The Lost Book was a collaborative adventure in storytelling. It took place right here on the world wide web in 2009 and was open to anyone in the known world to join in (we don’t think anyone tuned in from an unknown or lost world!). Thousands of people from 121 different countries got involved.
Episode 1 of The Lost Book animation was posted online on 30 January 2009. The stories for episodes 2 to 6 were created by the audience, who contributed by either making suggestions through the project blog or voting on other people's ideas.
The worldwide writing team solved the mystery of the missing book, created new characters and decided what they’d do. By working together, they plotted the entire series, with a new episode every five weeks.
The posts on this page allow you to find out how everyone collaborated to develop the story of each episode, and who was involved with each. There's also an in-depth case study of episode 5, which includes every word of the online story discussions.
Hello! You've watched episode 6. You know that it was written by the audience. So, how did that happen and who was involved?
The discussions about episode 6 started the moment we'd finalised the story for episode 5. There was a conversation about what Watson and Kyle were doing while everyone else was occupied (they don't feature in episode 5) and another that tried to work out the implications of Otto Dafé being revealed as a good guy. These discussions led The Lost Book team to realise that we should consider the best narrative structure for the final episode to allow us to tie up as many loose ends as possible. A vote decided that the episode would have a voiceover and lots of snippets of events telling as many stories as we could squeeze in.
The two narrators for the voiceover - Aileen and her dog Watson - were also selected by vote.
Bibliomane suggested using Copper Beeches Café in Iowa City as a framing device, giving a "present day" location of the characters as they look back over the events after Aileen and Professor Remi were rescued at the end of episode 5. As the various storylines developed, Meg's suggestion that Kyle would ask Aileen out was voted in, so Kyle and Aileen's date became the location for the framing scenes. Bibliomane's idea of the Sheep Heid Inn in Duddingston, Edinburgh, was agreed to be the best, so episode 6 starts and ends at the Sheep Heid.
Aileen is reading her article in the Daily Gazette - the publication of which was another of Meg's ideas. A vote had decided that Invisible Inc's reason for getting Aileen involved was that they needed a press witness so it was good to see the outcome of this.
The article itself shows Beryl Pott's arrest - a plot suggestion from Bookaddictus. We learn more about how this happened when Watson tells his story. Lulu had suggested that Watson might uncover Grazp's lab and IndiaJones proposed he could find a business plan or sales brochure that revealed Grazp's plan (a plan dreamed up by Wearealldoomed - Beryl Potts was going to sell rejuvenation to a group of elite, making a fortune and creating a new class). So, we combined the two ideas and had Watson finding some test-tubes and a draft brochure - after leaping over laser beams because that was fun to create!
Next up, Aileen's Mum. Lots of discussion, started by Bibliomane,agreed that she wasn't guilty of helping Otto steal the book - she was was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. As Tom says, "Mum is innocent (and clumsy)". Headlong's idea that Aileen's Mum should be released was voted into the episode so we decided to show both the release and the clumsiness. We see Aileen's Mum back at work at the library, starting a chain reaction that sees a valuable book plummeting into in her bucket of water.
Next up came IndiaJones's idea for a new job for Otto - librarian. The State Library of Victoria in Melbourne was proposed by Anna. Poor Otto's cover with the K.B.E. was completely blown during his adventure, but he's still working for Invisible Inc. - just lying low for a while. Kiwi pointed out that he would stamp books with invisible ink (groan) and the suggestion that this would be a security device came from Bibliomane, hence the books having a disappearing "Protected by Invisible Inc." stamp.
Tom suggested that Aileen should join Invisible Inc., so we showed her in training.
Back at the Sheep Heid, at the end of the flashback sequence, we see Kyle at the bar getting a jug of Pimms - DJ Johnston-Smith reckoned the Sheep Heid makes a great jug of Pimms so Kiwi suggested this as a romantic drinks option.
We also snuck in a final story, showing what Professor Remi has gone on to do. The cover story on the magazine section of Aileen's Daily Gazette that features Remi - the summary on the main paper says "Go exploring: exclusive interviews with the Rift Valley expedition team". Remi's ongoing career was thought up by Tom, Lulu and TheLetterB.
And, the ending. We wanted to leave the possibility of a sequel open, but only gently, so we showed Aileen and Watson getting the call for their first Invisible Inc. mission. What will their new adventure be?!
Thanks to everyone who helped write episode 6 and everyone who voted in the polls. Thanks also to the writers of the stolen book, Sally Challenger's expedition journal (Jasper Fforde, Matthias, Bookaddictus, Norvaljoe, Rocketboy (twice!), Mary, QueenofSheeba, Bananagirl, pondweed, Professor Moriaty, IndiaJones (twice!), curlyshirley, ScoutingForBoys, Martha K., Caroline (twice!), LuLu, Andrew J. Wilson, Dinobot, Wearealldoomed, Gondolagirl and Peanut) and to Brian, Caroline, Lauren Johnston-Smith, Libraryfan, Nu-Knees, Percival, ResQgeek, Siobhan and TreeHugger. You all did a great job in creating the last episode of The Lost Book!
I’m a bit late with this post. We’re in production on episode 5 – you can watch the animation rough and read the “making of...” posts. But, this is the story behind the story – how was the plot for episode 5 developed, and who was involved?
We ended episode 4 with a gunshot – and no idea who’d been shot! We also know that Aileen was going to be captured by Beryl Potts and Grazp Pharmaceuticals.
So, the first thing to deal with in episode 5 was that gunshot. A vote decided that Beryl Potts shot at Otto Dafé and missed. So, we start the episode with Otto running and hiding – and managing to evade Beryl’s henchmen.
Next, we looked at Aileen in captivity. Another vote decided that Beryl had found out who Aileen was – and locked her up because her cover had been blown. Bibliomane and Kiwi suggested that Professor Remi (from Sally Challenger’s expedition) might also be in captivity so that the two could compare notes. Di also supported this idea and it was agreed.
So, this gave us part of our main scene – Aileen and Remi, tied up and talking about the Ikhata. Bibliomane suggested that the Ikhata might be the key to unlocking the rejuvenation properties of the water and this great suggestion, seconded by Kiwi, was included. We’ve found out a lot more about the Ikhata thanks to Andrew J. Wilson’s catalogue entry for the mysterious artefact (see this and a photo of the Ikhata in the Appendix of Sally Challenger's expedition journal), although Remi doesn’t give much away as she’s distracted at a crucial moment.
A vote also decided that Professor Remi would look considerably younger than her seventy-eight years (although she wouldn’t be a little girl) confirming that the water, with the Ikhata, does rejuvenate.
We then needed to work out who would rescue Aileen. To our surprise, the poll was a draw between Lyn and bad guy Otto. Kiwi had started this storyline by suggesting that Lyn and Otto might be siblings, that Otto had been “sucked into the cult of KBE” and Lyn was trying to get him out. There was lots of discussion about whether this would work. Not everyone agreed that the two looked alike, and there was some concern about why Otto and Lyn hadn’t recognised each other in Copper Beeches Café. Bookaddictus came up with a great solution – if the two were working together all along then they would be pretending not to know each other. Lulu improved on the idea by suggesting they were both working for Invisible Inc – Otto’s only in KBE because he’s working undercover.
This suggestion was agreed so we needed Lyn and Otto to team up to rescue Aileen and Remi. At the end of episode 4 we’d left Lyn outside the building, and Otto inside running away from Beryl Potts. So, Lyn needs to get in (and get everyone else out) in an all-action sequence involving a helicopter... the helicopter was courtesy of Kiwi. And, Otto needs to sneak through Grazp’s security somehow.
This led to a great scene where Otto crawls into the room through a ventilation shaft – to Aileen’s horror, as she still thinks he’s a bad guy. Then, Lyn comes crashing through the window, unties Aileen, explains that Otto’s her brother, and gets everyone out.
Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions that got made into episode 5. Thanks also to all of you who have voted in our polls, the writers of the stolen book, Sally Challenger's expedition journal, (Matthias, Bookaddictus, Norvaljoe, Rocketboy, Mary, QueenofSheeba, Bananagirl, pondweed, Professor Moriaty, IndiaJones, curlyshirley, Rocketboy again, ScoutingForBoys, Martha K., Caroline, LuLu and Andrew J. Wilson) and to Leo, Tom, ResQgeek, Ana Gil, Snaknap, Meg, and Bob. There wouldn’t be a story without you!
Here, I'm going to tell you the story of how the script and storyboard for episode 4 were developed, and who was in the writing team. At the end of episode 3, Aileen was in a taxi, chasing book assassin Otto Dafé to the airport. Kyle was already at the airport.
We decided together that the number "4" - which has popped up quite a few times - would have some significance. The discussion led to a brilliant chemical solution by Kiwi which linked the number 4 to Potassium and Beryllium (chemical symbols K and Be). This has since been confirmed as Sally Challenger's expedition journal has found these elements in the water - thanks IndiaJones (and, kudos to Rocketboy who first mentioned the water!).
A vote also decided that Aileen was going to concentrate on solving the theft of the Challenger journal, rather than chasing K.B.E., so we needed to work out who had hired K.B.E. to remove the journal. This led to a lot of discussion about how Aileen would follow Otto and what she'd find. Kiwi suggested eavesdropping, Tom seconded this, and a vote decided it. A second vote put the responsibility for eavesdropping onto Kyle - he should make the most of his opportunity at the airport.
So, episode 4 starts with Kyle listening in as Otto sets up a rendezvous. The address given is "4 Mundi Place", another instance of the number 4 and a reference to one of the good suggestions that hasn't been selected - snaknap proposed that the Challenger journal might have been torn up and sent to the four corners of the world. Otto is meeting Beryl Potts, a winsome name for a baddie, dreamed up by Bibliomane. The destination of Christchurch was proposed by Erik the Read.
It's been decided by vote that Grazp Pharmaceuticals are definitely the organisation that hired K.B.E. to assassinate the book. Tom and Anna started discussing this possible link back in February, headlong highlighted it in March, and Bibliomane brought it up again and linked Grazp to the discoveries on the Challenger expedition - that mysterious compound in the water. This was supported by Siobhan and Tom.
So, Aileen and her team discover that 4 Mundi Place is the New Zealand office of Grazp. Next, they needed to put together the link between Grazp and Sally Challenger's expedition journal. A vote decided that Watson would get the glory here - he has unencrypted part of a corrupted file. (He's able to do this only because of all of you who have been helping us write the journal - the journal entry that will appear in the episode is written by curlyshirley.) We also incorporated an idea of Bibliomane's that Lyn might remember something of the journal, plus a suggestion of Tom's that she'd remember this at a crucial time.
Finally, we needed to work out what would happen once the team reach Christchurch. The general consensus was that they would follow Otto to Grazp's office, where Aileen'd overhear part of his progress report. But, what would happen at the ending? A vote didn't decide between the two options - so we're using both. Bibliomane suggested that a gunshot would be heard, so that's how this episode ends. Tom suggested that Aileen might be captured, so she'll start episode 5 in captivity.
In order to separate Aileen from the others, so that she could be caught, we sent her in to the Grazp office on her own. (Although, Watson wouldn't let her go entirely alone, so he's in the building - with orders to stay near the entrance.) She's disguised as a courier, with a package for Beryl Potts (we don't know what's in the package!). Aileen is bugged, so Kyle and Lyn can hear everything that happens. It'll be up to them and Watson to rescue Aileen in episode 5!
Thanks for your suggestions. Also, thanks to everyone who has voted in our polls, all the writers of the stolen book, Sally Challenger's expedition journal, (Matthias, Bookaddictus, Norvaljoe, Rocketboy, Mary, QueenofSheeba, Bananagirl, pondweed, Professor Moriaty, IndiaJones and curlyshirley), Lisa, Guinevere, Nadia, Eric, cathyinoz, Shirley Rodgers, Jasmine Collins and Troy. We quite literally couldn’t do this without you all!
This is the story behind the story of episode 3: the tale of how the plot developed and who was involved...
Aileen was invited to Copper Beeches Café at the end of episode 2, which was posted just over two weeks ago. Lots of comments (especially from mIsS rEaDaLoT, Qwuno, LaLaLaLara, Robota and Miss amazing!) and a vote decided that Aileen would go to the café. Angus, Nadia and Tom all felt that she would meet Lyn there (although there were a few dissenting suggestions, mainly involving father figures, from Ellen and LaLaLaLara/Miss amazing!). A vote also decided that Lyn is a goodie not a baddie.
We decided by vote that the café wouldn’t be linked to Sally Challenger, although this suggestion from Snaknap was very nearly popular enough to be included.
There were quite a few suggestions about what Lyn could tell Aileen. Firstly, KBE stands for Keep Books Extinct, suggested by Bibliomane. A vote decided that the KBE is only after the Challenger journal at the moment – they are hired to assassinate particular books. Nadia and Tom suggested that Lyn might tell Aileen what books they have removed in the past.
So, we’ve created a dossier that holds all Invisible Inc.’s information about KBE. It will include some books that KBE has removed over the centuries - we'll be talking to an expert on lost books to get some titles to include.
It was decided by vote that Kyle would get suspended after episode 1, but Aileen didn’t find out about this in episode 2. This means poor Kyle has had to admit to it this time around.
There were some great ideas about what would happen at Copper Beeches Café (particularly from Headlong, Bibliomane and Snaknap) and after much discussion and a close vote Tom’s suggestion that Watson would sniff out the bad guy who’d destroyed Doc Rebus’s book won. Robota had also had the idea of there being a scary man at the café.
Watson had a good sniff at the book in Doc Rebus’s and it’s great to see his tracking skills being put to good use here – although, he’s a little slow and misses catching the bad guy. It was decided that Aileen would follow the baddie (it was close, with 46% voting for a chase but 44% thinking she might find a clue instead). This is brilliant because we can include the line “follow that cab” which Aileen has always wanted to say!
The bad guy is, as yet, unnamed – we should have a shortlist for you to vote on later today (thanks to Headlong, Impish, Tracy, Carolina, marco167, mojosmom, Nu-Knees, anaonthenet, time-traveler, katiesmama, keitje, Guinevere, AliMcJ, Snaknap, Katie, Ellen, HINERANGI and Dee Fanego for suggestions).
A vote decided that Lyn would go with Aileen. Their next destination is Christchurch, New Zealand, suggested by Erik the Read so the episode ends with the two of them, plus Watson, heading towards the airport in hot pursuit.
Thanks also to: everyone who’s voted in our polls, The critics of a lifetime!!!, Whos out there, Matthew, Blue, Chekhov, Erica the Red, terriertim, Troy and ResQGeek.
And, last but not least, the writers of the stolen book: Matthias, Bookaddictus, Norvaljoe, Rocketboy, Mary, QueenofSheeba and BananaGirl. If you’d like to help write the Lost Book, Sally Challenger’s expedition journal, read the story so far and then tell us what happens next!
This is the story of how episode 2 developed, and who was involved.
Episode 1 was posted two weeks ago. We asked where Aileen would go next and why. M.J., Kati, P4/5 Pentland Primary and Niall said she should check out the scene of the crime, but Tom pointed out that Aileen was a suspect so probably wouldn’t be allowed anywhere near. Anna put in the idea that Kyle could deal with the investigations and keep Aileen updated.
There was a lot of agreement that Aileen needed to find out what was in the missing book. Nadia pointed this out early on; Pomme and Tom agreed – and also pointed out that she needs to know what “K.B.E.” means. Anna had a great idea: that a society of bibliophiles might be able to help. The society name voted the winner was libertine101's Invisible Inc.
So, we've started episode 2 with an update on Kyle's investigations. He's got a good lead from the head librarian - a specialist book shop that might have a copy of Sally Challenger's expedition journal. He's also heard some hints about a shadowy secret society of book lovers who might be able to help.
But, we also agreed that Kyle would be likely to get in trouble for helping Aileen. We know from a vote that he's going to be suspended - but Aileen doesn't. She's probably worried about him - we also decided by vote that she has a secret soft spot for Kyle.
We also found out through votes that Watson isn't a criminal spydog (although Emily, Calum and Conor had some suspicions) and that Aileen isn't the book thief (Kris had a good argument in favour of Aileen's innocence), so we're able to concentrate on them solving the crime. Another vote decided Aileen wasn't being kidnapped by the bus driver (although P4/5 Pentland Primary, Stephanie, Lewis and Calum had some imaginative ideas).
So, as Aileen is free to investigate, she heads to Iowa City to follow Kyle's lead. We've chosen Iowa City because the name "Invisible Inc." suggests it's based somewhere in North America - and Iowa City, like Edinburgh, is a UNESCO City of Literature.
Once in Iowa City, we've given Invisible Inc. a bookshop to cover their secret activities. We decided together that our new character is a member of Invisible Inc. - Tom and Anna thought she might work in a museum or library, but Tom also mentioned the American Book Center (ABC) - a bookshop that is perhaps linked to Anna's suggestions for a secret society, the Alexandrian Bibliophilic Concilium. This seemed a genius idea, and the "Inc" part of Invisible Inc seemed better suited to a company such as a shop than a non-profit museum or library.
The name Doc Rebus? Well, it's partly in homage to Edinburgh's very own Inspector Rebus. And, partly because a rebus is a sort of puzzle. And, it's also an anagram of "obscured" - a near synonym of "invisible".
We want Aileen to find out what's in the expedition journal - but she can't discover it yet, because we don't know ourselves! If you'd like to help write the journal, enter our microstory competition. By the time episode 2 is ready, we should have the first three or four entries in the journal (we already have the first one - written by Matthias, the first winner of the competition - but there will be other winners every week). So, the copy at Doc Rebus's has had most of its pages stolen.
We think our new character is going to help Aileen now she realises that the thieves have even reached Iowa City. They can't talk openly in the bookshop, so we couldn't resist setting up a meeting using invisible ink! Also, she can't tell Aileen what "K.B.E." stands for as we don't know yet (although Julian and Connor have some ideas) - we'll work this out together before episode 3.
Finally, the name of Copper Beeches Cafe comes from a Sherlock Holmes short story ('The Adventure of the Copper Beeches' in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes).
Thanks also to: everyone who’s voted in our polls, John, Siobhan, Donald, all the BookCrossers, Carlissa, Hannah, Bookguide, Kiwi, Grumpy, Happy, Dopey and Sneezy (not really!), Snaknap, Su-a and Euan.
Editor's note: episode 1 was written and produced by award-winning Edinburgh animation studio Show Them Pictures (then working under the name Binary Fable). The following post invited visitors to the project website to get involved with writing the story for the rest of the series, and kicked off the story teamwork described in the posts about each episode.
We haven’t got any more story! We need your help to decide what happens next. First, watch episode 1. Do it now, before reading any further. Here be spoilers!
Aileen’s had a few shocks. A book has been stolen, she’s a suspect, and her mum’s been arrested. But, she’s pretty tough. She’s determined to find out who’s taken the missing book.
So, what clue do you think she’s following – where is it leading her and why? Leave us a comment with your ideas. Keep your message under 30 words if you can: let’s start discussing ideas quickly!
