61 replies to this topic

[clublos]

Sorry for starting yet another thread, but I thought this information to be fairly unique.

This evening, at the Buckhead Borders in Atlanta, Jeffery Deaver spoke and answered audience questions. Thanks to forum member godwulf, who gave me the idea to ask the author if he has read any internet ramblings, I asked that very question and was rewarded with some amazing news.

Jeffery Deaver, in connection with IFP, will be soliciting input from the fan-base via the internet. Deaver said that his blog and IFP's website will soon be updated with the details, but he spoke enthusiastically about the idea and, as a Bond fan who began reading the novels when he was 8 years old, held immense appreciation for the extremely loyal Bond fans in the world. He also reiterated Bond being at the age of 29-30 and a veteran of the fighting in Afghanistan.

Later, as I was having my copy of Garden of Beasts signed, I asked him about the "reboot" and bringing Bond into the modern day. Deaver said that both he and IFP were adamant that Bond be brought into the modern day, and he wouldn't have agreed to the project if that were not the case. He mentioned Faulks' period piece as not working out the way it should have, and he said it with a distasteful look on his face, so evidently he too was not impressed with Devil May Care.

It was a great experience listening to Jeffery Deaver speak about his writing process, disdain of cliches and desire to provide a finished product that people will enjoy.

[Bryce (003)]

I'm looking forward to his L.A. stops. Thanks for sharing this. Trust me, the CBn crew will make ourselves known. Very interesting about the internet input bit.

I've got the 24th marked on my calendar.

[zencat]

Thanks, clublos.

I guess this is "the mission" that's teased on the Project X website. I'm more curious than ever now to know what this is.

Hope they don't put too much stock into fan feedback. I'd much rather JD and IFP make the decisions that some of the characters lurking around here.

Bryce, you doing Westwood/Mystery Bookshop stop? I'm looking at that one as well. Maybe we can hit Guidos after for a debrief and vespers.

[Mr. Blofeld]

Damn! Still nowhere near me...

[clublos]

zencat, on 14 June 2010 - 22:29, said:

Hope they don't put too much stock into fan feedback. I'd much rather JD and IFP make the decisions that some of the characters lurking around here.

It's interesting, that, because Deaver stated many times throughout the evening that he likes to work alone and his editor/rewriter doesn't provide any input. However, in describing his process, he stated that his outline process lasts 2-3 months, so maybe he'll be soliciting input during that time only.

We'll see...

[Jeff007]

Veteran of Afghanistan. Interesting. I like that.

[whiteskwirl]

Thanks for the info. Seeing how hit outline is pretty much done, I wonder what kind of fan input they want. I can't imagine it being anything major; otherwise he would have to change the story around.

[clublos]

whiteskwirl, on 14 June 2010 - 23:13, said:

Thanks for the info. Seeing how hit outline is pretty much done, I wonder what kind of fan input they want. I can't imagine it being anything major; otherwise he would have to change the story around.

I didn't get the impression that his outline was finished, just that he had been working on it and is not quite finished.

[whiteskwirl]

clublos, on 14 June 2010 - 22:20, said:

whiteskwirl, on 14 June 2010 - 23:13, said:

Thanks for the info. Seeing how hit outline is pretty much done, I wonder what kind of fan input they want. I can't imagine it being anything major; otherwise he would have to change the story around.

I didn't get the impression that his outline was finished, just that he had been working on it and is not quite finished.

Well, he said in that video Doctor Shatterhand posted last week that the outline was pretty much done and he would start writing the book soon. Either way, he's already been working on it, so I can't imagine he would except anything major from fans.

[Righty007]

whiteskwirl, on 14 June 2010 - 23:37, said:

clublos, on 14 June 2010 - 22:20, said:

whiteskwirl, on 14 June 2010 - 23:13, said:

Thanks for the info. Seeing how hit outline is pretty much done, I wonder what kind of fan input they want. I can't imagine it being anything major; otherwise he would have to change the story around.

I didn't get the impression that his outline was finished, just that he had been working on it and is not quite finished.

Well, he said in that video Doctor Shatterhand posted last week that the outline was pretty much done and he would start writing the book soon. Either way, he's already been working on it, so I can't imagine he would except anything major from fans.

It's never too late to add a Felix Leiter scene.

[godwulf]

Righty007, on 15 June 2010 - 03:40, said:

It's never too late to add a Felix Leiter scene.

Only if it involves plenty of sharks...really BIG ones.

[Righty007]

godwulf, on 14 June 2010 - 23:48, said:

Righty007, on 15 June 2010 - 03:40, said:

It's never too late to add a Felix Leiter scene.

Only if it involves plenty of sharks...really BIG ones.

Let's not maim X-Leiter in his first appearance.

[Jim]

clublos, on 15 June 2010 - 02:51, said:

Jeffery Deaver, in connection with IFP, will be soliciting input from the fan-base via the internet.

Oh dear.

Quote

He also reiterated Bond being at the age of 29-30 and a veteran of the fighting in Afghanistan.

Oh, alright. Not Prince William then.

Prince Harry.

[zencat]

Jim, on 14 June 2010 - 21:13, said:

clublos, on 15 June 2010 - 02:51, said:

Jeffery Deaver, in connection with IFP, will be soliciting input from the fan-base via the internet.

Oh dear.

Kind of my first thought as well. But I think this might be "help" (as in polls) in selecting elements, not anything to do with plot. What car should Bond drive? What gun should Bond use? Maybe even the title or a location. As long as the choices are all from Deaver and he feels they'll all work equally well, I'm fine with this (always feared we let down Charlie by selecting Double or Die). Heck, because these elements are so tied into marketing they are decided by a committee anyway, so why not give the fanbase a seat on that committee. Looking at it that way, it's a fab idea.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. I really don't know what this is.

[CasinoKiller]

clublos, on 15 June 2010 - 01:51, said:

Sorry for starting yet another thread, but I thought this information to be fairly unique.

This evening, at the Buckhead Borders in Atlanta, Jeffery Deaver spoke and answered audience questions. Thanks to forum member godwulf, who gave me the idea to ask the author if he has read any internet ramblings, I asked that very question and was rewarded with some amazing news.

Jeffery Deaver, in connection with IFP, will be soliciting input from the fan-base via the internet. Deaver said that his blog and IFP's website will soon be updated with the details, but he spoke enthusiastically about the idea and, as a Bond fan who began reading the novels when he was 8 years old, held immense appreciation for the extremely loyal Bond fans in the world. He also reiterated Bond being at the age of 29-30 and a veteran of the fighting in Afghanistan.

Later, as I was having my copy of Garden of Beasts signed, I asked him about the "reboot" and bringing Bond into the modern day. Deaver said that both he and IFP were adamant that Bond be brought into the modern day, and he wouldn't have agreed to the project if that were not the case. He mentioned Faulks' period piece as not working out the way it should have, and he said it with a distasteful look on his face, so evidently he too was not impressed with Devil May Care.

It was a great experience listening to Jeffery Deaver speak about his writing process, disdain of cliches and desire to provide a finished product that people will enjoy.

The Afghanistan reference and Bond's age clearly indicates that this is to be a COMPLETE reboot of the literary 007 and not merely a loose continuation as the Gardner and Benson books were...

Looks like they're starting from a clean slate here...

[David Schofield]

Jim, on 15 June 2010 - 06:13, said:

clublos, on 15 June 2010 - 02:51, said:

Jeffery Deaver, in connection with IFP, will be soliciting input from the fan-base via the internet.

Oh dear.

So you might think.

But it would probably have saved him from the "Indian-Pakistani maidservant" howler.

Not much of a consolation, but if Jeff DOES feel he needs pointers....

[Bryce (003)]

zencat, on 14 June 2010 - 19:29, said:

Bryce, you doing Westwood/Mystery Bookshop stop? I'm looking at that one as well. Maybe we can hit Guidos after for a debrief and vespers.

You're on old boy. It's my turn when in comes to the check this time.

Anyone is welcome to join in. Chime in via a PM so I can let the boys at Guido's know how many Vespers will be required. BTW Zen - I'll see to it that they have one of the better Italian Cabs corked for you.

One thought on Project X is that, much like Thunderball, it might well be the title of the novel (doubtful) or at least the code name for the operation.

Not sure if somone has voiced this in the main thread or elsewhere around these parts, but I wanted to put it out there.

Talk to you soon Zen.

[Trident]

CasinoKiller, on 15 June 2010 - 09:29, said:

The Afghanistan reference and Bond's age clearly indicates that this is to be a COMPLETE reboot of the literary 007 and not merely a loose continuation as the Gardner and Benson books were...

Looks like they're starting from a clean slate here...

Thought that already was a given. Intriguing remark about fan input, but I'm with Zencat, that cannot be major things. A book must really be in the hands of the writer and a council (of thousands of co-writers) deciding on the plot doesn't work. So I also suspect it will most likely be things like cover and/or title for the overall marketing and for actual content the usual suspects, the car, the gun, the watch, the polo shirt, so on, you get the idea.

Perhaps worth to ponder the consequence if this turns out to be true. If fans, casual and hardcore alike, get to have their say on these details, then it's also a given that

1) they don't have any repercussions on the plot, meaning the world will not be saved just because Bond wears a Droolex instead of his trusted old ultra-resin Casino G-Shmock and

2) these details actually are on disposition, meaning there is no given Bond-heritance that demands a Bentley, Beemer or SAAB for a runabout and a Walther to punch holes into people that end up in Bond's enemy-filing system.


I'm surprised and not a little eager to learn more about this. I just hope Bond doesn't end up with a Lamborghini Gallardo or a Porsche Cayenne abomination and doesn't have to drag a Dan Wesson under his bespoke Y-3 shirts (shiver!).

[Jim]

David Schofield, on 15 June 2010 - 08:41, said:

Jim, on 15 June 2010 - 06:13, said:

clublos, on 15 June 2010 - 02:51, said:

Jeffery Deaver, in connection with IFP, will be soliciting input from the fan-base via the internet.

Oh dear.

So you might think.

But it would probably have saved him from the "Indian-Pakistani maidservant" howler.

Not much of a consolation, but if Jeff DOES feel he needs pointers....

Every British family has a pet koala.

[Zorin Industries]

Jim, on 15 June 2010 - 05:13, said:

clublos, on 15 June 2010 - 02:51, said:

Jeffery Deaver, in connection with IFP, will be soliciting input from the fan-base via the internet.

Oh dear.

Quite.

And doesn't it sort of on the writing process to even suggest the fans can be involved? I don't remember Ian Fleming asking the readers of Readers Digest to suggest any elements? (correct me someone by all means). He's either been asked to write the novel from an original standpoint or not. Even a title shouldn't have any "fan" input (not if any literary / Bond 23 story suggestions are anything to go by).

I would imagine though that any "fan involvement" will be for show and a great marketing angle.

[Trident]

Zorin Industries, on 15 June 2010 - 11:09, said:

I would imagine though that any "fan involvement" will be for show and a great marketing angle.

Surely, it's a means to make good weather with fans and keep them involved in the hype. But I wouldn't discard the idea at all as mumbo jumbo. Fleming did pick up on suggestions, it just wasn't on this modern PR-streamlined level we've got today. In fact I think Fleming was very aware of his readers and their response.

[David Schofield]

Zorin Industries, on 15 June 2010 - 10:09, said:

Jim, on 15 June 2010 - 05:13, said:

clublos, on 15 June 2010 - 02:51, said:

Jeffery Deaver, in connection with IFP, will be soliciting input from the fan-base via the internet.

Oh dear.

Quite.

And doesn't it sort of on the writing process to even suggest the fans can be involved? I don't remember Ian Fleming asking the readers of Readers Digest to suggest any elements? (correct me someone by all means). He's either been asked to write the novel from an original standpoint or not. Even a title shouldn't have any "fan" input (not if any literary / Bond 23 story suggestions are anything to go by).

I would imagine though that any "fan involvement" will be for show and a great marketing angle.

But, Zorin, we are all Jeffrey's little researchers.

[marktmurphy]

zencat, on 15 June 2010 - 06:33, said:

Jim, on 14 June 2010 - 21:13, said:

clublos, on 15 June 2010 - 02:51, said:

Jeffery Deaver, in connection with IFP, will be soliciting input from the fan-base via the internet.

Oh dear.

Kind of my first thought as well. But I think this might be "help" (as in polls) in selecting elements, not anything to do with plot. What car should Bond drive? What gun should Bond use? Maybe even the title or a location. As long as the choices are all from Deaver and he feels they'll all work equally well, I'm fine with this (always feared we let down Charlie by selecting Double or Die). Heck, because these elements are so tied into marketing they are decided by a committee anyway, so why not give the fanbase a seat on that committee. Looking at it that way, it's a fab idea.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. I really don't know what this is.

Oh okay; that makes me feel better about the idea, yes: I can see that being fun.

Trident, on 15 June 2010 - 10:23, said:

Zorin Industries, on 15 June 2010 - 11:09, said:

I would imagine though that any "fan involvement" will be for show and a great marketing angle.

Surely, it's a means to make good weather with fans and keep them involved in the hype. But I wouldn't discard the idea at all as mumbo jumbo. Fleming did pick up on suggestions, it just wasn't on this modern PR-streamlined level we've got today. In fact I think Fleming was very aware of his readers and their response.

Wasn't Boothroyd a fan who wrote to him and said that a Beretta is a bad choice for Bond and he'd be better off with a PPK?

[Zorin Industries]

David Schofield, on 15 June 2010 - 09:24, said:

Zorin Industries, on 15 June 2010 - 10:09, said:

Jim, on 15 June 2010 - 05:13, said:

clublos, on 15 June 2010 - 02:51, said:

Jeffery Deaver, in connection with IFP, will be soliciting input from the fan-base via the internet.

Oh dear.

Quite.

And doesn't it sort of on the writing process to even suggest the fans can be involved? I don't remember Ian Fleming asking the readers of Readers Digest to suggest any elements? (correct me someone by all means). He's either been asked to write the novel from an original standpoint or not. Even a title shouldn't have any "fan" input (not if any literary / Bond 23 story suggestions are anything to go by).

I would imagine though that any "fan involvement" will be for show and a great marketing angle.

But, Zorin, we are all Jeffrey's little researchers.

So he will be splitting his fee amongst all the fans that contribute, yes?

[Jim]

Trident, on 15 June 2010 - 09:19, said:

Thought that already was a given. Intriguing remark about fan input, but I'm with Zencat, that cannot be major things....So I also suspect it will most likely be things like ...the watch

Oh dear.

Again.

[David Schofield]

Zorin Industries, on 15 June 2010 - 10:37, said:

David Schofield, on 15 June 2010 - 09:24, said:

Zorin Industries, on 15 June 2010 - 10:09, said:

Jim, on 15 June 2010 - 05:13, said:

clublos, on 15 June 2010 - 02:51, said:

Jeffery Deaver, in connection with IFP, will be soliciting input from the fan-base via the internet.

Oh dear.

Quite.

And doesn't it sort of on the writing process to even suggest the fans can be involved? I don't remember Ian Fleming asking the readers of Readers Digest to suggest any elements? (correct me someone by all means). He's either been asked to write the novel from an original standpoint or not. Even a title shouldn't have any "fan" input (not if any literary / Bond 23 story suggestions are anything to go by).

I would imagine though that any "fan involvement" will be for show and a great marketing angle.

But, Zorin, we are all Jeffrey's little researchers.

So he will be splitting his fee amongst all the fans that contribute, yes?

Nah, mate, the money's his. Deserves it for all the fans are putting him through.

I mean, there he is, clearly bricking himself, asking us to help him out. So, no, wouldn't deprive him of a penny.

Not brimming with confidence, am I?

[Trident]

marktmurphy, on 15 June 2010 - 11:35, said:

Trident, on 15 June 2010 - 10:23, said:

Zorin Industries, on 15 June 2010 - 11:09, said:

I would imagine though that any "fan involvement" will be for show and a great marketing angle.

Surely, it's a means to make good weather with fans and keep them involved in the hype. But I wouldn't discard the idea at all as mumbo jumbo. Fleming did pick up on suggestions, it just wasn't on this modern PR-streamlined level we've got today. In fact I think Fleming was very aware of his readers and their response.

Wasn't Boothroyd a fan who wrote to him and said that a Beretta is a bad choice for Bond and he'd be better off with a PPK?

He was. Other fans brought all sorts of suggestions to Fleming's door and it would seem he was quite happy with that, overall glad and not a little flustered that people took so much effort with his creation.

Zorin Industries, on 15 June 2010 - 11:37, said:

David Schofield, on 15 June 2010 - 09:24, said:

Zorin Industries, on 15 June 2010 - 10:09, said:

Jim, on 15 June 2010 - 05:13, said:

clublos, on 15 June 2010 - 02:51, said:

Jeffery Deaver, in connection with IFP, will be soliciting input from the fan-base via the internet.

Oh dear.

Quite.

And doesn't it sort of on the writing process to even suggest the fans can be involved? I don't remember Ian Fleming asking the readers of Readers Digest to suggest any elements? (correct me someone by all means). He's either been asked to write the novel from an original standpoint or not. Even a title shouldn't have any "fan" input (not if any literary / Bond 23 story suggestions are anything to go by).

I would imagine though that any "fan involvement" will be for show and a great marketing angle.

But, Zorin, we are all Jeffrey's little researchers.

So he will be splitting his fee amongst all the fans that contribute, yes?

I think it's not at all so much different from early film test-previews. Most likely it won't go all beyond very minor details.

Jim, on 15 June 2010 - 12:04, said:

Trident, on 15 June 2010 - 09:19, said:

Thought that already was a given. Intriguing remark about fan input, but I'm with Zencat, that cannot be major things....So I also suspect it will most likely be things like ...the watch

Oh dear.

Again.

Indeed. The Watchmob never sleeps...

[Zorin Industries]

But test previews and the odd fan writing in to Ian Fleming in the day is a little different from X FACTOR voting online for your preferred title.

Call me naive, but maybe the author who writes the book should know what the natural title is? Maybe the author who writes the book will also know what car and gun BOND uses needs to be - based on his story and the tone he is aiming for, no? Maybe, just maybe, the author of the book should have enough confidence in the commission he has been asked to create to not need to throw it "out there" for some lazy notion of audience involvement. There is far too much "let us know what you think, feel etc" in the media at the moment. Let's not see Bond books go down that path too.

But I know I am over-reacting. It's the principle of the notion that grates with me.

[Trident]

Zorin Industries, on 15 June 2010 - 12:39, said:

But test previews and the odd fan writing in to Ian Fleming in the day is a little different from X FACTOR voting online for your preferred title.

Call me naive, but maybe the author who writes the book should know what the natural title is? Maybe the author who writes the book will also know what car and gun BOND uses needs to be - based on his story and the tone he is aiming for, no? Maybe, just maybe, the author of the book should have enough confidence in the commission he has been asked to create to not need to throw it "out there" for some lazy notion of audience involvement. There is far too much "let us know what you think, feel etc" in the media at the moment. Let's not see Bond books go down that path too.

But I know I am over-reacting. It's the principle of the notion that grates with me.

You're definitely over-reacting there. Hell, it's not as if we're asked to send in our fanfic or something... actually, I don't know what we're asked, but I suppose we're not asked for our fanfic.

C'mon, it's obviously PR, nothing else. You're completely right, it's the flavour of the month right at the moment, but what can you do? On the other hand I think the entire 'Project X', reboot, changing writers and all, comes to us straight from this very website and countless others like this. Of course Deaver will know what title he wants and all the other jazz.

Perhaps it's something entirely different? A character name auctioned? A website mentioned? What do I know?

This is just what things are done this month, mostly due to the internet. 'If you cannot ignore it, use it!' is probably the reasoning behind this. I have to say I don't exactly find this surprising. And as long as Bond doesn't end up driving that Gallardo...

[Loomis]

Perhaps the fan feedback will centre around Deaver's wish to incorporate a couple of "amusing" and "subtle" in-jokes that he hasn't thought of himself.

If I'm able to give him my two cents, I'd suggest a reference to my favourite Bond film, THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN. For instance, Bond is caught trying to get into someone's hotel room and says "It's a surprise", whereupon someone else remarks "Ooh, a surprise, hee-hee!".

Hey, no one's saying that fan suggestions are all bound to be good, or indeed that Deaver is obliged to accept all/any of them.