Project B

[Swordsman]

I'm spearheading the project to take everything we have here on the boards, compile it, clean it up, fill in plot holes, etc. - and hopefully in the end come out with what we've created here, but in a potentially publishable quality.

Needless to say, this will be a major undertaking, and a cooperative one at that - just like how we've done everything so far. I said I'm spearheading it - I'll work on getting a current history put up, getting things in order, etc. I'm willing to do the brunt of the work if necessary, but will of course consult with all parties concerned any time tweaking is needed.

Here are the main people I am currently thinking of as being involved (correct me if I leave you out): Myself, Moonitic, Arcon, Zelda, Ledgerto/Dame d'Escrime, Roz, Kehra, Miri, Crin, Darion, Peregrinus, Fencing Angel, Willow, FoilGirl/Sabresque, and Lochinvar (listed in order that they sprang to mind). Many of you I am in fairly regular contact with; some of you I have a harder time getting in touch with. I will contact you if I need something in specific, probably PM you if I don't know any other way. Peregrinus, if you're out there, you're the toughest to reach right now. If you think you're one of the people I have a harder time getting to, feel free to go ahead and give me some contact information.

Arcon, I will need your cooperation as well, regardless of differences you and I have had in the past. You are also one of the ones I have trouble contacting - I can PM you, and that's all. If you could find a better way to contact me, that would be marvelous.

Any help that anyone is willing to give would be greatly appreciated.



Just in looking at it so far, I have come up with a few issues, mostly regarding the origins of Arconia. As some of the older members may recall, we started on a much less serious note, which really does not fit well with our current work. With the blessings of all involved, I think we should work a new beginning to Arconia, without the contemporary things such as Fresca, pudding packs, and Fencingsucks.com. If we are to do that, however, we also need ideas as to what we're actually going to do. So far my favorite is Moon's idea of writing how various of the original characters came to the kingdom.


[Disclaimer] What I outlined above is a vision I have had for quite a while, and some others share with me. I realize fully that many of you may not feel like taking the effort; that's fine. Please speak up, however, if you have objections to others making the effort. This is not supposed to be my thing, nor am I trying to take charge, or anything like that. As I said, I'm just trying to start moving something for all of us.

[Zelda]

Sorry Swords but I have SERIOUS problems with this. I will PM you when I get my thoughts into something coherent.

[Willow]

Hmmmm, I thought Moon was already doing this and had been doing this for several years.....everyone knew she was doing this and what her plans were. Interesting........ Funny, but I've read Moon's version, and it's awesome and has the best of what's going on in it.....

[Swordsman]

Unfortunately, I have always had a problem with being able to explain a concept the right way the first time - it usually requires several tries and many pissed off people before I figure out a better way to say what I'm trying to say.

Let me rephrase it: The idea is to take Moon's efforts from these past few years, and add in the rest of the story - so that we have the full story of Arconia, not just from Moonitic's perspective.

[Willow]

Perhaps if you can find a way to do this without plagerizing Moon's novel and getting permission from EVERYONE to do this, and I do mean EVERYONE....then perhaps it can and should be done. However, from a legal standpoint, this must be done very carefully.

[Swordsman]

From a legal standpoint, Moon owns Moon Willow. Craig owns everything else. Things should not get difficult unless people get greedy.

To restate: I am looking for everybody's agreement, and cooperation. I don't want this to be my thing, that I am pushing.

[Moonitic]

I suppose I should say something at this point, though I'm technically "on hiatus" from the board.

Swords & I have talked. He's assured me that what I've done-the novel-will remain intact, with some changes (that I agree with). Ideas will be expanded upon to encompass what we all have done, & more. This will be a more complete version of the tale.

If that's the case, I would like to be the "head writer," so to speak...to keep the flow going in the right direction. I do not want total control, & there are some scenes that I couldn't do justice to. We all know our "parts" & our own characters best. But someone with experience in writing needs to be able to say "hey...let's work this out." Again, I don't want total control. But if we're using my book as a skeleton, my hand will be deeply into the guts of the project. Excuse me if that sounds rude...I don't mean it to be that way.

There will need to be compromise at times, & anything that is in question will need to be discussed as a group to permit the best outcome. I've certainly never taken on a project such as this. I did, however, seek advice from those who have. They've given me several ideas & ways to go about this.

There needs to be a common goal. The common goal is to create a novel (or novels...I'd love to see a series) to be published (probably by self publishing...I'll have to get into THAT at another time), & hopefully read by more people than just us. So that someday people can go "wow...look at that!" If any money is made from this, well, we'll talk about that too. We have a lot to discuss...legal matters...but that's coming.

That said, I hope this smoothes some things out. If it's caused more trouble, please let me know.

[Swordsman]

D'oh! How could I have forgotten our dear LT?

[Moonitic]

Okay, we have some plotting to do. We know how Arconia came about "on the board," but our joking & kidding around wouldn't make the best novel, so...we need to have a beginning. I believe Swords is coming up with an outline (timeline...whatever) for this stuff. If not, I'm sure if we ask him nicely he will. It was suggested that we start with telling how & when the various characters got there. I know when Willow & Moon joined the crew, so that part is settled. But who was in Arconia before them? Arcon & Zelda, obviously, as rulers. Who else? When did Naekos join (that's been discussed already)? How about Lochivar, etc.? We do know that Arcon, Moon & Lochinvar were young together, & that as they were growing up, Arcon married Zelda. So, the point to ponder is when do we want to START this story. What point in time do we want to say, "Once upon a time..."? Is there a moment of action? The moment of action on the board was the kidnapping & rescue of Craig & Moon. Would that be something to conveyed, though not by fencingsucks.com? That would have to come AFTER Moon's escape from her impending wedding (the first one).

Everyone involved in this beginning process will need to check their characters' histories, & see if they can come up with a "backstory" for this.

Am I making ANY sense? Lots of points of view now...EEK!

[Iwant2bafencer]

Aye, sense is there, decissions are not.

Are there any other big moments in early Arconia besides the kidnaping of Moon and Craig?

There has to be some sort of a hook, as you all probably know, something that makes the reader want to keep reading.

Is that writing gibberish too or does it makes sense?

[Moonitic]

No, you're right on target Roz. A hook is needed to make the reader say, "WOW!" & keep on reading.

For those who haven't read "my version", I started it on the day of the wedding, when the guards found out that Moon had disappeared. Father was ticked, etc.

Since Arconia seems to be such a...haven...for people, maybe something along those lines (of being a haven) would be appropriate?