Essay on Roleplaying

So, I wrote a thing. Some names have been changed around to protect real-life identity. Thank you for everyone who contributed by filling out that survey. I apologize if your answers did not get into the essay, I had limited space. Either way, enjoy!

The Hidden Lessons of a Misrepresented Art

The world is filled with a variety of people, each with their own set of skills, interests, and goals. Every human on this planet possesses his or her own personality and there is something different about each individual. It is the goal of a select group of people to capture this essence of the human life. They want to recreate the gears and wires of what makes a person tick the way they do and portray it to other people. This section of humanity not only experiences what it means to live, but they gain the ability to convey it clearly through either a written or verbal form. This process is called roleplay. Roleplaying is a specific method of writing and story creation that typically takes place either through online games or forums or around a table with physical people. Specifically, roleplaying games are a tool writers and/or players use to go back and forth in order to create fictional scenarios. Roleplaying is a valuable practice for writers who want to develop skills in characterization, plot and readable fluency and because of this, it can help developing artists gains the capabilities to become published authors.

In an article written for the journal Studies in Cultures, Organizations & Societies, Jerry Kociatiewicz defines roleplaying as, “an activity in which a group of people creates and roleplays characters in a world devised by one other participant... The malleability of this world, coupled with the roleplays social aspect, parallels the socially constructed reality which usually surrounds us” (71). Essentially what Kociatiwicz is saying here is that roleplaying is a collaborative process of creating a fictionalized world, characters, and scenarios.
Kociatiewicz definition relates more closely to the tabletop definition of roleplay games. There is a great deal of these games available to players, including the most-prominently known Dungeons and Dragons. However, tabletop roleplaying games do not necessarily need to be built around a specific game. Kociatiewicz explains this concept, “The name itself is something of a misnomer, as the word “game” implies a… situation with winners and losers, while RPGs are actually more akin to the childhood play of make-believe” (73). As a child, I was always captured by my imagination. It gave me great pleasure to listen to the stories that my father would read to me before bed, and then re-enact them on the playground the next day. It seemed that I always had a creative desire, even in a fragile child’s body, to create something out of absolutely nothing.

Roleplaying games are just an elaborate form of storytelling. You do not need a set of official rules or specific guidelines to each character in order to participate in this process. Anyone who teams up with a friend to make up a story participates in roleplaying. “In RPGs, groups of people tell their own stories together” (Kociatiewicz, 73). While it is helpful to have a pre-created world to base your story on, it is not a requirement. Players are free to make up whatever characters, world, and interaction they desire. In fact, most roleplay games heavily rely on improvisation. You do not necessarily know what is going to happen, and sometimes the moderator of the session, or even the players themselves, must make up details on the spot.

There are two central types of roleplaying games. The first type, which I will explain later, takes place online. These roleplay communities typically function on forums, but they can also be run on sites like facebook, tumblr, yahoogroups, twitter, etc. Essentially whatever medium works for the group of writers participating in the game is the medium used. Most online roleplays are text-based, which means that the roleplay functions through written text. I will provide more information on this process later. The other type of roleplaying games is the tabletop variety. As I mentioned earlier, tabletop roleplay games are usually based off of a physical game with its own universes, characters, and guidelines. The most popular of these games is Dungeon and Dragons (also known as DnD). Over time, a variety of DnD games have been published. The one I prefer to use is Dungeons and Dragons: Pathfinder.

Tabletop roleplaying games work a little differently than online roleplaying games because it takes place in a physical, real time setting. Players generally know each other before the sessions begin. The majority of roleplaying games take place with a group of 4-8 people committed to playing the game. Of course, there can be casual tabletop RPG players, but the game is very intricate and typically requires continuous devotion. You cannot just create a new character each game session, unless you are devoted to spending two additional hours at the beginning of the game.

The experience of roleplaying games, both online and off, parallels the experience that a writer may have in creating their stories. Shon Bacon, who writes for the blog The Blood Red Pencil, explains this parallel,
“The connections between role playing and creative writing can be fairly obvious. Both contain the following elements: setting/worldview, conflict(s), character/players, context, action/enactment, resolution/outcome, and rules. To be a good role player, you have to be able to understand and work within these elements; the same holds true for the creative writer.”

Roleplaying games can function as a learning tool for writers. Writing, like all other skills, requires practice. Roleplaying can be a fun way for a writer to get both experience and growth. Vicki Hopkins, a published author who got her start in roleplay, writes, “In order to grow as a writer, one must write consistently to improve and tone skills. It’s like learning to play the piano. You need to practice each day. Unless you actually do it, you’ll never develop” (Hubpages 1).

As I stated before, tabletop roleplay games typically occur in a group devoted to playing the game. I, myself, moderate a weekly Dungeons and Dragons: Pathfinder group with five-eight weekly players. Dungeons and Dragons is probably the most recognized of modern roleplaying games, but others exist and are utilized in the same way. These games generally use different mechanics, and take place in different universes, but they function in the same way. “One central ingredient in a typical roleplaying game is a set of rules, or 'the system,' used to define the actions allowed to PCs [player characters] and for resolving conflicts among PCs and non-player characters (or NPCs)” (Kociatkiewicz, 73). Generally, the rules of the game are the foundation that keeps the session in order. The rules may vary from game to game, session to session. It is possible to bend these rules, or simply throw them out the window. It is the decision of the moderator of the session to use, enforce, throw away, or tweak the rules, as they will. Some moderators decide not to use any known game and simply make things up as they go.

The operation of tabletop roleplaying games is simple. Members of the group come together to create a story. They each bring their own characters, generally complete with statistical information (although this is not a necessity), and interact with them around a table. The game is run by at least one moderator, who establishes the rules and the universe, and brings the players together to interact.

Occasionally the moderator will create their own non-playable characters and have them interact with the players. Sometimes these characters are against the party of member characters, and the players are forced to roll in combat. The games usually operate on a series of dice rolls that adhere to the standards of the rules and the statistics that the players give to their characters. Again, this is a necessary element of the game, because not all games function around statistics and combat. Some sessions can simply be a group of people coming together to interact with their characters and to see where the story takes them.

These sessions take place in a world that is created by either moderator (Dungeon Master in DnD), or the players themselves. It is only limited by imagination. “In an RPG, much of the world is developed over time, and often only surface elements are scratched and understood” (Ervin 1). This process of world creation is similar to the process of writing a novel. In the fictional universe, writers must create a world in which their characters interact. Ervin continues in his description by saying, “Just as in a novel, where 90% of the history and foundation of the created world or universe is never directly observed, or even recognized by the reader… [the world] is [still] there” (1-2). It is typically the role of the moderator to establish these worlds, and as a result, the moderator gains the most skills that could relate to publishing a novel.

Session moderators have a variety of names, including Dungeon Master, Game Master, Game Maker, Storyteller, and Administrator. However, most people refer to the moderator as the GM or DM. Ervin explains this concept, “Not only must the GM play the part of multiple non player characters (NPCs)...it is the GM who constructs the world in which the participants play...the process has many elements in common with writing a novel” (1). Moderators are typically tasked with the very specific role of creating the world in which the players interact. This process includes lying out maps, creating complex non-player characters to color the world, and in some cases, improvising situations based off of how the players interact.

Through roleplaying, moderators develop the skills that are used in writing publishable fiction. This includes gaining the ability to create a functioning world in which characters can grow, flourish, and develop. Eirven continues, “Not only would an experienced GM have a background in creating a variety of believable characters, but he would also have practice in creating believable societies, nations, and even universes within the page of a novel” (2). Due to their experience in moderating the game, the moderator could develop the proper skillset needed to be a successful writer. Again, Eirven provides another valuable advantage a moderator has in writing, “players provide instant feedback, often through looks of confusion, immediate questions, or nods of understanding. Because of this, the 'description' learning curve can be shortened if a writer has GM experience” (2). This advantage can lead the Moderator to making the jump from the games to authorship since they will already have a basic understanding of creating something out of nothing.

Roleplay games function differently than writing a novel because they are player influenced. Eirven explains, “The main difference is that in an RPG adventure, players have greater influence than do characters in a novel, where the writer has complete control. Still, like cross-training skill in one lends itself to improved ability in the other” (2). The process of moderating and the process of playing the game can lead to the development of skills needed in fiction writing. As a result, avid tabletop roleplayers have an advantage in the published world.

Online text-based roleplaying communities’ function similarly to tabletop roleplay games because each individual member contributes to the plot with their character(s). However, there are some key differences in the operation of online roleplay. One key difference in online roleplay is that one person does not control the storyline. Unlike tabletop roleplay where the moderator moves the plot along in the way that they wish, the storyline of most text-based communities is primarily member driven. “You get to weave, direct, and plan the story as you move along, and so does your partner” (Hopkins 2). The story does not rely on the moderator to drive the plot but it gives each member an equal chance to contribute to the plot.

Online roleplaying is exciting because it is community driven. Anything can happen, and it provides a big opportunity for writers to get their feet wet. “There are good writers who roleplay that are mature and wonderful, and there are young writers who are inexperienced, boring and not so good. If you get into the right mix of people, you can meet friends, find mentors, [and] have individuals critique your work” (Hopkins 3). The community is diverse, mostly because it is held online. Individuals from all over the world flock together to participate in this shared hobby, and as a result, the community is exposed to every type of person.

In my experience online, I have met people from a great deal of different countries including Australia, The Philippians, and New Zealand. I have spoken to college students from as close as Boston, MS to as far away as England. Additionally I have befriended numerous people from Canada and all over the states that I may have never had the opportunity to meet before. Zoë, a roleplay tutor on the website The Hunger Games RPG says, “I get to come here and I’m surrounded by people who are just as passionate about writing as I am and it’s a real blessing to be able to share that with people I otherwise wouldn’t be able to do [in real life]” (Wolfe Online Survey). You not only get the opportunity to meet this diverse group of people, you also get to learn from them.

In my process of gathering data, I interviewed several staff members of two different online roleplay sites. I also surveyed the other members of the community with the same question. I got a variety of responses to the questions I laid out, but it seemed to be that the general consensus was that roleplaying was a valuable tool for writers to grow because it allowed them to practice their work with others.

Kay, a working novelist and a Librarian for The Hunger Games RPG said on the subject of the community, “Writing is almost always a lonely gig, but not roleplaying. You need other people. And whether I am working out thread details with someone or trying to figure out how to push our characters closer together, I’m involved in the process with another person. Across miles, across states, sometimes even across continents” (Wolfe Online Interview). It is clear that the community of roleplay is one of the most valuable assets. Members have the opportunity to feed off of each other, and to learn what makes a character or plot really, truly work.

Because members are constantly learning and practicing the craft of writing, the activity is beneficial for each of the members. Kay says on the subject, “I don’t see a lot of regression in roleplaying…Roleplaying is most useful in developing character, prose and setting…For myself, I test out characters on roleplaying sites before using them in my books” (Wolfe Online Interview). It is helpful for writers to learn to develop characters with other writers. The unpredictable nature of roleplay keeps a writer on his or her toes and forces them to respond to a scenario in a way that they might not expect. Dave, the head administrator and creator of the seven-year old Hogwarts Interactive/Reborn Roleplay says of the subject, “The best thing about roleplaying/collaborative writing is that you never know what you’re going to get. It’s like having free prompts every time you go to write” (Wolfe Online Interview). Unlike trying to learn by yourself, writing online forces you to expose your words to others. Each and every flaw is out in the open for others to read, question, and comment. You are challenged because you have to learn how to write in a way that allows others to respond to your work. It is like constantly having both an editor and an unknown audience on your back every time you attempt to write a scene.

The other thing about online roleplaying is that it is highly public. Anyone on the Internet can access your writing, and on any given day you could have anywhere from other person reading your work to several thousand. Hopkins writes, “I was exposing my skills, or lack thereof, to another person and opening myself up for critique. It was not an easy task. However, as a result, a year later I can honestly say I have seen my fiction writing skills grow and mature into a readable and enjoyable work” (2). Writing online gives potential authors the ability to produce readable content. When you know that your work is going to be read, then you work on it diligently. A former staff member of The Hunger Games RPG, Lalia writes, “Knowing what other people like about your writing helps you to write stories that are more engaging and interesting…Published writing isn’t just about the writer, it’s about a writer connecting with an audience. What better help could you have?” (Wolfe Online Survey). I, myself, have gone from somebody who can barely write a paragraph at the age of eleven to somebody who routinely spits out 2500 words in one go.

Eight years ago, although I was in English class and was attempting to learn to write there, I still struggled. Today, I have met hundreds, if not thousands of other writers and have had the opportunity to share my work with them. Today I no longer struggle, and it is more common for me to receive positive feedback. This feedback can range anywhere from outright admiration to a specific coaching on improving the most minute details of my text. I am not afraid to say that I learned more about writing, grammar, and the appreciation of the written word from online roleplay than just about anywhere else.

The operation of online roleplaying is actually incredibly simple. Members typically register for the website with one universal username. Some examples of different usernames, taken from the survey I conducted on The Hunger Games RPG, are “emsrock”, “+puppy+”, “wanderlust”, and “Anatra”. Personally, I always have found it easier to just stick with my own first name. That way, if it ever comes down to it and I attempt to publish a novel using a character that I developed online, people could easily check out the original medium for my work.

Once registered, members have the opportunity to create character profiles. Typically the site that they are using provides a form, which includes basic information on appearance, personality, and history. It is generally not a requirement to stick to the form, but it helps writers structure their character in a more readable way. These profiles, or biographies as they are more widely known, are a good start to the roleplaying process, and must be adequate enough to get improved by a staff member before they can be used. However, it must be warned that there is more to a character than their stats. “What comprises a character is far more than lists and numbers” (Ervin 1). In order to truly develop a character into more than list on the page, the writer must learn to breathe life into them through roleplay. Again, Zoë says on the subject, “I get to breathe life into characters and have them interact with others. It’s a challenge, but it’s also what I love to do…I get to watch my creations react to other characters and have other characters react to them – it’s like writing a novel but half the effort” (Wolfe Online Survey). Players work together to move the story along, and as a result, they get to see how their characters hold up, or not as the case may be, in scenarios with other characters.

I cannot imagine any other way to develop characters. When you are stuck in one perspective, then you struggle to see how others may view your work. A character is multi-dimensional, and it needs several perspectives to really come into itself. I know that if I had attempted to write my tribute for The Hunger Games RPG, Beatrice Birch, without the input and interaction of others, she would have never been able to move people to tears. Because I was able to develop Beatrice from a girl who had lost her brother to a girl who really connected with people in the arena for the first time, her final words were that much more powerful. The other members of the site felt connected with her, and when I wrote the first sentence of her last post, it was able to bring people to a cold chill, “They say death is supposed to be as easy as falling asleep, that all you have to do is close your eyes and you’ll be encased in eternal peace. Your breath slows beat by beat until finally the air that was once full of warmth and life and words transforms before your very eyes” (Wolfe on The Hunger Games RPG). Without the time and care that it took to grow Beatrice with my fellow site members, her death would not be as nearly as impacting. The fact that she died quickly (via a sword through the neck) would not have been nearly as tragic if she did not have others relying on her character to move their own stories along. When she died, she left unsaid words, and the other writers of the site had to learn to adjust and change their own characters as a result. It was one of the most enthralling experiences I have ever gone through, and without it, I do not know if I would have nearly the same ability to capture a characters death as I do now.

At the end of the day, roleplaying is an art just like any other form of writing. It may not be common, and it may not be widely accepted, but it is valuable. Lalia says, “At work, I’m the person people come to when they need help writing something. I have managers who frequently ask me to check their reports to their bosses…writing and communication skills are skills that...cause the people around me to view me as someone who is intelligent and capable” (Wolfe Online Survey). Most people are limited to what they can learn in English. While English class is certainly valuable, and has exposed me to work I would have never considered before, it is just the tip of the iceberg in learning to write. You can type all you want alone with the word document, but at the end of the day, the core of writing work that is good enough to be published is to know what people like to read. By yourself, your work makes sense and you may not see the mistakes that others do. When you write in the collaborative process of roleplaying, you gain feedback and you learn what it truly means to bring fiction to life.

Roleplaying itself is not a direct road to publishing, but it is does provide beneficial skills for writers who want to be published. Kay, who has experienced this transition first hand, says, “There’s still a lot of independent leg work that has to be done, if one wants to bridge the gap between roleplaying and publishing…But certainly, practice makes perfect. The more you write, the better you will become” (Wolfe Online Interview). If you want to get good at a skill, the best way is to practice it. Roleplaying is a great way to practice writing and I encourage more and more people to check it out if they are interested in a really fun, beneficial experience. After all, what do you have to lose by trying your hand at roleplaying?

Roleplaying can be a good method for those who want to grow their skills in characterization, plot and fluency through a shared experience with other inspiring writers. It helps those who are just learning how to write to get better and it pushes those who have several years of experience under their belt to the next level. While it is not a direct path to publishing, it gives writers a good foundation for writing readable material. Aside from that, it is an enjoyable activity and it is far more beneficial way to use your free time than wasting brain cells mindlessly scrolling through buzzfeed, twitter, or facebook. I recommend roleplaying as a tool for both English teachers and students, and I encourage you to check out some of the websites I mentioned above. Happy roleplaying, and may the odds be ever in your favor. Publishing odds, that is!

Works Cited

Bacon, Shon. “Role Play to Better Writing.” The Blood Red Pencil. N.p, 28 September 2010. Web. 1 April 2014.

Kay. Online Interview. 2 April 2014.

Dave. Online Interview. 2 April 2014.

Eirven, Terry. “The RPG Experience to Writing a Novel.” Mythic Scribes. N.p, 18 June 2012. Web. 20 March 2014.

Hopkins, Vicki. “Tune Your Writing Skills by Roleplay.” Hubpages. Hubpages Inc. 17 March 2013. Web. 20 March 2014.

Kociatkiewicz, Jerzy. “Dreams of Time, Times of Dreaming: Stories of Creation from Roleplaying Game Sessions.” Studies in Cultures, Organizations & Societies 6.1 (2000): 71-86. Academic Search Complete. Web. 20 March 2014.

Wolfe, Meghan. “Do you Roleplay?” Hunger Games RPG. Proboards. 3 April 2014. Survey.

Wolfe, Meghan. “Do you Roleplay?” Hogwarts Reborn. Zetaboards. 3 April 2014. Survey.