work around the activity thing. People can't get online all of the time, and if they can't, they just won't bother. That's been proven already--- but, as Julia said, for those of us that get on a lot, we don't want to sit around.

But this is actually not a problem, because the RPs that we're doing now... these senseless romance RPs-- they ARE side RPs. So basically, if Julia and I are on, all alone one night, with nothing plot-wise to do because no one else is on, we can still RP.

I don't think it will be a problem if... IF.. people will promise to try and reply to things at least once a week. Over a week, things start to die.

ANYWAY.

On to plots! I like the Marelock thing-- I absolutely believe people would start to feel misplaced and excluded, and the no sleep thing is definitely interesting. And, I have a lot of plot-ish things concerning Dreams because of a book based on the Isle of Morpheus I've been writing, if any one is interested in bringing up the old grudge. As well as a lot of human things and gods and whatever.

EDIT: Didn't see Katie's post. BUMMER GIRL. But it sounds like sightings of everyone will be more sparse, and that's a good thing, because we'll be moving at the same pace.

Also, prohibition things sound AWESOME. <3

I'm really getting into this idea.

[Marguerite]

Aw, Red, that is why we love you. <3

I am greatly guilty of the henious crime of inactivity, but I quite like the no-sleep plot. There are always the usual host of side-plots and accidental meetings and so on.

[redtopaz]

Thank you, dear, and YAY *jumps up and down* WELCOME BACK! For however long you can stay : ).

Katie, sorry to hear! Hopefully you'll be able to get a replacement cord...?

I've sent Caitlin a few texts, too, but I'm not sure if she's getting them since I'm in Vietnam. Caitlin, if you're reading this, DID YOU SEND THE PACKAGE? I know it's a major favor, but please tell me 'yes' <3.

I LOVE the idea of Dreams/Nightmares trying to break into waking consciousness. It'd be like humanity having mass hallucinations. Then maybe humans would try and think of some scientific way to eradicate Morpheians! Impending destruction by the very prey you need to survive O.o... Spooky : ) It'd also give us a chance to drag some human characters in, if we like.

Like I said before, I've resolved to be on more often, so I'd like to help in any way I can. : )

SIDE NOTE: If we're going to do the no-sleep thing or whatever plot we decide on, let's try and pre-plan so no one's left with any doubts or confusion.

[Cozy]

Jan 5, 2009 23:06:21 GMT -5 Marguerite said:

Aw, Red, that is why we love you. <3

I am greatly guilty of the henious crime of inactivity, but I quite like the no-sleep plot. There are always the usual host of side-plots and accidental meetings and so on.

Me too, me too! T.T I miss you all desperately (school was le suck!), and I would wholeheartedly love to be involved!

[demitri]

I DIDN'T GET ANYTHING! Omg, I had no idea anyone was trying to contact me T_T I would have come back if that were the case, but I didn't really think anyone cared. Ha!
Well, I'll come back if anyone is willing to fill me in.