Good Morning
I had a thought (I know that's unusual and dangerous)That it would be nice to have a search tool to read and contribute to invitational stories. Like what the stories does Jake Rivers does.
I have stumbled across several other writers who have posted invitational stories, but only by accident.
Thoughts? Comments?
Do you mean inviting authors to write stories in a universe you created?
That is what Jake Rivers does here.
SB, would you please test if a text search for 'invitation' returns that link. AFAIK, that feature gives a higher 'relevance' to matches found in story descriptions and ideally it would do so too for universe descriptions.
Over 14 thousand results.
Thanks.
Total number of results doesn't concern me. If what I'd hoped for happened, the wanted result would have been displayed near the top.
I'm all out of ideas now. :(
I'd have thought the logical way to achieve that would be a text search for 'invitation'.
Note, that feature is at the bottom of the Advanced Search option, so it's only available to premier members.
Ross;
I was questioning the possibility of something similar to updates, or a category, even if only for premier members
I have read some stories, and (again only by accident) wish I could look up others. I didn't even think of the text search option. DUUUUUUH Face palm
I didn't even think of the text search option.
Thinking it through, I doubt it will work.
The text search facility is sophisticated, but I think it can only search stories, not universes, because universes don't have the fields that need to be displayed in the results pages.
You might try scanning through the list of 700 universe names.
The text search facility is sophisticated, but I think it can only search stories, not universes, because universes don't have the fields that need to be displayed in the results pages.
You might try scanning through the list of 700 universe names.
It might make sense to make Universes by their status ("Open" or "Closed") in the Universes list. That would be easier to implement than a massive change to the search feature, though would mean more work for Lazeez in a little used aspect of the SOL environment.
If he did elect to do it, he could simple add a one-character symbol by each name (ex: "O" for any Open Universe or "C" for all the Closed ones).
I was questioning the possibility of something similar to updates, or a category, even if only for premier members
Rather than listing "Invitations", you'd want a link to "Open Universes" (i.e. those story universes that are open to ALL authors, as opposed to those which are only open to specific authors that the universe creator trusts with his stories).
You'd have to ask Lazeez how hard it would be to provide the option, but it would be possible for him to list the universes based on their level of participation. There are three basic universe levels of participation:
1. Private - where only the universe creator can add stories to it - this is the most common. This universe will become static when the originator ceases to add to it.
2. Fully public - where the universe is open so anyone can add stories to it. The Damsels in Distress Universe is one of these. People will be able to continue adding stories well after the originator stops.
3. Semi public - this is in between where someone asks the originator for permission to add stories to the universe and is given access to add stories.
I suspect the Universe database has a tag on which status a universe has, and Lazeez may be able to display that in the universe list or allow for a search on the tag.
When posting a story the submission wizard will ask for a series/universe. The universe drop down list will show all fully public universes.
When posting a story the submission wizard will ask for a series/universe. The universe drop down list will show all fully public universes.
True, but that happens only after you have the story ready to post. They've been talking about seeing where they can post in an existing universe before they start the story. I know I'd hate to have a story ready to go and then learn I can't place it in the universe I want to thus I need to go back and change things so as not to have copyright issues.
True, but that happens only after you have the story ready to post.
If an author want to look for an open universe, he can go through the motions of filling out the submission wizard and cancel once seeing the list of open universes. I just did exactly that.
If an author want to look for an open universe, he can go through the motions of filling out the submission wizard and cancel once seeing the list of open universes. I just did exactly that.
Even better, if you're interested in writing in a particular universe, ASK THE AUTHOR for permission first, regardless of the Universe status. That's not just polite, but it'll allow them to ask what you plan to do to their universe.
I just tried invitational in so
ithe text search and got 150 hits
I am also writing several stories that I am finding difficult get to a clean end, so I may post an invite
I am also writing several stories that I am finding difficult get to a clean end
I think that's a different problem to the one others have been trying to solve here.
For that problem, my first effort would be a new thread in Story Ideas titled "[Seeking Collaborator] ..."
I am also writing several stories that I am finding difficult get to a clean end
I think that's a different problem to the one others have been trying to solve here.
Opening a universe is more than just finding a suitable ending to a single story. Instead, you're forgoing every completing the story, even if a brilliant idea occurs to you later on. They key to a universe, is that NO ONE can change the current status of the universe (i.e. no solutions or resolutions which might preempt all the other stories).
I think Ross's idea is your best bet. Ask the other authors for their opinions on story options. If all else fails, you can always ask your readers, though they tend to inundate you with competing solutions which don't always fit the story you envision.
They key to a universe, is that NO ONE can change the current status of the universe (i.e. no solutions or resolutions which might preempt all the other stories).
The subject was discussed at a recent Writers' Group meeting. There are plenty of examples of universes where some stories are clearly off-canon, and other universes where the canon is strictly policed. And yet inconsistencies always seem to creep in.
AJ
The subject was discussed at a recent Writers' Group meeting. There are plenty of examples of universes where some stories are clearly off-canon, and other universes where the canon is strictly policed. And yet inconsistencies always seem to creep in.
Authors always want their stories to make a difference, and what better way in a fictional world than resolving an ongoing crisis, even if that crisis is the heart of the universe your visiting.
As a contributor, your best bet is to focus on the human dilemma by concentrating on the personal, rather than on the big-picture items.
I added markers to the universes to identify public ones. A single asterisk next to the universe's name means fully public universe, two asterisks are for public with permission universe.
I added markers to the universes to identify public ones.
Well done.
An elegant solution, I think. :-)
Well done.
An elegant solution, I think. :-)
I concur. As usual, when Lazeez sees a reasonable suggestion, he implements them quickly. Congrats.
I added markers to the universes to identify public ones.
The response we get is amazing. Hey, since you're listening in, did I tell you what I want for Christmas? I want…
Am I the only person who read it as "Invitational Groping"?
Didn't you twig that would be "on topic" here?
