[@Superboy]

	What I mean when I say that role playing and writing are not one in the same, is that role-playing, as its name implies, is centered around and defined by 'playing a role'. It's the essence of playing a character, first and foremost, before anything else comes into play. The medium in question - writing - does not define the practice. It merely acts as a platform or a 'stage' on which players can perform. In one sense of the word, role playing can also be associated with theater and games, both of which do not require any measure of writing to succeed.

	Although I wouldn't say that there's [i]no collaboration[/i] with roleplays, just think about how a group plays for a moment. While there are plenty of players writing in a group RP, can you assume that they're collaborating with their writing? Or even their story telling? Perhaps each player's focus is instead on playing their role, and reacting to the world around them. If we assume this to be true, suddenly there is no assured collaboration in many regards. Unless players plan ahead, which I believe defeats the entire purpose of [i]roleplaying,[/i] there's no telling whether or not two characters will work together IC. Additionally, there's no guarantee that they will collaborate on the same story. Perhaps characters will act of their own free will, and disregard not only the wishes of the other characters, but the wishes of the other [i]players.[/i]

	It's this organized chaos that I think makes roleplaying so entertaining and engaging. Too often are folks obsessed with their precious plans to simply play a role through to the end, and enjoy the experience for what it really is.

	That's not to say that collaborative efforts don't exist, or that they're invalid, of course. Some people do enjoy the 'writing' side of role playing more than the... Uh... Role playing side of role playing. And that's [i]fine.[/i] If players want more structure, I chalk it up to taste.

	I just think that collaboration isn't the central focus of role play. [b]Playing a role[/b] is the central focus of role play. Hell, I don't even think Meta-collaboration should be allowed in role playing. I feel like it's quite literally a fashion of [i]meta-gaming.[/i]