Tara is back (and gone again)- thanks to Chris Golden!!!!!

[AmbersSecretAdmirer]

Yes, the news is true! Chris Golden's new, and probably last, Buffy novel "Dark Congress" has Tara back in it. It's post all events as well, so it's not a retro or flashback but Tara back again.

Chris and Amber are the only writers I would trust with something this important.

THANKS CHRIS!!!!

[DaddyCatALSO]

Wow, I didnt' think he'd be able to do it. Too bad the novels aren't canon...well, depnding on the form she's in what I just said might not be strictly ture.

[Willowtree252]

I am so happy I will take Tara anyway we can get her this is real dream come true!

[Kendahl897]

I trust Chris COMPLETELY. He is the one writer who truly "got it" and was very critical of the occurrings in season 7, because he "got it".

[Dana5140]

Wait, how do you know this? There has been, I have heard through some grapevine or other, some question as to how this might occur- have you a clear idea of how Tara is used?

[taralicious]

If indeed this is the real deal and Chris does bring back Tara in some way, I for one will be intrigued by the manner in which this reappearance manifests itself.
There have been a large number of fanfictions in the intervening years which have brought Tara back in a myriad of scenarios.
How does one suppose the writer with the closest tie to Tara herself, Amber, would reintroduce the beloved character?
Time will tell, it always does.

[helpfulinformationperhaps]

if she is really back as tara, not evil, and with willow going forward at the end of the book- then great! - but - given she is NOT back in the comic series that whedon etal are doing - I have a hard time believing she will be back to stay in Chris's book - and to be very honest - if she isn't back to stay - then it would just seem to me a ploy to raise the interest of tara fans only to slam the door in their faces again - no matter how well written the story may be. I've said my goodbyes to tara, not much interested in doing it again

[Dana5140]

No, Chris is the one Buffy writer who always did right by Tara, and whose prose in Monster Island was superb when Willow and tara reuninted on the island. I was referring to bringing her back; I don't think Fox or ME allows it, so if he is going to use her, it has to be as ghost or back story or something outside of resurrection. Just saying, don't kill the messenger.

[ChristopherGolden]

A friend just pointed me toward this thread, so I thought I'd chime in.

First, thanks so much for the trust that many of you have in me. It means a great deal. Second, regarding Tara...she is not a ghost or a dream. Normally I would keep this sort of thing very much a secret, but the last thing I want to do is mislead anyone, so let me be clear...

I wanted closure. I know a lot of you did as well. I desired a proper farewell for one of the most realistic couples I've ever seen on television, and I don't believe they had that. At one point in DARK CONGRESS, I refer to the correction of a cosmic error. That should make my feelings on the subject fairly clear.

Now, the only way the Powers That Be would allow me to include this subplot in the novel was if I put the genie back in the bottle at the end. Truth be told, I didn't mind that much. As I said, all I wanted was a proper farewell. In the context of the story--the various plot threads of DARK CONGRESS--I think it works well. You'll all have to judge for yourselves whether or not you agree.

But I will say this, regarding the post from helpfulinformationperhaps. Tara *isn't* back to stay. Let's be clear on that. That wasn't up to me. Fair warning. If that troubles you, I honestly do understand, and I'd advise you to steer clear of this book. But a lot of us haven't made our peace with the way the character was eliminated, or the way her death was dealt with by the characters in the aftermath.

However, I take deep offense to the suggestion that I've created this story to draw in Tara fans in some sadistic ploy, just to hurt them, or as hype to drive sales. I don't get any royalties on this book. I've been paid. If it sells one copy, or one million copies, it doesn't make any difference, finanancially, to me. I included this element in DARK CONGRESS because, if I was going to write another Buffy book after more than four years away--likely the last I'll ever write any of these characters--I didn't want to do it without the relationship that, to me, became the emotional heart of the series.

So there you have it. Cards on the table. For those of you who read it, I hope I've done you proud.

[Katharyn]

Personally I won't be there, for the reasons that Chris laid out (thanks for posting Chris!) and because I simply refuse to acknowledge S6 so any follow on to said season is by definition a no-no for me. Further, even if that wasn't the case I think - even now - what's hinted at would still bother me.

However - that's me. I think Chris has more than demonstrated his track record when it comes to the T/W relationship and Amber and her fans. If there was one published BTVS writer I'd want to tackle it then it would be Chris Golden. Having heard him speak on the subject and read the articles and interviews that are available on links from this board, there's no need to doubt his motives. I am certain that for those who don't feel quite as bitter as I still do he will offer something you will appreciate and will do the subject as much justice as possible within the constraints of the PTB.

If you wanted any further proof of that, when a writer tells you not to read his/her work if it will bother you, that's a sign they're not just chasing the money.

Katharyn

[Willowtree252]

However, I take deep offense to the suggestion that I've created this story to draw in Tara fans in some sadistic ploy, just to hurt them, or as hype to drive sales. I don't get any royalties on this book. I've been paid. If it sells one copy, or one million copies, it doesn't make any difference, finanancially, to me. I included this element in DARK CONGRESS because, if I was going to write another Buffy book after more than four years away--likely the last I'll ever write any of these characters--I didn't want to do it without the relationship that, to me, became the emotional heart of the series.

Chris I for one would never think this you are a wonderful writer and I can tell how much you love all your work and your passion shows. I also know that you have people to answer to but that you will do all in your power to be true to us , Tara , Amber and to yourself and I for one will read your wonderful art to me that is what writing is. I will keep an open mind till I see other wise but I do not wish to loose Tara again so I will be very sad that this will happen .Thanks Dianne

[ChristopherGolden]

A quick note to those of you using the Kitten to PM me...

It's much easier if you just e-mail me directly at crdg (at) comcast dot net.

Or, even better (and easier for me), give your questions to Shiai. I'm going to do a Q&A with him in the next week or so and anything you want to know, I'll be happy to answer there.

Thanks!

[Shiai]

I trust Chris implicitly to do right by Tara...and I can't be the only one who feels that way. Fox had been notorious for rejecting suggestions by various authors to bring Tara back in some capacity; the fact that they're allowing Chris to do so now tells me all I need to know about how his treatment will handle her with care, respect and ingenuity.

And if she can't stay once the tale is told...well, at least we'll all have a chance to say hello and goodbye one last time.

[Shiai]

Or, even better (and easier for me), give your questions to Shiai. I'm going to do a Q&A with him in the next week or so and anything you want to know, I'll be happy to answer there.

Thanks!

You can send me your questions to my Email address found in my profile here, or else go to the SlayerLit website and submit them via the mail link there.

I'm looking forward, with the contributions of others here, to making this Q&A definitive on the subject.

[Roger Doger]

I view DARK CONGRESS as yet another parallel universe where certain harsh rules apply, rules its author (Hi Chris!) are bound to follow whether he wants to or not. Maybe Chris has to "put the genie back in the bottle" afterwards because Joss either (a) wants to bring the beautiful genie back himself someday, or (b) doesn't want anyone messing with his "ex-character" because he needs us W&T fans to feel the pain of real, lasting favorite-character death, where Tara is practically never mentioned and virtually ignored.

As Vamp Willow once said, "Whatever."

If all the W&T stories out there create new parallel universes, we can visit the ones we wish. Obviously, we Kittens want a happy ending, where Will and Tare are a couple, both breathing, both alive and safe. Together. There are plenty of GOOD stories here and other venues which have such endings.

Will I read DARK CONGRESS? Yes. Enthusiastically. Chris wrote it, and I enjoy his writing style. Plus he's a Kitten at heart, and a friend of Amber's. That doesn't mean in the end, when Tara goes back to heaven or wherever, there aren't other universes where Tara still lives.

I'll just go visit one of those.

P.S. - One final point. In practically every universe W&T exist, remember they'll eventually wind up together in the afterlife. No power in the 'verse can keep them apart forever, not even Joss.

[Pinocchio1940]

I have always enjoyed the fanfiction on The Kitten. I have read the Wicked Willow series, but I'll tell you that it feels like a relief knowing the stories are different universes, and that you can choose Willow and Tara's path in life.

The portrayal of the girls on the show is wonderful, and enjoyable, but whenever they have troubles on television, you know that they'll never recover from it fully (Entropy bugs me for this reason) but with the stories on the Kitten, they may have troubles, but they will always end up happy.

[diamondforever]

I am extremely happy that Chris is doing this. Yes, it will be painful that Tara won't be able to stay, but in what capacity could he bring her back without straying outside the lines of reason? I trust him to do an amazing job with it, and will wait in expectation.

[Kendahl897]

I too have alot of respect for Chris, and know how strongly he feels about Willow and Tara, among other things. I will check it out when it comes.
As for TPTB, what a collective group of idiots. Hey fellas, did the glaring ratings of 2.3 for S7 not tell you anything?

[the hero factor]

I don't read the Buffy novels, because I see them as fanfic, and I can get that free (not to mention much more W/T-centric) on the internet. I also no longer read fanfic set during or after s6/7. So, I'll be giving this book a miss.

However, I gotta say, Mr. Golden, that it is pretty frickin' cool of you to come here (to the lion's den, yo!) and lay it all out like that. Rock on.

[immortus45]

Years ago someone wanted to write a Buffy novel featuring an evil slayer. That idea was nixed because they planned to do the same thing on the series. That ended up being ,of course ,the story of Faith. If they are allowing Christopher Golden to do a Tara resurrection story, that would seem to indicate that they aren't going to do something similar in the season 8 comic book or else they would probably have told him not to write it. I think this bodes badly for people who want a canonical and permanent return of Tara.

[maudmac]

First, thanks, Chris, for posting to clarify the plot of your book. It's much appreciated. And we will always be grateful here for the way you've gone to bat for Tara and W/T.

That said, this is the Kitten. THE foundation of this board is that Tara is alive and well (either because she never died or because she's been brought back...permanently) and in big gay love with Willow. No amount of torturous angst can truly keep them apart.

Why in the world would we need a proper farewell, then, when we have a living, thriving Tara right here on Pens? A major point of this board and its vast collection of fanfiction is that we don't really care about canon all that much. We adhere to it when it suits us and disregard it when it suits us to do so. In our view, Tara isn't dead. Because of that, no closure or proper farewell is needed, none is wanted, and, under most circumstances, none is allowed.

Some W/T shippers and/or Tara fans accept her canonical death as permanent, and that is perfectly fine. Some do not, and that is fine also. This board is for the latter group.

Chris has been a great friend and ally to W/T shippers and Tara fans. There can never be any doubt about that. But I honestly don't care about plot constraints imposed by TPTB or who authors a piece that involves Tara returning in some way only to go away again in the end. If Aly and Amber wrote it themselves, I still wouldn't read it. I care about Tara entirely too much for that. Why say goodbye to her?

[xita]

I appreciate the quick feedback from Chris Golden on this subject. It's a great service to the fans to know ahead of time what they are getting into. Thanks for making it our choice.

I do not in any way doubt Chris' intention. I've had the pleasure of meeting him. I know your heart is in the right place.

We can discuss the issues behind the book in this thread. However, when the book comes out, we will not be discussing it as it does not meet the criteria for our board. We've chosen to disregard canon and that will continue. It's what it has been for years, I don't see that changing as long as there's money to support this board. Some people don't like it, but fortunately there are other places for them.

The one thing that we cannot forget is that Chris may not be profiting from this book but someone is. It does sound as bad an exploitation of Tara as trying to bring her back as some kind of ghost in season 7. The fact that it was allowed shows to me that TPTB know that they can still profit from Tara because they own the copyrights to her. It becomes an exploit of Tara when it becomes clear that she is not to come back permanently. For some reason, that is just not allowed (I am sure I can make some guesses and attribute them to someone's ego). Still, to me, it is an exploitation of Tara that I will be personally skipping.

I think Chris should write some fanfic, it would be awesome !

[helpfulinformationperhaps]

Dear Chris,

thanks for stopping by and giving us the information we need to make a decision about reading your new book. It's really appreciated and says a lot about what a decent guy you are.

While I've never had the pleasure of meeting you, several friends and many on this board have and they vouch for your sincere love of willow and tara and your status as a true 'kitten' - so I can understand your need as a writer to work out your own peace with tara/willow via your work.

For some willow and tara fans it may be cathartic to read your take on "closure" for these characters.
however, for my part, I will have to take a pass on this book.

Willow and Tara are alive and fine and living here along with some awesome fan fics of their adventures, which is how I prefer things - and I'm not about to give whedon and the folks who own tara's copyrights more money only to have her returned to a grave.

that said, given the high praise others here have for your writing, I look forward to giving a read to some of your other work.

thanks for stopping by - and thanks for caring about willow and tara.

[Dana5140]

Guys, and gals- one correction. It's a trademark, not copyright. Copyright covers the expression of an idea once it is put in fixed form. You cannot copyright Tara. You can only copyright the words used to describe her, but you can cover her under trademark protection. Just saying.

[Kendahl897]

You know, the great irony, or another way to look at it as far as any profiteering by ME, its' ironic but 5 years later THIS is ALL they have. ME no longer really functions as a production company. They went from 3 to 0 shows on the air, no movies, the last one was a rehash of a failed pilot and no upcoming screenplays that I'm aware of; there was Wonder Woman, but that fizzled out for Joss. As far as I'm aware, the only thing they really have on the market right now is a 'comic book'. I would imagine this is not where they imagined they would be 5 years ago. LOL

[Pinocchio1940]

You know, the great irony, or another way to lok at it as far as any profiteering by ME, its' ironic but 5 years later THIS is ALL they have.

My goodness! You are right!

[dlline]

Wow! I hadn't thought of that either, and it kinda makes me smile. There's a serious lesson here about maniacally messing with your fan base.

[Dana5140]

Except that it ain't so. ME stil exists and obviously still exerts control over things like how Chris Golden writes books, Whedon is writing the film Goners, has 3 comics working (Astonishing X-Men, Runaways and Buffy) and remains busy.Though Wonder Woman went down in flames. I hate to be the one to say it, but saying he ain't doing well doesn't make it so.

But I'll tell you what fries my butter. People like Amber Benson cannot get regular work. That just kills me. She deserves so much better. I want her on L Word, would be my dream.

[Kendahl897]

Comic books hardly rank up there with TV shows and such, but I'm not gonna argue the point. And I didn't say that ME has no control over things, just that they are hardly the company they were 5 years ago.

[urnofosiris]

I edited the thread title so no one might inadvertently get their hopes up. Thank you Mr Golden for being so open and honest. I obviously do not mean to suggest Tara will be gone again thanks to you. There can be no doubt you truly care about Willow and Tara and what they mean.
As it is, even had you brought back Tara ´permanently´, to me, that would not undo any of nastiness that occurred onscreen and online before and after that episode. Had they let her demise be ever so glorious and her friends and lover mourn her half as much as they did every other dear character, that still would not have made it any more palatable. Fortunately these days there actually seem to be shows that manage to not kill or turn psycho every other gay character that strays onto the screen.