Chain Story Continuity thread

[KillerMuffin]

We need one. Yeesh.

If we can avoid it, I think we should not use date references involving years. The reader has already formed an opinion on what Erica looks like, feels like, and how old she is. Year references will probably jar.

The sketch has already been explained. First Whisper had her Christoforo draw it. Apparently that one was good enough so Charly had his Jan-Dirk draw another one. NO MORE SKETCHES!!!!!

Any thoughts on POV? Should it be kept to first person or ought we go ahead and whack in third person should we feel it necessary? It's a memoir.

We need to communicate on this, guys. It's a group effort and it has to at least have a modicum of continuity. If not, at least read the ones that have come before you. That might help.

 

[cymbidia]

Like Gaucho's, mine is in third person. I've already been criticized for that, btw, by one reader but it's *done* and it works and if i have to change it to 1st person, it'll take some MAJOR remodeling. But i will, if all the rest of you tell me i have to.

So, hey. This new Lit Board is cool but kinda scary. Am i the only one who didn't know it was coming?

 

[Mickie]

KM,

I like the idea of a continuity thread, but, remember, this isn't going to be perfect. Different authors have different ideas on how interconnected this story is going to be. It isn't a true novel, but a chain story, and the differences are a part and parcel of what it is.

I agree that everyone should read what came before, though. It would be pretty stupid to do a chain with other authors and NOT read the others.

We've already had a break out into third person with Gaucho's wonderful chapter. I don't think it hurt anything. If an author feels better doing it that way, just put it down to Erica's trying to experiment with her own writing style in her journal, seeing herself from outside of herself.

As the last and final wrap-up, I'm personally going to be highly aware of the other chapters, to try to give it a real ending. Ideas are swirling, and a first scene is in a rough draft. Also, I'm open to any of the authors who want to wrap things up in the last chapter letting me know what they want. I'll try to work it into the context.

Last, but not least -- Relax. Have fun with this and remember it isn't something that has to be perfect, but something that has to be interesting to the reader. I'M certainly interested in the chapters already posted. I don't think we need to worry.

Mickie

 

[KillerMuffin]

Actually the POV was just asking for thoughts on it. My personal preferene in the matter has already been done. My turn is over. I'm not asking anyone to rework into first person or third person. I was hoping the POV would all stay the same, since it is a memoir presumably written by the lady in question and I know absolutely no one who writes in third person in their own personal diaries and journals. Except me, but it's a creative writing journal. It's been done though, it's over with, it's no big deal.

The sketch thing, though, that pisses me off. I do believe that it would be common courtesy to at least read what the people before you have done and not keep re-introducing the same important fact over and over again. It's disrespectful to totally ignore your collaborator's efforts. Whisper did it already and now we have another sketch? Anyone else gonna include a sketch? Of course, none of the readers are going to notice nor care, so it's no big deal. I'm getting incensed because Whisper is my friend and she worked incredibly hard on hers. Charly worked incredibly hard on his, too I would imagine. I just don't think he should have disregarded Whisper like that.

 

[cymbidia]

Yeh, he did it again, KM. Probably shouldn't have since WS already did it before him, but he did nonetheless.

During the discussions and subsequent voting, if you'll recall, on how involved we should get in each other's story lines, there were definitely some dissenting opinions to the "tell one story and work from each other's plots" majority opinion, weren't there? Was Charly one of those dissenters? (I am too lazy to go look it up and, so, am guessing.)

In any case, his is a good story on its own, KM, don't you think? We don't all have the professionalism and native story-telling ability that you and WS and Gaucho so amply illustrate with every word you submit.

 

[Laurel]

I enjoyed his piece. I personally am thankful that anyone participates in stuff like this. I think we should be wary of raking other people over the coals, as it will definitely discourage future participation. If there's a problem, perhaps a discreet email to the offending person would be a better way to take care of it. Just my two cents...I'd hate to see this very fun thing degenerate into a fight.

 

[nitengale]

Can I add?

If this thread is ONLY for those writing the chain, please, please accept my apologies for this posting, but I would like to say that the story is flowing well. I love it, and I think from reading all the other feedback, you all have a HIT on your hands. I don't think anyone reading it has gotten caught up in there being two mentions of the "sketch." Sometimes a referral to something of importance can only add, NOT detract.

My point for going someplace I might not have any business in going...the story is coming together beautifully! Keep up the great TEAM effort!

Ok, I am done now.

 

[Charly]

Re: Can I add?

If this thread is ONLY for those writing the chain, please, please accept my apologies for this posting, but I would like to say that the story is flowing well. I love it, and I think from reading all the other feedback, you all have a HIT on your hands. I don't think anyone reading it has gotten caught up in there being two mentions of the "sketch." Sometimes a referral to something of importance can only add, NOT detract.

My point for going someplace I might not have any business in going...the story is coming together beautifully! Keep up the great TEAM effort!

Ok, I am done now.

Geez don't go away, Nitengale, I thought your comments excellent -- I wonder why?

Sorry about the repetition. I DID read Whisper's chapter, in fact, early in draft form. (Call me stupid but not direlict.) I must have missed the alusion to a sketch or somehow put it out of my mind. I will go back and see if I can edit to get rid of the inconsistency.

I did start a bit early, thinking to be on the original schedule rather than wait for a chance to read all the previous chapters.

Sorry, Whispersecret - no disrespect intended, I loved your chapter.

Charly

 

[Charly]

I did go back to read the sketch in Whisper's Chapter, and I do recall reading it.

From my reading of it, I would not have thought that I was treading on toes any more than I did in mentioning that Erica has breasts, which Whisper and, I think, others also mentioned first.

Jan-Dirk is an architect, and they sketch a bit too. Now if I had him knock off a little statue, .............

Anyway, sorry that others think it a transgression.

 

[Weird Harold]

As the last and final wrap-up, I'm personally going to be highly aware of the other chapters, to try to give it a real ending. Ideas are swirling, and a first scene is in a rough draft. Also, I'm open to any of the authors who want to wrap things up in the last chapter letting me know what they want. I'll try to work it into the context.

As the author with the final (?) word on Eirca's story, you might consider explaing which sketch ended up on Lit's front door, and how it ended up on the web.

 

[Guest]

Again the answer man comes through. Thanks WH! That gives me a good answer to the dilemma of sketches. So, in any other chapter other author's can provide them, the more the merrier. I'll just toss in a scene of her choosing one for the web site.

Mickie

 

[Mickie]

Forgot to login, sorry. I HATE cookies! HATE them. So I log in everywhere I go.

At least I signed it

Mick

 

[KillerMuffin]

Actually, it's just Muffin wound too tight. I had my seizure and released my tension. I feel much better now. Hopefully I'll quit being pissy and strung like a frazzled high tension wire. For longer than a day too.

I would like to apologize for being such a nitpicky witch with this thread.

 

[cymbidia]

You know, KM, i really admire you for just admitting when you've been off a bit, saying you're sorry, and moving along. It's a rare personality trait and one that more of us might want to emulate.

Mickie, i don't think i can work a sketch into my chapter. Sorry! I've got sailboats and professors and erotic tile and Suzette and sculptors; there's no room left for drawings and still have any kinda story at all!

Niten? Darlin'? This is an open thread in an open forum and anyone who wants to post can post, just like any other thread in this place. You have good insights and offer them clearly and without malice. Why should you *not* post?

 

[Guest]

Speaking of...here's to planning ahead

Hey all...
Since I've got a chapter right near the end, it would be a big help if a few things could get a mention in earlier chapters. Because we're talking about continuity here, I'm hoping we can hash it out...

Because it's coming right near the end, but Mickie's doing the wrap-up, I'm planning to take on Erica's current sexual re-awakening, later in life. As KM mentioned, people already have ideas about time and age, etc. so I'm not getting too specific, but clearly she has plenty of life experience. I'm thinking, though, that it's a bit odd for a sensualist to spend all her time wrapped up in her thoughts, alone and largely untouched. A current affair developed near the end of her memoir will leave things open ended, embrace the sensuality of maturity and experience, and still leave Mickie lots of room to do whatever he sees fit with the end.

So, a few things:
1) Does anyone have a problem with this? Will I be stepping on anyone else's plans, etc.
2) Assuming the answer to #1 is no: Can we work in a mention of Erica learning and/or playing the cello? Actually, just a mention of her admiration for string music might be enough...but it'll work better if it comes up before Chapter 12. This will play a role in my chapter, as long as it remains feasible.
3) What do we know about her language skills? As a world traveller, it seems reasonable to assume she's multi-lingual (in fact, her learning of Italian was mentioned in Whisper's chapter). Any futher thoughts on this? Are we adding more languages? Because the answer to this will determine a few things about the arc of my link in the chain.
4) On a similar note: Part of my story will take place in Kaneohe, HI. I know the city, but don't speak Hawaiian. If any of you do, please get in touch by e-mail for consultation.


Anyway...I'm loving everyone's work so far, and looking forward to seeing where this all goes.

Thanks in advance for your answers/ideas.
Risia

 

[RisiaSkye]

Dammit!

Ohmigod I hate cookie-dumps. Sorry about the Unreg. post above. Promise, it's me.

RS

 

[cymbidia]

Re: Speaking of...here's to planning ahead

Because it's coming right near the end, but Mickie's doing the wrap-up, I'm planning to take on Erica's current sexual re-awakening, later in life. As KM mentioned, people already have ideas about time and age, etc. so I'm not getting too specific, but clearly she has plenty of life experience. I'm thinking, though, that it's a bit odd for a sensualist to spend all her time wrapped up in her thoughts, alone and largely untouched. A current affair developed near the end of her memoir will leave things open ended, embrace the sensuality of maturity and experience, and still leave Mickie lots of room to do whatever he sees fit with the end.

Gaucho has left open-ended the question of whether her former lover, he of the lengthly interment in a Mexican jail, may be returning into her life, hasn't he?

My chapter has a similar sort of non-pat ending. Different ex-lover, of course.

But you want your own lover, don't you? Not a hand-me-down from our stories? Yuck! Ptooey! ~g~ Just wanted to let you know,in any case, that there's old loves on the lose all around the Lady.

So, a few things:
1) Does anyone have a problem with this? Will I be stepping on anyone else's plans, etc.
2) Assuming the answer to #1 is no: Can we work in a mention of Erica learning and/or playing the cello? Actually, just a mention of her admiration for string music might be enough...but it'll work better if it comes up before Chapter 12. This will play a role in my chapter, as long as it remains feasible.

"I don't have a prob with it," says one of the voices from the chorus.

I'll try to toss a line about cello music into mine, okay? No promises, and i'll send it to you if i manage it. Mine is already pretty packed with refs to other stories.

3) What do we know about her language skills? As a world traveller, it seems reasonable to assume she's multi-lingual (in fact, her learning of Italian was mentioned in Whisper's chapter). Any futher thoughts on this? Are we adding more languages? Because the answer to this will determine a few things about the arc of my link in the chain.

She speaks some Italian (WS). She limps along in Spanish (Gaucho). Without revealing too much, i can say that she's pretty darned fluent, at least she's been so in the past, in French.

I'd say she has a gift for languages!

Does any of this help?

I'm glad you're going to write with us on this, RS. It's a fun thing to do.

 

[nitengale]

Thanks cym!

 

[Ulyssa]

Mentioning the Cello.

That was a simple enough request and a simple enough adjustment. BTW cym and I have been working with Erica's assistant a young woman named Suzette who would like to have some sexual activity with Erica, but either for reasons of "I don't fuck the help" or "she isn't my type," Erica has little interest in doing any thing to screw up their employer/employee relationship.

 

[cymbidia]

Re: Mentioning the Cello.

That was a simple enough request and a simple enough adjustment. BTW cym and I have been working with Erica's assistant a young woman named Suzette who would like to have some sexual activity with Erica, but either for reasons of "I don't fuck the help" or "she isn't my type," Erica has little interest in doing any thing to screw up their employer/employee relationship.

Simple for you, you... you... professional!

Yep. Suzette, Erica's long-time assistant, would like to have some hot wet slippery fun with Erica. Unfortuantely, she never gets to do more than her job in either Lyssa's story or mine. Poor frustrated Suzette! Can't someone help her out?

We've certainly got enough chapters left, don't we, and there's even one chapter unspoken for. Want to add to the Erica saga?
Going...
Going...

 

[Gaucho]

With all the discussion going on about Erica, her age and her relative likes and dislikes, it occurred to me that we might just be able to make this chain story cover all the Lit bases. To wit:

BDSM: Already covered a little by me and we'll see more from Cym.
Celebrities: I'm not up on the world of Art, but God knows it should be simple enough for us to have Erica hob-knob (or rather, hob the knob) of a famous celebrity or two.
Erotic Couplings: Hell, this chain has got erotic couplings coming out its, well, you know.
Erotic Reviews: Erica takes a job as creative consultant to "Sex and the City" on HBO. Her first advice is to tell Carrie to show some skin, for God's sake, and quit letting Samantha hog the spotlight.
Exhibitionist and Voyeur: Erica watches poor Suzette diddle herself.
Fetish: Hello? Didn't someone just mention a cello?
Gay Male: Enrique returns from Chapter 3 and regales Erica with his "Lave sus bunghole" tales.
Group Sex: This one's already been done a little (by Charly) and is so easy I shouldn't even bring it up.
How To: Come on, now. If this girl couldn't write a How-To on everything from a blow job to a penectomy, who could?
Humor and Satire: Duh!
Incest: The professor turns out to be Erica's father.
Interracial Love: Another one so easy, I shouldn't even mention it.
Lesbian Sex: Again, already done by Charly, but lots of opportunities here, especially for poor little Suzette.
Loving Wives: Again, Charly brushed on this one (Damn! A three-bagger! Well done, Charly!) but I'm quite sure there are more loving wives out there for Erica to meet.
Mature: The way we've been tip-toeing around this gal's age, why don't we go all the way and make her a swinging octogenarian? ("Here, let me take my dentures out and gum that for you, baby")
Mind Control: We ask KM to go back and make believe the whole thing was done in 1st person.
Non-English: The only language she doesn't speak is pig-latin (and KM can take care of that).
Non-Erotic: Might as well call this one the "No-Fun" chapter.
Non-Consent: Erica meets Ted Turner and discovers the real reason Jane left.
Non-Human: Anyone seen the preview for "Evolution"?
Novels and Novellas: What do we think this is, anyway?
Romance: Definitely been there, done that.
Toys: Erica buys a company that manufactures sex toys and volunteers to test the products.
Extreme: Enrique returns and Erica fucks him to death. Later, she gets horny and goes back for seconds and we discover that we don't have to wait for the next episode of "Six Feet Under" to learn the meaning of "Angel Lust".

Well? What do you think?

 

[JUDO]

A challenge *whew*

I would love to darken these hallowed halls, if you'll allow it.

With glaring certainty, I am aware what is being attempted by the participants. I am very impressed and focused as a result by the efforts posted thus far.

If you don't mind, I would like to suggest that the ending chapter can be sculpted to allow completion, but with the impression of memoirs yet to be told.

Erica has simply ended the memoir for now because the time that allowed her to write has past.

---

Is it the last chapter, or chapter after Mickie that is availalbe? I have yet to catch up on all of the forum postings of the Chain since it's inception in April, but I'm working on it.

---

- Judo

 

[cymbidia]

Interracial Love: Another one so easy, I shouldn't even mention it.

Lyssa has this one covered and recovered and uncovered and, well, just you wait. WHEW. That girl can write!

Well? What do you think?

You're a blast when you're on an i'm-all-done-with-my-chapter high, Gaucho.


Judo? You want the only open spot we have left?
Any dissenting opinions?
No?
In the absence of anyone screaming otherwise, why don't you consider that last spot to be yours?

Mickie has the ending, the wrapping-up. Your chapter will be after that which is posted by RisiaSky and before Mickie's, okay?

Anyone got anything to add to Judo's taking the last open spot?

(Okay, Gaucho, based on Judo's story submissions here at Lit, i think that you can probably cross "Lesbian Sex" off your list [again] and we can all breathe a sigh of relief because now, maybe, poor sexually-starved Suzette will get laid!)

 

[KillerMuffin]

Erica is really a short, fat, housewife from Hoboken, New Jersey whose husband was ousted from the plumber's union for wearing boxershorts that covered the requisite vertical grin. I think she speaks 1-800-PizzaDelivery fluently...

What? Okay, so I watched a little daytime TV today. Is that such a crime?

 

[Whispersecret]

Just want to go on record. I wasn't upset by Charly's including another sketch of Erica.

If we cover all the story categories, does that mean we're eligible to win the Survivor challenge?