Fiction tips

Today we will have a few minutes to go over your ideas. We will also be going through some of the items from the list below that may help you with your various fiction projects. 

Remember, while the projects are flexible, they must be works of online fiction, that is to say that a short story online doesn't work, it must be something that incorporates not only internet technologies, but culture and represents the type of fiction afforded by it. 

If you are unsure as to whether or not your project qualifies, please contact me ASAP.

Today, hopefully, we will have enough time for you to go through the first three steps of the snowflake method. For Weds a rough draft of your fiction should be online. We will go over them together in class. 

• The Snowflake method (Go through steps 1-3 in a new post)
  
• Creating believable characters
• Short story structure and tips
• Thirty tools for writers (very useful to go through once you have your initial idea)
  
• More useful fiction writing tools, scan for topics applicable to your projects
  

The older cousin of online fiction

This may be helpful reading for some of you working on your online fiction pieces.

From Kotaku, a gamer blog:

• A History of Interactive Fiction

and the original

• Let's Tell a Story Together

Online Fiction

Today we will discuss online fiction and the directions it can take.

The two types of online fiction we will be looking at are blogging fiction and the alternate reality game (ARG). Defining either is difficult, as they, like most web trends, constantly evolve. However, for this class we will take the fictional blog as one that takes on the appearance of a blog, but is not based in reality. It may however have a strong sense of verisimilitude. The ARG also looks real, but is actually a game that takes you down a path with a constructed narrative that you have to play to find.

Both types of fiction utilize a chronotope that says bloggers are real folks operating under real circumstances. As a result, even when we know they are a hoax, they can still be compelling. Much of the writing is actually pointing, they rely on an external reality that readers already understand for their internal validity.

For Wednesday create a post with links and brief description to two pieces of online fiction. Also, we will be brainstorming/working on your fiction topics, so create a second post with some ideas for your fiction project.


Wikipedia on Alternate Reality Games

ARG Network

I love bees

Wikipedia article on Blog Fiction

How to write a blog-buster

Geoffrey Chaucer Hath a Blog

Panel on ARG




Emokidohio

Monday workshop!

Alright, today is the workshop day for your new Wikipedia article. Remember, there are tech issues involved that will prevent you from being successful at this if you don't start yesterday!

Make sure you are registered and at least start your article by the end of the day. I know you all are well beyond this... but just in case :-)

Before turning you loose (I will be there to help in any way) we will also discuss:

• Good Wikipedia articles
• Featured Wikipedia articles
• anything else you want to ask or share re: this project

New Wikipedia topics

Today we will be working in groups, and I want you to spend time making suggestions for each other. This is your chance to brainstorm your new topic with your peers, and myself, as I will wander amongst the groups.

In order to do this you'll need to have a decent idea about what you want in your topic. Before we get into groups please put up a post with a brief description of your topic.

In groups we will make comments on your blog posts on three specific ares:

1. Which of the ten wiki-mandments should be most closely followed for your topic.
2. What expectations do we have for "research" on this topic. What kinds of evidence does this topic demand? An article on Nintendo will require different kinds of evidence than an article on the French Revolution, or HDTV.
3. What specific information would you expect from this article? For example, if there was an article on the natural history museum at the U, I would expect a timeline, list of exhibits, research interests, etc.
4. (optional) any helpful tips for the author?

So your response in the comments should be a list, 1.,2.,3. addressing the items above.

Happy Monday!

Alrighty, today we will be making sure everyone is on track for their Wiki-work and answering any questions regarding what's due.

Also, time permitting we will talk about professional on-line work and even a few insider secrets.

Possible topics:

• About.com
  
• SEO
• Engadget vs. Gizmodo
  
• Syndication/RSS
  
• Monetization: Advertising, Sprinks/adsense, Affiliates
• Penny-Arcade, Google, DealSea

as well as any questions you may have

Wikipedia cheat sheet

For those of you who are looking for a quick guide to formatting:

• Wikipedia formatting guide
• Wikipedia cheat sheet (more condensed version of the above)