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BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work?
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Subject: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 19 Feb 06 - 09:47 AM Maybe it was just me, but I always found the old Mudcat story threads both fascinating (as a reader) and sometimes, frustrating (as a writer). How did they WORK??? Were there rules? So I went to the greatest of the Mudcat writers (IMO) and asked her for an interview I could share with others. Below is the result. I hope the other veterans of the great Mudcat stories will share their thoughts as well. ~Susan JenEllen, It would be a great service to Mudcat if you wrote up-- for me in PMs-- a description of how a group writes a Mudcat-style story-- what's considered fair in terms of flowing between writers, etc. Care to participate in a sort of rolling interview via PM-- you draft and I ask questions for further development or clarification? ~Susan 2 Sep 2004 Susan, Sure! No problemo. What kind of things were you thinking about? ~Jen 3 Sep 2004 Jen, Well, something that could help inspire newer Mudcatters to creativity, and orient a new writer if they got involved in one of the running stories... I think I saw something like this once online but I didn't save it. Not wanting RULES, just "how we did it was" type stuff. So, first interview question: I notice in the old Mudcat Story threads that a group of people seem to be working together to advance a story. Does the whole thing happen in the thread, or do y'all use PMs to plan characters and plots? Say you see someone has started one-- if YOU want to get in on it, what do you do next? ~Susan 3 Sep 2004 Susan, For the first thing, I don't think anyone ever talked to one another about stories [topics]. Usually what happened was that someone had an idea, posted a beginning, and if after a while didn't see someone they expected, they sent a "ComePlay" PM. But it was unspoken taboo to work out story lines in private. That was part of the fun--to come in and find out where you had to go next. Really made you grow as a writer to have to be able to change directions and spin on a dime. I got a couple of "Way to go" PMs, and occasionally a joking "What are you up to now?" PM, but that was the extent. I was also the unofficial welcome wagon for the lit threads. If I saw someone new, I'd drop a PM welcoming them, and kind of going over the 'rules' so no one got hurt feelings. You know, no killing off other people, no doing weird things.... Everyone was usually accepting. The only time I ever got pissed was during the Unicorn thread, and that was just because everyone got so winged out. I just gave my character to Leej and wrote her off. Something to remember is that for every good thread, there were some real stinkers. Sure, there were Shangri-La's and Drinking Gourds, but there were also St. Louis Blues and Incredible Journeys that really stunk it up. You gotta take the good with the bad and not get too upset about it. I'd say get a good idea that everyone can play with, make sure that everyone wants to play by character rules, and have fun with it. ~Jen 3 Sep 2004 Jen, Thanks, that's VERY helpful. Do you think it would make sense to have an opening post that lays out the "how it works" part, or are people here too quick on the draw now to bother reading even that? Would such an opening post wreck the story by getting in the way of the surprise-feeling of the first installment? Many of these questions I'm asking you will be stuff I think other people would want to know-- don't worry about it being me asking, I'm just interviewing. :~) There's a lot I could assume, for instance, but what I am looking for is your words fleshing it out. ~Susan 3 Sep 2004 Susan, I think the opening-post idea is too structured for this bunch. I think for the most part, people know what you are trying to do when you start a story. I think if a person starts a thread, maybe they should be in charge of keeping an eye on content and continuity, and for welcoming newcomers with a brief overlay of the rules. I also think BRIEF is the key to that. If all of the sudden everyone in the thread starts sending RULES PMs, people will freak out and not go back. We like to make our own rules. The only real rules I ever knew of came from Peter T. And that was only because X blew us all up on a train and wrote "THE END". It pissed a lot of people off, and had it been the final say, none of the Shangri-La stuff would have happened. As a sort of group decision, we allowed that: 1. An introduced character must fit into the story (no aliens in an Old West tale, etc.) 2. Your character is your responsibility. Play nice with others and ask (PM) if you think someone might be offended if you use their character in your scene. 3. Be flexible and patient. When the story unfolds is when it unfolds. If you rush things or upset people, you'll kill it. Whenever I saw a new person, I'd just PM something like this: "Welcome, have fun, and here's what you might need to know to keep playing. If you have any questions, ask." Some people did, some didn't. ~Jen 3 Sep 2004 |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Amos Date: 19 Feb 06 - 10:01 AM And mind the goddamn wake -- meaning don't jump in and write a whole new direction that completely ignores what has happened before, relocating people or undoing something already done -- in other words cleave to what has gone before in moving the story forward. My .02 FWIW. A |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 19 Feb 06 - 10:09 AM Yes. How do you balance that with story twists? ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Janie Date: 19 Feb 06 - 10:20 AM Oops! My bad. |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: GUEST,Mudcat Scribbler Date: 19 Feb 06 - 10:37 AM How does it work? By when necessary ignoring those who would always try to shepherd the flock, offering on rules, pushing people in the direction she wants them to go, sending PM scolds along the way. You can't herd cats. Or Mudcatters. The charm of the story keeps the momentum going. |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Amos Date: 19 Feb 06 - 10:38 AM I was not suggesting one should not twist the story; that's natural and part of the fun. You just don't do it like a wrecking ball. The secret is in respecting the creation that precedes, and engineering a graceful transformation. Not just overriding past events, but leading them into a new passage without excessive dissonance. Any writer knows this problem. Parallel characters, unexpected developments and new turns are welcome devices; not just overwriting someone else's construction. The Unicorn alehouse thread provides some excellent examples of both sorts of sequence. A |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Amos Date: 19 Feb 06 - 10:43 AM Now, Scribbler -- WYS is nach'l born to pushing people around, scolding, and making rules, but despite that she's a smart lass, and this might be of interest to those who were not in on the evolutionary process. A |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 19 Feb 06 - 10:51 AM GMS, of course. That's why this is not a thread of rules, but an opportunity for those who have been respected Mudcat story writers to describe their experience of the best of the stories they created. Thanks, Amos, for the extension and further description of what I understood you were trying to convey. It's a delicate point, isn't it? I think the thing most of the veterans seemed to have in common was a willingness to really absorb the others' contributions and take the time to reflect and mentally explore where they might lead, before firing off an instant post to "trump" the other writers. More than any other threads, the story threads seem to call upon writers to be thorough READERS, first. Cooperation, rather than competition, in the story development. Would someone like to comment on use of third-person voice? Is a character always described by the outside view? Is there a reason to do it that way as opposed to the writer "being" the character by using a first-person voicing? And what was the first Mudcat story thread, anyway? (Let's hear from THOSE writers!) What got it going-- had you encountered the form elsewhere? ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: katlaughing Date: 20 Feb 06 - 02:36 AM Great thread, Susan. Thanks for the asking. Did some digging and found this MIGHT be the first one, but I I had never encountered collaborative writing before. It just seemed to spark. I know I, for one, was so inspired by the creativity, I was able write as I'd never done before. This also happened, in a shorter version, in the Thought for the Day threads which PeterT. started. More as I think of it. Oh, the other one which MIGHT be the first was Helen's 100 word story thread, in which each story had to be 100 words exactly. So, it was not of the length and continuity of the others, but I do think it was one of the first story threads. kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 20 Feb 06 - 09:23 AM Thanks, Kat. It would be great to have an index of all of them. Leej was in on all the ones I saw-- so a search of his posts might bring up a lot of them... he posts less than the other writers in general so it might be feasible. Was he in on them from the beginning? Another question-- sometimes I see people writing characters into the Tavern in the same fashion, but really Tavern threads aren't the same as story threads, are they. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Amos Date: 20 Feb 06 - 09:27 AM Leej is also the keeper of the fiction list in the FAQ as I recall. The earliest great story that I remember reading was the Jukebox Joint, started by Mbo. A |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 20 Feb 06 - 09:30 AM Thanks, Amos, I forgot about that list and I never knew till now that it leads to a thread where more are listed! ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: katlaughing Date: 20 Feb 06 - 09:58 AM Depends, Susan. The Juke Box Tavern wound up being another one of the all-time great story threads. Yeah, LeeJ, PeterT, JenEllen, Amos and myself, as well as Catspaw, I think we are in on almost all of them. If I get some time, I'll look some more. Alice in Montana had was also in charge of a list with links of her favourite threads, too. |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Lonesome EJ Date: 20 Feb 06 - 01:13 PM First story honors belong to my old alcoholic pal Blake Madison in Sept 99. The idea came from a Dave Swan posting which he wrote in a Spillane style. Go back and read it and you'll see how Blake evolved from a rather cartoon Nick Danger detective to the hardboiled dick he later became. It's also interesting because the folks writing were so numerous, there were lots of bizarre plot twists, and plenty of conversation about what we were trying to do. One rather sad thing is the fact that Neil Lowe, who could write Blake as well or better than me, has disappeared. I hope Neil is out there somewhere keeping the old beatnick fire going. |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Amos Date: 20 Feb 06 - 01:25 PM I mighta known that Swanno character had a hand in this mess; it's got his fingerprints all over it. LOL! A |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Lonesome EJ Date: 20 Feb 06 - 01:27 PM Unfortunately, the original Blake thread is suffering from the Mudcat Random-sequencing Disease, and it's hard to get it in order. Looks like the first posts were from May 99. That story does contain my favorite Blake-ism, actually written by ol' B Seed. "I let my dick do the thinking, instead of letting my thinker do the dicking. " |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 20 Feb 06 - 01:32 PM LOL, Leej, that would be a favorite! BTW, MRSD is quickly overcome by a single dose of PFD (printer-friendly display). Leej, would you care to build a permathread indexing ALL the story threads? (check with Joe first of course) ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Lonesome EJ Date: 20 Feb 06 - 01:38 PM Suse, I've got three prior obligations. I've got to get Blake out of the wrecked Mercury, Robt E Leej moving down the plot timeline, and I also have been asked to bear Jeri's children, and I don't know just how long any of that will take.;>) |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 20 Feb 06 - 01:42 PM Gee, Leej, I hope you're starting with Jeri's request. It sounds like not only the most fun, but the most rewarding! :~) So it would be OK with you if someone else did it? If so, could folks please start listing them here? ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Amos Date: 20 Feb 06 - 01:43 PM The first two are on the order of hours. Bearing Jeri's children...well, I would suggest a cost/benefit analysis is in order, senor. And remind you of the old slogan, "Don't fix it if it ain't broke...". I mean, just think what Spaw would say. A |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: catspaw49 Date: 21 Feb 06 - 11:26 AM Personally, I'd go for the child bearing thing Leej, but that's just me. I've just come back after a bit of a dead puter hiatus and your stuff has made great reading. I'll try to jump in on the next one as I miss those things too. Susan, these things were always pretty free wheeling and it can be frustrating as hell at times as someone jumps the timeline ahead or something and screws up your idea of how things should go. But you adjust and THAT is the challenge of the the whole thing......to keep it going in a reasonable sequence even when it goes off and wanders. At times someone will write a synopsis into their post as part of the story just to get things on track and all of us back to the same church if not the same pew. I remember on the Albert Hansell thread I had this scene in mind to take place around St. Louis. I left the computer to eat supper, came back two hours later and we were passing MEMPHIS!!!! I got my stuff in but it was a challenge to make it fit. The only time I recall ever actually conversing on a plotline was on the Juke Joint thread when I called Leej to set up a time we could both be online for the race. Even then we had a problem because he unexpectedly had to go do something in the 3-D world so I vamped for awhile til he got back. In that instance, doing the race in real time made a really fun storyline and we killed of Gargoyle and his gang as a bonus! Spaw |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 21 Feb 06 - 12:05 PM Thanks, Spaw. I knew if anyone would agree with me about the child-bearing thing, it would be you. But I'm surprised to see you advocating church attendance! [just kidding, in case anyone thinks I'm serious!] Seriously, I think you did a good job of describing HOW TO absorb and deal with the extremes of other writers' suprises-- keep it going in a reasonable sequence even when it goes off and wanders. I especially like the idea of someone will write a synopsis into their post as part of the story just to get things on track and all of us back to the same church if not the same pew... Joe Offer has OK'd trying a Permathread approach to stories (new ones not existing ones), and would most of you agree that this would be a great way for a permathreads' editor to periodically introduce necessary cleanups? ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Amos Date: 21 Feb 06 - 01:39 PM Yeah -- similarly, we've PM'd a few times, but for the most part the greatest fun is when a group of writers are trusting and flexible and willing to both respect the existing stuff and fly with the new curves that come along. I never expected to see a Giant Squid threatening the skinny-dipping Rustic Rebel in the Mudcat Funhouse, but you gotta roll with the flow. A |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Amos Date: 21 Feb 06 - 02:22 PM The occasion when a full synopsis of characters and plot segments was interjected (by request) into the third segment (iof memory serves) of the Steamboat thread was a spontaneous response to a bit too much spontaneous randomness in character and plot developments. Institutionalizing such a response would be counter-productive, because it would establish pre-established boundaries and controls that would, I feel sure, dampen the free-spirited creativity of those engaged in the production in the first place. If there is ANY home-plate groundwork in such a thread, it should be absolutely minimal and exercised only in extremis, such as the appearance of some viscious, fat-headed troll from Chicago, or some such unfortunate complication. NOT controlling such a stream of contributions is the first and best policy. A |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: katlaughing Date: 21 Feb 06 - 02:45 PM Agreed to that last bit, Amos. If it ain't mostly spontaneous, it ain't creative and fun.:-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: MMario Date: 21 Feb 06 - 03:11 PM most of our authors are just too speedy for me - which is why I tend to stick to the catering angle. |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 21 Feb 06 - 03:59 PM Amos, Kat-- Understood, and thanks. How do you see it as potentially beneficial to handle a story thread as a Permathread, folks? ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: MMario Date: 21 Feb 06 - 04:02 PM A lot of story threads still contain extraneous comments/posts; which could be edited out. "permathread" status means people would be aware of that possibility. |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Amos Date: 21 Feb 06 - 04:50 PM That would be a definite benefit. A |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: catspaw49 Date: 21 Feb 06 - 05:06 PM I agree Amos....except ya' know that spontaneity that we all go for might be lost in the process. I like the "asides" at times. I really think that too much structure of any sort will not be beneficial. Spaw |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Amos Date: 21 Feb 06 - 07:09 PM Well, I differentiate between asides in the spirit of the thing even if irrelevant to the story, and asides to listen to atrocious insults by the badly embittered. Could be that's just me, though. A |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 21 Feb 06 - 07:43 PM Maybe the relevant asides should be left in till the story winds up but the other kind should be zapped more promptly? ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 21 Feb 06 - 07:50 PM Now... this is a delicate question perhaps..... but, um, how many writers/characters on a given story seem manageable? I know-- not a RULE-- I'm just asking. Looking back on the good ones, was there a certain critical mass that worked? Is it more effective when a group for a given story coalesces at the start of it? Is it a good thing, or is it crazy-making, when a new participant joins in after it's already going really strong? ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Amos Date: 21 Feb 06 - 08:05 PM I think the success of a story is not bounded by the number of writers so much as their ability to synchronize and even mind meld. This means that those who have done it may be better at it then beginners, but usually, here on the 'Cat, beginners of good will are cut a lot of slack and their parts taken up readily. In actual experience, the Jukebox Joint had perhaps eight writers; the Enterprise had a dozen, and the Albert Hansell had six or so regulars. The Unicorn really hinged on the contributions of perhaps four. But I think these numbers are just the luck of the table, really, because even among the few we have seen insensitivity act to spoil continuity and interaction until it was sternly corrected by the Harbormaster in the Unicorn thread. The current Funhouse is actually shaping up very well with six or eight writing to it, and room for more if they--like attetive musicians stepping up to jam with others -- spend at least half their time listening, and maybe half their time adding. It's all in the ear, so to speak. if you take my meaning. A |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: catspaw49 Date: 21 Feb 06 - 09:23 PM I think a couple of factors enter into the whole thing and those vary a bit with each writer. If I have a lot going on in 3D I try to either take a very small role or none at all and if I come in late as happened currently I don't jump in and prefer to enjoy all the great writing knowing that I will probably jump on the next one......or start it. Also, many of these are "period pieces" and I have noticed it true of most regular writers including myself that if a particular period doesn't appeal to me, I don't join in or again, take a very small role. I think a few others do the same. However, the structure/vehicle/venue never seems to matter whether we're on horseback or on the river or in rods on the beach, everyone goes with the flow regardless!!! Spaw |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 21 Feb 06 - 10:51 PM Thanks guys, for your wonderfully clear answers. I confess I find it all quite faskinatin'! Hope to hear a few more voices, yet. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Amos Date: 21 Feb 06 - 11:28 PM To add a small piece to what Spaw said, I was absolutely astonished at the Himalayan temple adventures thread, because it spun out this incredibly rich fabric in which I had so little vocabulary, I really felt I couldn't contribute anything! I am not often at a loss for words, ya know, but I was awestruck at what was unfolding from all these genius pens, people coming out with things I just never would have imagined from them! There are times when, as he said, I prefer to add little and enjoy the amazing writing of others. And sometimes, I get more deeply involved, as in the current Funhouse thread -- but even that takes on wonderful dimensions of its own when I am not looking! :D A |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Janie Date: 22 Feb 06 - 07:14 AM The "Funhouse" thread is the first story thread I have participated in. Reading this thread is helpful, but also a bit intimidating. I guess the thread gives a mixed message. I'm not a writer, and have just seen my role as providing a little comic relief. I have not, however, contributed to the storyline that has developed. In fact, I may have interfered with it a time or two. Would those of you who are writers and storytellers prefer that us non-writer types stay out of the way so the story can unfold more smoothly? Janie |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: catspaw49 Date: 22 Feb 06 - 07:30 AM Good Lord NO Janie!!! While we all like to try to keep something going coherently on the storyline, sometimes it is simply a part of the challenge of these threads that we all enjoy. In fact there have been a few occasions where someone has thrown in a ringer post and it turned the storyline in a whole new direction that improved the tale! Keep posting. Try your hand at inventing a character and wedging them into the plot! Spaw |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Amos Date: 22 Feb 06 - 08:43 AM I thought you were doing well, Janie. I wish you'd told me you were "not a writer" so I wouldn't have been fooled!~ :D Keep on truckin'! A |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: MMario Date: 22 Feb 06 - 09:03 AM Janie - there is a big difference between hijacking and/or bushwhacking a plotline and introducing sub-plots and/or appropriate filler material. Face it - there is a LOT going on at a venue such as the Funhouse - and who says we have to offer only one or two points of view? |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 22 Feb 06 - 09:23 AM Janie (and anyone else who didn't post), The object of this thread is NOT NOT NOT to intimidate ANYONE out of participating in story threads. I guess one reason I started it was to reveal another time-- before the BS threads became like chat-room transcripts full of one-liners. Not necessarily a "better" time but a DIFFERENT time, especially as it related to the story threads. My thought was to see if the people who had written in that older style could articulate WHY and HOW it was different.... they still write a story in that fashion, and I KNOW they would welcome more playmates! And I've tried to play from time to time, always missing the mark except for one thread where, for some reason, my posts WORKED. I want to play again, and I needed some tips! But that does NOT mean that the replies I've gotten amount to rules or warnings to anyone else!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And Jane, I hope you'll feel free to ask any questions you might have. And POST in the story threads! JenEllen always insisted, early on, that she was not "a writer"..... but she became one before long, and proud of it, too. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Janie Date: 22 Feb 06 - 09:56 AM OK and thanks. Just wanted to be absolutely sure I wasn't being a bull in a china cabinet. Janie |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 22 Feb 06 - 10:00 AM Don't make us come get you! :~) ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Lonesome EJ Date: 22 Feb 06 - 10:22 AM Janie it ain't Shakespeare LEJ |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Janie Date: 22 Feb 06 - 10:24 AM LOL! |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: katlaughing Date: 22 Feb 06 - 10:25 AM Janie, you've been doing fine. Please keep going with it. I am a writer, but I'de never written in a collaborative way, ever, esp. fiction, until coming to the Mudcat. I paid attention to the Masters and, I hope, learned to hold my own. Even though my op/ed column was being published in the real world, it took me a long time to even claim to be a writer, in my 3D life. Once I hit Mudcat, I found I really was writing every day and some of it was pretty good. Mudcat really helped me along as a writer. I, too, enjoy the asides, except for the nasties. Most asides are sometimes like an audience which breaks out into spontaneous applause, hisses, and boos as in a melodrama performance and that makes it even more fun. Amos, didn't the Golden Globes come out of the Himmalya(sp) story? |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Amos Date: 22 Feb 06 - 11:05 AM Kat: I believe the worship of the Golden Globes actually has much deeper roots. Regards, A |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Homeless Date: 22 Feb 06 - 11:24 AM One thing I've seen alluded to in this thread, but not openly stated, is regarding the length of the posts. In the best of the collaborative stories, each post was measured in paragraphs rather than words. The authors took the time and effort to write out some kind of plot development, frequently affecting other characters as well. This is where the challenge came in the made the stories so enjoyable. There just isn't any plot development in "I came in and ordered a Guinness" being your entire post. If you are going to add to the story, then ADD to it - don't just open your mouth for the sake of saying "I was there." I never did much contributing, being another of the non-writers, but I did enjoy reading many of the threads and watching the storylines unfold. I especially enjoyed when two or more authors would throw in other characters' plot twists, and seeing the lunge-parry-riposte that ensued. JenEllen and Peter T became phenomenal at this. I would sit and read their exchanges slack-jawed in amazement. I don't know that there is an optimum number of authors, but I've noticed in some of the tavern threads that when there are more than 5 or 6 characters that the stories seem to break down into subgroups, much like a 3d gathering would. It does become somewhat incoherent trying to follow one storyline with too many characters, sometimes due to cross posting, but following each of the smaller stories in the same thread is easier (at least for my simple mind). |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 22 Feb 06 - 11:32 AM Thanks for the readers' view, Homeless! ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 22 Feb 06 - 11:47 AM I sure wish we'd had a story prefix all this time-- it would make 'em all a lot easier to find and list. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: catspaw49 Date: 22 Feb 06 - 12:13 PM LOL.....Homeless my friend, you hit on one of the funniest and toughest challenges.....the cross post! Two people post within minutes of each other and each has several paragraphs of new plot material going off in two directions. What will make (and has on several occasions MADE) this even funnier and tougher was when both of the authors then tried to incorporate the other's plot line creating even more havoc. Surprisingly on the two occasions where I remember this happening (one of which where I was involved) the thing actually worked out and the story improved!!! Spaw |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 22 Feb 06 - 03:06 PM Yes, but-- what drugs were you on at the time??? ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Amos Date: 22 Feb 06 - 03:08 PM HEll, he weren't on no drugs; you try to do that juggle on drugs and you're likely to get hopelessly confused! A |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: katlaughing Date: 22 Feb 06 - 03:29 PM The Return of Blake Madison The first Blake Madison appearance in True Detective Stories Time for a new story thread all about Paw, Cletus, Buford, and the Reg boys A challenge: a flea, and orange and a bicycle seat An Ocean-going Tale the first Mudcat Tavern Mudcat Campfire In Search of Shangri-La Another Mudcat Tale: The Moving Guitar Mudcat Stories - Moving Guitar Two Not a story, per se, but well worth the read by one of the greatest we've had: My 8,080 mile motorcylce ride The Mudcat Cafe - sitcom? More as I have time... kat The day they came for Mudcat |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Lonesome EJ Date: 22 Feb 06 - 08:36 PM Orient Express |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Lonesome EJ Date: 22 Feb 06 - 08:40 PM the Drinking Gourd |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Lonesome EJ Date: 22 Feb 06 - 08:42 PM Enterprise |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Lonesome EJ Date: 22 Feb 06 - 08:46 PM Steamboatin on the Hansell |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Lonesome EJ Date: 22 Feb 06 - 08:47 PM 57 Les Paul |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Alba Date: 22 Feb 06 - 09:41 PM Thank you Kat. Thank you Lonesome EJ. I have only looked in awe at the volume of Titles to read...Yeeesss I will be all over both your links like a rash..:) Cup of Tea, chair tilted to the correct reading angle....ah, I can see me now....** big contented sigh** I must say two of the titles made me laugh out loud, "My 8,080 mile motorcycle ride" and "The Mudcat Cafe - sitcom?" The thought of doing what the first title implies on my 1974 Triumph Bonne V makes wince/whince (sp :)!) and laugh at the same time. The other title, well it just makes me think...oh yes indeed, what a concept. Many Thanks Love and Light as always Jude |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Homeless Date: 22 Feb 06 - 09:52 PM Sweet Jesus, someone else with a mid 70's Trumpet? My first bike was a 76 Bonne. I spent most of my college time with that bike being my only transportation. I'll never forget riding the 14 miles from school one day in a freezing rainstorm, and when getting home going to wipe the water off my jacket only to have a solid sheet of ice, perfectly moulded to the contours of my leater jacket, open out and drop crashing to the ground. I've not known of anyone else with a Triumph of that era. Until now. |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 22 Feb 06 - 10:42 PM Good Lord, folks, you HAVE been busy while I was out for a bit (on "duty" at a function)! Yikes, ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Amos Date: 22 Feb 06 - 10:43 PM Mine was a Norton Commando, same period, bored out to 800 cc. Loved it dearly, but failed to check the oil often enough and seized the cylinders on the Harbor Freeway. A great loss. A |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: katlaughing Date: 22 Feb 06 - 10:54 PM My mom and dad had a Harley with a sidecar back in the mid-30's... |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Alba Date: 22 Feb 06 - 11:42 PM My first Cycle was an Ariel square 4..mmm lovely old Bike. Wish I had never sold it. Next was a Triumph Bonne, Then I built (with the help of Friends) a Triton, used the Bonne engine and put it into an Norton Featherbed frame. Sold that eventually and then it has been Trumpets ever since:) I did buy a Moto, Le Mans but rode my Triumph more than that so it went the way of the Local Paper's For Sale section. I bought this Triumph when I arrived on this side of the Pond nearly 10 years ago now. I love her. I call her Flora. I don't know if everyone names their Cycles but I always have! I hope that come the Spring, Flora and Judi will roam the backroads of Maine once more:) Homeless, I have an image of the Ice sheet sliding from your Jacket. Ah the endurance of Youth. You wouldn't catch me riding in the rain and ice cold these days but I wouldn't have thought twice about it back then;) Best to All Jude |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: katlaughing Date: 23 Feb 06 - 10:23 AM Another one for ya, Jude: Sgt. Kat & Her Howling Commandos started by the incomparable PeterT. I think these gyrls would fit right in with FUN. (See Leej's latest on where has the fun gone thread!) |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Amos Date: 24 Feb 06 - 04:46 PM The two latest, now wrapped up: Mudcat Funhouse, Boardwalk and Carnival Blake Madison, Private Dick: Anyone Know Where the Fun Has Gone? A |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: frogprince Date: 24 Feb 06 - 05:45 PM My first time gettin' up the nerve to jump in to one of the real narrative lines, too. I can't touch the masters here, but it was fun. Janie, you acquited yourself very well indeed. |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Lonesome EJ Date: 24 Feb 06 - 06:36 PM MBO's Juke Joint and Drag Race |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: katlaughing Date: 24 Feb 06 - 09:17 PM Now wrapped up?!! Whaddaya mean, wrapped up? Puir lit'l secretary didn't even get to tell you her name, Candy Krumplemeyer! And, her Auntie has such fond memories of you, Blakey!:-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Amos Date: 24 Feb 06 - 10:21 PM Well, I dunno, Kat; she told ole Blake her name was Vera Jane Hill, and she got the job. Just about the time Blake finally found the fun. All's well that ends well, I reckon!! :D A |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 24 Feb 06 - 10:59 PM What was the one with all the secret agents-- Mbo was in on it? ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Amos Date: 25 Feb 06 - 12:53 AM I think it was called The Day They Came For Mudcat, A |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: katlaughing Date: 25 Feb 06 - 05:12 AM I'd missed that wrap-up. Thanks Amos and LeeJ, you ARE d'man!!! |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Amos Date: 25 Feb 06 - 10:03 AM One of my favorites, Under the Sign of the Unicorn. Love and piracy in the days of Elizabeth and Drake. A |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 25 Feb 06 - 11:07 AM Nope, that wasn't it. But here's that one anyhow: THE DAY THEY CAME FOR MUDCAT ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 25 Feb 06 - 11:51 AM Here's another: Bette Monroe, Private Eye ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 25 Feb 06 - 11:56 AM Stir Crazy: A Hamster Goes Mad Slowly ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Amos Date: 25 Feb 06 - 12:39 PM I don't think that one was fiction, Wyz. A |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 25 Feb 06 - 01:55 PM Apologies for any duplicates or non-qualifiying entries: Last Voyage of the S.S.Possum An Irish Tale BOUND FOR POSSUM--a folk music movie Mudcat 5 - Space Rangers of the NYCFTTS Incredible Mudcat Journey Curse of the Mudcat! M'Catterbury Tales-add a verse! Aboard the Schooner Mudcat Story Round-Come add your 2 cents! .... and I dunno WHAT to say about Drumcree. Maybe some close who also is a writer could whizz these and the prior offerings into an alphabetical list? ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Janie Date: 25 Feb 06 - 08:57 PM It were fun! (the Funhouse thread) I have never tried my hand at fiction before. While the story was unfolding I found I was incorporating the characters into some whacky dreams at night. Thanks for letting me play! Janie |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: katlaughing Date: 25 Feb 06 - 09:56 PM Sherry Aims, Folk Nurse Janie, it was fun having you play, too! Susan, I will try to get to them, if someone else doesn't beat me to it, in the next couple of days. Thanks, again, for starting this thread! luvyakat |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 25 Feb 06 - 11:20 PM Yup. I noted that some of those I linked were short and not yet closed. Jump in, anyone? ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 26 Feb 06 - 07:22 AM Magenta Bites Back - a vampire tail ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 27 Feb 06 - 10:50 AM Any more story-thread links to add? ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 01 Mar 06 - 10:39 PM Just starting: Shenandoah and Beaver ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 06 Mar 06 - 09:32 AM An Airport Story ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 25 Mar 06 - 04:30 PM Hey story-ers, Seems like we've had stories that unfold between defined posters' characters, and stories that are sort of add-a-post. If you were to start a story as a permathread, would it make sense to designate what type you're unleashing, up front? Also I think I have seen more than one that seemed to open as an unstated invitation to play, but were soon overwhelmed by people posting without realizing that, and abandoned in short order. Again, would it make sense to designate an invitation to play a bit more clearly? ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Rustic Rebel Date: 26 Mar 06 - 01:00 AM I was thinking the funhouse was like a tavern thread- It seemed to turn into a story. The first story I jumped into was Mudcat of the Rings I think I buffooned it, took a character of Peter T's, and used it in my story line, but got out okay without any scolding PM's! Thanks for that! This is a great thread for reading old stories and learning. Thanks Susan. |
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Subject: Alphabetised List of Mudcat Stories From: katlaughing Date: 26 Mar 06 - 01:57 AM This is a start, only! Please let me know if any of you notice any mistakes. If there were several of the same subject, I kept them together, even if that didn't fit the alphabetising. Here goes: Aboard the Schooner Mudcat A challenge: a flea, an orange and a bicycle seat All about Paw, Cletus, Buford, and the Reg boys An Irish Tale An Ocean-going Tale Another Mudcat Tale: The Moving Guitar Mudcat Stories - Moving Guitar Two Bette Monroe Private Eye Blake Madison The Return of Blake Madison Blake Madison, Private Dick: Anyone Know Where the Fun Has Gone? Castle Mudcat BOUND FOR POSSUM--a folk music movie Curse of the Mudcat! The Day They Came for Mudcat the Drinking Gourd Enterprise 57 Les Paul the First Mudcat Tavern Incredible Mudcat Journey In Search of Shangri-La Shangri-La Continues (Pt. 2 Searching for Shangri-La (Part III)
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Amos Date: 26 Mar 06 - 10:27 AM Shenandoah and Beaver is missing, Kat! A |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: katlaughing Date: 26 Mar 06 - 10:51 AM Thanks! I can only plead insomnia! |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 26 Mar 06 - 12:02 PM Kat, you may find a few more among those I posted upthread. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 26 Mar 06 - 12:04 PM And Betty Monroe, Private Eyeis is actually Bette Monroe, Private Eye. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 17 May 06 - 09:04 PM reefraish |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: CarolC Date: 17 May 06 - 11:18 PM Part 2 of the Shangri-La thread doesn't have a link to part three, so here's parts two and three... Shangri-La Continues (Pt. 2 Searching for Shangri-La (Part III) |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: katlaughing Date: 17 May 06 - 11:35 PM Sorry, Susan, I missed your message about the spelling of "Bette." I've fixed it, now. Carol, how did I miss those?!! Thanks, have put them in the list. kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: GUEST,Sian Date: 18 May 06 - 02:47 AM like this |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: GUEST Date: 18 May 06 - 02:47 AM Yikes! |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 18 May 06 - 09:20 AM Thanks for adding the new stuff, Kat. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: CarolC Date: 18 May 06 - 10:01 PM I see that there are tavern-type threads here, so here's the link for the- Mudcat Hoser Tavern |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 01 Jun 06 - 12:42 PM Is this one in here somewhere? An Airport Story ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: freda underhill Date: 01 Jun 06 - 01:15 PM don't forget Vladimir the Inhaler, Vampire Villain and Magenta Bites Back - a vampire tail (still wandering on to its conclusion) |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 16 Jul 06 - 03:12 PM Just getting underway: Fiction:The Woman in the Holler ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 17 Jun 07 - 03:48 PM A Story of the Great American Desert Home For the Holiday-story by Amergin ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Chip2447 Date: 18 Jun 07 - 02:01 PM I rather enjoyed this one as a reader and a participant. "Lets do the time warp again" Chip |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: katlaughing Date: 18 Jun 07 - 02:14 PM Wow, Chip, I'd forgotten that one! Thanks, loads of fun to read it again. |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Chip2447 Date: 18 Jun 07 - 06:38 PM It was fun wasn't it? |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Chip2447 Date: 18 Jun 07 - 07:10 PM and while not particularly fiction so to speak I enjjoyed this one... Mudcat Tavern revival Chip(enjoying this trip down memory lane) |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: MMario Date: 20 Sep 07 - 01:34 PM refresh |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 03 May 09 - 07:58 AM Yonderworks of Wonder ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Alice Date: 03 May 09 - 10:27 AM I loved Blake Madison.... sigh. |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: Lonesome EJ Date: 03 May 09 - 08:58 PM Alice PM me your address and I will send you a genuine "Blake Madison Private Dick" tshirt, just like the one Joe Offer wears during lighthouse tours. |
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Subject: RE: BS: How Do Mudcat Story Threads Work? From: wysiwyg Date: 05 May 09 - 12:21 PM (refresh) The latest story's link is just upthread. ~S~ |
