Slowly and carefully :D

Trying to force myself to play a character that I can, in no way, relate to, OR trying to throw myself into a new character too quickly, leaves me feeling disoriented and disingenuous in my efforts to RP them.

There's also a difference, I find, between a character that I can really sink into and embrace on a deep, personal, "they're inside my soul, dammit!" sort of level, and a character that I simply enjoy writing from a more external perspective. The first type is extremely enjoyable because it can produce such profound feeling and some subtle nuances in RP that aren't present any other way. The second type is more relaxing, less intense, but can be just as enjoyable and satisfying to me as a writer. It all depends on what type of story I'm aiming for. 

I always try to take a few minutes at the beginning of the RP or writing process, and just sit quietly and imagine that I *am* the character. What do my clothes feel like on my body? Am I wearing a soft, flowing gown, or am I a man in thick leather armor and muddy boots? What's around me? Am I in a snow-laden forest in the middle of winter, with numb fingers and frost on my eyelashes, and a silent, hushed world around me? Or am I in a tavern, full of hazy pipe-smoke, with loud, cheerful banter that forces me to speak a bit more loudly, while I can feel my blood growing warm from the ale I'm guzzling? How am I feeling? Did I just finish a satisfying day's work on the farm, or am I perhaps pondering the recent death of someone I cared for? Am I more likely to stare quietly into the distance in a thoughtful fog, or smile and laugh and engage the person closest to me in friendly banter?

I could go on, but that seems to be enough rambling from me for now!