Hey, me again, I have an idea or two forming up about a story I'd like to post but I wanted to test waters and ask what people would suggest is the optimal structure and tone (like for instance, do I leave it open at the end of every chapter? Or maybe leave points in the story for other authors to jump in?) also still a little undecided which of my universes I want to take and out into story from so I'd thought I might ask on that too but I saw the "story idea" section and wondered if asking about that would be better for that section and not this section? Soooooooo many questions. Anyway, can I pwease have some suggestions?
Start here and jump to Story Ideas when you narrow down on specific story ideas, or start there with your thoughts and some examples. The moderators will also move your thread if you think it belongs under a different area. Use "Report Thread" to get their attention.
Right, thank you . . . Soooo, you wouldn't happen to have suggestions on form or structure as stated above would you? Also, I narrowed my selection of universes to one last night cause I was bored and started pondering but yeah, the first part of my questionings still stand.
You might take a look at the top stories to see if any patterns show up. I think that broad character and setting appeal can help if you're looking for more views and collaborators; I'd give @duskford 's At The Cabin high marks for both views and contributions from multiple authors. A compelling story + character can help. Take a look at @hematoma 's A Virgin Heroine for another winner in views and contributions. Another model that has seemed to work well in getting contributions (though more in long strings from one or another author, rather than collaboration among authors) is @SwampThing 's Slut World, which overlays a set of rules based on the Apocalypse World tabletop roleplaying game, translated for telling sexual encounter stories. My story Lusty Magical Academy is a direct take-off of Slut World with rules tailored for a Harry Potter-esque setting (though for a college age range). A rich, deep, and stylized approach gets more readers than it does contributors. I think my story Lucy's Portion leans this way, as do (even more so) @Beeble42's richly literary stories (click "Stories" on his Chyoa user tab) Decameron XXX and Cockshoots Hall and the sexed-up BBC dramas in Sex Party Britain. I love them and also find it hard to know where I might be able to contribute, other than cheering the author on and offering a suggestion here and there. And you will typically have many views, few votes, scarce comments, and rare contributions. This is a little hard on me since comments and contributions are the best reward. Again, @duskford has been a supportive editor who frequently comments and adds suggestions, so I have gone back to At The Cabin again and again. I seem to be better at getting views (partly through frequent updates) than I have been in getting collaborators, at least in recent times. So if you learn something that works for you in getting more contributed threads, let us all know. Maybe someone else could guide you in your questions about optimal structure and tone. As someone who has been a contributor to Chyoo for, um, over ten years, I can only point to examples and repeat what other authors have observed. You're free to write to please yourself, and so you may want to lean toward what keeps you interested in contributing. Or if you get more out of collaboration, you might want to find stories you like reading and branch off decision points with scenes you'd like to see. I've especially enjoyed the times when I've been able to alternate pages with another writer to build up a storyline. Or you can find a story idea that might bring in other contributors, maybe a fantasy adventure or a sexed-up slice of life romp. So: you may have to answer your questions yourself, but that's my perspective. Maybe some other folks have suggestions to offer. -Z.
Thank you for taking the time to write that, I will consider what exactly I want to do with this universe . . . It's probably the best one I have for an open approach at the moment cause I have fleshed it out a little but still have no idea at what drives the main story so . . . Contributors could make it up as they go along. That being said, I was originally asking more along the lines of "do I have to make it open?" Reading Beeble42's stories (or at least skimming through a couple) gave me that answer. I guess what I am thinking of doing is a story similar to The Virgine Herorine in a few different categories. I take it that further discussion of the universe itself and the idea for the story must now be taken to Story Ideas while asking people what they'd think of working with me remains here?
I agree with all of Zingiber's points. However if there is one thing that I would love to add -- Do not take your story too seriously. Have fun with it. It's a story! Don't make everything so serious sounding, hilarity can happen anywhere and personally makes stories a bit more entertaining to read. For me, I do it in the form of the awkwardness of my main character at times. His inner monologue, and even the 3rd person narrator cracking jokes here and there. Remember that when you're writing! Well, then again, if you WANT it to be super serious, go ahead. But if this is just your story? Have fun with it. -Kobe
So, crack a joke occasionally, does a little bit of sarcasm count? Well, I think I have sense of humour down pat so long as nobody is actually expecting to laugh their heads off . . . Maybe I can make a joke so bad it's actually funny . . . But in all fairness, I tend to lean towards a degree of realsim in my writing so humour tends to be a factor best reserved for character interaction. Thank you for the advice, dont write stuff that takes itself too seriously, good advice. On that note . . . Would anyone want to help me with the story? Like work on it with me so to speak? Or would you prefer i pop on over to Story Ideas and post up an essay on my idea for it? And if I did do that, precisely what would I be including? General over view of what I want to do with it? Sorry if I sound too needy by asking so many questions.
Head over to story ideas. I would love to help you, but I am totally floored right now with my own story. I'd actually probably be contributing with Duskford, if it weren't for my 100% dedication to my story at the moment. I'll be glad to help you partially with your story if you post in story ideas, but nothing big. I probably won't write anything!
