has anyone used "email" as a structure, or means to start a long-form

[nashville_brook]

written piece -- short story, memoir, etc.

i'm looking for any experience is using email as a beginning point to help young writers think in terms of larger projects.

my thought is that there's so much anxiety involved with writing something "for writing's sake," however most of the young writers have no problem generating reams of email.

[nofurylike]

1. yes. i have a writer friend who had block.

she couldn't break through it, so i asked her to write me a story serialized in emails, with emails included as part of the story.
she is still writing it.

to start a story with n email arriving, announcing what sets up the story, is another way.

i wish you and these young writers great luck!

[nashville_brook]

2. that's what i'm contemplating -- kind of an email exchage

to jump-start the first draft process.

i'm also thinking it might help to have the students rummage thru their "sent" folder for imagination sparks.

[nofurylike]

3. i think it sounds like a great approach for a generation so

familiar and comfortable with email.
and surely many have done some great storytelling in their emails!

i think these students are fortunate you're thinking so openly about experimenting.

best of luck!

[fudge stripe cookays]

4. I've thought about trying this.

reprehensor and I met through the internet, so I've thought about fictionalizing our relationship beginnings through an e-mail story format.

Not sure if it would fly or not. But it's been intriguing.

FSC

[kcr]

5. I did a piece

in a blog format. Its a similiar idea, but it has the advantage of a form that physically ties the pices of the story together.

[Nadienne]

6. Not intentionally.

But I'll find myself writing an e-mail and coming up with story ideas. But then when I pick up a pen and paper, I have a hard time beginning my story. :shrug: