HALLOWEEN STORY 2017

[Dana Jean]

No, I'm not volunteering to play editor this year.

I'm just bringing this to the attention of the board as time is getting short to get people signed up and the story started so it will be done in time for Halloween.

If anyone is interested in heading this thing, I would just like to throw a few things out there.

1. It is a tough job.

2. People will disappoint you.

3. You WILL be a bad guy at some point.

4. You can't be a wimp.

But, it really is a fun tradition that I think has happened every year and I would hate for it to fall by the wayside this year.

I just want anyone thinking about taking the helm to know you will have to run a tight ship and hold people accountable to their commitment.

Remember, this isn't about one individual person. It is a group effort and everyone needs to respect the time of their fellow writers.

And whether you choose a very controlled edited story, or a loosey goosey type format, you have to remind everyone that people are counting on them to come through and honor what they have committed to. If they find they can't, they need to let everyone know (and not days after their deadline.)

Are you the one to be in charge?

 

[arista]

My hats off to the Halloween Story. I always enjoy and appreciate all the efforts that everyone contributes.

 

[Dana Jean]

If no one steps forward by next Monday the 18th, the Halloween story will take a hiatus this year.

 

[GNTLGNT]

...fairly said and fair enough....I would take the helm, but can't commit the time that is necessary.....

 

[Dana Jean]

...fairly said and fair enough....I would take the helm, but can't commit the time that is necessary.....

Totally understand. It is a huge time commitment.

 

[Nomik]

I really want this to happen, but I don't know that I'm the best person for the job. I used to teach High School English, so I think I can be fairly strict. I would rather have someone to co-head it. I participated last year, so I understand the format. I am willing to commit to it.

 

[Dana Jean]

I really want this to happen, but I don't know that I'm the best person for the job. I used to teach High School English, so I think I can be fairly strict. I would rather have someone to co-head it. I participated last year, so I understand the format. I am willing to commit to it.

So you are saying you will head this up and be editor?

 

[niro]

I really want this to happen, but I don't know that I'm the best person for the job. I used to teach High School English, so I think I can be fairly strict. I would rather have someone to co-head it. I participated last year, so I understand the format. I am willing to commit to it.

It would be quite a disappointment if the story doesn't happen this year. Maybe I can help as well. There should just be someone with better english spelling knowledge then me. Do we get a closed group with all those who want to write like last year?

 

[carrie's younger brother]

To make it easier on the editor, why not make it a short story compilation with a word limit? Pick a theme and everyone does their take on it. This way the editor just concentrates on spelling, grammar, etc. and does not have to coordinate the timing other than one submission date for everyone. It would be cool to have 13 stories/writers.

Edit: I think this would also cut down on any "clash of personalities," if you will.

 

[Nomik]

So you are saying you will head this up and be editor?

Yes I would. Give me the go ahead and I will post a sign up thread.

 

[Nomik]

What was the word count for last year? I'd like to keep the format similar.

 

[Nomik]

To make it easier on the editor, why not make it a short story compilation with a word limit? Pick a theme and everyone does their take on it. This way the editor just concentrates on spelling, grammar, etc. and does not have to coordinate the timing other than one submission date for everyone. It would be cool to have 13 stories/writers.

Edit: I think this would also cut down on any "clash of personalities," if you will.

Okay, so you are suggesting a compilation? If the theme were vampires, everyone would write his or her own vampire story?

 

[Nomik]

Give me your ideas here and I will decide what to post later this evening. I'd be interested in any and all input before posting the sign up thread.

 

[carrie's younger brother]

Okay, so you are suggesting a compilation? If the theme were vampires, everyone would write his or her own vampire story?

Yes. And this way as editor you don't have to babysit anyone to get their part done so the next person can begin. I only suggested this to make the job a bit easier as no one was biting. But since you volunteered, of course this is all up to you.

 

[Nomik]

Yes. And this way as editor you don't have to babysit anyone to get their part done so the next person can begin. I only suggested this to make the job a bit easier as no one was biting. But since you volunteered, of course this is all up to you.

That's actually a good idea. That way everyone has the same deadline, and I have time to edit and put it all together. Any other thoughts?

 

[Moderator]

To make it easier on the editor, why not make it a short story compilation with a word limit? Pick a theme and everyone does their take on it. This way the editor just concentrates on spelling, grammar, etc. and does not have to coordinate the timing other than one submission date for everyone. It would be cool to have 13 stories/writers.

Edit: I think this would also cut down on any "clash of personalities," if you will.

The reason we've always avoided that is because it could go against the advice we've been given by Stephen's attorneys about unpublished work, i.e. Stephen not reading any. Having the one story with many writers removes the "ownership" of the story as a whole by just one individual who might want to use that idea later for their own purposes.

 

[Nomik]

The reason we've always avoided that is because it could go against the advice we've been given by Stephen's attorneys about unpublished work, i.e. Stephen not reading any. Having the one story with many writers removes the "ownership" of the story as a whole by just one individual who might want to use that idea later for their own purposes.

Okay, so we will stick to the same format as last year. That's fine by me. As I recall, the rules are no references to anything in any Stephen King story, ..... what are the rules about graphic violence and such?

 

[carrie's younger brother]

The reason we've always avoided that is because it could go against the advice we've been given by Stephen's attorneys about unpublished work, i.e. Stephen not reading any. Having the one story with many writers removes the "ownership" of the story as a whole by just one individual who might want to use that idea later for their own purposes.

Oh darn. Part of why I don't participate is because I'm not good with "group projects." I always hated them in school. Also, the one time I did volunteer to write it got very snarky behind the scenes and I bowed out. Oh well.

 

[Nomik]

Oh darn. Part of why I don't participate is because I'm not good with "group projects." I always hated them in school. Also, the one time I did volunteer to write it got very snarky behind the scenes and I bowed out. Oh well.

OK, I think the word count for last year was 700 words. I will write up the sign up thread tonight, and I would like to message it to Marsha for approval before I post it live.

 

[Moderator]

OK, I think the word count for last year was 700 words. I will write up the sign up thread tonight, and I would like to message it to Marsha for approval before I post it live.

Once you have the participants, we'll have Jordan set up an area off the main part of the Board so you can discuss the project privately until it's ready to go live.