Forum Fiction Troubleshooting/Comments Thread

I'll just do as I'm told!

I'll go with whatever the hive mind decides, but I've voted for original character and setting. I've never been big on fan fiction. That's not to say we can't pay homage; balla knows I drink from here, there and everywhere!

If it's not too late to do so, I would be happy to contribute. If it is too late to do so, I would be happy to curse the fact that I've missed the opportunity.

Sign-ups aren't over until the fat lady (Jay in this case) sings! Good to have you on board.  

There's no cut-off for joining as such, but you won't have a hand in helping decide what we write about if you don't jump aboard early. Good to have you Mr. Jones!   

The poll ends tomorrow - so if you're swithering on whether to change your vote, or if you want to hop aboard the brainstorming session then now's your chance!

Ladies and Gentlemen, it seems we're writing something totally original. Let's get to brainstorming!

I think we should set it in a fantasy world with swords and magic. It lends itself to a wide range of characters, and it can be as po-faced or as light hearted as it needs to be.

I know I won't be writing po-facedly!  "Bilbo Bobble looked deep into Samwise Freddumb's eyes, and saw that they contained what had been missing from his soul all along.  He bent his face closer..."

Anyhoo, while I wouldn't mind proper old-school faux-Britain fantasy, my vote goes to steampunk.  Steampunk fantasy, natch, with magic/alchemy.  Ideas:

• Huge stompy clockwork/steam mechs, à la Henry Hatsworth;
  
• Dragons that have been integrated into society and have your standard Victorian morals;
  
• A mind-flayer who wears a top hat, hides his tentacles behind a mask, and just wants to be loved;
  
• Queen Victoria-shaped automatons patrolling the streets at night, ruthlessly slaughtering all in their path;
  
• At least one scene with utter chaos breaking out at a posh dance, featuring ridiculous period skirts.

Oh man. Steampunk would be grand - rapiers, some sort of steam-powered rifle that the city guard utilises, big grand balls full of period costumes... I like it. I'd be personally against it being too silly (Giant stompy Queen Victoria bots seem like something out of the campiest of Doctor Who episodes) but the steampunk aesthetic as a whole really works.

I had two characters I was hoping to write for if we went for the original character route, and steampunk works really well.

In terms of a plot, I feel we can't go wrong with having a Macguffin all the characters want to go after that would give them some sort of divine power/wealth/harems/booze which is being held by the royalty of this world. It's simple enough and it gives a motivation for all the wonderful characters we'll no doubt write about.

I don't want to plan this too intensively as I feel the improvisation will be the fun part, but a setting and an end point should probably be decided before we start.

End point should be Buska's house for the pint of ultimate power.

I'm completely happy with the Macguffin being a beer recipe.

And I imagined the Victoria-bots as small and agile, like the battle with Queen Victoria in The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists! It'd be pretty camp either way, though.

It should definitely be shrouded in mystery to the characters what the Macguffin is, for more humour and such. It also lets us have some sinister sod think it's the Gem of Ultimate Death that's hidden away somewhere, whereas Jim and Mike down the pub reckon it's a stunningly attractive woman squirrelled away, and Antonio the thief reckons it's just piles and piles of gold... where in actuality it's a recipe for beer.   

As for the logistics side to this, I reckon we should brainstorm till Sunday then writing can commence. I liked the rota idea, so we could have each person having two days to write a "chapter" of a few indeterminately long or short paragraphs, then once they've finished the next person's two days begins.

The order should be pretty much as we signed up for it so it'd go:

Me
V
Balla
V
Andy
V
Beemoh
V
Buska
V
Zero
V
Back to the start.

Everyone cool with that?

Icy, Jay! Like one of the aforementioned pints.

Also, am I the only one who thinks that the way you've described it makes it sound like magical steampunk Rat Race?

I hadn't noticed that but now it's all I can see.

I haven't seen/read Rat Race, but let's roll with that synopsis of our story!

Balladeer wrote:

magical steampunk Rat Race?

Sold!

Which raises the next question: who's going to be John Cleese?

Also, I would encourage other people not to focus too heavily on the characters that they introduce into the story.  Yes your character is the greatest and bestest to you, but it'd be boring if everyone focussed solely on their own introductions.  

Perhaps I don't need to say this at all - that'd be good.  I just remember it happening in NGamer fictions.

Steampunk Rat Race it is! I saw that film - the memories of it still haunt me whenever I see a hot air balloon...

Balladeer wrote:

Also, I would encourage other people not to focus too heavily on the characters that they introduce into the story.  Yes your character is the greatest and bestest to you, but it'd be boring if everyone focussed solely on their own introductions.

This'll be going right into the first post of the story thread - very important this.

My plan was to purposefully not introduce any new major characters.

Respect for that, Buska. Given that you're fifth, it shouldn't be too hard.

So, is everyone cool with steampunk Rat Race? I'm pleased - it's a very broad topic so there's plenty to riff on. I'm presuming our end point is when one or more of our intrepid adventurers stumbles upon the Macguffin?  I'll start my opening chapter tomorrow and plonk it a new thread.

Also... *lights beacons of beemoh*

Before we start, are you still up for this/happy with the idea beemoh? Haven't heard from you since you declared you were game for this.  

The beacon of beemoh is lit. On an isolated hill, miles to the west of GNamer city, an old man notices the light, smiles and begins the long walk to the top of the tower, to fulfill the duty he was put there to do.

Atop the tower, he lights the relay beacon, and turns his back on the city. A few minutes later, another light appears on the horizon- the message is on its way. If he squints, he thinks he can see another light, further along, but he isn't sure if it is the next beacon in sequence, or just his old eyes playing tricks on him. Satisified, he returns to his dwellings at the bottom of the tower, to await further instruction.

Days pass, and a messenger arrives at the city, and passes a missive to the city mayor.

"yeah, s'ok"

I've done my writing warm-up: ready when you are, Jayseph!

Superb. Expect the opening chapter sometime tomorrow lads.  

I think I'll convert this thread to a "troubleshooting" thread of sorts for us to work out kinks in the tale and to keep the story thread mostly story and reactions to each chapter.