Before I launch off into dealing with the last little preparations for The Story Quest, I thought I'd share what a thought that struck me watching the sunset light up the the sky at Storybook. I'd just been asked by a blogger why I was doing the quest. The answer was simple - because that's what Second Life is for me - a journey in search of meaning - and I'd like to share and explore that journey with others.
Being a writer, I've always used words as a way to delve into and make sense of my world. The Story Quest is a natural extension of that, and it has already taught me several very important things:
Second Life and its residents are in a unique position to test the parameters of what it means to be human. So many of the restrictions, limitations, and assumptions that define our first lives are not here, not the least of which are the suspension of some basic physical laws, so we are free to let our imaginations take off.
Not all, but many of those who have found their way to Second Life are pioneers - people who are willing to try something new and eager to bring what they've discovered back to their first lives and share it with others. As a storyteller and an educator this is very exciting to me, and one of the goals of the Quest is tap that excitement and sense of adventure in others and see what we can make of it.
Not all, but many of those who have found their way to Second Life are wounded - people who have difficulty (for very good reasons mind you) coping with first life as we've scripted it. Let me add that I don't know anyone who isn't wounded in some way. We are all working to heal. However, I will say that I meet an awful lot of folks for whom Second Life is an escape and a release. This is not a judgment, just an observation and a reminder to myself that things are not always as they seem here.
Generosity should be the middle name of the folks I've been working with on this Quest. They have restored my faith in the willingness and ability of folks to work together to make something good happen. Let me just say thank you (only a partial list, and more to come) to:
- Divad and Scottlo - My two brainstorming cohorts in storytelling mischief
- Alas Zerbino - Who helped me hammer the clues into shape, find authors, and provided invaluable insight and suggestions.
- Judi Newall - Wow, she has been there in all sorts of ways from the start. Judi is my go to person.
- Raevn - Who seems to really "get" me and is unfailingly supportive.
- Saxet Uralia - who looked and looked and even fell through a virtual hole to find me great sims
- Golda Stein - Who not only let me rez clues on her sims but suggested that a brain transplant might be in order. Thank you Golda, I'm feeling much better now.
- Draco - Dragons have their uses ;-)
- Krull - A gracious feline with the building chops of a tiger
- Barb Carson - Who rescued Storybook from the jaws of demons.
- Afsaneh - Who reminded me that some of us left high school years ago.
- Carolina Keats- Who graciously gave me permission to hold the final Story Quest ceremonies on Karuna
- All the sim owners who have opened their glorious creations for use by the Quest:
- Bettina
- NeoBokrug
- Kei514
- Kikunosuke
- Carolina
- Caz
- Golda
- RJ
- Judi
- Alas
- Kghia and Simeon
- Mee
- Das and Brie
- Zanza
- Peter
- Chugabug
Along the same lines, nothing like The Story Quest happens without the support and encouragement of others. Though I conceived of it, that's all it would have been - a concept - without the hard work, gentle reminders to stay calm, and laughter of friends and colleagues. Or, as Carolina Keats, my collaboration coach, would say, "I'm all about collaboration!" I need to get her a sign to wear with those words engraved on them.
Finally, the concept of quest, which is inherent in every story, is fundamental to my Second Life existence. My long suffering friends have all heard me expound on the importance of telling stories - of going in search of the meanings of our Second Lives. This experience has only reconfirmed that. Second Life has an enormous amount to teach us, and it will be by going on story quests, gathering around campfires and sharing what we've seen and done and thought about that we will make sense of this life and be able to apply it to our first lives.
Okay, so I am off to finish notecards, set out story clues, and make sure my DJ can find the the dance floor. I would love to hear from any of you about your experiences on the Quest. And if you have any ideas for future quests, drop me a line (jenaia@tvwsp.com) or IM me inworld. I'll see you on the Quest!
Comments