Authors needed for Collaboration

[Becca]

This sounds interesting. Is there a deadline and can a person join in who hasn't finished their fantasy novel yet? I have one that's still in the works, just haven't finished it yet.

[Kaine]

This sounds like something that might be interesting, though I do have a question. What, precisely, would you define as a "hero?" For example, one of my books features a character who is, in the simplest terms, a faerie. Quite an unpleasant one; he's a sadistic murdering bastard. But I think, under the proper circumstances, one might consider him "heroic." Not in the "saves damsels and rights wrongs" sort of way but in a "is true to himself and his nature, seeing little to no reason to lie about it, and thus becomes a paragon of that nature." That being nightmares, loneliness and rejection. With only a little hrrming, tutting and puttering around, I'm sure I could conceive of reasons that such an individual might answer such a call - and even be "useful" in some ways - but, as I said... it depends on your definition of "hero."

So are you looking only for "do gooders and bad slappers," or for "Paragons(and not necessarily nice ones)"? Unsure if this is something I would be able to participate in - I've got a lot on my plate at the moment - but it does sound fun, and either way I think it's something that would need to be adressed; both for thematic elements that need nailing down and for other potentials who might want to join in but who could feel alienated or excluded due to a preference for antagonistic sorts or anti-heroes.

Also, given the nature of the "call," what would the rules be regarding timelines? Again, referring back to my character, he's a creature of the 2000s. Denim, iPods, Facebook stalking. His weapon of choice may be a straight razor, but otherwise he's very in tune with the modern world. Would that be a no-no, or does the call reach that far?

[Kaine]

Hmm. Some ideas are bubbling in the back of the brain. I'll keep checking back here, see how it's coming, but I think - again, assuming I can shove Ioudas and some of my other stuff to the side for a day or two, which is easier said than done and not often under my own control - I might be interested in participating. We'll see if Andrew (my malicious little dream-spirit of hate and pain) wants to yammer in my head a bit... hmm.

[Becca]

Shane wrote: "Becca wrote: "This sounds interesting. Is there a deadline and can a person join in who hasn't finished their fantasy novel yet? I have one that's still in the works, just haven't finished it yet."..."

Sounds great!

[Jennifer]

I have a small group of characters that would love to help out, from throughout my book series.

[Neil]

This sounds like a really interesting idea :)

[Abigail]

Shane, what a great idea. Good luck with it.

[Lorraine]

Hey,
I am a fantasy author, If you send more details please.
I am currently writing Part two of my book so what's the deadline here?
Nice to met you btw, thanks

Lorraine Fotheringham (Lori)

[Neil]

I'm definitely interested in learning more about it. :)
There are 20 entry points into Ebulon, and each can be distinct, and created by that author? As well as being populated by our own characters?
I'm interested in participating, yes please, because it sounds like an interesting concept, but we'll need to know all the things that need to be common elements, such as specific descriptions of the invading Orc army, description of the landscape surrounding the city, and whether the landscape is the same in all directions, or rather from each gate.
Does each gate lead to a separate "quarter" of the city? Won't we need to know details about the areas neighbouring our own, so that we can include details that overlap into our own region? For example, if my neighbouring author has a tannery, my area will definitely be aware of that when downwind, and if my neighbouring author has lots of tall towers, then the shadows of the towers would fall on my area at various times of the day.
Won't you need a map? :)
Sorry, my mind is starting to percolate... :P

[Lorraine]

Good points Neil, I concur. If more authors show an interest we can get moving on it. My mind is wandering also. Like will the characters of each point meet, will they have relationships. Are they friends/strangers. How will it all tie together. It's beginning to sound like Lord of The Rings or something. ;~))

[[deleted user]]

My book is a little bit more paranormal than fantasy (ie angels and demons) but I would be interested if that would be alright with you. Just let me know

[Neil]

Lori - that's a great idea, two characters, from two different fantasy stories, interacting with each other (and the two authors would need to collaborate more closely on that part of the overlapping story I guess).
It occurred to me this morning that it also sounds a little like Riverworld, where people of different times are reconstructed and can interact with each other.
Especially with Kaine's "creature of the 2000s. Denim, iPods, Facebook stalking. His weapon of choice may be a straight razor," fitting in with my magic-loving wizards.
But if there is some kind of paranormal or fantastical explanation of why all these different groups exist, out of their own space but perhaps not even aware they aren't in their true setting, this could be spectacular!
If Ebulon is a "mystic kingdom hidden away from the world" then it might also be taken out of time, or taken out of possibility, and it sounds like SKN's angels and demons might have their place as much as any other fictional fantasy species or creature.
I think there is just so much scope and so much potential, I'm getting quite excited about it... :P
It's not my baby, but I'm wondering if we'd each write our own first drafts, and then figure out together which order they would need to come in, and which placement in the city they had, as well as who wanted to have crossovers into another author's chapter.
Because each chapter is going to feature the author's preferred characters, I guess each chapter is going to be able to stand alone as well as being part of a bigger picture, so I guess that we'd each be able to release our own chapter as a short story, as well as it being part of the larger story, with the tag, for example, (Part 17 of The Battle of Ebulon). That way the collaboration as a whole, as well as the networks of each contributor, combine as separate and collective hooks for the story.
Just thinking out loud... :)

[Jenelle]

I love this idea and would definitely be interested in participating. Where do I sign up?

[Neil]

Right here Jenelle - Shane will be along soon to read all our recent messages and take our names :)

[Neil]

Hi Shane,
I just sent you an email :)

For me, I'm interested in doing this as an alternate reality for my characters. The way I was imagining it, heroes from all over my timeline would hear the "voice in their head" and find their way to Ebulon, and they might not all enjoy being on the same side at their gate of Ebulon.
I wonder if the human allies will ultimately win or lose?
Hmmm, but I'd been thinking earlier that my characters would have lived in Ebulon for some time, and the district near their gate would have had time to become distinctively mine, like my world. Instead, if they are recent additions to a city depopulated by war, I'm thinking that whatever local character "my" district has, it will be shabby, dilapidated, and run down, and they will only be a veneer over an essentially alien place.
I can see how the Orcs would be like a tribal confederation, a motley collection of disparate groups. I would expect several "denominations" of Orc for each gate.
My timeline remains intact for my actual story, while offering my characters in the defense of Ebulon.

[[deleted user]]

Ok, so my idea is a little different and I want to fly it by you before I do anything. Two of the main characters in my book are the angels of death so would it be possible for my group to be in an area where the fighting is "over" so to speak and they are there to collect the dead. It would be a more depressing section with less fighting. Something that might fit in near the end

[Neil]

I like it!
My only question would be, why would angels of death have been called to Ebulon? To serve that very purpose, perhaps?
There would be dead to collect on both sides during the whole sweep of the battle, but I can see why you would aim for the second half of the book as well :)

[Jenelle]

Shane, just sent you an email.

[Jennifer]

Hi, guys I just wanted to throw this idea possibility to everyone. One of my characters is joining the battle as a healer. There is limits to what she can do but she would be willing to offer her services to her neighbors.

[[deleted user]]

Shane wrote: "Jenelle wrote: "Shane, just sent you an email."

Excellent Jenelle and SKN I really like your idea. I was thinking about it last night that I would need a good ending and think yours could be it.
..."

I might do a little bit of a twist on that. Maybe they find a soldier that is on the brink of death and he wants to know why no one came to help him and why him and his men were alone and slaughtered when the orcs came in