Wikifiction

Wikifiction is a proposal to create a Wikimedia project consisting of a repository of free open-source collaboratively-written fiction content (stories, poems, novels, plays, etc.) that anyone can edit, modify (e.g. fork into their own story), or redistribute. Unlike traditional fiction written by contributors writing sequentially, this project would involve the creation of fiction in a collaborative wikiformat. Plots would unfold unpredictably, and multiple stories can be forked from a single beginning, bringing exciting development to the work.

Wikithought

Wiki for original creative content created by Wikipedians.

Fiction

Novels, playscripts, screenplays, poems, musical scores, etc... Another option is to have fiction at separate Wikifiction wiki. Writing of novel could start from basic plot outline, from an initial setting or even just a single thought-provoking line. Imaginary worlds with maps, races, animals, plants, physical (and/or magical) laws. These could be used when writing novels for example.

Types of fiction suited to wiki development

There are several types of fiction especially suited to hypertext in general and wiki in particular:

Decision novels, like the old Choose-Your-Own-Adventure series and its numerous imitations [1]. Some have developed software specialized for collaborative work on decision novels [2]. Advantages to development in a wiki over use of Addventure or other more specialized software: in addition to branch point links at the end of a section, one could link characters' names, place names, etc. to articles with background information on them. This would help the collaborating authors keep the backstory consistent while developing divergent branching timelines based on the main character's/reader's decisions.

Hypertext novels. Unlike decision novels, hypernovels generally presuppose a single consistent storyline, but give the reader many options about what order to read the material in, whether to read digressions and supplementary material, etc. Imagine re-reading The Lord of the Rings, but skipping back and forth between books III and IV (as Peter Jackson et alia did in their film adaptation, but at your own whim) and occasionally digressing to read relevant material in the appendices, the Silmarillion, and so forth. Further imagine that Tolkien had written several important scenes in multiple versions from the viewpoint of different characters, and you could pick which version of each to read, or read them all if you like.

Normal novels. Collaborative efforts from many users can quickly serve to create extensive linear novels whose plots, storylines, and characters evolve to be progressively more complex, interesting, and make sense. Numerous people working together can ensure that plot holes and character inconsistancies quickly get fixed.

Movie scripts. Collaborative efforts can be used to create new scripts or modify existing ones to be more exciting, with better dialogue and better storylines.

Television Show Treatments. A treatment is a synopsis of all the events that occur over the course of an entire television series. Wiki technology can be used to create a early treatment which gets progressively more and more detailed until the scripts for the entire duration of a series get completed.

See [3] for more discussion of different kinds of nonlinear fiction.

Perhaps it would make sense to explore one or both of these options in a small project at Wikicities and move to a dedicated domain if an increase in traffic warrants it.

Fan Fiction

In Fan Fiction writing, amateur writers write stories for a predetermined set of characters in a predetermined world and have to follow some basic plot outlines. For decades Star Trek fans were able to write novels for that particular universe, with some novels building on each other's plots. A Wiki is the ideal place for this type of amateur writing.

You know, with Wikipedia promoting w:collaborative writing on non-fiction up to high heaven you would think that w:Collaborative Fiction would be the logical next step. But for now is pretty undeveloped in the Wiki arena which is a pity as the very popular w:MMORPGs started as collaborative fiction. The interest is out there Renmiri 16:17, 3 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Examples of Collaborative Fan Fiction / RPG writing
- Final Fantasy X Collaboration 100 members 2 years ongoing
- Various Fictional works, all collaborative 10,000 members 4-5 years ongoing (not exclusively Fan Fiction)
- The Gamer's Alliance ORPG

for the past six years now, the Gamer's Alliance (aka tGA) has been a forums-based ORPG. It began as a collection of EzBoards getting together to Role Play. tGA is a message board-based ORPG. It's pretty much a large, interactive fanfic based on an original world. (1)

Note: What is in it for wikipedia ? -The main benefit I see of this being a Wikipedia project is that Wikipedia would be training an entire new generation into Wiki Authoring. How many 14 year olds you have collaborating here ? There are tons of 14 yr old authors at Fan Fiction.net or at the forums above. The ages of people involved in Fan Fiction collaboration vary but most are very young: 13 year old through college freshmen. Renmiri 16:45, 3 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Having stories build off one another is a pivotal part of a project I'm trying to get running. Though its not fan fiction I'm sure any creative spirit would find it easy to contribute. Check out Wikiepic For my official proposal, or [4] for a working (though majorly underdeveloped) prototype--Olsdude 07:29, 4 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Ideas/algorithms/theories/problems

Examples: This page itself is example of this idea. A place for those who, instead of patenting some idea, want to share it with the world for use and especially for further development of the idea.

For example: A mode in a digital camera that takes images continuously and stores the sharpest image taken so far as long as user presses shutter or until a perfectly sharp image has been taken (it could detect camera and/or subject movement): this idea has been partially implemented in recent camera model. It would also show user how good best image so far is while it takes them.

New scientific theories/methods/etc. For example, new algorithm in math.

Other ideas. For example: Take 2D image and record full spectrum for each pixel. Use software to map slices of (visible) spectrum to known colors for more 'real' colors when looking at image like is done with infrared images currently.

Another example: What is required to solve chess and how?

Some of this section ideas are now further elaborated at Londerings WikiBlog. Developing story about alien contact [5].

People interested

Support

A wonderful idea. I have been trying to do just this, does anything like this exist anywhere?
Weak support. Good idea, but isn't it more appropriate to place fiction in Wikibooks? Also, "old" fictions are starting to make their debut appearance in Wikisource. Veracious (talk) 05:06, 2 September 2023 (UTC)[reply]
It reminds me of SCP and the Backrooms Wiki, projects that are good examples of the potential success of this Wikimedia project.

Oppose

Looks like having nothing to do with the Wikimedia movement goals, sorry. --Base (talk) 17:09, 11 October 2015 (UTC)[reply]
Per Base. * Pppery * _{it has begun} 22:31, 27 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

See Also