The Mystery of Open Threads

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The Mystery of Open Threads

How to Start an Open Thread

An open thread must already be exciting in order for someone to want to join you. Have your character already doing something or reacting to something. Be sure to make it an activity or situation that invites interpersonal conflict, conversation or cooperation. Reading a book or sitting by the lake are notoriously excellent examples of unappealing solo activities.

Little Tips: Make a solid choice about the time and place. Make sure the focus of your opening post is the action rather than introspection.

How to Join an Open Thread

Jump right in! In your very first response, add to the action. Rather than simply reacting, react and initiate more action. Take heart and be bold. You and the writer of the original post are now equal players in what happens in this thread.

If you're in doubt, speak to the original poster about your concrete ideas about what you'd like to try.

How to Keep an Open Thread Alive

Both writers should continue to give each other more. Both writers should strive to make the plot that they are creating relate to other plots of their own and/or larger site-wide storylines. Do this by mentioning things that have happened, or bringing them up in conversation.

If you feel stuck or bored, tell your partner(s) right away! Be honest, tell them you're not sure what to do next and then decide if...

a) the thread needs a new twist
b) the thread has come to a natural end.

A natural end? What now?

Stories have endings! Sometimes a scene has gone through a beginning, middle and has no reached the end. If a conversation or problem or conflict has resolved, think about how to end it well. There is no ideal length of threads. When the thread ends, be sure to PM your partners and thank them. If all has gone well, that open thread may have opened new strings to chase down.

by Dinn of RPG-D, Absit Omen and Thrive