The Turnabout Storm Novelization Revisited · 12:01am May 4th, 2015
One of the things I have always prided myself on as a person is my willingness to apologize when an apology is due. I have pride, but not so much that I don't recognize when I've fucked up and done something disrespectful or wrong. It was in that vein that I offered my apology to NeoArtimus for not telling about the side story in my previous blog post, and I reiterate it here: it was very disrespectful and wrong of me to not tell her about the side story, and I again apologize profusely for it.
However, that was not the only thing she was upset about. The other was the novelization itself. In particular she was very upset about the alternate, extended ending, saying she had never authorized such a thing and it upended her story and everything she had tried to do with it. She's been especially upset over commenters coming from the novelization and asking where certain scenes are in the videos, not realizing that the videos came first.
That would upset me as well, and though I don't think it's my fault that people don't read the story description, author's notes or comments, I have had Raven post a new front page story description that puts the fact that the novelization is unofficial and the videos came first front and center, in big, bold red letters at the top. That's all I can do there.
Authorization
First, let me address the question of authorization by saying I was NEVER informed that this was supposed to be an official adaptation in the two-plus years I worked on this (my operating assumption was ALWAYS that this adaptation was unofficial, and I told that to anyone who asked.) Raven said she had permission to write the novelization, and she never said there were any restrictions on it.
I didn't come into this saying "gee, I'll show everyone I can make the story better than NeoArtimus!" I came on because Raven very badly needed an editor, and over time I started adding in an additional line of dialogue or scene description as I fixed her chapters up, and when she passed control of the story to me around halfway through it really began to snowball. I assumed that the fact that TheGoldCrow was prereading and I got invited to edit video part 5 meant I had at least tacit, if unofficial endorsement for the expanded story. Indeed, given such high honor, why would I think differently?
When a story is commissioned (and again, I wasn't aware this was), it is up to the commissioner to follow the progress and ensure it's what they want. I worked on this story for two-plus years and never heard a thing. So with apologies... that's NOT on me.
Now, if I was told at the start to make a faithful adaptation, I would have. But I never was, and at this point... honestly, I'm glad I wasn't. For I would never have come up with what I did, which I'm now very proud of. You may disagree but to me it's a huge achievement, an epic tale built around the core Turnabout Storm video story.
The ending
To the claim that I overturned or somehow ruined the video ending, my response is very simple: I wrote an ending that was appropriate to my version of the story, which the video ending would not be.
Let me say here and now I *loved* the video ending from the first time I saw it, when I sat down to edit it two Octobers ago. It was PERFECT in that was faithful to the games, ending the series exactly as the games would do and in the same manner with a series of quick cut scenes centered around major characters in which Phoenix never speaks until the very end. For a video format, that's exactly what you SHOULD do, and I've said that repeatedly.
But here's the kicker: the original ending would NOT have fit the novelization given all the story expansions and subplots, which had to be wrapped up or at least tied off in preparation for the side story and sequel. Take it from a writer who has a million-plus words under his belt at this point: the original ending was perfect for video format but would not have worked well in story form, even if you took out the bulk of my changes. It would have been too abrupt and very unsatisfying. It would have HAD to have been fleshed out considerably to be used, much as often happens with movie novelizations.
Likewise, MY version of the story wouldn't have worked well at all in a movie or video format, nor would I want to see it turned into one (well, unless maybe Peter Jackson was directing). Regardless, the point I'm making is that the two versions of the story work well for their respective formats, but wouldn't so much for others. That doesn't make either version better or worse than the other, nor does it mean that one disrespects the other.
And as to the claim by one reviewer that I "discarded" the ending because I thought it "sucked", I did nothing of the sort. In fact, I took great pains to make sure ALL the video ending scenes were included in the final three chapters, save one--I couldn't figure out how to fit the CMC scene in. I do not believe doing things like having Phoenix get paid or going one extra note at very end where he receives Twilight's flower in any ways cheapens the ending or the original work, and I really don't appreciate being told they somehow do.
Bottom Line
So... one apology has been given, but a second will not. In the end, I can neither apologize for nor take back the two-plus years of work I put on the Turnabout Storm story adaptation. I'm very proud of it despite a few notes of neighsaying, and believe it stands well on its own merits, apart from the videos but at the same time not supplanting them. The written format gave me the opportunity to expand the story, to do all the things that can't really be done in a video format--extra description, side scenes and subplots, character exploration, etc. I took advantage of that fact, and if I said I was sorry for it, I'd be lying.
The Role of a Writer
Now, allow me to remind all reading and especially all artists and authors of a very simple but powerful truth:
The greatest thing a writer or artist can EVER do is to have their works inspire the imagination and spur the work of others. The Turnabout Storm videos did that, in spades. They introduced countless people to BOTH worlds. Me, I had never even HEARD of Phoenix Wright before I saw the videos, and now I'm playing all the games, thoroughly enjoying the rich world they live in, and now getting all the game references in the videos I never did before. They inspired many people to write and explore the two universes, spawning a plethora of side stories, fanworks and sequels, including this one.
So how does an unofficial novelization in any way detract from or cheapen this accomplishment? If anything it's drawing attention *to* the original work and I'm sure if I asked, the readership of the story adaptation would shower the video series creator with well-deserved praise. The videos have inspired a great deal of creativity and artistic exploration, and that puts their maker in some VERY rarefied company. There is no higher compliment she can be paid for Turnabout Storm than that.
In the end, all I ask is that my modest success with the novelization not be begrudged. It's dwarfed by that of the videos, and always will be. The ignorance of a few dozen commenters doesn't change that, and I for one very much look forward to seeing the video sequel. I truly believe that both works can be appreciated in their own right, in their own formats and on their own merits. I hope that all reading agree that there is room enough for both, and both versions of the story can be liked and enjoyed in turn.
Respectfully Yours,
—Firesight
I can see both sides of the story but to me it seems a little hypocritical that someone would be mad about someone else making an adaptation of their work that was itself an adaptation of the original source material(s).
3042126 What kills me is the inability on NA's part to forgive him for whatever damage was caused. His point about not knowing the terms by which he was writing an adaptation are believable, as I've worked with him on it for the last 8 months or so -- since Frozen Heart. Just goes to show you that once you play god and create a universe, you have to actually look after it! At any rate, this just looks really ugly on NA, and what a shame; it didn't have to be like this.
3042126
That's not what I was upset about, I've let people draw anthro rule 34 of Sonata when asked, despite me not liking that kind of stuff at all.
My beef was an agreement when I was asked permission to write the fanfic adaption. Firesight and I have talked it out though and we're cool now. I'll spare the nitty gritty details, but this was more or less a big misunderstanding on both parties.
I'd like to see some cliff notes on the major differences are between the animation and the novel, since it's been AGES and I don't have the time to spend days going through them to compare. ^^;;
And I think the novelization is better. She can't be annoyed that many people think that. We also shouldn't be annoyed when its vice versa. People have their preferences.
You know... this makes sense. In fact, I was even wondering while I was reading the epic chapter of epicness "Wait... they're revealing the thing from the videos!?... Huh, that's kind of a weird artistic choice. Normally when people make a noodle incident, the thing that makes it work is that it's open to interpretation, but here... they may d it well, but they also REVEAL it at the same time. Like, imagine if the original noodle incident tured out to just be Calvin making Macoroni Art, only for him to end up doing it to glue everyone to uncooked pasta? Yeah, it''d be awesome, but the fun of wondering what the heck it is is ruined". Well, at least you did it well, and you and NeoArtimus have made up.
3042560 You know, ever since I've first watched your videos, there's ONE thing that's always boggled my mind... So you know how Phonix made a connection to Dahlia when Pinkie Pie called him Feenie, right? Well, how come he never made a connection to Redd White when Trixie called him Mr. Wrong?