Finding (And Keeping) Partners

[deardeer]

I've been having a very hard time finding partners! On my first day, I got lots of replies but they've dwindled since then. Even recently bumping my ad has done nothing. The people I've reached out to either had too many stories on their plate already, leave due to real life issues or without warning, or don't responded entirely. Does anyone have any advice? I love writing and not being able to do it every day is a sad thing.

[Phoenixrisen]

The best advice I can give you is just to keep trying. Sometimes availing yourself of socializing threads can be helpful, if you're not already. There are also places that you can write all on your lonesome like The Storyteller's Cafe in the meantime. The prompts there can be good to help you come up with solo ideas if you're having difficulty with that.

[RedPhoenix]

There is a big element of patience to finding the right partner on E, especially if you are being discerning about who you write with.

I cannot tell you how many times I've given up on finding the right partner only to bump into a total stranger after (sometimes literally) years of searching for the right person.

I've also had to say no to really great ideas from really good writers because I just didn't have the time or energy for anything else. It sucks. Being turned down doesn't meant your idea is bad or you aren't compatible. It could be things far beyond your control.

Sometimes I put up an ad and get no response, a few months later I put up the exact same ad and have to turn people away there are so many. If there's a rhyme or reason to it I haven't ever been able to see a pattern. It's all about who is looking when you raise your flag.

I understand the urge to write! But sometimes it is a waiting game.

I notice you are pretty new, so just in case you haven't already have you made an o/o page? These things make it much easier for people to know if you are a good partner or not.

[King Serperior]

It's just what everyone else has said.

In my case, it's all been about standing up again and never losing hope.  Just because one idea doesn't get bites, doesn't mean that it won't eventually.  Everyone on Elliquiy has their own writing styles, posting speeds, and interests.  It's true that sometimes finding a writing partner is tough, but if you bear with it, you will find one eventually.  Maybe the first few don't turn out too well.  If that happens, don't give up hope.  Giving up is just defeating yourself.

I would suggest hanging out in the various socialization and game boards.  Make friends and be positive!  I've found that many of my writing partners now are people I've had general chats with and then those chats formed an idea for a game.   

Now, it won't always happen like that, but I am sure many others have had this happen.

~KS

[Nowherewoman]

I've been having a very hard time finding partners! On my first day, I got lots of replies but they've dwindled since then. Even recently bumping my ad has done nothing. The people I've reached out to either had too many stories on their plate already, leave due to real life issues or without warning, or don't responded entirely. Does anyone have any advice? I love writing and not being able to do it every day is a sad thing.

I can't help but notice, dear deardeer that you've only been here a month.  While that may seem like a long time, I only got my own first RP going in about that time. I also went through a couple of false starts, which can be frustrating, to be sure.

It's as others have said- it can take some time to find people you're compatible with.

Let me point you here as a suggestion: Caravanserie.  It's intended as a low-stress intro to group gaming but, more importantly, may bring you into contact with more people more quickly than random 'hookups'. You never know- your Perfect Partner may be there waiting for ya!

best,

NW

[AmberStarfire]

I'd say socialize and have fun reading through the site and replying to things. Sometimes it helps to approach people directly if you like their writing or want to roleplay with them. A lot of people hang out on here every day whether they're roleplaying or not, so they're not always in story writing mode.

I'd also suggest setting an avatar and changing your tag line. I get the impression visual people relate best to site members who have pictures on their profiles, and it can make people more memorable. It also gives the impression of a more established presence on the site. It's not something anyone has to do, but I think it might help.

[Oniya]

Also worthwhile is linking your request thread to your signature.  Every page that you post on, your signature bar serves as an extra 'advertisement'.  If people are interacting with you, and enjoy the interaction, they might think 'Hey - maybe we'd write well together!'  And there's your request thread linked right there.