Guide to Flavor Text

Looking to make an interesting character? Check the previous guide in the series, Guide to Character Creation!

Looking to advertise an interesting character? Look no further!

Naturally, you have an interesting character, but when it comes to flavor text, you blank on what to talk about! Don't worry, it's something that many of us struggle with; see below for a guide on what to talk about to make your flavor text really pop.

Why does flavor text exist?

The purpose of flavor text is to give a brief, visual description of your character and their personality in a way that can be understood and perceived in-character, which allows a player to ultimately form their character's first impression of you, as well as their own first impression, out-of-character. A bad flavor text fails to provide enough information for this purpose, and will give a bad first impression out-of-character. This is why some people will complain about backstories in flavor text, or other such things. If you have a long flavor-text, other players will likely skim your flavor text at first, then read it in full when there's more time available and they've decided they want to know more. There's nothing wrong with this! Keep it in mind when you write your own flavor text.

_{Please note that this is an EXAMPLE of how to write good flavor text, for when you are looking for information on how to make your character stand out. This is not a hard rule for the server, not following these standards is not grounds to insult someone-- it is maintained by players to make sure you can fit in here.}

Part 1: Your Hook

What is the hook, and where do I put it?

The hook is one of the most important parts of your flavor text, and ensures that even if others don't read past the first paragraph, you get the core of your character out there as soon as possible. The hook generally goes on the first paragraph of your flavor text, as the first one or two sentences.

How do I make one?

Hooks are fairly simple to create, run over a physical description and a description of their demeanor and stance, and try to include at least one interesting detail to get people's attention.

A white-grey Teshari, with Fuchsia freckles and bands across their face and ears. There's a little slip of paper hanging from the bottom of their ID, attached with paperclips. It reads - "DUSTY". They seem mostly ignorant to their surroundings, and carry themselves with a neutral stance.

_{Credit to MiniusAreas, or Dusty, for the example flavor text hook.}

Let's break this down.

• We start with a very brief description of the character, going over their colors and important physical traits. When in doubt, focus on the face; people remember faces.

  A white-grey Teshari, with Fuchsia freckles and bands across their face and ears.

• Then, we give a little interesting bit for people to munch on after they read the flavor text-- it's something small, naturally, but it's noteworthy. You'll know this works when people bring it up to you in-character!

  There's a little slip of paper hanging from the bottom of their ID, attached with paperclips. It reads - "DUSTY".

• We end the hook with a description of their demeanor, and stance. This gives you an idea of their personality without outright saying it. If you're trying to make a character look standoffish, for example, you could describe them having their arms crossed at most times and having a suspicious glare.

  They seem mostly ignorant to their surroundings, and carry themselves with a neutral stance.

While you're writing your flavor text, think about what sort of person you want to interact with your character, and vice versa-- cater to them with your writing. Think about how these descriptions make you feel about this character, and tell others what they want to hear so they're attracted to your concept.

Part 2: Body

Want to go above and beyond? Your hook alone should more than meet the bare minimum requirements for flavor text, but a good flavor text doesn't do just the minimum, and doing more will never go wrong.

So let's talk about the body of your text, here you should reserve one paragraph to talk about your character's physical description.

So, start with the face and head of your character, describing important details, and simply work your way down. Generally the shoulders, chest and hips are a great place to move from the head, followed by legs, and then of course, feet. You may want to talk about your character's clothing here, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, just make sure your flavor text changes if there is a change in your outfit. Body type (lithe, toned, bulky, etc.) and any important smells (think perfume) are also great to include here!

After you discuss your character's physical details, you should talk about how they carry themselves.

Generally, this is harder to put into a whole paragraph, but if you're zealous, you might want to do it. Discuss their gait, how they walk, what their voice sounds like when they speak, tells they have (such as red ears when lying) and so on. It can add a lot of flavor to an otherwise bland flavor text that just describes your sprite. Remember, don't just tell-- try to show. Creased wrinkles around the mouth area do wonders as a description, not so much "They are a very happy person."

Don't feel bad about adding more than one paragraphs to this section if you have a lot to talk about! This is just a framework for you to work with.

Part 3: Conclusion

The conclusion is where you wrap up your description. You generally do the same thing you did in the hook, with a little more detail from the body of your flavor text. There isn't much else to talk about here, just make sure to recap and remind people of the interesting parts of your character.

If you have trouble writing this much about your character, your character may not be very interesting. Add some new details to round out their backstory or fill their physical appearance! See Part 5: Background Records for more information.

Part 4: OOC Notes

How are they different from flavor text?

OOC notes are different from flavor text in the sense that they communicate your out-of-character preferences and desires, not necessarily just relating to ERP, but also the sort of thing that you wouldn't really include in flavor text related to your own disposition.

An example of this is "Please do not describe gore to me, it makes me sick to my stomach" or "I will try to go along with whatever antagonist gimmick you have, please approach anytime." These sorts of things aren't really related to ERP, and they aren't always admin enforceable, but they should be included regardless, just so that people don't misstep around you, with an added benefit that people see that you are open when you include these things in your OOC notes. Laying out expectations helps everyone.

While you're here, include any external links such as F-list, and be sure to credit your headshot artist! This is a great place to do so.

Why should I write OOC notes?

OOC notes allow you to communicate to other players what you are and aren't comfortable with, what sort of experience you're looking for, et cetera on a player-to-player level. Your character wouldn't tell someone they want to be kidnapped and interrogated for information on Nanotrasen, but you might still want to tell someone about that. That's where OOC notes come in.

How do I communicate ERP preferences?

With regards to ERP preferences, talk about mainly what you are not interested in, link your F-list, that sort of thing. OOC notes are the first place where people go when they want to know about that sort of thing. If there's any confusion, you can always discuss it in OOC or LOOC, or over PDA, to be sure that the conversation is private.

[TBD: Add detailed guide to ERP-related OOC notes]

Part 5: Background Records

What are Background/General Records?

Background records are available using examine, and generally outline your character's cultural background, birthplace, family and living situation, the sort of thing that wouldn't really be included in flavor text. Because of this, it's probably wise to include a little blurb about how someone would access this information, such as

Opening up their employee records, you find...

And such things. Naturally, starting out you may not have a great idea of what your character's culture, family, or employment history would look like. Don't feel bad! You can always go back to these details later when you've fleshed out your character. With that said, if you want to start it with a whole character with a lot of details to sink your teeth into, this is a great way to handle it!

Why should I use these records?

These records are great for showing other people that you actually have a backstory to work with, displaying a level of depth beyond the basics. That said, try not to give away too much about your character using these Records, as otherwise, there's less for others to sink their teeth into. Follow the principles of the Hook section of the flavor text-- tease us with more, then leave us hanging. After all, you have to find out more in-character.

How do I make these records?

Generally, your background records should cover what people need to know about your character's... well, background. History. But particularly, their previous employment. See below for an example Record format, taken from Sojourn Station's Guide to Paperwork.

 EDUCATION SUMMARY:
 CURRENT QUALIFICATIONS:
 CURRENT CERTIFICATIONS:
 EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
 [Company Name]
 [Employment Start Date] -- [Employment Termination Date]
 [Synopsis of job]
 [Reason for Departure/Termination]
 [Notes]
 
 [Company Name]
 [Employment Start Date] -- [Employment Termination Date]
 [Synopsis of job]
 [Reason for Departure/Termination]
 [Notes]
 
 [Company Name]
 [Employment Start Date] -- [Employment Termination Date]
 [Synopsis of job]
 [Reason for Departure/Termination]
 [Notes]
 
 HIRING AGENT NOTES: [This is a Risk Assessment field, written from an IC standpoint. Feel free to substitute for RA from Sec instead.]

Like what you see? Check out the next guide in the series: Guide to Records