The originators of Ghostletters, a collaborative writing group where members write as fictional or historical characters, have taken their clever creation to the level of social networking. Not that there weren't plenty of historical characters and not a few fictional ones on Facebook already. Many of you reading this have "friended" Edward II of England, Melisande d'Outremer, Hugh le Despenser, James "The Black" Douglas and Harold Godwinson. And let's not forget Crispin Guest!
The new Ghostletters on Facebook simply takes the impersonations one more step. These impersonations, more like Edward II abouve than Crispin Guest who speaks in the persona of his author, are in addition to Facebook members real communications. For instance, rather than sharing the doings of his anonymous author, Chauncey the Bottle Imp uses his own vernacular to converse with other Ghostletters impersonators.
This all just started, but you can go to the Ghostletters community page on Facebook. Read what Friar Jak, a walrus, a street kid from 10th century Winchester, a black and silver cat, a lady of medieval England, a young woman disguised as a Union soldier, and several others have to say for themselves. You can respond to their status updates, chat with them, send them messages, poke them, and even invite them to play games with you. That is, your own persona. your own historical or fictional character.
To do this in persona you will have to have a separate account for each character.. unless you just make sure you always indicate who is doing the talking. I, for example, set up Stigand of Wintonceaster (stiganowintonceaster on Facebook) the 10th century street kid who will tell you about his dog Brothor and ask you for food. I set up a free Yahoo mail account for Stigand, then registered on Facebook. He set out to find people to friend. I manage him, other characters and my own Facebook by opening more than one browser window at al time, signed in for each.
Sometime soon I will collect some of these fascinating characters' conversations and share them here.
Have fun!
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