resurrecting an old idea

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Posted on Saturday 03 of June, 2006 [04:58:18 UTC]

Flash Utopian Fiction Project Update
Laurie Corzett in libramoon's Observatory
Friday 07 of April, 2006
NEWSFLASH: NEW UTOPIAN FLASH FICTION GOOGLE GROUP:

* Group name: utopian flash fiction

Group home page: http://groups.google.com/group/utopian-flash-fiction
Group email address utopian-flash-fiction@googlegroups.com  ??



As you may know, I have been working on creating a project to write a series of flash utopian fiction — flash fiction=ultrashort stories — pieces around an imaginary federation of diverse villages each working out their methods of community life. I am visualizing little dramatic impacts that also impart information about how the people of the community involved solve their social problems — dramatic storytelling with a purpose: speculative fiction with which to fashion visions from which to expand our collective view of how collective life can be more happily structured. I have had some interest expressed by other writers, and a few stories have been sent to me. I have posted the stories that I have been sent to a delphi forums site I set up to manage this project. I would love eventually to publish, if I get enough stories for a book. I envision a whole world of ideas created through these short bursts of fiction, little vignettes or as one person suggested, peeks into open doors. There is no set format to fit. What you write, if you choose to participate, would help to create the structure itself.

I am totally open to collaboration and inspiration. If you have or or feel inspired to create such stories, or know of others who might be interested, please let me know. If you are interested in participating in this project or have other ideas to add, please respond 

If this project actually works out, it will result in a book in need of publication. If you have affiliation with or knowledge of any small press that would be interested in working with such a project, please let me know.

I may start a new group on LinkedIn or MeWe
Description: This group is part of a project to write a series of flash utopian fiction pieces around an imaginary federation of diverse villages each working out their methods of community life. I am visualizing little dramatic impacts that also impart information about how the people of the community involved solve their social problems.

A fictional project allows for social activist imaginings outside of the currently "possible" to promote ideas in an easily digestible and enjoyable form, each person involved adding their bits to the overall project. It would be wonderful eventually to publish these stories into an inspirational book, but I am mostly interested to see what kinds of ideas for possible social structures result. I am hoping eventually to see a whole world of ideas created through these short bursts of fiction, little vignettes or as one person suggested, peeks into open doors. There is no set format to fit. What each participant writes would be helping to create the structure itself.
A possible jumping off point would be to write stories based on the scenario:

We are a group of colonizers sent to a new planet, with a variety of skills and knowledge. The core group has been given the job of a sort of council of elders, to develop the new constitution, by-laws, societal structure within which the colony is to operate.

This is only a suggestion. The whole point is: there are no limits

The original stories are still posted on the delphiforums group:

http://forums.delphiforums.com/opendoorways

I intend to continue to post updates here.


If you would like to help promote the project, here is a blurb you can leave where you go:

Laurie Corzett is seeking collaboration for her Flash Utopian Fiction Project: series of flash fiction pieces around a federation of diverse villages each working out their methods of community life — little dramatic impacts illustrating creative solutions to social problems. Got ideas?

http://people.lulu.com/blogs/view.php?user_id=38353 libramoon’s observatory (blog)


Peace,
Laurie


Here is the second story I have written for this project, to give you an idea of what kind of thing I am thinking of (the first story, Sanctuary, is posted further down on this blog, under the heading "Flash Utopian Fiction Project"):

University

We are told that our project was named University because our purpose is to facilitate a universe of possibilities. University started as one of those possibilities, a project conceived and carried out by for and of a conscious community of artists, engineers, scientists and philosophers. I grew up in that community, and wouldn't have it any other way.

We learn in the histories, and know that in many places still today, education has been separated from general life, often made compulsory and relegated to specific times, places and procedures. Corporations took on the tasks of research and product development for a profit, while politicians were responsible to craft projects of benefit to the community. At University projects are constantly being started, executed, sent out to find those who can now benefit from what has been accomplished. Someone or ones snag onto an idea and start to figure out the steps from here to there. A call is given out to anyone who is interested or has relevant skills to join in. We learn what we need to know each step of the way and bring in others as the project progresses. We have the background structure of University to draw upon, where learning of all kinds is constantly in session.

From the time I was very young, from my first moments of remembered consciousness, I knew any of my questions would find serious response at University. There are the libraries, record chips of any subject imaginable, everything explained from the simplest child's vantage point up through the most learned of scholars in the field, fully illustrated in animation and live action recording, as appropriate. More importantly, there are the people, the scholars, engineers, scientists, artists, each with their passions that they are so very happy to share.

University is the busiest, bubblingist, energized and enthusiastic environment to grow in. No one says: "it can't be done." It's always: "well, what's the next step we have to take to get there?"