h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

If it's going to be Si-Fi or fantasy then maybe having two or three seperate plots that gradually converge (or diverge then reconverge) would help with the consistancy, and it's a standard genre device.

Having conflicting voices could be a problem if it's not dealt with. I don't think it would be a good idea to try to find a homogonous voice when different writing styles could easily be made into a strength, giving different chatacters and storylines a distinct flavour. If we all try to be intimately involved with the writing every part of The Book it could end up being too fractured. Not that I think there should be any hands off policies or overly strict deliniations, just some overall structure.

If I'm being counterproductive tell me and I'll shut up.

Also, I wouldn't rule out a real time convo on msn. I think it could work as long as someone was put in charge of minutes. They could save the conversation, maybe edit out the less relevant stuff and cut and past it onto here so that anyone who was unable to attend could see what went on. Also no good ideas would be lost that way.

I think you have some good points there Speckly, and I would never dream of telling you to shut up. I agree with you that one of the strengths of doing a collaborative story is the variation in plotline, perspective and style. I do however feel that we need a *master* plot that all the contributers need to remain within the bounds of and a goal that the story needs to reach.

I also feel that we need to find out where each others strengths are, and utilise them as well, as well as doing what we enjoy. I think I am good at moving a story along, and have fairly strong characterisation skills. Where I need to do some work is in setting the scene and landscaping a story. I tend to focus on my characters quite a bit, more of an Eddings type writer rather than a Tolkein.

Perhaps pairing up on different subplots might be a way to go, so we can draw on each others strengths, and come out with a fairly well rounded story before the editor has to do any work on it.

At the moment I am just brainstorming, (although rather sadly on my own) which is why I think te real-time chat would be great, because the fusion of ideas bouncing off on another could bring out something brilliant.

Again Speckly had a good point about taking minutes, and I am more than happy to save the conversations (if we have them) and then posting the most useful off of the story page.

Another thought, how about once we have decided on the main plot, characters and some of the major events of the story, we write it up as a guide page (not for review yet!) and post the storylines, meeting minutes etc as convo threads off of that page?

OK I think that's more than enough opinions for my

Ps I could also post full transcripts of the MSN convo's off of my web page(http://www.kiltedjedi.com) so we can have a full history of the tale of the story should we become rich and famous from it

There definitely needs to be some sort of pre-planned plot (just look at the NES, it took 2 whole chapters to go from the hotel room to the conference). A log of msn conversations could also work very well. (Just as an aside note, you must have blocked me from msn as I wasn't able to send the last story update to you).

Love the graphic on that site....

I haven't blocked anyone I haven't had messanger running (You didn't try and send it to my hotmail account did you Unc?)



Also if we advertise the propsed time for the real time chat on the page with plenty of notice, then that could help alleviate problems with people missing out. The only issue is time zones then, and trying to get together at a time when everybody can get on.

OK, I'm convinced! Real time convo's do have their merits. Perhaps a weekly meeting? Or does that sound too... 'jon from bigbrother'?

Although using them sparingly will propbably ensure best results.

Knowing your strengths and weaknesses and declaring them is also a good idea, as are all your others, Kj.

Thanks flake

I agree using the convo's sparingly will add to their effectiveness. If we have one to start off with and then if anyone feels that there is something quite major that needs a convo they suggest it. Needs to be seconded before one is scheduled?

Seconded.

I probably sent it to hotmail then, , keep getting email addresses mixed up... Even once sent hootoo stuff to uni friends by mistake and completely confused them.... I've written chapter 5 of the NES up now anyway. Nobody was posting in Big Sister for a while, and the chickens don't say much back....


Real time convos are good (as long as it stays vaguely focused). Once a week might possibly be too infrequent...

thirded?

Would it be a good idea to do a group writing exercise before we embark on the real thing? Perhaps we could write a short story together or something, just to test our chosen method(s)?

Very good idea Flake

Or we could post a topic and each person writes a short story of say 1000 words or so, that way we get more of an indication of style and strengths?

Sounds good!

Sounds like a good idea

So, what should the topic be for the 1000 word stories? Should it consist of simply one word? Or should it be a whole sentence?

For example, 'existentialism.'

What about if we decide what the goal is for this story? Do short stories out of that because then we may get subplots and characters while we do this excercise? Why waste energy is my thinking

That might be a bit broad.... I think a whole sentence would be better.

but anyway my msn has decided to crash and it's nearly 1am and I've a wedding to go to... I think I should let my computer cool off.

OK. But it will probably be at least a week before we come to any conclusions about the goal of the novel, if not longer, I reckon. Shall we wait until then to do the exercise?

, simulposts

A demo piece could be about anything though, surely