Extirpator/Timmy: Let's stick to one identity. I used to play the "two character" routine on IRC (stage fights with myself, that sort of thing), so I know the ropes. You "two" always post at the same time, started posting at the same time, and -- in what ultimately gives you away -- took too much of a deliberate step to define one personality while in the guise of the other. That's always fatal: people don't ordinarily talk about themselves unless asked. When it's unsolicited, unless it's a "Let's get to know each other" ice-breaker, it's a sure sign that you're playing a character. Not that I blame you. The whole fun of playing a character is to get everybody else to know what that character is like.

Chat rooms are better places to do acting exercises, and it's more challenging, as you can't sit back and think about your response -- you have to come up with it right then, on the spot. In writing my novels and short stories, I found that an excellent way to develop my characters -- *be* that character, enter an environment where you can't be sure of what will happen, then try to stay in character.

At any rate, in this message forum, let's stick to one ID.