DIGGER'S FREEDOM: A Collaborative Epic?

[BrandonLayng]

I propose a project for the members of the GST forum. We have some dark, disturbing and even quirky writers and artists here. Let's pool our creative resources into a co-operative creative endeavor.

The main purpose of this is simply fun. The second purpose is to share our talents. The third is to bring some more attention to our little community of friends.

So...

"DIGGER'S FREEDOM"

I worked with many other authors on a project called "The Edward Ballister Project".  I'm not sure what has come of that at this point, last I heard it had been picked up by some publisher or other and I haven't heard anything since. It was a cool experience. It started with one chapter written by its creator and then a different author wrote each successive chapter. I did chapter five, and I was pretty proud of it. It was "for the love" and I was happy to be invited to contribute. I miss doing it though.

My only gripe with it was that it was very loosely plotted and when I say loosely, I mean you had to guess where things were going from what happened in the chapter before. It left things a little uncertain at times. I prefer things to be a little more focused, but with plenty of room for imaginations to play. Think of it this way...

What if you were able to contribute to an epic series along the lines of King's Dark Tower? Wouldn't that be fun to get to play in this huge world with a really badass character and the people and creatures he meets along the way? Anyone could be a part of it, so long as they are members of the GST forum with more than say, 15 posts. You would be able to add to the story as often as you like but you have to let someone else post between your postings to give people the opportunity to participate. It would have to be moderated to keep things from getting too confusing. It would also have to be moderated for those times when two people or more have written the next part but only one can be posted. I've personally never seen anything like this done on a forum (though I have seen a few bloggers that have participated in something similar).

We could post all of the parts in a single thread under a single profile (probably the title character's name; Digger Jones) and include bylines for the members who wrote that part. Along with that, here comes the artists, we could set up a website through Wordpress that includes not only the written works but also artwork based on the story and its world.

I'm not sure what the word limit is on the GST forum for how long an individual posting can be, but I was thinking each part could be between 200-1,000 words. I've already started work on some character sketches, a profile, a map of the fictional world and the loose plot, now I just want to know if there are people here that would be interested in being a part of this? Dale would you be interested in having GST's forum being the headquarters for DIGGER'S FREEDOM?

Reply to this thread if you want to help Digger Jones, a former gravedigger, convicted murderer who's been released from prison into a very different strange world full of monsters, angels, demons, fairies, zombies, kings, gunslingers, astronauts, Korean boy bands and mythical beings of all shapes and sizes; bring freedom to his new world before it's torn apart and in the process find a way to escape his own prison.

[Robert Essig]

I like this idea.  I will definately contribute if this idea comes to light.

I see you included Korean boy bands to hook in Natalie Sin.   

[johnpalisano]

Im in.

[BrandonLayng]

Awesome guys.

You caught me Robert. All sorts of people get lost and find themselves in this strange place Digger walks into.

[Stephen James Price]

Let's dance!

[Michael J. Hultquist]

It actually sounds sort of fun!

Mike H. 

[BrandonLayng]

It would be awesome to read a part with demonic jalapenos, Mike. Digger walks into a bar and sits down for a meal only to find that the evil hell-bent on destroying the land has sent Jalapeno assassins to take him out. He has no idea what is going on. It would be a fun scene to play around with.

[Michael J. Hultquist]

Haha, anytime I can fit jalapenos into the story, I will! 

[Myrrym]

I like this idea (all of it, not just the jalepeno part  ). 

[BrandonLayng]

It's the kind of thing we can all tinker with and be a part of as much or as little as we have time for. We would keep the main story on one GST thread, another thread could feature Digger art and poetry. The whole thing could also be hosted on a Digger's Freedom website that could act like a hub for all things Digger related, that would also act as free advertisement for GST, the forum and the contributing writers. 

I'll keep fiddling with the details but if there is any more people interested, have your say. It already looks like a fine list growing as is.
 

[hamstersbane]

 

In other words, I want in.

[BrandonLayng]

By my count that's six already. Not a bad start. And I'm sure once it gets rolling this rock will gather even more moss. I promise more details will come soon.

[Dark Celt]

Sounds like a hoot.  Count me in!

[Graveside Tales - Dale]

Brandon I think this is a great idea.  I saw such a thing worked a couple different way.  One was from Cyber-Pup run by Bob Gunner (owner I think) who wanted to do something similar with an anthology.  You had your basic theme of the anthology.  Everyone would submit for the first chapter/story.  Once that the piece was announced everyone would read the first chapter and than write up the next section and submit.  I do not believe anything ever came of it as they went out of business as far as I know.

The most successful form I saw was from CD.  They took a bunch of authors and did a round robin where one author would write a piece and it was published in the news letter.  The edition some other author continued the story.  When it was completed the story was taken and turned into the first book of CD's Signature Series title Looking Glass.  Limited edition run with illustrations throughout.

When GST was started that was one thing I always wanted to be seen done here on the forums with possibility of publication in some form.

Basically, it's a kick ass idea and I would love to see it take shape.  I can also provide the hosting space with a subdomain like diggersfreedom.gravesidetales.com.

Let me know what you guys need and I will help make it happen.

PS Make sure someone get's in touch with that Canadian Sutherland and invite him to participate as well as Rio, Shrews, Gina Ranalli, and Nate Lambert.

Oh and killer  would be awesome

[Michael J. Hultquist]

There is something insane about all this. Insane indeed. Maybe that's a good thing.