Turn your RP into a novel?

[Ruby]

This is KIND OF what I'm doing with other student writers from several universities throughout the US, actually. The sheer amount of collaboration and editing that goes into it is insane, and we constantly ask ourselves if we're in over our heads. It's a novel from several POV characters, which is essentially a roleplay, just on a much larger scale.

[Griever]

I think the RP I'm currently GMing would make for a decent novel. It's shaping out very nicely, if I do say so myself. But other than that, I think what people forget is that RPing is NOT writing a novel.

I think some people are trying to slave over every single post instead of viewing the whole writing process as fun, not work, and having inspiration pour out of their creative mind. Once you learn how to differentiate between work and play, you'd be surprised how much you can enjoy writing long ass RP posts.

[Mairzy Doats]

It's possible, I think. Think of the original rp as a a very, very rough draft. If the people got together and rewrote it from scratch, filling in all the plotholes and stuff, I think it's possible. It would be a lot of hard work, of course.

[Dorian Gregory]

Namaste,

I am not sure if people are still reading this thread or are even interested in the idea; however, I have some first hand experience to recount...

I have, in fact taken this feat upon myself and done so successfully. However, the key point to this concept is keeping the actual role playing thread itself as a loose guideline.

At first I came up with a general idea, something along the lines of a rudimentary storyboard. I used the main character/s of the thread to keep the story on track as I acted as the DM. I gathered a number of role players...I believe there were four or so regular players with a few people who would periodically step in and out of the limelight. The group played out a great deal of the story, but eventually it collapsed as the group merely could not gather regularly anymore.

This event, as they were called took place on a real-time chat server something like the chat server we have here. So the logs were later gathered from a file created by the program specifically for such a purpose...I suppose any further detail of this nature would be irrelevant.

Anyway, after partaking in the actual "multiplayer" event I took extensive notes on what had been written. Afterwards, I started to write the entire story on paper using things from my notes, omitting others. I improvised when the time felt appropriate and changed what did not seem to fit to keep the progression of the story. As I did not have all the information regarding the characters I eventually rebuilt them to my own specifications to better fit the story. Unfortunately, the group was unable to finish the story so I had to create the ending myself.

So how did it turn out? Well...110,000+ words and around 215 standard pages later, I haven't had it published and I am actually still trying to finish proof reading it between all the other things I have going on at the moment. However, aside from some confusion in regards to the various titles I have used to describe the same character I have not heard any negative reviews. Although, I cannot say for certain if those reviews are objective or not.

Personally, I thought I did a pretty good job for what it is worth. I am actually looking to submit it to a Publishing House once I find the time to proof read it fully one fine time as well as get the majority of the second book done. Yes, I said second book; however, this one is not a role playing event turned into book. The original thread had inspired me to build an entire world that will eventually be the basis of an entire series perhaps starting with the original event.

So what do we think of this? I'd be interested to know. It is possible but I will not lie. It does take an incredible amount of preparation and work. Of course, a special thanks will also be required if the book ever does get published.

[Shockley]

I'd be interested in reading a sample from your RP-inspired thread. I wish I that I had the time to read the whole thing and give you feed back but unfortunately I do not.

[Dorian Gregory]

I wish you had the time to read the entire piece. I always enjoy reading a new review of my work if only to make it a better piece. It is too bad that you cannot.

As for a sample, I suppose that could be arranged. The only problem I will have it find the appropriate excerpt to post. You see, I made an attempt to get people's opinions before and I started by posting the entire prologue to the book on the forum; however, it did very poorly in the essence that people did not even look into it.

Now that I have spent more time on this forum, I am not surprised by those results at all. There is entirely too much ignorance and TL : DR, disrespectful. But...that is okay too I suppose.

Anyway, if you'd like I can take a look through the manuscript and PM you a couple of page to look over?

[Shockley]

Sure. PM away.

[Elation]

Maybe the concept and outline of an RP, but it'd all have to be written by one person. They'd have to write it in their own style all across, and they would probably have to alter a few conventions or points here and there.

[TylerNight]

I have been taking my 1 on 1 with my friend on here and tweaking it to match up our rp styles and create a story. Its fun but takes a lot of work to mash everything up, but it will be worth it in the end.

[Aufidius]

Perhaps, when its all said and done..