A novel with no main character.

[Photon]

I just want to point out that this is not directly related to RPing, but I want to discuss it in the context of RPing. If a mod feels the need to move the thread, go ahead.

When RPing, one thing that most people make sure to do is set up a story with no main character, so that no one feels that another character is more important than theirs and so that the loss of a single player/character will not immediately ruin the story. Because about 90% of my creative writing over the past few years has been RPing, I have fallen into this habit when planning solo projects as well. I noticed while planning out the plot for a book I'm planning on writing that I had not created one main character and a plot that involves that character overcoming an obstacle, I had written a basic plot and a cast of major characters who all had approximately equal value to the plot. Think Harry Potter on one side (single protagonist), and Game of Thrones on the other (many characters, none of them emerging as the sole main character).

I understand why most novels have a single main character, it gives the reader an easier time connecting with the character, but why is there not a larger market for books where the plot is the main object and a cast of characters is used to tell the story of the plot? Also, do you think it would be easier or harder to write a successful book with no main character? (Note: I do not think my book will be successful, or even finished. I have a habit of only sticking with solo projects for a month or two...)

A second point is that RPs, while obviously inherently different from novels or other written mediums, often have pretty amazing and well thought out plots. While an RP would not be suitable to release as a novel without major editing, do you think that a novel based on the general plot and characters of an RP could work? Obviously this would be a story with no main character, which is why I am including this question here.

Sorry, a little ramble-y, but I think I hit the main points.

[Select]

Think about your audience, what is the primary audience (in modern times) for literary work? Normal people, simple, hardworking grunts. The concept of Protagonist vs Antagonist is one of the most, perhaps the most, basic - basic - basic things that you can have, and need, in a story if you want people to understand what you are doing. Too many characters of "equal" importance is confusing for most people, they want a single Hero to root for, and see him or her prevail over evil.

As for roleplaying on forums (which I don't know very much about), I don't see the problem in having a main character that you control yourself if you are the creator of the roleplay. The same theory applies, people want to see the hero prevail, they will connect with him or her sooner or later and forget that they don't get to be the "star of the show". Sometimes the supporting roles become way more popular than the protagonist, name a person who gave a single F about Frodo in Lord of the Rings. He was the protagonist, and we all rooted for him, but most of the supporting roles were the ones that were popular.

[Hellis]

I disagree. Gm who makes themselves a hero for them to run around and shine with, is not at all a good look for the RP. i fiind the best RP's where every character is given something to do, is given equal amount of time and importance. The narrative becomes better and broader, the nuances become more varied and the entire thing becoem more intersting.

[Select]

I apologize for being confusing in my choice of words when I said "people want to see the hero prevail", that should be "the protagonist prevail". A hero and a protagonist are two different things; I can see how making yourself the "hero" may not sit well with other participants of a roleplay, but having a protagonist shouldn't be a problem as a protagonist is usually not an all-mighty powerful hero.

[Kestrel]

I apologize for being confusing in my choice of words when I said "people want to see the hero prevail", that should be "the protagonist prevail". A hero and a protagonist are two different things; I can see how making yourself the "hero" may not sit well with other participants of a roleplay, but having a protagonist shouldn't be a problem as a protagonist is usually not an all-mighty powerful hero.

Basically, making the story revolve around your character by making it the main protoganist is... Well... Taking away power from your co-players. Rather than making it everyone's story, it's suddenly your story and everyone else is along for the ride. This destroys a feeling of significance to people their posts and makes it easier for them to feel demotivated; essentially weakening your game. If you cannot find a balance; it is much easier not to play a character at all. People want their characters to be significant; to have purpose for their journey. Essentially; everyone sort of sees their own character as the main character. If you use your GM-powers to force everyone into a support role (whether intended or not,) then... Well... You'll lose a lot of interest.

[Hellis]

Basically, making the story revolve around your character by making it the main protoganist is... Well... Taking away power from your co-players. Rather than making it everyone's story, it's suddenly your story and everyone else is along for the ride. This destroys a feeling of significance to people their posts and makes it easier for them to feel demotivated; essentially weakening your game. If you cannot find a balance; it is much easier not to play a character at all. People want their characters to be significant; to have purpose for their journey. Essentially; everyone sort of sees their own character as the main character. If you use your GM-powers to force everyone into a support role (whether intended or not,) then... Well... You'll lose a lot of interest.

This. None of my games have clear protagonist. Only a clear antagonist. And they work well becouse everyone feels their character is integral to the plot and the game.

[Kestrel]

why is there not a larger market for books where the plot is the main object and a cast of characters is used to tell the story of the plot?

Because many people need that medium to connect to the story. Or at least, that's what people belive. Personally I am completely fine with having a Game of Thrones set-up over a Harry Potter set up, but it is much easier to connect with Harry Potter simply because of his screentime and... Well, You can let your story revolve around him. You need less excuse-plots to show things from his past, you can spend extra time developping his relationships and have all that impact the plot with more significance; making the reader more involved with the character every step they take. The plot essentially, is background to the character's feeling.

By focusing your main attention on just the plot, makes it inheretly more difficult to reach immersion. So it relies on your atmosphere and more on... Well, charm, of character's, to keep a reader's attention.

On the one hand, the reader is Harry Potter; you experience the world and change of environment through him. Everything is introduced to you through immersion. On the other hand, the reader is a spectator of the Game of Thrones. This is simply, a lot more difficult to pull off properly for most writers and remains relatively unfamiliar territory for readers.

Also, do you think it would be easier or harder to write a successful book with no main character? (Note: I do not think my book will be successful, or even finished. I have a habit of only sticking with solo projects for a month or two...)

To be honest I'd feel it'd be a lot more difficult. I haven't tried my hand at it outside of GM'ing.

A second point is that RPs, while obviously inherently different from novels or other written mediums, often have pretty amazing and well thought out plots. While an RP would not be suitable to release as a novel without major editing, do you think that a novel based on the general plot and characters of an RP could work? Obviously this would be a story with no main character, which is why I am including this question here.

Sure. You'd probably have to rewrite the entire thing, but a plot is a plot.

[Select]

Basically, making the story revolve around your character by making it the main protoganist is... Well... Taking away power from your co-players. Rather than making it everyone's story, it's suddenly your story and everyone else is along for the ride. This destroys a feeling of significance to people their posts and makes it easier for them to feel demotivated; essentially weakening your game. If you cannot find a balance; it is much easier not to play a character at all. People want their characters to be significant; to have purpose for their journey. Essentially; everyone sort of sees their own character as the main character. If you use your GM-powers to force everyone into a support role (whether intended or not,) then... Well... You'll lose a lot of interest.

Since I don't have much experience in forum roleplaying I'm not going to argue, it's just a bit unorthodox to look at things this way. Everyone wants to be a star, but, I wonder, what makes anyone motivated to read what other participants write if everyone seems themselves as the main character? If everyone is rooting for themselves, then there is no purpose to help or support anyone else? I'm a bit lost in the logic.

[Hellis]

Since I don't have much experience in forum roleplaying I'm not going to argue, it's just a bit unorthodox to look at things this way. Everyone wants to be a star, but, I wonder, what makes anyone motivated to read what other participants write if everyone seems themselves as the main character? If everyone is rooting for themselves, then there is no purpose to help or support anyone else? I'm a bit lost in the logic.

From a personal perspective: Character development. Something you stunt if you force others to play second fiddle. Story should be immersive and relaveant to everyone. It should incorperate elements that touch each character in some way and it needs to be able to bend and change after each characters action. There should be no one protagonist from where every thing of importance is based. That is unfair to every other player that then just become a prop or a set piece. A GM should always strive to make sure each player feels important. I usually soolve this by not making my rp's black and white. By having many subplots that ties into one another to force players to interact, to develop to become intwined. And by having the mainplot hold relavance to each character. Many sotries has a protag simply becouse you need a Point of view. Here, on a fum you are suddenly offered many, many different ones. You should always use them, to make the story richer, more complex.

[Kestrel]

Since I don't have much experience in forum roleplaying I'm not going to argue, it's just a bit unorthodox to look at things this way. Everyone wants to be a star, but, I wonder, what makes anyone motivated to read what other participants write if everyone seems themselves as the main character? If everyone is rooting for themselves, then there is no purpose to help or support anyone else? I'm a bit lost in the logic.

Interaction. Be it between character, be it between players.