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I wasn't sure whether to post this here or Smalltalk, so I posted it here.
Ever since I have been back, I feel (and know for a fact) that I am worse at roleplaying than before I left. So I am asking you guys, whether seasoned or new, to tell me how to be a better roleplayer. It's a lot to ask, but after debating whether to post this for several days, I have decided to ask for help.
So, please, teach me how to be better. I love roleplaying here and want to be good at it.

I might be able to help. I know I'm not the greatest roleplayer ever, but I'm not that bad. You might want to try putting more detail into your replies. For exmaple:

Little Detail: He walked down a dark street, trying to get home quickly.

More Detail: He walked quickly down the darken street. Very few streetlights were on and he could see that his home was not very far away.

You can see the difference that detail makes in an RP. The more detail you add, the better chances you have of getting better at RPing and the RP lasting longer.

Thanks. I'll be sure to remember that.

Your welcome. If you need anymore help, feel free to ask me.

Okay.

Is there anything in particular you feel you struggle with? Descriptions, writing style, keeping consistent plots, character development etc.? There are so many different aspects in roleplay, it's difficult to give sound advice that covers all the bases you need covered! If you can narrow it down to some areas that are difficult for you, we can offer more precise advice.

(I also moved the topic to RP Discussion for you. The Help forum focuses on the site's technical issues and support. If it's directly related to (how to) roleplay or improve, you'll have the biggest chances of getting sound advice in the RP Discussion. )

I definitely need help writing consistent plots and developing my characters. I'm not sure what else I need help with, though.

(Thanks for moving this by the way.)

Uh oh. Theatre geek incoming. Duck and cover.

One of the most prominent theatre theorsists in the 19th and 20th centuries, Constantin Stanislavski, whose books about acting are still used all over the Western World, has a lot to offer the roleplayer. A lot of roleplayers fall into the trap of adding too much. I don't mean description, I mean character motivation. Have you ever roleplayed with someone who tells you their character's life story in EVERY GOD DAMN POST? I have. The fact is it's great for chatacters to have deep seated motivations, underlying tragic reasons for the things they do... But you don't have to be a masterful plot weaver (and please, for the love of god, don't try to be one if you're not) to create an interesting character. The beautiful thing about roleplay is plot just happens, spontaneously. How do you do that? This is where we get into a bit of theory work, I'm sorry if it gets weird.

When an actor reads Stanislavski, they read about objectives. I'm not going to go into detail here, just explain them in layman's terms, and simplify as much as possible. So I apologize to any other theatre geeks about to cringe. Basically, a character has ONE main goal that drives them through the whole play, ONE main objective in every scene, and ONE specific objective behind every exchange of dialogue. Each objective should serve to further the one above it. The objective behind a line of dialogue should move toward achieving the objective of the scene, which should be working toward the goal at the end of the play. Translate this to your characters, think about ONLY these three things, simplify your character's motivations thusly. I guarantee you, you'll be surprised how well it works.

Work out one long term goal for your characters. It doesn't have to be some grand end goal like saving or ending the world. It could be finding a lost love, discovering where they came from, courting the affection of a woman... As long as it's long term. Now, every time you enter a scene, get into your character's shoes. Ask yourself how that scene can be used to your character's advantage, in direct relation to achieving their main goal. Is there someone in the scene who can give them information? Who could become a travelling companion? Who is their enemy? Once you've decided on the scene's objective, stop and think before every post. What would your character do, or say, that helps get them what they want? How can they convince other characters, whose objectives may be at direct odds with their own, to do what they want? As a tip: always make your objectives relate directly to your scene partners. Want something from them, or want them to go away, or want them to stay. This is the very basis of conflict, which is at the heart of all drama, which drives roleplay.

Dress your character down to their bare bones, and ask them what, at their core, is the single force that drives them. Simplify your work, take your character development one small step at a time, and your roleplay will be engaging.

Also, don't just tell everyone what your character's objectives are. Just so long as you know.

That's a lot of information to digest, but I think I know what you're trying to say (I understand the second paragraph completely, thanks for simplifying). Don't add too much, plot happens on its own, work out a long term goal for my characters, put myself in my characters shoes to determine what to say and/or think in the situation, relate my objectives to the other characters, and overall, know what my character's main objective is. Do I have it right?

You've pretty much got it. You don't have to weave plots, you just have to create an active, goal-orientated character. When they interact with other active characters, plot is bound to happen. And it also means you can develop on the run, you don't HAVE to have a whole history worked out... As long as you know the main points, the rest will come a bit at a time.

I understand. Thank you for the help.