Need for Writers? (Story / Editing)

[NSCReaver]

Hey, all! Joined the forums in search of a place to write stories for mods, maybe even edit stories for others, and I find that I don't really know enough about the community to know where to start. I see plenty of posts about gameplay, graphical, and all sorts of other mods being planned, and I support those as well, but it seems that I'm garbage at designing interesting levels and locales. Also garbage at balancing game mechanics. The last time I used a modding tool was for Morrowind, and that played out with me creating a pair of pants that, when jumped in, sent me to the moon and never let me come back down. Coincidentally, that was the last time I played Morrowind.

 

Got into Oblivion, played it for 200+ hours and modded from this site like crazy in the end. While I tried to stay away from huge game-changers (although I couldn't resist deadly reflex, even though the throwing mechanic auto-crashed my Oblivion), I found that a lot of the mods I was playing that had stories were either non-immersive, contained gaps in the lore, or were riddled with cringe-worthy grammar. Not saying all of them suffered from this, but you've likely seen something like it. And whereas I am terrible at graphical and level design standpoints, I thoroughly enjoy creating stories, and I'd love to do so for mods.

 

I know the official modding tools aren't even out yet, and it's only been a few days, but I thought I'd ask a few questions before I got started writing samples and outlines.

 

1. 
    
   
2. If I had a story created, already mod-ready, what would I do with it? Is there an accepted process?
   
3. How common are writers here? Would it be hard to find someone to hear me out if I had a grand idea for a story?
   
4. Does the demand for writers (if it exists) decrease or increase as the Elder Scrolls games age?
   
5. Are voice actors common?
   
6. Is there a way to protect my story if someone decides to steal it without acknowledgement / permission? Something in the forum policy about user-created content protection, but not sure.
   

 

That's all I can think of right now. Will add more if necessary. Thanks for reading, and thanks again in advance for any helpful replies.

 

Edit: Don't know if this belongs here, but on the other hand, not sure where it'd go besides here.

 

Edit #2: Thanks for the info, guys! Will try to learn the CK when it comes out. Edited this in because I didn't want to bump up an answered question.

Edited November 16, 2011 by NSCReaver

[PaladinRider]

1. Learn how to mod :biggrin: Rumors are the creation kit is supposed to be a much shallower learning curve, but we won't know until we get it obviously. Regardless, it's definitely set to be easier to use then the Oblivion set. (New Vegas was much easier to use than Oblivion's).

2. To be honest, there are a lot of people who want to 'write' a mod and want modders to turn their word document in to a mod. In my opinion, most modders learn how to mod to write their story. In my eyes, it's like bringing a picture of a car you drew to an auto-maker and say "Here, make this!". However there have been people who write stories and join up with a mod team. But without a good understanding of the CK, you won't have much luck.

3. I couldn't say. Like I said, most modders already have their own story.

4. Voice actors are somewhat uncommon, good voice actors are pretty rare.

5. Not really.

 

Another thing, even if you do find a modder willing to turn your story into quests, chances are very high that he/she will edit the story to the point where it's barely recognizable as your story.

[Aluminumfoil]

5: Nexus rules forbid using other peoples' content without permission. If somebody hosts a mod on Nexus with your stuff, you can get Nexus to take it down. If they decide to post it somewhere else, however, obviously Nexus doesn't do much for them.

 

With regards to editing, people aren't likely to come to you. However, if you find a mod you like, contact the authors, and ask if you can revise their mod's text for them, people are often happy to accept help.

[PaladinRider]

I don't think nexus rules apply for a story... If OP posts his/her story and someone makes a mod of that story its fair game - as far as I know.

[siviz4]

Idd the best thing you can do is learn how to use the CK yourself when it is released, and (if possible) team up with some like-minded modders. Edited November 16, 2011 by siviz4

[Lingwei]

The fact of the matter is that unless you know how to create quest mods then any story you write will only remain a dream in your mind (or perhaps a post in the forums). There are limitations to what you can do, both inherent in the game, the creation kit (I wish they had kept calling it the construction set), and with your own skills. Unless you know what sort of stuff can be modded then any story you write will be disconnected from what is possible - that is to say a person will not be able to mod it in. Furthermore no matter how "detailed" you try and be it will be the person who is modding who will write the dialogue and give the instructions and lay out how the areas and interactions will take place rather than you. Therefore if they think there is a part of the story that does not make sense or is boring then they will just change it. Finally pretty much everyone who learns how to mod and do quest design mods in particular already has heaps of ideas and probably won't want or need to use yours - they learnt how to mod exactly because they had a quest idea or story they wanted to see in the game.

 

I would keep your story to yourself and wait until the CK and tutorials are released. Then begin the long slow process of first learning how to mod, then learning how to create good quality mods and then finally create the mod you originally wanted to.