How do you roleplay?

Having had discussion with several forum-goers, specifically those of this forum, I am partially aghast to learn some of the philosophies on how it is properly done. This, I think, at the core, is a large reason why our forum works the way it does. To start, I would like to ask anyone that would consider answering them a few questions. This is then, a sort of poll, but it should devolve into a discussion thread at some point. Feel free to answer all, or only some of the questions, or simply to start discussing these issues in general.

1) What do you think the proper time is to wait between posts before you post again?

2) Have you ever, or often, found yourself waiting for another person to post? Do you think it was possible for you to post in this situation? Why or why not?

3) What do you consider a solid post? Is there a specific number of words/pages/(other measure) that you adhere to when deciding when it is proper to stop?

4) Have you ever been accused of being too verbose? What do you consider the most important part of description in a roleplaying post?

5) What, at the core, is roleplaying about to you (besides the entertainment)? What purpose are you trying to accomplish when you post?

6) When was the last time you lost interest in a roleplay (recently, a while ago, or another relative measure of time)? Do you think "losing interest" is a real reason to stop posting or post with no enthusiasm? Do you consider signing up for a roleplay a committment, or do you always feel you can back out at some point, or when the thread starts to die?

7) What is your opinion of excuses, no matter how true? Does the average roleplayer deserves some leniency, or to be a true roleplayer, should you make time?

8 ) How much of a roleplay do you actually read?

9) Are threads better off when not based on pop culture (anime, books, movies, etc.)?

10) What thing(s) bother(s) you most about people's current outlook on roleplaying?

11) When was the last time you really felt your character? Why do you think it has not happened in other situations?

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1. I honestly believe that as long as it is at least partially relevant to either the plot or your character, it is valuable as long as at least one other person has posted after your previous post. Sure, it may be a bit heinous in certain situations, but this is the exception, not the rule.

2. I typically do not. I may for a short period of time, but if they do not post, I simply post without them. My opinion is that your character should always be able to do something, consider some thought, some part of his/her past, or do some action. It hardly matters if it is not entirely relevant to the plot, only that you keep the roleplay moving along, and establish more of what you want your character to be.

3. A solid post, to me, is a post that contains relevant plot information and/or character development and is at least two sizable paragraphs or more in length. However, a post could be solid without the size requirements, as long as it gave a powerful enough message to make up for it. In the case of when one post is too much, I believe that a post should end only when the author has exhausted the material he or she wishes to reveal or write about. This may again get a little irritating, but I would not hesitate to read a post, unless it exceeded about four thousand words. In this case, the author has probably made a mistake in considering how much information he or she needed to include.

4. Yes, often. I think everything in a roleplaying post is significant enough to warrant description, and anyone who discards specific environmental details or the larger thought process of their characters is not doing what is entitled by "roleplaying." They must sense everything through their character's point of view, and if the description does not complete or mostly complete this view and role, it is not worth posting. A character, above all, should think and act as they would by the guidelines of their intended personality and other factors.

5. Roleplaying, at the core, is about being a role. It is the simplest definition, and makes the most logical sense. I believe any roleplayer can find their highest point of satisfaction in getting as close as possible to truly living their characters. It might sound cheesy, but it is obvious. When I post, I am striving for both this purpose and to giving the illusion to the reader (another roleplayer) that I am said character.

6. I have lost interest in at least one roleplay I can think of in the last six months, however, in this situation I continued to post as if I had not. I believe signing up for a roleplay is a committment and adhere to the fierce philosophy that my last post in a dying thread should always be very near to the last post. A roleplayer who signs up for a roleplay is vowing their loyalty, that they will post. I believe that there is no reason to stop posting because of loss in interest, and that the roleplayer is just as entitled to providing their own entertainment as the host is. In a situation where a roleplayer grows bored with their character, they should approach the host with the problem, and in most cases the host should oblige. There is always a new direction for a character to go, and this alone can add additional life to a boring character.

7. There are situations in which excuses make perfect sense, cases in which internet access is impossible or terribly restricted. However, when the infrequent posting is attributed to stress or other minor factors, I do not typically accept these excuses. I do believe that a devoted roleplayer knows how and when to make time to post, and should have a method of posting that allows this process to be efficient.

8. I read everything, plain and simple. I believe that anyone that does not is not participating to their fullest, and does not have the knowledge required to keep the interaction between characters as accurate as possible. Every little detail deserves some attention, and each post should be treated as such.

9. In my experience, threads do tend to be better off with an original idea, rather then one based in pop culture, but this has its exceptions.

10. Mostly anyone doing the opposite of any of my views stated above.

11. Likely in my last post with my character Oiyg, from The River. I could understand the slow change in emotion that occured through the post, and of her level of innocence. I believe this often does not happen because we fail to play our characters to the fullest, due to lack of enthusiasm, but is not so hard to achieve as people think.