#NoShepardWithoutVakarian (sending a fan collective to BW)

Updates!

As I said, I'm slightly behind schedule and so can accept anything that reaches my pc before 1pm GMT monday 17th June

We have a lot of great work going into this fan book, with currently over 70 pages of art, 16 fan fics, 9 letters and two pages of haikus! (8 per page).. and some really amazing little suprises for you!

Also, I had the chance to speak with Jessica Merizan this week, whom is also a Garrus fan (awesome lady in my books!) and she is happy to recieve our parcel!

I think I've hit everything important here, except to say a huge THANK YOU to everybody who has contributed something to this book, you are all amazing! and to everyone who keeps telling me how much they wish they could see the final book, I wish I could show you all too, but alas the best I can do is a pdf, which I will do, and I will let you all know where/when it is hosted.

Sorry guys, forgot to add, any submissions should be sent to me either by PM here or to kimmylou.sparks@googlemail.com

I'll probably write letters since I can't draw

I'll be writing a letter also, I might try my hand at a little fan fiction, but it probably wont end well, as the creative gene totally bypassed me
Also, I'm currently sitting on two stars, one named Shepard the other Vakarian.. so if there is a way they'll fit in nicely with this idea I'm going to pop them in.. but I wont do it for the sake of it, just if it seems they'll meld well

I've got a friend who will write a letter, and I'll try and get the word out about this in the mean time.

Unless the drawing involves stick figures, I'm afraid I'm lost there. However, I may try to contact some people on Deviant Art who've done amazing Garrus art and see if that nets anything.

So far as fanfic goes, perhaps we can come up for the parameters of a short story/essay? There's a name for this in the fanfic world, dammit -- prompts? Maybe. Anyhoo, come up with a theme of some sort [to toss out some examples: Garrus on Omega; Garrus With his Task Force; Garrus/Shep After the Shooting Contest (heh, roooow) -- these are purely off the top of my head and probably not that great!] and people come up with their own versions of it. Keep it relatively small in size: Essay rather than long fiction since that tends to increase the chance buys busy people may actually read it over.

Yes? No? Maybe?

If all else fails: Write Garrus Haiku. Then imagine it being read by a Hanar.

I agree, I don't want to be too restrictive, but I'd really like some efforts rewarded, I'll be thinking long and hard about themes etc, anything you come up with is helpful and I thank you!

Thoughts on the above people?

I'm also trying to find a concept where us non artistic people can add more than letters, kind of like the Kaidan people have this amazing poster concept using our own Shepards, something similiar would be great.. lots of thinking and not much sleeping me thinks! (since it's already gone midnight on a work night... oops!)

*edit* the more I think the more I like the theme idea, gives us direction and I think it could make this extra special, all ideas welcomed

I apologise, I'm posting alot but I came up with the following two theme ideas:

1/ Garrus at the bar.

2/ Meaningful moments... this is slightly broader but still has parameters, this idea basically encorperates any moment that is significant in Garrus/Shepards past/future, this can range between the ME1 conversation “You can’t predict how people will act, Garrus. But you can control how you’ll respond. In the end, that’s what really matters.” to the end goodbye, etc

Ooo! Ooo! Great ideas for Themes, Kim, and it made me think.... why not make the 'prompts' some of the well known/kickass Garrus quotes? And people can write something - whatever they like - based on what the quote inspires in them. There's the quote you already quoted. Here are several that I scrounged up/recall:

• "And now to the geth base. Not something an intelligent mind expects to say."
• "Some women find facial scarring attractive. Mind you, most of those women are krogan."
• "A quarantine zone for a plague that kills turians, why don't we ever go anywhere nice?"
• "Dammit, Williams/Kaidan. You're so focused on Cerberus that you're ignoring the real threat."
• "There's no pep talk like a military pep talk."
• "We can disobey suicidal orders? Why wasn't I told?"
• "Over the years I've grown used to smell of dead bodies... that's probably a bad sign..."
• "That's unfortunate, hospitals aren't fun to fight through." (Shepard asks, "What is fun to fight through?") "Gardens, electronics shops. Antique stores, but only if they're classy."
  "You know me, I like to savour the last shot before I pop the heat sink."
• "Exploring an abandoned area, expecting something mechanical and nasty to jump out at any moment. Just like old times."
• "I'm hard to kill. You should know that."
• "I wanted to help people. Fortunately, you showed how to use the direct approach."
• "I know another race that doesn't believe in mercy. They're called Reapers. Maybe you'd like to go work for them instead?"
• "How do I not have one of those?"
• "I'm Garrus Vakarian, and this is now my favorite spot on the Citadel!"
• "There, there It's okay. I know there are other things you're good at."
• "Sacrifice in war is expected He did us proud, but... we're a hard bunch to please. Living your life for the cause, society first, platoon first. It's just all expected."
• "Remember to come up for air. And not just because these people need you... because I need you."
• "The ruthless calculus of war."
• "Don't worry, we'll get through this. We always do."
• "I think we're about the kick the reapers back into whatever black hole they crawled out of. Then we're going to retire somewhere warm and tropical and live off the royalties from the vids. Maybe even find out what a turian-human baby looks like."
• "Come back alive. It'd be an awfully empty galaxy without you."

It can be added to, cut down, whatever. People can, if they like, take their favourite quote and write a short story (should we come up with a general word limit?), poem (haiku!), etc based on whatever that quote brings to mind.

Thoughts?

Edit: Some more quotes, these from the ME2 loyalty mission. The last two show up in Paragon versions

• "You know what else is bad for business? A broken neck!"
• "I've always hated injustice. The thought that Sidonis could get away with this? Why should he go on living while ten good men lie in unmarked graves? I'm sorry, Shepard, words aren't going to solve this problem."
• "It's so much easier to see the world in black and white. Gray... I don't know what to do with gray."

Wow, nice ideas everyone! You gals are awesome!

Hmmm...I'm not really good at this creative stuff, I'm afraid. (curse my uncreative mind!!)
I'll give it my best shot though. Just found a quote that gave me some ideas...(thanks for the list ShyGravel!)
If you need something photoshopped though, I could give it a try. Just don't make me draw something myself. That never ends well.

Oh, and...this might sound stupid and it might be a bit early but is there going to be a deadline of some sorts?

@ShyGravel - well done, they're fab! I'll def get going on word limits etc over the course of the day, thanks for all your help

@Kysi - I'm going to add a deadline as soon as I start getting submissions, dont want something that I have to change so just wanted to get the ball rolling on it first

Going to try get the word out too, any help with that is greatly appreciated, maybe if anyone has a BSN account? mine doesnt have posting rights, never has and Ive never bothered with fixing it

I've identified 4 places we need to push this other than here, but I'm currently not active in them all (or know how to use them all!) and so I'm going to ask for help, but I will try to learn if nobody comes forward!

BSN - The obvious choice, it might be an idea to spread the word and also create a group here dedicated to this
Facebook - There are alot of active people on the demand page, I have started spreading the word here but as we know the page moves fast so anyone else who wants to mention it would be appreciated!
Twitter - This is the one I don't how to work, I'm shamed to admit it, but it might be an idea to use our # on twitter and spread the word there if anyone is willing?
DeviantArt - As we've already identified there are some great artists there who have done some great Garrus art, I'm going to try sign up but if anyone finds anything and wishes to ask the artist whether they want to/ are willing to become involved with this then that'd be useful also

If anyone who is willing to do any of the above could let me know that would be great, I really think we can make this big between us, us Garrus lovers are a fab bunch after all! and once I start recieving contributions I can set a deadline and really get this ball rolling!

Also, if there is anything I've missed, tell me! I think there is probably something fanfic that is currently illuding my overworked mind!

@Kysi - You're welcome! I'll try to get the correct wording for other Garrus quotes, perhaps more that illustrate his more renegade/badass side.

@Kim Sparks - You're welcome as well! Anything you need, just let me know. My love for Garrus is strong.

BSN: I have an active account but I haven't actually paid attention to it for about 2 months now. I'm allergic to trolls. But I'll see about booting it up and spreading the word on the Garrus threads if they're still active.

Twitter: I'm @Barlovento0609 on Twitter and I've already posted about #NoShepardWithoutVakarian but I don't have a lot of followers at all (I'm very new to it) so others spreading the word would be awesome. Do we have any Twitter fanatics?

DeviantArt: I already messaged two artists, Efleck and Suthnmeh and I'll keep browsing through to send notes to others that stand out.

Tumblr: Another possible venue for spreading the word? Anyone a Tumblr fan?

I just contacted neehs on deviantart. Waiting for a reply.

@ShyGravel Maybe we should check back with each other so we don't spam the artists with requests. Receiving multiple messages might put them off.
I was wondering if we should make a list of sorts since I was going to browse the site as well.

Excellent idea, Kysi, I agree!
@Kim Sparks: Do you think you could add a section to the OP regarding contacting Artists? People could send you updates or post here (whichever you prefer) on who they've contacted (and any responses we get) so it can be added to the OP so that we avoid spamming people with requests.

So far we've contacted:
efleck (site - Contacted. Her page says she's on vacation until tomorrow.)
suthnmeh (site - Contacted.)
neehs (site - Contacted.)

edit: I just contacted carrinth on DA so adding that.
carrinth (site - Contacted.)

Alright, just contacted 3 more:
-Sean-D-Omega http://sean-d-omega.deviantart.com/
-velocitti http://velocitti.deviantart.com/
-rinpoo-chuang http://rinpoo-chuang.deviantart.com/

I've just added a section on spreading the word, where I outlined guidelines for contacting people, if you think I've missed anything then let me know please!

And thanks again guys, I can't say enough how much I appreciate what you're done, and a special thanks to @Kysi and @ShyGravel you guys are great

lol! So many wonderful ideas! I giggled my butt off in my office with the quotes I can't remember the exact line but you guys should add the one where he comes up to Shepard's room saying, "Want some company?"

I've been knocking around an idea for a FanFic (my excuse to learn to write better) but I doubt it will be spectacular I'll see if I can get a little further ahead with it and send a snip-it to you guys..

All else fails... Shepard/Vakarian Haiku it is! (Also a letter )

All of which will be greatly appreciated!! I'm sure your fanfic would be great, but the other stuff also sounds good

I'll try find the quote you mean this evening, after dinner I plan to do some serious searching! Glad to have you on board

Thanks for the updates @Kim Sparks

@Heather Shepard - FanFic and/or Haiku, either one sounds awesome! So long as we're having fun with whatever we're doing it'll be fine.

That said, my plan was to search through saves and YouTube for more quotes, but I'm majorly losing the fight against a sinus migraine. I'll get back on it as soon as my head decides to stop hating me.