Interactive Writing Exercise

Redlass · #1 03-06-2002, 01:38 PM

Would folks here be interested in writing an interactive story as a writing exercise?

I know we've done short stories in the Cafe, but I'm suggesting something a little more involved here. We'd rotate turns (and everyone would know when their turn was coming up). Each person would have an agreed-upon length of time (maybe three days? a week?) to write their section of the story. Each section would be a "chapter" that would be as short or lengthy as the writer felt he or she needed to develop that portion of the plot.

What do you think? Is anyone interested?

#2 03-06-2002, 02:15 PM

I'd be game, but then don't count on he to stay within the voice or style... I'd be very prone to dive into the mind of the character or some bystander observing the plot and let their angst take over.

phoenixx · #3 03-06-2002, 02:38 PM

Anything to stretch the mind... sounds interesting.

Leslie

**soxfan**[$] · #4 03-06-2002, 02:47 PM

That could be fun. And then the final version could be posted in EasilyAddictive.

Ailsa

**tpierzina**[$] · #5 03-06-2002, 09:40 PM

Count me in, unless you only are looking for real good writers with right grammer and stuff like that.

Grouch · #6 03-07-2002, 02:56 AM

It's tempting. Verrrrry tempting.
I need something to shake out the cranial cobwebs.

**hadassahchana**[$] · #7 03-07-2002, 10:25 AM

What a hoot! That could be really fun - or really intimidating.

Cindy, who doesn't want to go after File!

Redlass · #8 03-07-2002, 10:59 AM

Cool!

Should we start with a basic premise (setting/first character/genre) or shall we leave that in the hands of the person who writes the first chapter?

I figure we could leave this thread open a few more days to see if anyone else wants to participate. Then I could draw all our names from a hat to see who goes in what order.

What do you think about time? Or should we leave it open so that if someone needs a little more or less time they have it? Would it be helpful to try to keep the deadline fairly firm (if you miss by X days, the next person will take over)?

I ask 'cause I know I'm the type who works much better if I have a deadline. I don't, though, want to shove my preferences on everyone else!

phoenixx · #9 03-07-2002, 12:13 PM

As someone who frequently finds work intruding on her social life

perhaps a deadline of at least a full week (7 days) per chapter? That would enable all those who work to have room to participate...

Leslie

Cldplay · #10 03-07-2002, 12:23 PM

Theeye has hunted [?] me down again, and suggested I get involved in this. Oddly enough, I seem to find myself agreeing. I suppose that means I'd like to be counted in.

quasar · #11 03-07-2002, 12:59 PM

Oh why not. I'll play.

Janice

**AuntieEmma**[$] · #12 03-07-2002, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hadassahchana
What a hoot! That could be really fun - or really intimidating.

Cindy, who doesn't want to go after File!

I agree on all of the above!

Yeah, count me in.

Cldplay · #13 03-07-2002, 04:51 PM

As a playwright, I may see fit to "dramatize" particular segments. (Gee, Cheryl, raise expectations, why don't you?

Dani257 · #14 03-07-2002, 09:36 PM

I'll play, but I don't want to go first.

Redlass · #15 03-08-2002, 06:30 PM

OK. The participants so far are:

file13
phoenixx
soxfan
tpierzina
Grouch
hadassahchana
cldplay
quasar
auntiemma
dani257
redlass

If everyone takes a week, we're looking at having the final story in about three months (though, there's nothing saying people might not take less time or that other people may want to join).

I'll keep this open for anyone else to join until tomorrow evening and then I'll draw names from the hat for order.

Are there any other questions or things we should clarify first? Do we want to come up with a cast list of characters or should we leave it open for anyone who wants to throw a new character in?

Do we need any guidelines to restrict what can be done with characters or plot or would it we rather leave it open and go whereever our creativity takes us?

quasar · #16 03-08-2002, 06:40 PM

I'll probably regret this, especially if I have to go after File, but I think I'd rather go freeform.

Janice

phoenixx · #17 03-08-2002, 06:40 PM

I wouldn't want to restrict creativity by restricting the plot, but I would like to avoid writing a play or a children's story as they may be too restrictive for this many authors to contribute to. How do y'all feel about it?

This will be fun!

(And Bridgette I won't be able to go first, as I have some personal business to take care of this week and next, so if you draw my name first please toss it back in the hat - that way the story won't be held up on my account)

Leslie <- looking forward to the story...

Redlass · #18 03-11-2002, 11:08 AM

OK! Here is the order as pulled out of my candy dish (didn't have a hat handy):

tpierzina
Auntiemma
Cldplay
phoenixx
file13
redlass
hadassahchana
soxfan
dani257
Grouch
quasar

Let's have the first one due on the first day of spring: March 20 (though of course, anyone is welcome to submit sooner) and then we'll go every Wednesday after that. Actually, though, I suppose we should keep it a little more open than that. If Todd, for example, were to submit on Monday, then the next entry should probably be due the following Monday. That would help us keep things moving and interesting.

Edited to spell Cindy's handle correctly

**tpierzina**[$] · #19 03-11-2002, 02:07 PM

...right? Right?

Quote:

Originally posted by Redlass
OK! Here is the order as pulled out of my candy dish (didn't have a hat handy):
tpierzina
Auntiemma
Cldplay
phoenixx
file13
redlass
hadasschana
soxfan
dani257
Grouch
quasar

Okay, I'll do my best although I suspect I'm the least qualified on the above list for this sort of thing.

If anyone wants to PM me with nudges or ideas, I'd welcome them.

theeye · #20 03-11-2002, 02:15 PM

May a non-participant make a suggestion?

How about opening a new thread for posting the chapters as they are available and keeping this thread for any discussion, critique or general kibbitzing about the project? It would be nice to have the whole story develop in one place uninterrupted by commentary.

-TheEye, who looks forward to reading it

Redlass · #21 03-11-2002, 02:33 PM

I think that's a great idea!

I wonder if there is a limit to how long a post can be? I have a feeling me might be about to find out...

Grouch · #22 03-11-2002, 11:31 PM

Agreed about the new thread for the finished work.

Anyone ever read any collaborative book projects like this? I know there have been some done in the mystery field, plus the one by Carl Hiassen, Dave Barry, Elmore Leonard, et al (Naked Came the Manatee). Perhaps they offer some advice from their experience/method?

**tpierzina**[$] · #23 03-12-2002, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Redlass
I wonder if there is a limit to how long a post can be? I have a feeling me might be about to find out...

We could post them as attachments if they're too long. Does everyone have access to Word, or should we just post text? Or maybe HTML (for bolding, indentation, and other basic formatting issues).

I'll post the first chapter to a new thread in this forum.

What have I gotten myself into?

Cldplay · #24 03-12-2002, 10:54 AM

I work primarily in WordPerfect, but I could convert things into Word; that means, though, that the conversion might get kind of "glitchy". And I know nothing about inputting in html.