About this project

Formed in 2007, the Rogues Gallery Writers is a mastermind writers group based in Palm Coast, FL. Our first collaboration, Writing is Easy, was published in August of 2010.

Our new project titled The Method Writers is our first group novel. The plot of The Method Writers is about four eager writers who adopt the "method acting" approach to add realism to their individual writing projects. Each of the Rogues created a first person protagonist and was responsible for developing and writing that character's personal storyline. However, all the characters' journeys intertwine as the story builds to an exciting climax.

The Rogues have been meeting weekly to plot, storyboard, and discuss character development and interaction. As the novel progressed, we needed to interact not only as the writers of these four characters, but as the characters themselves. We each wrote our own chapters from our character's point of view. When a character entered a scene with another character, the two authors (us in real life) had to determine whether the action, dialogue and plotline all followed the vision we had for our character.

Obviously, quite a bit of back and forth was required to keep each character true to the author's intent. This could take on even the slightest of nuances. For instance, in our original draft Marty referred to David as "Dave" in a number of places in an attempt to create more of a 'camaraderie' connection between the two. The author of David did not feel that the shorter "Dave" label fit the character he envisioned and that level of familiarity had not been established at that point either.

Many excellent 'think tank' ideas bubbled up each week as we went over our writings with each other. Humor opportunities were exposed and exploited. Plot changes and tweaks were administered. As we head into the final edits, we know we have a great novel. The fact that we know this, however, is not enough. In order for others to know, we need your support.

Marketing and promoting are the toughest aspects of writing. The actual writing flowed well. Our interaction along with the vibrant characters and plotlines felt very real and entertained us as we contributed. To get the word out, we decided to pursue Kickstarter.

The funding we are looking for will enable us to attend at least four major writing conferences or book fairs for promotion, pay for editing, a 5,000 book print run, and produce all the wonderful rewards we created for this project related to the book. We've designed playing cards, character trading cards, t-shirts, a DVD of our promo videos, and, of course, the book itself.

In the early days of creating The Method Writers, we purchased a 4' x 8' whiteboard. We storyboarded the novel on this whiteboard and we are offering it to the first person who contributes $5,000. This board kept us on track and focused throughout the writing experience. In some ways, we hate to part with it. Our thought is that if the board helps us launch our novel into the world, giving it up will be a joy.

When all is said and done, our novel, The Method Writers, behaves in a manner consistent with its characters - it takes the sum of its parts and builds into a cohesive, entertaining whole, much the same as our little mastermind group. We sincerely ask your indulgence for the opportunity to lift this project from the electrons that bind it to our computers and set it free. Your pledge is coveted, needed, and desired. Our rewards are designed to give back to each pledge in kind.

Every dollar helps us toward the launch of a unique undertaking. Please pledge today and tell others about our project!

Thank you,

Mike, Bridget, Jeff, and Nancy - The Rogues Gallery Writers