tacobob

Like Brian said, if you want to take it slow just start with a background pony (Applejack) and go from there! Who knows, if you're feeling daring you can try for a mane 6 character! (Like Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rainbow, and Second Rarity!)

Well, it's different for minor and major cast characters.  For background ponies that get very little show time, the trick is to come up with a gimmick or personality that will give them a chance to be part of things.  Ask yourself "What would this pony do anything to gain?" and "what would this pony do anything to avoid?", and then ask yourself what their personal little quirks are.  For major ponies that get a lot of show time, the trick is to not play them asking "How would I have her act?" but instead to ask yourself "How would the show have them act?"  And finally:  have a goal.  I get lots of people going, "Are you interested in an RP where my character meets Rainbow Dash?" And I have to ask them in return, "OK, what's the story?"  "I dunno, ... they meet each other?"  "And then what? Because two ponies meeting is about two to four posts long."  Ask yourself *why* you want a cast character, and what you want to show with them.  Even while you're playing the character the way the show would have them - what side of the character that the show hasn't gone to yet do you want everyone to see?

Thanks guys!