The Zena Scrolls -- Discussion Thread

[BhenRudha]

Comments from our Readers? Please?


This may sound like I'm only fishing for compliments, but I would really appreciate it if those that read the Scrolls (that includes the other Bards) would make some comments/constructive criticisms about the posts.

I started this thread instead of asking in the PSA, because I thought that perhaps some thought that the PSA was really only for the Bards. *shrugs*

In any case, I personally am working on trying to do this writing thing professionally, and am *really* enjoying the fresh challenge of working again in a shared world story. So I would like to know how I'm doing at this. I'll take the good and the not so good, as long as the comments are respectful and not meant to be mean.

By learning what we're doing right (so we can do it again), and what we're doing wrong (so we never do it again), I think that we can only make the Scrolls better for everyone. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Heck, I'll even start by saying thank you to Phalon and Evergreen for setting me up so beautifully. The continued tension between EG and Red doesn't feel forced at all (which is really good), and the description at the end of Phalon's last post is wonderfully creepy.

I will try and do more after I've had some sleep, as it's now 6AM (Yikes!) here and I'm starting to fear that I am incoherent.

Take care, and happy reading,
Red

[BhenRudha]

I have never encountered such fury and lost.

That is such a great line, Evergreen! So telling of the character in its simplicity. Sometimes a line repeated can loose it's power, but I thought you carried it off very well.

The braiding of points of view has always been one of my favorite things about writing with other people. Phalon's surity that Red's gone over the deep end. Evergreen's punishment at the hands of a kindred spirit (the irony of that is wonderful). And for my own part, Red's knowledge that she's working to save people who would as soon kill her as greet her makes for some really wickedly fun writing.

The dynamics that are being built are going to be great fun to explore when we finally are able to put to close this chapter. I for one am highly looking forward to it.

Till next time,
Red

[BhenRudha]

EvergreenLM
Registered Member
Posts: 201
(4/6/03 8:22 am)

When I read your post of the inevitable encounter bewtween Red and EG, I walked away from it rather than respond immediately. It really went to the core of the EG character who sees Red as enigmatic in her motives and speaks to the EG on a visceral level.

The repeated line is what I imagined EG was saying over and over again as this is the one time the emotional wounds of being defeated, as the self appointed protector, went deeper than the physical pain.

I believe on some level,as she attacked Red, she was fighting something within herself that always lies just below the surface and has always been kept in balance by Zena. That balance, as that of good and evil, has been tipped by the introduction of Red into the group.

I see a battle being fought by all the characters on several different levels and I think that is why all the Bards are now finding such depth in their writing.

"It is What it Is"

[BhenRudha]

erocfanO2
Registered Member
Posts: 280
(4/14/03 11:51 am)

Hello there Red and her fellow scrollers!

I actually saw this thread when you first posted it and thought that there was no way I could respond to it. I enjoy reading quite a bit and feel like there is a lot of diversity in my reading choices.

I know what I like and what works for me, but to critique the work of those that actually take the time to imagine, write and share, well I simply am not qualified for that, but I will share what I can.

I like reading the scrolls very much. I have not been able to read much lately, in fact I have one book I started over 2 mos. ago. Typically I read a book a week. However, I do read the scrolls on a weekly basis.

I love the interraction between the characters and think you all do a wonderful job expressing the care and respect you feel for each other and your characters.

The story is certainly coming to a climax and I think the writings of each and every one of you is reaching an intensity that I am even feeling as a reader.

This scroll you ladies are writing has an element of every emotion there is, but the two consistencies are friendship and loyalty. Sometimes the story may stray a bit from that, but usually just amongst a couple of characters, which leaves the other characters an open door to help the wayward ones find their way back to your group.

As in all books and movies, the story always ends. The scrolls don't. I really like that whenever I turn my computer on there will be these familiar characters, whose latest escapades are sure to elicit every emotion there is. So much emotion that sometimes I wonder how much of your real lives are incorporated into the story, perhaps none at all, but sometimes I just wonder........

I am sure this is not exactly what you were looking for, but it did give me the opportunity to say "thank you to you all for the time and imagination you dedicate in your writing".

Eroc

As the night was leaving, into us our dreams were weaving.

[BhenRudha]

phalon1
Registered Member
Posts: 1111
(4/14/03 9:11 pm)

Thank you, Eroc, for the kind words. I've often wondered if anyone actually read these scrolls. It's just so darn fun writing them. I'm glad you are enjoying it. As always, the invitation to join is wide open.

[BhenRudha]

I second Phalon by saying thank you to Eroc for stepping up and giving us some very kind words of encouragement. I really do appreciate it!

But please don't be so hard on yourself. If you read a lot, then you are probably more qualified to give some kind of critique than you may think. Knowing what you like and what works for you is actually a fairly important element when judging a piece of art...such as writing.

In any case, thank you again for taking the time to let us know that you are enjoying our efforts, and I hope that you continue to do so for a long time to come.

Happy reading,
Red

[BhenRudha]

Zena 1
Zena Scrolls Host
Posts: 593
(4/15/03 8:14 pm)

Thanks Eroc! Yup, loyalty and friendship is the name of the game.

It's good to know we have at least one fan!!!

*heart* *scroll*

Zena

"Agere Sequitur Esse"

[BhenRudha]

QGrrlPower
Registered Member
Posts: 873
(4/19/03 12:44 pm)

Hoorah for our one fan Eroc!!! Keep it up...

Zena and the others with 3749 views on the scrolls I have a feeling we have quite a few lurkers out there reading the lastest adventures...Though I can probably account for half of them with all the editing i have had to do...LOL or does that count as a reply and not a view...or maybe both...LOL Keep on editing grrls...it may boost the numbers.

Courage is not the absence of fear... but the strength to conquer it.

[BhenRudha]

It is amazing what drama will bring out in people. And in our case, some damn fine writing! I'd like to give out a few examples:

And in a the midst of the clashing of swords, chaos, groans, and the whir of a wheel flying through past and present...for Evergreen and Zena...time stood still.

Evergreen, this is a beautiful end line to a heartwrenching post. The depth of emotion that we get to see in Evergreen is fantastic.

The darkness is so black that it has a texture of its own, rubbing against you, living just outside your eyes.

Zena, this is so wonderfully, creepily evocative. Especially the last bit, "living just outside your eyes"...it *still* gives me shivers.

Phalon sneered, the blade in one hand, the wheel in the other. "Tell me. Tell me, now. Was is all part of your plan, Gaza?!"

Phalon, sometimes I think my job is too easy with set ups like this. Your character has such a presence, fully formed, as if we're tuning in on her life when you set down a post.

GP, it is too difficult to pick out a single line from your post, "They will not die in vain", for an example, so I will speak of the overall emotion of the piece. We gain a beautifully intimate vision of Puella. Her grief over Zena is so easily felt without you having to describe it in great detail.

The War God's sword pulsed with her heartbeat and she moved with the snapping, flickering elegance of fire.

Ok, so sometimes I impress myself. I will say no more at the risk of sounding arrogant. ;D

Suddenly, she was shaken from her self- involved thoughts by Evergreen's panicked mournful scream, "ZENA!!!!!" The wail shook Xendra to the foundation of her soul, and time itself ceased to have presence or meaning.

Xwpfan, the simplicity of your description never fails to send across the emotions you wish to convey. It is obvious that this character has reached the very limits of what her soul can endure.

At first, Evergreen tried to shield her from me. I didn't take offense from this. She knew I had stood up for Red when no one else would, and it had been Red who had caused her so much pain.

Blackwolf, I think was draws me most to your writing is your attention to detail. Your writing is also always very neat and tight, which makes it very easy to read. I confess that I love Montara, his somewhat caustic sense of humor, and the connection he and Blackwolf have.

They danced with each other as if they were meant for that day, for that battle, and all others were mere rehearsals.

Gabbyfan, I was quite stunned when I read that line. It is very beautiful, and made me wish that I had written it! Your writing has grown with leaps and bounds through the course of this chapter, as evidenced by the grace with which you wrote this last piece.

"You have served us well, Bhen Rudha. You truly are Gaza. A treasure."

You guys can think I'm prejudiced if you like, just because this line dealt with my character...but it brought tears to my eyes. The whole piece is exquisite, but I think the end bit is filled to overflow with emotion, given to us by such graceful and lavish prose. (Sure, but can you lay it on any thicker? I can't help it, I know what I like!) And I am always pleasently surprised by how Phalon deals with the information I seed her with.

The kalidescope of flavor and texture that each of you bring to the Scrolls is remarkable, and I look extremely forward to what's waiting for us in Chapter III.

Scroll on my friends!
Red

[BhenRudha]

Zena 1
Zena Scrolls Host
Posts: 602
(4/23/03 7:03 am)

And thank you, to you Red for your talent in being able to voice what flickers through my mind as I read and live the story.

Zena
"Agere Sequitur Esse"

[BhenRudha]

QGrrlPower
Registered Member
Posts: 886
(4/23/03 2:39 pm)

Red I have to say that your emotion in the posts both here and in the scrolls makes me proud to be a part of the boards...Connections and friendships through common interests is a precious thing...Thank you for breathing life into the scrolls...Helping me to look past the everyday annoyances and once again enjoy the story as it is written...GP

[BhenRudha]

IluvArgo
Registered Poster
Posts: 1
(4/2/04 12:24 pm)

Umm... just a question...Can anyone post part of the story or should I ask first? Thanks... *sword*
~Karyna

[BhenRudha]

Zena 1
Zena Scrolls Host
Posts: 936
(4/2/04 1:17 pm)

Hi Karyna and welcome to our section of the Xenaverse! Anyone may post, we ask that you read a bit of the story so that you know the general story and characters and then jump in when you are ready.

We have a few people who have left nice posts but not returned so we hope they will pick up where they left off someday soon!

Scroll On!
Zena
"Agere Sequitur Esse"

[BhenRudha]

Joxcenia
Search Queen
Posts: 3931
(4/2/04 5:00 pm)

*Balloons* Welcome To Whoosh! *Balloons*

*Fireworks* IluvArgo *Fireworks*

Umm... just a question...Can anyone post part of the story or should I ask first? Thanks... *sword*
~Karyna

Did you mean "Can you join the scrolls?"... or were you asking if you could post parts of it on other boards?

As Zena posted above, all are welcome to join after first reading up and learning about the other characters and the back storylines.

As for posting excerpts on other boards or on a website... that's up to the writer of the piece you want to use.

[BhenRudha]

Lesigner Girl
Giggle Byte
Posts: 2524
(4/2/04 8:08 pm)

Welcome to Whoosh!, IluvArgo! *Balloons*

Gig ~
Lesigns Website Design

[BhenRudha]

phalon1
Registered Member
Posts: 2153
(4/2/04 10:04 pm)

Welcom IluvArgo. Hope you decide to join in the story. It's great fun.

So long as youth is green and testy old age is far off. Horace

[BhenRudha]

IluvArgo
Posts: 2
(5/1/04 9:59 am)

Thanks for the...uh...colorful welcome.

As to what I meant by posting, I wanted to actually add to the story. But you all made your answers pretty clear, thanks

[BhenRudha]

Joxcenia
Search Queen
Posts: 4233
(5/1/04 5:02 pm)

Well then... can't wait to get introduced to your character...

[BhenRudha]

IluvArgo
Posts: 3
(5/3/04 1:14 pm)

How do I do that? There sure is alot I missed....How far should I go back before attempting such a feat?

[BhenRudha]

Joxcenia
Search Queen
Posts: 4247
(5/3/04 4:30 pm)

That depends on your character for one thing. Is your character someone completely new, such as Red's and Trix's? With no past that connects to the others? If so, you'll only need to read Chapter Three.

Does your character's back-story mingle with the past of any of the other characters? If so, you'll need to start reading from the point of when their character was introduced to learn enough about them to create a past history with them.

If your character is a member of this Amazon tribe, some of which were left behind in some caves back in Chapter One, then you'll need to start at the very beginning and learn about all the characters that came and went throughout the whole story.

You can introduce your character slowly at first and leave the back-story to the others until you have read the other chapters. Some members print the thread pages out... others copy and paste the posts into a Word document then print out... and read while offline.

It's up to you... thankfully there is an edit button, so if you make any mistakes you'll be able to go back in and make corrections. These bards have edited some posts several times before finally feeling they got it right... so there's no pressure. (The Scrolls started out on the Oxygen Xena board, and you couldn't edit the posts after 30 minutes... so mistakes couldn't be corrected.)

Just jump in and paddle like crazy... the other bards will help you stay afloat. ;D

[BhenRudha]

As the third to the last new person to jump into the Scrolls, I found that because I jumped in at the start of a new chapter, I didn't really need to know everything and just keep up with the most current storyline.

If you wanted to start earlier, I would definately read chapter 3 so that you know where all the major players are.

Truthfully though, if you wanted to take some time and introduce your character slowly, away from the main group, you could do so really without reading anything (though I would not suggest this route).

In any case, if you have any questions about whether a post will fit into the current storyline, please feel free to ask any of the bards. For myself, I offer my services as proofreader, so please don't hesitate to PM me with any questions you might have (I am also good for helping bounce ideas around )

Till then, looking forward to hearing from you,
Red

[Blue Raven]

As new as I am, the bard in me is itching to take a lap around the course. I've been voraciously reading chapter three in the hope that I could grasp enough of the storyline to be able to jump in. First of all, the story is fabulous, though I am a little hazy on details, which I hope to remedy as I learn the ropes. So, I wondered if it would be alright for me to introduce a character that knows as little (or less) of what's going on than I, so perhaps we shall learn together.

My biggest reservation is where I should begin. Should I give a description on the character board, or should I include it all in a post to chapter three? Can some one guide me as to the most appropriate course of action? Please, email or message me!

Blue

[Joxcenia]

I don't know how long before Zena or another bard pops in... so go ahead and post your Character's Description. If your character isn't a member of this Amazon tribe and doesn't know them, then you can most likely jump in as soon as you're caught up to the present with Chapter 3... if you want to be a member of this tribe (i.e. have a past relationship with them), then you'll need to read chapters 1 & 2 before jumping in.

The bards sometimes work together through email, PMs, & the chatroom when working out their posts. They are very helpful, so you'll find your way around the scrolls in no time.

[BhenRudha]

Hello there Blue Raven...

As Joxee said, putting your descript up in the Character thread is a good place to start, though putting a description of your character in your opening post is good too, lets the casual reader know what you look like too. The Character Description thread is mostly for us bards, so we don't have to comb through posts to find the information we might be looking for.

If you have any questions about the story thus far, please feel free to send me a message, I'd be happy to try and help clarify anything for you.

Take care, see you around the Scrolls,
Red

[Zena]

Ah Blue Raven! I'm looking forward to your jump into the scrolls! It's been awhile since I gave a synopsis but perhaps it's time again, to dispel the haze for us all. As Red and Joxie indicated you can post a description first as Melodic Mistress did or jump in first and then describe your character. All of us are most willing to work together and the story gets batted back and forth like a tennis game! C'mon in, the ball is in your court!

[Blue Raven]

Oh I'm so excited. Someone actually gave me the ball!!!!

[Melodic Mistress]

I eagerly await your character description! They are all so fascinating to read -- I haven't actually participated yet.. I'm still reading away and awaiting the perfect moment to jump in.

Maybe since we're both new to this, we could work together and come in together?

~Jessi

[Blue Raven]

Perhaps! I am off to post the final draft of my character description on the board. Sniff around and see if it fits your plans to infiltrate the story!

Raven

[Scrappy Amazon]

Hi all! Did anyone ever post a synopsis of the scrolls? I'm halfway through chapter two and could use a little help.

[BhenRudha]

What do ya need to know?