These are questions specifically about authors and editors of shared universe works. Please help me? I'm roughing out an idea for a work in progress, and this information will help me form my outline. I'm not an idiot, really, but this info has been elusive in my searchings. I apologize for packing several questions into one thread.
The story idea:
A group of authors is invited to write for a shared universe (not a Real Life shared universe) and their story lines muddle the canon enough to cause problems for themselves, and the editors that handle the series.
The questions:
1. I realize that authors contributing to shared universes are usually given an accepted outline to follow, as well as rules that apply within the universe. How flexible are these rules and outlines? How far can an author deviate from the outline or rules and what happens if they deviate significantly?
2. How likely would it be that multiple authors contributing to a story arch would meet and share ideas and suggestions with one another?
3. What would happen if the editor/s involved in a shared universe decided that the contracted story arch did not match canon, or that they had decided to cancel the story arch before it was complete?
4. Would an editor or other controling entity that had power over canonicity (is that a word?) within the universe be upset with an author that followed canon, but did something within the confines of the story that the editor or controling entity did not like? What would they do about it?
5. (Specifically for anyone who has had experience editing or writing shared universe works). Would you, as an author or editor, be offended by a novel that poked fun (gently) at the difficulties that arise with large shared universes, the writing of shared universe works, and the fandoms that follow them?
Thanks for any help and information. I appeciate it, and I'll return to thank everyone at a later date.
The story idea:
A group of authors is invited to write for a shared universe (not a Real Life shared universe) and their story lines muddle the canon enough to cause problems for themselves, and the editors that handle the series.
The questions:
1. I realize that authors contributing to shared universes are usually given an accepted outline to follow, as well as rules that apply within the universe. How flexible are these rules and outlines? How far can an author deviate from the outline or rules and what happens if they deviate significantly?
2. How likely would it be that multiple authors contributing to a story arch would meet and share ideas and suggestions with one another?
3. What would happen if the editor/s involved in a shared universe decided that the contracted story arch did not match canon, or that they had decided to cancel the story arch before it was complete?
4. Would an editor or other controling entity that had power over canonicity (is that a word?) within the universe be upset with an author that followed canon, but did something within the confines of the story that the editor or controling entity did not like? What would they do about it?
5. (Specifically for anyone who has had experience editing or writing shared universe works). Would you, as an author or editor, be offended by a novel that poked fun (gently) at the difficulties that arise with large shared universes, the writing of shared universe works, and the fandoms that follow them?
Thanks for any help and information. I appeciate it, and I'll return to thank everyone at a later date.
