New Writer Research Guide
If you're working on your first Dargon story, you are probably in one of three situations: 1) you arrived here with a complete story and you are looking to publish it, 2) you have an idea for a story, or at least a character, or 3) you have no idea what to write about. Whichever the case, the steps are basically the same.
If you already have a non-Dargon story, you may have a head start, you still have a lot of research you may have to do some major rewriting, and you should be prepared to start with something new if your story just won't fit in Dargon's shared world. Of course, you can still find another outlet to publish your story, and you can still submit it for critiques by the group.
If you have an idea for a story or character discuss it with your mentor. That's why you have one. Your mentor should be able to tell you whether or not your idea will fit in Dargon, or how to change it to make it fit if possible, and what things to read about to help flesh out your idea. Your mentor has probably been with the project for quite a while, and has a lot of experience with that sort of thing.
If you have no idea what to write about yet, you're really not all that far behind people in the other two situations. In fact, you may be ahead, since you have no preconceived ideas to cling to. Tabula rasa, empty cup, and all that stuff.
Your first step should be to read the Reader and Writer FAQs. Read 'em a lot.
Then read Dargon stories. Read at least the last few issues to start, but don't be afraid to go back to early Dargonzine and even FSFNet stories, just try to stay mostly current. There is a big difference between the early writing and the more recent stories, and you'll want to make sure that your story fits in with the recent stuff. Pay particular attention to stories that take place in Dargon, since the setting for your first story should be Dargon itself. See the Writer's FAQ (http://http://dargonzine.org/about/writer-faq/) for more info
As you read, look for characters, locations, and other things that catch your interest. Take notes. If you have no idea what to write about, here's where you generate some. If you already have character or a story in mind, here is where you either "Dargonize" it by finding ways to fit it into the milieu, or perhaps decide that it won't fit at all.
Be sure to read the story drafts that get posted to the list. There are 3 reasons for doing this: 1) they are the most current Dargon stories, 2) you get to see works in progress rather than just the finished product (they are full of mistakes, like you first effort will be), and 3) you get a chance to critique. Yeah, critique. I felt really weird about it the first few times I did it. I hadn't yet submitted any of my work to the list and I was going to critique *their* writing? Yes, actually. Your opinion of a story is as valuable as anyone else's because you bring a new perspective, regardless of your writing ability. Incidentally, critiquing will also improve your writing and give you a way to contribute to the project while you are working on your research. Don't know how to critique? Read some critiques by the other writers. Also, see the critique guidelines in the writers' menu. Take notes on the stories you critique, too.
Through all of this, the Online Glossary is your guide. A lot of work went into this thing, and it is an immensely powerful tool for the new writer. Use it. How? Take the suggestions from your mentor and the ideas you wrote down while reading, and go to the glossary with them. Not only will you learn a little about what you are researching, but you will get a list of stories in which that item appears. Read 'em. Then get more ideas. Repeat as necessary.
Another important resource is the Dargonzine Codex. Since that's where this document resides, you probably found the Codex already. If not, it can be accessed from the Writer's Menu. There are some very helpful documents there.
After all this reading, you should also have some idea how to make your story more Dargon-y. Use bells and menes instead of hours and minutes, straight? Learn about the local religions, like the Olean faith, and Stevenism (and now, for a reading from the Book of Steve ... sorry). Work in some locations, people, organizations, or other items from your research. Be careful, though, everything in the glossary has a curator. Be sure to check with them if you are going to include something as more than a passing reference. For instance, if you are going to have a character go to the Inn of the Serpent and buy a beer from Ballard Tamblebuck you're probably okay. But if Tamblebuck was going to play a significant role in the story (or get killed!) you might want to check with his curator. This can be very helpful, too, since the curator may be able to make some suggestions.
Eventually you will have a few key characters and concepts that you have researched thoroughly, along with a few that you may have abandoned. You should have at least an idea for a story. If not, go back to your mentor and get some more help and suggestions.
Assuming you do have an idea for a story, present it to your mentor. The two of you should be able to do a little fine tuning. At this point, you may be ready to write a story. Don't.
Write an outline. Outlines are a part of the project's writing process, although not everyone uses them (And some people won't review them. Weird, huh?). As a new writer, you should. If you don't feel comfortable submitting your outline to the list, submit it to your mentor and maybe to the curators of anyone or anything you are planning to use. If your idea is way off base, despite help from your mentor, the reviews of your outline will tell you. That will save you a lot of work. In my case, my overall idea was okay, but there were a few elements that had to go. I was clinging to them, even though my mentor (politely) told me they sucked. Once the reviews on the outline came in, it was pretty clear what had to go. The other thing you will get from the reviews is suggestions. Not only will you get ideas on how to improve your story, but you may get suggestions on Dargon stuff to include. In my case, a generic shopkeeper was replaced with a specific character that another writer was planning to include in his story. Guess what you do with those suggestions? Go back to the glossary and research them, of course. Don't fret too much about the outline. It can be as detailed or vague as you need it to be, and you're not obligated to follow it once you write your story.
Once you've managed to get all of that done, it's time to start writing.
In summary, then:
- Talk to your mentor.
- Read the FAQs.
- Read the stories.
- Critique the drafts.
- Take notes.
- Use the glossary.
- Submit an outline.
- Write!