EU Rule #3 - Leave the Universe a Better Place

Here is the 3rd Rule of writing in the EU - Leave the Universe a Better Place.

One of my favorite lines from Star Wars is Darth Vader saying, "The power to destroy a planet is insignificant compared to the power of the force." This, I would contend, is actually part of the Star Wars theme - that simple destruction is insignificant - that the ability to destroy is ultimately... lacking.

Indeed, the wonder of Star Wars as a whole is that it creates - that it creates wonderful new worlds and vistas to explore - new adventures to be had. That is part and parcel of the wide-eyed wonder we had seeing the films, playing with our toys -- whether the first film we saw was Episode IV or Episode I.

However, some folks dabbling in the Star Wars Universe end up focusing rather on the destructive potential in the Star Wars universe, rather than its creative elements. Your story needs to leave the universe a better place - and if you are on a destructive kick, that won't work.

This isn't to say that there isn't destruction. Take the great example - the destruction of Alderaan. It is a shocking, horrible event. . . but just that. An event. We don't know anything about Alderaan (expect that Leia claims they are peaceful) - its destruction simply serves to demonstrate danger... but in terms of our experience, nothing really is lost. The Star Wars Universe isn't lessened by Alderaan's destruction.

However, in the EU, there have been plenty of times where for whatever reason, massive destruction happens - but not of unknown places, not of new things so the destruction just illustrates power, illustrates the fact that people and places we know and love might be in danger... but true destruction.

When a known character is killed off - that does damage to the Universe - unless in their death there is some great, wondrous heroic good that can balance the loss. But it's not good. Re-reading the older books I realize how much I miss Chewie. But when a known character is killed off - all their potential, all the stories, all the things you as a reader could imagine about them, all the speculation for upcoming books - these are destroyed as well. (I don't even get to rant about how various authors butcher Mara Jade's Character anymore - I'd rather have my favorite characters poorly written rather than bumped off)

The same thing holds to planets -- this is the great flaw of the Yuhnzan Vong invasion -- too destructive, too much ruin eventually to places we know. I miss Ithor -- it was developing an interesting history and story... then BAM... gone.

Oh yes, I know, destroying established things gives us a sense of loss, it let's us know the stakes are real.

If you are writing in the Star Wars Universe, your job is not to convince us that you are a serious writer who can make things happen, it is to leave the EU a better place, a fuller place, with more stories.

Killing a character rarely does that. Obi-wan - well, sure. A villain - of course (as long as it is artfully done). Even Ganner - at least a myth grows out of it, mythical overtones for a side character - that enriches the universe.

But simply a "hey, we mean business, and things are really dangerous, and folks are going to get hurt" - that doesn't create, that doesn't make the Universe a better place. And, really, it has no place in the EU.

(Or in other words - only kill off your own characters and planets!)