Referencing classic novels?

[Dayton Ward]

I am curious if KRAD, David Mack, Dayton Ward, William Leisner, Christopher, or any other writer active at TrekBBS who writes licensed fiction, have read every licensed piece of fiction published in novel, short story, or e-book form by Pocket Books? Do any of you believe that this is a requirement to write licensed Star Trek fiction?

To read every piece? No. Even if one could read it all, it'd be impossible to recall all the minute details from every story ever written.

Well, unless you're KRAD.

I do my best to stay up to speed on those aspects of TrekLit where I might be making a contribution, and in some cases I've been forced to cram to get current. There also are titles I read for my own enjoyment, but there's just no way for me to keep up with it all even if I did this full-time, which I don't.

 

[Thrawn]

I know that in Star Wars, it's not required for the authors to read anything; they have an employee in the editorial office who compiles character profiles and timelines, giving the authors whatever they need.

I haven't heard of anything similarly comprehensive for TrekLit, but in general, I'd assume it's editorial's job to make sure each story fits together and the details all align at that level of precision. The author probably only needs to read the books in his/her specific series, or those that are otherwise specifically relevant. (That's a guess; I could very well be wrong, I just don't see it practically working any other way.)

 

[Christopher]

I am curious if KRAD, David Mack, Dayton Ward, William Leisner, Christopher, or any other writer active at TrekBBS who writes licensed fiction, have read every licensed piece of fiction published in novel, short story, or e-book form by Pocket Books?

There was a time when the answer would've been yes, but that was many years ago. I've read most of them, but not all, and there are many that I have little to no memory of.

Do any of you believe that this is a requirement to write licensed Star Trek fiction?

Of course not -- that would be completely unreasonable. It's the editors' job to keep continuity straight. And no single book is going to require familiarity with everything ever written. If I'm hired to write a book that's directly related to certain other books, I'll read or reread those as needed.

 

[wahwahkits]

I know that in Star Wars, it's not required for the authors to read anything; they have an employee in the editorial office who compiles character profiles and timelines, giving the authors whatever they need.

I haven't heard of anything similarly comprehensive for TrekLit, but in general, I'd assume it's editorial's job to make sure each story fits together and the details all align at that level of precision. The author probably only needs to read the books in his/her specific series, or those that are otherwise specifically relevant. (That's a guess; I could very well be wrong, I just don't see it practically working any other way.)

Whilst we're talking about Star Wars books it annoys me that these books sell more than Star Trek books and get more shelf space even though they are nowhere near as good

 

[Thrawn]

I know that in Star Wars, it's not required for the authors to read anything; they have an employee in the editorial office who compiles character profiles and timelines, giving the authors whatever they need.

I haven't heard of anything similarly comprehensive for TrekLit, but in general, I'd assume it's editorial's job to make sure each story fits together and the details all align at that level of precision. The author probably only needs to read the books in his/her specific series, or those that are otherwise specifically relevant. (That's a guess; I could very well be wrong, I just don't see it practically working any other way.)

Whilst we're talking about Star Wars books it annoys me that these books sell more than Star Trek books and get more shelf space even though they are nowhere near as good

All in the eye of the beholder, I suppose; there was a time not too long ago when I would've said exactly the same statement but in reverse.

 

[Herbert1]

I know that in Star Wars, it's not required for the authors to read anything; they have an employee in the editorial office who compiles character profiles and timelines, giving the authors whatever they need.

I haven't heard of anything similarly comprehensive for TrekLit, but in general, I'd assume it's editorial's job to make sure each story fits together and the details all align at that level of precision. The author probably only needs to read the books in his/her specific series, or those that are otherwise specifically relevant. (That's a guess; I could very well be wrong, I just don't see it practically working any other way.)

Whilst we're talking about Star Wars books it annoys me that these books sell more than Star Trek books and get more shelf space even though they are nowhere near as good

I love Star Wars as well. I really don't understand why some people seem to see a competition between the two franchises or believe that the success of one comes at the expense of the other. It seems that some people believe that we can only love only one, which seems unique to the science fiction genre. As far as I know, people don't say things like this concerning fiction or television programs related to detectives--no rivalry between NCIS and CSI that I am aware of. But they always seem to do this with science fiction television programs and franchises.

That because I am Star Trek fan, I can't be a fan of Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, Doctor Who, or the Gerry Anderson television programs. That I should care which one is supposed to be better in some stack ranking. Or that I am traitor to Star Trek because I like other programs as well.

 

[wahwahkits]

I love Star Wars too. I just don't think the literature is as good.

 

[David Mack]

I am curious if KRAD, David Mack, Dayton Ward, William Leisner, Christopher, or any other writer active at TrekBBS who writes licensed fiction, have read every licensed piece of fiction published in novel, short story, or e-book form by Pocket Books? Do any of you believe that this is a requirement to write licensed Star Trek fiction?

Hah! Not even close. At most I've read a few dozen Star Trek novels other than my own, in addition to the early James Blish novelizations.

 

[Dayton Ward]

^ Yeah, but was one of them Articles of the Federation?

 

[David Mack]

^ Curiously, no.

 

[William Leisner]

I am curious if KRAD, David Mack, Dayton Ward, William Leisner, Christopher, or any other writer active at TrekBBS who writes licensed fiction, have read every licensed piece of fiction published in novel, short story, or e-book form by Pocket Books?

Frak, no. To be 100% honest, I've read relatively little that was published before 1990.

Do any of you believe that this is a requirement to write licensed Star Trek fiction?

Again, frak, no. It's good know what's going on in the current Trekverse, but am I at a disadvantage because I haven't read Run Away, It's an Ice Bear!? I don't think so.

 

[TheAlmanac]

Whilst we're talking about Star Wars books it annoys me that these books sell more than Star Trek books and get more shelf space even though they are nowhere near as good

All in the eye of the beholder, I suppose; there was a time not too long ago when I would've said exactly the same statement but in reverse.

It must've been a healthy amount of time, though...Star Wars titles have dominated the shelf space in every venue I've looked at that sells both for at least the past decade.

It seems that some people believe that we can only love only one, which seems unique to the science fiction genre. As far as I know, people don't say things like this concerning fiction or television programs related to detectives--no rivalry between NCIS and CSI that I am aware of. But they always seem to do this with science fiction television programs and franchises.

Actually, I'd say that there's a bit of rivalry between Law & Order and CSI (at least if Dick Wolf quotes are anything to go by), and there've been similar examples in the past--ER vs Chicago Hope comes to mind.

Just because you drink both Coke and Pepsi doesn't mean they aren't rivals...

 

[ronny]

It's good know what's going on in the current Trekverse, but am I at a disadvantage because I haven't read Run Away, It's an Ice Bear!? I don't think so.

But you'll miss out on being able to put classic lines in your stories like Riker saying "I know things are looking bad now but it will turn around. I remember once an ice bear was after me and I'm still around".

 

[Sci]

^ Curiously, no.

I'm pretty impressed with how well you nailed the Bacco character if you didn't read AotF.

 

[David Mack]

^ Well, I skimmed the relevant sections in the electronic file for the style and tone ... and it also helps that I watched the first four seasons of The West Wing.

 

[Stevil2001]

Forget classic novels. It's my life's mission to reference un-classic comics. Whoo Gold Key! Add that to your continuity chart, nerds.

 

[donners22]

I don't mind references if they are subtle and/or relevant.

Q & A, in addition to being one of the very few books to do episode references right (as opposed to looking like a copy-and-paste from an episode or scene summary), did a great job of referencing other books.

I picked up on a few, and was surprised when KRAD mentioned a few others that were referenced. They were subtle enough that they did not jump out as out of place even though I didn't recognise them.

 

[Stevil2001]

It's sort of Keith's power.

 

[JD]

He's REFERENCEMAN!!! The Trek Lit superhero!! He sometimes takes on the persona of LISTMAN!!!

 

[KRAD]

And I promise to use this power only for good.

Unless, y'know, they pay me enough.....