Writing A Mythos As Opposed To A Traditional Story

[SFCTaleSpinner]

I've been contemplating a story idea, and what I've accidentally ended up developing is a rich mythos that extends well beyond the scope of my original character or even a manageable group of characters. In other words, it doesn't lend itself to a single, coherent narrative in the traditional sense.

So what I'm thinking of doing is writing more in the vein of an encyclopedic article, that essentially just describes the mythos.

The mythos revolves around a religious cult, and is set in present-day America, though it is fantasy in nature. My plan was to describe the cult's origins and history; its ceremonies; its significant/sacred objects; how life plays out for members of its various castes; and probably several other topics of interest. Sex is a major theme within the cult, and it frequently goes hand-in-hand with another common aspect of the cult: submission. I plan to extensively detail the role sex plays within the lives of the various cult members, and it is my hope that readers would find this piece erotic. But I wonder if they would find it difficult to get sexually invested in a story that lacks distinct characters whom they can identify with.

One possible solution would be to reveal the mythos via a series of shorts that each focus on a sepearate character, with a separate role in the cult's overall history. But I can see myself quickly becoming frustrated and bored with this approach, since my fascination is with the overall mythos, rather than any particular individuals who have been swept up in it.

Do you think there would be much interest in an entry like this on Literotica? An erotic 'story' that is mythos-heavy, yet light on characters and specific sex scenes? I'd be interested in hearing other peoples' thoughts and ideas on this.

 

[LupusDei]

In my understanding, the expected way to go would be to develop the encyclopedia type description(s) first indeed, but not necessarily publish those, rather keep for your own reference use while writing those interlinked short stories based on that material.

From reader perspective, piecing the whole back together through the puzzle pieces provided through the eyes of various characters could probably be much more interesting.

Of course, that actual writing then just becomes the hard work, in well, writing.

 

[LupusDei]

Another alternative, even if somewhat cliche, but I think fitting in such, could be to present it from a point of view of investigative journalist or detective trying to make sense of it all for some or no reason.

It then would include observation, interviews, documents, possibly limited or fully immersive participation, also doubts, hypotheses to be proven or disproved, threats and danger (real or perceived), and eventually success (however defined by the investigator(s) themselves) or failure.

Basically it potetentially would be just the source material presented in appropriately decorated ways, but that decoration may hopefully be what keeps the reader from yawning too hard.

 

[SFCTaleSpinner]

Another alternative, even if somewhat cliche, but I think fitting in such, could be to present it from a point of view of investigative journalist or detective trying to make sense of it all for some or no reason.

It then would include observation, interviews, documents, possibly limited or fully immersive participation, also doubts, hypotheses to be proven or disproved, threats and danger (real or perceived), and eventually success (however defined by the investigator(s) themselves) or failure.

Yeah, I'd considered this. But as you say: cliche. That's what's more or less spoiled me on the idea. That, and the fact that I've written in that style before and neither myself nor my reader base were too pleased with the results.

 

[sirhugs]

You could be George RR Martin and publish the background after the first few chapters. Tolkien also published a guide to his world AFTER publishing Lord of the Ringers.
LD is correct that doing a private guide is common for writers into world creating.

 

[LupusDei]

Yeah, I'd considered this. But as you say: cliche. That's what's more or less spoiled me on the idea. That, and the fact that I've written in that style before and neither myself nor my reader base were too pleased with the results.

Middle ground (but also somewhat expected) would be an especially nosy novice that learns way more than she should've ever known, possibly not entirely by choice.

I knew a girl... actually her best friend, who, in search for (Latvian) ethnographic roots way too deep fell for Hare Krishna. In two years she married the main priest of the local temple, in ten after that, she's running a business shipping "whole foods" supplements between India and Sweden. She has his kind and he works for her, but whatever their relationship is now, it's secular (and yes, the kid speaks Latvian).

A journey like that: in, out, and around, could also easily be unforced framework vehicle for the other stories -- freely fragmented and incomplete -- she comes across, is told or overheard etc.

 

[shakna]

You could write an explorative piece, like the old-school tourist books. "Bradshaw's Guide" for example. Describes the things in and around a location to explore, and what you can expect to encounter there. You get both a personable narrator, whilst also getting a bit of distance between the narrator and the subject.