> At any rate, now that the subject has been broached here, I might as well ask for opinions. Would a site full of stories written by Dave and I as kids -- whose appeal might be from a "bad movie" kind of standpoint, or a "kids write the darnedest things" standpoint, or simple vicarious sentiment -- be at all interesting? I'm not looking so much for a "yes" or "no" but a discussion of reasons why such a site might or might not fly. And extreme flattery and groveling. Or a big pile of money.


Your question has produced such a rush of emotions in me that I have to laugh. YES, OF COURSE it would be interesting... For me it would be from the viewpoint of nostalgic vicarious sentiment, from one writer to another. It's not really from any desire to see just how "bad" your novice efforts were. If you think your writing was once "bad" then let me tell you, I can see myself and my own continuing efforts in any such text. I would like to read more of both your works, quite possibly for the same reason Sam would like to see how bad my bad anti-Parody of DotA turns out (that is, if you're still interested that I'm basically lampooning a parody!).

As to whether a site of beginning-author's stories would fly.... I believe the answer is "Yes," if, as you say, you prefaced them with the right kind of intro. Stephen mentioned their "historical significance" aspect regarding RW; indeed early stories always have their place, in chronicling any writers' evolution as creators and visionaries. I would like to see this site go up, very much so, as would everyone who's found Sam and Dave's input & play of ideas highly gratifying. Should the issue partially be a matter of certain sorta interesting-but-otherwise-unpublishable-works being too personal or too potentially disconcerting, well you can always (1) Edit the parts you really can't bear. Why not? *Any* good editor does that before publication in any form -- and it won't remove the essential features that make the story notable. Or you could conceivably (2) Share the embarrassment all around :-). No kidding; I could show you some stuff I've written which not only curls my toes thinking about it, it curls my hair knowing that it was published where my *parents* could read it. Ack!

Heh. Seriously, though.... One of the reasons I'm all for this site suggestion: I'm perhaps one of those lucky few, who's had a chance to read some of those Rinkian "earlier works" -- unless you're thinking of stuff even earlier than that. I have greatly enjoyed the stories that I've seen. In particular, whenever I think of rambunctious dogs, I also recall Sam's Adventures of Jenny and Maisie the Dainty (When Bone Meets Brass). So just that tale, in itself, has been enough to make an impact and change my awareness of how "Dogs do the darndest things" *g*. Other readers may find their own meanings, but for an author to find out that his undeveloped work, even back then, had the ability to reach out and grab someone's attention...well, that's quite a rush right there. :-)