Basically, you create a character of your own making to live and interact in Hatrack circa 1830s (there's not a set year, I believe, it's just sometime in the 1830s - therefore the details in your writing have to be time appropriate - no TV, for instance). You character, if you choose, can have a knack (unmaking is not allowed) - but be careful choosing knacks. Choosing something really outrageous will be going overboard.

It's your job to determine your character's backstory, as well as their occupation in Hatrack, etc. Each folder exists independently of the other - for example, Caro is taking part in a story in the Main Street folder and in the Riverfront folder currently.

As for me, I can't wait for Honey's eyes to turn on Rowdy. Honey seems like the kind of lady who would benefit from a big black man on her arm.

Is your character wanting to court Caro? It seemed that way so I thought I'd better ask. That storyline would be fine by me, but just be warned that I can't promise how Caro will react to being courted! It will probably be pretty humorous.

I'm glad you've come to the board; I've enjoyed interacting with your character.

edit: And oh, Ahavah - Honey's eye has turned! Be afraid!!

It's helpful to other folks if you make sure you post a profile. Otherwise, just walk on in and start meeting the wonderful folk around here.

Amanda

Thanks,
Amanda

1. How active is this forum?
2. Can some people have the same knacks, or should I try to read as many profiles as I can and then come up with a unique knack?
3. Do the characters from the book make appearences here? I mean, what is the EXACT setting? Before Alvin and Peggy, or after, or during?

Currently finishing up Shadow of the Giant. Very good book. Headed to Star Wars this weekend. Have a great week!

I've been writing here off and on since OSC made the move from AOL back in 1995. I've found a couple of things that seem to add (or detract) from the activity level here.

First off, the biggest influence in getting the board active is good stories AND a good villian. Some people enjoy the non-stressful day-to-day aspects of life in a small town on the frontier. These people have tea parties and have characters that enjoy sitting and talking about the weather, the crops, the kids, etc.

Fortunately Hatrack is a great place for these people. Unfortunately, I've never been one of them. Instead, I've normally been more involved (and interested) in the over-arching storylines that involve some form of conflict.

I started in the long ago days of the infamous Jack, written by the late (and much missed) Charles Manhart. I've also on occasion introduced my own villians. My favorites being Father Eglise, who literally crashed into the Main street page upon arrival. Another favorite was Sylvestor O'Card, a card shark. Plus there have been other villians written equally well or better by others here.

Anyway, the point is that when there was a strong villian and an story that had a beginning, middle and end, we couldn't write fast enough.

(Sorry for the rambling post, but I only post every few months so I'm taking advantage.

The storyline with Amos and Jack was a direct cause of the creation of the Hatrack Writers Guidelines. Chasm and I (mostly Chasm) pushed the limits of what was acceptable from a violence point of view. We even had to plead with Kathy Kidd to NOT kick us off. She agreed to allow the story to finish but then immediately set up a committee of writers to craft a set of guidelines. The story engendered passion from both supporters and detractors.

So, if you write interesting stories people will log in multiple times per day to read and post. I'd be happy to help brainstorm ideas if anyone would like. (rbliss @ msn . com)

Just a word of caution, conflict does not mean my character walks up and punches the mayor in the nose, or gets drunk and trashes Scarlet's tavern.

The conflict I'm talking about is when two characters have conflicting goals. The memorable villians have been somewhat tragic figures. Jack turned out to be (much to my and Chasm's surprise) the estranged son of Amos.

Anyway, I've probably rambled on enough. The key has always been to write interesting stories and people will come.

Just to be clear, you can have guns, it's just that Alvin Maker put a hex on the town that prevents them from working. So, they really aren't just pieces of wood.

The rule was later clarified to extend to ALL areas covered by the Hatrack River forum.

As a result of the storyline I referenced earlier the guidelines were adopted banning any on screen murder. Also, of course, you should never "injure" another writers character without getting their okay first.

[This message has been edited by Jono Alderson (edited May 18, 2005).]

Similarly, flashbacks, or imaginings fall under the same restrictions. You can't write a scene where you imagine maiming or killing someone and then say, "But it wasn't real. My character was only playing out a scene in his head."

I wouldn't mention it, except that it's come up before.

BTW, he IS an arrogant SOB, however, he has been careful to only say complimentary things. (Even though you can see his thoughts and know he's planning something.) Feel free to have your characters like him, hate him or just be indifferent.

However, Jean saw what happened with Red and Shep, and knew it was just his (Shep's) stupidity. Antone else who knows Shep could probably realize the same.

It's important to rememeber that as much as it may resemble it at times, Hatrack is NOT an RPG. This is no prize for "winning." In fact it's impossible to "win." The real reward is getting to create interesting stories. Sometimes with your character as the hero, but interestingly with your character getting the short end of the stick.

Shep is my favorite character to write because is so different than me. He's oafish, he's slightly stupid, he's a drunk (when he can afford it.) I would hope I'm never the first two and since I don't drink I know I'm not the last. However, Shep allows me to explore what situations might be like for someone other than me.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not criticizing you or your characters in the slightest. I am saying as you become more comfortable with the media you may want to consider a character who is nothing like you.

Also, like a said several weeks ago, what makes Hatrack fun is conflict. Shep creates conflict with just about everyone he meets. That's on purpose.

Red has introduced another type of conflict. And I think you'd have to admit that the board has certainly been more active lately.

As for your characters being able to be a good judge of character, imagine what would happen to them if they misjudged someone. The situation might be interesting to write about, and I promise you will see your characters grow in ways that you never imagined.

I'm glad your writing here. Your characters were one of the main reasons I switched out of lurker mode after so many months.

Keep it up

You do have a point there about conflict and character types. I tried to make them different (theoretically) but their opinions on people and personality nad most other things are mine.

Also, if you don't mind, would you please post your OOC comments here in the Out of Character thread instead of sprinkling them throughout the storylines? Thanks!

The illusion is that when you are reading the rest of the board there should not be anything to detract from the flow of the story. If you really really feel you need to make an OOC comment in one of the other folders make it a thought that your character has, "Shep realized he had been completly ignoring the person standing at the counter," is better than (OOC: I didn't realize your character was waiting for something.)

Some readers feel that OOC comments sprinkled through the rest of the forum detract from the story and make it sound choppy. For this reason as a group the community decided to limit such discussions to the OOC folders.

In the OOC folders, on the other hand, you are free to make short comments, ask background questions, and basically talk in your "real" voice about anything related to the forum or its characters.

Also, I had another question for you regarding comments in the Inn. If you are referring in your posts to Jean as 'Jean' instead of 'Gene', is it safe to assume that she is in female guise? I want to make sure that Love responds appropriately before I post for her.

I know she was dressed as a soldier earlier, but that storyline seems to have moved on--what with Shep & Avery talking about it over in the Pub & no one posting at the Inn for a while. Anyways, thanks for clearing this up for me.

Before I post, I wanted to get someone's honest opinion about the current tone of these forums regarding non-writers. Although I'm not terrible (my spelling and punctuation won't annoy), I'm not a writer. I don't pretend to be writer nor do I have any aspirations to be a writer. Having said that, I wrote a character in Hatrack River way back when it was still on AOL and, briefly, after the transition from AOL to here. I don't know if there's anyone out there that remembers me, but I created a character named Jake Reader (he also had a deaf mother named Aida). At any rate, is there still room for someone like me or will all of you writers out there scoff and ignore me because my writing may not be up to par with yours?

I'd like to ressurect Jake and possibly Aida. This time, I think, I'll make Jake Deaf and Aida hearing. I'm not deaf myself, but I work for a Deaf organization and am very familiar with Deaf culture and ASL (American Sign Language), so I believe I have the background to make the character believable.

Thanks for your time and I look forward to your replies.

You, old new (or should it be new old guy?)guy: Post. It's better to have a lot of writers such as you term yourself than one or two award-winning novelists or something. Just post.