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Okay, BORED NOW
Wonder how an LJ round-robin story would work? Let's see: if I post the beginning of a story here, anyone who felt the urge to continue it could post a comment, and anyone continuing that story would reply to that comments, and so on.
So ... why not? I think the only rules (so far) need to be:
1) Reply to the comment whose story you're continuing, so readers can read a story easily without searching around too much (I know, if it branches, it branches).
2) You can write as little or as much as you want, make it fanfic or original fic, silly or serious, contemporary, historic, fantasy, SF, prose, comic, poetry, whatever. Just to see what directions it can go. If it's teh_pr0n or graphic violence, warn and hide it with span tags so people can read at work or skip it if they're not into it, or whatever. (<span style="background-color: #000000; color: #000000;">your text goes here</span>)
3) ETA2: A question brought up here asks about claiming characters: yes or no? I rule no, just because it takes longer for the story to be written if you have to wait for the next person. So feel free to write any character anyone comes up with. If the person who created it doesn't like the way you're taking it, they are free to write their own responses - it's OK to have more than one branch to the story (I think seeing the different ways the story could go is interesting :D).
i.e.: John Doe writes segment A. Jane Doe writes segment B, branching from A. John doesn't like Jane's direction, so writes his own segment B. Richard Roe comes through, likes both of them, and writes two different segment Cs, one for each segment B. And so on.
Feel free to ask for clarifications, etc. in the comments.
This might turn out good, or might fall flat. We'll see. :D
That being said, let me start with something reasonably generic and vague that can go in a number of directions...
(ETA1: 3 responses at the moment, and I'm loving the different ways it's gone already. XD)
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There was, of course, a library, a proper library, with shelves packed tight with leather-bound books carefully lined up at the edge of the shelf. There was, of course, someone walking through the aisles, echo of footsteps muffled by the paper and leather, searching for the right book. The figure stopped, bent to examine one of the lower shelves, then pulled out a book and opened it, flipping hastily through the pages, then stopped at a page a little more than halfway through the book.
"Aha. This is it."
So ... why not? I think the only rules (so far) need to be:
1) Reply to the comment whose story you're continuing, so readers can read a story easily without searching around too much (I know, if it branches, it branches).
2) You can write as little or as much as you want, make it fanfic or original fic, silly or serious, contemporary, historic, fantasy, SF, prose, comic, poetry, whatever. Just to see what directions it can go. If it's teh_pr0n or graphic violence, warn and hide it with span tags so people can read at work or skip it if they're not into it, or whatever. (<span style="background-color: #000000; color: #000000;">your text goes here</span>)
3) ETA2: A question brought up here asks about claiming characters: yes or no? I rule no, just because it takes longer for the story to be written if you have to wait for the next person. So feel free to write any character anyone comes up with. If the person who created it doesn't like the way you're taking it, they are free to write their own responses - it's OK to have more than one branch to the story (I think seeing the different ways the story could go is interesting :D).
i.e.: John Doe writes segment A. Jane Doe writes segment B, branching from A. John doesn't like Jane's direction, so writes his own segment B. Richard Roe comes through, likes both of them, and writes two different segment Cs, one for each segment B. And so on.
Feel free to ask for clarifications, etc. in the comments.
This might turn out good, or might fall flat. We'll see. :D
That being said, let me start with something reasonably generic and vague that can go in a number of directions...
(ETA1: 3 responses at the moment, and I'm loving the different ways it's gone already. XD)
======================================================================
There was, of course, a library, a proper library, with shelves packed tight with leather-bound books carefully lined up at the edge of the shelf. There was, of course, someone walking through the aisles, echo of footsteps muffled by the paper and leather, searching for the right book. The figure stopped, bent to examine one of the lower shelves, then pulled out a book and opened it, flipping hastily through the pages, then stopped at a page a little more than halfway through the book.
"Aha. This is it."
1
He stepped carefully on the page, the toe of his shoe touched the drawing displayed on the page.
There was the popping sound of displaced air and he disappeared.
The book closed itself with a snap of finality.
2
Re: 2
"I know it looks okay, but..it really isn't."
2
“Madam, I am here to assist. But this hardly seems broken.”
Her red lips curved slightly at that, not quite a smile, not quite a sneer.
“Perhaps not, but broken it is. Every time one of you appears here, something is trampled and twisted. Such incursions must cease.”
Re: 2
"I did just say you would have to fix it if you wanted to live..."
"True...So, what? What should I do?"
Maybe we should have come up with a coherent multi-threaded numbering scheme first
...probably!
"...the Hell?! What've I told you people about touching while I'm still syncing? Oughta just take this off to someone who can actually do what they're told," the man grumbled as he slipped a small package from the pockets of his weathered overcoat. With an impatient harrumph, he flipped the package upright for the other to see.
"Well?"
2 b
"Meredeth," she said, "we have a problem."
3b
But when the other librarian girl, Annalee, held up the book, Meredeth nearly fell from her chair.
"What is that still doing here?" Didn't we get rid of that?"
Re: 4b
5b
Meredeth clucked her tongue. "I told them we needed chains."
Re: 6b
Annalee looked seriously worried. "But there wasn't any in the budget to cover the silver chains! You know the brass ones don't last. Wasn't Daniel going to take care of it ... somehow? He said something about special shelf cards."
Re: 7b
The kinkajou in Meredeth's handheld display sighed in miniature. "Central said they were out of virgins and we'd have to wait. Yes, I know. Look, just don't start with me, I've had a really bad day."
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"Mere, He's said he's having a bad day..." Annalee offered quietly. "Daniel?" She called out over her boss's shoulder, peeking up and waving. "Is there something else we can do? Something not with virgins? This book is...well, it's doing things again and we really can't have that going on..."
9b
At least she still had a line to Daniel, their loyal reference kinkajou.
Re: 9b
Re: 9b
Daniel cringed, the fur along his snout ruffling with disgust. "Annalee, you know I hate those places. They have ... feathers. And the chic. And fashionistas. Can't you try calling me back later? I need a nap like you wouldn't believe. And then maybe some grapes."
7b - 2
Meredeth shook her head, scrunching her nose up at the book.
"Perhaps you should call him, I think he's down by the food court picking up lunch. We all know he rather pay attention to turkey sandwhiches than his job."
6b
She paused, pushing aside a few strands of brown hair that caught on the frays of her lips.
"I mean, there's someone we can call, right?"
7c
Moments later, the small globe lit to display a remarkably bored young man. He straightened when he saw who was calling, though. "'Deth! What can I do for ya?"
Re: 7c
Even if she was nearly ten years older than him.
"It's the book. It's done something again. You know, ancient magic, spells, disappearing people. I can't have the newscasters back in here you know. Something has to be done!"
8c
Re: 8c
"James, I..." She looked up at Annalee who was watching with a half disgusted face. She shook the book, as a clue that was the most important part of the entire conversation.
Not watching her coworker fall for a boy who was only nearly twenty.
Meredeth turned in her chair and faced away from Annalee, who groaned.
"I hate metal...but, but..."
Annalee gagged.
"Of course James!"
10c
Re: 10c
"There's your answer." There was a sparkle of something devious in her eyes. The honey tinted with gold.
"Do you think you can take over to Central, it's not that far? Maybe a 40 minute car ride, but.." She scrunched her mouth up.
"You know the fees for asking James for help, right?"
Re: 10c
Re: 10c
It had not improved with long acquaintance.
"I'm sure he was just kidding, Annalee. Run along, won't you?"
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Out of story comment
(Personally, I have no preference, but it would be good to decide so people can go ahead and post with characters other people created, or know they should wait, depending.)
Re: Out of story comment
And I say no on claiming characters, just because that makes it harder and longer, as you say. That works if you've got a limited number of people who all commit to doing a story, but not so much if there's a wide variety of participants who may or may not post at their whim. :) (I'll edit the post.)
Re: Out of story comment
OH YOU'VE GIVEN ME SOMETHING TO DO ALL DAY. SO UNFAIR.
Re: Out of story comment
If nobody posts following
Re: Out of story comment
Re: Out of story comment
And ... we just had our first head-on collision!
(Why am I not surprised that I was involved ... .)
Re: Out of story comment
We'll just have to see what happens. :D
(edited for appropriate icon)
Re: Out of story comment
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"This is exactly what I was looking for."
and at the top was written: "Clam Chowder of Eternal Suprise"
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She listened to the instructions given her, whispered acknowledgment, and silently made her way back to her entry point.
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