Nervous about roleplaying?

[Keldrena]

I am. You see, I've been hanging around planeshift since mb and I came for the roleplay, yet I rarely roleplay in game. Why? Because I don't want others to think I'm a bad role player. I've roleplayed before, for several years in fact, but it was forum based and I'm not used to real time roleplaying. Any tips on getting over this irrational fear?

[Jekkar]

Create a character with confidence issues or mental problems. Easy to blame it on your character if you mess up with roleplaying.

[SerqFeht]

Most people are't that good when they first give it a try. Find a patient group of people. If I ever see you we can do something 

[Phinehas]

I think understanding that in-game real-time roleplay just isn't going to be as good as forum RP is a big step. People make mistakes, or don't think through what they're saying, or one person types way faster than another and so says multiple things while the other's still trying to reply to the first...

You just have to accept it, find some people who know you and know you're a decent RPer and so will respect you and be merciful until you get better, and go to it!

[Keldrena]

Thank you all for the advice. I realize it's kind of a stupid thing to be nervous about, so I really want to get over it.

[Raa]

It's not stupid... I get nervous sometimes, but only 'cause I'm intimidated by some people.  Lame, huh, but I would never consider quitting roleplay.

[Under the moon]

My hands get all warm and sweaty sometimes when I go to post a new story or chapter. Nothing bad about being nervous. And nothing stupid either.

[Waylander]

It's not stupid... I get nervous sometimes, but only 'cause I'm intimidated by some people.  Lame, huh, but I would never consider quitting roleplay.

That would be me that she's intimidated by.

I used to have a similar problem (Amazing!  I know) but, it was with one of my characters.  I would RP with all my others but this one seemed to be missing something and so, whenever he was dragged into an RP I'd "have to go do RL stuff".  Being nervous is nothing to be afraid of.  Even the best of the best of the best of the best get nervous... and this post is proof of that

(Note: Figured out it was the name and now he's back.  Rawr)

Oh, and I'm always nervous when I meet one of Moon's characters.  Am I intimidated?  Noooo, I just know that the second our characters become friends Moon is going to kill his off! 

[Rayken]

Keep it simple at first.  Not everything has to be crazy plots.  RP eating your lunch and having a drink, that kind of an thing.  Start developing an idea of who your character is (if you don't have that already), and work on basic social interaction.  Eventually, you will get dragged into crazy stuff, and you will know how to react to it when it happens.

[edit: typo]

[LigH]

Is there any "bad roleplayer" among those who at least try to do it well?

[Zan]

My hands get all warm and sweaty sometimes when I go to post a new story or chapter. Nothing bad about being nervous. And nothing stupid either.

I get that too when I'm in an exciting roleplay situation, sometimes though now less than in the beginning. Either way, some nerves are quite normal yeah .. they keep us sharp and alive. As long as you're willing to try and improve though there is nothing to be afraid of. I have to use brackets relatively often to correct spelling mistakes or what not. Heck half of the time I still forget to mark (") the difference between what my character is saying or what he's doing. It's, like Phinehas said, a result of having to type faster and having no time for reviews.

[Mordraugion]

Keep it simple at first.  RP eating your lunch and having a drink, that kind of an thing.

This is good advice and it may sound silly but try and practice when not many or no one is about, go into Kada's or The Broken Door when they are empty order a drink have a chat with the barstaff you never know someone may come in and strike up a conversation, Brado may even answer back

[Liadan]

Is there any "bad roleplayer" among those who at least try to do it well?

only if the person starts mixing up IC reaction/actions with OOC action/reactions....as in taking what one character is saying personally to the player level.  But yes you're right....there isn't a 'bad roleplayer' among those who try.

Confidence my friend! We're all nervous. It's like wondering if your dance partner knows the steps to the music (ballroom, not club), and thinking that you're totally ruin it by stepping on their feet or tripping. But once you get teh hang of it, it become easier and you can start to tango! (keeping with the dance analogy).

Just remember that what the other character is doing may not be what the player is.

[Xordan]

You manage in RL well enough, just change your mindset and wooosh, you're away. That works for me anyway...
"I am the rock, I -AM- the rock" etc. Except hopefully you won't be trying to RP a rock, that might get a little boring.

[Phinehas]

Ok, I'm sick of this...

You're all a bunch of pansies and should be nervous, 'cause your RP is similar to the RP performed by a child in a halloween costume.

(That may not be true, but it needed to be said. This thread was getting too nice.)