Re: And, Speaking of DDL ...

Posted by Gayle on May 01, 1999 at 10:02:15:

In Reply to: Re: And, Speaking of DDL ... posted by Chris on April 30, 1999 at 19:32:43:

: : Chris,

: : Here's an idea - you could write the script as a sequel to The Deerslayer instead of LOTM. The period between the two books covered the time when Chingachgook and Hawkeye were in their late 20s and early 30s. Chingachgook married Wah ta Wah (which would give you a neat Indian marriage ceremony to work with) and then you have the opportunity to write the birth of Uncas and his early years. Hawkeye and Chingachgook were busy building their magnificent reputations on the frontier. The time period would be between about 1743 and 1757, so you could pull out some good colonial war action - maybe the Battle of Niagara that Cooper intended to write as part of the series, but never got around to. It definitely is a time-gap that needs to be filled in.

: : Gayle

:
: Hi Gayle,

: You realize of course this means that I would have to actually read The Deerslayer. I have a hard time reading Cooper, but the only one of his books I've read is LOTM. I tend to want to lose myself in the story, and he has this nasty habit of throwing in the author's comments here and there. I was getting whiplashed from being yanked back into the 20th century. I didn't like it much.

: My other fear is that all you historians will be underwhelmed by my lack of knowledge about that time period.

: I guess I could start by reading The Deerslayer and seeing if it is something I want to pursue.

: Interesting suggestion. Thanks.

: Chris

Chris,

Since you plan to write a sequel, read the last few pages of The Deerslayer first, where Cooper talks about Chingachgook and Hawkeye in the years between Deerslayer and LOTM. Then, if it sounds good, you can read the book for background on the characters and what leads up to their situation at the end. As for historical knowledge, that's never stopped a novel or script writer before. After all, what you are after is to write a good story, not to win a history professorship at the University of Virginia. I think it would be all sorts of fun and a very interesting story. Just claim artistic license and go for it!

Gayle

Follow Ups:

• Re: And, Speaking of DDL ... Chris 10:29:25 5/01/99 (1)
  • Re: And, Speaking of DDL ... Gayle 10:43:12 5/03/99 (0)

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Comments:
: 
: : : Chris,

: : : Here's an idea - you could write the script as a sequel to The Deerslayer instead of LOTM.  The period between the two books covered the time when Chingachgook and Hawkeye were in their late 20s and early 30s.  Chingachgook married Wah ta Wah (which would give you a neat Indian marriage ceremony to work with) and then you have the opportunity to write the birth of Uncas and his early years.  Hawkeye and Chingachgook were busy building their magnificent reputations on the frontier.  The time period would be between about 1743 and 1757, so you could pull out some good colonial war action - maybe the Battle of Niagara that Cooper intended to write as part of the series, but never got around to. It definitely is a time-gap that needs to be filled in.

: : : Gayle

: : 
: : Hi Gayle,

: : You realize of course this means that I would have to actually read The Deerslayer.  I have a hard time reading Cooper, but the only one of his books I've read is LOTM.  I tend to want to lose myself in the story, and he has this nasty habit of throwing in the author's comments here and there.  I was getting whiplashed from being yanked back into the 20th century.  I didn't like it much.

: : My other fear is that all you historians will be underwhelmed by my lack of knowledge about that time period.

: : I guess I could start by reading The Deerslayer and seeing if it is something I want to pursue.

: : Interesting suggestion.  Thanks.

: : Chris

: Chris,

: Since you plan to write a sequel, read the last few pages of The Deerslayer first, where Cooper talks about Chingachgook and Hawkeye in the years between Deerslayer and LOTM.  Then, if it sounds good, you can read the book for background on the characters and what leads up to their situation at the end.  As for historical knowledge, that's never stopped a novel or script writer before.  After all, what you are after is to write a good story, not to win a history professorship at the University of Virginia.  I think it would be all sorts of fun and a very interesting story.  Just claim artistic license and go for it!

: Gayle


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