“Then answer these questions three.” (actually, less or more depending on your answers.)
Where did you get it?
This question is essential in determining whether you should even consider asking people to invest their time into your RP. While the source is relevant to the genre and whatnot, the way this idea “I want to make a RP out of this!” got inside your head is much more relevant. Did you get the idea after several hours of careful deliberation, weighing options and thinking about a raw plot or did you just watch the first season of Game of Thrones and thought it was totally awesome and wanted to play frickin’ Ned Stark?
Sure, you’ve enjoyed yourself. Yay. But what about the people you dragged into this? Maybe they expected something more? Some people don’t get satisfied as quickly as you do, y’know? If you find yourself poised to play your favourite gaming/TV character, write some bloody fanfiction.
On the other hand, if you’re convinced you won’t lose interest along the way (be honest to yourself) then I guess you could give it a shot and ask us to invest our time into your idea.
Note: Look, we all know you can’t always be active every day of the week. So keep your player updated. If you’re going to be gone for a while, put your RP on hold. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to rush these things, or someone will end up disappointed. Don’t act as if you don’t know what I’m talking about. Sure as hell wasn’t you.
So do you have a plot, somewhat of a story?
YES
This means you’ve laid out some tracks for this RP to ride on. While that’s good, make sure you don’t railroad your PC’s through the story as if they’re visiting the zoo. We want to kick those tigers in the face, man! Be prepared to compromise, break down a few walls and expand your living room to your participants’ suggestions. This doesn’t mean you have to get rid of your entire plot, but maybe allow people some leeway between essential locations? Maybe steer them in the right direction from time to time, preferably without going full-dictator on their asses. So if you planned the next big plot twist to occur like one week later IC’ly, maybe stretch it out a bit so your participants can take in the sweet scent of freedom before they move on. Like a lunch break.
The essence is that you’ll have to find a common ground on which both you and your participants feel comfortable in. But hey, if they don’t complain you don’t have to do that!
Also, let them gave their occasional personal side-plots. This isn’t some linear-RPG, right? It’s a blend between open-world and story-driven roleplay. Or at least that’ the blend I like. Maybe you like your coffee dark, in which case you pitch it first and see how everyone reacts.
(Don’t reveal any juicy plot twists, though!)
NO
A background story, then?
YES
So you’ve sort of created the world and you’ll drop the characters in it, free to roam and muck around as they please? It’s the recipe for a great collaborative RP, because it puts both you and your participants on even ground when it comes to development of any plot elements, which some people tend to like. The characters all have their own stories which drive the RP, as well as a whole sandbox world for them to play it. As an OP your role here will be mainly as an arbiter, because your participants will likely take up the task as storyteller. It makes your job pretty comfortable, just ask Nightkill. Granted, allowing everyone to form the story might result in conflict, so keep an eye out for trouble brewing in the OOC and/or IC
NO
Then what the hell are you doing here?
I dunno...I was looking for a soda.
*sigh*
Note: If any of you have something to add to this, I'd greatly appreciate it. Other tips that might help possible OPs figure things out would also be greatly appreciated. Constructive criticism is also welcome, I'm not the greatest of guide makers.
And yes, you may ask questions.
