Create a unique character with a unique personality and DO NOT do anything that he or she would not do. Before you go in that direction, ask yourself...

Would he/she go there? If so, does he/she have a legitimate reason to go there?

Just because you know something is there doesn't mean your character does.

Eat / sleep / drink----That stuff is just trivial jargon, as far as I'm concerned. It adds absolutely nothing to the story I am looking for the character to tell me.

The members that post in this thread are some of the best at doing the RP thing.http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1386072-the-skyrim-dead-is-dead-thread-ix/page__p__21029465#entry21029465

Try playing a Dead-is-Dead character once and see how you like it. Basically, if your character dies, you're not allowed to reload a previous save or continue with that character. I find that I really get attached to my characters when there's a chance that they could die and I'd never see them again. And, it makes everyday situation more intense because there is a real risk involved. Being chased by a bear? Instead of just hacking away at it and reloading when it kills you and trying again, you have to decide whether to try to take it or run for the hills. It may not be a play style that suits you as it's not for everyone, but I was surprised to find that I actually developed a sort of attachment to my characters that I don't normally have.

Also, try to eat a meal or two a day, stop at inns to sleep at night (or during the day if you're the nocturnal type), and bathe in a river every few days. I usually do that by removing (not just unequipping) any armor/clothing I'm wearing and laying it by the riverside.

you could always take a page from my friend Acadian over in the Oblivion forums, and instead of being the character, be a non corporeal entity that accompanies the toon

In D&D, loot tends to be assumed as thrown in a wagon for easy transport, and upkeep takes place in the background so more focus can take place in the game itself. That's why I've never had any problem with Elder Scrolls' carrying capacity.

> You should park your horse in a stable with the rest of his friends. Also, don't forget to dismount him close to a quest location if you know that location will be hostile. Try and keep him hidden.

> It's dark, it's 3am. I have a quest in city "X". This city or area looks fantastic in the morning sunlight. Start the quest in the morning and sleep in the town's inn. Eat some breakfast and start questing and bask in the scenic morning glory. Very immersive.

> Walk along rivers and take in the scenery to your next objective.

> Apply reason and normal abilities to your carachter...sleep at night when available.

Talk as you play it, make a story as you go along.

Walk and if you must, use carriages. Don't fast-travel!

Wear regular clothes instead of armor when you enter a town, not needed in a small village.

Eat at least 2 times a day.

Sleep 5-9 hours each day depending on how much sleep you've gotten and how long you've been up. Sleep at inns or camps if you're far away from home.

Try to play on a challenging difficulty.

Name your weapon if you use it a lot, something like a family name or a name that has a "legendary" feel to it.

Try not to loot armor, but smith it yourself. Don't be overpowered by smithing daedric at lvl 10 or something like that.

Don't go in rivers/lakes with clothes on unless something dangerous is pursuing you.

Try to do something that your character would have done. Choose a certain thing to collect like dwemer artifacts, daedric armor pieces or just animal pelts from the local wildlife.

Wear suitable clothing for weather conditions. Carry with you some fur or something that's warm if you're planning on going up near the Sea of Ghosts for example.

Try to not join too many guilds that doesn't suit your character or at least "imagine" that you never were a part of a certain guild if you did the storyline just for a certain armor piece/artifact.

Try not to use artifacts that the dragonborn have in his/her possesion if you are roleplaying a non-dragonborn character. Collect artifacts if you must, but try not to think that you're the only hero in Skyrim.

Thanks for all the advice, it's been really helpful. I've made a start on my level 20 Nord to try and immerse myself more.

- carrying less
- regular clothes
- sleeping at required times
- doing things around towns (chop wood etc)

But when I create my next character I will take on board the advice about creating a backstory, things the char agrees and disagrees with. I'm pretty sure with all these tips I should be sorted.