Planning & Brainstorming

Yep will put it on right now, when I pop over to read your chapter :) I did mean for Finbar to be the youngest, while Aislinn is the middle child. Perhaps I can edit my chapter slightly to introduce the oldest brother (or any of the brothers that Dolly want to write for) when Dolly picks a name :)

I wouldn't mess with your chapter. It's good. The other brothers can be introduced as they come.

Aww thank you :)

I just finished reading your latest. It's great! You had me hooked when the shadowy messenger came out! And I like the idea of Quin misinterpreting the reason why he was fired. I am loving how this story's turning out :D

It's all in the planning, Michelle, my belle. (Sorry but Beatles references are just too easy.)

Hehe gotta love the Beatles xD

I was part of some collabs last year that I thought were pretty good, but there was little planning, so they died, unable to breathe. The one gem in that group was Masquerade, which has blossomed, spuring at least one sequel, Liberation, and more planned.

I don't think it would have done as well if we hadn't started planning it. It's amazing it didn't fall apart before we started planning.

Without planning, how can a group of people agree?

True that! And we could all, as individual authors, try and lead the story down different paths so that ultimately there's no settled ending. I'm glad that we've planned this pretty well, while at the same time leaving room for little twists and turns. I just really hope the planning pays off and this collab won't die in a few weeks' time.

I tend to take over when it comes to planning. Just ask Dot. ;-)

So, don't hesitate to step up and speak when you have ideas or you don't like how I've written something. Actually that goes for everyone.

I'm a little surprised that you and Dot (not sure about Dolly at this point) have been willing to accomodate my reservations in regards to magic and the transformation.

I want to make it clear, though, that I am okay with some fantasy elements. I don't want you to sacrafice everything just for me.

Ah well, I've been pretty bossy over the whole planning thing as well :) Trust me, I will tell you if I really don't like what I've read. But so far it's been all good xD

I understand your reservation to magic, and am only happy to accomodate it. It's how I'd like to be treated if I had reservations towards certain parts of a collab, so 'do unto others what you'd do unto yourself' :)

Sorry about all the smiley faces. If you haven't noticed by now, I am slightly obsessed with adding them to the end of messages :)

I hadn't noticed them before, but now I will, and they will drive me bonkers. Thanks for that! hehe

I tend to write how I view the world. However, writing for other characters involve becoming that character to a degree, so mixing in some mythology would seem appropriate in Elixir's setting. I just want to be careful how we do it.;

Hehe you're welcome :) <--- is this driving you bonkers yet? xD

I tend to write my own views as well, and since my characters are all different, sometimes it's hard to get into their head and write what they would do and think, rather than what I would do and think. Mixing mythology seems appropriate for Elixir, but yes, we do need to be careful. Not only about the magic/superstition but also not to take too much from them

What do you mean "take too much from them"?

I'm not bonkers yet. I will give you a virtual slap when I am.

I meant sticking to the tales too much so that it's not ours anymore. But that won't happen :)

Hehe I can see a lot of virtual slaps coming up, since I can't help but use these smiley faces :) A lot :)

So, you are okay with the fact that this story is looking less and less like what you had initially planned?

At least you could mix it up.

;)
;-)
:P
:-P
;p
;-p
+)
=)

and etc ....

It's good! I actually didn't plan anything initially, just wanted a fantasy story. Which is what we have so I'm good.

I could definitely mix it up :P But I've used all my creative juice on writing, so there's hardly any left to creatively use smiley faces :)

You were doing so well, but then you reverted. :) There are so many variations. :O) :S :+S ~=+) ?+)

Hehe I'll learn to vary my smiley faces eventually :D See, I am trying! But for now I guess you'll have to put up with the plain old boring :)

*Mark slaps Jude's hand*

Boring is bad. Must not be boring!

Ouch! *rubs hand*
Sorry, Mr Mark ze Magnificent xD

I just realised we're spamming everyone's inboxes with our convo :D

Yes you are ;P *puts on her scary teacher face* I don't believe this is relevant to the planning of this story, is it? Hmm?