[quote=@tex]While RPs involve some level of collaborative writing, that isn't the focus of role playing. This is also one of the reasons as to why collaborative posts are cancerous monstrosities that defy the very nature of Role playing, but that's another topic entirely.[/quote]

Let me stop you right here because among other objections to this statement, I actually take offense at this. [i]What is any roleplay thread on this site if not a narrative that is the sum of the work of its participants?[/i] Nothing at all. If there is not collaboration in any form between players, then that's not a roleplay that is going to last any length of time, or create a remotely cohesive story. Is it possible? Sure, but it would not be something compelling to read as far as I'm concerned.

[i]Playing a role does not mean you don't need to or shouldn't care about the plot/overall story.[/i] Taking the time to think about how your actions with your character(s) is one of the hallmarks I personally use to separate casual & advanced roleplayers. An advanced roleplayer should take at least a few seconds to think beyond themselves and to the story at large. Everyone may still have their own vision for the direction it should take, but caring about that direction at all, rather than exclusively for one player character is a mark of improvement.

[i]Some players are more concerned with the story than with their own character(s).[/i] You can't tell me these people don't exist because I'm one of them. If the best thing a character can do in a given moment to meaningfully advance the story is die, then I don't hesitate to kill them off (and I do pride myself on ripping at the heartstrings when I kill people off but I digress). These people are definitely more writer than roleplayer, but that's not to say the two concepts are exclusive. If anything, a healthy blend of both worlds makes the pest potential players and that is the target audience I would always want in my groups if I had my way.