The Workermonkey

Saturday, May 15, 2004

The first great meeting of the minds 

# posted by Supreme Monkey Overlord @ 5/15/2004 07:19:00 PM

Meeting Minutes 5-14-2004
People in attendance- MB, BB

Intros
BB arrived much to the surprise of MB sister being present. BB was hesitant about the situation and eyed the two suspiciously, but MB sis proved to be of no consequence. MB suggested to talk outside due to the pleasant weather. BB concurred, and proceeded to retrieve a recently aquired lawn chair from his trunk. MB pulled a hard rocking chair out.

Meeting
BB expressed that the group needed to have a goal. In other words, “What is it exactly we are going to create?” After a brief discussion, both agreed that the best approach would be for a book, and def not a movie for obvious reasons.
So what kind of book?
The general consensus was that a book of short stories would be appropriate. Advantages being 1) Multiple authors, 2) Lots of ideas = lots of stories 3) Flexability
Disadvantages being 1) Hard to have central theme 2) Different writing styles might cause probs
However, MB and BB agreed that the different writing styles could prove to be interesting.
The book needs a central focal theme throughout all of the stories. Some ideas suggested were:
Friendship
Growing up/ coming of age
General life lessons
Small town angle

It was pointed out that we have a unique situation. This being that weve all know each other for a long time and continue to be friends. We can build on this and make it work.

Central theme cannot be drugs and alcohol (lots of stories about that) These can be in it, but not as the main entertainment.

Different stories by different authors (who are in stories) is a good angle. Bias’s will arise from our own perspectives, but we can play with this and make it entertaining. BB will have a different bias toward MB, than JM, RPL, etc would have. Need to find a way to make it work though. Crucial to have central theme to have in common throughout stories

Character development is key. MB said that characters can be more entertaining than stories themselves. BB agreed with a long spacey nod.

BB suggested each author pick a character and write about them in detail. Again, bias will show through, but this will could further the development of the writer himself towards the overall theme.

The first thing we need to do is figure out who is truly seroius about this and whos not. The people involved are going to be the ones telling the stories. After a debate between MB and BB, this seemed to be the only way this is going to work. But, it was recognized that some people may have difficulty fitting into the big picture even if they want to be involved. Example = Josh. Hes been away for college, and was not always present as much as others in HS. However, we need to brainstorm about it, perhaps some kind of outside perspecitve/ angle could be taken.

Several stories could be written, and then we can examine all and select the best ones. Again, they need a central theme to pull them all together, and that is entertaining and catchy to outside readers. Each story tells its own tale but they each help to establish the overall story/theme.

We should all be sober for the first meeting but we should also have a “wasted” meeting. This could prove to bring out some good ideas.

For next meeting:
Need to find out who is in and who is not
Brainstorm ideas
Pick central theme
Chose ideas to write about
Develop system of sharing ideas / get stories straight
Start writing
Drink

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