Evil Plotters Ink

Helpful Tips for Editing Room and Private Logs

It’s all in a name!

Sometimes I read posts and I can instantly tell it was taken from a log. It is usually missing a number of things one finds in an actual story. As players we often forget the tiny details that are all part of the settings. We don’t see a reason to add to the post where the story is taking place or even our characters names or the ones we are playing with.  For me the lack of such small details takes away from the tale one is seeking to spin. If all you’re posting is essentially dialogue without any setting or descriptions it makes the story appear to lack soul and personality.  Often I will read it and wonder, “Where is this happening?”, or “Who is the character Jane is talking to?” because it’s usually something we forget to add when taking play from a log. We might clean it up but it still does not read as a narrative.

Unsure what I am talking about? Here is an example of what I mean. (Note: The Following example is for this article and not from any other source aside from my own brain.)

She stood near the counter, shivering and waiting impatiently for him to arrive. He was late again and her patience was starting to wear thin. Heaving a sigh she peered expectantly at the door. She hated waiting.

He slipped inside noticing her waiting and a wince passed over his tired face. The second their eyes met he offered her a sheepish, apologetic grin. “Sorry. I know, I know, late as always.”

“Obviously” Her tone was droll as she reached for the glass on the bar and took a sip.

The above is just a much abbreviated example of standard room play. However I did write it as a narrative and yet outside of the reader seeing that one is very impatient and the other is chronically time challenged we have nothing else here. So, as this is to help others I am going to take that small block of text and expand on it as the one planning to post it.

Jill stood near the counter, shivering waiting impatiently for him to arrive. The hour was getting longer by the moment as the light filtering in from the Inn windows and the plummeting temperature would attest. He was late again and her patience was starting to wear thin. Heaving a sigh her fingers started tapping a beat against the worn and scarred surface of the bar top, while she peered expectantly at the door. She hated waiting.

He slipped inside and noticing her demeanor and a wince passed over his tired face, exhaustion and stress etched into the unusually deep lines of his features. The second their eyes met Jack offered a sheepish, apologetic grin to his sister Jill. “Sorry. I know, I know, late as always.” Jackson took a seat beside her with an up nod to the tender and soon a steaming cup of coffee was placed before him, something to chase away the chill of the afternoon.

“Obviously” Jill’s tone was droll in her response to Jack as she reached for the glass on the bar and took a sip, the heady taste of the mead soothing her frazzled nerves slightly.

May not seem like much or to some it might appear to be filler however, look at the alterations. We have with just a few additions established that while the woman may be impatient, her name is Jill, she likes to drink mead and is apparently in a bar or tavern. We have also told the reader it is late in the day or early evening and it’s getting colder as the sun is going down.

Next we have Jack. I already stated he was apparently time challenged but by the few added details we also see he is Jill’s brother who is obviously exhausted and something is apparently going on with him we have not yet learned.  He is a coffee drinker as well.

I as a reader like the details. In a text based sort of environment such as FFRP, those simple additions make a huge difference in a story.  Creativity is key here. So, if all you’re going to do is post up chunks of your dialogue, without even the most basic clarifications like; “Who, when, where, what, why and how.” You may not hold a reader’s attention.

Remember, not everyone looking at your post was in the room when you played it. They are not always going to instantly know who you were playing with or even what you were playing. All they are going to see is chatter without an anchor to clue them in. So take the time to add even the most simple of details like names of the characters in the play. It can’t hurt (and it makes it a much more easily understood and enjoyable read for everyone else. ~ Editor)

When I write, I see the images in my head and strive to convey that in a creative and appealing way. I am aware that not everyone does it the same as I do, but I do know that when I read a book it is often those very visual touches that attracts me directly, but it does not always show itself when I play in the room. Taking posted play to a story format for me is having a second chance to make a great first impression. That is when I can take the time to add in all the embellishments and details that most of us take for granted.

Contributed by Tasha Oberon’s Player
An Original Evil Plotter

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