Session Start: Thu Aug 01 18:57:11 2002 Session Ident: #Emperor's_Hammer * Logging #Emperor's_Hammer to 'logs\#Emperor's_Hammer(billSmith).Undernet' Welcome, Bill Smith! * K-Idanian sets mode: +v BillSmith * `MK is now known as AD_Mell * AD_Mell sets mode: +m Thank you, Mell. :) The Emperor's Hammer is very pleased and honored you welcome you, Bill Smith. my pleasure, Good evening Mr Smith. For the first part of the interview, the channel will be moderated. Please messasge any questions you may have for Bill to K-Idanian. The second part, if Bill is up to it, will be unmoderated and he may mingle with the members :) Thank you. I've really surprised at how many people are here. Wow! Hello! I think the very first thing to ask would be, Why Star Wars? Why did you decide to pick Star Wars? * Altar is now known as Hi_Bill Well, in 1977 I was 8...saw this cool comic book sitting on a friend's desk at school, started paging through it...sucker. I was hooked for life. * DJK_Goad has joined #Emperor's_Hammer I was introduced to classic (Shatner) Trek when I was 3-4 by my mom, so I had a built in interest in sci-fi; loved Land of the Last in K-1st grade... * Hi_Bill is now known as `Altar * Flelmo has quit IRC (Signed off) * Kodiak has joined #Emperor's_Hammer * `D has joined #Emperor's_Hammer * SHW-Yacks has joined #Emperor's_Hammer * CPT_Mark has joined #Emperor's_Hammer please refrain from nick talkin during the interview. * SHW-Yacks has left #Emperor's_Hammer * ZF_[Away] is now known as LC_ZysF As soon as I read the first Star Wars novel (movie novelization), the thing that got my attention was the line on the cover that read "From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker." My 8-year-old brain said, "Cool! There must be more stories." Since I couldn't find any--aside from Splinter of the Mind's Eye--I started writing my own. Became a rabid Battlestar Galactica and Buck Rogers fan after that, and a couple of years later * CheezCake has joined #Emperor's_Hammer Admiral Mell has a question for you, Bill. :) thanks Kieran. Go. Bill, do you take any inspiration from what you see in day to day life for any of your books? Absolutely, especially now that I'm writing a lot of fiction. I draw a lot of ideas from news coverage, magazine articles...for more character stuff, I just do a lot of observation of people and things around me as I go through my day. * MAJ_Power has joined #Emperor's_Hammer can you recall anything significant that you used from day to day in your work? * Sayo has joined #Emperor's_Hammer * |Frodo has joined #Emperor's_Hammer Just the political strife...you know, the story that just broke about the Russian mobster trying to fix the ice skating scoring at the Olympics...that's a story dying to be played with. of course :) Bill, Major Mark would like to know: as the writer of The essential guide to Vechiles and vessels, do you feel that the stats of the well known craft such as the Star Destroyer are accurate in the flight sims, such as TIE Fighter? thank Kieran, back to you * MAJ_Power has quit IRC (Signed off) * Sayo has quit IRC (Signed off) * Curtis has joined #Emperor's_Hammer * `Stan has joined #Emperor's_Hammer That's a tough call. The designers of all the games (including the RPG) adjust them for play balance...With RPGs you can fiddle with things behind the screen until you get the correct results. Self-contained computer games are less forgiving. I think they wanted to have the basic TIE fighter as a fairly easy target so then you could build up to the new TIE Advanced, etc...after all, if all you are doing is blowing away the same old TIE fighter, it gets dull pretty quickly. So that's a concession to the needs of the game. * Indaro has quit IRC (Ping timeout) Frodo wants to know: Do you ever plan to releasing a new Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels? One way we got around that dilemma was to have a wide variety of models...look at how many Z-95 variants WEG created in the games. Next ??? Actually, Del Rey is finalizing a new, updated version of V&V. New author, though. : ( I'm not sure about Del Rey's plans regarding Weapons and Tech updates. Was looking through the new, full-color Essential Characters today. It was pretty neat. I imagine they'll do a bang-up job, especially art-wise, with the new Vehicles and Vessels. * DA_CForce has quit IRC (Signed off) Next? * drazzic is now known as draz|aw Aeishline would like to know: talking about RPGs.. do you play them? if so, what systems and what you enjoy the most and what you find attractive in this type of games? * The_Ford has joined #Emperor's_Hammer * MAJ|Mark has quit IRC (Signed off) * MAJ|Mark has joined #Emperor's_Hammer I haven't played much in the past couple of years. I really enjoy D&D with a good DM, one who focuses more on great action and adventure rather than rules lawyering. I love WEG's D6 system, still. I like simple and cinematic game systems--ones you can play and run from memory without stopping to look up stuff in the rulebook. I would much rather feel like I'm in a cool movie than playing a wargame. Just my personal taste. I love the intricacy of the various T$R/Wotc worlds, as well as the exotic nature of the SW universe. Don't play that many computer games. Just don't have the time. I'm a huge stock car racing fan and play a lot of Dirt Track Racing & Sprint Cars from RatBag. This question kinda goes with RPGs, CheezCak would like to know: Have you ever played on a MUD? Loved the new PS2 PodRacing game too. It had great imagery and fun gameplay. No. I've always been reluctant to commit to using much time for gaming. I've always been so busy with work that I couldn't afford it. Sorry, Bill, for intrupting. Go ahead. Next. CheezCak would also like to know: What guide would you write next - assuming everything HASN'T been covered? * Howlader has joined #Emperor's_Hammer * X sets mode: +o Howlader * Cole has left #Emperor's_Hammer I would love to do a "Movie Guide" covering all the characters, ships, weapons, aliens, et al from Ep. 3, similar to what David West Reynolds is doing with his guides now. Lots of color photos, etc. * Lander has quit IRC (*.net *.split) * Howlader has quit IRC (*.net *.split) * X has quit IRC (*.net *.split) Maybe do those kinds of guides for some of the novels, too. Next? From MindBubbl: How do you determin what sources to use and what not? I've tried some of this myself and on some vehicles the different sources plainly contradict. And on some others there are very minimal ones. And how do you fill the gaps yourself? One other Essential Guide...I'd love to create an era from wholecloth...pick a time period 500-1,000 years before the movie and do an Essential Guide to that time period, like a campaign setting. * Dav has joined #Emperor's_Hammer * Lander has joined #Emperor's_Hammer * CPT_Mark is now known as MarkAFK * Ari is now known as FA_Ari * X has joined #Emperor's_Hammer * mesa.az.us.undernet.org sets mode: +o X * LC_ZysF is now known as ZF_[Away] Where there were clear gaps, I'd make a logical extrapolation and suggest it to LFL as a solution, with footnotes and explanations to back up my ideas. * X sets mode: -oooooo K-Idanian AD_Mell FA_Ari `Rapier` MottiAway Gryff|Awy The Essential Guides were just like doing term papers: Lots of research, lots of footnotes, lots of trying to save them the work of doublechecking things. But, yeah, sometimes continuity gaffes...well, let's say creative interpretations, do slip through. But you can come up with an explanation most of the time... * X sets mode: +o Gryff|Awy next? -> *x@channels.undernet.org* login KIdanian REQcON9w * OW_Locust has joined #Emperor's_Hammer * Disconnected Session Close: Thu Aug 01 19:26:07 2002 Session Start: Thu Aug 01 19:26:14 2002 Session Ident: #Emperor's_Hammer * Now talking in #Emperor's_Hammer * Topic is 'The Emperor's Hammer welcomes Bill Smith! Please /msg your questions to K-Idanian for questioning. ' * Set by K-Idanian on Thu Aug 01 18:59:13 -> *x@channels.undernet.org* login KIdanian REQcON9w -> [PING] #EMPEROR'S_HAMMER * OW_Locust has joined #Emperor's_Hammer * K-Idanian has quit IRC (Signed off) * Disconnected Session Close: Thu Aug 01 19:26:57 2002 Session Start: Thu Aug 01 19:27:03 2002 Session Ident: #emperor's_hammer * Now talking in #emperor's_hammer * Topic is 'The Emperor's Hammer welcomes Bill Smith! Please /msg your questions to K-Idanian for questioning. ' * Set by K-Idanian on Thu Aug 01 19:36:40 -> *x@channels.undernet.org* login KIdanian REQcON9w\ * FA_Ari sets mode: +v K-Idanian Thanks Server glitch, right? ok until Kieran is opped, please direct questions to me via /notice. Right Yep. yes, the servers have been edgy today Thanks a lot, Mell! :) ah, Kieran's ok now. Gotta love technology, huh...That's something I love working into my stories. Technology is cool and all, but the more complicated it is, the buggier it gets. Just ask Bill Gates. -X- AUTHENTICATION FAILED as KIdanian (Invalid Password) FA Ari would like to know: What's his favorite SW character, either from novel or movie, and why? heh i don't doubt it. * Shadowman has joined #emperor's_hammer -> *x@channels.undernet.org* login KIdanian REQcON9w -X- AUTHENTICATION SUCCESSFUL as KIdanian -X- Remember: Nobody from CService will ever ask you for your password, do NOT give out your password to anyone claiming to be CService. * X sets mode: +o K-Idanian * AD_Mell sets mode: +v AD_Mell -FA_Ari:@#emperor's_hammer- great keiran, just use improper grammar why dont you :P * Reavahway has joined #emperor's_hammer I love Boba Fett just cause he's a mysterious figure behind the mask (or was). I felt really betrayed that his finale wasn't cooler in Jedi...it would have been much neater had he shown up on Endor with scarred armor and had a "talk" with Mr. Solo. -AD_Mell:@#emperor's_hammer- [ops|#emperor's_hammer] whoops :P heh As a kid, I loved Han Solo as the coolest, but as I got older, Iidentified with Luke a lot more, how he dealt with the responsibilites of life and rebuilding the Jedi. next? Major Mark would like to know: if you could be any Imperial officer from the films, who would you be? * Reaver` has quit IRC (Ping timeout) Someone not stationed aboard the Death Star, Death Star II or Executor, that's for sure... -> [PING] #EMPEROR'S_HAMMER I think General Veers was a pretty neat character. Having the AT-ATs would rock. * Reavahway is now known as Reaver It would have been neat to be one of the stormtrooper officers on Mos Eisley, except for being a clone and all. Next. Frodo would like to know: What is your favorite Fighter? AD Mell also has a similar question: AD Mell would like to know: what is your favourite craft out ofthe SW Universe and why? -MajorTack- MajorTack is away -( auto-away after 30 minutes idle )- since 05:51p -( P:On / L:On )- My favorite design is the snowspeeder and also have a soft spot for the Firespray/Slave I...fighter wise, I love the Y-wing even though it handles like a brick. The X-wing is pretty neat, but the small, compact, maneuverable A-wing looks like the coolest ride. Next. Ford would like to knwo: If you had to father a child by any male SW character, who would he pick? * Blastfire has joined #emperor's_hammer Solo I guess, not that I've ever thought about it...Now, female wise, I think Mara Jade would probably be the best mother...certainly, the child would know self-defense and disguise...and probably be interested in things other than shopping. Just joking, gang. Next. * The_Ford has quit IRC (Connection reset by peer) Major Tack would like to know: If you could rewrite any movie, which, and what would you change I'll go over each... * The_Ford has joined #emperor's_hammer Ep. 4: Perfect except for Greedo shooting first. That is just a bad, bad dream. Ep. 5: No one-armed wampa thank you. * `Jaxfire has joined #emperor's_hammer Ep. 6: Please fast forward over all Endor scenes and all will be forgiven. Actually, I loved Joe Johnston's original conception of the Ewoks, much more animalistic, tall, thin, "springy" comes to mind, able to leap around and fight like Banshees. Much, much better. And, of course, add the final showdown between Solo and Fett. * Curtis is now known as LtCurtis Okay, lets start wrapping this up. :) * The_Ford has quit IRC (Connection reset by peer) * The_Ford has joined #emperor's_hammer Ep. 1: Lots of judicious editing would make Ep. 1 a GREAT movie. Clean up the opening scroll, ditch the funny accents for the Nemodians in favor of subtitles, really, really cut down on Jar-Jar Binks (make him much more of a background character), cut down on the battles on Naboo, make the space battle scenes a lot more exciting...lots of little tweaks. Probably my least favorite even though there are things I love. Ep. II: Just tweak the romance...Make Anakin's feelings more subtle at first before he goes all stalker on Padme. * `Rapier` has quit IRC (Signed off) Next. AD Mell would finally like to know if you think that there should be an Episode VII, VIII and IX ? I have very mixed feelings about that. It could be cool to have Mark, Harrison, et al cameo and introduce a new generation of characters, but you'd need a really compelling plotline to make it work. * `JK_Rich has quit IRC (Broken pipe) I would really much rather see a Star Wars animated series. Next. Would you make any chances to your Star Wars career? Yeah. I would have quit West End about a year earlier so I could have finished Weapons and Tech on deadline. That way I'd still be doing Essential Guides. Try to please too many masters and none of them are happy. Next. * `Altar has left #emperor's_hammer That wraps it up! :) Thank you Bill Smith, for taking time out of your day to talk with us. You are welcome to stay around and talk with the membership. We really, truly appreciated you coming and talking with us! One thing, please feel free to stop by my website, www.billsmithbooks.com Thank you and thanks for having me on. Release the TIE's! * AD_Mell sets mode: -m I'm sure many of us will, Bill! :) Thanks, Bill! Mr. Smith, this question never got answered in the chat. Do you like it golden brown? thax bill.. and thx keiran:) Yes... Thank-you, Bill, for making the denizens of #EH stop idling;) lol. Bill, ignore Ford Do you like it golden brown, Mr. Smith? many thanks Bill, and i liked your point on the Solo/Fett fight, shoulda been there :) the rest of us do, and we get on with life just fine Silence from the peons there, Mork. * Smugami has quit IRC (Ping timeout) * MAJ|Mark Lamps(tm) BillSmith >:P sorry... just had to do that :P * LtCurtis has left #emperor's_hammer ... Mr. Smith? Hello? Do you indeed like it golden brown? Maybe his silence is all the confirmation we need. you two hush up. Mr. Smith likes it golden brown! or out ;) I guess if anybody has questions, I can hang for a little while to mingle. Just zap me. (My apologies I'm new at this.) Ford, excluded of course. * `Tal`` has joined #emperor's_hammer <`Az> lol * Blastfire grins Hehe :P Awwww, instant categorization and judgement. * MAJ|Mark thwaps The_Ford with his MAJ badge(tm) * The_Ford is hurt. :P hehehe The wrath of God strikes all... * The_Ford smites Mork with his GN badge. :P bad ford :) <|Frodo> Hehe Ford got hurt * MAJ|Mark uses his CMDR badge as a throwing star and spears The_Ford with it <|Frodo> Mister Smith whoa, whoa. Bill Smith is god? Damn, I've been worshipping the wrong one all along... Crush Ford <|Frodo> Are you related to Will Smith? lol Hey, wait, can't I have Vader help Mr. Ford adjust his trachea? This is an Imperial site, right? yeah Vader likes it golden brown, actually. No. I had the name first. (I'm older than Will Smith by about two years.) * Smugami has joined #emperor's_hammer <|Frodo> yeah but vader kinda turned with luke at the last second Ewww, bad Frodo. :P * CAPSwomz has joined #emperor's_hammer Vader did indeed wimp out. * CAPSwomz is now known as Swomz Hmm. Do you like Will Smith's movies?;) whats the DJ chat? Bill : whats your take on the direction the EU is goin in? <|Frodo> Bill do you like the Missile Boat?? He's an engaging performer, but as a whole, Independence Day and Men in Black...can take them or leave them. Oh yeah, expanded universe question...do you enjoy the New Jedi Order at all, Mr. Smith? try not to overload the Q's peoples * Astatine has joined #emperor's_hammer * Lander has quit IRC (Connection reset by peer) Yay, Ast. :P evening Astatine The EU...I think it's really, really odd that a lot of effort was put into bashing the old Marvel SW comics and then they use the same plotline for New Jedi Order. But still, some of the Jedi Order stuff has been cool. * Lander has joined #emperor's_hammer <|Frodo> Do you like the Missile Boat? Personally though, I preferred more "in the galaxy" stuff than the extragalactic invasion. Mr. Smith, if you had 900 million dollars, would you join my personal quest to raise a militia to annex the Canadian territories into the United States? Bill Smith, Astatine is the Emperor's Hammer XO ok Frodo, we heard you :) * X sets mode: +o Astatine whoa... what was the story line for the Marvel commics? one more Q and ill be quite : whats your favorite EU novel? * MAJZoron pulls on the gloves and performs a SupremeWedgie(tm) to Reaver Hey, don't touch my Canada land!@ evil Reaver What do you think of my idea to take over the goverment by force and change the US into the Imperial States of America, Mr. Smith? I grew up about five miles near Canada. Trust us, Canada already is part of the states. Canada r0xx0rs your b0xx0rs Trust "us"? <|Frodo> HEY! * The_Ford is frightened. :P <|Frodo> Canada rocks rofl Mr. Smith speaks the truth! I love Canada...especially Molson and hockey. heheh. Marvel Star wars is funny hehe * CheezCake speaks in defense of Canada. We can drink you yanks under the table;P i like Labatts personally :) * DJK_Goad has quit IRC The Marvel SW plotline, after Jedi, involved an extragalactic invasion. About issues 85-106... Just because you have the constitution of a moose doesn't make you any better, Zed. :P <|Frodo> I like Spruce bear only availlable in Quebec 0% alcohol * Reaver strips naked, smothers his body with barbecue sauce, and launches himself at Zedder. * Archon has quit IRC (Canada...Missile boats...sigh...for shame) And yes, most Canadians I know can drink most of us Americans under the stable. You call that beer frodo? <|Frodo> Yeah! <|Frodo> No <|Frodo> I call that pop hmm. Bill, was that intentional?:P The marvel ones between A New Hope and Empire were funny * OutAFK has quit IRC (Broken pipe) most british can probably drink canadians under th tabe i'm sure :D * AD_Mell is british and proud :D Can't remember the aliens...they looked like Drow from DnD...tall, think, white hair...oh, that's it...the Nagai. * Kodiak nods Yeah but British are all the way over in Britishland:P right... xheezcake, your point? :P Mr. Smith. DO you think Vader's penis was burned off in the battle where he was horribly scarred? *cheezcake While the rest of you are all drunk under the table, we Ukrainians will be sipping our vodka in your capital cities. :P * Lander is half brit half cannuck. Fear my drinking skills :P I believe this is the reason why Vader is so pissed. I used to really irritate my British writers by insisting that they use US spelling and syntax. They were really irritated at having to spell "gray" etc. * Reaver was kicked by AD_Mell (ok Reaver that's enough) * Reaver has joined #emperor's_hammer Vader has many reasons to be unhappy, not the least of which is the whole Luke and Leia kiss on Hoth... gray, conor, color etc :) *color lol and honor Next? Mell: my point is that you brits can drink me under the table - When I'm in britishland. Which I'm not:P serious mistye :P did you get the PMSG? <|Frodo> DO you like the Missile BOAT! * `Drake has joined #emperor's_hammer i'll come to US or Canada and drink you under the table then ;) I apologize. These are merely ideas I've considered in my daily ritualized castration to the God George Lucas, praising him for the creation of the One, True Universe, the Star Wars Universe. Bill, what's your impression of the Emperor's Hammer? :P US spellings are wrong Reaver, you can take things a bit too far Mell, I'll drink you under the table! Well, a website dedicated to the Imperials...hey, it's a free country. PErsonally, I think the Empire was not evil, just misunderstood. you're on lander ;) i agree You dare insult my religion, Keiran?! of course.. Mell: I'm in Canada. Don't go to the US:P the rebs are the real villians What do you mean, misunderstood? We're evil. :P * `Drake hands Bill a beer .. Yay! * |Frodo is very nice You know hemel hempstead? (I'm too lazy to travel) :P Bill: Finally! Rebels were the ones breaking the law;P I don't insult your religion, Reaver. I just didn't know if you were joking or serious make the arrangements than and 'll come drink with you cheezcake :P <|Frodo> I just think that the empire is uselessly related to the Dark side of the force Do you think the Emperor's discrimination against aliens was beneficial to the Empire, ultimately? The Rebels are forces for Chaos...upstarts. Just like the Americans who broke away from Mother England. Okay, maybe not exactly. Bill, how much of the ships used in game have you come into contact with (as Frodo wants to know if you like the Missle Boat :P) Mell: if by 'make the arrangements' you mean 'let you pay your own frickin way' then I'll get right to it. <|Frodo> Yeah the rebels are better looking BillSmith: what do you think of the Star Wars Roleplaying games, and would u ever think about incorporating their statistics in your books? do you like the TIE Advanced? you sort me some acoomodation, i'll get a flight >:P and I mean the one in TIE and XWA Love the Missile Boat and new TIEs. They look cool and blow stuff up good.... Defender is a heck of a lot better than Advanced? happy Frodo? :P woops don't be silly Swomz <|Frodo> Yeah go BILL! T/D is overblanced i'll happily keep with my Praetor ;) * |Frodo is very happy Hey Bill, have you ever played the PC/Playstation version of the Phantom MenacE? T/D whips up on T/A the MIS was only invented `cos they screwed up the T/B Menace* Discriminating against aliens...the Empire would have been vastly more effective if they'd worked at turning the various alien species into collaborators and lackeys. It's much easier to control a hostile population through manipulation than force. * MottiAway has quit IRC (Read error: Connection reset by peer) <|Frodo> the MIS was invented for people who ran out of warheads The Empire were rather sexist, too But they did use aliens as informers etc. Daala was the only Female AD * Bon_AFK has joined #emperor's_hammer ANH alone is proof of that. The only PS game I played was PodRacer. I get bored with the computer RPGs... BillSmith: Which is better in you opinion, the Advanced or the Defender? ah * `D has quit IRC (Ping timeout) * `Drake is now known as `D you people should ask proper questions and we only see a small fraction of the galaxy Regarding using the stats from the RPG, I don't follow your question? Do you mean use the new D20 WOTC system> Bill: Oh, I was going to ask if you thought The Phantom Menace game was more enjoyable than the movie. I thought so at any rate;) * ZF_[Away] is now known as LC_ZysF * LC_ZysF is back -[ I've dissappeard for more than 22 minutes... ]- gone 32 min 18 s like which of Padme's outfits did you prefer in Episode 2? (I particularly liked the black leather number in the fireplace scene :P) hehe * `Az has quit IRC (cya!) ast, we all know the outfit she had on in the climatic end battle was the best. :P BillSmith: yes, incorporating say the D20 stats for a TIE Fighter into your books Well Ast I was going to ask a question about George Lucas but I thought it to be quite unappropriate:P <`D> Pervy XO :P Ast, who didn't? :P ah yes, the white thing...that was a good one too she was hot in that movie Well, if I was still doing RPG stuff for WOTC, yeah, it would be very cool to adapt all of the video game stuff and make it all fit together. I like the multi-colored one, she has one when they arrive at the retreat out. * Xtremegen has joined #emperor's_hammer *house * `Jaxfire is now known as `Jax <`Jax> is back -[ chess ]- gone 1 hr 8 min 55 s I have to agree With Ast.. The black outfit was the best. Didn't pay that much attention to Natalie...saw the movie with my wife, you know. * Rast_Away is now known as Rastyn * Rastyn is back -[ At work.... ]- gone 9 hr 59 min 0 s * The_Ford has quit IRC (No.) actually, they were all nice in their own way. thats too bad BillSmith :P But the white was...flattering. lol * `Katarn has joined #emperor's_hammer * Shadowman has left #emperor's_hammer lol * Bon_AFK is now known as Bon_Fel I'm thinking K would rather Natalie not wear any clothes at all. :P <`Katarn> Excuse me everyone, but do any of you know how to take a screen shot in Jedi Outcast? I think we all would :P or Astatine even me too, but I have no say in that, cheezcake * RS_Chrys has joined #emperor's_hammer ooh we got Rebels in our midst :P Katarn: I think u press Print Screen What was the G Lucas question? Never met him, unfortunately. next to scroll lock, I may be wrong <`Katarn> Swomz.... I tried that and it didn't work. <`Katarn> At least, I think it didn't. Bill: nah I shouldn't ask the GL question;) I dunno, I have never taken one myself <`Katarn> Can't find where it saved the image if it did take one. * Swomz is now known as VE_Swomz however I will ask an unrelated George Lucas question. Do you think he should've gotten someone else to direct the prequels? it would be on the clipboard. Actually, one of the things I was wondering. The company that was West End is now licensing the D6 system (same system as original RPG). Do you think there would be any interest in a space opera RPG, new universe but similar feel. I've been thinking of doing an Outlaw Galaxy RPG based on my novels. in X-wing Allience there are alot of different tie prototypes, were alot of differnt tie's made? Bill, would you consider becoming an hounorary member of the Emperor's Hammer? <`Katarn> The screen shot would be on the clippboard? yeah, K oh wait... you are :P silly me :P how about a REAL member of the Emperor's hammer? BillSmith: Do you think George Lucas should give some1 else the rights to Star Wars to make Episodes VI VII and VIII Directing Prequels: No, I think Geroge did a fine job...a few judicious changes could have improved things, but he seemed to really get into the swing of things by Ep. II...I think I already am an honorary member of EH. * AD_Mell hadn't read the page right :P * `Seraph` has joined #emperor's_hammer * RS_Chrys is now known as `Chrys BillSmith: Do you think George Lucas should give some1 else the rights to Star Wars to make Episodes VI VII and VIII * `Katarn is now known as KatAFK Eps. 7-9: I only would want to see someone else do them if George was directly involved, but I can think of a few people I'd love to see do a SW movie...Cameron, Shamylan... let timothy Zahn do them! Bill: what if Quentin Tarrintino directed a Star Wars movie?;) no Mell imagine if Lucas signed over VII to IX rights to Ronin or Michael Stackpole :) Tarantino should do a full-length version of Troops!!! Cheez : We'd DEFINATELY see Natalie naked :P BillSmith: in X-wing Allience there are alot of different tie prototypes, were alot of differnt tie's made? * AD_Mell is hooked on X Wing series at the mo YES!!!!!!! heh heh <`D> lol @ troops troops rules * KatAFK has quit IRC (I rock?) We never did them in our games but I always thought they could have been kicking around. Our approvals people in publications would have been reluctant to let us do a ton of variant TIEs, etc. * `Malik has joined #emperor's_hammer It can get overdone by the time all the various novel, comic and game designers (and toy folks) put out their own designs. o-|-o <|Frodo> Bill what will you do next? * `Chrys is now known as ChrysXWA Actually, Quentin Tarantino could also do "Young Han Solo" movies. o|-o-|o * Chi-Long has joined #emperor's_hammer o(-o-)o Gah, sleep time for me, cool interview, seeya guys * Kodiak has quit IRC (WHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. Poof!) a feature length troops would rule I'm working full time on my Outlaw Galaxy novels. Having a ball doing them. I'm an independent publisher and having a good time. <|Frodo> cool BillSmith: Thank you for answering these questions, and thanks for spending your time on here bye everybody Bill : When can we expect them out? <|Frodo> And thanks for liking the Missile boat * VE_Swomz has left #emperor's_hammer Oh, yes, Troops is the best...Cameron could do the Yahzum Vong invasion... hmmm, Outlaw Galaxy novels: these new, or still in the works? thx for the answer bill, come to RS some time ;p or are these already out I should say whats the URL for troops? <|Frodo> Bill do you like Krayt Dragons? ooh now you are asking Yong...now that would be a kick ass movie * ChrysXWA is now known as `Chrys Book 1 is out now. Books 2-5 in final editing. Book 1 is just $4 including postage and shipping (it's in a newspaper format). Books 2 and on, coming soon, will be in a comic book style format. * dasb00t is back as of [18:06:05] (eep) - gone for 16mins 3secs * AD_Mell is now known as `MK does that mean book 1 isn't availiable in book stores? * dasb00t is now known as t00bdaed * t00bdaed is away as of [18:06:11] (oops) - Type /ctcp t00bdaed PAGE (message) to send a message I would love to see Stackpole do a Clone Wars era novel. <`MK> so would i <`MK> he characterises people so well IMO <`Chrys> somethin with Corran's dad No, book 1 is directly through my website only at this point. Will be getting comic and game store distribution for book 2 and on. <`Chrys> grandad nice. I am assuming you only accept american funds? Bill, me being goofy aside... a serious question: <`MK> after reading books 1-4 in X wing series i felt i knew all the characters personally ever considered writing a novel of some sort? * FAStarret has joined #emperor's_hammer Bill where is your website? Mike Stackpole, Brian Daley and Tim Zahn are my absolute favorite SW novelists. I thought Terry Brooks did an exceptional job with the Phantom Menace noveliz. <`MK> good evening, STarret hello Bon: www.billsmithbooks.com - correct? Bill: you got any info on where The New JEdi Order is headed? ;p I think R.A. Salvatore is pretty good too <`MK> not read his work yet Ari Bill, what do you think of Allston? :P AOTC novel and Vector Prime <`MK> i'm only just getting into books bout time mell * CMJediEcl has joined #emperor's_hammer www.BillSmithBooks.com. And yes, American funds. Overseas postage is extra (also US): Canada is $1.35 Mexico is $1.65 Europe is $3.20 Australia, Japan & New Zealand is $3.50 i dont see why people dont like Kevin J. Anderson <`MK> peh give me a hard tine when i'm not the only imperial with the imp logo worn as a tatoo :P i think hes a good author * `Chrys has quit IRC (Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool) Allston's stuff is pretty nifty...he and Stackpole have been buddies for a long time and they work together well. * Blastfire nods hrm. So you wouldn't accept Canadian dollars then, eh? :\ * `Chrys has joined #emperor's_hammer No idea where New Jedi Order is headed. <`Chrys> whhops Bill, what would you suggest to any of us aspiring to become SW Novelists? Website is www.billsmithbooks.com or www.outlawgalaxy.com * K-Idanian wants to hear this... Bill: stackpole and zahn are freinds to correct? To be a SW novelist, you have to establish yourself as a mainstream, independent SF novelist and then get an agent who can talk the Del Rey people into using you. * CheezCake would assume so because they wrote a couple short novels together for Tales from the Empire/New Republic. Yes, Tim and Mike were both working on SW novels and developed a pretty good friendship. I know they do all kinds of cons together. So then, any tips for becoming a mainstream SF novelist?;) How did you get started on your SF-writing career, i.e. what was your first book? <`MK> helps to write a lit, cheez :P Mell: I know;) Re: Kevin Anderson. KJA has a wonderfully cinematic storytelling style...but sometimes his humor was a bit unsophisticated for my tastes. And, well, I just don't like "we're building a new Death Star stories." Just not my taste, that's all. <`Chrys> it sucked when Madine died <`MK> last SF Fiction i wrote was in 1994, it was almost identicle to star trek first contact... i should sue paramount :P heh. I have a list of story ideas I wrote in October 2001, some were similar to episode II. I should sue Georgie:P * Xtremegen is now known as XtremeEat I think he wrote the outlines to the prequels waaay before 2001... although...it wasn't a story... so he could counter-sue :P I actually doubt that. that's just what I remember hearing Getting started: I started writing my own SW stories as soon as I read the SW comic at age 9, wrote lots of DnD adventures in school...in college, I finally got the nerve to submit a couple of game articles to magazines and sold them, and that helped me get the job at West End. Once I was on staff, I got a ton of freelance writing on the side, so that's how I got started. if he planned out the prequels you wouldn't have so many discrepancies between original trilogy and the prequels. Outside sources aside, I mean...not including those * Howlader has joined #emperor's_hammer <`MK> bill, at west end, what did you enjoy working on most? * Blastfire has left #emperor's_hammer * X sets mode: +o Howlader Re Suing: Bad! Bad! Bad! There are tons of ideas and writers often get similar ideas. It is the execution of said ideas that matters. And the suing thing is precisely why companies don't work with authors who haven't already established themselves. WEG: I really enjoyed doing the revised SW rule books, especially "Revised and Expanded" (full color rulebook in late 90s)... Bill: riddle me this ;p You know if Zahn is going to write any new jedi order books? good question, Fel! Bill, do you think there's a market out there for beginning authors for a collection of short stories, or are those usually just reserved for established authors who have already published novels? he did write one didnt he? I just heard that he got a contract to write one or two prequels involving the rise of Palpatine and connecting them to the "Outbound Flight"/C'baoth plotline. Don't know if it's true, but if it is, wheeeeeee! * `D has quit IRC (Ping timeout) * `Seraph` has quit IRC (Read error: Connection reset by peer) :) SWEET Unfortunately, it is reserved for established authors, but I think there is a HUGE market for a monthly Star Wars short stories magazine for all writers. But, the continuity and approvals would be a nightmare, but as a fan, I think it would be exceptionally cool. * Bon_Fel does his little jig * Cole has joined #emperor's_hammer i've read fictions from EH members that seem worth some kind of publishing Hrm. That's too bad, cause I really like writing short stories more than novels, and I'd rather not write Star Wars...too limiting for the humour I put into my writings;) * Cole has left #emperor's_hammer how does one get that maginzine? * Astatine has quit IRC (pika) No, there isn't one...I'm just saying, wouldn't that be the coolest ever!!! Go bug Del Rey until they give in to us :) and yes, whatever happened to the Star Wars Adventure Journal or whatever it was called? I believe I read in Tales from the New Republic that it was discontinued(though I never heard of one before)? I think that's not a bad idea And I wanna be editor, too. And I think that gives our RO a new project :P huh? what? lol Keiran, get Del Rey to publish a SW FanFic magazine with Bill as editor :P SW Adventure Journal passed on with West End, who came up with it and published a mix of fiction and game stuff. It was really, really cool. WOTC tried something similar with SW Gamer, which also, sadly, has moved on to be one with the Force.... Star Wars Gamer is no more? Please, I would be so indebted to all of you. Don't think it would happen, though. Still, I have the next best thing. I'm doing exactly what I want with my Outlaw Galaxy novels... Speaking of which...what did you think of the echo of Qui-Gon's voice in Ep2? George Lucas said it's closely connected to happenings in Ep3 * Gryff|Awy is now known as Gryffon Yeah, SW Gamer has folder. Some material will be published in Polyhedron, I think? New company bought all of WOTC's publications, including Dragon, Dungeon and SW Insider. the novalisation said it was Gryff hmm, I guess the Episode II issue was my last then, heh Qui-Gon's voice--the neat thing, in the Ep. 2 novel, it says that Jedi who moved on have never been contacted before, but Yoda clearly heard Qui-Gon. I've also heard George say it's pretty critical. So Bill, all you writers seem pretty cool, do you guys get alot of fan mail, like "Please sign this book" * LC_ZysF is away -[ I've dissappeard for more than 22 minutes... ]- at 20:22:05 -[ P:On / L:On ]- * LC_ZysF is now known as ZF_[Away] Not that often. I will autograph any book as long as return postage is included. The novelists get a lot more fan mail just because the novels sell nearly half a million copies each. ya... do they generally sing to? ??? *sign lol I think he means 'do the authors sign too' yeah sry Fel - well if they sang then they wouldn't be writing, hmm?;) hehe who knows... O ya, if you talk to Zahn tell him that i cant wait for his next SW book ;p Yes, most of them do. Find their personal websites, if there is one to get their policy. You can also send fan mail directly to Del Rey and they will forward it to the authors. I think most authors will sign as long as you include a return envelope with prepaid postage. * `Justin has joined #emperor's_hammer Bill: sure is great to talk to you...man RS needs to do this a bit more. * Col_Hades has joined #emperor's_hammer sweet. thx man This was my first time, but it's been fun. Hey, I also autograph copies of my novel :) * CptSaar has joined #emperor's_hammer * Tel-lei has joined #emperor's_hammer Any questions? * Tel-lei has left #emperor's_hammer <|Frodo> What do you think of Krayt Dragons? Will you be getting Star Wars Galaxies when it comes out? damn Ari, took me question :P