StoryPlaces Project
I can’t believe it’s been over a year since my last post. It’s not that I haven’t had anything to say; I’ve just been busy with other things, not the least of which was my MA course at the University of Southampton, which I finished at the end of September. It was a great feeling to hand in my dissertation (a 15000 word creative project plus 4000 word critical commentary), but I was also kind of sad, as I will miss the people and the vibrant atmosphere of the university. More about that another time, though. What I want to talk about now is a side-project I have been involved in – the writing of an interactive, location-aware story for the StoryPlaces Project (StoryPlaces).
The story, which is called The Bournemouth Triangle, was uploaded to the platform last week and is being launched at the Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival this weekend with related stories by 6 other authors, who I would highly recommend (if you haven’t heard of them already, I’m sure it’s only a matter of time). The festival promises to be an exciting event with an extensive entertainment programme lasting an entire week (click here for full details), so if you’re going to be in the area, it’s definitely a look (especially as a lot of it is free). StoryPlaces are running a stall on the pier approach by the tourist office from 1000 – 1600 on Saturday and Sunday, where yours truly will be answering questions, etc. with the other authors, and there is an official launch event taking place on Wednesday 12th October with readings from the stories and a guest appearance by famous writer Philip Hoare, who will be taking part in a panel discussion about the relationship between human and natural history. The official press releases for both events are as follows…
1) Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th October from 10am until 4pm, Bournemouth Seafront: Lower Winter Gardens, Bournemouth, Dorset BH2 5DJ
'FOLLOW THE STORY'
Use your smartphone or tablet to read a newly commissioned story. Watch it unfold as you reach each location on the trail, exploring the seafront, gardens and town.
The theme of the stories will draw in the reader to the collections and visions of BNSS.
Find our stall in the Lower Winter Gardens.
There will be Smartphones to borrow for those without a mobile device of their own.
Our authors comprise a team of postgraduate creative writing students at the University of Southampton and writers from around Bournemouth. The Southampton students developed their stories with the help of writer, curator and broadcaster, Philip Hoare (University of Southampton) and transmedia writer and sound designer, Alison Bown (Bath Spa University); the Bournemouth community writers worked with writer and lecturer James Cole (Arts University Bournemouth).
2) Wednesday 12th October from 3 − 5pm at the Bournemouth Natural Science Society, 39 Christchurch Rd, Bournemouth BH1 3NS
'IN CONVERSATION' with author, broadcaster and curator Philip Hoare; writer, birdwatcher and BBC radio producer Tim Dee; Mary Thornton and John Cresswell from the BNSS. 'Nature versus Culture: Where does natural history take us?'
We seem more disconnected from nature than ever before, yet popular interest in the natural world has never been greater. From the ‘new nature’ books by authors such as Helen Macdonald and Robert Macfarlane, to the perennial news media interest in natural science stories, to the latest cute YouTube clip, we are seem obsessed with a world we may be losing. Our panel discuss this fascinating meeting of human and natural history, as embodied by the wondrous and historic collection of curiosities in the Victorian home of Bournemouth Natural Sciences Society.
http://www.philiphoare.co.uk/
http://timdee.net/
The talk will be followed by authors of the StoryPlaces location-aware stories talking about the challenges and opportunities of writing 'for and within the place', bringing the museum, its curiosities and collections to life outside.
As stated, our brief as writers was to come up with a story which was inspired by the collection at the Bournemouth Natural Science Society’s museum, but incorporated locations around the town of Bournemouth. It wasn't hard finding material as there is a large and eclectic collection of specimens and artifacts in the museum and the society members are mines of information (if you are ever looking for something to do in Bournemouth, it is definitely a place you should consider visiting). If anything, I ended up with too many ideas. The one I eventually decided on was based around a model of a bakery scene in the Egyptian collection. It wasn't a particularly prominent exhibit, but it very much appealed to me, because I hadn't seen anything like it before. I had a conversation with one of the members about the piece and he mentioned that it was similar to a model at the British Museum, but of superior quality, and it was this that sowed the seeds for my story. That said, the model isn't what the story is specifically about, but it certainly plays an important role and I even managed to incorporate a little of its history, particularly in terms of its discovery by Field Marshall the Lord Grenfell at Aswan. Those of you who are familiar with my work won't be surprised to hear that there is a supernatural element, but really it focuses on human relationships. I don't want to say too much more about the plot, as I don't want to spoil it for anyone who decides to read it, but here is the promotional blurb...
A time slip tale of love and disharmony…
Harriet is trapped in a loveless marriage in 1920s Bournemouth. Andrew is a mild-mannered academic from the British Museum who is determined to rescue her. Does he succeed? Find out as they draw you back in time to witness their story.
It starts with a woman's ghost. Then one ghost becomes two ghosts, and two ghosts become the ghost of an entire town. They have something to say to you; are you ready to listen?
Here too are the covers I designed.
I couldn't make up my mind which one to go with myself, so I have left it to StoryPlaces to decide.
Coming back, to the story itself, it was great fun to write, but presented some interesting challenges. Apart from the fact that I was having to work on it at the same time as I was doing my dissertation, I found I had a lot to learn about the intricacies of the tablet/mobile phone medium and how it differs from traditional fiction. I decided early on I wanted my readers to drive the story forward by making various choices along the way, but it quickly became apparent that including as many branches as I would have liked was going to make the story unmanageable. As a result, I ended up simplifying it considerably, though it still ended up being over 9000 words. Another important lesson I learnt was not to waste too many words describing places, but to let the scenery speak for itself.
I have yet to walk the trail, so to speak, but am happy overall with the way it turned out (which isn't to say I I wouldn't have done things differently if I'd had more time). I have tried to make the piece as interactive as possible, incorporating pictures and sound files to enhance the text and hope this will make it an enjoyable read, though it will be for my readers to decide how well I have succeeded. As for the future, I like to think that I may have another opportunity to work on this kind of project, but only time will tell...
The story, which is called The Bournemouth Triangle, was uploaded to the platform last week and is being launched at the Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival this weekend with related stories by 6 other authors, who I would highly recommend (if you haven’t heard of them already, I’m sure it’s only a matter of time). The festival promises to be an exciting event with an extensive entertainment programme lasting an entire week (click here for full details), so if you’re going to be in the area, it’s definitely a look (especially as a lot of it is free). StoryPlaces are running a stall on the pier approach by the tourist office from 1000 – 1600 on Saturday and Sunday, where yours truly will be answering questions, etc. with the other authors, and there is an official launch event taking place on Wednesday 12th October with readings from the stories and a guest appearance by famous writer Philip Hoare, who will be taking part in a panel discussion about the relationship between human and natural history. The official press releases for both events are as follows…
1) Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th October from 10am until 4pm, Bournemouth Seafront: Lower Winter Gardens, Bournemouth, Dorset BH2 5DJ
'FOLLOW THE STORY'
Use your smartphone or tablet to read a newly commissioned story. Watch it unfold as you reach each location on the trail, exploring the seafront, gardens and town.
The theme of the stories will draw in the reader to the collections and visions of BNSS.
Find our stall in the Lower Winter Gardens.
There will be Smartphones to borrow for those without a mobile device of their own.
Our authors comprise a team of postgraduate creative writing students at the University of Southampton and writers from around Bournemouth. The Southampton students developed their stories with the help of writer, curator and broadcaster, Philip Hoare (University of Southampton) and transmedia writer and sound designer, Alison Bown (Bath Spa University); the Bournemouth community writers worked with writer and lecturer James Cole (Arts University Bournemouth).
2) Wednesday 12th October from 3 − 5pm at the Bournemouth Natural Science Society, 39 Christchurch Rd, Bournemouth BH1 3NS
'IN CONVERSATION' with author, broadcaster and curator Philip Hoare; writer, birdwatcher and BBC radio producer Tim Dee; Mary Thornton and John Cresswell from the BNSS. 'Nature versus Culture: Where does natural history take us?'
We seem more disconnected from nature than ever before, yet popular interest in the natural world has never been greater. From the ‘new nature’ books by authors such as Helen Macdonald and Robert Macfarlane, to the perennial news media interest in natural science stories, to the latest cute YouTube clip, we are seem obsessed with a world we may be losing. Our panel discuss this fascinating meeting of human and natural history, as embodied by the wondrous and historic collection of curiosities in the Victorian home of Bournemouth Natural Sciences Society.
http://www.philiphoare.co.uk/
http://timdee.net/
The talk will be followed by authors of the StoryPlaces location-aware stories talking about the challenges and opportunities of writing 'for and within the place', bringing the museum, its curiosities and collections to life outside.
As stated, our brief as writers was to come up with a story which was inspired by the collection at the Bournemouth Natural Science Society’s museum, but incorporated locations around the town of Bournemouth. It wasn't hard finding material as there is a large and eclectic collection of specimens and artifacts in the museum and the society members are mines of information (if you are ever looking for something to do in Bournemouth, it is definitely a place you should consider visiting). If anything, I ended up with too many ideas. The one I eventually decided on was based around a model of a bakery scene in the Egyptian collection. It wasn't a particularly prominent exhibit, but it very much appealed to me, because I hadn't seen anything like it before. I had a conversation with one of the members about the piece and he mentioned that it was similar to a model at the British Museum, but of superior quality, and it was this that sowed the seeds for my story. That said, the model isn't what the story is specifically about, but it certainly plays an important role and I even managed to incorporate a little of its history, particularly in terms of its discovery by Field Marshall the Lord Grenfell at Aswan. Those of you who are familiar with my work won't be surprised to hear that there is a supernatural element, but really it focuses on human relationships. I don't want to say too much more about the plot, as I don't want to spoil it for anyone who decides to read it, but here is the promotional blurb...
A time slip tale of love and disharmony…
Harriet is trapped in a loveless marriage in 1920s Bournemouth. Andrew is a mild-mannered academic from the British Museum who is determined to rescue her. Does he succeed? Find out as they draw you back in time to witness their story.
It starts with a woman's ghost. Then one ghost becomes two ghosts, and two ghosts become the ghost of an entire town. They have something to say to you; are you ready to listen?
Here too are the covers I designed.
I couldn't make up my mind which one to go with myself, so I have left it to StoryPlaces to decide.
Coming back, to the story itself, it was great fun to write, but presented some interesting challenges. Apart from the fact that I was having to work on it at the same time as I was doing my dissertation, I found I had a lot to learn about the intricacies of the tablet/mobile phone medium and how it differs from traditional fiction. I decided early on I wanted my readers to drive the story forward by making various choices along the way, but it quickly became apparent that including as many branches as I would have liked was going to make the story unmanageable. As a result, I ended up simplifying it considerably, though it still ended up being over 9000 words. Another important lesson I learnt was not to waste too many words describing places, but to let the scenery speak for itself.
I have yet to walk the trail, so to speak, but am happy overall with the way it turned out (which isn't to say I I wouldn't have done things differently if I'd had more time). I have tried to make the piece as interactive as possible, incorporating pictures and sound files to enhance the text and hope this will make it an enjoyable read, though it will be for my readers to decide how well I have succeeded. As for the future, I like to think that I may have another opportunity to work on this kind of project, but only time will tell...
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