Can You Write a Novel as a Group?
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Can You Write a Novel as a Group?
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Re: Can You Write a Novel as a Group?
#2An earlier group-penned novel "Naked Came the Stranger" was published in the late 60s. It was written by a bunch of newspaper journalists as a joke poking fun at other novels of that era. It became a bestseller. Some years after it was published—when I was in my budding adolescence—I discovered it in my parents' library and devoured it although I didn't understand everything in the story. My mother was a bit aghast when she found it in my room.
Re: Can You Write a Novel as a Group?
#3An earlier group-penned novel "Naked Came the Stranger" was published in the late 60s. It was written by a bunch of newspaper journalists as a joke poking fun at other novels of that era. It became a bestseller. Some years after it was published—when I was in my budding adolescence—I discovered it in my parents' library and devoured it although I didn't understand everything in the story. My mother was a bit aghast w…
A more recent homage to this is "The Diamond Club" by Patricia Harkins-Bradley which was created by listeners of a podcast as a parody of 50 Shades of Grey http://dctvpedia.com/The_Diamond_Club:_A_Novel
Re: Can You Write a Novel as a Group?
#4A lot of online roleplaying is exactly that: two or more people cooperatively telling a story. (Disclosure: been roleplaying online for over 15 years.)
I am actually in the process of writing a tool that facilitates that process and allows one to edit, manage, reorder individual posts and paragraphs, and spatially order them on a timeline. I'll throw it at HN when it's ready enough.
Re: Can You Write a Novel as a Group?
#5I worked on one at StarText in 1983 or 1984, a bunch of people wrote various chapters most of which were almost unrelated to other chapters, then I wrote the final chapter somehow bringing all the parts together. I'm sure it's long gone to bit dust.
Re: Can You Write a Novel as a Group?
#6I remember doing this with a friend via email in college.
The rules were loose but you would write about a paragraph of the story and email it back. The experience was unique. You had some control of the story but not full control. You were both along for the ride and the story felt unique.
Re: Can You Write a Novel as a Group?
#7A lot of online roleplaying is exactly that: two or more people cooperatively telling a story. (Disclosure: been roleplaying online for over 15 years.) I am actually in the process of writing a tool that facilitates that process and allows one to edit, manage, reorder individual posts and paragraphs, and spatially order them on a timeline. I'll throw it at HN when it's ready enough.
> (Disclosure: been roleplaying online for over 15 years.)
Where? I’ve stopped long time ago and miss it a bit. Care to recommend any sources?
Re: Can You Write a Novel as a Group?
#8Why would anyone want to do that?
It seems to me like humans have a basic desire/need to see their own creativity come to life and to truly take ownership over that creation without other people meddling. This human need largely goes unserved in our economic system which, in my mind, explains why someone would opt to work on open source software on a weekend writing more code, after having spent a 40-hour-workweek having written code, or to write a book about marketing, after having spent a 40-hour-workweek having worked in marketing, etc.
So, if you are going to go to the trouble of writing a novel, how on earth would it occur to you to not avail yourself of the opportunity to satisfy that need?
Re: Can You Write a Novel as a Group?
#9Why would anyone want to do that? It seems to me like humans have a basic desire/need to see their own creativity come to life and to truly take ownership over that creation without other people meddling. This human need largely goes unserved in our economic system which, in my mind, explains why someone would opt to work on open source software on a weekend writing more code, after having spent a 40-hour-workweek ha…
Because humans are social animals, and far more people seem to have a need for social contact than to see their own creativity come to life, as evidenced by what most people spend their free time doing (not writing code or books, but enjoying time with family and friends). A creative social activity viewed as an enhanced social activity instead of a degraded creative one is perhaps the perspective you're looking for?
Re: Can You Write a Novel as a Group?
#10Why would anyone want to do that? It seems to me like humans have a basic desire/need to see their own creativity come to life and to truly take ownership over that creation without other people meddling. This human need largely goes unserved in our economic system which, in my mind, explains why someone would opt to work on open source software on a weekend writing more code, after having spent a 40-hour-workweek ha…
Writing plays is the counter-example that comes to mind first. Say "Beaumont" to an English major and he will respond "Fletcher", whether or not he has read their plays. Shakespeare collaborated on at least one play. (Two Noble Kinsmen?)
The Goncourt brothers wrote novels together until the one's decline and death--the linked piece mentions duos as more common.
Why would writing with someone else necessarily leave the need unsatisfied?