DF Community (No Spam)

[Vivien]

Originally posted by Ned Flanders
sorry @ all. the thread should be happy.

I'm having a tad of a rough couple of weeks and work has no less than absolutely sucked today. Since I am en route of catching up on lost pages with an intent to rejoin, your comments set me back a bit. again, my mood is subpar and my fingers started typing before I thought about what I was doing.

thanks for the good words. if there's a place for an ostracized drow vampire full of issues, lord know it's around here.

*big hug*

It's okay, sometimes a person just has to vent Not, that I'm a member anymore, but hey, it said all could speak.

[Yshania]

Originally posted by Vivien
*big hug*

It's okay, sometimes a person just has to vent Not, that I'm a member anymore, but hey, it said all could speak.

You will always be DF *big hug*

[Scayde]

<Standing, a little shy, and trembling, begins to speak, awkward at first, then feeling a bit more comfortable…>

I am so very honored by, and treasure the privilege of having been received into the Dark Flames. Several of you have gone so far out of your way to open a place for me in your midst and in your hearts. You have never once allowed me to feel anything but welcome, and loved, and I thank you for your friendships, both the older ones, from before my joining the DF, * cheesy grin at BS, T’ and AC*…And my newer friends, * warm smile @ Chan, Ysh, and DW *, and of course, Than, * HUG *, my mentor, * S * Thank you so much for inviting me to join. You will never know everything it has come to mean. I look forward very much to getting to know the rest of you. Some I am already getting to know, all of you I hope to know better.

When I joined SYM, the first time I saw “DF” was in a post by CM… needless to say my first impression was a little distorted. He PM’d me asking if I was a “DF” ……LOL.I thought he meant Dominant Female so naturally I said yes But when he responded, he informed me that I was not quite correct, although, very perceptive… He told me who you guys were, and I started reading your thread. I saw the sigs now and then, AC, T’, DW…and assumed it was a closed club to which I did not know the secret. I dismissed it out of hand. I am not a gammer, so to me, not being familiar with any of it was much like the rest of what goes on in GB. But I kept reading the thread. I became interested in the story as it played itself out. I developed feelings for and about the characters. I am no writer, but I am an avid reader, and I love a good story. One I can get lost in, be transported by, and find myself drawn into. And that is what I tried to reflect when my character was introduced. I had recently finished the section with the skeleton cowboys and was reading the stampede, laughing at Gwally trying to play wrangler in the tunnel. LOL…and suddenly, there I was, in the story, as I read, and for the first time, I wished I were part of all of this. Later, When Than invited me to join, I was terrified. I am no writer. And some of you guys should be published. But He helped me, and held my hand until I could go wobbly on my way, with out the training wheels. Though it is comforting to know he is still there if I skin my knee.

Since then I have had the opportunity to collaborate with several of you. But mostly I remain an observer, and I think my writing reflects this. I stand in the circle, and watch the fire dance around me, and marvel at the blaze, both wanting to touch its iridescent beauty, and fearing the danger of the flames.

So, what do I think would add to the process of writing the story? Than, I am sorry my friend, I have to agree with Nippy. This is very much you guys’ baby. I want to stress, that for me, and I think Nippy, and a few others, this statement is meant as a term of respect, and admiration, for the core members that provide leadership, and direction to this troupe of players. Namely, you, Dragon Wench, T’lainya, Yshania, and Gwally. I see you as the core of the Dark Flames, which the rest of us dance round in the summer night. I am happy to follow your lead, and hopefully earn my place in the fire. If you are generous enough to ask, then I would say, an overarching game plan, to build within, as a framework for our contributions. I see this as a viable substitution for the “dungeon master” usually at the helm of such endeavors. I feel that everyone has the desire to put forth their best effort, and possibly this little bit of direction in flow, and timing would be all that was needed. This could be by general consensus of the core members, or by us all, it matters not to me. That is really the only thing I have to offer.

As far as how the battle should unfold?…..LOL….Like I said, I am mainly an observer, and as such, only hope to follow your lead. Just please, …Somebody let me know before the magic users show up, I’m getting an itchy trigger finger, and need to kill something soon

*HUGS*

[thantor3]

Keying off of what DW mentioned, I have wondered about the “gaps” or polar dynamics in DF. By polar I mean different poles of a given category like male-female, younger-older, less experienced-more experienced, and so on. I certainly feel that time constraints are a significant factor in this regard. I was amazed that some people can do all of their posting at work… maybe envious might be a better word. Where does one get a job like that? Anyway, do other people feel that any of these “gaps” create tension in the process of creating the story?

I agree with Ysh about the irritation of authors not reading (or at least scanning) what was written previously. I think that is simple a matter of courtesy and respect. Besides, how could anyone not want to read these posts – they’re amazing!

um… of course, I am quite biased…

**looks at than** Back foul parasite! There's no blood in this vampire's veins.

*Thantor shrugs, acquiesces to Ned’s request, and happily attaches himself to Vivien’s leg instead*

@ Scayde: *big hug* I think you have more talent than you give yourself credit for. I am glad that you, Chanak, and McBane have joined the group. It has made a significant, and positive, difference.

So, is there a consensus that what Nippy and Scayde have mentioned holds true for the rest of you? That you feel DF is “the baby” of a core group of authors? If so, are you comfortable with this or would you like to see it change in some way? Inquiring minds want to know….

[Chanak]

Originally posted by thantor3
@ Scayde: *big hug* I think you have more talent than you give yourself credit for. I am glad that you, Chanak, and McBane have joined the group. It has made a significant, and positive, difference.

So, is there a consensus that what Nippy and Scayde have mentioned holds true for the rest of you? That you feel DF is “the baby” of a core group of authors? If so, are you comfortable with this or would you like to see it change in some way? Inquiring minds want to know…. [/b]

*manly non-hug*

Thanks, Than. Joining the DF has been an experience that has impacted me in ways which I lack the ability to express adequately. I can only marvel at it all...

That is a difficult question to answer...I don't think it's a negative concept, Than. Actually, I think it's an honorable concept - the "old guard" as it were. It's inevitable that newer members would feel the energy invested by those who have been involved for a longer period. After all, there is a history, and a cameraderie, that is shared amongst you. I don't feel anything negative about it in the least, nor do I feel it is exclusive in nature. New histories are being developed as we write, and new connections made as the writers, through their characters, interact with one another in the story. DW is Thalimon's sister in the story...and she is also my dear friend.

I sensed the energy and the magic of the DF as soon as I saw it on SYM. The possibility of me joining had come up a few months ago in discussions with both DW and Yshania...but I felt the time had not yet arrived. When it did come, it was right...I felt the rain, and the winds of the storm. The DF, as DW pointed out in her wonderful post, is indeed organic, a living thing. Integrating into the DF, and thus the story, takes time and energy invested. The more that's invested, the bigger the return.

I think things are evolving quite nicely...and this thread will help that along by providing a link to the hearts of the "old guard," and the ones who help guide the story along. I think things will change on their own accord, as all living, organic things do.

[Mysteria]

At the moment, I'm just trying to keep up somehow with reading, please excuse the shortness of this post...

I'd sometimes just like to know a bit more about where we're headed. As for the rest, I just love a good story and this is not only good, it's excellent.

[Nippy]

Looks like I opened up a big can of worms...

I'm glad Scayde could say what I didn't manage too, that it is no form of disrespect, I think I've been here a long time (I can remember my first post, but not when) but I still feel that it is all of yours, Gwal, Than, DW et al's work, and I envy you all for writing it.

People have noticed that my writing has improved, I hadn't noticed, but I still thank you all for it...

[Mr Sleep]

Originally posted by thantor3
merely a small subset of people who stayed a short while.

Like me!

[Yshania]

@Nippy, your recent contributions have been fantastic, IMO Do you recall it was Nippy that rescued a bedraggled Ysh from the doorstep of the Keep and cared for her as she joined with the DF? (with Gwally's checking in of course ) I owe you my thanks *hug*

@Sleep - LMAO! It is a shame you stopped writing, I loved your character - he had dark promise

[Mr Sleep]

Originally posted by Yshania
@Sleep - LMAO! It is a shame you stopped writing, I loved your character - he had dark promise

He did indeed, who would have thought such a dispicable character could come from my cranium?

[Tybaltus]

You know...Ive seriously thought of joining the DFs 3 times...but there has been 2 major things that have held me back...
1-the principle thing-TIME! Well while it may look like I have so much time on my hands with all the posting I do, Im really doing multiple things at once, and I dont have the time to read really long posts constantly. And to read all the old posts to keep up with the story...man I just cant do it.

2-I really dont like having some of my posts completely dependant on others posts, and having my character develop by others posts. My character development is created by one person...me! I mean, certainly others actions would act upon my character, but Ive seen some posts that say that another character doing something within the post. I mean if I want my character to walk down the path, I want to be the one that is in control of that given action.

But I really have a kickin' druid character that would represent my character. Quite independant and strong and morality based would be his main characteristics. But its all in my mind, as Love and Rockets would put it.

Regardless, if this is viewed as SPAM, go ahead and tell me, and I will delete this post on the spot.

[thantor3]

@Tybaltus: not at all. You have a valid perspective and we appreciate your sharing it. I think you did a fine job of reinforcing one of the things that makes DF a community effort: interdependence. And truly, the experience of working within a group does involve giving up some control. This isn’t good or bad, just as chocolate is not inherently better than vanilla. But it does not suit everyone’s tastes. Have you considered starting your own story thread? Other authors, such as Aqua Chan, Chanak, and Aegis have done this and have seemed to enjoy it. Perhaps you could PM one or all of them about their experiences.

@Nippy: I get that you feel that the story belongs to the authors you listed, but have you ever checked that out with them? One of the reasons this thread was developed was to break through some preconceptions about “the way things are.” As I have said before, I don’t feel the story belongs to me, nor have I heard anyone else express that sentiment. I do think, though, that some people feel more of responsibility to see that things get done or have a strong viewpoint about the way the story unfolds. So things will go that way. In many cases, there is no one author or group of authors saying, “Ok, this is the way things will go.” Things just happen organically. In the case of the Abomination, there was a great deal more planning because of the amount of work that went into developing this storyline. In looking at this in hindsight, I can see where the constraints of this more structure plotline may have been difficult for some people to deal with. But, as Yshania mentioned, this arc will not go on forever and when it is ended it would be nice to take a break from a single structured plotline and just be spontaneous, as is often the case in DF. In summary, I am suggesting two things. First, that with some forethought and appropriate PM discussion, any one can participate in the direction of the narrative. And second, that the current plot constraints are only temporary, so please do not feel that this is the way things will be heading into the future.

@Mysteria: Hopefully, this thread will be a place where we can share more ideas in a public forum so that everyone will be more informed about where we are going. *hug*

@Sleep: Yes. You were exactly who I was talking about. (j/k)

[Bloodstalker]

@Than....Speaking for myself, I think the term "old guard" is one meant with respect and courtesy. respect for the time and effort that the people who have been here so long have put into this story, and courtesy in the snese that the current events in the story seem to me to be a culmination of a long times worth of writing and effort.

To me, this showdown with the abomination is a plotline that has been in the works since long before I joined. And as such, I feel it a matter of courtesy and respect to leave it for the most part in the hands of those who have been building to this point. Don't get me wrong here, I am not saying by any means that I feel shut out or not able to take certain creative liberties with events as they unfold. To me, it would just feel disrespectful to walk into the middle of something that has obviously been building for a long time prior to my joining and just start to impose myself to blatantly on it.

On the other side of the coin though, I have always felt that everyone is free to add and contribute to the story. Everyone has made that clear since I joined. As long as everyone else's feelings and ideas are taken into consideration, I have never felt restricted in any way. I do agree with the several posts so far that have stated that people need to read the story to make sure they are not posting something that would just disrupt the flow.

I guess the way I look at it is that as a newer member, there is a period where you're just getting into the flow of things. Even if you have read most or all of the story, there are always things being wrked up behind the scenes that you really don't know about. During that time, I have looked at the old guard as sort of a mentor role. To me, it's a process of adapting my character in a way that will fit the story and the atmosphere rather than trying to force the story to adapt to my character. In this sense, you could say it's your baby. Does that mean I won't feel free to get more involved? no. but I believe it takes time. As new plotlines are opened up that may not be so deeply rooted in the threads past, I think people will feel more free to become more deeply involved. Besides, from a roleplaying standpoint, I agree with Aegis's statment, it wouldn't be that realistsic fro a character to come into a group and after only a couple days or so story time be very intimatly iinvolved in what is going on to the point that a character that has been here for quite awhile would.

As far as sectioning off goes, it just seems more natural to my thinking that my character, being new, would be more likely to form friendships first with other new characters such as Aegis, Mysty, etc. while integrating themsleves into the folow of the story. I think as the Abomination threat passes, then that will open up opportunities to explore friendships with the older members more deeply. It just appears to me that the older members would have more energy and emption put into the present situation since they have more personal motivations.

Of course, my character is a little paranoid about mages anyway, so that may explain why he has had more contact with say, Nippy than the more frightening to his view DW or something.

[Mysteria]

Bah. I just wrote a long post, but included too many images and now explorer has eaten it ... I should really type in word first ...

Basically, I like writing in here, find that there is not enough communication on what is planned and would like to introduce some of my own ideas more often but am unsure how far I can go ... That's the short version of it.

@Ned: Welcome back! I still want to stick my sword through your vampiric self ... it's drow steel now ...
*hug*

[Yshania]

I agree that some kind of bullet point idea sharing regarding the general story arc is appropriate. We don't need to go into too much detail about our own char unless it involves others directly...after all the story should evolve in it's own thread without being spoiled too much here If your intentions do affect another, then I think PMs are appropriate. Just my humble opinion If an intended post affects the direction of the story, then here might be a good place to discuss the implications...