Almost every Rp that I've looked at or joined on this site has a post-length requirement. I have no problem writing long posts. I've had to write lengthy essays on both soda cans and female nipples while in college. Don't ask, my teacher was a very peculiar, sad man. Needless to say, a large portion of those essays, like most writing assignments I've done in the past, contained a lot of 'fluff' (for lack of a better word). To pump up and lengthen my assignments, I would add meaningless sentences that were often repetitive or just out right useless.

I came across a inexperienced Rper not too long ago, I won't mention his/her name but we will refer to him as Bob. When I approached Bob with my concerns about his diction, syntax and grammar, he took offense. This was expected though I tried my best to reassure him that my goal wasn't to flame him for his efforts or even humiliate him. I can honestly say that I wanted to help him, even start a private Rp with him in hopes that he would become better. His greatest defense was that the reason his posts weren't long (yes, he thought I wanted him to add more 'fluff' to his entries) because he was only 10 years old and that his posts were long for his age.

That brings me to one of my biggest pet peeves with Rpers, mostly mediocre Rpers, quantity over quality. Though I'm no Homer of epic metaphors or Shakespeare of sublime messages myself, I try. I put a considerable amount of effort into every post. Adding metaphors and manipulating words to paint a picture. I try! A lot of mediocre Rpers I see simply add fluff. They put in sentences, sometimes entire paragraphs that have absolutely nothing to do with the plot or the development of the Rp. They do this in the hopes that their epic bullshitting skills will impress the others and even worse, they are praised for this madness! I cannot tell you how many popularly held 'Great Rpers' are doing nothing but writing my college bullshitting essays.

I'm going to stop here because I know you are all intelligent and get my drift: I prefer quality over quantity. So, what are your opinions?

Please put something behind your decision rather then "I agree" or "You're a jerk." It is a discussion not a poll. I want your profound opinion, not judgment or acceptance.

I think a combination of both is quite important. A long but "empty" post can be considered a waste of time. However, a short but "well-written" post can also be difficult to reply to, as it doesn't provide much action to consider.

I think it was shown pretty well in this thread. A short, sweet, interactive example for anyone interested. As an RPer includes more description, paints a more believable setting, and provides a detailed set of actions/reactions/body language/etc, the post automatically lengthens. Thus, both are necessary, in my book.

Of course, I RP for the story.

Well when it comes right down to it some people CANT make long posts becuase of things like, "Im on my PsP" or something along the basis of absolutely not being able to post good post, which everyone has thier on definition of. But Age does not affect your posts in rping... and he seemed like he didnt even want to try,.. in that situation I agree.

I agrree partially because this reminds me of what I have done in Rping on this site until recently. My style had an excessive focus on thoughts although this was nice in ways of exploring the character and some what. I saw a problem in this after a while even though the critism far underwhelmed praised for doing for adding this "fluff" : the responses from the other characer's only would only be effected by my characters actions and speech. The extra effort was unessary. Although my post are of slightly shorter lenght now I belive greater detail is put into things that make a larger impact.

I agree with you, Alice. And I also remember when very few people on this site had a problem with short posts, and it was a glorious time indeed.

Long posts have their place--when you're trying to establish a setting or character. When those things are already established, there's rarely need for more than three sentences. And it seems like most of the players know that. I see lots of players saying what they need to say, then realizing that their post doesn't meet their Game Master's arbitrary length requirment. So what do they do? I mostly see people filling up their posts with how their characters feel. This is usually unecessary (we can usually infer it from your character's situation and behavior) and just makes a thread more tedious to read.

I believe that the stupid "Good Work!" message only exhasperates the problem. I won't name names, but I've met a couple of noobs who thought they wouldn't be allowed to post messages that were "in the red" at first.

Zero-Genesis wrote:Well when it comes right down to it some people CANT make long posts becuase of things like, "Im on my PsP" or something along the basis of absolutely not being able to post good post, which everyone has thier on definition of.

This is a good point too.

albel cigaro: I like a large focus on characters' thoughts because there is only so much your character can do in one post without God-modding. Thoughts can express the characters' development in the story and adds to the character's personality. I prefer a post full of the character's thoughts and ideas rather then a post about describing the surroundings. Especially since everyone seems to have to re-explain the surroundings in their first post.

Zero-Genesis: As for PsP Rping...I have severely harsh prejudices. I won't get into because I understand that some people can't get to a computer but at the same time, you're constricting other's creativity.

ThatsNotPoetry: I agree with you all together. I think you worded it better then me also with a much shorter piece. A balance would be great but it seems most people throw it out the window. It's as if people are afraid to think when they read. They either want you to leave absolutely nothing to the imagination or make everything simple and mundane.

I know I did this backwards but so what. I also don't like to quote because the boxes are annoying to me. You can do it, I just don't.

Its not just psping...if you didnt have a computer would you not roleplay or would you type the longest and best you could for the PsP.

Zero-Genesis: You're not going to like my answer: I wouldn't roleplay anymore, I'd probably play my PsP. But then, I really don't know what I would do because I'm not in that situation. If it works for you, I won't judge.

@alice
I really love to do add that large focus even if it is more suited for novels, Although i have tried to break away from habits die hard. I agree charater thoughts can be very much nessary when things like comedy are supoosed to the highlight but some the "experts" really seem to disagree. I just noticd that Rping started get less fun the moment I tried to change my style... how strange,

Im not saying I dont like your answer, dont say im not going to like something becuase I respect your opinion, and I can see where you coming from.
Anyways, im not in that situation so I have no worrys but If I were Id still rp.

Well unlike Zero (=p) I am usually posting from my brother's sidekick or his playstation 3. The playstation has limits to how much I can write in which case I usually ask the GM if he/she would mind if I posted multiple times.

Just because you lack a computer does not mean you should stop doing what you love. I love writing, I wish to improve as a writer so I write. I love to draw, can't scan and ask for other people's thoughts but I do it anyways. Same thing with being a moderator. I took the job knowing I would have to spend a lot of my time here helping you all out and everything else that comes with the job. Computer or not, I will continue to do what I love to do.

Albel, when you stop enjoying yourself well... that's never good. I know it gets stressful to meet the demands of the "Elite" but when it really comes down to it, what you want matters. You cannot forget that because then you'd be wasting your time here. We want you to enjoy yourself here, regardless of what others may think.

Now I usually have a limit of four sentences. Why? What in the hell am I going to do with on sentence? Which would most likely be dialogue?

Some people are gonna take the negative approach when a critic says something. That is bond to happen, but you tried. As many topics as there have been about this, I repeat myself. Complaining may make you feel better but it won't make a person change unless they want too. If anything, point them to our sister site. http://WWW.Roleplayacademy.com and keep it moving. Eventually they'll crave more then one liners and horrible grammar.

Those are the two things that bug me, mainly text talk. It gives me a headache trying to understand what they're saying, FYI!!!

I use Ps3 XDXDXD but not PsP XD.

Advanced roleplay? There is no such thing. Your roleplay either sucks or doesn't suck. There are no grades; only judgement.

I have just started seriously started roleplaying in actual forums so I just called by the name I saw other places. =b I've mostly roleplayed through yahoo chat and IM's.

Village Alchemist wrote:Advanced roleplay? There is no such thing. Your roleplay either sucks or doesn't suck. There are no grades; only judgement.

Haha! Good to know roleplayers are still judged before they post is still alive and kicking. I appreciate your warm welcome.

Not sure If Stwewie pionting at you and saying that you suck is a good welcome.....Love the new Sig Village Alchemist. And also I agree with irish Wolf We Try to Roleplay As best as we can there are no classes, just do the best you can.

Yes, but some people have a limit on their ability. I've known people who give it their all, and their dislexia gets in the way of their literary role playing so they attempt to stick to role plays that are less complex or have lower expectations in posts.

As a role player, my level of writing depends on those I'm role playing with. As a writer, my level of writing depends on my audience and/or my co writer. I have created posts that were three sentances long, or I've created posts that, at usual, reach the 1500 word mark, and extend up to the 4 000 word mark.

What most people don't realize is that literacy clearly depends on how you write, not WHAT you write. The more complex the character, the more time and effort it takes to create a realistic reaction to a given situation. If you've created an open ended character, they can react almost any way you would like to almost any situation, but once you have a specific personality developed, it makes it difficult for you to stray from your line of focus.

I understand what you mean by "advanced" role plays, and I'm game, all though, again, most of my role plays are centered around historical fiction or my own story lines (which I suppose is always sort of dangerous to do lol, if I ever actually want to develop those stories later on, but oh well, I'll risk it).

I really do understand where you're coming from.
Sometimes, I'd choose quantity only assuming that quantity came with quality.

Most of the times, or so I have experienced, when someone says your posts must be 10+ lines or how ever many, it's because they want the so called 'advanced literate' roleplayers.

As I said, though, I always preffered the more lengthy paragraphs, because, the more length it is, the more details there more likely are to be.
[:
<3
Hope that explained anything/helped in some way.

-Kev