InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "the one to open the door"

Vengeful. (vengeful) wrote in rp_tutorials,
@ 2012-06-18 12:28:00

Not sure if this is the correct place to post this other than rpvents...
...So if this isn't appropriate to the community, I will delete!

Are there any other hopeful authors out there?

I'm trying to write a novel, and at the same time I am RPing. I have three character journals plus a very longterm RP partner with loads of PSLs, the RP partner cuts a lot into my time and I feel is being very dependant on me for their own entertainment.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore RPing and my RP partner, but I really want to focus on my book. I feel like my creativity is getting drained into these journals and storylines when it should be going into my book.

So this is a question to people who are currently writing a novel as well as RPing - HOW do you balance both?

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wordsmith
2012-06-18 11:56 am UTC (link)

For me the answer is deciding how much time I want to put into either activity.
I agree that RP can feel draining - at times it can be like a black hole that consumes your creative urges, but in a nice way - and in order to be able to write both for fun and for, well, work, I try to separate them.
Writing for my book, stories, etc, is work. I decide how much time I want to put into that each day, and then try to delete as many disturbances as possible - I write with a pen and paper, am not logged into chat and won't check my emails.
It's hard, because when I RP I do a hundred things at the same time, I write, I chat with people, I fiddle in Photoshop, I google pictures of my characters; but when I write other texts, I try to focus on that alone, channelling what creative force I have that day, into that text alone. (Goes without saying there are days when I hardly write anything, but I consider that hour of staring out the window a small victory anyway, because I stuck with it.)

So, my advice would be to decide how much time you want to spend with RP each day, and how much time you want to (try and) write. Tell your RP partner why you're doing this (because seriously, we should respect each others dreams!), and how much time you can spend with him/her. Then try to get into a habit where your novel writing and your RP writing each have a spot in your day, but not at the same time, and not more RP than novel writing.

For me, that focus was what I needed to release energy - creative or otherwise - and start using it for novel writing. Whole evenings stopped disappearing to the art of RP, and I began writing other things with more ease.

If you want to discuss this further (in the time you're not writing of course :P), just send me a PM, I was really happy to see that there was another roleplayer who had the same thoughts and problems as I did! <3

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vengeful
2012-06-18 01:25 pm UTC (link)

I have spent far too long letting RP take over most of my time and energy, so I have the urge to write for my book but just don't have anything left over for it and it's become a big block, like a literary sponge absorbing every word!

I know exactly what you mean over evenings disappearing to pure roleplay. It happens too often to me.

Setting times sounds like a brilliant idea. I think i'll try it.

Thank you for this comment it's made me feel so much better already. :)

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tryslora
2012-06-18 01:01 pm UTC (link)

I keep quitting RP and coming back to it, I'll admit.

What I've found is just carve out a time each day that's all about writing (no AIM, no journals, maybe only a chat room that's ALSO focused on writing, not chatter). Sit down, do two thirty minute word sprints (write for thirty minutes, no stopping, no editing). THey can be one in the morning, one in the evening, or both at the same time with a five minute break to stretch, get water, etc. in between.

Then the rest of the time is yours for RP. But as long as you make words every day, you'll be fine.

750 words a day gives you a 90k novel in three months. 500 words a day takes a little longer, but is just as good.

And remember to compartmentalize. Take the time for each and don't feel guilty about ignoring RP for an hour so you can focus on writing. If you want to write, the only way to do it is to write.

It's not easy. It's actually horrifically hard, honestly. I've gone back and forth between my RP, my fic writing, and my professional writing a lot. But it's possible. I have two short stories coming out this summer in anthologies, and I keep fighting with my novels and hunting agents. But the big thing is to set aside time for yourself to write.

Best of luck!

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vengeful
2012-06-18 01:30 pm UTC (link)

Sprints sound like a brilliant idea, as well as cutting out anything internet related.

The idea of getting a certain word count a day out sounds good, too. Perhaps not doing anything RP related until i've finished. I've made it harder for myself for taking on characters in a very active community, so i'm getting comments coming through to my inbox around the clock. My self discipline has gone out the window.

Thank you so much for your ideas and comment. :)

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tryslora
2012-06-19 01:27 pm UTC (link)

The super hyperactive communities are part of why I keep leaving and coming back. I've found that the overactive games where I can't keep up reading/posting are bad for me writingwise, and the super quiet games, where I feel like I need to put in a LOT more work to drive the plot are also bad for my writing. So I've drifted towards the mid-level games where I don't feel guilty if I take some time off to write, but there's still plenty of activity to go back to.

Another thing to think about is bringing a notebook/laptop to places where you can write where you wouldn't normally game. Like sometimes I'll make wordcount on my lunch hour.

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internetporn
2012-06-18 03:02 pm UTC (link)

The word sprints and setting aside time are things I was going to say/suggest (good thing I looked at the comments first, huh?), and they can honestly be really helpful. I've only ever written a novel for NaNoWriMo, but those word sprints can be a serious help. You can also find programs that reward/punish you for writing (you set the parameters on things like Write or Die or Written Kitten (I think that's right) and they have web-based ones so you don't have to pay/download). There are also free writing software programs out there with timers (I cannot remember the one I'm thinking of right now, and I'm sorry for that) and/or word goals (whichever you find is easier for you). And also try working on your novel when you know/feel you're most creative. Is it first thing in the morning? Wake up a little earlier. Late at night? Set aside some time before bed where you can write or sign off early from rp when you know you don't have anything pressing the next morning so you can write into the wee hours. And so on.

Another thing I will suggest that helps me (especially when I don't have access to a computer) is carry a notebook or two around (and it doesn't have to be a big/full sized one, either, but the smaller ones that fit in purses and pockets). You may know that already, though, but if you have one that's just for your novel, you can jot things down whenever they hit you, and you can either copy it right onto your computer when you get home or you have scenes/ideas that you just have to flesh out and expand on when you're home. And I say get two because one can be for rp, where you jot down what you want to have happen in a scene or a journal entry so you can breeze through it when home and not take away from that novel writing. And if you have a 9 to 5 type job, write a little bit on breaks and during lunch. Any pocket of time you have can be spent getting a few words down for your novel (unless it's sitting at a red light while you're behind the wheel. That may not be too safe. But any non-risky free time works!) or even a few words down for rp.

And like another commenter said, let your rp partner(s) know what's going on, and if you set aside the same time almost every night, you can even say, "Hey, from this time to this time, I am for sure working on the novel so don't expect replies in any form. I'm not ignoring you to be rude. I just need to focus." Then disconnect from the internet (and maybe turn your phone on silent) unless it's absolutely necessary. If it isn't, do whatever research you think you'll need before, set things to be viewable offline/save internet pages so you can pull them up but not risk the pull of the internet, get out all social networking urges if you have them, and then just write.

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vengeful
2012-06-18 10:29 pm UTC (link)

The idea of carrying TWO notebooks is brilliant. One for the novel and one for RP - I have only carried one around. As well as making things available offline. Switching my laptop off from the net would become very easy to do.

The lure of RP and feeling guilty about my RP partner is a bit too much for me so it's been a bit hard to just break away and do my own thing. I've let it go on too long so it's become a habit.

Thanks so much :)

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internetporn
2012-06-19 02:58 pm UTC (link)

Make sure the notebooks don't look alike just so you know immediately which is which and don't have to fuss with opening it, reading, and realizing it isn't the one you wanted/needed. Or just put a label on the cover of each, but I don't know how open you are to having "ROLE PLAY JOURNAL" plastered on the notebook ha ha! Plus, it can keep people from bugging you about what that is or what kind of novel you're writing when you're in that flow. And I love that there are ways to make things available offline so I can get that writing done without having that internet lure. You can always just open your browser and pull up all you need (if, say, you have a layout for a house saved but can't save it to your computer because it's one of those right-click disabled images) and then disconnect. As long as it doesn't automatically refresh (like gmail, for instance), it should be okay. That's also just if you have/need a lot of info but don't have the space to have too many windows open. Too many windows can also be distracting anyway, or they are for me.

Again, just talk to your partners. They should be understanding. If they aren't, it can be an easy signal that maybe it is time to cut back from them. But I've found most are understanding (and some are even working on books themselves or participate in NaNoWriMo at least so they can relate/understand).

You're welcome! :)

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sddalek_inc
2012-06-24 12:38 pm UTC (link)

For me, it comes down to scheduling. When I'm good about keeping to a schedule, I can handle all the writing, RP, and other things I like to do/need to do. I also have been trying to take note of the times my RP partners are online. I've got a couple hours' "downtime" for example, during the day when the "morning crew" aren't on and the "evening crew" aren't on, so I tend to read, write, do chores, etc during that window.

Of course, this only works when I'm home for the summers. During the school/work year, I try to set aside the time right when I get home as "me time" - so I write or read or whatnot then (nothing on the computer), and wait till dinner to come online and RP and check email and stuff.

Striking the balance is hard for me, too. It's why I'm still on the same page a week and a half later, despite the binder being *right here* next to my computer.

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panemmods
2012-06-27 11:42 pm UTC (link)

Hi there. I am an author with a couple of self-published works. For me, RPing and stuff actually fuels my books. There are times, however, when I would really rather work on my own characters. When November and August roll around, I put up a hiatus notice or I tell them in advance that my activity will be relatively slow. (For NaNoWriMo and Camp NaNoWriMo, respectivly).

Most of the people I RP with are also authors if not slightly more on the hobby side than the publishing side. That might be a route you can go, though. Let them know up front when you just have to write.

If that fails, set a specific time for JUST WRITING. And they should respect it.

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	ronsonized 2012-06-28 03:36 am UTC (link)
	I've been working on my book during the day and RPing at night, when everyone is online. It helps me focus to have set hours during the day, so I can feel like I'm going to work, and then when that's over I'm allowed to play! (Reply to this)