Gentlemen and Lady:

-As the past month or so has shown, we seem to have a problem here.

That problem is the lack of organization, and group-mentality that should be prevalent in the progression of our fiction. This disorganization has lent itself to crossed-wires within the story, and, to our own foul moods. It has begun to bring us down; the weight of pre-planning and personal domination, strangling the joy we should be feeling from the sheer amount of creativity that the minds of this board produce.

I'm not the only one that has noticed this. The arguments over what character should be where. The number of characters in use for each poster, and the dominance of personal themes within the group story. Grimm and Doc have been talking to me about it for quite awhile now.

The reality of a solution, and the only one that can conceivably work, is to have Ground Rules for the forum.

Yes, yes...I know that it has the capability of "restricting imagination" if too overly enforced or detailed. However, it is the only real solution to our problem. With a bare basic set of guidelines, there would be much less debate over certain issues.

Thus, Grimm, Doc, and myself have come up with a proposal. One that I ask you to seriously consider. We have come up with a set of guidelines that would not only facilitate a better understanding of the paths that can be taken within this group-ensemble, but, would help eliminate the clutter that, honestly, drives writers away.

It is, as follows:

Quote:



  • 1.) One character per writer in the main story. Period.

  • 2.) Any character that is left "unattended" for more than one (1) entire story, and is not removed or secured in any manner, shall become the immediate "property" of the group, until such a time when the creator of said character returns to deal with his/her creation. It's called group writing for a reason.

  • 3.) Personal sub-stories are to be limited to Solo Threads. The Vanguard is a group story. A group idea. As such, delving into the personal history and solo sub-story of a character in the middle of a group tale is detrimental to the flow, pacing, and creativity of the writers you are working with. Create a solo thread. Create a million solo threads. Whatever. The main idea, here, is to clean up the amount of extraneous fluff added into a group story, that serves to enhance, focus, or force attention on the personal issues of a single character, or writer.

  • 4.) Vanguard is about Vanguard. Yes, the EPS are interesting characters. Yes, The Order, the Asylum, the Hoods/Capes, Psi-Unit, and The Pantheon are ALL interesting characters. And, yes, they should be delved into and explored.......in solo threads. The use of them within the main story is not in question IF they have something to do with the main overall plotline of the story itself (as seen in #14). Whatever devious task Walker is scheming over, or, what the Scion's favorite color happens to be should, in all respects, be covered in solo threads. Even if it means ongoing solo threads. Whatever. The main purpose of this main story is to be about Vanguard. They are the spotlight. They are the stars.

  • 5.) The use of the support staff in the main story is limited to the logical use of their intended purpose of creation (i.e. Huerta is a Psychiatrist, Grissom is communications/security, the B-Team are comedy relief, etc). If Charlie's the mechanic, then, let Charlie be the mechanic, and develop her personal life in a solo thread. If Miss X is so mysterious, and Nuriko so cool, then let's see more of that....in a solo thread. Vanguard is about the first-tier characters that we have individually chosen to write.

  • 6.) Will everyone PLEASE stop using their sig-line in the story? This may not be an issue with the new boards, but man it always bothered me. Breaks the motion of the story....






Understand, we bring this to you with the idea and intention of improving our standards of writing, and the group dynamic between the myriad of cultures that this forum represents.

Now, given that I'm sure there will be a multitude of debate over the minutia of my wording, or conflicting ideas on what makes "more than one character", and all that, let me say that I'm damn sure that you are all incredibly intelligent people. You all know exactly what I'm talking about here.

Thus, and it saddens me to have to say this, but, Grimm, Doc, and I have come to an agreement.

We need this done. Whether to the letter, or, at least in nature. We need this done. For the future of our fiction here. And, we just aren't prepared to deal with the excessive confusion anymore.

So, if there can be no agreement reached, and we see that things are not going to change, then, the characters of Grimm (the Asylum, the Pantheon, Vengeance), Adem Different (Dirk Bell, the B-Team), and Ozzy Baxter (Turkish, The Order) will all be removed from the stories permanently, and will therein be relocated to a brand new story thread. This thread will consist of moving the characters into an "international office" branch of Vanguard, where the stories told shall have no ties to what you guys are doing.

That way, we will all be happy. You will have your conglomeration of mess, and we will have the type of freedom we wish to be able to tell stories, without having to worry about every last detail of someone elses character.

Don't read this the wrong way. My tone of voice should be coming across as neutral as possible. This is not a threat. It is, merely, a solution.

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And, while I have your attention:

Suggestions:

1. -The Heroes Revolution has evolved considerably from its inception. Needless to say, we all stand on the crux of a new story dynamic with all of these new characters. Let's take a moment to understand that it started with the Revolutionaries. Then, it became the MBL. Now, it's Vanguard.

Our suggestion is, start the story titles over.

The next issue should be "Vanguard, Int. #1: STORY TITLE".

This gives us a clean-break from all of the old storylines (as tied up in #14), and begins us again, with a fresh new breath, a fresh new focus, and a sense of direction for the stories. And, at the same time, saves from having to toss out the entire universe.

It's a new age for the Vanguardians in the story. Let's make it a new age for us, as well.

2. -I say that an "Editor" is appointed. Someone with the final say in certain matters. Someone that will be given the responsiblity to decide if the guidelines are being infringed, and, have the power to correct such errors (i.e. moving personal posts from the main story into solo threads, making judgement calls on the use of characters, and how it might affect the stories, etc.) Someone the group decides is a fair, and balanced judge of character.

These two are just suggestions.

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So, you have read the proposal.

Consider it. And take into account what we are asking, and what we are trying to communicate.

We look forward to your responses.

-Prometheus

-Grimm

-thedoctor