Star Wars Reads Panel discussion
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message 51:
by
Karyn
(new)
Oct 03, 2012 07:24am
What are all the authors' thoughts on Robot Chicken's versions of Star Wars?
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When you write a book are you told at the beginning which characters can live or die? Who makes that decision?
Ever since I was young, the Star Wars verse has intrigued me and inspired me to write stories of my own. Where do you find inspiration for new characters? Do you base them off of real people, people you know, or do they just come to you? Also, in regards to canon characters, where do you find inspiration for stories regarding their younger years?
All of you are an inspiration to the Star Wars verse and keep all of us interested in the stories, the species, and the worlds you create. Thank you all so much for what you have contributed to the SW universe.
Jaymes wrote: "Hey guys! Big Fan of all of you! My Question is this.What kind of hoops do you have to go through when writing a Star Wars Novel. Are there requirements you are forced to abide by? I realize that..."
A lot of you have asked about the process for writing a Star Wars book - being a humor book, my own experience has probably been a bit different, but I'll try to cover all the aspects everyone has brought up.
@Spocky
I don't know if George Lucas actually sat down and approved my book, but each stage of writing - basic ideas, thumbnail sketches, pencils, final full color artwork - had to be approved by Lucasfilm. I worked with J.W. Rinzler basically, and I would guess he showed things to some of the other people working in Lucasfilm's publishing and licensing division. I know that in order for me to write the book and get it properly licensed, the publisher (Chronicle Books) had to take my pitch to Lucasfilm, where it was presented and discussed before they gave the green light.
@Alice
I did study the movies extensively - as well as looking at other Star Wars material, even if it didn't relate directly to my project; I watched a lot of Clone Wars and re-read a bunch of the novels. I was never scared of offending fans or George Lucas, because I knew how much I loved the material I was getting to play with (and I certainly wasn't going to sabotage my chances of getting to draw and write more Star Wars material!)
@Kevin/@S.L.
So far, my experience has been great - there really hasn't been anything I've wanted to do that has been shot down, and Lucasfilm has really let me bring my own vision of Star Wars to the material I've written and drawn. The most frustrating part has been the occasional waiting for approval on sketches, because I'm always itching to get to work drawing the final art.
There haven't been any explicitly stated rules for me to follow, but I think my editors and I are already so much on the same page that it's never been a problem.
@Bewley
I always have a detailed script before writing; for Darth Vader and son this was less of an issue because it's essentially a collection of one page gags and drawings. We did, however, actually have a pretty set flow to the book in terms of which gags would be placed where. I think it's important to know the key points of a book - how it starts, what you need to happen, how it ends - before you start writing. At the same time I try to leave room for things to change and lead new places within that framework. One of the Star Wars books I'm working on now involved about a dozen outlines of varying detail, and two fully drawn rough drafts.
@Patty
There's always a lot of research involved - whether it's for fact checking details, making sure things are consistent, or getting the look or feel of something just right. I use the films themselves, trading cards (the original Topps sets as well as the newer sets), a ton of books (Simon Beecroft's DK Character Encylcopedia is a favorite) and Wookiepedia. I get a lot of feedback from my editors and the people I work with at Lucasfilm as well. I did get the chance to visit the Ranch, but that was more for inspiration than research.
My question is for Timothy Zahn. Mr. Zahn, I just love your books, especially the Star Wars ones. My favorites are the ones that feature Thrawn! He is just an amazing character and would love to read and learn more about him and his origins. Any more Thrawn books in the future for you? And what are the chances we'll ever see "The Thrawn Trilogy" turned into movies...maybe a trilogy?
I am continually amazed by your guys' ability to create original stories with new characters while still not creating a continuity snarl. My first question is for Timothy Zahn: How did you ever create not one, but two characters (Thrawn and Talon Karrde) who can get the jump on anyone and everyone as far as planning and thinking on the fly? My second question is this: How can you all manage to maintain continuity across so many different series?
Hi!I guess my question would be to any author who writes the novels. Do you discuss with other authors before you start writing so that the writing style and continuity will be intact? Especially if multiple writers are doing one particular series?
How much creative freedom are given to you when you write? Do you get approval first if you would create a new alien race for a particular series like during the New Jedi Order Series?
Thanks very much and I look forward to your next Star Wars projects.
Spocking wrote: "Hello. I am so happy to be among fellow Star Wars fans celebrating Star Wars Reads. They are the best in the world. I have a general question about creative license. Since the Star Wars universe ..."
Hi, Spocking. Yes, there are some things Star Wars authors can't write about. A good example of this is Yoda, whose species and origins have remained a mystery for over 30 years because Lucasfilm discourages writers from even hinting at such information.
I don't assume George Lucas personally approves every Star Wars book before publication because he has so many other business concerns. But editors at Lucas Books and Lucasfilm's publishing licensees are very involved and committed to the approval process. Every project is different in how they get started, but typically, a project begins when an editor asks a writer to produce an outline. I should note that for legal reasons, most editors refuse to review unsolicited outlines, so about the only way one gets to work on a Star Wars book is by invitation of an editor.
After the outline is approved, it goes to Lucasfilm. After Lucasfilm approves the outline, it goes back to the writer, who is then responsible for the manuscript. The manuscript goes through the same approval process as the outline, first to the editor, then to Lucasfilm. That may sound simple, but because there can be various concerns about continuity, and numerous requests for specific revisions, the approval process can be time-consuming. Still, it's a necessary process, as all involved are working toward the same goal: producing a Star Wars book that will be uniquely entertaining while meshing well with many other books.
Hi, just a question to the authors in general. I'd like to know how all of you manage to keep star wars continuity so uniform in all your novels. By and large I find that novels set in the star wars universe (across multiple writers) have really tight continuity. Is there an official star wars universe encyclopedia that all authors draw from? Thanks.
Kaylin wrote: "Have any of you played a game in the Star Wars franchise, and if so, which has been your favorite?"I used to play games more regularly - Rebel Assault, Battlefront, Shadows Of The Empire - but my absolute favorite is still X-Wing (along with the companion Tie Fighter game).
Ryder wrote: "Hi, Spocking. Yes, there are some things Star Wars authors can't write about. A good example of this is Yoda, whose species and origins have remained a mystery for over 30 years because Lucasfilm discourages writers from even hinting at such information."I KNEW IT! Thanks for the "inside scoop".
To all authors: How has being asked to write in the "Star Wars" universe added to notoriety or recognition of any of your backlist or other projects you've written? How is an author chosen to get to play in George Lucas' "sandbox", so to speak?Writing advice question: Is it better skill building to write short stories, a stand alone novel or an epic series as a novice author? What's your outiling or free writing process for series creation?
First let me start by thanking the authors and the group's moderator for making this all possible. Expanded Universe questions...1) How do you authors feel about the lack of Expanded Universe material in the big blockbuster Star Wars movies? Namely the "Episodes," as they were released after the EU was already a booming success in novels, comics and some animated shows.
2) What kind of input does George Lucas have in the Expanded Universe? Or rather, how does he feel about the EU and your [author] contributions?
I'd love to see Thrawn make an appearance on the silver screen! Don't know if that's ever going to happen but it would be nice. :) Thanks!
Ryder wrote: "Mindy wrote: "Hey guys, I'm interested to know how you all got started writing Star Wars books? Were you fans of the movies from the beginning?"My introduction to Star Wars was by way of the sixt..."
Ryder,
Have you changed your opinion about Return of the Jedi since 1983? I do agree that of the three Episodes in the Classic Trilogy, Jedi seems to be most viewer's least favorite films.
I don't really have a question but I just wanted to say you're all doing amazing work and thanks for contributing to one of my most favorite stories!
Alice wrote: "Are you ever scared of/worried about offending star-wars movie fans or more importantly, George Lucas? Do you study the movies extensively to look for plot hints or ideas?"Alice,
If I ever offend any fans, I just hope that it's the right fans who are being offended. :)
Seriously, I've been doing this long enough that I have a pretty good idea of what will be acceptable in a Star Wars story, and what won't. If you've watched the movies, I bet you have a pretty good idea, too. You've seen what degree of violence, what level of sexuality, what kind of "swears" are allowed. If you keep that in mind, and you don't go out of your way to violate continuity, you'll probably be fine.
Re: studying the films, I think that after so many years, every little off-hand remark, or every hanging question from the films has been answered in EU fiction (sometimes more than once!), so I don't feel there's anything to be gained by doing that. Also, to me personally, those kind of stories are the most boring. They usually just end up explaining a situation or filling in a missing chunk of time without really revealing anything new or interesting about the characters or the overall mythos.
I like the kind of Expanded Universe stories that actually expand the universe -- introduce new characters, new arenas of interest, or reveal aspects to existing characters which the readers didn't know existed. Those kind of stories require more effort, but they're more rewarding for the readers (and for the writers!).
Best,
Randy
Patty wrote: "For any of the authors to answer: I am wondering how much work it takes to create a Star Wars related book. How much research do you have to do before you sit down and write? Is all this research..."Well, Patty, as much as we'd all like to spend time in the Lucas library at the ranch, the truth of the matter is that research is almost all done from our offices. We read books, scour Wookieepedia and other online sources, and rely on the vast knowledge and accumulated information of Leland Chee, Lucasfilm's Keeper of the Holocron.
The amount of research required totally depends on the kind of story you're trying to tell. If you're trying to weave your story through a continuity-filled part of the timeline, then you probably need to know what and when happened before, during, and after that time. Other times, when you're working in a less explored period, it may be that all you need to know is whether a particular kind of spaceship has been developed yet.
Best,
Randy
Margo wrote: "Welcome to the group! Our featured authors will be answering questions on Friday, October 5, 2012. In the meantime if you have a question for the authors about their writing process, love of Star W..."To any of the authors:
Are you ever disappointed in "canon continuity" issues that crop up when, say, you write a story which features a secondary (but memorable) character from the films or TV series (which Lucasfilm defines as G Canon) prominently, only to see your plot points overruled by something depicted in Star Wars: The Clone Wars or even the Prequel Trilogy?
I know this is probably a sick and mind blowing thing I'm doing but I've read quite a few Star Wars books so far but not it the order they are listed. I am slowly collecting a library of the books so I can read them from the beginning. So far there hasn't been any Star Wars author I haven't liked. What I want to know is, to write a Star Wars title, what type of structure do you have to follow? Do the authors have someone that edits them and looks over them to see if things line up within the timeline?
Alex wrote: "Ryder wrote: "Mindy wrote: "Hey guys, I'm interested to know how you all got started writing Star Wars books? Were you fans of the movies from the beginning?"My introduction to Star Wars was by w..."
Hi, Alex,
Yes, my opinion of Return of the Jedi has changed since 1983 (I probably should have mentioned that earlier!). In 2003, Scholastic hired me to write junior novelizations of the original trilogy, which meant I was obliged to watch Jedi for the first time in twenty years.
My daughters were only 3 and 5-years-old in 2003, but they watched the movie with me because (a) they were home and (b) I had to get work done, and trust me, I did consider watching Jedi as "work." Naturally, my darlings adored the Ewoks, but the real surprise for me was that the movie wasn't as dreadful as I'd remembered. It's not that the movie itself had improved, just that I could finally put my disappointment in perspective.
Keep in mind that I'd loved Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back, had high expectations for the sequel, and waited THREE YEARS for that sequel. Those three years gave fans a lot of time to think about story possibilities and build expectations.
Now, to be really objective... If one watches Jedi immediately after Empire on home video, without much waiting or wondering in between, Jedi is relatively painless. When I watched Jedi with my daughters, I could finally appreciate the quality of various sequences. And instead of loathing Jedi as I had in 1983, I saw it all through an oddly nostalgic lens. They don't make matte paintings like they used to.
I know with films there are always scenes that for whatever the reason have to be removed, some to much dismay of the director. As authors are you faced with "deleted scenes"? If so, what is your on your cutting room floor that you would've liked to have included with your story?
This question is directed to any of the authors participating in the discussion:With George Lucas stepping aside and handing the reigns of Lucasfilm over to Kathleen Kennedy, do you see the direction of the Star Wars franshise going in any new directions?
A question for any or all the authors:What are your thoughts on CN's Clone Wars series? Do you think it has had a big impact on your ability to write inside the official canon? I'm wondering because my all-time favorite Star Wars author, Karen Travis, was forced to stop writing her "Republic Commando" series, which is one of my all-time favorites, because of it. Has anything like that ever happened to anyone of you, due to the Clone Wars or otherwise?
Hi! Thank you all for your excellent contributions to the wonderful Star Wars Universe! These are my questions: although there are many great stories on the expanded universe and great authors writing about it, we don't see a star wars novel winning a Hugo or Nebula award, do you think that's because of all the restrictions implied in the writing process (for example that luke can't die)? don't you think it's time to freshen up the expanded universe and move on chronologically speaking, and start writing about stories with totally new characters where no one's safe and everything can happen? Thanks again for the great work you've done!
Dear Mr. Angleberger,I have read Origami Yoda and the Darth Vader book. May I know what inspired you to create Dwight?
These questions are for Tom Angleberger: I know you just came out with a new book in the Origami Yoda series. Are you planning to write more books for the series? Also, have you ever thought of writing picture books? I know my second grade students would love that!
Alden wrote: "A question for any or all the authors:What are your thoughts on CN's Clone Wars series? Do you think it has had a big impact on your ability to write inside the official canon? I'm wondering be..."
Hi, Alden,
I think The Clone Wars TV series is terrific. It hasn't in any way negatively affected or discouraged me from writing Star Wars books. It has only generated new ideas and more work.
George Lucas is much more involved with the stories in the TV series than he ever was directly involved with most of the books and comics. Because Star Wars and The Clone Wars are his properties, I respect that he can do what he wants with them. Even though I've always made an effort to stick with published continuity, I really don't get frustrated when The Clone Wars contradicts some previously established detail from a novel or comic. I realize this may sound ridiculously diplomatic, but I find the inconsistencies interesting. They surprise me.
I also know many fans want and even expect every detail to mesh, but with The Clone Wars, I'm more concerned about whether the stories are entertaining and compelling than if they're totally consistent with the comics, novels, games, etc.
In The Clone Wars, Anakin has an apprentice, Jabba the Hutt has a son, many Mandalorians are pacifists, and Darth Maul lives. All of these "facts" either contradict or stray from previous stories, but... as I said, I think the series is terrific. Do you?
-Ryder
For everyone: Is it intimidating adding your part to such a huge EU that is, let's be honest, "policed" by a rather rabid group of highly detail-oriented fans? Do you ever feel like it squashes your creativity?
Ryder wrote: "Alden wrote: "A question for any or all the authors:What are your thoughts on CN's Clone Wars series? Do you think it has had a big impact on your ability to write inside the official canon? I'..."
Ahh... that's not actually the response I was hoping to hear :P I love Karen Travis's work, particularly on the Mandalorians, so much that I am actually kinda prejudice against the Clone Wars. Portraying Mandalorians as pacifists is as far from not just her, but ALL the "facts" (or as I prefer to call: "REAL STAR WARS") as you can possibly get. And the fact that it has George Lucas's rubber stamp of approval makes it worse, because it means that many of her characters no longer exist, thus discontinuing her work. For this, I shall never forgive the Clone Wars.
So, to put it briefly, no, I do not enjoy or appreciate the Clone Wars in any way, shape, or form, whatsoever.
[MANDALORIANS ARE NOT PACIFISTS!!!!!!!]
I'd like to know what the EU authors reactions were to some of the retconning that happened with the release of the prequels and related materials. Midi chlorians? rule of two? Cloning without Spaarti cylinders? Any other whammies on EU material you noticed?
I am curious about the publication process. I'm in my last year of studying English with a minor in publishing, and I would like to know a little about the process an author has to go through specifically because it's a Star Wars novel and not a completely original piece. I've written my own Star Wars story of completely original characters, and while it may never get published, how difficult is it for a mostly unpublished author to get accepted by a company with such a diverse history and a massive universe to build from? Thank you! You are all wonderful authors and I look forward to seeing more stories penned by your hands.
Kaylin wrote: "Have any of you played a game in the Star Wars franchise, and if so, which has been your favorite?"Kaylin,
In 1996, I spent/lost weeks of my life playing Star Wars: Dark Forces, the first version. I'm also fond of Pit Droids. Do you have a favorite Star Wars game?
- Ryder
I love the way fate of the jedi is going! Are we going to be seeing more books along this way? Also I personally love lukes stories and those where the jedi are pitted against sith, will be continue to be seeing this?
Ryder wrote: "Kaylin wrote: "Have any of you played a game in the Star Wars franchise, and if so, which has been your favorite?"Kaylin,
In 1996, I spent/lost weeks of my life playing Star Wars: Dark Forces, t..."
Thanks for the reply. Yes, my favorite Star Wars game is Knights of the Old Republic. It was the first "real" game I played, and I still enjoy it. I also like Jedi Academy and The Force Unleashed games.
First, I'd like to say thank you to all the authors participating, both for your time here and the work you've done fleshing out one of my favorite fictional universes. I appreciate the thought that you put into your work and always enjoyed recommending Star Wars books to enthusiastic kids when I was a bookseller.My question is about characters: The Star Wars movies have a lot of clearly defined "good guys" and "bad guys" but there are many EU characters who fall somewhere in between. How do you write a character who might be morally ambiguous in a way that makes them likeable for the reader? (e.g. If Mara Jade's working for the Empire, how do you craft a story where she's not evil and unrelateable?)
Alden wrote: "Ryder wrote: "Alden wrote: "A question for any or all the authors:What are your thoughts on CN's Clone Wars series? Do you think it has had a big impact on your ability to write inside the offic..."
I agree and sympathize with you, Alden. It is excruciating to see a work of fiction you love be overturned by officialdom and replaced with something that runs counter to your idea of that universe. With all the care that authors must take not to collide with canonicity, I think it is only proper that LucasArts does the same vis-à-vis established Star Wars EU. If they don't, then why even accept EU at all? Oh, I forget, it enriches the franchise.
This contradiction is ever present: Star Wars is big enough for all of us, versus Star Wars suffers from ever greater inconsistencies because enough care is not taken. I know where I stand, but I am troubled about it because at core I hate limits in artists' freedom of expression.
It seems that every question that I had has been asked already. Well, I wanted to come on her and say that my kids, husband and I are all fans of Star Wars and the series, by all authors. They are of course still working on reading them all. We pick up two books every year. And there are five kids to share so it takes a while.
My question is for Randy Stradley. I love the direction Dark Horse is taking with the upcoming Brian Wood Star Wars comic, but I've seen a lot of fans online worried that this is going to reboot or overwrite current EU continuity.I recall seeing interviews after it's announcement that this series wasn't a reboot, but when Wood says something like "As far as I'm concerned, in terms of this series, there is no Expanded Universe," some EU fans get worried.
I took that quote to mean that since this comic takes place in between A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back that there is no need to tie deeply into EU concepts like Han and Leia's children, the New Jedi Order, Legacy, etc., because those things haven't happened yet. It's not that there is no Expanded Universe, it's just that the EU doesn't really impact this series too heavily because of the time period it is set in. This is meant to be a good entry point for Star Wars fans that might not have dipped their toes into the EU yet, similar to Del Rey's upcoming Rebels books that focus on early adventures of Luke and Leia.
Is that the idea you guys are trying to get across? I'm hoping it is and that hearing the answer straight from you will help get other people a little more relaxed and accepting of this new series, because it's something I'm really looking forward to.
My question if for Timothy Zahn.I loved your Thrawn Trilogy! It was a great continuation of the Star Wars Movie Saga. I loved that the characters introduced in the movies felt alive and authentic in your books. How difficult was it for you to continue on with the story and remain true to the universe while still making the trilogy your own? Did you have a foundation to work with in addition to the world created in the movies or did you build that all on your own?
A question to Tom AnglebergerYou've written three fabulous Star Wars books so far. Are you going to continue the fingerpuppet stories. I love them.
A question to all authors.
I once heard that all the authors that write a story within the Star Wars Universe have to communicate to keep the story line consistent. Who is calling who, in other words, how's this coordinated? And do you know what other are writing?
message 96:
by
Ryder, Author of Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide
(last edited Oct 04, 2012 07:07am)
(new)
Petter wrote: "Alden wrote: "Ryder wrote: "Alden wrote: "A question for any or all the authors:What are your thoughts on CN's Clone Wars series? Do you think it has had a big impact on your ability to write in..."
Alden and Petter,
George Lucas and Lucasfilm have been revising previously approved story aspects since the beginning, and this has led to numerous contradictions and conflicts. Such stuff happens for various reasons, usually because the editors and writers overlooked or were unaware of some detail, or because George Lucas chooses to revise something. In other words, detours are sometimes taken even when there wasn't an accident. I acknowledge that Star Wars fans, including myself, are baffled and even outraged by some revisions, but I also trust that the revisions aren't made to deliberately baffle or outrage anyone.
Can Luke Skywalker swim? He could in the novel Splinter of the Mind's Eye, but not in at least one Marvel Comics story. Marvel also introduced Jabba the Hut (not a typo, Hut was the original spelling) as a biped before the character was reinvented for Return of the Jedi. After The Empire Strikes Back was released, some fans grumbled that the movie didn't incorporate any mention of details from Splinter of the Mind's Eye, which had been published two years before Empire's release.
And so I ask without anger or any great irritation...
Are you enraged that Lucasfilm couldn't keep those "facts" straight? Do you think Lucasfilm should have been contractually obliged to keep Jabba the Hut (sic) as a biped in order to honor the contribution of the comic book artists? Or that Lucas should have produced a movie version of Splinter of the Mind's Eye, which he'd conceived as a low budget sequel to Star Wars, instead of The Empire Strikes Back? And why should he have done that? Because Alan Dean Foster wrote a very entertaining novel, and Lucas had no right to change his mind?
Or do you allow that "things change," and that Lucas has the right to do what he wants with his property?
Alden, you wrote:
"And the fact that it has George Lucas's rubber stamp of approval makes it worse, because it means that many of her characters no longer exist, thus discontinuing her work"
Petter, you wrote:
"I know where I stand, but I am troubled about it because at core I hate limits in artists' freedom of expression."
While I understand and appreciate that you two prefer Karen Traviss' previously-approved version of the Mandalorians in the novels instead of Lucas's revisionist version in The Clone Wars TV series, the bottom line is that Lucas owns Star Wars. Furthermore, every Star Wars story, except for those written by Lucas, places "limits in artists' freedom of expression."
Are artists and writers entitled to do whatever they please with Star Wars characters? No, because they don't own the characters. Should they expect Lucasfilm will respect their creative contribution always and forever? No, because again, their contribution is not their own property.
Petter, not to nitpick, but... "... at core I hate limits in artists' freedom of expression."
As much as you might love certain novels featuring Mandalorians, would you allow that George Lucas might have regarded those same novels as limits to his freedom of expression? I don't mean to quibble, but I get the impression that you're less concerned about the artistic integrity of a novel that was work-for-hire assignment for Lucasfilm than you are outraged that Lucas had his own ideas for The Clone Wars.
I guess that doesn't really get us anywhere as far as a conversation goes. You both likely remain outraged that The Clone Wars TV series didn't embrace the version of Mandalorians that you prefer. Me, I still enjoy watching The Clone Wars. It's not that I like every change in Star Wars continuity, just that I generally accept the inconsistencies as interesting rather than annoying.
If nothing were more important to me than Lucasfilm maintaining and never changing every established "fact" about Star Wars, I would have given up on Star Wars in 1978. For whatever it's worth, I'm glad I didn't.
Thanks for reading.
- Ryder
Brian wrote: "My question is for Randy Stradley. I love the direction Dark Horse is taking with the upcoming Brian Wood Star Wars comic, but I've seen a lot of fans online worried that this is going to reboot or overwrite current EU continuity.I recall seeing interviews after it's announcement that this series wasn't a reboot, but when Wood says something like "As far as I'm concerned, in terms of this series, there is no Expanded Universe," some EU fans get worried.
I took that quote to mean that since this comic takes place in between A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back that there is no need to tie deeply into EU concepts like Han and Leia's children, the New Jedi Order, Legacy, etc., because those things haven't happened yet. It's not that there is no Expanded Universe, it's just that the EU doesn't really impact this series too heavily because of the time period it is set in. This is meant to be a good entry point for Star Wars fans that might not have dipped their toes into the EU yet, similar to Del Rey's upcoming Rebels books that focus on early adventures of Luke and Leia.
Is that the idea you guys are trying to get across? I'm hoping it is and that hearing the answer straight from you will help get other people a little more relaxed and accepting of this new series, because it's something I'm really looking forward to.
Brian,
I quoted you whole message so that readers would understand what I'm responding to. Simply put, you are correct in you understanding ow what Brian Wood was saying. On thing he said which many readers seemed to not grasp at all was that he was approaching the writing of the series as if there was no The Empire Strikes Back and now Expanded Universe for the characters .
That does NOT mean that the new Star Wars series is a reboot. It means that Brian is working hard to forget all that he knows of the EU when writing the characters because the characters don't know anything about it. Luke, Leia, Han and the rest haven't read their futures, so Brian is just trying to get in a mindset that allows him to write the characters as they would be in that period of time right after A New Hope, and not write to an event that hasn't happened yet.
So, no need to worry. We're not tossing out continuity. We may not mention it, or tie stories directly into existing continuity (or stories that were written thirty-some years ago), but that's not the same as contradicting history. We're just giving you history you haven't seen yet.
Thanks for giving me the chance to clarify this!
Randy Stradley
Hey all,My fellow authors have already tackled some of the questions I noted, so I'll throw in some general thoughts in hopes that there's something of interest there:
Stories vs. EU: What I value above all is good storytelling -- characters I care about, interacting with other characters in ways I find interesting, and facing challenges that make me want to know what's going to happen. I love the new Clone Wars show enough to forgive the occasional bumps with the EU: For example, Anakin having a Padawan of his own may have struck us veteran readers as odd at the beginning, but seeing Anakin struggle with being a teacher even as he struggles with his own past and his emotions adds depth to him as a character and makes his eventual fall even more tragic and interesting. At least IMHO.
Do I groan when there's a continuity bump? Sure. But IMHO it's more than a fair trade for having weekly stories in which George Lucas is involved. When I was a kid I had to wait three years for George to tell a new Star Wars sty. Now I have to wait seven days. That's pretty cool.
Mandalorians: As the show has gone on, its portrayal of the Mandalorians has become increasingly complex and interesting. Even within the show, they're far from just pacifists. This also lets me plug two books I wrote or co-wrote: The Essential Atlas and The Essential Guide to Warfare both examine Mandalorian history, incorporating both the established EU and the CW material. Reviews of how we made it all fit together have been pretty positive. Check 'em out!
Deleted scenes: This happens to writers, yes. I mostly work on the "non-fiction fiction" side of the house, but there's often cut material. For Warfare, in fact, I wound up writing about 60% of an additional book, and dropped a lot of stuff I'm still hoping one day finds a home. Which brings me to my next point....
Outlining: If you want to be a writer (or already are), please take my advice and make a robust outline part of your process. Plunging into a story and hoping for the best seems more fun, but a good outline/treatment will let you see holes in the plot, neglected characters, logical bumps and other problems earlier in the process, when they are much, much, MUCH easier to fix. Plus you won't underestimate how much material you have and, say, wind up writing 160% of your word count for a project. [blushes]
Additional Scenes: Sometimes it works the other way. An upcoming project of mine is Darth Maul: Shadow Conspiracy from Scholastic -- a novelization of the Darth Maul arc of episodes from Season 5 of the CW. For that one I wrote one scene that doesn't appear in the scripts, addressing something I thought TV viewers wouldn't need but readers would want to know. That was fun to do. And of course there was the chance to delve more deeply into characters' thoughts, motivations and histories than you can visually.
Thanks for such good questions!
Jason Fry
Jason wrote: Outlining: If you want to be a writer (or already are), please take my advice and make a robust outline part of your process. Plunging into a story and hoping for the best seems more fun, but a good outline/treatment will let you see holes in the plot, neglected characters, logical bumps and other problems earlier in the process, when they are much, much, MUCH easier to fix. Plus you won't underestimate how much material you have and, say, wind up writing 160% of your word count for a project. [blushes]Thanks for sharing this! I think that's great advice for aspiring authors. I know I live by my outlines! Even if the muse doesn't always agree, I know I have a general path for the story and try to stick to it.
What do you do when the ideas come that lead you off your outline?
I know this is somewhat like asking which child is your favorite, but what Star Wars project have you been involved that you really enjoyed or are especially proud of?Fans are always wondering what is going to happen next, and if anything, it's pretty obvious that it can go anywhere (who would have ever thought Star Wars would get a CGI TV series?). I was curious, where do you see the future of Star Wars Expanded Universe going? Are we going to have more events like "The Old Republic", where video games meet novels? More projects like Knight Errant with graphic novel and conventional paperback? More series like "Fate of the Jedi" or more trilogies and one-offs, like in the pre-DelRey days? More Essential Guides like the Atlas and Warfare?
Star Wars Reads Panel
Books mentioned in this topic
Heir to the Empire (other topics)Star Wars Origami: 36 Amazing Paper-folding Projects from a Galaxy Far, Far Away.... (other topics)
