So, you're on NIMHmuck, sitting around and chatting... but what you really want to do is RP, right? Of course you do. And so does everyone else; you've asked them. But you don't have any ideas, and neither does anyone else, it seems. What to do? Well, I can't guarantee steller roleplay every time, but these suggestions might help you come up with some ideas.

• If you haven't already, make sure you have at least a rough definition of your character. This includes motives, attitudes, emotions, profession, history and physical appearance. Your character should have some history available to him; the easiest way to do this (if you're a NIMH rat at the colony) is to have actual characters as parents or to be a first generation rat.
  
• Look at the available characters. If you have alts that people don't know about, log them on. Sometimes the presence of a given character will start ideas flowing.
• Choose a setting. It helps if you choose one that's conducive to the type of RP that you want, but if you don't have specific ideas, any public place will do. Remember, certain places will suggest certain activities:
• Gym: Sports, excersize, guard training
• Dining Hall: Eating, conversing.
• Kitchens: cooking, baking, preparing and serving food.
  
• Lounge/Terrace: conversing, relaxing, playing indoor games, doing a performance (musical, drama, etc)
• Library: reading (alone or in groups--perhaps reading a story to children), studying (alone or in groups), looking for books.
• School: studying, lecturing, playing in the playground, watching over younger children
• Workshops: building, forging, weaving, sewing, etc.
• Infirmary: checkups, care for sick rodents, visiting sick rodents, etc.
  
• Greenhouse/Fields: planting, fertilizing, weeding, relaxing, etc.
• Soccer Field/Pavilion: Sports, excersize, training, special events
• Pond: swimming, water sports, relaxing, other beach-side activities, fishing.
• Forest, etc: exploring, scouting, running, hiding, avoiding Rapta & Balak. ;)
• Someone's Office: Discussing business, conversing.
• Someone's Apartment: sleeping, relaxing, being with family, doing stuff with friends/family, conversing, etc.
• Decide what it is you're doing at the time the RP begins. If you start the RP, be sure to include necessary details about the setting as well. Having in mind a certain activity that you're doing, whether it be drawing, reading, walking from one place to another, or whatever, will immensly help your RP. Even if you're sitting around doing nothing, you should have a reason for doing so (boredom, sickness, whatever).
• Most RPs revolve around at least some IC conversation, so try to talk to other people as they enter the RP.
• Don't be afraid to break out of your mold. Characters are boring if they are predictable. Maybe your character is supposed to act a certain way, but always be on the lookout for ways to stretch your boundaries. Do something slightly unexpected. Interperet things differently than other characters. Have a different reaction. Play the devil's advocate. If you find yourself digging up a clichéd response, think of how you can do it differently or twist it a little into something unique. Exaggerate a little. You may even find that you'd like to change your character in some way.
  
• Keep in mind themes or ideas from previous roleplays that you'd wanted to expand upon or go further into.
• Make something happen. RPs tend to be more interesting if there is something going on; however since you can't always depend on outside forces to provide action, don't be afraid to make your own. Action often can't be ignored quite so readily as talk.

Anyway, I hope that gets the juices flowing... Happy RPing!