WHAT IS THE ALVADOR PROJECT? The Alvador Project is a shared universe for fantasy writers, free for any writer to use (within certain guidelines), set in the ancient sub-continent of Alvador, a land where ancient wars between dragons and elves have played out and numerous additional players have taken the field of battle over time. The Alvador Project website was created as a technology testbed for Creativity Resources, a developer of web properties designed to help creative people be creative. CURRENT STATUS The Alvador Project has served its initial goal as a technology testbed. But this does not mean that the site has been retired from service; Alvador will be back, and will remain free for fantasy writers. Over the course of its existence, we have learned a lot about ourselves and about the underlying technology. The framework that the Alvador Project was built upon will be re-designed and improved, and we will be back with a better website sometime in the future. Here are some resources for writers that you can take advantage of while awaiting our return. RESOURCES FOR WRITERS fantasy-writers.org - The premiere resource for fantasy writers on the web. If you need plot ideas, help with character development, or just someone to read your story and let you know what they think, this is a great place to go. The members on the forums are very supportive (perhaps a little too supportive, as constructive criticism can go a long way). But all in all, it's a great website, and if you are a fantasy writer, you should be visiting this site regularly. Purdue University Online Writing Lab - The Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue offers free services in a large number of areas, including proofreading, research, and style guides. And if English is not your primary language, this is the place for you, as the volunteers at Purdue will help you get your manuscript into a form more accessible to native readers of English. Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America - The professional organization for authors of science fiction, fantasy, and related genres. Also presenters of the Nebula Awards. You can join this organization if you have sold three short stories, one novel, or one full-length dramatic script. AuthorHouse - A major self-publishing company. If you are interested in self-publishing your own book(s), you should take a look at AuthorHouse. They can even get your book into retail stores for you. The Market List - A listing of markets for short stories and articles, novels, and scripts. If you have a short story or novel you're trying to sell, take a look through their markets for possible places to sell your work. USEFUL BOOKS FOR WRITERS How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy - An excellent book on writing Science Fiction and Fantasy... from a writer (Orson Scott Card) who knows a thing or two about both genres. World Building - Often one of the hardest parts of crafting compelling science fiction is creating a believable futuristic setting, complete with strange, alien worlds. In this book, science fiction master Ben Bova teaches you how. Worlds of Wonder - Another good book from another excellent and highly experienced writer. Here, David Gerrold will teach you about creating science fiction and fantasy stories that inspire a sense of wonder by creating a sense of awe in your readers. Novelists Essential Guide to Crafting Scenes - One of the most important books on my own bookshelf, Raymond Obstfeld's most excellent book on presenting scenes change the way I thought about writing almost instantly. Elements of Writing Fiction - Scene & Structure - Another highly regarded book about setting the scene when writing your story. I haven't personally read this one, but I've heard good things about it. Elements of Writing Fiction - Characters & Viewpoint - Sister volume to the last book, this one is also by Orson Scott Card, and details his process for creating fictional characters that seem like real people. Dynamic Characters - In this well-regarded volume, novelist Nancy Kress gives her take on the crucial relationship between characterization and plot, and how to construct characters that keep your readers spellbound.
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