I am introducing The Garden of Myths as a participatory narrative structure designed for Collaborative Writing. Central to this approach is the idea that each writer retains their individual space (or identity) but can freely connect and collaborate with others through simple technical mechanisms.
I am using metaphors from ecology and biology (like gardens, ecosystems, and rewilding) to describe a system where authors join together in groups or "writing pods", enabling both personal autonomy and collective creativity. These groups are empowered through design principles that focus on social interaction, fluid federation, and the creation of Living Documents, where contributions are acknowledged even as people come and go.
- Writers keep personal autonomy - Simple federation with others is encouraged - Ecology and gardening metaphors shape the structure in formal ways that are in the process of emerging.
# Organisation of Gardens and Myths We are currently structuring the gestallt or togetherness of these writing spaces as a series of interconnected "gardens", each garden acting as an ecology where community and creativity flourish.
These gardens are both human-tended (through editorial practices) and naturally emergent in the way participants shape them. I draw inspiration from natural environments such as the Brazilian Rainforest to highlight the balance between cultivation and emergence.
The relationship between gardens and myths is still open to interpretation, but I tend to view gardens as collections of intertwined myths, much like ecosystems are collections of interdependent species. My aim is to create networks of themed writing spaces, with top-level domains such as "myth.garden" hosting multiple viewpoints or approaches to the idea of myth. - Gardens function like ecosystems of stories - Themes and domains structure diverse writing communities - Editorial design and experimentation is ongoing
# Narrative Possibilities and Experimentation I see this whole architecture as an experiment in new editorial and participatory processes, where different approaches can be tried and refined over time. Within this evolving ecosystem, myths from different gardens can interact, merge, or cross over, reminiscent of how characters unite in the Marvel Universe. This provides rich possibilities for narrative interplay, community publishing, and the evolution of collective works. Ultimately, the Garden of Myths (or "Mythgarden") is my framework to foster collaborative storytelling, support diverse creative communities, and experiment with the ways stories and writers connect and grow. - Processes can adapt and evolve - Cross-garden collaboration allows innovative storytelling - The system supports both lasting accreditation and creative growth