If I really write a serious role I have at least 3 sections:
1: Story format detailing background.
When bob was a boy he loved squishing ants, till one bit him. He learned his lesson and is now an outlander

2: Long Explanations of major beliefs etc
Bob believes in honesty which to him is <paragraph>
Bob also believes in courage which to him is <paragrph>

3: Bulleted list of things
*courageous - never backs down from a fight
*honest - never lies
*outlander - loves all animals and hates society for killng them.

I'm SOOO stealing that, by the way.

Talking about my character in the third person, and making more of a list of crucial events and results than a story. Mostly because it's a throwaway character but I love experimenting with role ideas that I could further develop on later chars.

It's worked alright, I still get nice bonuses but yeah, I don't see myself winning any competitions. The advantage you gain over these competition writers, however, is an ease with consistancy. Sometimes, I'll catch myself doing something I forgot is against my role. Having to read that damn story again to correct myself is a bitch - luckily, I have a handy checklist! Saurophobia... check. Stutter... check. Aversion to uncooked food... check. Gnome-farmer colloquialisms? Damn, thank god I didn't have to read my 10 foot role to remember those.

With a list, you can skim it everytime you log in or think 'how can I roleplay better?'. As a result, you will always be a step up from the rest. If you want to shoot for some rewardage, write both! Title appropriately, and imms can read the one they want.

I got the feeling that Rayihn's spin on the role contest - judging not just by role content but by how it was applied in-game - was a response to people who used this style. I don't know if it'll catch on, but it was handy for people with oft chaotic roles like mine that try to use brevity and relevance over style.

Yhorian

I think most imms probably agree. They (and they can correct me if I'm wrong), probably don't want to have to scrutinize 30 pages of text to figure out if you're RP'ing well.

I don't think your method excludes you from winning (I got runner up with a role like that and I feel, with a bit of updating, I probably could have won). I have a pretty good vocabulary though, which helps.

I'll share a small writing tip which I've developed over the years and it has served me well when I can remember to RP. Bear in mind, I don't do terribly unique roles. IMHO, being a shaman of vengeance in Thera is exotic enough from my daily life, without walking with a limp and thinking they are half mermaid. That aside, if I'm playing a mage, I tend to use very strong vocabulary in my role. If I'm a priest, I tend to use very 'old'/'traditional' words. If I'm a fighting type, I tend to use simple wording, but try to include some sort of action. If I'm evil I at least try to portray one evident trait that shows a deviation from standard thinking, whereas my goodies typically have some sort of redemptive journey in their background ala Confessions of St. Augustine (sure, its a Christian background but easily recognizable).

It all pertains to giving the text a subtle 'mood', which can help take some of the dryness out of it.