That French Oulipo… taste good?

[Stephen4444]

I wanted opinions: for a new writers group to be started in the “Group” section of the Chrons.

Let me elaborate on the genus for this discussion, I recently read a book of collaborative fiction from a group of authors, mainly from the Atlanta area. The group did an excellent job, and the stories were quite intriguing. Most short novellas in the book, organized around the same theme. Their theme consists of vampires hiding, from the more powerful primogenitors. The ancestors, (or mothers,) regretted the creation of their progeny and felt they had to wipe the progeny out. The original story, created a Segway into each author’s novella. (I felt they were more “short stories.”)

The purpose of a Oulipo, in the Group section, is to hash out concepts for a group book. This collaborative fiction would improve writing skills. The vision is, for one book Fantasy, and one book Science Fiction. To start out I would suggest only one genus. The group name would be what the group decides, but I like “Primogenitors,” as we would give “birth” to the new book.

WIKIPEDIA

Oulipo (French pronunciation: [ulipo], short for French: Ouvroir de littérature potentielle; roughly translated: "workshop of potential literature") is a loose gathering of (mainly) French-speaking writers and mathematicians which seeks to create works using constrained writing techniques.

to keep order:
1) As a group, approve a set of rules for consistency.
2) As a group discuss and choose a writer to write the “Theme story.” (This is important, as it will be the takeoff point, for all the other writers to contribute.)
***** This is a difficult task, as it will be very specific, and have qualifications. I think… this point should be discussed… (Thoroughly,) and the best writers in the group (“not myself”) write it.
3) When a chapter in the book is done, (“I suggest,”) the short story go into the critique section. At that point, all members of the group would be encouraged to present a critique on it. On successful rewrite, that chapter will become an official chapter in the book.
4) A member’s chapter will not impinge on others without their permission


Is this already done in another sections of the Chrons? Do you think there will be interest?

 

[The Judge]

Um... if you were simply thinking about a collaborative story, you'll see there have been a few of these in Workshop and (I think) the Lounge. They tend to fizzle out after a while for various reasons. There's nothing to stop you starting another if you wish.

If you were thinking of less a collaboration, more of a "Here's a subject, what's your take on it?" again, there have been instances of this in Workshop, and again start one afresh if you want to do so.

I'm a bit alarmed, though, at your use of the word "book" as if this is going to be something published as a joint venture. If you want to set this up with some friends (whether Chronners or not) outside of Chrons, good luck to you, but on Chrons itself is a slightly different matter, I think.


By the way, a Segway is a type of transport. I think you mean segue.

 

[Stephen4444]

Um... if you were simply thinking about a collaborative story, you'll see there have been a few of these in Workshop and (I think) the Lounge. They tend to fizzle out after a while for various reasons. There's nothing to stop you starting another if you wish.

The Idea is that the theme is set by the first short story. Example:
the earth is overpopulated so it sends hundreds of ships out to the stars. since the trip will be several generations, they put like minded individuals on each ship.This is my original.

My short story: I would pick a ship of like minded christians, with an atheist stow away.

John,s short story:He writes about the scientist ship colonizing the planet.

Jane's story:Islamist

ETC.,

I'm a bit alarmed, though, at your use of the word "book" as if this is going to be something published as a joint venture.

That is interchangeable with tome, or contest, or whatever. A name only for the purpose of expressing an idea for educational purposes.

If you want to set this up with some friends (whether Chronners or not) outside of Chrons, good luck to you, but on Chrons itself is a slightly different matter, I think.

I was looking for a way to learn with others and a method for group critique for writing style/grammar without the onus of
"hey I'm not gonna make your novel for you."

I apologize if I did not explain myself well and will desist.

By the way, a Segway is a type of transport. I think you mean segue.

Thank you, I meant segue.

 

[The Judge]

Ah, right. So, not a book as such, regardless of your slipping in the word "tome" as an alternative. "Contest" is also a word which could raise a few eyebrows, since we have the Challenges, and we're not about to do anything which might interfere with them. All in all, it's best if we just call it an Exercise! (A rose by any other name might smell as sweet, but it's always best to be exact as possible in terminology to avoid misunderstandings.)

By all means go ahead with such an exercise. I'd caution you not to invent too many rules as they can get in the way of things -- just perhaps a word limit or something of that kind. If you want a critique of your contributions, then make that clear -- other Workshop threads have allowed for this.

So far as learning with others is concerned, you'll see that Workshop has a few exercises already which might be of help to you in seeing how others go about description of place or person or in conjuring up emotion. Analyse how others have created their effects and then have a go yourself at the various threads.

Alternatively, go through all the old 300 word Challenges and try writing your own stories based on the inspiration images. We have a specific thread for helping us to improve our stories for those who want a short critique http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/forum/534118-improving-our-300-word-stories-read-first-post.html so put one or two up there, perhaps. And there's this quarter's Challenge of course (don't put that one up in the Improvement thread until voting is over, though).

As for establishing a writing group to help you further, I know that we have some which have developed among Chronners. I imagine they mainly arise out of small incidents of PM contact, and the beginnings of friendship among people who feel comfortable with each other and their respective writing and critiquing skills. So don't rush that one, perhaps. Just keep joining in on threads here and developing relationships with others on the boards and that may well arise naturally.