NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: Yes, I know that this is an OOC thread and does not belong here, but seeing as I have devoted my NS time to keeping I.I filled with good roleplay, I think this will be alright.


As some of you know, I now only RP in International Incidents. Mostly because modern tech nations tend to stay here, while the NationStates forum is more for character and space RP. But anyways....

Upon the advice from dozens of NS RPer's, I am going to be writing a novel. I know some of you here are big fans of my work (for which I thank you), and it is for you that I have a few questions:

What would you like to see in a novel written by me?

I am definatly going to incorporate some of my NS history into this novel, but I would like to know what you, the reader, want to see. Damien is a character I invented almost a year ago, so in some way or another he will be in the RP. If I decide to make the novel based off of my nation, it will have a different name. Automagfreek is probably not a good choice for a country in a novel. :)

So, here's the options I've come up with:

A story focused around Damien.

A story based on a nation but focused on Damien.

A story based on a war but focused on Damien.

A story about Damien but focues on a country.

A story about Damien but focused on a war.

Feel free to post your suggestions, because it is you, the reader that has inspired me to write this book. Getting published will be the hard part, but if I give it everything I got I may be successful!

The Greeks are the most powerful people in the World, make up stories about them.

Out of those options- I'm a huge fan of war novels and alternate history (which almost always involves wars), so I'd like a story about Damien but focused on War.

(You already know to ignore anyone that doesn't know jack about your writing, so I don't have to mention that. *coughNWVcough*)

I vote for 'A story focused around Damien.'

Go into a bit on the wars and the Sentinels (if they're gonna keep the name for the novel.) as well as your country.

Best of luck.

Sincerely,
Someone who got bad writers block three years ago and still has it.

A story based around a nation, but focused on Damien.

I like a good broads story, with more characters.

Put me in there too eh :p

OOC: I think that perhaps after a renaming of the country, a novel about AMF and Damien would be fantastic to read. It would of course have to involve a war, because thats what you are best known for around here, but the whole "I am your son" storyline could be a route to explore as well.

So in summary, i have no idea what you should write about, but definately agree you should write something.

To NWV: No, they were. Besides, with AMF's writing, he could make phone books good reads.

Anyway, a story of Damien would be kicking. However, there's just so much to write, perhaps you should make a series. Anyway, one based on a war would be good. Very good.

Dude.. if you did, include Doujin in it please! :D

Make it about the beginning. The "Coming" of Damien if you will. Perhaps he is reminising, and in the following sequel he is KILLING EVERYONE ala usual.

A story based on a war, but focused on Damien

Damien and war, it's got to be.

Just focus on the character, don't turn it into a blood fest... even though that is what Damien is.

OOC: I think that perhaps after a renaming of the country, a novel about AMF and Damien would be fantastic to read. It would of course have to involve a war, because thats what you are best known for around here, but the whole "I am your son" storyline could be a route to explore as well.

So in summary, i have no idea what you should write about, but definately agree you should write something.
Seconded.
I havnt RPd with you but I have read some of your stuff, you are a good story teller.
I am currently writting a novel myself so good luck.

A story based on a war but focused on Damien. That would probably be best.

Oh geez, they're all good choices, knowing your skill, but I guess I'd go with a story based on a war but focused on Damien.

IMHO, it should focus on Damien during his time as ruler of AMF and have wars (Damien's forte) as a secondary plot device. Really, I think it should be a trilogy or something, you can't really wrap Damien's story into one book.

you can't really wrap Damien's story into one book.


True, there is alot of material there and alot of potiential for more material. If that makes sense.

Thanks for the suggestions everybody.

Include lots of genocide. Heck, it's great story material.

I think a good war story like Red Wotrm rising would be a good read.

AMF, you have done such a fantastic job of creating a nation that you should stick with it. Damien Dreadfire, Azrael, the Sentinels, He who must remain Unnamed (or whatever)...all of this would fit completely within a novel.

The only thing that wouldn't would be Automagfreek...however, Freek would really work...so would AMF. You could call it...Oh, I don't know, Auliomaqfreek or something.

There are about a hundred thousand good plotlines you can choose from...for example, the rebirth of AMF with the Sentinels...or the shakeup of AMF with the arrival of Azrael...whatever you choose, make it something special. Not a standard thing like AMF getting into a war and beating the s---- out of the poor fool who got in its way...but something that has to do with the Freek culture and way of life...something that will project the sheer Freekiness of AMF's long and extensive history of roleplaying...something that will really impress people.

The most important thing would be character development, I guess, but you've got soooo many of them...it would probably make more sense to focus instead on the Freek culture/gov't, which is inclusive of all the characters in it.

Other nations such as Pantera may be useful to the plotline, but the international scene would kind of take away from the main point...you could mention them, APTO and the Blood Pact of course, but I don't think having them as major proponents is a good idea.

Of course, a really truly good story would end with Damien surrendering to Zoogiedom. :)

.

Of course, a really truly good story would end with Damien surrendering to Zoogiedom. :)


*surrenders*



NOT! ;)

Include a section dedicated to the brutal crushings of fools like New Spartha and Austo Hungary.

Lord knows it'd be hilarious to see Sentinels raping houses and burning women.

Eh, I just thought of something. Since Max pretty much owns the rights to NS, you might need to ask him for permission to write the book and pay him royalties. Even if you don't, it would be a good idea to give him a heads up.

Eh, I just thought of something. Since Max pretty much owns the rights to NS, you might need to ask him for permission to write the book and pay him royalties. Even if you don't, it would be a good idea to give him a heads up.

But alot of my material came from off site sources, especially the character of Damien (although he was heavily influenced by the WWE wrestler "Kane"). If I was to make a novel based entirely off my nation, then yes I can see a conflict. I'm not sure exactly how this would work, so basically: any ideas or material posted on NS becomes property of Max Barry?

Upon the advice from dozens of NS RPer's, I am going to be writing a novel. I know some of you here are big fans of my work (for which I thank you), and it is for you that I have a few questions:

What would you like to see in a novel written by me?

Yay! :D

I think this has the potential to be much more than one book. If you play your cards right, it can be a series and perhaps a mythology of its own (like J.R.R. Tolkien).

I think I'd recommend making your first book be about the nation as a whole with Damien the central character. If the book generates enough interest, you can base another book on Damien and possibly his relationships with other characters in your storyline.

I also have to add as a fellow writer that my time here on NationStates is also inspiring me to write a book (actually, I'm thinking of writing two books), though I won't be basing either of the two on anything that's happened in NS. I might think about a third book being based on this game though.

I wish you the best of luck and I hope to be able to sit down and read your book... and go to your book tour. :)

Good luck and have fun. :)
I'm not sure exactly how this would work, so basically: any ideas or material posted on NS becomes property of Max Barry?
When you submit content to NationStates.net, you grant the site and its administrator(s) a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual license to reproduce, distribute, transmit, and publicly display such content.

The portion of the content of this web site that has not been submitted by users is copyright under international law Max Barry 2002-2003.

Good luck and have fun. :)

It does not say anything about owning the rights to said material, but if that is the case I will still write a book anyways, about a far off land and a fiery lord......

I vote 'A story about a war but focues on Damien'.

I like a good biography. Try to squeeze me in? :)

I don't think the creativity of others would automatically become the property of Max Barry, although he did provide the means for you to develop this...I don't know, be an uber capitalizt and double it as a stump for NS! Max will be paying you royalty!

Just kidding...or maybe not? ;)

Well, I myself was going to make a Godmod of my nation, and put it in a book, including the revolution, and so on. I think everyone who even has a little writting experiance should write a book, and who knows, maybe if all those, or some who do become a big hit, we can go on a book tour, all of us (just trying to sound liberal for a change, guess I am not doing a good job

I think that a good read would incorporate Damien’s rise to power, his rule as Dictator, and some wars......You could use a war storyline that includes a close allies betrayal, AMF shutting off relationships with other countries, and a Cold War that turns hot……Just my opinion……

I'm not sure exactly how this would work, so basically: any ideas or material posted on NS becomes property of Max Barry?

I'm unsure myself, despite the fact that I've taken a Business Law class. My gut tells me that you should play it safe, cause the consequences if you play it fast and loose and are wrong can be... well, "straining" would be a decent word to use.

I'm unsure myself, despite the fact that I've taken a Business Law class. My gut tells me that you should play it safe, cause the consequences if you play it fast and loose and are wrong can be... well, "straining" would be a decent word to use.


True, but either way I'm going to write a book. Be it influenced by my NS nation or be it from scratch, a book will soon be in the works.

Well, if you do sell it, I will buy.

I think we can all agree with that. Who knows, you might just end up being the next Tom Clancy, or better since what you write always has just a bit more depth to it.

EDIT: A good publisher for Sci-Fi and Fantasy stuff is Baen. Jim Baen's a good guy who will always give constructive criticism to authors who show promise, assuming he doesn't accept your draft right out of the gate.

Im going to be honest, and tell you that I have only read a few of your threads, but I will say that what I have read is excellent. In my humble opinion, I think your story of Damien should be a series, but should start somewhere in the middle, and cover areas of the past along the way, via flashbacks and what not. Looking forward to it.

I haven't read all this, but maybe an suto-biography on Damien, maybe have it told through multiple perspectives, or multiple storys of the different perspectives.....
Just an idea
Possible Title-Damien-The rise of AMF(or maybe: Murderer or Saviour?)

I think we can all agree with that. Who knows, you might just end up being the next Tom Clancy, or better since what you write always has just a bit more depth to it.

Hmmmm....I've never had the chance to read any of Clancy's work.

EDIT: A good publisher for Sci-Fi and Fantasy stuff is Baen. Jim Baen's a good guy who will always give constructive criticism to authors who show promise, assuming he doesn't accept your draft right out of the gate.


Thanks for the info.

Clancy's the guy who wrote Red Storm Rising, Rainbow Six, Bear and the Dragon, and quite a few others. He practically defined the techno-thriller genre and writers like Brown are just pretenders to the throne. And no problem on the info, all of the writers who do books under Baen are very good and Baen Books does its damnedest to make sure their writers succeed.

Clancy is good, and so are you. I would reccommend doing a war, but focused around certain key characters, not just one. Read Clancy's Red Storm Rising to see what I'm talking about.
Anything involving the NS world will be sure to fly off the shelves. The more you work in the rest of the NS world, and the more you talk about it here, the better. They might even adverise for it at the top of the page, like Jennifer Government and Syrup.

Tom Clancy Is a very good Political author.

As for AMF, I will more than likely be on the waiting list for one of your books when they do come out, your RPs are amazing, way better than my skills (my dad was an author of two books, all on fighter wings, he is not really known that good. Which that is why I have ahd my tries at book writing, it ran in the family untill now :-()

Will this be a novel or short story? Im only asking because novels take an extremely long time to write and by the time you finish no one will remember it more than likely.

Short stories still take quite a while but since they can be anywhere from a page to several pages long would probably be better for you to do if you are going to be posting it on the boards. Id suggest just writing a few short stories, and when you have written enough just edit a little and make them chapters in a novel.

But to get on topic, how about something that does not have to deal with war. Maybe the birth of Damien or something of the sort.


Can't wait to see the finished product.


Oh, and have you, or anybody for that matter, read a book called the Twilight of Courage? It is a really good book, its really long (probably about the biggest book I've ever read). If so AMF, maybe you could make your book something like that.

Actually, a dedicated author usually takes about 3 months at the most to write an 80,000 word novel. An experienced writer can do 120,000 words in that time frame.

About damien but focused on a war. With chellis ^_^

Two bloodthirsty leaders. Two giant super powers. One world... ^_^

Clancy's the guy who wrote Red Storm Rising, Rainbow Six, Bear and the Dragon, and quite a few others. He practically defined the techno-thriller genre and writers like Brown are just pretenders to the throne. And no problem on the info, all of the writers who do books under Baen are very good and Baen Books does its damnedest to make sure their writers succeed.


I know who Clancy is, I just never read his books.

Have you read any John Grisham? He turned a boring subject like law into somewhat interesting reading.

Have you read any John Grisham? He turned a boring subject like law into somewhat interesting reading.

I've heard of him, but never read his books.

I actually don't read alot, and I don't write outside of NS....until now :D

Can my Israel be included? I'll buy a copy of the book.

Oh, well you should, it really brodens your horizons. :D

Iwould seriously suggest doing a character-focused war story, but don't just make the war an excuse for bad things to happen, make it what the entire story is about. Red Storm Rising is, in my opinion, one of the best war novels that I've ever read.

Bump

First, I haven't been very big on the forums until recently, so I missed a lot of RPs by you. However, I think you should focus your book on Damien, not necaserily (sic) on his actions, but focus more on his motives, why he does what he does, what made him into what he is. I've seen a little bit of the history of him, but it all focuses on events, maybe you could go into more of how he handled those events, how he dealt with them within his mind, and then have something else, possibly a war or something as a backdrop.


I dunno if that makes as much sense written as it did in my head... so any questions, just ask me.

AMF, I would suggest buying The Bear and The Dragon and reading it. It'll give you a good idea of just how to mix characters, nations, and wars.

AMF, I would suggest buying The Bear and The Dragon and reading it. It'll give you a good idea of just how to mix characters, nations, and wars.


My dad has it. Guess it's time to read!

A war and Damien would be the best idea I think. You have a good character which the reader can relate and warm to, then you have the epic war to keep them on their toes and reading on. Of course there's always room to throw in a few interesting bits about Nation history, that could then tie in with the war.

Um I dont know about you, but I have never related to Damien. I dont go around being revived from the bed and all that other crap.

You call it crap, I call it stepping out of the box and being original.

it wasnt meant to call his actions crap, I guesse 'stuff' would have fit there better.

The bear and the Dragon is alright, but they way that they are intertwined is rather confusing. For a really well done multiple linked plot book, I'd suggest the Reality Dysfunction. (that is, if you like Scifi, but even if you don't.)
But seriously, I wouldn't have taken you for someone who doesn't read too often, given how you write.

A deeper delve into Damien, as was suggested by Malre, I think would be good. Also, what was suggested earlier, I can't remember who by, regarding a series of novels, would be a very sensible idea. War is a good catalyst to reveal your character in as full a light as is really possible, although it should be used like that. A catalyst. Focused on Damien, but with a war backdrop.

I actually believe that Damien should be more of a background character with a war as the foreground. Perhaps, him remembering some war and describing it, like what the character Brad Pitt played in Interview with a Vampire did, or you could just have Damien playing as the puppetmaster controlling the puppets...

Here's an update.

For some reason my comp wiped out over half of my novel, and I was well past chapter 3. Looks like I'll be practically be starting from scratch, so those of you hoping for an AMF novel will have to wait a bit longer. So sorry, I'll keep working on it as much as I can.

I feel your pain. I was working on a novel about Celack's entire 5000 years history and then it was all wiped! All ten chapters.

I feel your pain. I was working on a novel about Celack's entire 5000 years history and then it was all wiped! All ten chapters.

Ouch. I hope that doesn't happen to my Blood and Iron.

well actually it kinda turned out well for me in a sense. I had the first five chapters on back-up on disk and as I was thinking about the next five I realised how crappy my parts seemed, so I started re-writing and it's already better.

Celack, is yours going to be published for the market? Or just for NS?

AMF, I'll be looking foward for your novel.

'Bout time you listened to all of us. ;)

My vote goes to "focused on Damien but with a war". Definately your strength.

Mine?

I am trying to find a publisher now

Yowza - when these hit the market, I want autographed copies!

OoC: Whats that smell...it smells like...brown nosing...VASTIVA, know anything about? ;)

In a way, I don't feel so bad that I haven't gotten past the prologue of my novel just yet. I've done some moderate research into the novel I'm writing, from reading a book about the captain I'm basing my central character on to looking up information about the type of ship I plan to have be the centrepiece of the action. But as for actual writing, I have a seven page prologue that I need to rewrite to change the perspective.

One suggestion I have for fellow NS novelists is to save your work onto another medium (for instance, a CD), and print copies as well as saving it on your hard drive. If you have Yahoo!, you might even consider using Yahoo! Briefcase to save it so that you can work on it from whatever desktop you happen to be on. That way, if you lose one of the above, you'll always have a backup.

it wouldn't matter what you picked it would be good

OoC: Whats that smell...it smells like...brown nosing...VASTIVA, know anything about? ;)

OOC: My, look, its someone who doesn't know the value of a first edition with a personalized autograph and dedication. The last one I sold, due to duplication, netted me $12,000.

You may remove your grimy foot from your mouth anytime you wish.

OOC: My, look, its someone who doesn't know the value of a first edition with a personalized autograph and dedication. The last one I sold, due to duplication, netted me $12,000.

You may remove your grimy foot from your mouth anytime you wish.

[OOC: ARGGGHH... my Constitutional Edition of an 1806 eight book series on Abraham Lincoln only nets me 2,000!!!]

OOC: My, look, its someone who doesn't know the value of a first edition with a personalized autograph and dedication. The last one I sold, due to duplication, netted me $12,000.

You may remove your grimy foot from your mouth anytime you wish.

OOC: And here I thought people wanted to get an autographed book from the author because they like his work. Silly me. Is your real name Bruce McNall?