Thread: "Writing Challenge" section not so challenging...

I find it interesting that the "Writing Challenge" section is so overwhelmed by RPGs that it has little or no use or benefit to those looking for fun games, as opposed to contrived RPG storylines.

I suppose I'm opening myself up to be majorly flamed but whatever.

I thought this was a writing forum? Don't get me wrong, I am a huge advocate of text based RPGs in the correct locale and with interesting and original storylines. Doesn't seem to exist here. Angels and Demons? Really? How is this in any way challenging any of you? I went through and read some of the entries. Is this really challenging your writing ability? Not only were the entries riddled with spelling and grammatical errors, but the characters were cliche at best and dreadful at worst. Now, I am NOT saying that any of the people who participate in these RPGs are bad writers... but I am questioning the validity of having this kind of genre tucked in with the "Writing Challenge" section, much less having it in a writing forum period. There are PLENTY of RPG forums on the web. That's what they're for. If you're interested in playing around with textual RPGs and casual exchanges, but I am curious why people don't seek out the forums designed for this?

That said, actual WF writers interested in "challenging their writing" will not find it here.

Cheers,
Linz

Oh god... "Vampire Conspiracy"???? Come on people!!

Can I just point out that this is a Writing Forum? RPGs (though not challenging) include plenty of writing, and are fun to do. Does that mean we should eliminate RPGs from the forum?

I agree, Writing Challenge is not a section for RPGs, but don't remove the RPGs from the forum! There are plenty Short Story Forums on the web, but they are writing therefore it is good that WF includes Short Stories.

I suggest an RPG Section? If you were to look at other Writing Forums, like Lit.org, there is an RPG Section. RPG's don't need to be challenging. Writing doesn't need to be a challenge. Sure, it gets tricky at points, but it's meant to be fluent and fun, like RPGs.

So, if you feel it necessary, I am all for removing RPGs from the Writing Challenge section, but I am against removing them from WF. Make an RPGs section, I say!

Nick

writing is more about fun for most of than a challenge, besides the reason there are so many RPs here is because this is the only place i've found that includes RPers that post more than one line in a post.

Besides (opening myself up to flaming from Linz here) give me one of my characters that you think is cliched and I'll tell you why you're wrong.

Yeah Raging Hopeful,

I had the exact same thoughts, though, you're much braver than I am for voicing your thoughts. But, I would move to have it put in a different section. I've wandered here several times, looking for a "writing challenge" because I keep forgetting that it's full of RPGs, only to have the exact same reaction. "Oh God, 'VAMPIRE CONSPIRACY'?!"

I think it definitely should be allowed in the forums though, I know there are TONS of separate forums for it, but I dunno, I'm just not really comfortable with too many content restrictions.

I guess the way I see it is that, more or less, there isn't an RPG section, the Writing Challenge forum is practically unused, and so that's where the RP people went. Online roleplaying is pretty old and I would guess that a decent number of the people who go to forums get most of their writing experience from roleplaying. There are methods and habits that easily identify the roleplayer, such as long physical character descriptions.

Basically yes, you're right, this section should probably renamed to 'Roleplay'.

I don't know how many people feel this way, but I've always thought of roleplaying as a... different kind of writing. There are thousands of roleplaying forums out there, and personally I think it kind of contradicts the feeling of the rest of this forum, which is focused on traditional writing. I don't know if there's a community feeling against having a roleplaying forum here, but I could definately understand if there was.

Another option would be to hijack this forum. Anyone interested could agree to start running writing challenges. =]

I don't see anything wrong with RPGs. To me, almost anything writing related and original that gets the ol' muse fired up is a good thing.

As for running a writing challenge. No need to hijack anything, edropus. We already have writing challenges in the 'Challenges, Contests & Prompts' forum. It's called 'Literary Maneuvers' and there's a 500 word short story challenge already underway there right now. Feel free to join in!

Raging hopeful why not join the R.P.Gs and set an example for those writing in them. Plus writing forums are a challenge. They allow you to practice your skills on developing characters in different situations.

They allow you to explore different ideas with your talent.

Besides if your here only to complain and not to start a challenge of your own then step off. You have no right to say what is or isn't right for this forum. ANYTHING IS FOUND ON THE WEB. If you look hard enough, everything you post here is suitable for a totally different site designed for that.

Anyway, if you want a challenge why not set up a thread with a few other members and toss around ideas at what you want in a challenge and prehaps someone will take it from there.

Originally Posted by Hawke

I don't see anything wrong with RPGs. To me, almost anything writing related and original that gets the ol' muse fired up is a good thing.

As for running a writing challenge. No need to hijack anything, edropus. We already have writing challenges in the 'Challenges, Contests & Prompts' forum. It's called 'Literary Maneuvers' and there's a 500 word short story challenge already underway there right now. Feel free to join in!

I've thought about it. Very admirable the way you keep that running! I'm just saying that as far as 'Writing Challenges' go, some smaller little community-run contests might be fun. Hijack was maybe too strong a word. Maybe what I should have said was:

"Maybe instead of feeling like these RPGs are in the wrong place we should do some writing challenges ourselves."

Besides just because you don't find it challenging doesn't mean that another writer feels the same.

Each man has his own tastes. Yes some RPG's repetitive (don't get me wrong, I like them), but some are fabulous and rich. A lot of writing "challenges" don't do well because their creators neglect to properly describe their thread.
As Aura said if you don't find it a challenge then it doesn't mean someone else doesn't. I find playing the piano challenging, but running is second nature to me. Someone who plays the piano might find running hard. Get my drift?

Whoop! Go Mi

*High five*

*returns high five* take that suckas!

This is how we roll!

as usual Mi and Aura have the same opinion as me but they word it better