Writing, Post Length, and Role Play

About two years back, some jerk asshole came into Tales From The Daily Prophet and began to twit people about their spelling, grammar and how long their posts were. This man claimed to be a published author, declining to state his name, and happily took the conversation private so we did not disturb the room. He then suggested that I basically turn Tales From The Daily Prophet into an English class by making a rule that everyone had to do a spelling and grammar check on their posts, they should all be of a certain length--I believe he recommended at least two good solid paragraphs of five or more sentences a piece--and this would help keep the "state of online role play" up to a certain standard.

Horseshit.

Over the next few posts I will be discussing things that involve role play:

• Good writing for online role play (Hint: It's not writing a novel)


• The difference between a long post, medium post and short post, and when to use which


• Solo posts and how that differs from a novel


• Why short posts are not bad if that's all you do-Economy of words works!


• Why long posts are not always better no matter what the RP Nazi's say


• Keeping the scene short or making it long


• Recognizing the next step in the plot

If there are any other writing and plotting subjects you want me to mouth off about, just leave a comment here and I'll add it to the list.

Good RP,
Sandra