Chain Story Discussion

[JUDO]

Okay, every year at Literotica, a chain story gets written by several authors. Each segment of the story is written by a seperate author. Each segment is another chapter, another episode, another seperate story in the continuing saga that the "we" writes as one.

This thread is being started to discuss possible content for this year's chain.

WARNING!: If you read any further, you will encounter SPOILERS, meaning that if you want to be surprised by the story once it's actually published chapter by chapter later this year, you will not be able to because STORY CONTENT will be revealed below!

---Discusion Begins Now---

[Edited for adding this schedule]

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The 2002 Literotica Chain Story has begun.
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We have twelve authors for the chain. The order of authors is:

KillerMuffin - 150-200AD (Roman occupation of Brittania, Hadrian's Wall, Newcastle)
GoddessKaren - 1250 - 1300AD (Mongols, Russia)
Jon.hayworth - 1593 ( Newcastle, England)
Mlyn - 1800 - 1810 (Northumberland, England)
Alex de Kok - 1815 to 1835 (After Waterloo - Southern Northumberland
Johnny_Boy - 1840 to 1878 (Location? State? City?)
Judo - 1883 to 1908 (Egypt, outside Cairo)
Karmadog - 1917- 1918 (France, near Paris)
Todd O'Vision - 1922-1932 (location?)
RisiaSkye - 1940's (In and near a cannery in California)
Quint - early 1970's (Some southern US state)
Whispersecret - a future time (location?)

The first story will be sent to Laurel on June 7th (a reminder). Each subsequent chapter will be sent each week after that. Laurel will have one week to look the work over and post it. Therefore, the first chapter should be posted on or about June 14th, 2002.
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Final Delivery Schedule
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KillerMuffin - Friday, June 7th, 2002
GoddessKaren - Friday, June 14th, 2002
Jon.Hayworth - Friday, June 21st, 2002
Mlyn - Friday, June 28th, 2002
Alex de Kok - Friday, July 5th, 2002
Johnny_Boy - Friday, July12th, 2002
Judo - Friday, July 19th, 2002
Karmadog - Friday, July 26th, 2002
Todd O'Vision - Friday, August 2nd, 2002
RisiaSkye - Friday, August 9th, 2002
Quint - Friday, August 16th, 2002
Whispersecret - Friday, August 23rd, 2002
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How To Submit Your Chapter
-----------------------------------------------------

Laurel has asked me to tell you to do the following upon submitting your chapters. She does a lot of the editing, posting, etc. in less than optimal conditions, so as a reminder to her, she has asked
each of us to put a little note along with our submission (either in the note box provided or at the top of your manuscript) that explains when your chapter is to be submitted for editorial and when
it is to be posted.
---------------------------------------------------

For example:

Dearest Laurel,

My chapter "Talisman - Victoria Grace Tilden" is now submitted to you for your approval on this day July 19th, 2002. It is to be posted to the Talisman site and made public on July 26th, 2002.

Have a good read.

- Judo
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Or something to that effect.

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[We now continue with our regular programming.]

In another thread, under the Awards & Contests forum, the content discussion was begun but moved here instead.

Here are excerpts on content & rules from that discussion:

Originally posted by jon.hayworth - If we restrict participation in the chain story to those who are declared Survivor contestants, we might boost the numbers participating in Survivor-*.

"* - Survivor is an author contest currently taking place."

Originally posted by KillerMuffin - I doubt (Laurel'll-*) go for having it limited to a specifc group of people simply because there really is no good reason for it and a few non-contestants have already expressed interest in participating in one. The chain and the contest are separate.

The big one this year is subject matter.

So far a preference for Islands or a survivor theme has been expressed and that's the extent of it.

"* - Laurel is the operator/owner/leader of Literotica and we love her dearly."

Originally posted by Judo - When we did the chain story last year, the one thing that really made the stories "zing" (besides the great writing) was the fact that the protagonist had a job that required travel and visiting foreign lands.

I hope that TRAVEL is an element that we can work into the chain this year.

As far as content, last year was a series of pages from a "Memoir" of a young lady as she grew to maturity.

How about another type of chronicled series of events that a person or person(s) might keep? Diary, Log, Letters, etc.

Also, we could do something like follow a particular item owner to owner. Something personal, like a hairbrush, a mirror, a vanity table, a robe, etc.

If we decide to follow something through time, we could follow a special book (magical?) as it travels from hand-to-hand over time.

Perhaps starting with the creation of the book in a Tibetan Monestary in Uzbehkestan in the 9th Century.

So, there you have it. We're all up-to-date and now starting discussion on this in the Author's Hangout as suggested.

New stuff -

In the previous two years, it seems that the content has involved the site. A party at Literotica and Memoirs of the woman on the front of the site, whom was aptly named "Erica" taken from ERotICA.

I think this is a good idea, considering that Laurel and Literotica are allowing us to have all this fun for free and with not a little bit of work on their parts.

Any ideas in regards to this?

------------------------------

Any more bright ideas? Anyone, of course, is welcome to try and participate. But I must WARN you, if you commit, you must finish your chapter!


- Judo

 

[Alex De Kok]

The Survivor idea was mine

As Judo has already indicated, some of us need writing points for a chain story towards our Survivor total. I suggested the following

This contest is called Survivor. How about we each write about a survivor, say from a shipwreck, adrift in a lifeboat or cast up on a desert/deserted island. The same lifeboat or island, obviously!

If anyone thinks this is a good idea I'm prepared to write a background introduction episode and you can all take it from there, in whichever direction your character's thoughts go. The common theme of course is the shipwreck, with erotic thoughts and memories, obviously. Use of each other's characters could perhaps be permitted?

My idea was obviously aimed at Survivor participants, but it is only an idea, one of many no doubt, and I will happily go along with the majority vote.

Whatever the final decision on subject matter, I will be trying to write something.

Alex

 

[jon.hayworth]

Count me in for the chain story, whichever although I do like the idea of the lifeboat or island.

I would think that in making the decision it should be considered that. The island would allow people to move around and enjoy adventures, whereas if there is to be some element of reality the lifeboat constrains the protagonists to reminiscing.

How about the ship from which we are shipwrecked being on a World Cruise for Literotica Authors and other contributors. Maybe we have one Lap-Top which is wireless linked to the net, unfortunately we don't know where we are to give the co-ordinates for our rescue. (Far fetched - yes - but it is a story)

The "travel / multi-cultural element" can be brought in by the place of origin of the survivors (real or fictional - if I want to be an Innuit seal hunter or a Mongolian goatherd I will be).

Come on fellow Survivors kick-in with your ideas. I would like to suggest that we impose some time limit on debate. My suggestion would be a firm decision by Midnight Friday 26th April.
California time. 0800 GMT Saturday 27th April - I am trying not to be Eurocentric.

jon

 

[JUDO]

No, Not Really and No

I really don't like the idea of an island or some contained place. It really limits the creative efforts of the other author's too severely. I don't think anyone will really want to read twelve chapters (or more) that all have the same setting.

ADK - The survivor idea is not bad, but the whole worldwide survivor thing is way old now, based on a lame "reality TV" show for Christ's sake. Let's try and come up with something original and not associated with the word "survivor," please?

April 26th is way too fucking early. I am in town this week for another two days then I'm gone.

-------------------------------------

I agree with a time limit, but we have to back it in.

Last year, we posted the first story in the beginning of June and the last finished in September (I think - feel free to correct this).

If we are to start this year in say mid-June or end-of-June, since we are running late, then the following will need to occur between now and then:

Friday, May 10th - Story discussion finished
Friday, May 17th - Story perameters finalized (All authors must be "in" and committed by this time)
Friday, May 24th - All scheduling of authors set
Friday, May 31st - 1st author gets cracking
Friday, June 7th - First Story posted to Laurel for review
Friday, June 14th - First Story released

Then, is a new story released every week or every other week? I can't recall what we did last time.

------------------------------------

So, to me, it seems like we have from now until Friday, May 10th to develop the story. The following week, Friday, May 16th the story parameters are published and all authors are committed.

Laurel (or somebody) schedules everyone by May24th and we can all start thinking or writing our stories.

If this is good with everyone, then we have between now and May10th or only three weeks to complete the discussion and development of this year's chain story.

Not much time. Last year, we took much longer.

 

[Whispersecret]

A chain story is NOT a group of unrelated stories with a common theme. A chain story is where each author takes what the previous author wrote and builds upon it.

If you stage it on an island, you're stuck on that island. If you rely on flashbacks to insert variety in settings, that can feel tedious and it will become obvious that the only reason for them to be on the island is as a device to make it a chain story.

I like Judo's idea of following an item through its different owners. Perhaps it could be a sexual item. A book? Perhaps a sort of kama sutra. Or maybe it's a magic book that reveals an illustration of each of its owners in a sexual situation. Maybe a piece of jewelry, or one of those Oriental ivory sculptures of the people fucking. Just some ideas.

If you went with this idea, each story could end with how the item came to be in the hands of the next owner(s). The advantage to this type of story is that you don't have to worry about keeping a character consistent throughout. The ITEM is what keeps the parts of the story related. I know that in the Memoirs chain story, keeping Erica consistent was a great challenge, at least to me.

 

[jon.hayworth]

Judo,

Timetable sounds fine to me.

Taking on-board Whispersecrets comments the Maguffin idea I can live with.

Count me in.

Meanwhile I am going to the scoring thread to PM everyone on there except You and Alex. drawing their attention to this thread.

jon

 

[KillerMuffin]

I love Judo's idea.

Following the item through the hands of its owners. The problem is that we will have to vary timelines. I would suggest that we assign each section of the story a century and authors sign up for it. First come first serve. Any skipped centuries will just not appear in the chain. Tres cool?

This gives a chain, it gives continuity, and it lets people choose everything else, setting, characters, whatever.

Survivor is too limited and I think it lacks mass appeal. Additionally, populating settings with set characters leads to trouble because you end up using characters in different ways. Like Erica got completely twisted around by the end until you couldn't tell it was the same person that started out.

Thoughts:

We need to pick a single item that passes on through time. I believe a book to be insufficient because these things fall apart and are written in language that isn't continuitous.

The item must have a defined "power" to it.

There must be a common theme to the item; ie, learning to love, finding the "One," bringing together the same souls as they pass through each re-incarnation (cliche), re-learning trust, you get the point. Item and theme bind together the stories without binding the authors.

I think the item should be "divine" as opposed to "magic." The reason is that divine doesn't need any explanation for general public acceptance whereas a magic item might need some explanation. Like how did it get to be magic in the first place whereas a divine item will just be taken at face value without much. It's also possible to link the stories through the diety we attach to it.

 

[GoddessKaren]

Count me in!

As far as topic for the chain story, either the item traveling through generations or the stranded on a desert island theme sound good to me.

I personally don't think the island theme is too constrictive. But I have to admit the idea of tracing the history of some sort of item is very intriguing as well. I especially like the ivory figurine idea, since I have collected a few of those recently.

As far as what the item does: Would it perhaps stir erotic thoughts in the one who possesses it? Or lead them to their one true love? Or...what? Ohhh - so many possibilities!

Either way, I'd really like to participate.

karen

Edited reply - after reading KM's post, here is what i propose - if we decide to go with the ivory talisman.

Created in ancient Japan, blessed by a God to give its wearer power over the opposite sex (how you use that power is up to you, could just be something like being sexually irresistable, or could be used to make yourself an irresistable pop star, like Elvis)the talisman must be worn by the one who wields its power (like an ivory carved pendant on a leather cord)...stolen by a Mongol warlord and this is how it begins its journey through time. And I'd be willing to write the Mongol Warlord Chapter.

 

[Alex De Kok]

Okay, okay! Survivor sucks! I just have a soft spot for desert islands and romantic (!) shipwrecks. I do take the point that all of the characters in the same place could get limiting.

The magic artefact? I like GoddessKaren's suggestion and Whisper makes a very valid point about the contortions used to try to keep Erica in line. Although I wasn't involved with that one (finishing my degree - final year ruled my life at the time) I read and enjoyed it.

An item held/used by each protagonist means certain freedoms in characterisation. Taking Killermuffin's point about the centuries (which I like) given that we each get our century do we write them in chronological order? Which probably means GoddessKaren has the first deadline! If I can't have my desert island I always wanted to write a 'bodice-ripper' so can I have the Napoleonic period, say around 1805?

The May 10 deadline suits me fine. My current contract finishes then and I am looking forward to a summer of unemployment. What's the betting I still get next to nothing written!

Alex

 

[jon.hayworth]

As someone who writes historical fiction yes I am in agreement on the time continuem.

A few little points. Writing can and does survive through time - either because it was kept / lost in conditions that have preserved it or because of the material it is written on.

Do not just think paper: other mediums which keep for centuries include - velum - leather - wood - or carved stone.

As an example. I am just about to start a novel based upon a load of Roman Letters written in the 2nd century which were written on thin slices of wood.
They were dumped by the commanding officer of the fort and found 1900 years later.

I think trying to find a universally recognisable "divine" artefact might be difficult.

I am wondering about a Roman statue of Diana - the horned goddess - possibly with a "curse" accompanying it.

At different times it would have different connutations. In modern times New Age folk might see it representing the Earth Mother. In early Christian times possesion would imply being a Pagan. 14th - 16 th c's accusations of witchcraft. Then of course from the 16thc Rennaisance there would be those who wanted to steal it for it's inherent value as an antiquity.

Sorry if I have burbled on a bit but next to sex history gets me going.

By the way apologies if the PMs were a bit criptic but doing half a dozen is a chore - everyone on the scoring thread has been notified - I did not look anywhere else.

jon

jon

 

[Todd-'o'-Vision]

If its an artifact or divine book, I can handle being in.

In time frame I am not to good outside of the late 1800's 1900's and 2000's.

Plus my writing probably sucks to much for thisanyways but if any thing i said fits I'll be in , just let me know what you want from me.

Edited to add:


For an artifact I think something small like an ankh or some sort of small medaline{sp} with some sort of symbol that cross religions and cults etc fairly easy such as the ankh/cross/peacesign/swastica/etc they all have a simliar nature in thier design but not really set to one setting, that would enable the finder to envision it to what ever his mind knew.

Another reason for a smaller atricat like a medalian/pendant/etc. is that the means of its passing from one age/person to the next would be easier something that might have been handed down in the family and newly rediscovers/ something found in an old house renovation something found in an artifact dig.

I do agree with the need for it to have some divne/magicall power over other people, maybe not just sexuall but power over other individuals. Something that is not know to the finder but that they discover over time. To some it may be a curse to some it might be a blessing all in the eye of the finder.

Well thats my wooden nickles worth.

 

[Johnny_Boy]

I like the idea of the item too. I'm in, and personaly am open to anything. I kinda like the idea of a ring though that passes from person to person, or maybe some big object, say a ruby or some jewel, that gets chipped off, becomeing smaller and set on differnt items? Just a little brainstorming on my behalf.

 

[Todd-'o'-Vision]

I like the idea of the item too. I'm in, and personaly am open to anything. I kinda like the idea of a ring though that passes from person to person, or maybe some big object, say a ruby or some jewel, that gets chipped off, becomeing smaller and set on differnt items? Just a little brainstorming on my behalf.

Actually that would be kind of cool if the object may have started out a larger item that got broken up and seperated over time and the different peices could be traced or lost over time to maybe resurface possibly in the end reunited all together agin.

though I wouldn't sperate it into any more than 2 three pieces at the most

another wooden nickle for you all

 

[KillerMuffin]

I'm fine with an ivory talisman of some sort. If we can have an actual picture, that'll help immensely. I don't think chipped into pieces would work because it loses the continuity of the link. One item, one century per person.

I'm thinking of the thing in a erotic Master Ring in the lord of the rings. Something that wants to be used and wants to be moved. Like it selects people. I think an original passing on would be good, too. No one mentions where the talisman goes from their characters and it's up to the next person to pick up how it's found. The logistics of how it gets there is not going to be covered. Too much explanation for a short story.

Karen, please give us a starting century, that's yours. I'm imagining it's BC, no doubt.

Everyone else can start taking dibs on various centuries.

We need a theme. I would suggest that the talisman teaches people to trust through sex. Any other thoughts?

Does this sound good?

 

[jon.hayworth]

I cannot remember the time frame for when the Mongol hoards swept across Asia.

If it was bc then I would like to take the first or second century ce or if someone else wants that period. Or you don't want my Romans I am fine with the 16th century or the 19th at a push.

Sorry it offends the historian in me to write a historic about a period I know little or nothing about - not a criticism of anyone else just my own hangup.

jon

 

[mlyn]

What about small fertility god statue

originating from ancient Egypt, or Africa, or even the south pacific islands for something more modern.

of course the statue is very blatant in its theme.
looking at it causes flashbacks thru time- to either a previous life or seeing another person affected by the statue in the past.
touching it causes the person to be caught in an exciting and erotic adventure.

???????

 

[Laurel]

This sounds awesome!! You people are tops.

 

[JUDO]

Cool!

(*bowing with hands extended*)

We're not worthy! We're not worthy! The Great Laurel has blessed our existence!

(Okay, okay...tongue removed from cheek, uh...my cheek).

---------------------------------------------------

Does it have to be a whole century? How about just a lifetime? And that lifetime could be short, depending on how well the bearer and the talisman get along.

---------------------------------------------------

I love the idea of a sexual talisman, but how about one that will only do the bidding of one who is sexually enlightened? Otherwise, the talisman will either not pay attention to you or it will work against you, not doing quite what the bearer had hoped.

And as far as the talisman's origin? How about Elephanta Island off the coast of Mumbai, India? The buddhist sect there carved enourmous temples out of the rock with their bare hands a thousand years ago and they still stand today.

This is a very small, isolated island, but the artifacts there are exquisite. Perhaps it could be a famous lost talisman, rumored to be created by Shiva, destroyer of the Earth.

Check the pictures at these links for the temples at Elephanta Island.


- Judo

PS - I'm not much of a history buff of any era. I'd probably have to do the Nineteenth Century at the earliest. Can I have the 19th???

 

[Alex De Kok]

Judo said...

I love the idea of a sexual talisman, but how about one that will only do the bidding of one who is sexually enlightened? Otherwise, the talisman will either not pay attention to you or it will work against you, not doing quite what the bearer had hoped.

I like this! Potential for Humor, Non-consent and quite a few other Lit categories! And yes, I do realise the tales will end up in 'Chain Story. The talisman could also bring enlightenment to those willing to believe in it, perhaps.

Judo's other point about

Does it have to be a whole century? How about just a lifetime? And that lifetime could be short, depending on how well the bearer and the talisman get along.

is also valid. The story need only cover the lifetime of its effect in the story being narrated, with something in the tale's tail to indicate why it becomes the possession of (or possesses) its next owner. (Oops! See Footnote)

With the exception of Jon and one or two others, I suspect most of us will be happier with late 19th, 20th, and early 21st centuries, 'though there's a lot of potential for a tale set in the future. Judo's suggestion that the time limit be shorter than a complete century definitely helps here.

Alex

(Edited:

Just re-read previous posts. On reflection, I agree with KM that it should be up to each author to provide a plausible explanation for the artefact being in the possession of/possessing its current user/holder.)

 

[GoddessKaren]

Assuming we are going with the ancient medallion concept...

Hello all! I'd be thrilled to take the lead off chapter, although don't we need an introductory chapter detailing the creation of this item?

As far as the Mongols, they were most active/powerful in the early 1200's AD. That is the period I would write about. Is this far enough back for the first chapter?

Here is a brief sketch of what I am thinking of so far.

*******
The Mongol tribes sweep down from the steppes and raid a small village(this would have been in the area we now know as Russia), in the Chief's house they find a few luxury items, including the medallion. The mongol tribal chiefs get to split the items up among themselves after thier war chief and leader Chingis Khan takes what he wants. The youngest of them, (name as yet to be determined), who is also gruesomely scarred from a prior battle, ends up with the medallion because no one else wants it.

He takes the medallion with him, back to his own village, and decides to wear it as a symbol of his conquest. Suprisingly once he does start to wear it, the women of his village begin to flock to him where before they had shunned him because of his scars. He takes many of them to wife and also sleeps with many of the already married women because he is reveling in his newfound irresistability. (Is that even a word?) He of course will figure out fairly quickly that it is the medallion that is attracting the women, not him.

And when he goes away for another campaign, the medallion's effects disappear. One of the women he has taken to wife, a shallow but beautiful woman, is disgusted that she has allowed our hero to touch her, and plots to kill him. Another of his wives, a not quite so pretty woman but who loves our hero for who he is (they grew up together, she's always loved him, yadda yadda), figures out that it is the medallion giving him this power, and resolves to take the medallion and get rid of it so the two of them can live happily ever after. She fails to warn the hero, and he is poisoned by the other woman. After he is dead, but before his funeral pyre (obviously) the woman who loved him takes the medallion and runs away into the steppes with it.
*******

Still very rough, but what do you think? Is this medallion concept workable? Are we going with it?

I have to say, I am really excited about this idea!

karen

 

[KillerMuffin]

You're going to tell his life story in 2 to 8 thousand words?

First, let's recap what seems to be decided:

1) We've decided that it will be a chain about an object.
2) Each writer will decide how the object came into their character's possession.


Second, ideas:

1) A chinese ivory medallion
2) An Egyptian/other fertility god/dess statue
3) The object makes the person touching it have an erotic adventure.
4) Separate stories by century
5) Separate stories by lifetime
6) The object possesses its owner
7) The owner must be sexually progressive in the first place

Thirdly, Muffie Commentary:

1) We need to make sure times don't overlap. Todd can't let loose in a Convent in Las Vegas while Alex is going wild in Bora Bora at the same time. I believe a time period should be assigned, not necessarily a century, but I think enough time between owners needs to pass so that we aren't coming up with contrived or repetitive notions on how the item got there. I think it's ridiculous if Todd bumps monkeys at a Southern Baptist Convention in Alabama in June and Alex is rocking around in Malaysia in July. I personally think that having that quick of a movement lessens the object's mystique.
2) We need to have a recurring theme. My idea: the object must teach the main character something. The reason is that theme is where cohesiveness is for the reader, not in the actual object itself. The object is the link the theme is glue. This theme must be decided on prior to beginning and it must appear in all stories.
3) We need to have parameters. In the last chain we had stories that were 3 and 4 webpages long and one that barely made a full page. I think we should have a little more uniformity to it. I would say that we require stories to be between 3,000 and 10,000 words. That's enough room for someone to write a long story and it's enough prevent a piece of flash fiction that disrupts the flow of the chain. Why? A chain is all about continuity. We have to keep continuity.
4) Everyone should write in the same POV and tense. I would suggest third person past tense to accomodate those of us who aren't that comfortable with writing. If not, then perhaps first person. No second person. Ever. No present tense, either.
5) The object should not speak or use telepathy nor should there by any obvious or pointed out magic or gimmicky activity from the object.

What do we think of this?

 

[Alex De Kok]

Killermuffin

Nice work! I have no problems with your ideas at all. I agree that there should be a minimum word count. A maximum will also keep some of us in check!

On your 'Second, ideas' section, I say:

(1) Yes, which makes (2) no
(3) Yes
(4) Tentatively yes, but definitely separated chronologically
(5) I think, 'yes', but whose/what's lifetime?
(6) Yes, and this can be a positive or negative possession
(7) Yes, or at least sexually curious/naive (I'm thinking 'first time')

On your 'Third, Muffie Commentary':

(1) I strongly agree that we need to keep periods separate. We need to think a little about geography, too, to give some sort of coherent reason for the object moving about.
(2) Agree, we need a theme. I think the object teaching each 'keeper' something is as valid as anything else and better than anything I can come up with at the moment.
(3) Yep, no problem there ( thinks: will 10000 be enough... )
(4) Agreed - I'm happy with third or first. The only time I ever used second person it was intended for an audience of one! I don't like present tense either.
(5) Yes, I think. Inanimate, unmoving, unspeaking, but highly affecting!

And on that note, this thing is taking on a life of its own! How does everyone feel about a working title of The Talisman? We can decide what it is later, but my vote is for the medallion.

And a further thought: Each chapter could include the main character's name, for example Karen's part might be 'The Talisman - Chingis Khan', mine might be 'The Talisman - Lucy Mc Fey', etc. More coherence and a common thread between parts.

Alex

PS: Karen, I think the word is 'irresistibility'.

 

[JUDO]

KM, you missed a spot.

Darling,

Seems you missed my last post (or ignored it, but I won't go there).

You said:

Originally posted by KM -
First, let's recap what seems to be decided:

1) We've decided that it will be a chain about an object.
2) Each writer will decide how the object came into their character's possession.

Yes, totally agree.

And you said:

by KM -
Second, ideas:

1) A chinese ivory medallion
2) An Egyptian/other fertility god/dess statue
3) The object makes the person touching it have an erotic adventure.
4) Separate stories by century
5) Separate stories by lifetime
6) The object possesses its owner
7) The owner must be sexually progressive in the first place

Other Medallion
I had mentioned a medallion that had been made supposedly by Shiva, the destroyer (Muslim, Buddhist, et al). I suppose this goes with your #2 under other "fertility" god, sort've?

How to do by Lifetime
We must assign the century and the new bearer's time within that century with start of possession and end of possession times.

For Example:
That way, my lady protagonist in the Nineteenth Century would gain possession of the medallion in 1883 and lose possession in 1908.

That would answer the concern: 1) We need to make sure times don't overlap.


Theme???: Your theme idea: "My idea: the object must teach the main character something.

I agree, but with this temperance: I think that if we define the history of the medallion's creation and how it works, then we can each decide what our protagonist will learn. Each author will have a different "want" for their protagonist and that "want" will either jibe with the medallion or not.

Try these on for size:
---------------------------------------------------

Medallion History The medallion originated on Elephanta Island, and was used in sexual rites there by the monks. It was said that the rock from which it was carved was created by the God Shiva, Destroyer of the Earth.

There, it served its purpose for two hundred years until it was taken during a raid of the Buddhist Temples there sometime in the 1300's by "Spice Pirates" who frequented the waters of the Indian Ocean trade routes between Madagascar and Mumbai.

From there, it was sold with other booty on the markets in India. A merchant who dealth in such fine jewelry sold it to a visiting nobleman from the north, who took it home with him somewhere in the Steppes of Asia around the late Fourteenth Century. (from there it can be swept up by the Mongol hordes raiding towns and villages along the Steppes at that time).

As the original temples were abandoned in the 17th Century, it was listed among items that were lost in scrolls left by the Buddhist sect.

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How the Medallion Works - The medallion is intended for the "sexaully enlightened" (those who have found the balance between their ego-driven lust and their sexual sympathy and care for another).

Those who have achieved this level of enlightenment in the Temple ages, were allowed to use the medallion to help with difficulties in creating families (getting pregnant).

During thefts in the temple by those not enlightened, it was discovered that the medallion did not necessarily do the bidding of the bearer, but actually betrayed (or "cursed" them as it was written in the original sanskrit) them or sought its release from them. The idea behind this is that, if the bearer is not enlightened, then the medallion has a will of its own and will try to make that happen.

The medallion's driving force is to assist mankind, if asked by one who is enlightened and if not, it will try to return to Shiva, the destroyer (that "return" can be left open to interpretation by the author).
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Does that help with the idea of "theme?"

Limitations in Length - I really like this idea, although 3 to 10 thousand words to me is too short. I would like it to be more like 15000 to 50000 (more, if possible, but I could limit to 50K). My chapter from last year was just over 65,000.

POV - I prefer first person, but omniscient is okay. I think it's more difficult to draw the reader into the shoes of the protagonist with omniscient.

Personification - Right! The medallion should have a will (like the Tolkein ring), but no other human characteristics.

Title - ADK, I like 'The Talisman,' but I really like "The Lifetimes of The Talisman" (Let's not do "The Tale of the Talisman," okay?).

 

[KillerMuffin]

I believe that I misread your post, Judo.

I confess to only reading one story longer than 3 webpages and that one belonged to mystery writer. I only read the first page of your story. Stories on a monitor just don't hold my interest.

I would never give away 65,000 words unless they stunk. I don't see why you would, either, because you don't stink. The largest piece I have for free is a badly written incest story at around 30k. My maximum freebie for good writing is 15,000. I am against novel length stories in a chain, anyway, because the chain as a whole should be a novel. Why? Because in the foreseeable future Laurel could take the chain and sell it as a book like Literotica Book 1. These books tend to run 75,000 -95,000 in verbiage.

I categorically refuse to write more than 10 k for this endeavor. It will probably be around 5k, in actuality. I'm not writing a full history nor am I getting in depth on a character's life. The trick is to pick the important scene and develop that. When I do mine, whatever it is, I'll write the pivotal scene where the character changes from one attitude to a new one and not much more. I average about 4k for this.

I am against first person because it's the more difficult form to write well in. Third person omniscient develops more than one character more naturally than first person. This is to include developing the object as a character. It can be done in first person, but I think it's done better in third.

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So, needs to be done:

Picking an object.
Developing its history.
Assignment/request of specific time periods.
Deciding parameters, ie, theme, length, POV, tense.


Registering my vote:

Judo's object and history are good for me.
2-15k in size, third person past
Theme-the object teaches the protagonist something (writer choice of something)

 

[GoddessKaren]

Yep yep yep!

This is shaping up nicely!

I love the ideas that Judo has proposed. Especially the carving of the medallion from a stone - if it is not polished then all the more reason my low man would get that instead of the pretty rugs, etc. from the chief's/merchant's house.

As far as my vote?

I like the object & history given by Judo.
Word length? Yes, 2000-15000 sounds good. (I don't think I've ever written 15000 words for a single piece before!)
Definitely third person, past tense POV.
As far as the object teaching its owner/bearer something - I like that too!
Title - I like the idea of calling it "The Talisman - Chingis Khan" - using the main character's name in the title of our chapter. Nice, simple, catchy.

What about the introductory chapter? We really need an introductory chapter setting out the talisman's creation, purpose, and history.



karen