Den Warren's Blog - Posts Tagged "shared-universe"
Plotbin.com: Fun for Writers and Readers
As an Indie Author, sometimes the tasks involved with writing, publishing, and promoting works do not provide an adequate amount of fun. I have always thought that it would be fun to collaborate with other writers on projects.
So when I discovered Plotbin.com, a new place to collaboratively work on writing projects,I eagerly signed up.
So far, I put up a story there that I just started, a superheroine story called Cynapse, and a goofy humorous story with the working title called Death and Betrayal. Then I added a bit to someone's clown story. I hope they come back and keep the story moving.
The neat thing is that you can put as little, or as much work into the story as you see fit. When you are done having fun you just leave.
I think this would be fun for some readers who would just like to be able to move the plot in a certain direction. Let the real writers carry the water and flesh it out.
The site is new, and there are still some bugs, but they are being worked on.
I hope you will go to http://plotbin.com/ and sign up.
So when I discovered Plotbin.com, a new place to collaboratively work on writing projects,I eagerly signed up.
So far, I put up a story there that I just started, a superheroine story called Cynapse, and a goofy humorous story with the working title called Death and Betrayal. Then I added a bit to someone's clown story. I hope they come back and keep the story moving.
The neat thing is that you can put as little, or as much work into the story as you see fit. When you are done having fun you just leave.
I think this would be fun for some readers who would just like to be able to move the plot in a certain direction. Let the real writers carry the water and flesh it out.
The site is new, and there are still some bugs, but they are being worked on.
I hope you will go to http://plotbin.com/ and sign up.
Thinking About Publishing an Anthology
I can't forget about the idea of publishing my own anthology. I think it would be fun and help the contributing authors share some of their readers with each other.
Having fun and gaining readers are both elusive goals for introverts who can't stop writing.
So I am throwing out some ideas here, looking for comments from readers and writers. If no one comments, I will probably continue to ponder publishing an anthology, and do nothing about it.
Shared Universe or Not: I love the idea of editing a shared universe anthology. The universe could be based upon one of my books; superhero, monster hunting, or my super-secret book in the works. I really wouldn't mind editing an anthology based upon someone else's universe. Of course, then I would have to learn the details of that universe. The advantage of a shared universe would be a ready made setting that the reader could relate to. Disadvantages would be that writes may hesitate to submit to it if they think their stories might be rejected and not be saleable anywhere else.
Author Payment: There are a few options here; I keep reading that it is a poor practice not to pay contributors in cash up front. I am willing to take on some financial risk, but it would be bad to lose a fat stack of cabbage after doing all that work. On the other hand, if you don't offer immediate payment, you won't get many submissions. If you don't pay well, you won't get any bigger named authors who can pull in more sales. Some indie authors are only looking for exposure, but it might be hard to find those authors if their only payment is a small royalty. It could be a pain to determine who gets what. Perhaps the best thing would be to donate the net profits to a charity. Question: If the indie authors are paid a flat fee up front, are they as inclined to promote the work if they get nothing extra from the additional sales? What about a two-tiered payment system, where authors with bigger following get a better payment?
I am interesting in exploring this idea further. Please leave your comments on any aspect of it.
Having fun and gaining readers are both elusive goals for introverts who can't stop writing.
So I am throwing out some ideas here, looking for comments from readers and writers. If no one comments, I will probably continue to ponder publishing an anthology, and do nothing about it.
Shared Universe or Not: I love the idea of editing a shared universe anthology. The universe could be based upon one of my books; superhero, monster hunting, or my super-secret book in the works. I really wouldn't mind editing an anthology based upon someone else's universe. Of course, then I would have to learn the details of that universe. The advantage of a shared universe would be a ready made setting that the reader could relate to. Disadvantages would be that writes may hesitate to submit to it if they think their stories might be rejected and not be saleable anywhere else.
Author Payment: There are a few options here; I keep reading that it is a poor practice not to pay contributors in cash up front. I am willing to take on some financial risk, but it would be bad to lose a fat stack of cabbage after doing all that work. On the other hand, if you don't offer immediate payment, you won't get many submissions. If you don't pay well, you won't get any bigger named authors who can pull in more sales. Some indie authors are only looking for exposure, but it might be hard to find those authors if their only payment is a small royalty. It could be a pain to determine who gets what. Perhaps the best thing would be to donate the net profits to a charity. Question: If the indie authors are paid a flat fee up front, are they as inclined to promote the work if they get nothing extra from the additional sales? What about a two-tiered payment system, where authors with bigger following get a better payment?
I am interesting in exploring this idea further. Please leave your comments on any aspect of it.
UU Progressive Novels: How The Supreme Archvillain Election novel was made
The Unbelievable Universe Progressive Novel method is a dynamic, interactive approach for a group of writers to putting together a novel. This system just kind of organically mutated while we were working on The Supreme Archvillain Election. Producing a novel using the UU Progressive Novel approach cannot be accomplished without 100% of contributing authors being willing to patiently collaborate with each other. All of the authors must be willing to accept the conclusion of the book, and even the possibility that their character be killed, which is typical in UU stories. Also, they have to be willing to accept profits after expenses only, not pay.
Also, the editor must be open-minded, fostering an environment of creativity, yet willing to say “no” in a constructive way when necessary. The editor must be willing to become the edited and truly listen to the suggestions of the authors, who in some cases and some aspects may be more capable than the editor anyhow.
The Supreme Archvillain Election (SAE) was published with the participation of just such authors, and hopefully, such an editor (me) as described above. We had a lot of collaborative discussion about the direction of SAE among each other. I think producing SAE in this manner was an enjoyable process for all of us.
First, a call for submissions was made for each author to create a supervillain who would be giving a speech at an evil meeting of evils on why they would make the best Archvillain to lead a new evil organization. Each contributing author was to write a short story on their speech, and then were also given the option of submitting a second short story showing their character in action prior to the meeting. In retrospect, it would have been better if the editor would have written the complete opening chapter to introduce the other authors to more details of the story.
Then, as the stories came in, they were compiled into a first draft. Each story was thoroughly edited by the individual authors, and the editor, but together were still considered to be a first draft. Here’s why: The complete collection of all the stories are then reviewed and edited by each of the contributing writers. The writers then communicated with each other with their ideas. This was not to criticize their cuddly creations, but to help meld the story together. Any changes to a story had to be submitted by the author of the story and approved by the editor. At this point, some plotting changes can be made.
After everything was compiled, the editor sent out the second draft to each of the authors. At this point, the goal was to focus on fixing plot problems, or improving wording rather than looking for new plot twists, etc, which could be an endless cycle. After this was done, the whole thing was sent out in a third draft to make sure that the editor didn’t get any of the changes wrong. A third draft would not have to be the final one. The editor would have to make that call.
More UU Novels: If there is sufficient interest in producing a sequel or another totally different progressive novel, or even other simultaneous projects, the participating writers from a previous volume will be given the first choice of participating. One of the previous contributors may be approved as an editor for a project if they desire. Any new members to the group will be admitted only by the approval of all of the returning participating members. We’re not mean or snooty, we just want to maintain the chemistry and continuity among us. Plus, it’s a loyalty thing; and we only need so many in the group. The publisher reserves the right to remove an author or reject a story. If someone reading this seriously wanted to join us, they should contact one of us and have some writing to show us. –Den Warren
Also, the editor must be open-minded, fostering an environment of creativity, yet willing to say “no” in a constructive way when necessary. The editor must be willing to become the edited and truly listen to the suggestions of the authors, who in some cases and some aspects may be more capable than the editor anyhow.
The Supreme Archvillain Election (SAE) was published with the participation of just such authors, and hopefully, such an editor (me) as described above. We had a lot of collaborative discussion about the direction of SAE among each other. I think producing SAE in this manner was an enjoyable process for all of us.
First, a call for submissions was made for each author to create a supervillain who would be giving a speech at an evil meeting of evils on why they would make the best Archvillain to lead a new evil organization. Each contributing author was to write a short story on their speech, and then were also given the option of submitting a second short story showing their character in action prior to the meeting. In retrospect, it would have been better if the editor would have written the complete opening chapter to introduce the other authors to more details of the story.
Then, as the stories came in, they were compiled into a first draft. Each story was thoroughly edited by the individual authors, and the editor, but together were still considered to be a first draft. Here’s why: The complete collection of all the stories are then reviewed and edited by each of the contributing writers. The writers then communicated with each other with their ideas. This was not to criticize their cuddly creations, but to help meld the story together. Any changes to a story had to be submitted by the author of the story and approved by the editor. At this point, some plotting changes can be made.
After everything was compiled, the editor sent out the second draft to each of the authors. At this point, the goal was to focus on fixing plot problems, or improving wording rather than looking for new plot twists, etc, which could be an endless cycle. After this was done, the whole thing was sent out in a third draft to make sure that the editor didn’t get any of the changes wrong. A third draft would not have to be the final one. The editor would have to make that call.
More UU Novels: If there is sufficient interest in producing a sequel or another totally different progressive novel, or even other simultaneous projects, the participating writers from a previous volume will be given the first choice of participating. One of the previous contributors may be approved as an editor for a project if they desire. Any new members to the group will be admitted only by the approval of all of the returning participating members. We’re not mean or snooty, we just want to maintain the chemistry and continuity among us. Plus, it’s a loyalty thing; and we only need so many in the group. The publisher reserves the right to remove an author or reject a story. If someone reading this seriously wanted to join us, they should contact one of us and have some writing to show us. –Den Warren
