A Novel Project can be described as a collective work of art, or an evolutionary story. The initial concept is a natural formation; one story builds on top of the previous, much like a growing civilization will configure itself to its contemporary needs.
With the groundwork done and the first chapter in place, we are now ready to set the stage for future authors of the project to develop the story further. [Remember ~ each chapter will have a different author than the preceding one.]
Shakespeare once wrote,
“The object of art is to give life a shape”.
Regarding the project at hand, we should expect to see many different shapes all of which will, conceivably, remain tied to one another forever.
A Novel Project is in essence an unpredictable enterprise, and as a result we never know where the story is going to go. One thing that must assimilate with each new chapter is the background information. If a potential chapter does not relate or hold consistency to the older chapters, let alone the neighbouring one, it cannot be apart of the story.
Since the project at hand is unpredictable, naturally the choice to make Sandilea Vollet’s, ‘Quiet Writings’ the first chapter was unexpected as well. In order not to confuse the readers with Chapter One I feel I must explain the authors intentions.
The initial chapter may seem like an explanation of ‘A Novel Project’, however it is the story of one persons experience while dealing with a unique venture similar to our current project.
In the beginning the judges wanted to choose a work of fiction with potential to grow, supplementing beautiful prose, accurate statements, and a style that incorporates character development and a linear story line. This chapter does just that, but in a way we never thought would happen. Sandilea puts herself in the shoes of a fictional ‘Novel Project’ judge and employee. By divulging her own thoughts and modes she explains her circumstance within a project that is currently at the helm of her life. This chapter has the capacity to go anywhere and through many different channels we may have otherwise never expected.
I believe we are off to a great start, because even though we only have come to see the first of these chapters, already we have experienced a route taken that has surpassed our wildest thoughts. Sometimes the most peculiar things are right under our nose.
~ Daniel Kidney
