Greetings fellow writers!
Since this story has started to show life, I thought a discussion thread might be useful. For one, I'm already having difficulty remembering the names of all the characters. :D So maybe we can list them here in one of the first few posts.
I also wanted to let you know that I'm working on a palace post with Alphonse in which it is discovered that the prince is missing and I've got a post written in which the wayward prince/beggar runs into Sarafina. However, I doubt I'll get it up until Friday evening at the earliest. Neither of these look to immediately dovetail into encounters with Edwina or the sheep herding match so if you want to continue developing those scenarios, feel free.
I look forward to creating with y'all! Love the addition of a smart dog among our cast of characters!
so far it appears we have:
Edwina Taylor - young girl
Sarafina – Edwina's best friend
Devlin Taylor – 20 year old brother of Edwina
Matthew Taylor – Edwina's father
Anna Taylor – Edwina's mother
Prince/Beggar Walter
Thomas – Devlin's friend
---not to forget Molly the maybe border collie intelligent sheep dog.
I separated the men of the Taylor family in order to leave an opening for the beggar/maybe prince to follow the women, if that was the plan.
I didn't have any definite plan. I was thinking that he was admiring Edwina the way he would admire a flower. But who knows what might come of it. I think Walter's sense of romance and passion is bit underdeveloped but we're in the early stages of the the story. Perhaps he'll burst into flames at some point.
Our characters are multiplying, though not all need to become fully active in the story. From the palace, we have:
King Rupert
Hector
Bernard
Reuben
Quentin
Alfred
I think a lot of characters will only have bit parts. Their purpose will be to like a mirror in which we can see other characters personalities.
One of the problems with multi-author stories is the chance of someone hijacking the story.
If you have a storylin in mind, it's a good idea to bounce that off your fellow authors.
Here's a suggestion for taking turns that will take into account the fact that any one of us may get to busy to participate for a period, as is currently the case with Blackbead. Let's each choose a day on which we will contribute to the story by midnight. If we miss that day for whatever reason, no problem, we just wait til the following week to jump back in and others who want to keep the story moving can do so.
If all are agreeable to this method, I'd like to pick Tuesday.
I've spoken with Alphonse. He's willing to go along and is open to whatever day remains open after others have chosen.
What do you say, Dona Catalina and Blackbead?
Ok. I would be happy with Thursday.
I think this is an excellent suggestion! Give me Wednesday!
Blackbead
I've been in contact with Alphonse and he has chosen Sunday as his post or pass day.
Keep in mind that you don't have to wait for your designated day if your turn has come around. In other words, if Alphonse thinks of an immediate response to Dona's Thurs post, he can post Friday. If in turn I'm creatively inflamed by Alphonse's Friday post, then I can post Saturday. But then we need to wait til Wed (or Thurs morning since he has til midnight) to give Blackbead his opportunity to join in. Alphonse and I have used up our weekly turn early. Does this make sense or is it too confusing? Would you all rather keep it strictly to posting on the designated day and no sooner?
Well since I have already been confused about what day it is, I have no problem going along with what you suggest.
ROFL!! Okay, I'm sorry but I already wrote the interlude between Walter and Sarafina and it doesn't make sense to have it AFTER the scene Dona Catalina put up this morning. I think you probably put it up about the time I was writing my short scene. Please forgive me but let's just keep rolling . . .
But I have Wednesdays from now on, agreed?? :D
Wow, good save you guys! :o
Sorry to be confusing! :-[
No reason for anyone to apologize. This was just a little confusion; not any type of ill will by anyone. We are in tune and rolling now! I think it shows how good we're working together that this whole thing was tramsparent . . . except that I'm writing about it now! Geez! Forget I wrote anything!! Let's get back to the story! I want to see who winds up with whom! ESPECIALLY Molly! ;)
Fun posts, fellow writers! A joust! And great yuckola description of the jailer!
Lol . . . okay, well, there goes my plotline. I guess that's the challenge of writing in a group. Well, let's see what's going on back in the vilaage, perhaps . . .
we have a plot line? :o
Indeed, writing as a group can be that way, I did not mean to step on your plotline and apologize if it seemed that way. I was seeing a differant possibility and should have shared something about my thoughts on that much sooner. I liked what was written about the budding friendship of Walter and Serafina. When Walter was forced to leave I wrote something to the effect that he promiced to come back. Perhaps we can develop the story in that direction? Rather then a fight, granted a highly stylized one perhaps we can explore the adventures of the Prince as he and his friend explore the ins and outs of their culture while coming of age?
And while I am thinking about it, not all jailer are cruel, unwashed thugs. Some of us can be quite charming when we put our mind to it ;D I know I used to be one myself. Martin Montgomery I believe is still at.Who knows perhaps it is because of that to some degree why I prefer to write of adventure rather the fighting?
Well, Alphonse, I have to admit I was a little put out by someone coming along and building a road across my "Appian Way" but I completely understand your point of view. I can also see that this is going to be a tremendous amount of fun from this point forward! ;)
With this type of writing I limit myself to vignettes, instead of writing towards some far off conclusion.
We all have different perceptions of these people and what they might do under various circumstances. The unpredictability of it is one element that makes it fun.
I see what you mean about this type of writing, Dona Catalina, but I still believe that in order to make it a true tale there must be some plot. I agree that plots have twists and turns but there is till an overall path that a tale follows or it quickly loses a reader's interest. Tales go from vignette to vignette to vignette with a build-up, some conflict, a climax, and a denouemont. If Bilbo and company had simply wandered from scene to scene without a purpose to their travels, who would have cared where they were going? On the other hand, I understand where Alphonse is coming from - it's just not the type of thing that I write. I prefer tales with action and conflict and a thread that the reader is impelled to follow by the very nature of the story. I propose that I continue to contribute for a couple of more weeks but, if I am writing in a style or a way that doesn't fit in with what everyone else wants, then someone just let me know and I'll bow out without any hard feelings. Till I go, however, I promise to make the story as compelling and as harrowing as I can!
Blackbead
I hope we can all continue to write together. We have certainly been at a disadvantage when the person who initiated this story provided only the sketchiest of beginnings and then disappeared. Obviously the title leads one to believe there will be romance, or that at the least there will be interaction between people of two sexes who might not hit it off initially. Alphonse has suggested a subplot of the King testing his sons. Maybe it would be good to decide at this point whether we want to focus on palace folks and bring the peasants into their sphere or focus on peasants and bring the royalty into their sphere (or out of the palace anyway). (My preference is to move away from the palace and into the fields, farms and forests but I'm flexible).
I can see that Alphonse's decree by the king fits in with what I said initially about the King working hard to keep a peaceful, nonviolent realm. I haven't given up on the notion of having a joust, though, and even having Walter participate (even if with a far from sparkling performance). I've emailed with Alphonse and Alfred is going to meet his maker (he's due to pass on anyway) because with someone like that on his tail it will be hard for Walter to get on with life and learn from creating both mistakes and victories of his own.
And Alphonse, Dona Catalina was giving the description from a prisoner's point of view. Perhaps you would have been shocked to learn what your prisoners thought your nose resembled. :D And perhaps the reason you're disinclined to fighting these days is because you engaged in more than your fair share in your youth. ;)
As we say farewell to one of our members, shall we continue with the story as m'Lady and I have written . . . ?
Today is Thursday isn't it?
Yes, yes! And I apologize; I had written that piece late last night and wasn't able to get it in on time. If you'd like me to withdraw it, I'll do so and wait my turn till next week. I tweeked it a bit to get it to fit so maybe it would be better for me to pull it. Let me know what you two think.
actually, I think you made it work.
I had already began making plans about how I would write about Walter at Alfred's funeral, but I see that is not to be. Likely for the best as well, I am sure it would not be as interesting as the adventure that lies ahead. The only reason that I mentioned that,was to let everyone know that writting this way requires a good bit of give and take. I too can give up an idea for a story tangent as well as anyone else can ;D I say, write on and let us see where the road will lead us...
Well said, Alphonse! So, since it looks like it is just going to be us three . . . I believe that makes it your turn, Alphonse.
Dragons? interesting development. I have been writing about them in another story for some time, where do you see this going? A major development or a passing fancy? How much magic are you interested in having in the story?
A dragon? I must admit that phantasmagoria are not really my forte.
I am obviously not very good at this writing in a group environment. I seem to be 1 for 4 in my attempts. Maybe it's a sign. I started into this endeavor as a way of having some fun but I'm afraid that I just don't do well with this way of producing a story. Obviously, my last scene fell into a genre that is unsatisfying and, it appears, offensive to m'Lady. I think it would be best for me to follow in Tremayne's footsteps and withdraw. I'll take out the last scene I did so you two can take the story where you wish. Best of luck in your writing and in all things!
I'm sorry that you took my comment that strongly. It was not meant as a suggestion that you withdraw.
Indeed, I am not put off by dragons either, as I said I am writing on a story entitled a Trip to the Dragon's Cave.I only asked because I was unsure how either of you felt about magic as a story element.I can take it or do without it happily either way. I didn't take it that Donna was saying that she was against it, rather simply saying that it was not her strength.
I can see plenty of potential for adventure in that either way we choose to go. If we lean towards magic then it can be a passing encounter or we can have on of the characters catch the baby dragon and bond to it and raise it. If we decide to skirt magic then it could be an encounter that the young folks relate to adults when they return and be used as an avenue to explore legends and local lore which could result in many adventures.
I think that this sort of writing goes best when we spend some effort talking about direction and ideas for the story here. It is more work then writting alone but to me it is much more rewarding as the story seems to take on a life of it's own. If you find this uncomfortable then by all means you should step out but I for one do not want to see you go, I feel that you add much to the story development and we would lose in that if you decide not to be a part of it. I hope that you reconsider and hopefully knowing that I felt exactly as you do at first, I almost deleted one of my posts out of concern that I was taking the story off on a tangent that the rest of you wouldn't care for, means that you are not alone in not feeling completely comfortable with the interaction part. I think that it just takes a bit trust and talking here to over come that.
after much thought.....I decided to continue the story; if no one objects that is.
In a way this type of writing is a more diffcult test of creative writing skills.
It is one thing to write a story from A to B.
It is another thing entirely to write a story from A to Z when all the stops between are a moving target.
Well, being that Blackbead has appeared to quit, that seems to leave it up to you and me. There are no objections from me,please by all means, write on.
I agree it is more of a challenge to write this way, but as I have said it is in my opinion more rewarding.I have seen it work, Martin Montgomery and I wrote on a story, of this nature,with other writers called a "Trip to the Dragon's Cave" in Queen Bonnie's realm. There was a series of fantasy books entitled Sanctuary that I read back in the 80s that worked along a similar premise. It was more a series of short stories all set in the same town written by various authors.
That some people do not care for it's style is understandable, in fact, that it can be made to work at all is in my opinion a statement about the participants determination and flexibility as much as it is about the actual writing. When someone sends the story off on an unexpected tangent, I prefer to see it as a opportunity rather then a challenge. Though I understand that there are limits to that, it is in that very aspect that I find this kind of writting so rewarding.
I apologize for not replying sooner but my time has not been my own these last few days. I also apologize if I have offended anyone and I can see where my words could be taken as offensive. I agree with you both, and with Harry Callahan: I know my limitations. I learned something here - writing in this type of environment is just not for me. I applaud your desires to go on with the story, however, and I will be interested to see where you take it. I need to walk away but I know I'm leaving these characters in good and capable hands. Best wishes in all things.
Blackbead
(http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x71/Dona_Catalina/Generic%20Stuff/map.jpg)
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(http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x71/Dona_Catalina/Generic%20Stuff/map2.jpg)
Impressive, sure you weren't a Dungeon Master in a previous life? ;D
Quote from: Alphonse on April 05, 2009, 10:41:15 PM
Impressive, sure you weren't a Dungeon Master in a previous life? ;D
No, married to a ASL game fanatic. ;D
Indeed! it has been many a moon past since last I played Advanced Squad Leader. Back in the 80's my first wife would throw fits because I would take over the kitchen table for days on end with map boards from my many Avalon Hill war games,lol. Since the advent of computer gaming the world of table top gaming has gone into decline. It was via gaming conventions that I came to find the world of ren-fests.