Writing in established universes - Farscape

[An8el]

I know it's the policy of this site to not include stories written by us for copyrighted characters, but can we talk about doing that here?

I want to write for the TV show FarScape (copyright 1999, the Jim Henson Co.) and I want to encourage other writers here to do that too. Below are links in hopes that any writer here can do that...and post those stories on other sites, of course.

For some strange reason, the network cancelled the show, just shy of it's 5th and final season. Aside from the last "final" episode being a cliff-hanger, writing for the series might be the only way I'm going to experience some sort of continuation of the FarScape universe and it's characters. So that's my motive.

Fortunately, I'm not alone in wanting to do this. Already there are such stories written for FarScape, here's one story (http://www.farscapefantasy.com/TB01.html) and another site of fan stories using FarScape characters (http://www.shriftweb.org/leviathan/) in a place to upload any story you might write using the FarScape universe.

The advantages, of course, is that the originators of the universe have done most of the work of creating the world and cultures and characters. For instance, here is a handy FarScape primer (http://www.watchfarscape.com/primer.php) for the history, as well as a description of the Peacekeeper Culture guide (http://www.shriftweb.org/exodus/profiles/pkculture.html) and a number of character profiles from the SciFi channel, (http://www.scifi.com/farscape/characters/) and another BBC one here. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/farscape/profiles/)

A number of sites have cool synopsis of every episode so far to air, for instance, here.
(http://www.crichtonisms.com/episodes04.shtml) Or, if you still want to watch the reruns without spoilers, look at the episode guide for SciFi site here. (http://www.scifi.com/farscape/journeylogs/)

Anyway, that's probably lots more than you want to know. Has anyone else here done this kind of thing before and have any advice before starting? Would anyone enjoy writing for FarScape, or am I "farbot" (some Farscape lingo) to start this thread?

[Chlestron]

Actually, I think it's just as difficult writing in an established universe than not. The reason is that you're already constrained by the physics and dynamics OF that universe. If you build your own, you can sort of fudge the rules a little bit if you need to. As well, the interactions with established characters have to look natural to the readers who will no doubt be fans of the series and notice major discrepencies.

Fan Fiction is one thing but realistically, it's damn near impossible to get a novel published in this universe. Those who own the copyrights and trademarks of the characters USUALLy don't bother with Fan-Fiction writers unless there is some serious slander going on. That's one of the beauties of how the industry works. However if there's a book series, it's usually by invitation and the writer works hand-in-glove with the producer to make sure no continuity toes are stepped on

[An8el]

Guess I qualify in being able to spot inconsistencies with previous episodes - having almost all of the Farscape episodes taped from the Tv!

So - how come I've heard of writers doing fan stories for Next Gen Star Trek and getting a book deal from if - if what you say is true?

[Chlestron]

Well obviously I'm not entirely correct. I know that what I said applies to the Star Wars universe but then again, I think Lucas tries to retain WAAAY more control than Rodenberry every did. I don't know how many of the Star Trek books are stand alone or how many are part of a series. I know that there are very few Stand Alone Star Wars books so a lot more cooridination is necessary.

[milamber_reborn]

Doctor Who has a lot of fan fiction, but the writing has to be of a very high quality.