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Sometimes, I’m just a fool.
If there’s a risk to be taken, I’ll take it, come hell or high water. I don’t say that with any real sense of pride – in Space:1999 fiction from Powys Media, I can take risks because I’m the guy out there without thirty years of respect for the series who can make what we think is the right decision and still sleep at night without feeling like I’ve violated a sacred cow because to me, it’s not a sacred cow. I have respect for the series – but it’s not a respect that’s grown with me since childhood.
Working on Johnny Byrne’s Children of the Gods is risky, but in this case, it’s not really “fun” risky. I walk in knowing that this story is not the story that Johnny originally wrote – it can’t be, and that’s the subject of this posting.
Decades have passed since Johnny first worked on Children of the Gods, and a lot has happened since then. We don’t have a copy of Johnny’s original script or outline. We have interviews where Johnny talked about elements of the story, but even what he described poses problems. We obviously can’t have a character called Mentor, for example, because that name, as I’m sure you’re aware, has been taken in Space:1999 canon. We’ve also had thirty years of other science fiction shows and books that have used ideas very similar to some of Johnny’s original ideas – this is by no means plagiarism – it’s the reality of science fiction. Different people often have the same ideas (which is why we don’t read fan fiction). Without having to delve deeply, in looking over Johnny’s commentary on his original story, I can tell you that Star Trek’s “Charlie X” episode, Star Trek: The Next Generation’s Q character, and even the development of Space:1999’s own character of Maya demand that we can’t just tell the story Johnny originally outlined – even Johnny knew this.
Before Johnny passed away, Mateo spent time with Johnny in the hospital and they discussed Children of the Gods, the changes that would need to be made given the current state of science fiction. Mateo took detailed notes during these conversations so what I’ll call Children of the Gods: Revision 2 came out of those discussions. Next, you have discussions between Mateo and myself where the structure of a story that would be told in a novel required changes, so now you have Children of the Gods: Revision 3.
Long story short, the book you’ll ultimately read has been diluted not once but twice from what you’ve heard Johnny talk about in interviews. This is the Powys Media equivalent of Star Trek’s Kobayashi Maru – the no-win scenario. We (meaning me) will take heat simply because this book and your expectations of the story will be, well, different.
That’s okay. In the worst case scenario, people will say: Oh, that idiot ruined Johnny’s story. You weren’t in the room with Johnny and Mateo when they “re-architected” the story (neither was I), so any change from Johnny’s commentary will look like a decision I made with Mateo and you’ll never know what concepts Johnny approved and what concepts he didn’t. Mateo and I will have to accept that responsibility, too. But we’re comfortable with that.
We hold Johnny Byrne in almost inestimable high regard. If this book is a dud, our guilt-level will be high – very high. Because Johnny’s name is on this book, we feel it’s our obligation to make this the best book it can be, without losing the essence of Johnny’s original vision. Putting out a novel that exactly mirrors Johnny’s original concept would not be in anyone’s best interests if it smacks of something that’s highly derivative of other stories both in this franchise and others. If Johnny had invented the iPod in the 1970s and we were to announce it now with his name on it, the reaction by Space:1999 fans would be…um, there’s already an iPod out there, Johnny was a bit of a visionary, but, um, so what?
That’s specifically the reaction we don’t want people to have. Stories are stories – if they smack of something familiar, they lose their novelty and ultimately grow weak. That being said, original ideas are few and far between out there – stories have recombined plot elements for thousands of years and it’s still possible to create entertaining stories. But if major plot elements (of which a typical story really only has a handful) are so obviously similar to something else, it’s time to stop and reconsider them. In hindsight, when we watch the original “Alien”, we Space:1999 buffs watch the ending and say…hmmm, “End of Eternity” anyone? But if Children of the Gods was a story about a face-hugging alien that deposited something down your throat that eventually burst through your chest and it was loose on Moonbase Alpha, that’s a story best left untold – because it’s already been told (just not on Moonbase Alpha).
Luckily, there are enough pieces of Children of the Gods that are unique to itself that we can still tell a story. Some elements of the plot need to be changed (and Johnny himself offered a number of those changes). Our job is to create the best possible story we can so that Johnny’s original story can be both entertaining and relevant to a modern audience. It’s a bit of a Holy Grail for Space:1999 fans – we understand that. But it’s our job to make sure the Holy Grail is still something exciting when you get it in your hands.
Our mantra at Powys is often: What would Johnny want? We ask ourselves that with every book. With this book, we’re asking ourselves that with every sentence. At the end of the day, if the book is good, Johnny looks good. If the book isn’t good, Mateo and I look bad. So it’s a no-lose scenario for Johnny, but the same can’t be said for us.
Ten years ago, I was hard at work on Resurrection, trying desperately not to trash Johnny Byrne’s original ideas about something. And here I am again, doing the same thing, a decade later. This time around, Johnny’s an active contributor to the actual plotting of the book. So for anybody who’s frustrated that our books are taking awhile to come out, all I can say is at least for this particular project, there’s a little pressure here. I can’t be the hero on this one – I can only strive to not be the villain.
[quote]But if Children of the Gods was a story about a face-hugging alien that deposited something down your throat that eventually burst through your chest and it was loose on Moonbase Alpha, [b]that’s a story best left untold – because it’s already been told (just not on Moonbase Alpha).[/b][/quote]
Yes, it was told by A. E. van Vogt, and was set on board the [i]Space Beagle[/i].
>Originality, paging Mr. O’Bannon.< Relax, Mr.L. We all know that Johnny Byrne's works are in good hands. Tex (though it would be cool if you could put his original story idea in the back as an appendix)
Very exciting news indeed! & Bill’s post highlights, once again, the respectful, well thought out beind-the-scenes creative process that goes into the writing of these books. I’d rather this and the long waits than a production line of half baked novels that add nothing new to the Alphan’s Odyssey.
I’m with Tex. Johnny’s vision of [b]SPACE: 1999[/b] is in safe hands when left to Mateo & BL. I look forward to what will prove to be another startling novel by Bill with great anticipation.
[b]”Children of the Gods”[/b], [b]”The Whispering Sea”[/b], [b]”Phoenix of Megaron”[/b], [b]”The Final Revolution”[/b], [b]”The Year One Omnibus”[/b], [b]”Prodigal Moon”[/b], [b]”Odysseus Wept”[/b]… all these still to come and more from Powys.
The future remains… UTTERLY fantastic!
Don’t put yourself down too much Bill, remember one very important thing; we Space 1999 fans are hungry for anything new in our beloved universe. The mythology surrounding Children of the Gods has been out there for many years and we all have our ideas of what it is about and where it fits in both the Powysverse and our own ‘idealised’ 1999 universe where we are god and have everything happy and cosy. The most important thing here is that you deliver a book that both you and Mateo are happy with. Hopefully Johnny’s family will also be happy that his legacy is expanded in this way. The fans will by it anyway, just to have it and hold it in their eager little hands and devour every word before picking holes in the plot and ticking you off for your spelling and punctuation mistakes.
But this little Zack will savour and love each and every word because the universe I loved for so much of my life is just that little bit bigger with each and every story. It doesn’t matter if the story isn’t what I hope for, if that’s what I wanted I would write them myself. I want to be surprised or even shocked by a story, I mourn the loss of every Alphan, and wince as each Eagle is destroyed. But I know that the Space 1999 univers is richer for each and evey Powys novel that is released and for that I say thankyou to everyone at Powys.[b]Zack wrote:[/b]
[quote]…But I know that the Space 1999 univers is richer for each and evey Powys novel that is released and for that I say thankyou to everyone at Powys.[/quote]Here here! B)
[b]blatham wrote:[/b]
[quote]Sometimes, I’m just a fool.[/quote]A Fool on the Hill in both a McCartney and Matt Ruff sense.
Sounds like you’ve just typed up your Author’s Foreword. [url=http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php][img]http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-chores013.gif[/img][/url]
Nobody expects you or Mateo to be forced into a comfy chair and denounce any heresies. As a writer, and Mateo as editor/publisher, you have surprise and fear on your side; surprise at your dot-connecting, color-enhancing of Johnny Byrne’s sketch, and fear that … well … I can’t think of anything to fear except critics that have an almost fanatical devotion to “dogma.” Perhaps the story will not be written with a ruthless efficiency, and no nice red-shirted uniforms (Damn!), but if these critics rack their brains, they’ll find any insult to the original premise is cushioned by the nice cup of coffee they can sip and enjoy whilst reading, finally accepting that it’s this, or it’s nothing, really.
How many sins has Powys committed thusfar? [spoiler]Bergman did not die from a spacesuit malfunction, Morrow and Kano did not die in an Eagle crash, Maya has lost her metamorphic powers, and Koenig had a crappy childhood.[/spoiler] Now, if these don’t get you thrown into a hydroponics tank to see if you float, then don’t sweat it.
Seriously though, a thorough understanding on the reader’s part that this is done with Byrne’s input, blessing and your collective like-mindedness – as thoroughly outlined in the posting above – ought to be enough for the fan who has longed to see the premise fleshed out after nearly 40 years of fleshlessness.[url=http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php][img]http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-signs052.gif[/img][/url]
to me, this is all good news.
because, quite frankly, from the scrap of outline that I’ve read of the Children of the Gods story, I thought it was bunk and I don’t think I would have liked the episode. It has a mildly interesting twist to it, but it’s a story I don’t particularly care for. At all.
Partly, as was pointed out, because I’ve seen the ‘all powerful being’ story done one too many times already, but really, it’s because the style of the story is one that I find particularly boring (the ‘powered’ toying with the ‘weaker’). “It’s a Good Life”, “Charlie X” and their ilk are just not my thing. Yawn.
To have this thing re-architected sounds like a very good thing indeed.[b]Ultra wrote:[/b]
[quote]to me, this is all good news.
because, quite frankly, from the scrap of outline that I’ve read of the Children of the Gods story, I thought it was bunk and I don’t think I would have liked the episode. It has a mildly interesting twist to it, but it’s a story I don’t particularly care for. At all.
Partly, as was pointed out, because I’ve seen the ‘all powerful being’ story done one too many times already, but really, it’s because the style of the story is one that I find particularly boring (the ‘powered’ toying with the ‘weaker’). “It’s a Good Life”, “Charlie X” and their ilk are just not my thing. Yawn.
To have this thing re-architected sounds like a very good thing indeed.[/quote]For the most part, I agree. Certainly, a re-architected version of the original storyline, done with Johnny’s blessing and input, and written by one of the best novel writers (the other being John Kenneth-Muir) will make it an exciting read.
[spoiler]Does anyone remember Bill mentioning Kano’s autopsy and the fact that CotG would be set not only in Year Two, as originally intended, but also in Year 3 from a conversation with him a while ago in the Powys Chat room? I mention these two particular spoilers only to reinforce the fact that Biil is on course to writing another masterpiece set on our beloved Alpha & to hopefully fuel further excitement regarding this highly anticipated release. As far as I’m concerned, he’s the Peter David of [b]SPACE: 1999[/b]. That being the case, just imagine: Peter David and Johnny Byrne sit down to write a [b]SPACE: 1999[/b] Novel together. How exciting is that possibibility?!? With the release of [b]”Children of the Gods”[/b] I believe that possbility is about to be realised.[/spoiler]
I always have trouble with time travel stories and TV shows. I know that Space 1999 to all intent and purposes is no longer a TV show but to me it is and always will be. My biggest problem is that every time a time travel story deals with the future of the existing characters you’re locked to that future. Problem is, it never works out that way. Then comes the feeble “parallel universe” or “time paradox” excuses that never really cut it for me. That’s a problem that this story always presented to me. At least this one showed people from so far in the future that it didn’t really matter but it still troubled me, why would you travel back and meddle in your own past to possibly destroy your own existence? If that was the case why not go back and stop Breakaway and save everyone?
I still look forward to each and every book and grumble at each and every thing that doesn’t match the “Zackiverse”, at the same time I will rejoice in the knowledge that another book on the shelf makes the Space 1999 universe that little bit bigger.
Now, Bill, get back to work. We would all like a nice shiny new book on our bookshelves for Christmas please. Oh and some of those Brell Christmas tree ornaments you promised us. 🙂[b]Zack wrote:[/b]
[quote] At least this one showed people from so far in the future that it didn’t really matter but it still troubled me, why would you travel back and meddle in your own past to possibly destroy your own existence? If that was the case why not go back and stop Breakaway and save everyone?[/quote]
Perhaps you are confusing CotG with another story? In the outline I’ve read on the Catacombs, no one goes back in time to ‘save’ anyone. In fact, it’s just the opposite – an alien has gone back in time to kill all the Alphans (i.e. all of humanity). And Post-Breakaway is the perfect time to do it too, as most or all of the human race is already dead on the Earth and there are just the ~300 Alphans on the Moon to kill off to finish the job.I wasn’t talking about Children of the Gods, I was making a general comment on time travel stories. I just rambled on a bit and went off topic and forgot my original point. I do that when I write these things in the office and constantly get interupted by real life… 😉
Ahhh, I only half remembered the story, I will have to find out where I got my info (not from the Catacombs) it may have been from a magazine article. That will mean going through my scrapbooks until I find it. The story I got was much less detailed than what the Catacombs has. It’s funny, no matter how well you think you’ve scoured the Catacombs there is still more to find.
Here’s the low down via The Catacombs website as to what Johnny said about CotG:
http://www.space1999.net/catacombs/main/crguide/vcwbcotg.html
Time-travel stories wise, I must admit, there’re a number of Star Trek episodes that feature time travel that I really like.
“City on the edge of Forever” (TOS), “Yesterday’s Enterprise” (TNG), the wonderful “Trials and Tribble-ations” & “Children of Time” (DS9) along with the stunning “Year of Hell – Parts 1 & 2” & “Relativity” (VGR) immediately jump to mind.
I think if it’s a good story, well told, then I’ll enjoy it. [b]SPACE: 1999[/b] only bothered with time travel twice (3 times if you include “The Full Circle”, 4 if you include the future Alphan children from “OMEGA”/”ALPHA”). I have to say though, I don’t find the idea of time travel in ’99 that attractive a proposition. I think Powys tell far more absorbing stories when they turn away from such obvious and overused story devices.
If an enemy from the future, returns with the children to destroy their ancestors, fine. But the interesting twist Bill is proposing to introduce…
[spoiler]that of starting the story in Year 2 and picking it up in Year 3 and concluding it there[/spoiler]
… is a fascinating one.
Can’t wait for this book!
Oh & I too would like some Brell Christmas Tree ornaments please! Thanks! B)
Okay, expectations sufficiently lowered — mission accomplished.
Shout out to Pat Sokol — I don’t know why it happens (and I’ve been a totally willing co-conspirator), but I just love it when dialogues on this forum go Python, and viewing this discussion through the prism of the Spanish Inquisition sketch was just so fun!
Steve F. — you’ll find this interesting. I was plotting out a portion of “The Final Revolution” last night and hit a moment where I thought to myself…wow, it would be really useful if Maya could change her shape right now. I think I tapped into the mindset of FF for a moment — Maya just made it too darn easy to solve plot problems!
Can’t wait to really get going on “Final Revolution” — if there’s ever going to be a “rip-roaring adventure” in Space:1999, it’s going to be that book. “Children of the Gods” will likely feel more like an episode, while “Final Revolution” will feel more like a movie.
Did someone say Christmas ornaments?
[b]blatham wrote:[/b]
[quote]Shout out to Pat Sokol — I don’t know why it happens (and I’ve been a totally willing co-conspirator), but I just love it when dialogues on this forum go Python, and viewing this discussion through the prism of the Spanish Inquisition sketch was just so fun!
[/quote]
Well, is it not nearly impossible to even [i]think [/i]the words “Nobody expects” with out the rest of the phrase flying into consciousness?
Credit where credit is due, also: My son is reading [u]The Crucible[/u], and again, witches = “How do you know she’s a witch?” which conjures up an image of John Cleese suggesting the buoyancy of very small rocks.
-Pat
([i]with [/i]cheddar cheese in her fridge)Bill’s not the messiah, he’s a very naughty boy… 😉
Building up our hopes like that. No firm release dates, no clue which book it will be, we are no better off that we were before… It’s like alpha is crossing a void where nothing is happening that is newsworthy, or their transmissions are being blocked by some evil alien or other. 🙁
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