Revisiting A Writing Experiment Which I Did Last Year (Gauging Interest) · 5:41am Jul 5th, 2014
Hiya everybody,
I hope you guys enjoyed that last chapter of AHoC. I love cliffhangers. Whether reading them or writing them, they always bring a smile to my face. Anyway, let's get to the topic at hand.
Last year, for chapter 13 of AHoC, I had decided to try out a writing experiment: I would write the next chapter, from scratch, in front of your eyes, while you watched and commented. We talked about writing, reading, games, and all sorts of things as I worked away at the chapter. There were a fair number of people in each session. From 2-10 people, IIRC.
I'm considering doing this again, for Chapter 22 this time. Have you ever considered writing a story and perhaps felt daunted by some of those other stories you've read? As if no matter how hard you tried, that level of story-telling was unattainable? Well, I know I sure felt that way just before I started writing. And I'm not claiming to be really good at writing or anything, or that my story is on that level of writing. I still have a ton to learn as an author. But perhaps my story has inspired you in some way (it might be possible), or maybe it has made you wonder about the writing process. Or you'd like to compare how I write with how you do. Or perhaps you want to answer that question, "What really goes into making that 'finished' published product?"
So why not see firsthand just how I manage to scrabble my way through a chapter? You could see as I blunder, make mistakes, choose improper wording, and yet somehow form it into something which propels my story and its characters forward. You might start to see how my own writing isn't that unlike your own. You could ask me questions as I write, and talk about anything, really. Or you could just lurk in the background and watch in silence (I'm totally okay with that too).
Let me know if this 'livestream' writing idea seems like something you'd be interested in, and if you'd like to partake in the event. Let me know what times of the day work best (include a timezone, I'm in Central Standard Time), and if there's enough people on board with this little project, then I'll follow through and have a few sessions when most people are free.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and/or questions that you might have on this idea,
~SilentBelle
You know, I'm starting to see writing as a way of using 'build orders', as one would do with playing SC2. You have a vast amount of ways to open up the story, then you have the transitions that really ramp things up. In that way, you'd essentially be giving us leeway to gather and discuss various ways of 'playing' a story, which I'm all for. Let's do this!
I liked it last year, I would love to see it happen again.
I'd sure be interested! Count me in!
On the one hand I would be very interested, but on the other... Huh, I can't think of anything to put there, go for it!
If you do it, could you put up a recording of the livestream for those of us that can't make it?
I would, but that means I'd need to catch up on the story...
Give me two days heads up!
If you put one up I might drop in
I missed it last year, hopefully I can make it this year.
I'm quite interested. Let us know when it will be and I'll try to be there.
And, if you could, could you post a recording online somewhere for those who can't make it? No need to waste a learning opprotunity, after all :)
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Not sure how I'd go about recording it. It's essentially going to be a googledoc, and with that there's no audio. The real engaging part of it is being able to interact with medium itself as it's being created, all at your own pace. I suppose it's that level of agency that would be the draw. If I could think of a way to make a recording of it that was engaging to watch, then I suppose I would.
Hm, yeah, I see what you mean. It would be kind of hard to watch when you have no input into it when there is no audio. In any case, I still like this idea of yours
I do remember being here for this that last time, but I didn't sit in all that much. Time permitting, I'd gladly show up again!
2259596 If it's a google doc, you wouldn't have to livestream it, just post the link to the doc in preview mode. IIRC Google Docs allows for spectating and it would work better than a livestream for the purpose of having people follow your writing, complete with its own chatbox (unfortunately with no usernames other than random animals). No recording, but I'd still prefer it to a livestream. Just a suggestion.
Anyway, no-one has posted what times they'll be able to watch, and I suspect that's because it's summer. Some of us still have to work, though... On weekdays I can attend from 7-10 PM PST, which I understand would probably be pretty late for you. The weekends I have more leeway though and I'd prefer it to start early afternoon.
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Ah, if it is a live edited gdoc, then I see how it would be difficult to record to record and probably not as interesting as seeing it live.
Sounds very interesting, I'll join this thing. I mean why not right.
Sounds really cool I would love to pick someone's brain while writing
I think I'd be interested in watching the process, even if I'm not sure I'd be able to contribute!
Yup.
I'd love to lurk upon your writings
I'm usually good for anytime between 1 A.M. to 5 P.M. Eastern Time, just please say something in advance so plans can be made accordingly
It was fun to hang out last time and I would come again if I could. But I have a job now so there's a good chace I won't be able to stay up late enough. We'll see.
Sounds like a fun idea, I'm up! I can watch from 3 p.m. to 5 a.m. CST any day (except July 11th).