Absolute Anime

That isn't a bad suggestion at all, though I think it would be even more convenient if just two threads were created rather than having two subforums. The first thread would be the preparation for the RP, and then when it's ready create the second thread which is the actual RP. This way they'd be in the same general location without having to back up a level and navigate to the other subforum.

i think, as a frequent role player, it should look a bit like this:

Role Play Area: were the role plays actually take place

Role Play Preperation Area: where the author can create a back drop, and ask his/her players to pitch in ideas for the world, locales in said world, pre-set characters, weapons, spells, etc. basically, getting rid of the first page of the real RP, which is basically devised to set the scene.

and i think this would be really cool, because Kai was telling me an idea of an RP he had, but it required a lot of explaining, so, rather than clog his first page (if he chooses to fulfill his idea) he can pitch it in the Prep area, and start it in the RP area.

however, i also think that the author of the RP (lets continue to use Kai as an example) would have to place a link in his first post in the real RP to guide would-be players to his preperation area. that way, people know exactly where to look, because they are guided there.

i welcome this idea whole heartedly

Ok here's my two cents and beleive me I've been Rping longer then most of you so I've seen the good and lately the worst. I've also seen other sites that use this set up as well....

In a way having a subforum makes thing alittle more complicated. It turns off more of the vetran rper's who don't want to click back and forth or have two seperate windows open when they need to look at something for the rp they're in. Normally I'd say to write stuff down but when the respective rper is part of every rp on the page it takes up alot of paper.

Now for the beginners it could be a huge turn-off because it'll be somewhat confusing to them. Along with the spot if you have a question you'll have to go to the pre rp area just to ask it... Now at times it'll be fine, but if your in the middle of a multi-para post it'll suck to go back and retype everything.

In the end I feel if you really need to do a preperation just do like the webmaster suggested and make a seperate thread. I don't think a preperation area will cut down on in rp spam either...That is upto the rp creator...