About one year ago (give or take), I began writing a book. A fictional book about stuff that isn't real. Stuff that doesn't always happen. An everchanging book with a new plot every time you read it. No, I wasn't struggling with the story and continuously scrapping ideas. I was writing a piece of nonlinear fiction, aka "Choose Your Own Adventure"-type story. And a darn funny one at that, in my opinion.
My brother wrote me a simple program to help organize my story. However, my needs eventually outgrew the program: the large file size took a long time to load, different choices were supposed to lead to the same page but couldn't, and no real way to export the book (yet). He has been quite busy with his graduate school education, so I didn't bother and harass him to beef up the program from its beta version (or perhaps alpha; I don't recall if there is a version number). Ergo, I let the story sit aside.
Recently, I have been re-inspired to finish this miasma of tangled prose. How so? My buddy Dan is writing a novel. That fact alone made me want to breathe life into this project once more. Where to begin?
Well, my dad forwarded a link to my brother and myself, which points to Freemind, an open source mind-mapping software program. I have heard of similar programs before, and looked at a few, but never tried one. Thus far, Freemind has helped me organize my thoughts (I had an 8.5x11" piece of paper with about 100 text-containing bubbles and arrows everywhere) and take notes on what is written and what isn't. However, it is not suited to inserting the actual text of the story within the flow chart-like map.
So I printed out a hardcopy of what I had, grabbed a bunch of blank sheets, and in conjunction with Freemind I will be writing this story by hand. Good ole pencil 'n paper. In my few spare moments here and there (on the subway, waiting for an incubation in lab, etc), the story will be completed. I only need to write a few paragraphs at a time, because that is all the text necessary before the reader must make the decision.
What can I tell you thus far? Well, here is My Book FAQ:
Q: What is it about?
A: The story begins in early 19th Century France, where you, the main character lives lavishly.
Q: Is writing a piece of nonlinear fiction difficult?
A: Yes and No. It's tough, but you only need to write a few paragraphs at a time. Also, finding ways to end the story or tie in possible plot lines is difficult. Thus far I have about 20 ways for the main character (that's you) to die, and I have written about 20% of the book. It can't be written in a formulaic manner; rather, one should embrace the chaos.
Q: When will I be able to read it?
A: It's not like I can post chapters, so you will just have to wait. Also, whilst penning this parody I have already violated several copyrights by referencing fictional characters not of my devise, so don't expect it to go anywhere 'real'. Just wait until the release (and nag me to get it 'released').
Q: Is it really funny?
A: Hilarious. Of course, I think I am funny, so take my opinion with a grain of salt.
Q: Why are you blogging this?
A: Because, just like my second post in this blog, if I don't tell anyone, I won't feel obligated to go through with it.
Let the question and answer sessions continue...
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7 comments:
Will the story have a hippo in it?
Is it suitable for small children and the conservative elderly?
Does it boast scantily clad women/men?
I often read "Choose your own adventure books" backwards- will this be feasible for your novel?
Will it be written in Aremeic?
Can we eat Subway for lunch one day this week?
1. yes.
2. no.
3. yes.
4. yes.
5. not the first edition; look for it in your favorite biblical language around spring 2007.
6. yes! i have coupons!
I have some questions as well:
First, where'd those Subway coupons come from? I was devastated when they did away with the stamps.
Back to the story:
1. Do I have to be a man in the story?
2. Does the main character get to read Star Magazine?
3. When you are famous from the story, will you be featured in Star Magazine?
4. When you learn Aremeic, will Mel Gibson cast you in one of his movies?
5. Will I be able to use Subway coupons and/or the fabled Subway stamps in your story?
6. Are there any cross country runners in your story?
7. Will the title involve the Fantauzzi? Huh? You want some Fantauzzi? Everybody needs a little Fantauzzi! You show me the story board and you get a little Fantauzzi, huh? (all spoken with an Italian accent).
the subway coupons came from yilin.
1. yes. i tried keeping it gender neutral but it was too difficult given the setting; terms of address for the wealthy (and poor) in that time and place are very gender specific. and a story where nobody talks to you is boring.
2. no. if your next question is inane, i will not answer any more.
3. *sigh*
...
I'm happy I could spark this creative resurgence, Josh. But I hope your novel fails, because mine will. Actually a part of me is very certain that one of my friends will write a book and be published, and that I never will, and won't that be ironic cos I'm all 'literary'? Aii yi yi.
Speaking of African wildlife (hippos) -- will your story have gazelles in it? I like gazelles. I think if you have hippos you can throw in some gazelles for good measure.
Those info-organizer programs seem really handy... there was one I wanted to look into but it was only available on macs! It seemed really fancy schmancy. Let me know how this Freemind program works, when you use it more.
never fear, dan. the closest this book will ever get to being published is existing as a print-on-demand book at cafepress. that way, anyone who really really wants to read it can order a copy for about five bucks. although, due to the multitude of copyright violations i mentioned, it could theoretically be removed from availability by cafepress.
freemind has been good so far. it is easy to learn to use, is java-based (so it is cross platform), and has helped organize my nonlinear story line a lot. i can see how it would be good for a more traditionaly story as well, as organizing notes can be a hassle. it's only about 8mb and takes a minute to install. give it a shot. (it would be a productive way to procrastinate.)
Smashing! I can't wait to see what kinds of adventures this Crotch gets into!
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