Creating a user narrative

Some thoughts about fans and user narratives and the like

In trying to find a single idea from the collection of scattered ideas always swimming in my head, I wanted to think about/write about a topic that spoke to how a fan, like me, can become more involved in a Shared storyworld.

now, by "fan like me", I mean someone who is not employed as a writer, artist, filmmaker, or any other entertainment and related job. I am an "average" joe who makes a 9-5 living and as a "hobby" is interested in becoming more involved in a shared storyworld (SSW) (just go back and look at what I have written so far and I know the English teacher/editor/polished writer is cringing).

But, that is what I am and the level of skills/ability I bring to any SSW or project; I have lots o' heart and desire, not so much technical skill. I know this is one of the top gripes people have with fanfiction. It's a bunch of poorly written story. Maybe, but think of how moving the original storyworld/story must have been to have someone who does not have much skill to still try and weave a story and add to the overall collective. It takes time and motivation to put something "out there".

However, as I read and watch the polished stuff, I become intimidated and stay sitting on the sideline like a fan at a sporting event. Which is perhaps ok for some entertainment projects; this is why professionals in the entertainment business exist. But, isn't one of the concepts of SSW and other participatory-shaped projects all about getting the "average-joe" and "fan like me" (F-L-M) involved and not regulated to the sidelines?

so, how does one do that?

Well, I don't know, which i why I wanted to write this, because I am hoping it will pull others to say, oh yeah this is how, or so and so talked about this or here is a plan or list. Because that's what a F-L-M needs, a list or a prompt or a way to get involved without being intimidated.

And these ways need to be leveled.

Say what?

Well, I teach (not English ;), and in my classroom I have all levels of learners. I have to create an activity that has multiple levels of engagement and ability. Maybe have a "whiteboard" area of your SSW and those that can not really write well, can till be part of the writing team by adding ideas to the whiteboard or rearranging ideas.

Or a wiki where others can contribute. I could never solve those damn puzzles in the ARG before everyone else, but I could go and create a wiki page about the event and organize it an track it - which made me feel as important as those solving the damn puzzle ;) Actually I still like creating wikis and other similar materials.

I liked the Black helix for this reason - they put the wiki right up front as well as other places for people to become involved.

Then I came across this article http://www.filmmakermagazine.com/news/2011/04/culture-hacker-let%e2%80%99s-take-the-audience-outside/ and I went ooooo the UX and especially I liked what Mr. Weiler said about the emergence of user experience in storytelling and creating a user narrative. I am very interested in these user narratives and i wonder for all those out there in the business of building a SSW - are you creating a user narrative with specific ways to build and help the flow of your UX? How exactly do you build a user narrative (I am sure there are specific examples out there, anyone know where to find them?)

I am not going to retell what Mr Weiler says, I instead push you to read what he discussed. But, I, as an average joe, would like to know more about what i can do to jump into a SSW.

Shared Storyworlds (thanks Scott Walker)

Ok - I need to say more on this topic and website - but I am running like mad GO RUN DO NOT WALK to this web site especially if you like the idea of a place where people come together and share a world and share their thoughts and stories about this world


http://sharedstoryworlds.com/


I snagged this from their about section
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Shared Story Worlds explores new models, frameworks, and best practices for creating, curating, sustaining, and maintaining collaborative entertainment properties which invite audiences to participate in the co-creation of the world and ideally rewards them for doing so (please read What is a Shared Story World? for a more detailed definition).


Shared Story Worlds examines this participatory entertainment space in several ways:

• Publishing articles about the unique aspects of shared story worlds (legal, narrative, creative, community)

• Publishing interviews with the creatives behind shared story worlds

• Maintaining a list of shared story worlds
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Please do go check the site out and spread the word - below is a panel description I am working on to submit to a little fanfiction oriented conference coming up - it summarizes some of the thoughts I have on this topic.


Title: Writing in a post-apocalyptic black sandbox and the idea of a storyworld built on the Creative Commons concept – a newer sort of publishing/writing?


There are more and more instances of fans involved in the creation of story - crowdsourcing and crowdfunding is exploding as is a participatory culture)


I've been following The World of Depleted (WoD) (www.worldofdepleted) for some time now, a world where technology is destroyed, only 11% of the population still lives and life is very different. I started following the neat idea waiting for the films to come, then got sucked into the first Canon written piece (Gavin Hesterdale's Journal) and the ARG and interactive elements of that world that are part of the fan participation. As my imagination gathered steam, I wrote a fanfiction piece based on the world. I was encouraged to submit it for official canon consideration and was blown away when it wa accepted as one of the first canon submissions.


What really draws me, is the design of the World of Depleted. It is based on a Creative Commons and fan participation model. WoD ENCOURAGES fanfiction and gives an outlet for fanfiction to be worked into other elements of the storyworld. Is this a possible future business model for writing? Do fanfiction writers have potential to contribute to a storyworld in a more intimate way?


This workshop will cover: the model of WoD, writing for a post-apocalyptic storyworld, how fanfiction and fan participation is part of this model and then hopefully people can jabber about the topics.


PS – I am interested in completing many of the WoD challenges – if any others are interested in building a team…. Give a holler!