[crossfire92]

It seems that there is a whole slew of user-made campaign projects that are in various stages of production or revival.
But are there any campaigns that have yet to be put into production? As in, are there blueprint campaigns that require collaboration on writing?

I'd be very interested in contributing to the story or dialogue development of any campaigns. I'd give a shot at writing my own but I think I need a bit more experience in the overall process of making a campaign, seeing as how I only joined the site this week and have played through barely any of the other campaigns. I have practically no programming experience, but am very keen on using my writing and vocal skills to the community. So if there are storylines in progress that need work I'd be more than willing to help out.

Any suggestions on how I can contribute or start out on my own?

[TopAce]

I suggest the Fan Fiction and Art forum to show off your writing skills. If you do want to make a campaign first, create a few-mission-long minicampaign.

[General Battuta]

Writing is probably the most critically underavailable talent amongst mods, believe it or not. Good writing can make a good campaign; very little else is required (retail assets and good FRED work, of course.)

Your best bet for contributing on that front, however, is to become a good FREDder. Do the FRED tutorial, open a few good missions from retail and user-made campaigns, and do yourself a few missions. You can learn in weeks, and in a few months you'll be rolling with advanced material.

[Desertfox287]

Im actually writing a script right now, bu FREDding comes first unless you have what you are planning thought out to the letter.

[Snail]

Voice actors are always needed.

[Scotty]

Voice actors are also a secondary, if not tertiary, concern to campaigners.  Better to have a campaign with no voice acting and a coherent story/good missions than a campaign with voice acting but no semblance of story and horrible missions.

[SpardaSon21]

And then there are campaigns like Second Great War Part 2.

[Mongoose]

And then there are campaigns like Second Great War Part 2.

Hey, there's room for campaigns like that too.  You can get a group of friends together and have a ton of fun at Bad Movie Night; this is just the FS equivalent.

[Lucika]

The immediate question is: OK, but how are you doing in FRED's regard?

[SF-Junky]

Writing is probably the most critically underavailable talent amongst mods, believe it or not. Good writing can make a good campaign; very little else is required (retail assets and good FRED work, of course.)

There arises the question: What is good writing, after all?

[General Battuta]

Believe me, you know it when you see it.

Unfortunately, it's a skill that takes as much time and practice to develop as good modeling.

[SF-Junky]

Believe me, you know it when you see it.

Unfortunately, it's a skill that takes as much time and practice to develop as good modeling.

Well, the reason I asked was to get some hints to improve my own writing, because I think it is rather... undistinguished atm. Can you give me any examples of campaigns that are, in your opinion, good (except BP, of course. ) or badly written?

[General Battuta]

Transcend is pretty well-written. From what I recall, Blackwater Operations was quite competent.

I actually have a few criticisms of the writing in BP, but they're mostly on the dialogue level.

The best thing you can do is read real books/screenplays.

[Vidmaster]

Any suggestions on how I can contribute or start out on my own?

You could do it like me. Write books 

[Dragon]

What did you wrote?
If they're as good as Fortune Hunters, I may want to take a look at them.

[TrashMan]

Transcend is pretty well-written. From what I recall, Blackwater Operations was quite competent.

I actually have a few criticisms of the writing in BP, but they're mostly on the dialogue level.

The best thing you can do is read real books/screenplays.

It ain't easy to write good and interesting dialogue, or a good, tight story. I found it a good thing to have (a couple of) someone(s) review my story idea and give me feedback. There's a lot of thing you'll miss.

With that said, GB, any critique on the writing in FOW?

[JCDNWarrior]

When working on something seriously, it's not easy to start thinking ahead about collaboration. Also, good mods take time to ripe, like wine. When working with several people before you've reached a consensus with yourself is asking for trouble, of course.

Also, given the high standards that have been set, it can be hard for people, in this day and age, to actively produce a high-quality campaign without a lot of experience.

I'm sure there will be enough people looking for a good writer though; Just will take a while before serious requests can and will be made by people, of course.

- JC

[Javito1986]

As a bit of a writer myself I've been wondering about this too lately. If you're interested in participating in mods and projects from the literary standpoint (and I agree that writing quality can make or break a project) where around here can you go to find an opportunity to participate?

[The E]

Well, it's kinda hard to say. Speaking from my own experience, first you have to establish yourself as a presence via your comments and contributions. Every once in a while, someone may ask for help or feedback on a story, don't be afraid to give it. Joining the story discussions in the various hosted boards here may also be a good idea.

So, it's kinda hard to point to one place where you should go. That being said, I would recommend lurking on the General FreeSpace, Mods and Campaigns, and the hosted boards. Most story discussions seem to be taking place there.

[Mongoose]

Jumping into the Fan Fiction and Art folder might be a good idea as well, particularly if you  have any short stories that exemplify your writing skills.  It's a good place to critique and be critiqued.