Looking For A Writing Partner

[Huffzone]

I am an amatuer writer who is interested in writing a historical fiction novel about Tigran the Great. I believe all the elements are there for a great tale. Also, the time period (as well as the area) is one that has not been touched on all that much. (Think a more ancient cross between 'Gladiator', and 'Braveheart'.) We have kings, queens, treachery, romance, war, the expanding Roman empire, the empire of Parthia, the elements of monotheism developing, sacrifice, etc.

 

I have spent much time gathering historical info and background data, and have already written an outline for the complete story. But I am looking for a fellow writer who may be interested in joining me in the daunting task of now bringing 'life' to the story.

 

If anyone is interested in joining this 'pet' project of mine, e-mail me at; ltcmdjames@yahoo.com

 

-Hratch

[Arpa]

WOW!

 

I must be dreaming.

Am I reading this right?

You mean there is one other that feels as I do?

Dear Huffzone, first off, WELCOME! You are the legendary "fresh air" that will rid us of this suffocating atmosphere of death and destruction.

You must be reading my mind.

In fact, only a couple of days ago I was reading about Tigran in general, but in particular about his Romance with Cleopatra. No, not the Cleopatra of the Nile but the Cleopatra of the Tigris River, his paramour and queen, the daughter of Mihrdat VI, king of Pontus.

The reason? I have had this urge to write, or someone to write about the most illustrious luminary of our entire history. Tigran the Great, the Tiger of the Tigris' life and exploits can match any. What with adventure of his youth, his dreams of deliverance from oppression, his dreams of uniting the ragtag and divided Armenia, the romance, the sex and violence, his failures and successes, his defeats and conquests. All ingredients of for a first class docu-drama.

This notion has intrigued me for quite some time. Of all the so called heroes of our history Tigran has all the ingredients of a world class blockbuster movie.

I have been toying with the idea of writing an epic about him but I find myself unqualified based on the fact that my sources are meager and far in between, my lack of quality time and my literary and technical inadaquacy.

I did not even dream that there would be a day that someone would finally have the courage to go against the grain and suggest a similar scenario.

 

Below you will see my anger and indignation about the sorry state of our cukture. One of many times that I have expressed similar thoughts.

 

Here is one the latest(the relevant segments). You may search some of my writings with similar sentiments.

 

http://armenians.com/forum/index.php?showt...opic=7131&st=20

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Some time ago, on another forum it was suggested that the "Armenian identity is based on the Genocide". I had to strongly disagree as I did not quite understand the premise. To me a suggestion like that is tantamount to the "caricature" of an Armenian that MJ describes above so eloquently. As to the presmise of our identity being

=============

severely reprimanded for it that of all the shameful sagas in our 4000 year history the Genocide is the MOST SHAMEFUL. Even Vardananq when we lost every soldier including the Commander pales in comparison to the shamemefulness of the Genocide. Yet there are those who breathe, eat and drink Genocide every minute of their lives. The Genocide was not only the most shameful it also virtually put a stop to our culture, I mean CULTURE. Whether one realizes or not out of every 10 books written since then nine are about it. We have not produced even one memorable book, piece of art etc. Even the latest one by Balakian... guess what? About the Genocide.

When did we become such losers that we gloat in our tragedies? My genocide is bigger than yours!? Only today on

========

Groong an item listing all the earthquakes since such year. Every time there is an earthquake somewhere someon

Victim mentality?

===========

Dear Huffzone, I wish you much success, perhaps you would be our "savior", the savior of our culture of that has been all but dead and genocided. I may not have the technical ability and the essential sources, you seem to have the essential ingredients for a great docudrama and the technical confidence.

GO FOR IT!!

I will be your greatest fan and stand behind you in any capacity I can.

 

Slap us! Kick us! Do whatever is necessary to get us out of this quagmire that some call "genocide". Let us show the world that even if they can kill our bodies nobody has yet found the way to kill our spirit.

 

I WISH YOU SUCCESS!!!

:clap:

[Huffzone]

Arpa,

 

I thank you for the support;)!! It seems you have realized exactly all the reasons why I think this would be a great story! Also, I agree that every nine books about Armenia out of ten regard the genocide, and that this should change. I would love to create something that Armenians can be proud, and give youthful Armenians in America the proper pride in their people that they should have.

 

I will keep you posted on my progress;)

 

 

-Hratch

[bellthecat]

He wasn't much of a general though!

 

There was a TV program shown in Britain last week in which Tigran's battle and defeat against the invading Roman army at Tigranakert was re-enacted using computer simulations. A group of typically dim-witted, slack-jawed English persons took the place of Tigran in leading the Armenian army (which vastly outnumbered the Roman army). In spite of them getting almost everything tactically wrong they still managed to defeat the Romans and kill their general, Lucullus.

[Arpa]

Arpa,

 

I thank you for the support;)!!  It seems you have realized exactly all the reasons why I think this would be a great story!  Also, I agree that every nine books about Armenia out of ten regard the genocide, and that this should change.  I would love to create something that Armenians can be proud, and give youthful Armenians in America the proper pride in their people that they should have. 

 

I will keep you posted on my progress;)

 

 

-Hratch

Please do.

You are so right about our young deserving better. How many generations of our children have gone to sleep with bedtime stories of blood and gore, massacres and genocides. They deserve better, they deserve heroic models and epic stories.

If I were writing the story I would consider a title like Tigris Tiger, or The Tiger of Tigris.

And please don't be discouraged by comments about his military inadequacy. We have this proclivity to examine our own under the microscope while at the same deifying others. It is rumored that Julius Caesar was a babbling idiot yet look at his legacy.

 

With wishes of much success to you.

 

Arpa

[Armat]

Simply great Hratch.I would be happy to help desighning the cover and the illustrations if needed.Let me know if anything is needed.

[angel4hope]

i really giv eu "props" for such a great idea- instead of insulting pple or saying negative things- therre is actually someone out there trying to do something good and give people in this forum something to "smile" about or be proud of- nice job and i wish you happiness and success w you future endevours- good to c someone put their mind 2 work instead.

[Arpa]

Looking for a wrting partner.

How about this one.

For those who cannt read Armenian or their system does not support the site I will be glad to translate.

Johnik Melikian of Yerevan has written a historical docudrama- Anmah Baginnern Hayots. Eternal (immortal) Altars of Armenia.

 

 

http://www.hyetert.com/haber3.asp?AltYazi=...Id=6245&DilId=3

 

aztag: §²ÜزР´²¶ÆÜܺðÜ Ð²Úàò¦

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Kaynak: aztag

Yer: yerevan

Tarih: 22.10.2003

 

 

 

 

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[Huffzone]

bellthecat Posted on Oct 7 2003, 05:54 PM:

He wasn't much of a general though!

 

"There was a TV program shown in Britain last week in which Tigran's battle and defeat against the invading Roman army at Tigranakert was re-enacted using computer simulations. A group of typically dim-witted, slack-jawed English persons took the place of Tigran in leading the Armenian army (which vastly outnumbered the Roman army). In spite of them getting almost everything tactically wrong they still managed to defeat the Romans and kill their general, Lucullus."

 

 

Huffzone's Responce:

 

That's all well and good Bellthecat, I actually play wargames myself, and noticed things like this happening right away. The problem is, wargames, and that show, can't really take into account everything that was going on in reality. They only have facts and figures on how many soldiers of what type, and what each can and can't do. Could they know however how much faith or moral these troops had? At this time, Tigran was already dealing with many enemies, who had been putting constant preasure on his allies to break ties, not to mention holding off rebelling sons, a pissed off wife, and the greek garrison for 'help' he had in his city also becoming traitors.

 

Anyway, there is too much to speculate about to come up with a quick statement like... "He wasn't much of a general though!"....I think if you re-think how fast you come up with your conclusions. Perhaps he really wasn't much of a general...but...Do you perhaps have more evidence to support your claims than the TV show??

 

Here are just some other things that can effect a battle, war, whatever, that are NOT taken into account for wargames such as those you saw on the show....

 

Espionage, counterintelligence, and covert actions, spies, double-agents, propaganda, mis-information, political pressure on allies and supporters...All of which were practiced to perfection and used well by the Romans. I can go on, but I think I have made my point clear.

 

 

-Hratch

 

P.S.

 

Thanks for all the support everyone!! Arpa, can you perhaps lead me to a translation of your post? Sorry, unfortunately, I have forgotten my Armenian:(

Armat, thanks for the offer! Perhaps I'll take you up on that when this gets far enough.

 

I have spent most of my time researching and learning the history, and speculating on the unknown facts. I've actually spent most of the time so far with more of this, and outlining. But I do have a page or two written. Would anyone like to read a a little? I'm totally open to critique, even though this is all just a first rough draft...And don't worry, I can take the heat, lol.

[Huffzone]

Hey all again,

 

It's been slow going, the research was so fun I spent months gathering resources, but I have begun writing now. I ended up going at it alone, with no timeline for when it will be completed.

 

I have showed a few pages of my first chapter to some writing groups (American), and have actually recieved some good feedback on it. I figure now to show some Armenians and their feedback.

 

If you are interested in reading on my book project and the first few pages of chapter 1, I have posted it on the following page;

 

http://pastblasts.typepad.com/mywritings/

 

 

 

P.S. -Arpa, I am using one of your choices for the title for now, so please don't sue me;)

 

 

-Hratch

[Arpa]

Hey all again,

=======

P.S. -Arpa, I am using one of your choices for the title for now, so please don't sue me;)

 

 

-Hratch

Dear Hratch, good to see you again.

I have been thinking about you and even tempted to drop you a PM when we were talking about Armenian Mythology. You may want to review the, although they may be scattered here and there I did gather many of then under one roof so to speak.

No Hratch I won't sue you, I'll just settle for 90% :)

As to the title I think the second "the" can be dropped, i.e. The Tiger of Tigris , not only for esthetic reasons but idiomatic as well.

I will read the intro and comment in time.

Congratulations and wishes of success to you!