In the first blog in this series, we explored plot-induced issues, such as plot-induced intelligence/stupidity and strength/weakness. We followed this with the problem of perfect characters known as Mary Sues and Gary Stus. We’ll finish up the series with bigger story issues concerning inconsistencies in your story, series, and world. In other words, contradicting your story’s canon.
What Is Canon?
Canon refers to all the details and characteristics in a world, story or character that is official to that universe. It covers the specifics that create the world and define the characters, at least those traits that are unique to that character and his or her character arc.
Canon can take the form of mythology (concerned with the entire world and guiding rules or philosophies of that universe), timeline (the chronology of events), or continuity (the order in which things happen or when items, abilities, actions take place and details of how).
There are many ways to look at canon, but consider it anything that needs to remain constant or true. These are the details you can’t afford to mess up without pushback from fans.
How Does Canon Work?
Canon started as a way to describe a set of texts that comprise a whole. For example, in the Christian bible, canon materials are those books that are regarded as scripture. Everything else outside the scripture is referred to as apocrypha. When scripture or canon texts change, they still may be considered canon if approved of by the religious body concerned with defining such things, such as the Vatican.
Canon also refers to an author’s body of work. It covers everything written by that particular person, including personal interviews, letters, articles, etc. that include that author’s thoughts and ideas. And it includes entire segments of literature, for example the canon of early detective novels would include the Penny Dreadfuls, Edgar Allen Poe, Charles Dickens, Wilkie Collins, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, among others.
Canon is what belongs. What must be included or maintained.
What Is Not Considered Canon?
Fan Fiction will never be part of a story’s canon since it does not come from the author of the original work or from an approved collective. It exists outside the official world and story.
The original works count in most cases, not the derivative works. So Manga would be considered canon, while Anime would not. A book or book series would be canon, but not the films made from those sources. The same is true for theatrical releases or any other related stories that are derived from the original, but not continuing the original or created by the original author.
Determining canon can get confusing when there are multiple streams of stories, such as books, movies, animation, graphic novels, video games, theme parks, comics, etc. Determining what falls within canon and what is considered ancillary can be difficult, especially if there are multiple creators, like there are in the Marvel Universe.
Often canon is established by the creator or someone within the organization in charge of the story. This authority designates what has priority and what can be considered a side story or secondary. This is where having a series bible can help (more on that in our next blog).
When George Lucas and LucasFilm still owned Star Wars, there was a person (Leland Chee) whose job it was to track canon and manage the different tiers of continuity for the Star Wars universe. The two main tiers were defined as the theatrical releases, the 2008 Clone Wars animated series and film, or anything that came from Lucas himself. Everything else fell into the second tier. That changed when Disney took over. Now everything Disney creates is considered a separate timeline and canon from the original. Essentially, it’s a reset, which doesn’t appease fans, but makes it more palatable from an organizational standpoint. But it does explain the huge backlash against the Disney works in the Star Wars universe.
Though it may cause problems, there can be different canons for the same characters in different universes. This sometimes comes up in larger universes, like Marvel. When this happens, characters may reveal conflicting details about themselves. It is not that they are going against canon as much as they are expressing themselves differently in different universes. It still infuriates hard core fans, but it helps the creators keep the story going.
Why Is Canon Important?
The reason canon matters finds its roots in the fanbase of any story or world. While the author may want to establish a consistent story line and universe, it is the fans that determine when canon has failed. And loudly. Canon keeps the big details straight so stories, character arcs, and worlds make sense and remain constant, unless there is a reason for them to change that is explained within the context of the story.
What Are the Two Biggest Issues with Canon?
Inconsistencies
The biggest failures in canon are inconsistencies, details that change from scene to scene or book to book. Breaking canon breaks continuity and story logic, and angers fans.
For example, in the film The Crimes of Grindelwald, Minerva McGonagall made a cameo as an adult. The problem with that is that the film takes place in 1927 and according to canon, McGonagall wasn’t born until 1935. Ooops. Unfortunately, that was not the only issue with continuity in that film. It’s a common problem with prequels that are created after the original.
Confusing Canon for Plot
The second biggest failure of canon is relying on it for plot. Canon cannot take the place of story. It is a framework. A foundation from which to draw ideas and connections. It does not have the elements required of story—the tension, pacing, setup and payoff, character development, etc. All it contains is what has come before and the rules by which the world exists. That is not enough to sustain a story. It is enough, though, to ruin the logic of a story and undermine what has happened to date or antagonize fans.
Pay attention to canon, but don’t confuse it with plot.
What’s the best way to protect canon? By using a series’ bible. This will help you track details and protect continuity. That’s the subject of the next series. Until then, what are your worst examples of broken canon? Post below.