Clarification: Experiments in Fiction
Written 22 Jun 2004
After reading my previous post I realized my premise, although expressed, was hidden. Let me restate it. Often when a person writes there is little input beyond the author's imagination. Certainly at times authors do some research, even collaborate with experts in a certain field. However, in the end it is left to the Author's imagination and knowledge. When plotting, writing and detailing interaction among characters then, everything is decidely one-sided. The Author controls everything, it is left to his scope of imagination and knowledge.
With group writing, as done in such environs as Araulmor, the scope is broadened. Suddenly an Author is writing for only his character. Interactions with other persona (except for very trivial interactions) are handled by other Authors. This closely matches what happens in real life, you don't get to control how others react to you, why should it happen to your characters?