We have several great articles lined up this month for your reading pleasure. The Bayport Exclusive for this issue is interviews with Mr. Steven Grant and Mr. Larry Mike Garmon, ghostwriters of Hardy Boys Casefiles such as Cult of Crime, Nightmare in Angel City, Nowhere to Run, and Fire in the Sky! Hardy Happenings & Something New is here again, as usual, and we have special trivia facts told by Mr. James Keeline and Mr. Bob Nelson. Nancy has also prepared a "Match That Line" activity for us to do - it's a toughie! Did you know that Chet Morton, the Hardys' rotund friend, was going to have his own series? Read all about it below! I've outlined the first story and listed the titles for what would have been books one through eight. New questions have been written for the Bayport Gazette's fanfiction author interview! The author being interviewed is Moonstar herself - the founder of the Moonstar fanfiction site! Some Moonstar History is also included in this issue! We also have a "Fanfiction Teaser" of the Haynes Sisters' Unbreakable, and a hilarious "Hardy-Har-Har" by Nancy Hardy. I'm proud to say that our Nancy displayed a sample of her art in an Oregon art show. A full article about this event is below. Ever wonder what Nancy & I are really like? Well, for those that do, we've both written short biographies of ourselves in the Meet the Editors column! Steven Grant, one of the ghostwriters interviewed in this issue, mentioned the Hardy Boys in his newsletter "Masters of the Obvious." Go here to read it. (Thanks to Don Wisenor for bringing this to my attention!) Finally, we have ended the "Favorite Female" poll. Results below: Gertrude
- 10 (!!)
Have
fun!
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“The trick in writing children's books is to set up danger, mystery and excitement on page one. Force the kid to turn the page. I've written page one as many as twenty times. Then in the middle of each chapter there's a dramatic point of excitement, and at the chapter's end, a cliff-hanger.”
 |
Recently I got in contact with Larry Mike Garmon and Steven Grant, the ghostwriters of several Hardy Boys Casefiles. Both gentlemen kindly accepted my request for an interview. Below are my questions and their answers.
- Larry Mike Garmon -
1. Which books in the
Hardy Boys series did you write, Mr. Garmon?
I really don't remember
the numbers, and I probably have them out of order, but the books I wrote
were Nowhere to Run, Running on Empty, Foul Play, Strategic Moves,
and Flesh and Blood, which were Casefiles. I created and outlined
the Nancy Drew-Hardy Boys Supermystery Buried in Time, outlined
and wrote half of Fire in the Sky. I fell ill and could not finish
Fire in the Sky, so another author finished it. Also, they had promised
the ND-HB SuperMystery to another writer who could not outline or plot
and so that is why I outlined that story. I never did that again because
I wanted to write the story myself.
[Editor's Note: Below
are the Casefiles Mr. Garmon wrote in the correct order.]
27: Nowhere to Run 36:
Running
On Empty 39: Flesh And Blood 43: Strategic Moves
46:
Foul
Play 126: Fire in the Sky
2. How did you become
involved with the series?
I was taking a writing class
with the late Mike McQuay (Escape from New York, My Science Project)
at the University of Central of Oklahoma in Edmond. Mike and I became good
friends. In fact, we looked a lot a like except that I had more hair. Mike
had written some of the younger Hardy Boys and suggested I try my hand
at writing the Hardy Boys and begin to establish myself as a writer. Mike
was a good but a demanding writing teacher. He was very honest and often
told me that my stuff was crap. Finally, he told me that I should either
get serious about writing or quit. I got serious. The CaseFiles series
was just beginning. I loved the old classics but I didn't much like the
younger Hardy Boys books. The CaseFiles was more mature and action oriented.
I bought the first three CaseFiles and read them. Then I studied them
as though they were written
by Milton or Shakespeare, underlining passages, writing notes in the margins,
and dissecting the stories. I then wrote a precis, an outline, and sample
chapters and sent them to Mega-Books, the packaging company handling the
series at the time. I didn't hear anything for about six weeks, so I sent
all the stuff again. Again, nothing. So I called Mega-Books. I got ahold
of the editor working on the CaseFiles, and he was quite surprised that
I had called him. He kind of stammered around and said he liked my writing,
but that my idea was not suitable for the Hardy Boys series. He told me
to try again. So, I did. This time I only waited about three weeks, and
then I called him again. He said he really liked my writing and plotting
but, again, the story was not suitable. (Both were about busting drugs
coming up from Mexico, and drugs are big No No in the Hardy Boys
world. Terrorism, yes. Drugs, no. Go figure!) Then he told he wanted me
to write for the series. He asked if I had any other ideas. I was unprepared
for the question and didn't say anything. This moment was one of the few
in which I have been speechless. I was speechless because he was asking
me to write for the Hardy Boys. He then laid out a basic story idea: an
old friend of the Hardys is in trouble with the law, and the boys have
to get him out of trouble. Not original, but he was trying to help. That's
how I came up with Nowhere to Run. One thing I tried to do in each
of the Hardy Boys, beginning with Nowhere, was to answer some biographical
question about one of the Boys. For example, why, when, and how did Joe
become so interested in cars? That book tells you. That's how it all started.
I also set out to create new cities or places, such as South Port and the
minor league baseball team in Bayport, the Bayport Blues. Later, this editor
told me that he got calls all the time from would-be writers, and that
I was just one of the crazy ones who was constantly calling. He was just
trying to humor me the first time I called and was surprised when I sent
another story idea and then called a second time!
3. Were you supplied
with any guidelines or a "Writer's Guide" when writing the stories?
After I sent in my precis
and an outline and after the editor (and I can't remember his name) accepted
my story idea and told me to get to writing, he sent me a bible with a
run down on Frank and Joe, Fenton, Laura, Bayport, friends, character traits
(emotional and physical), and synopsis of all the CaseFiles stories up
to that time. This was very useful, but I didn't use it after I wrote the
first one. After I wrote the first book and then sold my second idea to
them, I began to concentrate more on the "guest stars", those characters
that really only appear in one book, and on the villains. Frank and Joe
are, basically, cardboard figures and I (as well as the other writers)
write to enliven them as much as possible. The real fun, however, is creating
the villains or the foils for the boys. Another element I always tried
to have was a strong female character who would give Joe a run for his
money. I had a feeling that the HB series had a quiet but strong female
following and so wanted them to have a female hero. Running on Empty
and
Flesh and Blood both outsold Nancy Drew for a couple of months and
hit number one on the YA serial lists.
4. Approximately how
long were your outlines?
One page per chapter was
requested by the editor. Often, though, my outlines were over 20 pages
because I tend to write long in the outlines. Same goes with the stories
I write today. I want to get as much as possible into the pre-writing so
when I sit down to write, I can just let the characters take over and the
story flows.
5. After you wrote
the story and sent it in, did they return it with comments or editing?
How were the comments presented to you?
Depending on how much work
had to be redone, I would either get a letter from the editor with questions
concerning problems in some chapters or I would get the whole manuscript
back. If I got the manuscript back, the editor at Mega-Books and the editor
at Simon and Schuster would both write notes in the margins. Then I would
rewrite anything they had questioned and send in a fresh manuscript. Sometimes
I could explain the reason I left something out or the reason I jumped
in point of view, and my explanation was enough so that I didn't have to
make a change. I didn't like the first Mega-Books editor with whom I worked.
By the third book, a new editor had come on board and we are still friends
to this day. She's no longer at Mega-Books and has moved on to bigger and
better things. The second editor sent me a letter from Anne Greenberg and
her assistant applauding the "writer" on the action in Running on Empty.
That book and Flesh and Blood are my favorites of those I wrote.
The letter from Greenberg was quite a confidence builder. Often, I was
told my stories were too long. Not that the length itself was bad, but
S & S had a specific number of pages (160-185) and did not want to
go beyond that. Often, my stories reached well over 200, like the older
books. So, I'd have to cut whole chapters or condense characters. For example,
the villain at the salvage yard in Running on Empty was originally
two identical twin brothers.
6. Did you ever speak
with anyone personally, or just communicate by mail?
Remember, I was working
for Mega-Books before e-mail! The second editor and I talked all the time.
We exchanged personal letters, talked about family, she became engaged
and I sent her flowers. We had a good working relationship as well as a
friendship. She was all business about the series, though, and would chide
me if I slacked off in the writing style or was late with a manuscript.
I flew to New York to meet her and her fiancee and we all are still friends
after 12 years. I never received anything personally from anybody at Simon
and Schuster.
7. Did Simon &
Schuster send you a copy of the book you wrote for free?
No. My editor at Mega-Books
would send me three to five copies, but that was it. Simon & Schuster
had a gold mine with the CaseFiles series, and it's my opinion that the
writers got the shaft when it came to payment and receiving copies. I was
happy to be writing and humbled to be a part of literary legacy, but after
three years, I decided I could do better. Also, I foresaw the demise of
the series. Mega-Books had changed hands and Simon & Schuster wasn't
looking for any innovations in the series, just formulaic stories. I grew
tired of writing, basically, the same thing over and over.
I hope I don't sound bitter about quitting the series. I'm proud of my work, and writing for the Hardy Boys afforded me the opportunity and confidence to continue writing and strike out on my own. I have been a Hardy Boys fan since I was a child, reading some of the original versions as well as the versions from the 50's and 60's. I still like a good Hardy Boys story. However, I have little interest in the Hardy Boys written for a younger audience. I'd like to see a newer, more hard-boiled series, but Simon & Schuster has such a tight grip on the rights and guard very jealously the "image" of the boys, that I'm afraid Frank and Joe will forever be dressed in the mantle of 1930's or 1960's characterizations.
- Steven Grant -
1. Which books in the
Hardy Boys series did you write, Mr. Grant?
HARDY BOYS CASEFILES
#3: Cult Of Crime
#6: The Crowning Terror
#14: Too Many Traitors
#19: Nightmare In Angel
City
#29: Thick As Thieves
#62: Final Gambit
2. How did you become
involved with the series?
Marvel Comics had sent me
over to Children's Television Workshop to write Spidey Super-Stories episodes
for the Electric Company magazine, which then was edited by a wonderful
woman named Pat Fortunado. Pat left CTW to found a book packaging
company called Mega-Books Of New York, which created a teen adventure series,
RACE AGAINST TIME, and Pat called me in as one of the writers on that.
The head writer, Bill McCay, later "rethought" the Hardy Boys concept into
the CASEFILES series. On the strength of RACE AGAINST TIME, Mega-Books
cut a deal with Pocket Books to create a new Hardy Boys series -- I'm not
sure who approached who -- as Pocket Books wanted to make the characters
relevant to mid-eighties teens. Someone suggested a "two-boy war
against crime" type series, to tap into the Rambomania rampant at the time.
Bill and Pat called and asked if I wanted to be involved with the new Hardy
series.
3. Were you supplied
with any guidelines or a "Writer's Guide" when writing the stories?
I don't recall if there
was anything written. I know they had parameters fairly well worked
out by the time I came onboard, and we discussed them considerably.
I made a number of modifications to the concept when writing CULT OF CRIME,
and they actually went back and rewrote the first two books to fit my modifications,
though I don't remember now exactly what they were. Just little things
about how the characters were handled and how they interacted.
4. Approximately how
long were the outlines?
It varied. I think
I usually did a verbal springboard, which, when accepted by Mega-Books,
got converted into a short - probably one page or less - pitch to give
to Pocket Books, which, when accepted, would be developed into a chapter
by chapter breakdown for final approval. Those could run anywhere
between two and six pages, depending on the complexity and detail.
My plots tended to be a little on the complex side, lots of twists and
turns.
5. After you wrote
the story and sent it back, did they return it with comments or editing?
How were the comments present to you?
I don't recall doing any
major rewrites. They generally accepted my manuscripts as is.
Of course, there were always little things here and there someone would
want changed. As I remember, generally the notes were on little stickums
attached to the page margins at the item they wanted corrected.
6. Did you ever speak
with anyone at S&S or Pocket Books, or just communicate by Mega Books?
I dealt with Mega-Books
directly. I never had any direct communication with Simon and Schuster
or Pocket Books.
7. Did Simon &
Schuster send you a copy of the book you wrote for free?
By proxy. Mega-Books
sent me stacks of copies of everything I wrote.
I'd personally like to thank misters Garmon and Grant for taking the time to give such wonderfully detailed answers.
| Hardy
Happenings & Something New
By Austin Johnson
In addition to the Swell Guide, another special book will be coming out in October called The Hardys on Holiday. It is not known yet what sort of story this will be. The paperback, which is currently priced at $7.50, has the ISBN number 0-689-85620-2. The Hardy Boys Ghost Stories is going to be reprinted under the Aladdin reprint. Along with the publisher change comes a name change. It's now officially titled Ghost Stories: Hardy Boys The newest Hardy offering, Speed Times Five, has a surprise - it's the first book in over ten that has a human body on the cover! At this point, it's not clear whether the man is Frank, Joe, or someone else. Two
more audio tapes have been scheduled for release this fall. Here is
the current release schedule:
According to USA Today, Oscar-nominated actress Laura Linney will be reading the first (and perhaps all) Nancy Drew edition, while Bill Irwin will read The Tower Treasure. The article also notes that The Hardy Boys editions will feature vintage music and sound effects from the 1940s! You can read the article here. (Thanks to Don Wisenor for the heads up on the URL.) Buy The Secret Of The Old Mill & The Missing Chums. Back cover text for Speed Times Five: CAN THE HARDYS PASS THIS EXTREME TEST OF ENDURANCE AND SKILL? Making it to the finish line of the high-endurance Fire Creek Mountain Race is going to be a real challenge for the Hardys. The five demanding events include downhill mountain biking, kayaking, cross-country hiking and climbing, biking through the city streets of Montreal, and a high-speed SeaZoom race on Lake Champlain. But when dangerous accidents begin to interfere with the events, the stakes get higher. The Hardys, along with their friends and crew, Chet Morton and Jamal Watkins, learn that they have a secret competitor -- one who's using the race for a very unsporting purpose and who will do whatever it takes to win!
Something New
Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys "Be a Detective" #2 British Editio n 
Animated Hardy Boys Comic Released in the Spanish language |
Match
That
Line!
By
Nancy Hardy
Match
the quotes on the right with the titles on the left.
Everyone
who e-mails us with the
correct answers will be listed in Issue 6.
| (1) The Tower Treasure (Mystery #1) |
A. “We’re not
eaten! I mean, we’re okay,” Chet
said, catching his breath. |
| (2) The Twisted Claw (Mystery #18) |
B. Chief
Collig rapped on his desk for quiet and asked,
“What’s a queen have to do with all this?” |
| (3) Lost In Gator Swamp (Digest #142) |
C. “I may be
a squirt,” Joe said with a grin,
“but I’m going to be one awesome sportscaster.” |
| (4) A Game Called Chaos (Digest #160) |
D. “I don’t
know what it is with you. As soon as
you’re in a dark place, you get romantic,” Callie whispered. |
| (5) Dead on Target (Casefile #1) |
E. “Joe, this
isn’t a net,” Frank said. “It’s a spider web!”
|
| (6) Danger Zone (Casefile #37) |
F. As they
walked outside a cool evening breeze washed over Joe,
helping to revive his spirits. Grinning at Nancy, he said, “Looks like it’s you and me. Donde vamoose?” |
| (7) The Last Resort (SuperMystery #5) |
G. “And check
out what he’s wearing,” Iola said proudly. “A gi and a black belt.”
|
| (8) Passport to Danger (SuperMystery 19) |
H. Frank stared
at his brother in mingled wonder and consternation.
“You mean we’re not going to Bayport! We’re going to some mysterious island?” |
| (9) The Karate Clue (Clues Brothers #2) |
I. “You’re
shaking,” Frank said, opening his arms.
He wrapped her in the blanket and pulled her against his chest. |
| (10) Jump Shot Detectives (Clues Brothers #4) |
J. Joe scrambled
up from a crouch and joined Frank.
“Did we make it,” he asked, “or is this the big van in the sky?” |
| Some
Ghostly History
By James Keeline Biographies on Ghostwriters of original text volumes 1-27, 31-33, and 35-36. Before writing Hardy Boys books for Stratemeyer, Leslie McFarlane wrote seven volumes in the Dave Fearless series (a pulp-paper, paperback series of adventure stories published by Garden City Publishing) including one story which was not published. McFarlane wrote many stories for pulp and slick magazines. Stratemeyer asked him to write a mystery story which was to be sold to a pulp magazine. The story, "Mystery Ranch", was not published, however. Leslie McFarlane wrote a volume in the X-Bar-X Boys series which was not published, X-BAR-X BOYS ON THE BORDER PATROL. Although the manuscript is not available, a detailed outline for the story is available in the Stratemeyer Syndicate Records collection at NYPL. Leslie McFarlane wrote the first four volumes for the Dana Girls series as "Carolyn Keene." Leslie McFarlane's wife, Amy Arnold McFarlane, wrote volume 26 in the Hardy Boys series, THE PHANTOM FREIGHTER, because Leslie was fishing in the Rockies at the time. Dr. John C. Button, Jr., a physician specializing in neurology, wrote volumes 17 through 21 in the Hardy Boys series. He also wrote X-Bar-X Boys volumes 18 through 21. George Waller, Jr., a writer of Lone Ranger and other radio scripts, was brought in by Grosset & Dunlap to write THE SECRET OF SKULL MOUNTAIN in a rush job of just eleven days. The Syndicate was pleased with the work and asked him to write the next Nancy Drew volume, THE CLUE OF THE LEANING CHIMNEY. The Syndicate was not pleased with this story and he was not asked to write any more books. William Finn Halstead III wrote the original draft of volume 31, THE SECRET OF WILDCAT SWAMP, but it was not accepted by the publisher. William M. Dougherty wrote the published version of the story. He also wrote volume 33, THE YELLOW FEATHER MYSTERY. Both stories feature plots which are embarrassingly close to stories written years earlier by Albert Capwell Wyckoff. Hallstead did not learn that his version of the story was the published version of WILDCAT SWAMP until recently when the authorship lists from the Stratemeyer Syndicate became available. Richard Cohen was an Air Force officer during World War II who graduated from Harvard in 1945. He wrote volume 32 in the Hardy Boys series and the published version of the first volume of the Tom Swift Jr. series in 1952 even though the story was not published until the spring of 1954. John Arthur Almquist was a professor of English at Upsala College in New Jersey. He had interests in sports and music and played piano in an orchestra and recorded an album called "Piano Music for that Special Cocktail Party." He wrote stories in the Mel Martin series, Tom Swift Jr. series, and volumes 35 and 36 in the Hardy Boys series. |
| The Hardy Boys Casefiles
Sampler
By Bob Nelson The Casefiles Sampler was released by Simon & Schuster to promote the then-new Casefiles series. It has excerpts from the first four Hardy Boys Casefiles and a trivia quiz. The excerpts also contained stronger language than what was eventually published. In the Dead on Target excerpt, Frank says "What the hell?" at one point. In the final version, it's shortened to "What the...?" The cover illustrations (front and back) show artwork that was originally going to be used on the books Dead on Target and Evil, Inc. The Dead on Target scene shows Frank picking Joe up from the parking lot after their car exploded. In the background are collage style images, sort of transparent, showing terrorists with machine guns. The back cover shows the illustration from Evil, Inc. with Frank and Joe racing on horseback from a pursuing helicopter. The first book, Dead on Target, was listed for late 1986, and was supposed to have been published simultaneously with the Nancy Drew Files first volumes, but the Hardys were postponed. This, I am assuming, is because they decided to change the cover designs at the last minute. The Sampler also shows the original Hardy Boys Casefiles logo, which were racy bold white letters on a black background. |
| How
It All Began
Introduction and conclusion by Nancy Hardy Back on May 20, 2000, MOONSTAR posted the first chapters of Bullet Burn (Happy 2nd Anniversary on Monday!). Thus began the online world of Hardy Boys fan fiction! Today there are over 100 stories & nearly 60 authors posting. Have you ever wondered how it all began? Well, here’s the story in MOONSTAR’s own words… ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was after I had read several Casefiles that I started imagining the story Bullet Burn. The entire story played out in a dream. After hesitating for a while, I started writing the story down. I had bits and pieces of it, but enough for the first couple of chapters. I really didn't think of posting them then. My website was originally dedicated to Sailor Moon. I was, at the time, writing Sailor Moon and Swamp Thing fan fiction. My site had several different pieces to it, including Sailor Moon, other Anime, comic book collecting, the Environment, Nirvana, and other things. When I fell in love with Frank and Joe Hardy, I wanted to create a special place on my site dedicated to them. So I decided to start posting Bullet Burn. I really had no intention to continue posting the story. I figured no one was going to read it, so I didn't bother. It was just after a couple of days of posting the first chapters that I started receiving emails of people telling me that they loved the story, asking when the next chapters were going to be added, and when I was going to finish. It was then that some of the earliest authors started asking if they could include their own stories. I felt, why not, it would be fun. So I started accepting stories from other authors. It wasn't too long after that that Annah told me about the Wildcat stories. I asked for her permission to post the Kramer Series on my site. When the Wildcats agreed, I started posting their stories, and everyone at MOONSTAR and the world were introduced to the Kramer Brothers. It wasn't too long after the Wildcats joined up, that the United authors came on board. Then more authors came. The site grew and grew until it had to be split into several pages. After it kept growing it was the kind offer of a new website, created by Graham W. Boyes, that really got the site where it is today. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Well, that’s the story up to now. On Monday, October 29, 2001, MOONSTAR proudly added the one hundredth story, The Kentucky Connection by Jason B. Proctor, to the site. For the fans, this is an incredible opportunity to find new stories of their two favorite Boys. A chance to imagine different futures for them or to read stories the publishers “missed”. Fan fiction is a very important part of the Hardy Boys world & for this we say – THANK YOU MOONSTAR!!! |
| Hardy
Boys Fanfiction Teaser
From Unbreakable by the Haynes Sisters. Unbreakable's introduction | Fanfiction Homepage Frank looked up as they walked in and smiled. "Hey, baby brother!" Joe tried to smile back, but failed miserably. He sat down on the edge of the bed. "Frank, tell me I'm dreaming. Tell me that everything's going to be normal again." Joe blinked several times to hold his tears at bay. "I can't, Joe. You're not dreaming and I don't know if things will ever be normal again." Frank reached out and squeezed Joe's hand. He could see that Joe was trying not to cry. "I need you right now, Joe. More than I ever have before." Joe looked down at Frank's hand. In his mind's eye he could see the bruises that would soon cover it again. He could see that now steady hand shaking like a leaf in the wind. Joe looked back up at Frank's warm brown eyes and saw fear in them. Frank was never afraid. But he was now, and Joe knew he had to be there for Frank. Joe squeezed back. "I can't promise that I won't ever run, Frank. I know that's the first thing I'll do when we get home. But I'm going to do the best I can to be here when you need me." A single tear slipped down Joe's face. Frank reached out and wiped the tear away. "That's all I wanted to hear." Fenton and Laura had watched the entire scene in silence. Both boys had obviously forgotten they were there. Both of them knew that Joe would keep his promise. The brothers had survived assassins bullets, bombs, murder attempts, kidnappings and even plane crashes. And Joe was determined to help his brother beat leukemia again. |
| Hardy-Har-Hars
By Nancy Hardy  |
| The Bayport Gazette Fanfiction
Author Interview
By Nancy Hardy The subject of our author interview this issue is the talented author Moonstar, the founder of Moonstar's Hardy Boys fanfiction site. Gazette: When did you start writing Hardy Boys fan fiction? Moonstar: I started writing Hardy Boys fan fiction during one summer of my schooling at the Richard Stockton College of NJ. I was very bored at the time, and only had my computer and books to keep me company. After reading the Casefiles story “Absolute Zero” I was completely hooked on the series. Then, in a dream, I came up with the idea for my story Bullet Burn. After typing out some of it on the computer, including some of the scenes, dialog, beginning and ending, I kept it as something for personal enjoyment. Gazette: Do you write any other fan fiction? Moonstar: I did at one time write Sailor Moon and Swamp Thing fanfiction, but grew bored with the lack of inspiration and decided to not continue. Gazette: Before you begin writing, do you create an outline? Moonstar: Sometimes I create a brief synopsis of what the story will be about and then build the story around it. Other times I will just write down a dialog block between the brothers, and build the story from there. Gazette: Do you first write your story out on paper, or type it directly on the computer? Moonstar: That depends on what is available at the time. Most of the time, I use a computer to save paper. When I’m in class or on a trip, I use a notebook and keep all my notes on the story in that. Gazette: How do you pick the titles of your stories? Moonstar: I look at the story synopsis and try to keep the title on the story’s main idea. Most of the time the title is easy to create. Gazette: Have you ever based a character on yourself or someone you know? Moonstar: Most of the new characters, such as Mike Rodgers, Lt. Tellman, Staci Rivera, and Peter Alderack, are created after people I know. A few others, like Dr. Wilson and Kyle Anderson, are people I made up. Gazette: Do you create a character first and name them after, or come up with a name and then create the character? Moonstar: It depends. Sometimes I think of a character that I need, then I think of the name. Normally I know the personality of the character before coming up with the name. Gazette: Which do you find more difficult to write - scenery/setting or dialogue? Moonstar: Both scenery/setting and dialog are easy to create. The sticking point is making sure that everything flows together. Gazette: Do you like to write your stories focusing on your favorite brother, or do you like to feature both equally? Moonstar: I actually don’t know who I’m going to focus on until I start writing the story. I always try to make sure that both Frank and Joe stay the center of attention in the story. Gazette: Would you like to see your story published? Aired on TV or as a movie? Moonstar: To see my stories published as books would be a great thrill, because I know people will see the story exactly as I see it. I’d prefer the stories to be part of a series on HBO. There I know there won’t be any limits set on the vision. Gazette: If published, do you think your story would be a Casefile, Digest, or something else? Moonstar: I’d prefer a Casefile. I’ve found that the Digests have lost their edge and become silly stories with very little in them. Gazette: Have you even imagined or designed a cover illustration for your stories? If yes, can you describe them? Moonstar: Yes, I have imagined covers for my stories. First, I would have Frank and Joe back on the cover where they belong. I’m planning to have a cover descriptions part of my site for each of my stories so that I wouldn’t be limited in the description. Gazette: Have you ever traveled "on location" to get ideas for stories or scenes? Moonstar: No, I’ve never strayed to get ideas for my stories. Most of the time I leave it to my own imagination and experience to design the stories and scenes. Gazette: Do you get story ideas from personal experience, from books or TV, or somewhere else? Moonstar: I use everything at my disposal for ideas. My own imagination, TV, books, and experiences in college. Gazette: Would you like to write with a partner? Moonstar: Only if we were in agreement that neither author would dominate the story, and that all ideas are considered. Gazette: Do you have any advice for new writers? Moonstar: Don’t think that you’re story isn’t good. Just write it. If you think you can’t seem to finish it, write it anyway. Often you find that once you start writing, the story writes itself. And don’t be afraid to ask for suggestions or opinions. Sometimes it leads to whole new stories! Never give up, because just like the brothers, they never leave a job unfinished. |
Arty Boys
|
| Chet's Own Series
By Austin Johnson Did you know that Chet Morton, the Hardys' best friend, was going to have his own series of books? The series was proposed in 1965 by Harriet Adams in a letter (dated January 17) to Mel Evans at Grosset & Dunlap. Enclosed with the letter was an introduction to the proposed line of books, overviews of the first two books, and two chapters of the first book. Also included was a list of recommended titles for the first eight stories.
Flying Bike was previously titled "Chet Morton and the Flying Fruitcake." In this new series, simply titled "Chet Morton," the main action would center around Chet's hunger for hobbies, as shown in the Hardy Boys books. Each book would feature a new hobby for Chet, leading him and the Hardys (who were just supporting figures) into a comical and insane adventure in Bayport. In Chet Morton and the Funny-Putty Caper, proposed book number one, Chet's latest fad is disguises. He also wants revenge on Frank and Joe for embarrassing him in front of his boss at the museum in which he works. So, Chet decides to play a trick on the detective duo by "stealing" the Black Pearls of Tonga, a rare set of pearls on display at the museum. Frank and Joe previously had told Chet that a crook might try to nab the pearls, a fact no doubt learned by Fenton Hardy himself. Chet plans to enlist the help of a master-of-disguises, Mr. Nigel Lovelace, to dress up like the crook--based on a photograph provided by the Hardys. He then plans to proceed to steal the pearls, drive a disguised Mr. Lovelace to drive him to the police, and have a good laugh when the truth is revealed. Unfortunately, Chet's plan backfires, and he is stuck with the REAL crook. Only a situation chunky Chet could get into! In a letter dated April 27 of the same year, Harriet comments that she is "disappointed that [the G&D staff] feel a series about Chet Morton. . . would not make a salable series." All of this information and more is in the New York Public Library under the Stratemeyer Syndicate archives. If you're ever in New York, it's definitely worth stopping in! Read more about Chet Morton in the Bayport Gazette Issue Three. |
| Meet
The Editors
By Austin Johnson & Nancy Hardy |
| Austin
Johnson
Hi! I'm here from Tennessee, USA. I discovered The Hardy Boys at age five, when I stumbled upon an old battered, tweed copy of The Tower Treasure, a book that I still have. It was also with that book that I discovered that the Hardy Boys had been revised. One of my favorite Hardy facts is that I live around half an hour from Kingsport Press, where many of the Hardy Boys books were printed until the seventies. Unlike many of today's fans, I don't have a special Hardy era. I like original text editions, revised text editions, and all the paperback stories. Some of my favorite stories include The Secret Panel, Danger on the Diamond [Digest], Danger Down Under [Supermystery], and Dead of Night [Casefile]. I had the idea for the Bayport Gazette back around May of 2001, and actually released a first issue. That first issue was edited and revised to make up the current Issue One. When I decided to once again attempt to begin The Bayport Gazette, Nancy began to help tremendously, providing ideas and articles. Before we released Issue One, Nancy had signed on as assistant editor. Now, we're both editors, because this is almost a full time job! My main job in the Gazette is building the actual webpage. Nancy does all of the proofreading, editing, and illustrations. She also keeps an eagle-eye out for possible articles or ideas. I currently write only one major article per issue, Hardy Happenings & Something New, with a few other things here and there. I also enjoy collection vintage postcards, coins, stamps, and other series and non-series books. I currently have amassed a collection of around 450 Hardy Boys books. My main Hardy goal is to complete my Casefiles, Supermysteries, and original text PC collections. |
 Nancy
Hardy
Greetings from Ontario, Canada! An avid reader since the age of 6, I discovered Hardy Boys books in my mid-teens & never "outgrew" them. I discovered the online Hardy Boys community in early 2000, and was amazed to find that I wasn't the only adult reader & collector. I've enjoyed "meeting" Hardy fans from around the world, including my co-editor, Austin. Mainly a fan of Casefiles & SuperMysteries, I try to make sure there's an even balance of "old & new" in the Gazette. I also tries to find at least one fun article or activity per issue. I'm very excited about my promotion to co-editor, as of Issue 4. Previously, my position of assistant editor involved proof-reading, finding articles, some writing & occasional illustrations. Now as co-editor, I'm more focused on proof-reading, finding articles, some writing & occasional illustrations. :-) In addition to Hardy Boys, I enjoys collecting & reading other juvenile series books (old & current), as well as many adult mysteries. My other collections include dolls & nail polishes. I enjoy watching Formula 1 racing as well. My main Hardy Boys goal at the moment is to complete my Casefiles & Supermysteries collections. I also hope to someday visit Haileybury, Leslie McFarlane's hometown. |
| Letters to the Editor
& Fan Mail
It's long on fantasy but short on believability. The writer mentioned Treasure Island. This story used to remind me of The Wizard of Oz. It's all there: the throne room scenes, the mysterious city, and the palace guards. Barracuda Island could not have gone unnoticed into the 1930s, however. Granted, aviation and radar were quite primitive. But I believe all of the oceans had been mapped by then. Even if they hadn't someone on the island would have gotten out, or someone would have discovered it. But then there wouldn't have been a story, would there? - Tom Hoffman
Hello Austin, I applaud you for your fine work on the Gazette. I read with interest a Letter to the Editor regarding an inquiry as to the real location of Bayport. While this issue has been discussed time and time again without any clear conclusion, I would like to point you to a website that I built about Leslie McFarlane and his life in Haileybury, Ontario, Canada. I live in Haileybury and we also feel that there are similarities in our immediate area that would make our community a candidate for the setting of Bayport. The website is very comprehensive and includes much information of this first Hardy Boys author. The address is www.lesliemcfarlane.com. Please use Microsoft Explorer as there are still code problems with other browsers. Thank you. - Brian Dobbs
I collect the Hardy Boys series and have since I was a child. I have many of the original books as well as newer ones. Good to see others still care, I wish more of today's kids would read this type of fiction than some of the other trash that is out there! - Forrest Massey
Austin & Nancy, I was thrilled to stumble upon your Gazette homepage during a search engine request for "Hardy Boys." I immediately read issues one, two, three, and four back to back. I especially liked the review of The Tower Treasure by Scott Starck, and the Tips on Dating a Hardy Boy! I always enjoy the author interviews, fanfiction teasers, news, and other comedy that appears there. I hope you continue to publish this paper in the future, I'll look forward to seeing it! - James Riddle
Dear Austin & Nancy, Another excellent issue! Especially enjoyed the interview with Hope. And it's nice to see the Hardly Boys getting some recognition. The graphics and layout look great. Nancy, your test has jolted me out of my fantasy world. I've long thought of myself as the "third Hardy Boy" but I now realize how very different my life is from theirs. :-) So few of us are in the Hardy Boys target audience, it was refreshing to look in the letters section and see a message from an actual child. - Scott Bishop
Nicely done, Austin, and special kudos to Steve Taylor for another great review, on "The Haunted Fort." It's nice to see latter numbered (relatively) books enjoyed. The review of "Secret Warning" was illuminating as well! - Steven J. Servello
I just finished reading the latest issue, and it was wonderful as usual. I took the quiz and while I did all right, I was advised that I need to "meet a few more criminals"! I'll do my best! - Alaina
I've enjoyed becoming re-acquainted with the Hardys via your Gazette, after all these years! Will be paying more visits to your website, and I'm sure I'll have to comment from time to time. The Gazette is a very good effort! If one has a soft spot for the Hardy Boys, even if it's primarily fueled by nostalgia, the Gazette is certainly one of the places on the Web to visit. - James Bennett
Austin and Nancy, Congratulations on a job well done on issue four of the Bayport Gazette. Dawn's article on Parker Stevenson was very informative. And I got a chuckle out of "What Happens When There Just isn't a Case." Keep up the good work! - Don Wisenor
I just wanted to say that this was a great issue. The picture of Parker was just perfect! I also enjoyed the article about him as well. I also loved how the Gazette was used to deliver the good news to S.R. Whittington. She really does deserve some glory even if she doesn't see it that way! She definitely has a way with the pen. I also loved the Hardy Boy Quiz. I turned out to be a Hardy Boys chum! I have heard that the local television station is going to do a little snipit on Stephanie/S.R. Whittington when she is awarded her award in May. They wanted to wait until she got the award so they can show it on the air. She is fussing about it, but to the Ghostwriters, it is like getting spotlighted along with her [Editor's Note: Stephanie is part of the Wildcat Ghostwriters team.] Anyway, great issue and if there is anything that we can do to help or contribute to your Gazette, please let us know! We support you 100%. - Annah & the Ghostwriters
I thought the new Gazette was very well done again! I really enjoyed Dawn's article on Parker Stevenson. I took the quiz too - I'm a Hardy Chum!!! =) I also loved the news about Stephanie - thanks for providing that, guys... and, what else? Too much to remember! :-) Keep up the good work, - Rokia
I thought the Bayport Gazette team really excelled themselves. I was a bit naughty and read it while I supposed to be working, and I enjoyed every moment of it - something for everyone, as they say! Well done guys. - Dawn Foster-Moore
Many, MANY congratulations to Stephanie! I was so pleased to read about her writing awards! And I loved the article about Parker Stevenson! Nice job on the whole Gazette; just what we've come to expect, of course! - JD
Great issue guys! I took the quiz and: You got 280 points. WOW! You're a real, live Hardy! CONGRATULATIONS!!! I may have answered a few questions slightly false though...:-) - Scott Starck |
Copyright
© 2002 Austin Johnson and Nancy Hardy. All Rights Reserved.
In
the last issue, I reported that a book called "The Hardy Boys: Clues
to Success" was going to released in October. The name has now been changed
to The Hardy Boys' Swell Guide to Life (golly gee whiz, that's a
nifty title!). I personally liked Clues to Success better. The price
for this hardcover book is $8.95. It's going to be released in October
of this year under the ISBN number 0-689-85541-9.
