As I wrote The Connor Wars, I posted scripts on a more-or-less consistent schedule. By necessity that meant I posted each script on its own. True, while I threaded them together so you could read them in order, and provided a home page for you to access them at your whim, there was still one thing left to do that I’ve held off doing until now: a compilation.
Obviously part of the reason I haven’t is because I just happen to have a website, here, and I enjoy it when you come a visiting. It’s very neighborly of you. When you come by for a script or two at a time, you might see another story that happens to catch your eye. Or you’ll scroll down and take a look at the discussion for that episode; maybe you’ll even hop on over to the forum to read the discussions there. You might even want to post a comment or ask a question yourself.
So yeah, I have a bit of a vested interest.
Even so, some of you have asked if I’d make the episodes available in a compilation for easier downloading. I think I probably should. And so, here they are:
I will request that if you do download the compilations that you also come on back to read some of the discussions. Because of the nature of the project, sometimes there were moments that the first readers had questions/issues with. Those are still in the scripts, so diving into the discussions will likely answer your questions…and maybe provoke a few more of your own.
Oh, and also…if you like these, please spread the word and link back to the TCW home (http://tib.cjcs.com/tcw) so that more new readers can try out the story for themselves. People are coming to this story all the time, and it’s largely through the efforts of fans like you. Thanks for that.
Thanks! That’s really handy. I will have full TCW on iPhone, at last. But don’t even dream about how this will keep me away from your site. Regular attendance to cjcs.com became one of my good habits (and habits are hard to loose, ya’ know?)
Thanks, I appreciate it a lot.
Uh-oh. Pressure. Must come up with good words for readers. (What have I done?)
I feel that the scripts for the Connor wars should be published as a script compilation book and released in stores or for sale directly over the internet but preferably a version that can be printed.
Does anyone know if either of those will ever happen?
It’s fanfic. Don’t have the rights to do that. Wish I did. I’m flattered that you think people might be willing to pay cash money (or credit money…I’m OK with that, too) for the story. I think we all would be happy if TPTB started moving forward to produce something (obviously I’d love it to be TCW, but I’ll take anything done well at this point).
Still, the powers that be have been kind enough to give us all a pass with the free non-profit fanfics. Let’s not screw it up. It’s all we have.
Watched TSCC for first time about two weeks ago. Finished that in four days. Bummed at the ridiculous cliffhanger. Never even thought about fan fic before coming across your stuff. AMAZING. Read those 1500 pages for about a week. Reminded me of Harry Potter excitement actually. Suffice it to say, Good stuff. I like how you successful built off the series and T1/T2. You handled the main character deaths very well. Also, you resolved the Allison/Cameron/John relationship triangle very well. Your story was more entertaining than T3 and T4. That last 10 pages were pretty captivating. Would have liked even more resolution though (spoon-feed me creativity). Why aren’t you writing professionally for these people? I suppose some stuff was over budget like you admit (Filming near Yosemite would be pretty cool though).
How can we fans bring production attention to your story? I could easily see people willing to buy Connor Wars in novel form. If they knew about it. Surprised there wasn’t a donate button.
I’d pay $100 to see Connor Wars turned into two more seasons of TSCC. Maybe that’s what Fox/TV companies need. Some people write a story. Then a bunch of people who like the story put money into a reserve (where each person can put a different amount). If the money in the reserve is greater than the ad opportunity costs then the production company can make the story. What I mean by ad opportunity costs are like if Fox showed “How I Met 4 Geeks Who Lived Across the Hall” they’d get 1 mill in ad rev per show, but if they show Connor Wars they’d only get $500K, then we fans need to pay the difference. I’m assuming that’s what’s stopping the show getting aired (Fox thinks they have better alternatives)? Also, if ads bring in more money then expected then fans get their reserve back. Company can keep excess if unexpected ad revenue is so high that the show outperforms alternatives. In the end fans are happy and production company is happy. Hopefully modern efforts to measure a show’s audience with social media will reduce these communication problems. Thoughts?
Thank YOU. That’s quite comment. I’m so happy you enjoyed it. I tried very hard to make it something to honor the characters, the story, and the fans.
> Why aren’t you writing professionally for these people?
I know, right? Back in the 90s, my screenplays were rejected by some of the biggest names in the industry (that I got that far up says something…that nothing sold likely says something else). I was known as “a good read”. Honestly, I really wanted to write for TV, but you have to live in L.A. for that. I didn’t, and I had enough responsibilities that I couldn’t just pick up and move with no guarantee. TCW was sort of my way of saying, “See? I told you I could do it.”
Being a fanfic author means I’m in a really weird situation. I very deliberately don’t profit from the work (even via a site-wide donate button) other than getting to read some very nice comments. I don’t want to do anything that will give TPTB cause to make me have to pull the scripts. Y’all as audience-types are in a different boat. What you say and to whom you say it are entirely out of my control. Again, all I can hope is that y’all don’t do something that brings the wrath of the gods down on me.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d love it if TPTB wanted to pay me a more-than-token sum to produce TCW… or hire me as a writer for a renewed TSCC, or Wonder Woman, or Stranger in a Strange Land, or buy an original from me, or…well, you get the idea. I’d like to think that TCW is a reasonable resume for my ability to tell a story for the screen.
Since none of that is likely to happen, one thing that would make me rather happy would be if SG read the scripts and liked my interpretation of Allison and Cameron (though–flip side–I’d be a little down-in-the-mouth if she didn’t like ‘em). But that, too, is unlikely given her very-in-demand schedule and the fact that there’d be hoop-jumping on her end to convince me the comments weren’t counterfeit–and that is rather unreasonable to expect. Even so, I have the next best thing: all y’all. You guys have gladdened my soul week after week starting not long after I began writing these episodes.
I wrote TCW for me and for all the fans that wanted more after the season 2 finale. There needed to be more. I just happened to have the experience to be able to slap something together. I wanted it to be as honest as I could make it. I’m a fan. I’ve been in fandoms since the early 70s. Sometimes we deserve better than we get from TPTB. Sometimes we need to show them something of what we wanted. TCW comes from all of that and was shaped here and there by everyone who took the time to write back their thoughts. TCW isn’t “theirs”–it’s ours.
As for alternative ways for studios and networks and producers to fund projects…I imagine there is much gnashing of teeth going on about that in Hollywood. It’s entirely possible that an audience-oriented model will be one of the ones that works. Me, I’m a writer and I probably shouldn’t worry my pretty little head about it. :-]
Thanks again not only for writing, but for taking a week of your time to slog through all those words. I’m always so amazed anyone makes it all the way through. That impresses me like you wouldn’t believe. I still have a couple of TCW ideas in the percolator of my mind. When I get the hunk of time I need to concentrate on writing them, I’ll push ‘em out. Take care and have a Merappiful Chrismukkwanzolstivusuleday season!
Wow! Very impressed with these scripts – just could not stop reading them. Really did feel like a natural continuation of what for me is perhaps one of the most intelligent and character driven TV Series aired in years. Would love to see this actually filmed. Absolutely gutted there is no prospect of the cast bringing these characters back to life for all of us.
I’d like you to know that I found myself as emotionally involved in these scripts as I was in the original two series. That’s quite something for printed dialog, albeit fuelled by my over-active imagination, to do that. At one point you virtually had me in tears. I think you succeeded in maitaining a similar balance of the emotive with the comical to that maintained in the TV shows and you’ve preserved some of the quirks of the original characters in the dialog while continuing to develop them. Allison was rendered breathing for me by your depiction of her – bet Summer would love playing that character as well as returning to Cameron. I liked the way you potrayed some of the T0Ks as well – their interactions. That whole self-awareness and humanization question that the TV show had me constantly asking (why would a machine be so intent on recovering a leather jacket, feeling the wind in “her” toes or be capable of displaying an understanding of grief) is explored in your scripts and yet, as it should be, left for the reader or watcher to interpret for themselves.
I also learnt a great deal about script writing from this too. Something I’ve wanted to have a crack at for a while in a perhaps vain attempt to break away from the soul-less pursuit of just making organisations money or at the very least provide a distraction from that. Your scripts have really helped me understand style and format.
I feel some more comments are due when I have had a chance to re-read and pick out the stand out moments. This short piece does not do your work justice – “I’ll be back” to borrow a phrase
. Looking at some of your other content on here too.
I will say now though that this is the best TSCC Fanfic I’ve read on the net to date hands down. Thanks for sharing CJ. Will stick a link on my blog when I post about something TSCC related soon if that’s OK with you. Hopefully send a few more lsot TSCC souls your way.
Thank you very much! I tried very hard to put in as many of the best elements of TSCC as the story would allow. By letting the story go where it naturally wanted, instead of me imposing my will, I think helped the outcome. Of course I have nothing but praise for the Muses, who clearly were not only looking over my shoulder but whispering in my ear–so I can’t take all the credit.
As you noticed, one of the things I tried to do was answer the questions that are so often asked: What does it mean to be a robot? Why are terminators bad shots? And so forth. After decades of learning the craft of writing, and especially this sort of action writing, I think I understand the balance between explaining and technobabbling (a major key being the writer not having the personal need to show how smart/clever ey is). It wasn’t always thus. My very first screenplay, back in the 80s, was a prime example of the writer doing a “brain dump” onto the page–which is why I say that only experienced writers should “write what they know”; new writers have enough to do with learning the craft without burdening them with finding the balance between being informative and being narcissistic.
But I digress. You get me started talking on writing and I can go on for hours…and often have.
Oh, a little side note: One of the hardest things to do was to NOT write “I’ll be back” in the scripts. That phrase was absently typed in and then deliberately excised dozens of times.
I can’t hardly wait to see what other comments you have. I find it terribly interesting to hear those things that others saw in this saga that I might not have to the same degree. Again, I’m very happy that you enjoyed this little piece of fannish delight. It seems to be doing the job for which it was intended, and that is perhaps the best any creation can hope for. Thanks for taking the time to write.
Is it possible for these to be made into files compatable with the iPhone?
It probably is. Thing is, I don’t have an iPhone, so I couldn’t adequately test it.
What is more compatible with iPhone than PDF? Audiobook maybe?
R u up for it CJ? (just kidding)
Seriously, I had a perfect time reading those PDF scripts back when I had 1st gen iPhone and now, with iPhone 4′s highres display it’s just got better. Consider GoodReader app, cause it can reflow PDF text, letting you choose the font size.
I can’t believe you’ve ACTUALLY done this. Amazing.
You think you’re impressed? I’m absolutely stunned!
Awesome! I was depressed when the show ended. For me, that was today. I just started watching on Netflix earlier this week. I really dig how your scripts flow and the Easter eggs that were on the show are worked in plausibly and naturally. I’m hooked like I was with the show. Thank you for doing this.
Now Summer Glau lives in my head. She’s the best! I watched Firefly for the first time 2 years ago after I found the movie while looking for some sci fi I hadn’t seen before at the video store.
Fox is a bunch of nut jobs.
I wanted to thank you for all your effort.
Please update us on any news and is this all we can download ?
You mentioned that there is a Season 5 writing. Is that a continuation of your writing or should I read those too ?
Thank you
I try to keep everything updated as much as I can. Certainly if any post-worthy news or rumors pop up, I’ll be reporting it.
In terms of compilations, yeah. If you go to the primary site http://tib.cjcs.com/tcw, you can scoll down and see the “extras” that I’ve made available.
As for season 5, this from the primary site:
Thanks for dropping by. I hope you’ve enjoyed the story.
Curious. Have you had any of the original cast members read your scripts? Just cause???? thanks oh awesome by the way I loved it
CJ, I must say it is nice to see you write these scripts. I actually CRIED for Cameron in the final episode. Would love to see John some day get a blank chip (no Skynet residual programing) and come back to the present and DL her from the TURK and have her reactivated. But these are your scripts and I must say I would love to see you some day green lighted to produce these with a blessing. They are great and exploring Allison is a nice touch to show how that relationship builds and then to maybe some day see how Cameron continues it. I honestly think this show or your scripts could easily go for a 5 year arc, just like my other favorite sci fi show ever (Babylon 5), or even longer like SG1.
Keep up the good work hon,
HUGS,
Alyssa D
Model T0K715-B
Thank you so much! I’d love to flesh this out…make the fourth season what it was always meant to be: five seasons (talk about compressing a story…yeesh!). So far as I know, TPTB still know I’m here.
There are a few cry-worthy eps that get me every time, too (yes…still). The last one being very notable. The six or so main characters all came to mean quite a lot to me. And it’s obvious I have a special place for my T0Ks.
Five seasons was just a point of ref. =). I think 7 would be probably the best point of final closure. Most stories can be wrapped up in that time frame with out feeling cheated or to run-on. I think SG-1 could of stopped at 7 to 8 and been fine. I like a lot of how your type of story telling flows. It does not appear forced what so ever. To be honest (meant as a compliment) reading your scripts feels just as if the original writer is writing it, it flows with the same intensity and percussion of execution of idea. I feel like I can picture it all in my head as if nothing has changed at all. I love it, I really do. (god I wish I could win a mega power ball and finance this to the screen) =) I know you probably hear that all the time.
I guess in a way I have a special place for Cameron (not cause she’s hot Even though she is HOTT – *I”m Lesbian) but the characters detachment from emotion yet trying to show some at the same time. I had a very death infused life and have had to act the same way all my life – detached but trying to show my softer side when I can.
I”m on your 5th script so far and can’t put it down. It’s what I look forward to now on my way home from work. I get home, make a Grey Goose white russian, load up my x6 amd and just read and absorb what you so carefully took time to write and appreciate every letter, every space, and every period you put to paper.
HUGS,
Alyssa D
Model T0K715-B
Seven might be pushing it. The last season or so start feeling like filler. Then again, you add five seasons of TCW to the 2 seasons of TSCC, and you get 7. So I guess you’re right. Seven.
A major reason why I wrote these stories as scripts is so they’d feel more like TV episodes. The pacing, the visuals, and so forth are just what you’d see on screen. It also helps that I started writing scripts in the late 80s, so I had plenty of time to practice.
I share your view of Cam. This tells me that we both have exquisite taste
. Weaver was probably the easiest character to write for–mostly because of the accent, which made her voice very distinct in my head.
Ah yes…every letter, every space, every period, every typo…I meant to do all of them
I think you’re going to enjoy the ride.
*TEARS*
I just got done reading “Fate” 04S1
*pounces and hugs*
Thank you for giving Cameron and John a good ending. I still think they should of finally done that kiss from the end of season 2. =) But holding hands close to one another leaning into each other was nice. I really liked it. It’s like their bond is love but also transcends it as well.
I’m making like 10 backups of your scripts so that I will never loose them and putting one set with my blu ray copies of the 2 seasons. I would be devastated if anything happened to them.
It’s nice that your scripts sparked the same emotions in me as watching the episodes. I laughed, I pondered things being done wanting to see what happened next, and I cried. When I finished reading my GF came over and asked why I was crying. I’m making her read these after we watch the episodes together.
I am so happy I happened upon your site. It was a total accident but some of the best things in life happen by accident, and this is one of those good things. I’m going to be a regular around here if you don’t mind.
HUGS,
Alyssa D
Model T0K715-B
PS: If this ever gets cast on screen I’d beg to be a T0K that lives at the end. Hey I’m allowed to dream. =)
The balance between John and Cam was the tightrope I had to walk. Most loved it, some loathed it. Me…I wanted to show a mature version of affection that didn’t require hopping in the sack. Kudos, though, to Cam…she was very patient.
Don’t forget to check out the Extras. After all, Season 3/4 isn’t all I’ve written with these crazy kids.
Like you, I ended “Fate” with tears. Still do. Happy tears. I hope your gf will enjoy the story as much.
As for lingering around the site…I’m honored. I may blither and dither, but sometimes I say interesting things (I think). I look forward to seeing you around.
Ahh wasn’t meaning a total boff scene, but would of loved to of seen her grab John by the shoulders and plant a kiss on him and say “see I wasn’t lying” then flash back to season 2 episode 1 where she is pinned between the trucks. Then kiss him again and say ” I mean it I was not lying at all, and that was my last secret ” with a nice smile, and a snuggle in holding his hands gently.
HUGS,
Alyssa D
Model T0K715-B
Merry Christmas to you all Figured I’d say it before the family and the spirit of the season totally swept me away.
Hugs to All
HUGS,
Alyssa D
Model T0K715-B