h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I attended a talk given by Terry Brooks, the author who wrote the "adaptation" (His word) of Episode 1. He stated, that when he discussed the idea of a 'canon' with George Lucas, that Geroge responded "If I didn't write it, it has no bearing on the story." Brooks asked if what he would write, other than the script that is, would be 'canon', Lucas told him, "perhaps." So, although there has been a HUGE amount written in his world by other authors, he does not recognize any of it if it contradicts what he is writing. Personally, I don't mind, but I have seen a lot of griping here in the states about "errors" in episode 1... bear Mr. Lucas' view in mund and you'll be happier moviegoers. Danny

Very good point. I have a copy of the CD-Rom 'behind the magic' which details the legacy of the Star Wars saga and includes a detailed listing of some of the best works outside Lucas' own. They even use that to flesh out some of the back history of the series. However, the bottom line is if Lucas didn't write it, it can become very obsolete within a few years, if in fact it is not already.

After Star Wars came out, there was this ongoing series of comics and books and Lord knows what else about the continuing tales of Luke, Han and Leia. Some of them were very well written. Some were only satisfactory. However, one thing I noticed was no matter what happened in the story, at tale's end everything had to be resolved and the characters had to return to exactly how they were before.

Star Trek and X-Files have witnessed similar problems. And 'fan fiction' is notorious for being the least canonical, although simultaneously being the most expressive and experimental.

The Star Wars universe belongs to George Lucas. As to how he really feels deep down about other people telling their own stories with his life's work, we may never know for certain. Perhaps he feels honored, perhaps he feels violated, perhaps it's a strange combination of those two and much more that not even he can fully understand.

Something any true fan of his work should accept however, you can play with his universe all you want, but just don't forget who made those images into reality from his own brain. Don't forget who's the primary storyteller.

Makes you wonder about the hitchhiker fanfiction and Douglas Adams' opinion on it...wiat, IS there hitchhiker's fanfiction? is it any good?

I don't know if there's any Hitch Hiker's Guide Fan Fiction, and I don't know if any of it is good, if there is any.

I do know that Max Quordlepleen is working to encourage some.

http://www.h2g2.com/A79977

Well actually I take that back. There IS Douglas Adams inspired Fan writings. Sometimes it's fiction and sometimes it's... well it's kinda hard to explain.

You've got http://www.megadodo.com which is Project Galactic Guide.

There's also http://websites.ntl.com/~sunshine/realhhg/ This guy who made a "Douglas Adams Approved" variant on the Guide theme that is dedicated to charity. It's only available at some conventions for a donation and you can get a real big paper copy of it.

And again, there's Max Quordlepleen's Big Bang Burger Bar Tales and I put that link in the previous message. Beyond that I don't know of any other DNA inspired Fan Writings.