#81
May 23, 2005
from: Adrienne
Hello!
Thank you for writing Solitaire, it's a beautiful book. Having live journal pages for Solitaire characters is a great idea. I especially like the pages of Snow, Estar, and the cat (so cute). When did you think of the idea? Thanks.
I'm glad you like the book.
I thought of the idea for the journals last year when I discovered a Live Journal community that was a Harry Potter role-playing game. Each player was a character from the books. Each character had their own journal, and all the posts were collected together in the community journal. It was as if you were reading an ongoing report from various points of view of what was happening at Hogwarts. I thought it was a great idea, really creative, and then I thought, hmmm.... these folks are playing a game, creating a community story, but why not use this structure to create a different kind of fiction?
The beauty of the journal format is its flexibility. Journals are by their nature a mix of the daily and the Big Event. I'm hoping that I'll be able to wander around more in the world, hang out with people in Solitaire when nothing in particular is happening, have extraneous conversations.... Then there's the chance to get more into the heads of Snow, Scully, Crichton, and Estar, the layering of different points of view on the same events. I have lots of ideas. And of course, there will also be a story unfolding, because otherwise it just seems self-indulgent. So that's a challenge for me—a new kind of story, an accretion of daily details.
The cat sends his regards. He agrees that he is very cute (grin). You might be interested to know that Nicola channels the cat for these journals. It's fun to have her come play in my world. This collaborating thing might become addictive....
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#80
May 23, 2005
from: Sly in Anchorage
You said:
| "You ask about a sequel. Those who have expressed an opinion seem divided between wanting to know more about what happens, and being concerned that a sequel will be more disappointing than rewarding. That's a legitimate concern—sequels are hard. I've said several times here in the virtual pub that I'm not planning a sequel, and that's still true. And yet I do think about Jackal and her people, and I am currently interested in exploring new ways of making story, new ways of staying connected with these characters that I love." |
As I was reading this I thought that it isn't really necessary to think of additions to your story as a sequel in my mind. In fact I prefer to think of any story that has the same characters and settings as a continuation of the world you've created.
| "So here's a notion I'm playing with. I'd be interested in comments." |
Yes, like that; just how are these people getting on in their lives after VC or any touch they've experienced through the process and/or people they know who are involved with such. I'd sure like to spend more time with the folks and in the world you made. And what is the fate of Solitaire, does it really work, can people really survive it and be better for it? It doesn't seem to me like a story with an end, there seems to be lots of stories in there yet. (I hope).
Hey Sly, how are things in Anchorage?
I like your perspective. A sequel is a whole new story, another complete arc of the characters and events, and that's not what I want. But continuing, looking at smaller everyday moments and building a slower, more gradual story... that appeals to me. One thing I like about this approach is that it anyone who has read Solitaire doesn't have to do any catching up (and anyone who hasn't read the book will probably just wonder what's up with the funny dates..)
I hope there are lots of stories in there too.
I haven't updated any of the journals since I posted them, but that's due to lack of time, and also to a need to let them simmer for a bit. I'm just about ready to get back into them. Stick with me (smile)--there is definitely more to come.
