| Project Capricorn: Author's Notes | ||
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I guess I'm writing this to let everyone in on how these things are handled, these missions. The writers put a lot of effort into these and
they take a lot of
planning. But when they turn out as well as Capricorn - it makes it all worth it. Capricorn - a year in the making. Such a nice story all twisted and turny. I hope everyone liked it. I had a great time putting it together and writing it. Writing it took time, no doubt, but putting it together took a lot more. The idea of Capricorn stemmed from a very interesting song by 30 Seconds to Mars called "Capricorn (Brand New Name)". It took me awhile to figure out what the damn thing was about and in thinking about it so much, and thinking about this list, it was inevitable that on some sleepy night just before falling asleep that the idea of Project Capricorn got started. Now, some of you that know me and chat with me regularly know about the best ideas coming from the half asleep stage. Well, this was one of them. I actually think, looking back, that the idea was there, but it didn't come totally together until I started thinking about the song and put them together. Weird how music does that. This Project Capricorn (ProCap) was concepted even before this new list got going with the SIA. It was something I set up waaaaay before the SIA group came about in yahoogroups. I was itching to write some angsty posts, just to do something different, hence Joshua's character evolving into what he has become. That is the reason why Joshua has become such a dominating figure in the list. But now that I'm done using him I don't expect him to be around as much. I was also intrigued with the idea of running something for so long and dropping a shit load of hints along the way...which is why I created the Egg Page on the website. Trust me, I used it faithfully to keep my hints and eggs straight. I also loved the idea of nobody else knowing what was going on. I think it made it more of a game for the everyday writers. Gave them something to mull over and try to figure out. Cuz really, what's a game if you don't have to think about it? Where's the fun in that? It was the first time I started writing other characters (Carter, Nameless Boy) and just dropping them into the regular posting while other missions were being run. I got a lot of "what the hell is this?" emails. Quite fun for me. And I know the whole Nameless Boy thing is not yet resolved at the time I'm posting these notes but it will be soon. As for post dropping, that is a technique I think I'll stick with for awhile, so you can all expect more of that. I find it's a really good way to set up missions over a longer period of time and give them more substance than a 'shoot 'em up, take 'em out' mission. They just get...well, boring, actually, certainly to write, and I'm certain to read as well. I liked the idea of using MEMS devices because it was one of the central ideas used in Majestic: The Game and it was quite fun and interesting, and I learned a lot about them. The way it panned out in ProCap worked well as it sets up yet another story way in the future for the SIA. That, has not been planned out though as of yet. Killing Madeline. It's funny, how much this game has evolved over the past four or five years. We started out and killing or even injuring another character was unheard of let alone taking out a head honcho. Of course, we couldn't really, with La Femme Nikita still on the air, but hell, once They decided to start taking out head honchos - why couldn't we? Killing Operations was just plain fun. I think we all enjoyed that. But taking out Madeline? Her character was just too good to job off to a simple killing. It had to be twisted and worthy of her stature. Besides, once you kill off your first major character...I've discovered that it becomes easier. Now that I've successfully killed off two...that could only mean one thing, right? One of the hardest things with ProCap was keeping it all to myself. Obviously, you lurkers were not privy to this big elaborate plan, but the actual writers? That was a whole different animal. I can't tell you how many phone conversations I had with Lisa (yes, over the phone: UK to US) over this storyline. It was a lot...and cost some money too, I might add. But all worth it. I let the writers have as little info as possible for them to write their characters. I would give them little assignments on what I needed their characters to accomplish, or I'd send them blurbs of a post for them to write off of. And since it kind of sucks being directed with your writing (I know this from experience on other lists) I had to offer up something in return. That return was simply if they came to me with a statement about the mission I would confirm or deny it. It seemed to work out well. The one thing I kept from everyone until I actually posted it was that Madeline had been telling the truth after all and Joshua and Michael were the true bad guys. THAT I couldn't tell anyone. THAT was the kicker of the whole damn story line. Killing off Madeline in the most ironic way possible - with the truth. Something she knew intimately but never used. LOL So, I'm done with Project Capricorn for the most part. I really hope everyone enjoyed it, the format, the twists, etc. And for you lurkers out there - we write for you guys so don't be shy to speak out if you like something or don't like something. Feedback is feedback and it will dictate the running of this game. I've moved on to something else. I enjoy challenging myself as a writer so I've come up with this idea of a backwards mission. I bounced the idea off some of the regular writers and got some intriguing responses. I decided to go with it and you now have "Stir Not the Shadows" to look forward to. It's going to be a very interesting read to say the least and very challenging for me. You can get some prelim background on it by visiting the website: www.geocities.com/sia_taskforce and going to the Current Case Files page. You'll find a link to it as well as the upcoming mission "Backlash". I'm looking forward to writing it and I hope the format proves to be enjoyable for everyone. I have to give props to Kris (feral_child/RGZS guy) for agreeing to beta the story for me. Everyone else I'm afraid is completely in the dark with this one. So, in closing, Project Capricorn finished as planned and I think it went over well. I hope the upcoming missions also go as smoothly and keep you all entertained... Thanks for listening, Kim aka Paige Return |
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