Okay, since there is little to none (and mostly none) mail or
discussions from this list, I've been thinking about a little bit of an
idea to do. I know that it's nearing the end of a school year for most
of everyone on here, and I understand a little delay in response; but
please at sometime respond. You only get as much out of this list as you
are willing to put in.
So here's my idea. It involves a sort of collaborative story, a similar
base plot that everyone develops from individually, but tries to
incorporate with other peoples sub-plots. There are a couple of rules
that I'd like to set forth first though, they're not really strict but
are more like courtesy to everyone else.
1. Don't work from or alter another persons character to sub-plot
without first retaining permission. Someone could have an idea of how
they want to develop a character or plot and your interaction or
alteration could be counter productive to the original intention.
2. Keep it socially acceptable. I don't want to stifle any creativity
or free thinking and there is a degree of bending to this rule, but keep
in mind that if you are going to venture into the territory of what can
be inappropriate that people might not want to read your submissions or
work with you in any way to interact plots or characters. (as and
example you can have a group of nudists if you want, but the nudity
should not be the focus; it should be an agent to have other characters
react to. Violence can be prevelent in your plot line, but don't make it
be acceptable; have some consequences if not with a justice system, then
with the idea of "what goes around, comes around.")
Now the basic plot.
The story is of or about a world that is almost totally consisting of
water. There are islands that float in random courses over the world.
No one knows if there is any "unmoving" or un-drifting ground or how big
the world is or how many islands might be floating around. The islands
vary in size and in their natural resources as well as their cultures.
That's where the creativity is found. If you wish to write about an
entire island or island group you can take the society involved to any
level that you want to. Technologically there are limitations; no one
island has the collection of knowledge that has made technology advances
possible in our world. There are islands that are or can be in the stone
age, and there are islands that have created what can be interpretated as
magnificent wonders. Your island is constantly drifting in an
unpredictable course, so any sea voyages by boat can be risky in that you
are unable to find you islands again. It can be years between the
meeting of two islands, or you can pass near a new one every month or
every other month.
Another option from writing about an island is to write about just one
character on someone elses island. You will need to develop your own
individual characters if you choose to control an entire island, but that
character can be a head of state or a common peasant or anything in
between. You can have a monarchy, a democracy, a dictatorship or any
other kind of government. The choices of your society are only limitted
by your imagination; it can be a sort of vampire (just for you Brynn)
society, a medival one, something like Atlantis, ancient China, or
anything you want it to be. Since there are interactions occassionally
between islands, there are some technologies that are common, but each
island has their own unique items and social values and such. Women
could be oppressed on one island and the leaders on another island.
There might be wars between islands because of these differences or it
might lead to a great trade agreement.
In order to make it a little easier to have the island interaction,
there is an assumption of a common language among all the islands; but
dialects, accents, and phrases can and almost should be different. That
doesn't mean that if someone is write character speach in a dialect that
you were planning on using, not to use that dialect; what it means is to
develop it on your own then just write it out and ignore any similarities
that yours has with anyone elses. (if it's possible that two people can
write in the same accent, then it's possible that two islands can
unknowingly develop the same accent).
There are different species of animals on each island and there are
animals that can be common to a large number of islands but vary very
slightly in evolutionary progress. Food sources and types of food or
diets are as unique as the values and communities on each island.
What I'm doing, and I suggest it to everyone else, is that you just keep
a list of the characteristics you want your island to have and possible
reactions you might have to opposite values or ideas. It'll also be a
help as a quick reference for the types of animals or food you have, or
the basic look that your island has in architecture. Kind of just
something to look back at so you keep a common thread through out your
story.
You can have different religions, but I want to keep the idea that at
once their existed one massive land that every island was once a part of.
Your island might have be almost nothing but mountains while another
island could be the exact opposite. There, even in the different
religions, are similarities that point to one original religion and that
a similar lore or legend or mythology exists among all the islands.
One other rule or guideling to follow a little: don't make your islands
omniscent or all powerful, it needs weaknesses or little things that set
it apart from other islands. It can be rich in mineral or metal
resources, but lacking in food sources; or the complete opposite. You
might have a large army and be extremely agressive or be totally
diplomatic and peaceful and made up of mostly an islands of thinkers. Do
what you want and be as creative as you want to can.
I hope that I have left it open and varied enough that everyone or
almost everyone will want to participate in it. The possibilities are
only limitted by your own personal limitations. So enjoy and submit,
submit, submit!!!!!!
To make submissions easy to recognize, keep a similar subject line
going; i.e. Hydromida (for the planet name) then adding your own island
name or character name after that to seperate your submissions from
everyone elses.
Please give me feedback on this and help it along a little. I'm trying
this as something to get the list moving and a little more active. I'm
not expecting entire books from everyone, but a short addition to
something here and there would be nice or help keep something going on
this list.
DOn H.
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those
who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
--Dr. Seuss
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