City of IF

[Smee]

Welcome all!

The Characters / Players :
Jhoni : Darkblue
Terry Daniels : Indigo
Inmate #63372 : Black
Xayne Wilde : Red
Magdeline Jounee Winters : Darkred
Carey Brucken : Green
Adah : Olive
Jackson Hummel : Blue
Ok - so how is this going to work?

You may have noticed from this topic title, that this is going to be our working thread. Here we will discuss, ask questions, sort out various things and all the "out of character" stuff that we may need to do. So feel free to use this space to ask questions.

Once we get going, I'll be starting another thread which will be where our writing will go.

So what are we doing?

We are going to be collaboratively designing 8 characters, one for each of us. Here is how it will work :

There are eight dark bodies crowded around a table, each with nine cards in front of them. They don't know where they are, who they are, or what they are doing there.

One by one, they will turn over a single card, and by doing so will suddenly remember a part of their life (so over time, the character will begin to be defined by their memories; important people, stuff they did, etc).

We, the authors, will take turns writing for each character. So, if you start with character 1, you next write for 2, then 3, etc, until everyone has written a memory for each character. Then, with the last card, the person who wrote the first memory will write a character synopsis, who that person is, what they do, etc based on all the memories we created as a group.

At the end, we each keep the character we started with - perhaps using them in a story, or whatever.

In the first round we will establish an order, which will dictate which character you'll be writing a memory for each round.

However, because everyone has different schedules and spare time, the order of posting in each subsequent round won't matter, so long as everyone posts for each round before someone moves on to the next round.

To make it easier for us, and reader's alike to follow the memories of a certain character, I will be asigning a colour to each character. When it becomes your turn to write for that character, you will do so in the colour of that character.

You can see the starting colours you will all be using at the top. When it comes to round 2, you'll be using the colour of the person's character.

For example if there were just 3 of us doing this :

Round 1 -

Smee went first, writing in dark blue
Deady went second writing in black
Crunchy went third writing in green.

Round 2 -

Smee writes a memory for Deady's character in black.
Deady writes a memory for Crunchy's character in green.
Crunchy writes a memory for Smee's character in dark blue.

Round 3 -

Smee writes a memory for Crunchy's character in green.
Deady writes a memory for Smee's character in dark blue
Crunchy writes a memory for Deady's character in black

This way, when we get to the end, and we're writing our summaries - it's a simple matter of gathering all the memories in the same colour.

~

Remember that there's no stipulations for genre/style of character - make your characters as inhuman or normal as you like. Pirates, aliens, half-demons, truck drivers, lawyers, little old grandmas - whatever.

This is also going to serve as a challenge for us as authors to try writing in a variety of styles as we move through the different characters. Should be interesting.

I mentioned 500 words in the sign up, but treat that as a minimum - we're trying to develop deep and interesting characters. Feel free to write considerably more if the inspiration strikes, but remember to restrict your piece to details surrounding one memory, event etc.

And one final detail - their is a style for the posts in that the first line will be in italics, and have the person turning over the card, and the last line will also be in italics and have them revealing what the card says.

In round 1 I want the card to give their name, and possibly their occupation. I won't set a requirement for every round.

I'll leave this now for a few days whilst questions come in - I'm sure I haven't explained this very well.

Happy Writing :)

[Shady Stoat]

I think I understand the basics. Most of them. Well, some of them at least.

Is there any chance you could write us an abbreviated example, so that I could see what you mean about the format and the italics? That last section's a little hard to picture.

*skulks away as she puts an even bigger workload on Smee's Mayoral desk...*

[Smee]

**Example**

Not really sure what was going on, he reached out towards the cards. An overwhelming instinct to turn one over filled him, yet he didn't know why. With a shrug he flipped it over

~

"Can I get a doub... 'eesebur...ger, extra 'rge fries, and a coke."

The order crackled through Bob's headset, barely audible, but long experience allowed him to decipher it without thought. He sighed as he punched it into the till. This was supposed to be a temp job, wasn't it? Where had the last ten years gone?

"Window 3," he yelled, carefully enunciating each word, aware the reception back the other way was even worse.

He'd quit... yeah, that's right. In the new year, after Christmas was out the way, he'd quit! Before the thought had even finished forming, Bob knew he wouldn't go through with it. He'd made the same promise a thousand times before. Besides, there was a recession. Only a loon quit his job when unemployment was so high.

Blah blah

Blah blah

Some exciting event

Blah Blah

~

Nervously he dropped the pristine card onto the table, bold letters clearly visible. "Mark Daniels, McDonalds manager"

[Shady Stoat]

Perfect sense.

Thanks Smee

*silently curses as the workload shrinks again*

[Crunchyfrog]

Yup, I think I geddit - although I'm sure I'm going to need some handholding on this, :lol:

[Smee]

Handholding is expected - that's why I'm flaunting mayoral powers to have two threads :P

[Fats_Masterson]

Sounds fairly easy. Are you planning on starting with memory one, or is there going to be a introductory chapter for the characters?

[Smee]

When the game starts, we'll all be starting out with card number 1, which will introduce the characters and give them a name (and occupation if you wish).

[DeadManWalking]

Interesting. So no restrictions at all?

Because I'm very tempted to have a bounty hunter-firefighter-space cowboy-duke somewhere in the mix.

but anyways, I think I see how this works. Looks like it'll be interesting!

[Smee]

I've added a table to the bottom of the first post.

This isn't a final version, because we don't yet know what order we'll end up posting our first memories in.

However - it demonstrates how the flow will go if we happen to go in the order you signed up for this experiment.

To read the table - simply find you name, follow it across to what round we're in, and the colour in the table indicates the matching colour to the character you should be writing a memory for in that round.

So for example :

In Round 4, I would be writing a memory for the Dark Red character, which is Cho's.

In Round 6, Crunchy would be writing a memory for the indigo character, which is Liliths.

~

Once we have the order, I'll update the table to reflect it, and we can use it to remind ourselves what's next.

Hopefully that makes sense

:)

[Smee]

Woah - my first ever Quadruple thwack of Bob :shock:

Yes, Deady - no restrictions, but with some common sense. We're looking to design deep, rounded meaningful characters :P


EDIT:

Gah Bob's gone crazy! 22 thwacks in a row and he's still appearing in here. Did someone spill a truckload of Kibble in here?

[Crunchyfrog]

I just got him 3 times - not all on the same post but all in here!

OK what happens if the memories start to contradict one another? How will that be controlled?

[Smee]

I will step in if things get out of hand, but everyone who volunteered is a capable writer so I'm sure it'll be ok.

This is a team effort, we're out to make 8 quality and interesting characters. Not make things unnecessarily difficult for each other.

If something doesn't quite fit it can be discussed in here. When writing memories for the other characters, try hard to ensure what you add makes sense and doesn't contradict anything said in previous memories. Tie it in where possible.

[Reiso]

This is a cool idea, collaboration always breeds good writing. Next time you guys do something like this, I'd like to sign up.

[Lilith]

smee wrote: Round 3 -

Smee writes a memory for Crunchy's character in green.
Deady weites a memory for Smee's character in dark blue
Crunchy writes a memory for Deady's character in black

*writes

:) Just to nitpick. And I remember you telling me about this awhile back now. Cool beans Smee!

[Smee]

The Competition is open - the official thread has been created. Start writing your opening memories for what will become your character, once we've all had our chance to add our parts.

Round 1 begins now!

Use your colours assigned at the very top. Post in size 14 font.

This thread remains for questions, thoughts, comments.

I will update the table at the top with the new order of colours once we've all posted our Round 1 entries.

Remember - we're looking for an introduction to the character, some hints as to their general location so we can make assumptions as to what sort of genre this character belongs in, and their name/occupation is on the card at the end.

Also remember that this - like storygaming - will likely go in all kinds of directions you never thought of, so try not to build too many preconceptions of this character in your head. We'll build it together.

Happy Writing :)

[Smee]

Just wanted to add - any non-players in this experiment - feel free to use this thread also to leave any comments on the writing so far.

We all love comments afterall :P

[Shady Stoat]

Just realised I'd posted mine out of order. It's deleted now, sorry for any confusion caused in the meantime. And I'll post it back when the others have gone :)

[Crunchyfrog]

Is it necessary to post in order? Also Mirel mentioned that she may be away for a few weeks...

I was going to post mine tomorrow (idearium permitting) should I hold off too?

[Smee]

I mentioned it in the opening post, but no the order doesn't matter. Post it as and when you have it done.

The natural order established in this first round will determine the order you'll write memories for the other characters, nothing else.

Yep - Mirel being away could be an issue.

[Smee]

And Cho's makes the 5th character so far. Excellent variety in them - this is starting off very nicely.

No rush to those yet to add them - plenty of time.

Happy Writing :)

[Shady Stoat]

I'm loving the character entries so far. Lots of material to work with, none even remotely the same as the others :D

[Smee]

Ok with Mirel's excellent entry, there's now enough for me to be able to work out the order for the rest of the Experiment.

NameRound 1Round 2Round 3Round 4Round 5Round 6Round 7Round 8Round 9SmeePhantomfanDeady StoatySugarplumCrunchyMirelTikky

This is it - as I mentioned before - just look up your name, look up what round number it is, and you get the colour matching the character you should be writing for.

Once Fat's Character is in, we'll have a day or two to let them sink in and maybe some comments, and then head straight into Round 2.

All of you (except Mirel who will be writing for Fat's character next) can now see the character you'll be expanding upon in Round 2, so you can start to gather your thoughts and ideas.

What past memories might these characters have? What big events might have shaped their lives to the point we met them in Round 1? What important happenings might have changed them in the future?

One of these could be the sort of thing you write about next.

Read the opening chapter carefully - what information, clues, hints are there to suggest important past events?

We're developing characters - wanting to know what makes these people tick. How they think? How they react to situations? What are their values? What makes up their personalities? What are their likes, dislikes, skills, weaknesses?

These are the questions amongst others that we want to start answering through the upcoming snippits of memory the cards will impart upon them.

Happy Writing :)

[Smee]

Woo! Fat's excellent character finishes off Round 1.

Truly awesome work folks, a fine selection of characters to build upon.

Gather your thoughts, round 2 will begin at the weekend.

Happy Writing :)

[Mirel]

Any particular area of life, part of the character's past, or any particular question you want answered for this Round, Smee?

I'm getting ready to bang this out and I need to know before I put my fingers to work.

[Smee]

Probably not - I haven't decided yet. I'll detail any specifics when I announce the start of Round 2.

[Crunchyfrog]

Ah, so we should hold fire on ideas for now?

[Smee]

Jeez, can't a guy procrastinate in peace :P

No you can be thinking of ideas - in future rounds I may make a call for a 'childhood memory' or a 'life changing event' - those sorts of things.

But as I know Mirel needs to get this done before disappearing soon, and a naughty Stoat has her's almost written, I won't be making any stipulations for Round 2.

I was mainly making the point, that we haven't started Round 2 yet ;)

[Mirel]

So......

*pouts* I want to write. And write now! Don't make me stomp my feet! *smiles and laughs at self*

I also admit to being slightly naughty and already having an idea for round two which I have started writing on. Hence my question.

[Crunchyfrog]

Yes, and at my snail's rate, I need to get started now if I'm going to pull 500 words out of the hat before Christmas :lol:


(editz to add) - I like the festive rubies on your earring, Mirel! :D

[Smee]

Go... write... you miscreants :P

But no posting them until I've announced Round 2, which will be sometime in the 50-60 hours of the weekend, starting when I leave work.

[Shady Stoat]

*hangs head in shame* Indeed I am. Very naughty.

But in my defence, it was really really fun :P And if I have to delete the whole lot and start again, that'll be fun too. Don't let me stop you imposing rules Smee :D

[Tatkret Sos]

*double thwacks Bob*
God this sounds really complicated! :confused:
:poke:

[Smee]

Round 2 is open then - get your colours correct, and don't worry about what order you post in.

*awaits excitedly for developments*

Happy Writing :)

[DeadManWalking]

Is there a time limit on this next round? Because I may be a little late. I'm pretty much completely busy for the next two weeks.

[Smee]

We'll be hitting the Christmas break by the normal end of this round - Round 3 won't be until after the new year. So you have some time.

[Shady Stoat]

Another question - is the format the same for round two? We still pulling cards from the deck? Or is it just straight storytelling this time?

[Smee]

Format will always be the same... turning over the next card... you need to come up with a simple few words/sentence to sum up your memory to be written on the card at the end.

[Smee]

A few excellent entries now in for Round 2... I'll keep this round going for another week, 10 days or so and then we'll start thinking about Round 3.

I look forward to reading the next entries to come in.

Happy Writing :)

[Smee]

Ok - we seem to have a few people who may have disappeared!

There's still a few days for them to make it back, but in the meantime could I ask for any volunteers willing to take over a spot to post in here please.

Should we not have a full set of Round 2 memories by the weekend, I'll PM a volunteer to take their place.

If you do volunteer, please be ready to get an entry in pretty quickly, so we can keep this experiment moving well.

Cheers :)