quote constantplanck

Ask him where he got such a wonderful idea.

Eh, What you mean, It was all my idea!!!

The SOMS News


Each week there will be a news section which will give all the hot topics which will affect the story forum.

 First of all, with Football Manager 2010 coming out on Friday (and some already out), it is predicted that the amount of SOMS will increase rapidly with everyone wanting to share their first game with everyone. It will be good to see a wide range of ideas flowing and it is always a joy to have many different ones to read about different teams.
 Regarding the blog header, may I give huge credit to Huzzer who created and used the header for the 09 blog which I have slightly modified for 10.
 I would also like to welcome stereo441 and Kesh who have both agreed to contribute by writing their own articles for the blog.
 We have had an incredible 33 stories already written since the story forum opened although 5 of those have already closed.
My tip is that when starting a SOMS, closing for lack of interest is not a good reason as sticking at a story will slowly build up an audience and you’ll not regret it when you get onto your twentieth page of updates. A lot of pages do attract more people as it means the story has been a success so far and then that adds on to later SOMS as people remember you as the writer of that story which you wrote before.


The one to watch!



The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
By stereo441


Have you seen so many controversial people in one room?

Imagine twelve people; one is an extractor of gas, another destroys rainforests for matchsticks, two of them produce porn and fight for the golden knob award, one starred in Monsters Inc. and many many more who seem to have a controversial background. Then put them as owners of a football club and what do you get? The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (LEG). stereo441 has created a story which also combines with a competition to create one of the most interactive stories there has been. What makes it extra special is that although stereo runs the story, all of the other members are given the freedom to create their own updates which feature press conferences and also widen our knowledge of the back story of who we are dealing with in the LEG. Here is my top five reasons for why this SOMS will be a huge success:

 Member participation could not be any higher with characters developed each day.
 The detail of the back story is incredible with every character being similar in how different they are.
 stereo has got graphics man, Dec on his side and the added features of the kits just adds to the overall look of the story.
 Every story needs a good layout and stereo's is up there with the best of them using a simple but extremely effective layout.
 And finally; anything can happen. Everyone started off the same but as each round goes by, teams start to differ to each other and it is completely unknown what will happen in the story.

quote HarriesCCFC11
Great start to the soms, vast amounts of quality detailed writing, and a good layout KIU 

Interview: with stereo441


Modiga: Welcome Stereo, we speak today following the excellent start to your competition SOMS. Although constantplanck jokingly asked about where you got the idea from, I’m going to ask the question in a different context with where you got the idea to do the LEG? This question has also been asked from new neoseeker member Revelation.

stereo: Well I'd be lying if I said it was all my idea. The competition itself is really a follow on from CP's young men's league (Cant remember the name) in the FM09 forums, a competition I really enjoyed being part of hence my decision to run a similar one. Whilst taking CP's idea (THANKS) I always had a few things in mind I would have done to it and saw this as a chance to add my own little stamp too it. The story side on the other hand, just seemed like the natural thing to do. I didn't want to clog up the comp thread with loads of information, and figured I like stories and this might be my only FM10 one, and to be honest it lends itself brilliantly. The fact I have a good bunch of neo members taking part really helps, and with everyone chipping into the story (Something I always hoped would happen, after all they are all involved) it’s making for a very interesting and slightly different read. I think when the league is up and running the story will take more of a normal format, but that's all to come! I have never seen a story in this mould before, and have always wanted to do something a bit more original so this works. I don't know what its like for outsiders reading it, but its certainly good value for the people involved!

Modiga: With it being seen as a long-term project with many seasons being planned, how long do you plan to keep this going?

stereo: That is not something I have though much about. I certainly hope to get a few seasons if possible but it depends a lot on the participants and how long they stay interested. I think to really get the best out of the comp it needs to run at least 3 years, and I hope to keep the story running the whole way with it. I don’t plan on playing this game much to be honest (I say that now) so the LEG if everyone wants has some way to go!

Modiga: I'm sure the LEG members will help you keep this going if it follows the success it has had so far. Now to a question more about yourself as a SOMS reader; do you follow other SOMS and does it help inspire you for your own ideas?

stereo: Me as a SOMS reader eh! I have to admit I’m not a massive follower at the minute, I do try but usually spend that much time working on mine that I forget. I generally follow certain people stories, people I have followed through 09, such as yourself, Kesh, Skadoosh etc. Don’t get me wrong from time to time I take time out to read through others, and you'll know when I have (There will be a horde of comments). If someone takes the time to read mine as a courtesy I will do the same back. I like to see different styles of stories, but Id much rather come up with my own ideas and layout. It’s nice to see a variety of different writing styles and formats as they can lend themselves towards inspiration. I guess when I first started I tried to look at as many stories as I could and tried to build them all into my own style, but as time went by my own style started to mould! I have a few ideas if I start a new story how I’m going to do it, and it will be nothing like my old ones!!

Modiga: Care to share any of those ideas?

stereo: At the minute I’m thinking of cutting right back on the content and formatting, opting instead to focus on a rather plain story that’s all about the content!

I mightn't like the look of it myself so it may never happen. Expect some experimentation in the LEG story!

Modiga: Looking forward to seeing it. Do you think your LEG story will be your most successful or do you think your Belfast story will be hard to beat?

stereo: It depends to be honest, I think this story has shed loads of potential, and its different so should keep people involved and interested. I would love it if some readers started to get involved and even started supporting one of the teams, a bit crazy but would be cool (maybe when the matches start). The Belfast United story, believe it or not was my first ever, and I was really into it, the game itself was an experiment I was doing so it had real longevity, but then the LEG could be the same. I’m still not 100% sure how the LEG story will take shape, its going to be on the fly as I play through the game. I don’t know if it will be as successful or not, but I guess the readers will be the judge of that.

Modiga: Last of all, would you agree that the Modiga Pirates are favourites to win the league?

stereo: No comment

Modiga: Haha, I'll take that as a yes just to annoy constantplanck. Anyway, thank you for the interview and I hope your LEG story is a massive success and I'm sure it will bring in a few rewards along the way.