Well its been a long, long time since I posted a new thread and this seemed like the most apt topic for me to start with.

From the few odds and ends of reading through the past months of forum posts I have noticed a lot of old (long established) players leaving and perhaps it would not be an exaggeration to say not so many new players arriving?

Well anyhow I have been mulling over something for a few weeks while I finish off the last of my project (that is keeping me away from Amia) and cant come to any kind of reasonable conclusion myself so I putting out here for discussion.

Those of you who know me will know how much I value a good story, a few of you even know my background that makes me so prolofic as well, and I have a new story but not sure what to do with it.

The story features my own dear Belladonna and references Amia more than a little and have been toying with the idea of trying to get it published. The work itself is 180,000 words over 260 odd A4 pages to it and this is as yet unedited.

Of course it is every aspiring authors dream to find themselves published but I have doubts over whether to try and make this a reality with this particular story or not.

On the one hand if it were to be published then it might attract a whole new set of players, but of course the flip side of this is that not all those new players might be good.
At the very least it was my intention to make at least parts of the story available to our little on-line community here and indeed a few lucky individuals have already had sneak peeks with regard to future role play with Bella and her (and mine) return to Amia.

Anyways, throwing out to you lot for discussion, perhaps it is not needed at all. Still I wil try to keep up with any comments posted in the thread. Be good to one another and see you all soon.

Athy.

P.S. Forgive the spelling mistakes as I dont have a lot of time right now.

_________________

Siggy by Maryn

It's been done, and nobody tends to have objections, just ask people if you can use them where you have used them

Also, I love this. Very useful.

_________________

Jys'zyne Do'larn

Man, this account is over 10 years old. Where do I get my old man beard?

It is already difficult to make the fantasy genre appealing enough to the general public for worthwhile publication. And the burden is getting even the small niche fantasy market to have any interest in a story related to an obscure NWN server.

Both points very true. But there are many more forms of publication now than a physical paper book. I worry even about posting it on an outside forum in case it were to spring an influx of 'idiots' if you see what I mean?

_________________

Siggy by Maryn

Well, Amia is in the Forgotten Realms, and while it's not in the official Forgotten Realms, you'd have a hard time avoiding references; unless you were to create an entirely new world around Amia, and change Amia's contents thoroughly. Obviously, you can't publish anything FR/D&D-related without a license from Hasbro. Well, apart from non-commercial fan fiction, I suppose.

_________________

Again very true. And not one that is likely to be overcome easily I admit.

_________________

Siggy by Maryn

I actually have a few Amian references in the book I just published. Nothing big or anything, just a few names that some people might recognize. Example: I have a dragon that's colored red and its name is Eir. I asked the player's permission to use the name before I used it, obviously. Just don't tell him I used it for an infant female dragon. Wait, he can read this...



I would suggest creating your own world. It is entirely possible to keep a story very similar if you change the setting. But if you do that, go all-out. Create the history of the world, the entire world, and not just the region(s) you're going to be using in the story. Be thorough, and even if it takes years of creation and research, it's all worth it in the end.

If you don't want to create your own setting, then I wish you all the luck in the world with Hasbro and anyone else from whom you may need to request permissions.

_________________

World creation is quite fun actually.

I've got probably a half-dozen worlds developed to enough of an extent that I could comfortably run them as a DM in PnP.

Awesome good luck and go for it!
And if you ever need a super buffed out, ugly scarred, pig loving stutterer Im your man xD

_________________

The Peacock wrote:

[GreatPigeon] is better than me.

I think you should write a story about a chicken creating worlds... it will be massive!

_________________
Say 'no' to JSBF!

I have several myself, as well. I find it quite soothing creating new realms for my toons to explore.

I would hold onto your manuscript if it's the first story you want to publish. Write a second one without the complication of negotiating with an IP holder, and see how it goes.

If you can get the second one published then you have credibility as an author, which goes a long way towards convincing an IP holder to let you publish a story based on what they've established. Also, a second story gives you a chance to learn from what you did with the first one, or even helps you improve the first story in leaps and bounds.

To be honest I think that to attract players to Amia you would want to pen something shorter. Maybe a collection of tales.

Just remember, being published doesn't mean shit in the end.

_________________
Davion Telemos - Monk of the Four Winds
Korthan Isharnos - Dragon Shaman of Thunder Spirit Zamasham

In the beginning, there was the word. And the word was "Bock!"

_________________

Jys'zyne Do'larn

Man, this account is over 10 years old. Where do I get my old man beard?

The responses remind me of just how much I missed you lot.

Now that really is quite sad...

_________________

Siggy by Maryn

*Huggles* Don't think you're the only one doing the missing, Athy ^^

_________________
2009's Second Most Overall Contributing Player

يمكنني استخدام مترجم جوجل

I wonder why a lot of us feel compelled to create worlds within our world. I've made three or four different worlds that are detailed and comprised with a few hundred years of solid history.

Our imaginations are an amazing thing, truly.

_________________

'Ze Cock! Ze Cock ist shtill aut der!! Kapitulation feiern - NEIN DANKE!'