"By The Seat of
​Our Pants: Chaos"

THE THEME & BASIC SYNOPSIS:
The theme of the story is: Chaos.

Chapter one of the story is set in 2022, in an unspecified location.  The Main Character (MC) is an average extrovert with a particularly special skill.  In Chapter one, written from the MC’s POV, the MC discovers a Primary Secret or Mystery (PSM).  The story evolves with action, adventure, love, and sacrifice toward a final resolution of the PSM.  Along the way, the MC may meet many other characters, including animals.  The MC may be distracted by other Secrets, Mysteries, or Red Herrings during the adventure.  The story will end with a final resolution of the PSM, but other secrets and mysteries may linger.

PRIMARY GENRE:
The Primary Genre is: Mystery/Suspense

SECONDARY GENRE:
The Secondary Genre is: Romance/Sacrifice

THE CHAOS WRITING PROMPT GUIDELINES: 

• Chapter One of the story is set in 2022, at a geographical location of the writer's choice.
• ​The story may or may not include time travel.
• The Main Character is an average extrovert with a particularly special skill.
• Chapter One must establish a Primary Secret or Mystery, and each chapter afterward must add to the Primary Secret or Mystery without solving it.  
• Chapter One must be written from the Main Character's First Person POV.  Subsequent chapters may change POV.
• ​The main character must show up in every chapter, in some way, whether by direct action or inference.  This is to retain story continuity.
• At some point in the story, a government agent, law enforcement officer, military personnel, criminal, or terrorist character(s) is introduced (not necessarily of USA affiliation).  
• One animal must appear in each chapter.  This animal may be a carry-over from the previous chapter or a new animal introduction.  Animals must have appendages (legs, fins, wings, flippers). Snakes are prohibited, and that includes anything in the Medusa family of species, as well.
• Additional characters, locations, props, and themes may be anything authors choose to include.
• The story MUST end with the Resolution of the Primary Secret or Mystery.  Other secrets and mysteries may be resolved or unresolved.​

 
THE WRITING PROCESS:

• Interested authors must sign up to write for this project no later than January 30, 2022.
• The author who will write the first chapter, and the writing order of subsequent authors, will be chosen at random, using the "Spinny Wheel of Happiness" during a live Zoom event, on February 4, 2022 @ 7:30pm Eastern.
• Each author writes only one chapter, having only read the chapter written previous to their own.
• ​Public sharing of chapters written before the book's publication will forfeit an author's participation, and their chapter will be excluded.
• The length of each author's chapter must be a minimum of 250 words, and may not exceed 8,000 words.  Once an author's writing has been submitted, edits and changes will not be accepted, even if the author submits earlier than the expected deadline.
• Chapter submissions must be written based on a "logical" sequence from the chapter written before.
• When it is their turn to write, participating authors will receive a private email which will include the chapter previously written.
• Four (4) days will be allotted for each author to brainstorm, write, and submit. Authors may submit early, if they choose.  
• Authors who do not return their chapter within the allotted four(4) days will forfeit their opportunity to write for this project.
• All submissions must be returned no later than 5:00pm EST on day four.  (EXAMPLE:  If you receive the previous chapter and begin writing on the 1st day of the month, then your final chapter submission is expected no later than 5:00pm EST on the 4th day of the month.)
  
• A full list of author chapter assignments, project status, word counts, and deadline dates will be posted on this page, after we complete the selection and order assignment process.  Updates to this information will be posted as each author submits their chapter.
• A final edit of the entire story will be performed after all of the chapters have been submitted, to be sure grammar, spelling, and continuity of story are well accomplished.
• ​The editorial and layout process to prepare for publication is expected to take approximately sixty (60) days.  The final submission deadline will be determined by how many authors are participating, and how quickly they submit their chapters.    
• ​The anticipated release date for this book is sixty (60) days after the last chapter has been submitted.
• The book will be available for purchase on Amazon.com in both print and e-book formats.

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Contributing Authors,
​Chapters Assignments, and
​Writing Deadlines

Watch this space to see the chapter assignments and writing deadlines.  Remember to bookmark this page, and check back frequently, as the deadlines could become fluid if writers submit early!
Latest Update: May 22, 2022

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​​The final submission deadline will be determined by how many Authors are participating.    
​
The anticipated release date for this book is sixty (60) days after the last chapter has been submitted.

The book will be available for purchase on Amazon.com in both print and e-book formats.
​
​NOTICE: To avoid copyright issues, please be sure that what you write meets one or all of these three criteria:

1. A re-imagining of a work that is in the public domain (author is responsible for verification and any violation consequences).
2. Permission has been gifted from the original creator of the story or characters that you are using as your foundation (author is responsible for verification and any violation consequences).
3. Your submission is a 100% original writing.

​Complimentary Author Copies will not be provided for this project.  An "author's discount" code will be sent to each participating author for purchase of books, for a limited period.  Once the code expires, books must be purchased at the full retail price listed on Amazon.com.
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Proceeds from sales of this book will be split, with 50% supporting Pages Promotions administration of the project, and 50% supporting the Haley Sue Foundation.