Topic: Writers Group interest?

Im a big fan of Boba Fett....about to get a tatoo on my leg of him.

Being as fan-fiction has its own guidelines for structure, content, and--ultimately--value, I'm going to have to say that this writers group will allow wholly original material only. After all, there's no way to judge your strength regarding characterization and plot construction if all you're doing is importing those aspects wholesale.

I've always wondered about fan-fiction, actually. If you want to write about somebody else's characters or universe, why not ask yourself WHY those characters (or that universe) have appeal for you? Get in there, figure it out, and learn to write something similar of your own accord. Figuring out WHY those characters work and using what you've learned to create something beautiful yourself is infinitely more rewarding than writing a story about Luke Skywalker's birthday party, or something.

So yeah, no fan-fiction. By all means, take inspiration from wherever you find it, but ultimately, all aspects of your story should be your own.

@Chicken Brutus - What is your Email address? Haven't found it yet.

@Adam - Thanks Adam. Come to think of it I may have seen this before.

I'd love to participate with some little stories and whatnot, but I might not be able to donate too much of my time overall. If I can't participate in a certain thing much, I will always try my very best to knock you up something short and sweet at the very least

Necropost of the Year: Is this still in the works for once your wing is healed, or is that novel taking up too much time?

Actually the novel is finally done, for the nth time! I sent it off to the second wave of proof-readers (I'm sorely anal), and will hopefully have it back within the next few weeks. Then I need to do whatever retooling is required at that point, and send it out to the third wave. Then it's do-or-die time, I'll do my final edit and formatting, and start sending it off to agents. Very scary stuff, so keep your fingers crossed for me.

But yeah, that kind of took precedence over this. Which isn't to say it'll never happen...the site is "up" and I just need to find the time to manage it. Don't hold your breath...but it's coming cowboy.

Consider my fingers crossed. I demand a signed copy for when you turn famous (so I can put it on Ebay, not so I can brag to my friends).

Yeah I'd probably be up for it. Keep in mind that I'm in High School so it's not like I've taken college courses in writing and that, but I do really enjoy writing. I've written a couple short stories (one of which got published in the Columbus Dispatch. But edited down to a point where it didn't make any sense) and I've been workingish on a book for about 3 years now. That's not to say I have three years worth of writing done on this thing, it's still in the planning stages because (since I draw) I'm going to illustrate everything. And the story's pretty complicated. And I have ADHD. So...yeah.

But yeah this sounds like fun. I'd be much more comfortable doing a message board type thing. The idea of a chat room makes me... uncomfortable for some reason. Plus since I have school and stuff it would be more convenient to do a message board.

I'd recommend making the site accessible only by members. I don't know what software you are using, but I know you can set that limitation over at Blogspot. It not only helps the members feel safer, but it serves a very important purpose in copyright law that I can go into later if you like. But the gist is that you really, really don't want your stories to be 'published' until after someone buys them from you. And posting to the internet counts as publication.

By the way, I have no time for this, but add me to the list of interested people as I was a creative writing class-taker back in college.

Chicken already mentioned that's how the blog would work, Sock Man, and I agree, it's really for the best.

i might. i like writing things that AREN'T essays

I would LOVE this. my ultimate career goal is actually to become a narrative director for a game company. so this would be more than perfect. sign me up.