I don’t remember writing stories when I was a kid. I know I must have. All kids do, even if it’s just for a class assignment. But I don’t remember. And if I did, those pages are long, long gone. My family went through too many moves for anything like that to survive. It’s OK. I’m not sentimental about things like that. But looking back, there are some bits of writing I wish I still had if only to show I was way ahead of my time.
We had a tree house in the backyard of the house I spent most of my childhood in. I used to sneak comic books up there, because my dad didn’t like me reading them. I was probably about eight years old at the time, and the TV show Wonder Woman with Lynda Carter was on. I LOVED Wonder Woman. She was strong and awesome and she rescued people…in satin tights! I loved that. So I’d buy Wonder Woman comic books at the drugstore with my allowance money and sneak them up to the treehouse.
I’d been reading a book on Greek mythology at school, and I loved the idea of a superhero Amazon. Amazons were amazing to me. They didn’t need anyone. And they were fierce warriors. So one with a sparkling rope and an invisible plane was even awesomer. So up to my treehouse I went. And this is where the first stories I remember writing start to appear.
I didn’t just read the comic books up there. I created my own version of the stories. With my colored pens, I’d trace the panels because I was a terrible artist and still am. Then I’d color them in to look like the comic book. But instead of writing the dialog, I’d make up my own dialog. Then I’d rearrange the panels to tell the story that I wanted to tell. I’m pretty sure they may have been evil space gorillas in a crazy Planet of the Apes cross-over story. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was writing fan fiction.
OK, so I admit it. When I this first look at the new Wonder Woman in the upcoming Batman vs. Superman movie, I was excited. She looks kind of kick-ass. And I’m pretty sure those are evil space gorillas there in the flashback. You think so, too, right? Right?
So DC Comics, if you ever need another writer on your team for Wonder Woman, call me. I’ve got experience. And while we’re talking, please, please let Joss Whedon make a Wonder Woman movie. It would be the ultimate fan fiction.
I’m so with you — Josh Whedon making a Wonder Woman movie would be epic!
Fan fiction existed long before the term was invented. I read once that it’s the inevitable result of the fact that our cultural myths are owned by corporations.
My vote to write a Wonder Woman movie would be Gail Simone, actually. Her run on the comic book a few years ago was really good (and very witty).
You were ahead of your time, Shelly 🙂 And I’m with you on the Wonder Woman film … I loved WW as a kid, and would LOVE to see that!
when Joss calls, let me know. I’ll happily be your coffee bitch just to hang out.