What the hell - let's do a chain story...

[TheRedChamber]

Even though there might be a few more people who raise their hands, it might be a good idea to start discussing some of the most basic generalities.
For example, I usually write in generic contemporary settings with some degree of sci-fi/fantasy intrusion. Unless we want to go full SF/F, we should probably decide if there should be any such elements.

I agree.

We also might want to avoid historical time periods or highly specific locations, to avoid the need for a lot of research or, failing at research, a lot of anachronisms and other errors.

I was going to suggest avoiding anywhere/when too specific, yes.

Either that, or we write about an off-brand Dr. Who that bounces around time and space willy-nilly, or a Quantum Leap protagonist that does basically the same but changes bodies more often. Then it won't matter if Chapter 2 is 1960s London and Chapter 3 is on a lunar colony.

Even if not time-travel, we may want to write something that is by its very nature fairly episodic - although I also thing creating and letting other progress arcs is part of the fun.

I also think we should aim for a quicker turnaround than 30 days, or it'll be next year before the chain ends, and anyone toward the back of the queue will be waiting until Christmas to see what they're working with. If everyone else feels they need that much lead time, I'll just ask to be placed in the earlier part of the story.

I would hope that some of the authors turn it around much faster than 30 days. I feel like 30 days is a period where, after accounting for real-life commitments and waiting for inspiration to hit, it's getting unfair to others to wait any longer. That is to say 30 days seems like a reasonable time after which to prod people and start to possibly make arrangements for someone else to do the next chapter. Hopefully, if people know it's going to be a struggle to produce something, they'll say early and let others take that slot.

I have been thinking and I have a rough, but I think workable, idea of what I'd do if I were number one in the chain.

 

[StillStunned]

Either that, or we write about an off-brand Dr. Who that bounces around time and space willy-nilly, or a Quantum Leap protagonist that does basically the same but changes bodies more often.

If we do this, we could just use my story One Orgasm At A Time.

 

[Bamagan]

I agree.


I was going to suggest avoiding anywhere/when too specific, yes.


Even if not time-travel, we may want to write something that is by its very nature fairly episodic - although I also thing creating and letting other progress arcs is part of the fun.


I would hope that some of the authors turn it around much faster than 30 days. I feel like 30 days is a period where, after accounting for real-life commitments and waiting for inspiration to hit, it's getting unfair to others to wait any longer. That is to say 30 days seems like a reasonable time after which to prod people and start to possibly make arrangements for someone else to do the next chapter. Hopefully, if people know it's going to be a struggle to produce something, they'll say early and let others take that slot.

I have been thinking and I have a rough, but I think workable, idea of what I'd do if I were number one in the chain.

I guess that may depend on how many 'pantsers' we have in the mix. I'm kind of inclined to suggest plotting out an arc that clearly places each segment of the story in some kind of 'rising action-climax-denouement' scheme, so everyone knows more or less what role they're playing, but I know that kind of planning is creative anathema to some people. But yes, keeping things episodic might be the best way to navigate those narrows.

 

[Bamagan]

If we do this, we could just use my story One Orgasm At A Time.

If that's what the story is about, you may have done yourself a disservice with the tagline, which conveys no such implications.

 

[mrs_mackenzie]

Even though there might be a few more people who raise their hands

Raises hand

I think this could be fun and within my capabilities. Please sign me up if there's still room.

 

[Omenainen]

I’ll take a swing at anything, but as noted, period pieces might be beyond me, or at least wildly inaccurate. Also I’m a pantser so if an outline is needed, I can produce one, but it’ll be after I write the story

I’m also willing to write from prompt but I make no promises on how it turns out.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

What the hell - I can do this. Sounds fun.

 

[TheRedChamber]

Okay, with Kumquat and MrsMackenzie we're up to 11. One more would get us to two teams of 6 which seems perfect to me.

If we get that person, I'll work out a way of dividing us up into two teams and ordering everyone. If there are two teams, would anyone like to be the runner for the other team?

 

[Bamagan]

Okay, with Kumquat and MrsMackenzie we're up to 11. One more would get us to two teams of 6 which seems perfect to me.

If we get that person, I'll work out a way of dividing us up into two teams and ordering everyone. If there are two teams, would anyone like to be the runner for the other team?

If there're enough people interested in a 'Team Supernatural', that's the team for me. I'll consider being the prod, if no one else wants to do so.

 

[Kelliezgirl]

Even though there might be a few more people who raise their hands, it might be a good idea to start discussing some of the most basic generalities.
For example, I usually write in generic contemporary settings with some degree of sci-fi/fantasy intrusion. Unless we want to go full SF/F, we should probably decide if there should be any such elements. We also might want to avoid historical time periods or highly specific locations, to avoid the need for a lot of research or, failing at research, a lot of anachronisms and other errors. Either that, or we write about an off-brand Dr. Who that bounces around time and space willy-nilly, or a Quantum Leap protagonist that does basically the same but changes bodies more often. Then it won't matter if Chapter 2 is 1960s London and Chapter 3 is on a lunar colony.
I also think we should aim for a quicker turnaround than 30 days, or it'll be next year before the chain ends, and anyone toward the back of the queue will be waiting until Christmas to see what they're working with. If everyone else feels they need that much lead time, I'll just ask to be placed in the earlier part of the story.

I think if you do something like a Doctor Who/Quantum Leap thing it sort of takes the fun out of it.
The point to me seems to be the challenge of telling a continous story. Building on what came before, yet not boxing in the next person.
For a Doctor Who thing someone could just write a prompt about a couple of characters and we could all go off and write stories and there would be no need to go in a given sequence.

 

[Erozetta]

If there're enough people interested in a 'Team Supernatural', that's the team for me. I'll consider being the prod, if no one else wants to do so.

I'd be down for a "Team supernatural"

 

[Bamagan]

I think if you do something like a Doctor Who/Quantum Leap thing it sort of takes the fun out of it.
The point to me seems to be the challenge of telling a continous story. Building on what came before, yet not boxing in the next person.
For a Doctor Who thing someone could just write a prompt about a couple of characters and we could all go off and write stories and there would be no need to go in a given sequence.

I think you may be missing my point. The main character(s) in that scenario would be basically consistent, regardless of the 'external timestamp' bouncing back and forth. But, if someone is charmed by the idea of setting their segment in a highly particular place/time that no one else is interested in attempting to learn enough about to write convincingly, the first author can do so without limiting later authors from being charmed by a different setting. As long as it's a character-driven tale, continuity shouldn't be imperiled by even a dramatically different setting. If someone's story idea means the characters are inextricable from their setting, so that the story will only make sense if later authors keep it in a particular place and time... well, that's a box in my opinion, and less fun than the alternative.*

And for the record, I'm not seriously suggesting any kind of time-travel shenanigans, merely pointing out that we might want to resort to something like that if we're a group of writers who really want to show off what we know about the Buffalo Soldiers or the Vichy Regime or competitive gardening in Austria in the 1980s.

*Edit: I'm specifically referring to a place/time that's highly particular, as opposed to the generic contemporary discussed in earlier posts, which doesn't require any heavy lifting research-wise. Having the whole story take place in one town or neighborhood or even a single house is fine, unless maybe it's supposed to be some particular house with a particular floor plan and there's no leeway for a hidden library.

 

[WhiteTailDarkTip]

If there're enough people interested in a 'Team Supernatural', that's the team for me. I'll consider being the prod, if no one else wants to do so.

I think I’m a bit late to this thread but I’d be up for writing a segment in an otherworldly tale

 

[Kelliezgirl]

I think you may be missing my point. The main character(s) in that scenario would be basically consistent, regardless of the 'external timestamp' bouncing back and forth. But, if someone is charmed by the idea of setting their segment in a highly particular place/time that no one else is interested in attempting to learn enough about to write convincingly, the first author can do so without limiting later authors from being charmed by a different setting. As long as it's a character-driven tale, continuity shouldn't be imperiled by even a dramatically different setting. If someone's story idea means the characters are inextricable from their setting, so that the story will only make sense if later authors keep it in a particular place and time... well, that's a box in my opinion, and less fun than the alternative.*

And for the record, I'm not seriously suggesting any kind of time-travel shenanigans, merely pointing out that we might want to resort to something like that if we're a group of writers who really want to show off what we know about the Buffalo Soldiers or the Vichy Regime or competitive gardening in Austria in the 1980s.

*Edit: I'm specifically referring to a place/time that's highly particular, as opposed to the generic contemporary discussed in earlier posts, which doesn't require any heavy lifting research-wise. Having the whole story take place in one town or neighborhood or even a single house is fine, unless maybe it's supposed to be some particular house with a particular floor plan and there's no leeway for a hidden library.

I'm not missing your point at all.
If you have a great need to write a story about Buffalo Soldiers, by all means do so, but that really isn't the point of an exercise like this. The point is to be able to pick up someone's thread and keep moving with it.
Like using a writing prompt, but more in depth.
The more episodic you make it the more it becomes a waste of time. The idea is to tell one story, not six or seven.

 

[Bamagan]

I'm not missing your point at all.
If you have a great need to write a story about Buffalo Soldiers, by all means do so, but that really isn't the point of an exercise like this. The point is to be able to pick up someone's thread and keep moving with it.
Like using a writing prompt, but more in depth.
The more episodic you make it the more it becomes a waste of time. The idea is to tell one story, not six or seven.

Well, as we disagree on the point, we should probably not be on the same team, as I have no desire to waste your time.

 

[Comshaw]

I'm not missing your point at all.
If you have a great need to write a story about Buffalo Soldiers, by all means do so, but that really isn't the point of an exercise like this. The point is to be able to pick up someone's thread and keep moving with it.
Like using a writing prompt, but more in depth.
The more episodic you make it the more it becomes a waste of time. The idea is to tell one story, not six or seven.

For my two cents, I agree with this. Picking up the thread of an already established story and putting my spin on it would be the type of exercise I would like to engage in. And it's interesting to see what direction each author takes it and how they tweak things to get there.

I see the roster for this one is full, but if it's attempted again count me in for the second go around.

Comshaw

 

[pink_silk_glove]

Well, it looks like we could have a couple of groups. RedChamber could put us into groups, each with a group leader, and we could each discuss our general ideas. Then if a couple of us aren't comfortable with the group that we are in, we could switch groups or just drop out, no hard feelings. Then the group leaders could finalize some ground rules and discuss things and decide who posts first. After each post, discuss what has happened, where it might go and who wants to go next ... wash rinse repeat to the end.

 

[TheRedChamber]

I'm likely out travelling for all of today, so you might not hear from me for 24 hours.

Well, it looks like we could have a couple of groups. RedChamber could put us into groups, each with a group leader, and we could each discuss our general ideas. Then if a couple of us aren't comfortable with the group that we are in, we could switch groups or just drop out, no hard feelings. Then the group leaders could finalize some ground rules and discuss things and decide who posts first. After each post, discuss what has happened, where it might go and who wants to go next ... wash rinse repeat to the end.

I'll do something like this when I get back. There are two options. Either as you've described or letting everyone who is interested write a synopsis for their idea *for chapter one* of the story, not the whole thing, and having people vote. The top two stories go through and, as near as possible, those who voted for each story get put on that story with the pitcher getting to write part one. Maybe people can have a think about what they might want to pitch.

I see the roster for this one is full, but if it's attempted again count me in for the second go around.

I can put you on reserve in case someone drops out?

The roster is officially full now. People can still express interest, we might possibly get a third group, but we'll go ahead with the potential two we've got now.

 

[Comshaw]

I'm likely out travelling for all of today, so you might not hear from me for 24 hours.


I'll do something like this when I get back. There are two options. Either as you've described or letting everyone who is interested write a synopsis for their idea *for chapter one* of the story, not the whole thing, and having people vote. The top two stories go through and, as near as possible, those who voted for each story get put on that story with the pitcher getting to write part one. Maybe people can have a think about what they might want to pitch.

I can put you on reserve in case someone drops out?

The roster is officially full now. People can still express interest, we might possibly get a third group, but we'll go ahead with the potential two we've got now.

Yeah, stick me on the reserve list. It's been a very long time since I polished a bench with my buttocks, but it'll haveta' do.


Comshaw

 

[Tio_Narratore]

I'd like a seat on the bench, as well. I've written privately and professionally for quite a few years now, and am just getting back to write more than the word games on Lit. I'm up for almost any genre; I enjoy the challenge of writing outside my history.

 

[Devinter]

I'm kind of inclined to suggest plotting out an arc that clearly places each segment of the story in some kind of 'rising action-climax-denouement' scheme, so everyone knows more or less what role they're playing, but I know that kind of planning is creative anathema to some people.

Please no. This would take a lot of the fun out of it for me. I want to let the sweet songs of chaos play its haunting dirge, and for me to be taken along for the rampageous ride!

I do agree with earlier discussion about not making the setting require too much research, however, and to leave the doors of creativity wide open. And whilst I'll write any story, featuring any themes or fetishes if necessary, I really would prefer to avoid some of the more extreme aspects of erotica just because it might make some people uncomfortable. Incest, NonCon and a few other things was already mentioned; I'd consider adding sexual acts that many might find revolting rather than arousing (bathroom stuff, for instance) to that list, and would greatly prefer not to write anything that would be best fitting into the Loving Wives category.

 

[TheRedChamber]

Okay, I think I'm ready for the next stage. Here's how I'm going to say we are doing it.

1) Anyone who has an idea post on this thread a 250-1000 word synopsis covering **only the first chapter**. Timezones are tricky so I'm going to say that the deadline is Monday 1st July at the same time as the stories on the site go live (My calculations suggest this is 4am GMT but I could be wrong). In practice, it'll be whenever after that I get round to it.
2) We'll then have several rounds of voting. I'll firm up the rules depending on exactly how many submissions we get, but basically, it'll be eliminating the bottom-half of the voting entries on each round. Each author including those on the bench can vote for upto two stories and must not vote for their own idea. I want to submit my own synopsis, so it may be fairer to hand over voting control to someone who isn't going to submit an idea.
3) The author with a winning submission will get to write chapter one. I will assign people to each story first based on their votes and then at random and in a random order.
4) In the event that a story runs away with the votes we may consider merging back into a single story.
5) The winning authors can take over the running of their story if they want, they can ask me to keep doing it, or they can nominate someone else willing in the group.

Some further rules:
1) Authors can solicit ideas for their chapter on the thread. Do not approach an author who hasn't solicited a specific idea requesting that they have certain things happen. Ideas should never be discussed in private DMs only in the threads (we'll spin off two separate threads for each story once they are finalized).
2) There will be no advanced planning or structuring and no author is to be blamed if they go off track for a plot element that someone else thought was 'agreed' to be happening in their chapter.
3) A few people have joined on the basis of working on a 'supernatural' story. I'm not going to force that one of the stories be supernatural, but submitters note that you may get easy votes if you address this.
4) If neither of the two winners appeal to you, please drop out early so others can take the place or else shortly after the first entry is published.
5) Let's agree no negative feedback on a published story - gentle ribbing or noting that the previous chapter's authors has given you some headaches is okay, but lets keep things friendly.
6) The runners for each story will look at each chapter before it is published. They can veto a story being published but only on the grounds that it is derailing or maliciously spirited - a fair question would be 'what do you expect the next author to actually be able to write next?'. It should not be vetoed on pure quality or the runner's dislike. This can do done purely at the runners discresion, they should give a short explanation of what happened to the group, but the rejected entry should not be shared with the group as a whole. (Let's face it if this does happen, and I really hope it won't, it's going to be a shit-storm of accusations regardless, which is why I'm giving strong powers to the runner)

Regarding forbidden categories/fetishies/acts.
1) Each submission should list the kinds of categories/act that *will* happen in chapter one and also *may* or *may not* happen in the rest of story.

For example, my synopsis, which is set in a porn studio will have the following-
Will have heterosexual sex, anal, first time, cuckolding. May have lesbian, gay or transexual (suggest keeping these within a given chapter), light BDSM. May not have incest, non-con, extreme fetishes (water-sports, scat etc). No fantasy, sci-fi or horror elements.

It's impossible to tie down everything, but this should give a good indication of the spirit of the piece.

Any comments, suggestions or objections to this, let me know. Otherwise get your ideas in by Monday.

 

[Bamagan]

2) We'll then have several rounds of voting. I'll firm up the rules depending on exactly how many submissions we get, but basically, it'll be eliminating the bottom-half of the voting entries on each round. Each author including those on the bench can vote for upto two stories and must not vote for their own idea. I want to submit my own synopsis, so it may be fairer to hand over voting control to someone who isn't going to submit an idea.

Floating the idea of using ranked choice voting as an alternative to multiple rounds. Vote for as many as you find appealing, and if necessary, redistribute the votes from the least-popular options. Doesn't make much difference to me, but given the timezones and related issues, it might be more efficient than setting aside several days for each round.

 

[TheRedChamber]

My synopsis. (You don't have to follow my format or be so detailed)

Hard Times at Eruption Studios

Part 1.

Scene 1.

Struggling wedding cameraman Gavin Ronson (late 20s) has been set up by a somewhat dodgy mate with a mysterious job offer. He meets with Sandra Balding, an amateur porn star/(generic brand) OnlyFans model with big dreams of going pro. She wants him to play her cuck husband in the videos she’s making – no sex, only jerking off and filming while she stars with her bull. Gavin has enough financial troubles that he goes for it despite misgivings.

Scene 2.

Drippy and virginal art graduate Vanesssa Watkins (21) divides her time between working for a temp secretary/administrator agency and drawing her own, very wholesome, fantasy art featuring fairies and unicorns. Turning up for her latest assignment she realizes she’s working the front desk at a porn production studio – the eponymous Eruption Studios, very much to her consternation. A variety of colourful characters go past her:

– pornstars Grace and Ada, perpetually squabbling over who does what to whom and excited about some kind of 'event' tonight,
- washed-up former porn legend Don Everly who has been unable to perform on set - again
– famed visiting producer from another studio and aging Dolly Parton lookalike, Felicity Lawson

Vanessa witnesses first an vague but heated argument between Don and Felicity in which hints at a love-hate relationship between them and then Felicity bursting in on the current head of studio in the middle of his ‘casting couch’ session and promising big changes when “she takes over and he’s out on his ass.” Returning home at the end of the day Vanessa finds her doodles have been subconsciously taking an unusually charged (but in this chapter unspecified) direction.

Scene 3.

Gavin films his first session with Sandra and her bull, the phenomenally athletic and hung Tommy, who proceed to have highly enthusiastic and prolonged intercourse. Part of the issue is that they are clearly ‘hate fucking’ when the camera stops rolling they are constantly arguing, though both are perfectly polite to Gavin. At the end, Sandra reveals that she’s married to Tommy. She claims that, despite appearances, they are deeply in love but no one wants to watch wives just satisfying their husbands these days – hence the need for Gavin. Despite jerking off (as per contract) during the scene, the couple are so intense that Gavin decides this is a one-off.

Scene 4.

Don the pornstar is talking to his (unlicensed and highly shady) doctor. His erectile dysfunction is making his job difficult but the double dose of Viagra he’s been taking is not getting the job done anymore. The doctor prescribes him a highly experimental substitute from China. It should do the trick, but who knows what the side effects might be?

Scene 5.

The world’s third richest man, software hypernerd Phil Doors is about to hold a press conference. Doors has been a near-total recluse after his sudden divorce two years ago. Sexy reporter Madeline Moss is trying to get the scoop from bodyguard John Nester. He is closed-mouthed and professional, revealing to the reader about Door’s divorce and breakdown due to his wife’s serial cheating ways but refusing to give the reporter anything new. When the press conference starts, Doors takes to the stage with two mysterious sexy girls – later revealed to be Grace and Ada. Doors announces that he is selling all his stock in his software company and buying Eruption Media. When Madeline asks why he’d be interested in running a porn studio, Doors answer that he won’t be running it, he’ll be starring in the movies. He then invites the journalists present to remain seated to watch him and the girls film their first official scene next Monday at the studio. When asked what kind of porn and what kind of role he’ll be in, Doors is tight-lipped.

Scene 6.

With her husband Tommy out, Sandra receives a phone call from Felicity who loves her work and is the new head of Eruption Studios. Sandra is offered a contract, but Felicity wants to confirm that she is indeed married to Gavin and tells her to ‘loose the bull’ who are ten a penny. The chapter ends with Sandra saying ‘absolutely’.

Cast

Gavin Ronson – cuck for hire.
Sandra Balding – amateur pornstar and hot-wife
Tommy Balding – husband of Sandra and her ‘bull’ in porn films.
Vanessa Watkins – secretary and art student.
Grace and Ada – pornstars
Don Everly – world famous but aging porn star.
Felicity Lawson – the new head of Eruption Studios.
Phil Doors – the world's richest man and new owner of Eruption Studios
John Nester – Doors’ personal bodyguard (happy married and monogamous).
Madeline Moss – a reporter.

EDIT: Forgot kinks/themes:

Will have heterosexual sex, anal, first time, cuckolding. May have lesbian, gay or transexual (suggest keeping these within a given chapter), light BDSM. May not have incest, non-con, extreme fetishes (water-sports, scat etc). No fantasy, sci-fi or horror elements.

 

[TheRedChamber]

Floating the idea of using ranked choice voting as an alternative to multiple rounds. Vote for as many as you find appealing, and if necessary, redistribute the votes from the least-popular options. Doesn't make much difference to me, but given the timezones and related issues, it might be more efficient than setting aside several days for each round.

Maybe and I'm open to it. My concern would be that it's a little bit meaner than just picking your two favourite if everyone happens to put your submission dead last - or have it be the only one that's not included at all. I think this chain story is going to run on for months, so we don't have to rush the voting. It may be easier to select a method once we've got all the stories in.