What if...?

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Posted by Michael on March 18, 1997 at 14:18:38:

In Reply to: Novels vs. TV round 1 posted by Highlander on March 18, 1997 at 12:46:58:

: OK someone explain to me why ST Novels are not integrated into the
: T.V. series----(I don't mean doing the same plot twice ) It's just there is so much
: that happens in the novels and the characters never seem to notice
: for ex: In a novel Odo encounters a changeling very early but in the series Odo
: doesn't encounter a chageling for a verry long time. I know not everyone reads the
: novels, but it just aggrevates me when something like that happens.
: I just don't see the point in having two different "time lines" so to speak.
: Well maybe I'm the only one that gets aggrevated- it just seems pointless.

I read my fair share of novels and have enjoyed most of them ;-)
There are even a few that would great canon Trek.
However, I still agree with the books remaining non-canon.
And here are the reasons-
There are way to many books for a writer to keep up with, Four books a month, last time I checked. Thats a lot of stuff!
Not all of the books are that great, or handle the charecters real well. For instance, a book I just started chewing on "The Return" by Shatner (thanx Mike!) is really interesting, but almost completely wrong. Lots of great ideas, excellant stories, fascinating charecters, but uh, wait, it just doesn't fit.
For instance, i was reading along and they are talking about the Borg, okay, touchy subject. Then it is stated that they (Starfleet) will "go after the head" of the Borg and let the arms and stuff whither and die.
Uh, no.
The Borg does not a have a central consciousness. Its everywhere it wants to be. Anyone who read my posting about the Borg Queen knows my views and they are backed up but intense thought and canon material.
And this just happens to be the major moving part to the book.
So as you can see, it is better to leave the books and novels to the realm or "What if..?" then to make them canon.
Would you as a writer like to know that your script was rejected be cause some book written by some guy said something differnat already?
And thirdly, the books role as "what if..?" is very important to trek lore. It allows stories to be told that have a greater scope and more stuff happen than would be allowed if theyhad to have follow up events and effects. The books are supposed to be the fantasy side of Trek, a vent for great ideas that simply wouldn't fit into the consistant science fiction that canon Trek requires, and that we bitch about when they deviate.

Beyond that go and read "Ghost Ship" by Mike Wrihgt. Its at the Trek Writer's Guild.
Go now.
No really,
Why are you still reading this?
Which part do you not understan? The point of the click? ;-)

Trek Writer's Guild

Follow Ups:

Re: Novel: Prime Directive ChrisF 18:59:00 3/18/97 (2)
- Boring Mike Wright 22:42:05 3/18/97 (0)
- Novel: Prime Directive! good read! Michael 21:36:03 3/18/97 (0)
The Return was a lot better before First Contact came out Mike Wright 16:25:58 3/18/97 (0)
Re: that stuff that makes you fall asleep is... Highlander 15:00:52 3/18/97 (1)
- Oh, thanks! Mike Wright 16:27:06 3/18/97 (0)

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Comments: : : OK someone explain to me why ST Novels are not integrated into the : : T.V. series----(I don't mean doing the same plot twice ) It's just there is so much : : that happens in the novels and the characters never seem to notice : : for ex: In a novel Odo encounters a changeling very early but in the series Odo : : doesn't encounter a chageling for a verry long time. I know not everyone reads the : : novels, but it just aggrevates me when something like that happens. : : I just don't see the point in having two different "time lines" so to speak. : : Well maybe I'm the only one that gets aggrevated- it just seems pointless. : I read my fair share of novels and have enjoyed most of them ;-) : There are even a few that would great canon Trek. : However, I still agree with the books remaining non-canon. : And here are the reasons- : There are way to many books for a writer to keep up with, Four books a month, last time I checked. Thats a lot of stuff! : Not all of the books are that great, or handle the charecters real well. For instance, a book I just started chewing on "The Return" by Shatner (thanx Mike!) is really interesting, but almost completely wrong. Lots of great ideas, excellant stories, fascinating charecters, but uh, wait, it just doesn't fit. : For instance, i was reading along and they are talking about the Borg, okay, touchy subject. Then it is stated that they (Starfleet) will "go after the head" of the Borg and let the arms and stuff whither and die. : Uh, no. : The Borg does not a have a central consciousness. Its everywhere it wants to be. Anyone who read my posting about the Borg Queen knows my views and they are backed up but intense thought and canon material. : And this just happens to be the major moving part to the book. : So as you can see, it is better to leave the books and novels to the realm or "What if..?" then to make them canon. : Would you as a writer like to know that your script was rejected be cause some book written by some guy said something differnat already? : And thirdly, the books role as "what if..?" is very important to trek lore. It allows stories to be told that have a greater scope and more stuff happen than would be allowed if theyhad to have follow up events and effects. The books are supposed to be the fantasy side of Trek, a vent for great ideas that simply wouldn't fit into the consistant science fiction that canon Trek requires, and that we bitch about when they deviate. : Beyond that go and read "Ghost Ship" by Mike Wrihgt. Its at the Trek Writer's Guild. : Go now. : No really, : Why are you still reading this? : Which part do you not understan? The point of the click? ;-)

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