RP Posting 101

For anyone thinking about joining an online role-playing (RP) site, it is essential that your posts be a pleasure to read, not a chore. In order to help beginners on my own RP site, Worlds of Disney, I published a basic guide. Here is an excerpt:

A simple way to make your posts more readable is to avoid long paragraphs.

There's something about reading on a computer screen that shortens people's attention spans. They start to read a long paragraph, and then just zone out and begin to skim. I've even found myself doing it, and I am a voracious reader. For some reason, a paragraph that doesn't bother me in the least on paper is daunting in pixels. You don't want folks just skimming your text, right? Right. You want them to read the whole thing. My advice is to go back to any longish paragraphs and break them up with your ENTER key. It won't change the content of your writing, just make it more palatable to the reader.

Did you find yourself doing it with the above paragraph? Let's try reading the very same thing broken up a different way:

There's something about reading on a computer screen that shortens people's attention spans. They start to read a long paragraph, and then just zone out and begin to skim.

I've even found myself doing it, and I am a voracious reader. For some reason, a paragraph that doesn't bother me in the least on paper is daunting in pixels.

You don't want folks just skimming your text, right? Right. You want them to read the whole thing.

Read the entire article.

For Disney Girls Only

So, you're a Disney fan, a true believer, a Disneyophile extraordianire. You're also single, female, and looking. If you're shopping for a mate, girls, you have to be certain of one thing: your guy's got to be Disney compatible. He needs to match your DQ (Disney Quotient) if you want to find magic in pairs. But, you ask, how can I be sure? Before you say "I do", check out these ten warning signs to see if you've found Prince Charming or just another frog.

1. He calls Winnie the Pooh "Winnie". No, no, no. Pooh is acceptable, but Winnie, never.
2. He changes his favorites with every new movie. Yes, favorite songs, characters, and films can change over time, but beware the guy whose best picture is always the latest picture. You want your man to be steady as the beating drum, so avoid this fickle type. More...

Tips for a Successful Skit

Whether you rehearse your skit or perform it cold, whether you read your lines or memorize, on a stage or in a church basement, these 4 simple hints will greatly improve your presentation:

FACE THE AUDIENCE

The natural tendency is to face your co-actor while delivering your lines. Fight the urge! Face your audience, or you will lose them. You may angle your body toward your fellow actor up to 45 degrees, but never turn your back on the house unless it is specifically called for in the script. More...