Skyrim Novelisation - project - with a twist.

[Tharbad123]

So here is my idea.

 

I've always thought the actual main quest would make a good novel. I've been waiting for a while now and nobody has actually done it (unless I just haven't found it) so I am actually going to attempt it myself. I do want to try something different though. As the Dragonborn is predominantly male in all adaptations I've seen so far, I am going to make her female. Let's face it, a lot of us play with female characters and it's a lot more fun. Especially if you mod the game, the majority of armour, hair and cosmetic mods tend to be for the female character.

 

So with that in mind - I want to tell the story from her perspective. Here's what I have planned.

 

I want to use as much game detail as possible. This means using as much game dialogue and scenario's as I can.

I also want to weave an origin story for her into the story - this will give her extra motivation at times to complete her journey.

I've always wondered what the Dragonborn's story could be, how she became to be sitting in that cart heading for her execution along with the Stormcloaks, what was she running away from, why were they trying to cross the border? Of course this adds to the mystery of the game as the player is dropped right in, but I thought it would be fun to explore her history.

The story will stick close to the main quest, although at times it may incorporate certain side quests. There are a few it would be a shame not to.

If it's a success I will certainly continue the stories, The Thieves, Dark Brotherhood, Mages, Civil War quests would be fun to do. As would Dawnguard and Dragonborn.

I would like to incorporate certain mods into the game - these would be more of an immersion style - although I plan to use some created NPC's as well.

I do not plan to make this adult, or pornographic - I could - but I want the story to be the main focus of the novel. Of course Riften could be interesting by the time she reaches there. I may do a Loverslab heavier version if I get enough requests but these will be like cut-scenes and the story will not be affected either way.

 

At the moment there are no plans for screenshots. My game is heavily modded and a number of NPC's do not resemble their vanilla versions. If I can find a way to do it though I might change my mind.

 

I am not a writer, nor am I an expert storyteller - but what I am is a huge fan of this world that Bethesda has created and I want to do this for my own satisfaction and to see if I can.

 

I am doing this for two reasons - one, I would love the see the story in novel form and two I have had a novel of my own cooking inside my brain for some time and this is a good way of trialling my style in the public domain and as I hope I get better at it, it will give me the encouragement to put it down in words.

 

Why am I choosing Loverslab over the Nexus if it's not particularly "adult" in style? I just think you are a far more discerning and appreciative audience. The Nexus denizens seem to think the world is owed to them. I've found people here much easier to get on with and are far more patient.

 

I have a draft already written, from when the Daragonborn opens her eyes to where she chooses to go with Ralof or Hadvar - it is a draft though and needs some work on it before it is ready for you all to see, but I am quite pleased with it so far. Maybe it will be ready in a few days, although ideally I would like to end the chapter first where they escape though the tunnels and out into the wilderness. I might try and finish one section as a "taster" and post that.

 

Finally I understand the copyright issues and proper acknowledgement of those whose work.is being adapted. I am not doing this for any financial gain, merely the love of the story and I will credit everybody who has influenced me in any way.

 

My goal is to give the feeling of seeing a movie and then reading the novelisation of that movie.

 

I hope you'll enjoy reading it as much as I will have writing it.

[Tharbad123]

Update -

 

The backstory and character introduction is now more or less complete. I'm still at the point where the Dragornborn has to choose between Hadvar and Ralof to follow, but I've tightened up what I've written so far.

For the next few hours I will be working on the escape out of Helgen.

Then I'll tighten it up a bit more and we should be ready for the release of the first Chapter. I'm looking at about Thursday or maybe Wednesday night.

I've decided against screenpics for the time being. I will have to go back to the beginning of the game and stage them properly so I'll try that at a later date.

 

That said I am more than happy with how it is going.

[Tharbad123]

Just another quick update. I have finished chapter one. I just want to tighten it up a bit more tomorrow and then we are looking at later in the day for a release. I am very pleased at how it has gone. It has taken me about 4 days to do the chapter, so if I stick to a similar schedule, we are looking at a chapter a week starting tomorrow.

[Sophisa]

If you'd like someone to proof-read it for you, I'd be happy to. Done a lot of work in book proofing and newspaper editing.

[Tharbad123]

That's very kind of you Sophisa - like I said I've not done anything like this before and I hope to get better at it.

 

I just want one more attempt at tightening it up and then I will be happy with it.

 

If you DM me your email address I will send over a copy.

[Tharbad123]

I decided to jump forward a little and insert a chapter that is all of my own making. It's quite difficult following the game (I am using the walkthrough video's on Youtube, it's amazing just how much detail there is) and it's turned out a bit more Lover's Lab style. Not pornographic but quite erotic. I suppose it's inevitable when you introduce the Dibellan Arts into the story.It's not gratuitous (at least I don't think it is) and serves a purpose for the main characters. It also solves a problem of how to get one of my characters into an armour of my choice. I may end up with two versions of this chapter, one a bit more conventional but again, I'm pleased wit the progress I'm making.

 

Sophisa, I have the first chapter done now to my liking. I also have a small introduction (Like you'd find on the back of a novel) and this new chapter which has jumped ahead. You can read this other chapter independenty from the main story. Apart from the first bit, which introduces a new character who will be a major one, it doesn't affect the over all story. Still I had fun writing it. I'll email you the three files for proofing when you are ready.

[Tharbad123]

Update - the good news is, that Sophisa has the Full chapter and a few work in progress piece's I've written whilst I have the creative juices flowing. When I have them back, I will post the first Chapter up. I haven't planned any screenshots but I'm working on a way to do so and I will insert them into the story as I am able to. That's not a priority at the minute. The priority is getting the first chapter up.

 

Today I will be working on Chapter Two. I've held off on this as there is a lot of game dialogue again and stop starting the walkthrough's is a chore, but one I am determined to perservere with. Affter chapter two that will feel more organic, much like the game where you go and do your own thing in the order you choose, such will my characters. It will follow the main plot but there will also be a few surprises along the way. For instance, I am really enjoying writing a new character, not in the game unless you have a certain mod.

 

Right, back to it.

[Tharbad123]

Update - Everything is coming together beautifully.

 

Thanks to Sophisa I have somebody who can keep me in check and has offered to edit and proof it for me. This an absolute godsend to somebody who has never written anything of this type before so I am eternally grateful.

 

As for the novel itself. Chapter 1 is being edited and proofread. Once I have it back and have gone through it and I am satisfied with it I will post it. Chapter 2 is almost written as well, at least in structure, I need to tighten up parts and expand on the descriptive segments but it's coming along nicely.

 

Chapter 3 is very nearly complete and so is half of Chapter 4. A lot of this is very organic writing as I don't need much reference from the game which is why once I started it, I let my creative juices flow as I began my secondary story arcs.  Chapter's 1 and 2 are much like the game plots but 3 and most of 4 will veer off a bit as much like the game, once you reach Riverwood everybody's game changes. Following the main quest does bring a certain structure but I'd like to have a few surprises along the way. Remember the idea is to write a novel around the main quest. Much as a novelisation of a movie does. Parts of the game are untranslatable to page and others need work arounds. You don't just tell a total stranger you will go and look for a Golden Claw in a bandit and draugr infested crypt after escaping a dragon, you need motivation and a reason. I think I have come up with a clever workaround which will satisfy the purists and feel more natural.

 

Anyway I'm having fun doing this, and that's half the battle.

 

Hopefully I will be able to post Chapter One fairly soon.

 

Back to writing....

[Tharbad123]

Update - still waiting for proofed Chapter One to come back, but I've not been idle. I now have 4 full chapters written and of them all Chapter 4 is my favourite.

 

I've also started on screenshots. I've decided just because some of my NPC's don't resemble the vanilla versions that there's no reason not to. Besides, in most cases they are a vast improvement.

 

So I'll be doing that until I get back the finished chapter.

 

...til then.

[Sophisa]

Sorry, been a bit busy. Will get some more done this evening.

[Tharbad123]

Oh, I'm not in a rush. Take your time. I'd rather it was done properly than rushed. :-)

[Tharbad123]

Update.- I've got six pages back and I am delighted with them. However I cannot post anything until the whole chapter is back so it out of my hands as to a time schedule. I am

Not going to rush Soohisa. It will be done when it is done.

 

I now have 5 chapters written. So that side has continued. I have also started on the screenshots. I figured that if I start at the beginning, then the look of the characters is set for the rest of the story. Nearly every NPC in my game has an apachii or other hair mod overhaul, which is why I was initially reluctant to do screenshots but taking on the idea of a movie novelisation means that actors won't look like their game counterparts and so my modded NPC's won't either.

 

As for my main character I have decided to have her look like a typical sweet farm girl at first until she get's a makeover in Chapter 3. Then she'll look like she is is supposed to be as the Dragonborn and look beautiful and deadly. I hope you'll like her in both incarnations. I may post a screenshot later today of the first incarnation but you aren't getting the other until she gets her makeover.

 

As for the story, it's coming along nicely. Bleak Falls Barrow was a lot of fun but I had a bit of an idea as the damn thing is far too long to have her go down every tunnel or fight every draugr infested location and so I've flipped it about a bit. I've put the Claw Door earlier in the barrow to give the first bit a more puzzle and trap feel and after the door a more tense, chase feel as they have to contend with the draugr. It works better in a story that way. I'll probably employ a similar technique in some of the longer locations such as Labyrinthian or Dwemer ruins. There's only so much "they ran down a tunnel" or "entered a chamber" before it gets repetitive.

 

Anyway that's where I'm up to.

 

Back to it...

[Tharbad123]

As promised earlier - here's a nice screengrab from my playthrough with the novel in mind.

 

This is the first incarnation of the Dragonborn. She's still the sweet innocent farm girl at the beginning of the story.

 

Here she is with Ralof about to take out a bear in Helgen catacombs.