In This Episode
The Book Evangelists discuss The Time Machine by H. G. Wells and share our attempts to adapt a public domain work into a new story.
Morning Chatter
Lissa left her house on the same summer vacation she planned months ago. Marian is finishing edits on her book! (And her reward will be even more edits on another project!)
The Time Machine by H. G. Wells
Discussion
The Time Machine: Problems and Pleasures of reading Classic Literature
• What do we think about the Eloi and the Morlocks and Weena?
• If you were imagining a utopia, what would it look like? Can there even be a utopia?
• Using a frame story, two first person narrators, a narrator who is removed from the action
• What’s with that ending? What do we think happened to The Time Traveler?
Challenge: Reimagining Classic Works
How did we decide to do this again? Lissa was trying to fulfill a writing dare to write fanfiction. And wondered if reimagining classic works is a kind of fanfiction. Ultimately she wrote a short story imagining Kirsten Cohen (the mom from the early 2000's television drama The O.C.) in 2020 awaiting the birth of her first grandchild during the pandemic and racial justice protests.
Is reimagining a story more fun to write? Easier? More challenging?
What makes it more fun for the reader? Do readers like the puzzle to see what they recognize from the original? To see what the author has changed? The familiarity with the original concept?
Reimagining of classic public domain stories can be published, unlike fanfiction based on current characters.
New Podcast Segment: Bad Idea Corner and/or Slush Pile
It's amazing to think about and imagine stories we don't ever have to write.
Lissa's reimagining of Treasure Island as a Modern Middle Grades Coming of Age story.
Jemma Hawkins lives with her mom in a struggling Bed and Breakfast, and across town her father runs a pirate themed miniature golf and go-cart destination. Jemma rarely sees her father, but after a mysterious visitor arrives, her mother encourages her to spend the summer at mini golf. As Jemma gets to know her father better, she uncovers a mystery based in her parents' past, including the slightly creepy place they met, a large amusement park called Treasure Island.
Marian's reimagining of The Great Gatsby in Space.
The glittering city of Agorith has long been a playground both for the established aristocracy of the galaxy and those who seek to join them.
Kase, the ambitious son of prosperous but provincial merchants, has arrived in the city looking to make his fortune. Using his family connections, he has managed to secure small quarters that overlook the truly fabulous homes of the rich. His neighbors fascinate him, especially one who seems to exist more in rumor than in flesh, Harlin.
Coming Up
Next episode: Marian and Lissa read Old Man’s War by John Scalzi. Lissa discovered John Scalzi by way of Wil Wheaton narrating the audiobook of Ready Player One almost a decade ago. This led her to Redshirts, which turned into reading (listening to) almost all of Scalzi's fiction.
Our Show Notes include mentions and recommendations, all linked for your convenience. What else would you like to see here?
Music Credit: The music used during transitions in our podcast is adapted from: Jazzy Sax, Guitar, and Organ at the club by Admiral Bob (c) copyright 2018 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/admiralbob77/58382 Ft: geoffpeters