How Would You Write a New Bond Novel?

PDJamesBond

Many of us love to nitpick the post-Fleming Bond authors and the choices they make, so it got me to thinking: Let’s say you were tasked with writing a new James Bond novel (or even a new Bond series). How would you go about it?

First, in what era would you set it? 50s? 60s? Modern day? Would you keep all of the Fleming tropes of the character, such as hard drinking, smoking, womanizing? (Smoking is always an interesting question, and I actually agree with Deaver’s assessment that a modern Bond would not smoke, not only to keep fit but because it is such a conspicuous habit for a spy).

Other questions: What type of car would Bond drive? What kind of gun would he carry? What kinds of “Bond girl” names would you use – “normal” or more Bondian (Pussy Galore, etc.)?

And what kind of plot might he get involved in? Would it be something in the traditional Bond mold of a megalomaniac villain taking over the world? Or would you try to change it up?

I ask these things because it occurred to me that, even as a huge Bond fan myself, someone who has read all the novels and seen all the films, I don’t think I could ever successfully mimic Fleming’s style or come close to writing a satisfying novel. It would seem to be about as thankless a task as being President or Prime Minister.

Thunderpussy

For Me, .......
I'd keep him in the late 50s and 60s. ( blend the new stories between the
Existing Fleming novels ).
Keeping the ppk with the DB5 or a 56 Jaguar roadster.
Have to keep the odd funny ladies name and a mix of
Espionage stories with a couple of megalomaniacs. )

Bleuville

PDJamesBond wrote:

Many of us love to nitpick the post-Fleming Bond authors and the choices they make, so it got me to thinking: Let’s say you were tasked with writing a new James Bond novel (or even a new Bond series). How would you go about it?

First, in what era would you set it? 50s? 60s? Modern day? Would you keep all of the Fleming tropes of the character, such as hard drinking, smoking, womanizing? (Smoking is always an interesting question, and I actually agree with Deaver’s assessment that a modern Bond would not smoke, not only to keep fit but because it is such a conspicuous habit for a spy).

Other questions: What type of car would Bond drive? What kind of gun would he carry? What kinds of “Bond girl” names would you use – “normal” or more Bondian (Pussy Galore, etc.)?

And what kind of plot might he get involved in? Would it be something in the traditional Bond mold of a megalomaniac villain taking over the world? Or would you try to change it up?

I ask these things because it occurred to me that, even as a huge Bond fan myself, someone who has read all the novels and seen all the films, I don’t think I could ever successfully mimic Fleming’s style or come close to writing a satisfying novel. It would seem to be about as thankless a task as being President or Prime Minister.

Yes the trouble is - if Fleming wrote from his experiences of World travel and the high life as well as specialist subject matter,
like guns, women and flowers! you can't hope to match his knowledge, but as it's fiction, you could make it ALL up and hope
nobody nit picks ! but they would.

I think Fleming did write about some topical (at the time) themes. Like Cuban gansters coming to the USA. (FYEO).

Maybe set in an undefined time but with classic cars, and the smoking and drinking habits.
Find a different sport to play the villain at and not involving gold, diamonds or rockets landing on London!

Bleuville.

Bleuville

I would call the villain's secretary - Julie Welcome.

Bleuville.

Thunderpussy

) very good. -{

PDJamesBond

Writing Bond in the 60s does seem the best way to go. Somehow the literary Bond doesn't seem able to exist outside that time period.

Silhouette Man

PDJamesBond wrote:

Writing Bond in the 60s does seem the best way to go. Somehow the literary Bond doesn't seem able to exist outside that time period.

How about the 1970s as not much was written in that period?

Thunderpussy

It would be great to have a few books to fill in what he was up to
In the 70s. -{

PDJamesBond

Thunderpussy wrote:

It would be great to have a few books to fill in what he was up to
In the 70s. -{

Agreed! -{

AlphaOmegaSin

Thunderpussy wrote:

It would be great to have a few books to fill in what he was up to
In the 70s. -{

Met a Blofeld with Hair, battled Voodoo in the Tropics, Killed a Hitman, stopped Nuclear War, went into Space

PDJamesBond

AlphaOmegaSin wrote:

Thunderpussy wrote:

It would be great to have a few books to fill in what he was up to
In the 70s. -{

Met a Blofeld with Hair, battled Voodoo in the Tropics, Killed a Hitman, stopped Nuclear War, went into Space

Wow, that summed it up REALLY well!

The Domino Effect

John Pearson's "James Bond: The Authorised Biography of 007" - which was authorised by Glidrose and therefore could be interpreted as a continuation novel if you like - was written in 1973 and has Bond retired and living in Bermuda where he hangs out with Sir William Stephenson and Honeychile Ryder and enjoys all the nice things of life...including Honeychile!

Thunderpussy

I would like to think there were a couple of rich megalomaniacs
Out for some naughtiness in the 70s, and only Bond could hand
Out the smacked bottom ! )
I hope someday we'll get to hear about them.

AlphaOmegaSin

'Solo' takes place very near the 70's

Silhouette Man

AlphaOmegaSin wrote:

'Solo' takes place very near the 70's

True, it's set in 1969, so one hopes that based on the current trend of the last three Bond continuation novels that the next one is set in the 1970s. -{

hehadlotsofguts

I was in the proccess of writing one but i've forgotten about it.

Silhouette Man

stag wrote:

I wrote this to be read by the membership:

http://www.ajb007.co.uk/topic/44578/need-to-know-a-collection-of-short-stories/

Unfortunately it continues not to attract attention so what I had intended as a series of short stories will probably remain as just the one.

Not to worry - we shall campaign to get it made into a sticky thread.

AdamOmega

I'd set a Bond novel in present day (no rose-coloured 1960's nostalgia for this author!) and keep the plot simple; either grand-scale world domination plot with some plausible science-fiction element sprinkled in (but NO lasers in outer space, god help me), or a globe-hopping cat-and-mouse thriller akin to The Man with the Golden Gun. My hope would be to write something fairly outlandish and fun; the kind of book that should come with a bag of popcorn.

James Suzuki

I would try and write a mix between dark thriller and over the top Pastiche. Try and recreate the type of novels that Christopher Wood wrote for Moonraker and TSWLM. The villain would be personal to Bond, a friend of his turned rogue. Bond would get away from Europe and visit Australia and New Zealand. Picture a terrifically written encounter with a salt water crocodile and Bond hanging on for dear life on a windmill in New Zealand or a baddie being dipped in Hot Mud in Rotorua. The climax would be in London however, at a lavish Christmas Party where Bond parachutes in wearing a Tuxedo. I also would write a Ballroom Dancing scene where Bond flirts with the Bond girl amongst the aristocracy. It would be set in the modern day but not bogged down by Acroynms and procedure like Deaver's CB. Have some of the romance of spying back from Fleming days. Similiar to the feeling of Skyfall perhaps, bridging the gap between Daniel Craig and Fleming.

AdamOmega

James Suzuki wrote:

I would try and write a mix between dark thriller and over the top Pastiche. Try and recreate the type of novels that Christopher Wood wrote for Moonraker and TSWLM. The villain would be personal to Bond, a friend of his turned rogue. Bond would get away from Europe and visit Australia and New Zealand. Picture a terrifically written encounter with a salt water crocodile and Bond hanging on for dear life on a windmill in New Zealand or a baddie being dipped in Hot Mud in Rotorua. The climax would be in London however, at a lavish Christmas Party where Bond parachutes in wearing a Tuxedo. I also would write a Ballroom Dancing scene where Bond flirts with the Bond girl amongst the aristocracy. It would be set in the modern day but not bogged down by Acroynms and procedure like Deaver's CB. Have some of the romance of spying back from Fleming days. Similiar to the feeling of Skyfall perhaps, bridging the gap between Daniel Craig and Fleming.

Given plot logic & consistency, I would read the %$@# out of this novel. -{

James Suzuki

AdamOmega wrote:

James Suzuki wrote:

I would try and write a mix between dark thriller and over the top Pastiche. Try and recreate the type of novels that Christopher Wood wrote for Moonraker and TSWLM. The villain would be personal to Bond, a friend of his turned rogue. Bond would get away from Europe and visit Australia and New Zealand. Picture a terrifically written encounter with a salt water crocodile and Bond hanging on for dear life on a windmill in New Zealand or a baddie being dipped in Hot Mud in Rotorua. The climax would be in London however, at a lavish Christmas Party where Bond parachutes in wearing a Tuxedo. I also would write a Ballroom Dancing scene where Bond flirts with the Bond girl amongst the aristocracy. It would be set in the modern day but not bogged down by Acroynms and procedure like Deaver's CB. Have some of the romance of spying back from Fleming days. Similiar to the feeling of Skyfall perhaps, bridging the gap between Daniel Craig and Fleming.

Given plot logic & consistency, I would read the %$@# out of this novel. -{

Thanks omega -{ It took me quite a while to write that post

Thunderpussy

{[] sounds good

James Suzuki

I mean Bond has never visited Oceania.

hehadlotsofguts

I was in the stages of writing one. I forgot about it until i saw this topic.

chrisisall

James Suzuki wrote:

I would try and write a mix between dark thriller and over the top Pastiche. Try and recreate the type of novels that Christopher Wood wrote for Moonraker and TSWLM. The villain would be personal to Bond, a friend of his turned rogue. Bond would get away from Europe and visit Australia and New Zealand. Picture a terrifically written encounter with a salt water crocodile and Bond hanging on for dear life on a windmill in New Zealand or a baddie being dipped in Hot Mud in Rotorua. The climax would be in London however, at a lavish Christmas Party where Bond parachutes in wearing a Tuxedo. I also would write a Ballroom Dancing scene where Bond flirts with the Bond girl amongst the aristocracy. It would be set in the modern day but not bogged down by Acroynms and procedure like Deaver's CB. Have some of the romance of spying back from Fleming days. Similiar to the feeling of Skyfall perhaps, bridging the gap between Daniel Craig and Fleming.

You WRITE girl!
Uh, GUY!

AlphaOmegaSin

I've had an Idea for a short Bond Story floating about in my Head for a while now -{

Thunderpussy

Agreed, if you feel you have a story in you, this is the place to try it out. I know
It takes a lot of guts to put something out there for everyone to read. -{ but I'm
Sure people will be kind, you'd have to be a bit of a dick or troll to criticise a fellow
Fans hard work.

AlphaOmegaSin

A good Idea would be that we all contribute a Chapter -{

Thunderpussy

I'd say as a bit of a learning experience ( walk before running) maybe
Try a short story or a scene from a possible idea for the future..?
Or perhaps get a few short layouts for Bond24 ? To see the different
Thoughts from members . in different styles .
Only as Idea.

James Suzuki

Thunderpussy wrote:

I'd say as a bit of a learning experience ( walk before running) maybe
Try a short story or a scene from a possible idea for the future..?
Or perhaps get a few short layouts for Bond24 ? To see the different
Thoughts from members . in different styles .
Only as Idea.

Thats a fantastic idea TP!
Maybe you could start organizing it

Thunderpussy

) Far beyond my skills level James. But I'm looking forward to
reading some Fan Fiction, Might even have a go myself.