Kirsten Beyer invitation in VOY forum

[Christopher]

There's an out a mile long with her 'death' because of the scene with Q at the end.

Only if you read it loosely. Lady Q pretty blatantly tells Janeway that there's no going back, that she's simply guiding Janeway to something new. There had to be a tiny loophole just in case some new canonical work established Janeway's survival post-2380, but within the text itself, the possibility that Janeway could be simply resurrected was almost completely discounted. I don't think the intent was to make it seem easy to bring her back.

 

[captcalhoun]

Will admit that I'm annoyed enough over the whole Janeway argument at this point that I'd like to see her brought back...

And then killed off again in an even more obnoxious manner.

i lol'd.

Janeway should be the Rory Pond of Voyager. keep killing her off and bringing her back...

 

[DimesDan]

There's an out a mile long with her 'death' because of the scene with Q at the end.

I don't think the intent was to make it seem easy to bring her back.

Which is your opinion. It could very well be piss easy to bring her back. It all depends on the imagination of which ever writer decides to bring her back and Peter David's intent once being told he had to have an out was that: It could be piss easy.

 

[Allyn Gibson]

Janeway should be the Rory Pond of Voyager. keep killing her off and bringing her back...

But... but... Rory is awesome! Rory is the Last Centurion! Janeway isn't even fit to carry Rory's Roman helmet!

 

[chelly]

Roy is better looking to. ; )

 

[DrCorby]

The main problem with Voyager before Kirsten Beyer took the series was that the story went nowhere. There was no purpose.
But now Voyager is back where it belongs, and we have a strong, interesting story.
Janeway can come back or not, for me that is not the real issue, as long as the books have the quality of the 3 last ones.
Write more Kirsten, I for one will read what will come out with great pleasure.

QFT. I have most of the earlier, post-Endgame Voyager novels, but haven't read any of them. I wasn't a big fan of the show, and wasn't excited to read more about those characters. But I am a completist nut...

But I love what Kirsten has done from Full Circle on. I recognize the real-world reality that Janeway will eventually return, and I'm not bothered -- as long as it's a good story! And Kirsten has shown that she's more than capable of telling engaging, character-developing stories set in Voyager's corner of the cosmos. So... bring it on, Kirsten! I await your tales eagerly.

(As an aside -- How could I not support Kirsten Beyer? My daughter Kirsten gets excited when I bring home a book by an author whose name is spelled the same way as hers! )

 

[hbquikcomjamesl]

As she walks into the Lion's Den our prayers ascend for dear Kirsten....

Janeway is dead. I don't care if it is scifi. Leave her dead. Leave Data dead. Leave Spock Prime post-Romulus in the Abramsverse. Let death have consequences in the ST universe *other than* reanimation.

Rob+

Janeway is still dead.

Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead.

Elvis, however, is not dead; he just went home.

 

[Kirsten Beyer]

FYI for many fans Janeway is Voyager,

I think Kirsten Beyer was told to go to this convention, for one thing it is in Baltmore and she lives in California, but really one has only to look at the convention web site.

http://www.shore-leave.com/

When you scroll down you will see all the authors will be there, Christopher Bennett, David Mack, Dayton Ward, Keith DeCandido, even Peter David. There is your agenda and it isn't one ready to listen to us. No telling who else will be on that panel with her. You can bet that this panel will not be by Kirsten Beyer alone but with several of these authors and we already know where they stand.

I've attended Shoreleave 8 out of the last 9 years. My first couple of years I wasn't even published. I went as a guest of Heather Jarman and we had a blast. She introduced me to Marco Palmieri there, and that's how my Trek writing really got started. Since then, I look forward to it as one of the most fun weekends of the year.

As Christopher rightly pointed out, Pocket is no longer active at the convention. Authors are not "told" to go anywhere or do anything. Guests are invited by the organizers and I was the one who suggested a Bring Back Janeway panel to offer an open forum for everyone to come and discuss their feelings on the topic. As it stands right now, I will be leading the discussion, and I do mean discussion. There's no fun in these things when the panelists do all the talking. Marco has kindly offered to join me, as he was the editor who brought me in to do Full Circle and Unworthy. And that is the full extent of panelists who will be present.

It's hard to feel like there's no way to really help you, Brit. You complain that I don't answer the questions of the Bring Back Janeway community, and when I create an opportunity to do that face to face, you decide before the event has even happened that it will be a negative experience. I literally found out a few days ago that the panel would be happening and as soon as I did, I posted the information. As soon as I have a confirmed time, I'll post that as well. I realize it's short notice, but not for lack of desire on my part to talk with as many people as possible who share your concerns.

And for what it's worth, I am in the process of figuring out a way for fans who are not present to offer questions and possibly participate in the discussion. When I have the details worked out, I"ll post them.

(As an aside -- How could I not support Kirsten Beyer? My daughter Kirsten gets excited when I bring home a book by an author whose name is spelled the same way as hers! )

This is quite possibly the most adorable thing I have ever heard. And I can totally relate. When I was growing up, Kirsten was a very unique name. I was sixteen before I came across another. As a child I would have been thrilled to see a book cover with the name "Kirsten" on it and would immediately have begun pretending that I had written it.

Best,
Kirsten Beyer

 

[USS Intrepid]

FYI for many fans Janeway is Voyager,

I think Kirsten Beyer was told to go to this convention, for one thing it is in Baltmore and she lives in California, but really one has only to look at the convention web site.

http://www.shore-leave.com/

When you scroll down you will see all the authors will be there, Christopher Bennett, David Mack, Dayton Ward, Keith DeCandido, even Peter David. There is your agenda and it isn't one ready to listen to us. No telling who else will be on that panel with her. You can bet that this panel will not be by Kirsten Beyer alone but with several of these authors and we already know where they stand.

That is one of the most ridiculous statements I've read on this board in a long time. And as someone who actually wants to see Janeway back, I have to say that this sort of conspiracy theory nonsense and confrontational attitude doesn't help one bit.

I want to see Janeway back because I like the character, and I also happen to think Kirsten Beyer could do tell an absolutely amazing story about her return. I also believe bringing Janeway back into the current plot line would be very interesting.

 

[Scout101]

I also believe bringing Janeway back into the current plot line would be very interesting.

How so?

We've already got a fleet commander, and Voyager has a captain and XO. Does Afsarah get demoted? Can't have 2 fleet commanders, and she doesn't need a boss onsite. Chakotay is doing just fine as Captain, do we demote him? Does Paris have to go back to the helm?

Or do we try to squeeze Janeway in as an observer, without an official role right away? Then we get the fairly predictable stories of her turning around when Kim calls out for the Captain, her chomping at the bit wanting to take over, but trying to respect the current chain of command. In a moment of crisis, does she try to take over (as they always do), only to find out Chakotay or Eden was right all along? Suppose we could kill off one of those characters, so she has something to do...

Or she's back to doing what she was before, which is basically not much. Make up little side stories where she's attending dinners and negotiations again and whatnot. Of course, that's what sucked about the earlier books post-Endgame. She didn't have much to do, and was sucking up screen time just because she was a main character, so you HAD to show her doing something. If she's back in the AQ, is she just sitting by the the phone waiting for updates (before she eventually forces her way out to the fleet, or some random personal crisis demands Janeway's presence, and then we do the stuff from the last paragraph?

I honestly just don't see a place for her at the moment. I like the character, and like the series, I'm just very happy with the current direction, and don't want them to stop to try and shoehorn in the predictable angst that trying to add Janeway to this mix would cause. Let her rest for a while, and maybe towards the end of this new DQ adventure, there might be a better story to fit Janeway back into. I mean, there's an out for Eden's character once she finds out her backstory, Janeway would probably be a pretty qualified candidate for the Fleet commander position, no?

 

[Christopher]

I still say Janeway already has a strong and pervasive presence in Kirsten's novels. She lives on in the crew's memories. Her example influences their thoughts and their choices. They strive to remain true to her legacy and her principles. It's a moving exploration of the influence someone can have on the lives around her even after she's gone. And that's a far better tribute than, say, just having her sit behind a desk at Starfleet Command and hand out orders to the fleet.

I think the Bring Back Janeway contingent is failing to appreciate that just because a character is dead, that doesn't mean he or she is absent from the story. Dead characters can have an ongoing, profound influence on a story, and the way they're remembered by their loved ones can be more meaningful than just having them around would be. Think of Uncle Ben in Spider-Man. He died in the very first issue of the comic, but the impact of his death, and of the lessons he imparted to Peter Parker in his life, has been a profound guiding force on the series ever since. He's been physically absent, but he's been the subject of continuing tribute, admiration, and heartfelt remembrance ever since, and his influence lingers over everything Spider-Man does. Same with Gwen Stacy, Peter's first true love. When she was alive, she was just kind of there, the obligatory hot love interest. But the story of her death was one of the seminal moments in the series and she's become a far more beloved character in her absence than she ever was when she was actively participating in the comic. For examples closer to home, consider Jack Crusher, Jennifer Sisko, Tasha Yar.

Art is about the ground as well as the figure. Music is about the rests as well as the notes. Sometimes, what's absent is as important as what's present.

 

[Thrawn]

^ Much as I love the decision to kill Janeway, much as I love the stories that have resulted, and much as I agree that her presence is felt in Beyer's outstanding novels, I think it's disingenuous to say someone is "failing to appreciate" the death of a character they'd like to read more stories about.

This is really an easy one. They like her and they want to read more about her life. They can't, because she's dead now. They want her back.

I'm thrilled with the current direction and I'd be disappointed if she was brought back now, but arguing with the opposite side of that opinion is a little silly.

 

[Sci]

I think Kirsten Beyer was told to go to this convention...http://www.shore-leave.com/ When you scroll down you will see all the authors will be there, Christopher Bennett, David Mack, Dayton Ward, Keith DeCandido, even Peter David. There is your agenda...

Do you really think that mid-level editors and authors a major publishing company have nothing better to do than to sit down, twirl their Snidely Whiplash mustaches, and form conspiracies about how they'll do things just to pressure Janeway fans into buying VOY books?

Really?

'Cos, if you do, I gotta say, your vision of the American publishing industry -- and of the low-to-mid-level ranks of corporate America in general -- sounds a hell of a lot more interesting than mine.

 

[Thestral]

^ "Mwa ha ha... those pitiful Janeway fans, how can we torture them NOW?!"

But... but... Rory is awesome! Rory is the Last Centurion! Janeway isn't even fit to carry Rory's Roman helmet!

Janeway and Paris were implied to be as cool as Rory Pond once. The result was the events of Threshold.

Tuvok is so much more interesting on Titan than he was on Voyager.

They like her and they want to read more about her life. They can't, because she's dead now. They want her back.

I'm sorry, I know Star Trek novels aren't serious business, but that's kinda... life.

Anyway, my preference would be for Janeway to stay dead, but I'm sure Kirsten could write a good tale about her return. I do agree I don't see where she fits in with Voyager right now though... maybe Ed Jellico-style guest appearances would suit her better.

 

[Admiral James Kirk]

^ Much as I love the decision to kill Janeway, much as I love the stories that have resulted, and much as I agree that her presence is felt in Beyer's outstanding novels, I think it's disingenuous to say someone is "failing to appreciate" the death of a character they'd like to read more stories about.

This is really an easy one. They like her and they want to read more about her life. They can't, because she's dead now. They want her back.

I'm thrilled with the current direction and I'd be disappointed if she was brought back now, but arguing with the opposite side of that opinion is a little silly.

I agree. Nobody is going to convince me I'm wrong to resent Kirk's death in Generations. While Christopher may have a valid point, it's not going to blunt a Janeway fan's desire to want her brought back.

 

[Christopher]

This is really an easy one. They like her and they want to read more about her life. They can't, because she's dead now. They want her back.

But my point is that it's not so monovalued. I like Janeway too, and I like the stories being told about her after her death, because those stories honor and celebrate her, and because she's still present within them in a real way, just as loved ones we've lost can still be with us for the rest of our lives.

What I'm saying is, the underlying assumption of the critics seems to be that if Janeway isn't alive, then she's being ignored, devalued, or insulted as a character. And that is simply not true. Kirsten's novels are treating Janeway more respectfully and fondly in her absence than many novels that actually had Janeway in them alive and well.

I'm not saying I don't understand the desire to see more stories about Janeway in her life. I'm saying that stories set after her life can also be rewarding to Janeway fans, and I think it's sad that a lot of Janeway fans are missing out on stories they might actually enjoy and appreciate because they're making some incorrect assumptions about them.

 

[flemm]

Kirsten Beyer's novels have been great, and I do think that many Janeway fans would actually enjoy them.

It is rather unfortunate that Before Dishonor was such a steaming pile, however. I couldn't care less about Voyager or any of its characters, but when I read this, even my reaction was: "Um, really, WTF?" or a thought-bubble to that effect.

I imagine that the particular tale in which Janeway was dispatched has left a bad taste in the mouths of many.

 

[Christopher]

I imagine that the particular tale in which Janeway was dispatched has left a bad taste in the mouths of many.

But it's not fair to Kirsten to dismiss her books because of a book she didn't have any hand in writing.

 

[flemm]

Such is life. I guess everybody will just have to suck it up and deal

Seriously, though, it's cool that Kirsten is willing to discuss this with the fans. That said, we know from these forums how quickly these "discussions" can quickly become lectures about how wrong, silly, unfair, childish, etc. the dissenting fans are being, so yeah... I can somewhat understand why a Janeway fan might not necessarily react to this suggestion as if it were manna from heaven.

Kirsten herself has of course abstained from any such "discussions" on the forums, and I'm sure that she will be diplomatic and understanding. After all, an author who makes Voyager interesting may indeed possess transformational powers that are beyond the understanding of average mortals such as myself

 

[Christopher]

That said, we know from these forums how quickly these "discussions" can quickly become lectures about how wrong, silly, unfair, childish, etc. the dissenting fans are being, so yeah...

That's absolutely not what I'm trying to say. I'm trying to say, Hey, guys, I like Janeway too, and I find these books to be very positive and rewarding in their treatment of Janeway, and maybe if you'd calm down and give them a chance, you might discover you like them. I'm not trying to be confrontational. Just the opposite -- I'm trying to say that taking a confrontational attitude is just getting in the way of achieving an understanding that could satisfy everyone.

Which, really, is a message that shouldn't be that hard for Star Trek fans to understand.