Woody, Buzz, & the Changing of the Guard

Some fight change, while others adapt. It's a Toy Story sort of deal.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about my place in an ever-growing, ever-changing horror genre. How it once was, how it is now, and if Ol’ Ron has the willpower and stamina to hang in there and keep up the pace with all the new and wildly talented authors who are flooding a market that was once relatively small and limited, both in ranks and growth. I’ve also been thinking a lot about the Pixar movie Toy Story.

You might ask, what the heck do these two things have in common? Initially, not very much… or so I thought. Then I started considering the cast of characters — Woody, Buzz, the toys in Andy’s Room — and discovered that the connections were downright uncanny. Comparing the two, it all began to make sense.

You see, I’m Woody. Most of us veteran horror authors are. Woody is old-fashioned, leery of change, and a little hesitant to hand over the reins to anyone else because he likes the position he’s held for so long (Andy’s favorite and the leader of the toys). Deep down inside, he believes that he deserves to retain that position, perhaps indefinitely. Could be that he was pretty special and popular in the past, along with some of his peers (Woody’s Roundup stars Jessie, Bullseye, and even Stinky Pete in Toy Story 2). Woody likes how it is in Andy’s Room because it’s familiar, comfortable, and safe. He feels like he’s the head honcho there… not necessarily giving the orders but holding some measure of respect and authority among those around him. Even the mouthy and cantankerous Mister Potato Head looks to him for stability and guidance.

Then comes Buzz Lightyear. This is where the new kids on the block come in… the bright and innovative newcomers of the horror genre. Buzz appears on the scene unexpectedly, fresh out of the box and ready to take his place in Woody’s domain. He’s confident, commanding, and incredibly impressive to those around him. The toys in Andy’s Room — Potato Head, Hamm, Rex, and Slinky Dog — ooh and ahh over Buzz’s unique qualities and his willingness to shake things up. “Impressive wingspan!” proclaims Hamm. “Hey, a laser!” says Potato Head. “Why don’t you have a laser, Woody?” The toys who gather around are much like today’s readers… hungry for something fresh, impressed and entertained by what the new author has to offer. Soon, they rally around, eager to welcome Buzz into the fold.

Woody, on the other hand, sees Buzz as a potential threat. Almost immediately, he ends up standing on the sidelines, no longer in the limelight of the toys’ adoration. The friction between them begins almost immediately… or rather Woody’s territorial reaction does (in comparison, Buzz is rather friendly and accommodating). Some of the first words out of the lanky sheriff’s mouth convey a guarded resentment and an underlying fear of being replaced. “There has been something of a mix-up. This is my spot!” he declares, facing Buzz atop Andy’s bed. Of the group, his only staunch supporter seems to be Bo Peep. Like a writer’s most loyal fan and reader, she has his back, but is still impressed and admits that Buzz offers something Woody lacks. “Just look at him! He’s got more gadgets than a Swiss Army knife.” Then, later, after Buzz’s majestic flight around the ceiling of Andy’s Room, she fans herself and says, “I found my moving buddy!”

Truthfully, very few veteran writers feel contempt and suspicion toward the swell of new storytellers bursting on the scene, but unfortunately some do. They feel challenged by progress and diversity and aren’t receptive to those who want a piece of the action. They also don’t approve of how the rules have changed, and how the dynamic of the writing world is evolving at a rapid pace. The mere thought of the Changing of the Guard horrifies them. We’ve seen it happen in social media in the past few years; an old-dog author bristles at the sudden influx of new talent in the genre and cries foul, sometimes in very volatile and unflattering ways. Some have even gone as far as losing all respect in the genre they helped trailblaze and end up being cast from the ranks for their nearsightedness, prejudice, and insolence.

During the course of Toy Story, not only does Woody experience insecurity at where he is in his present situation, but Buzz suffers some anxiety as well. Like Buzz discovering that he’s actually a toy and not a true space ranger, the new writer often realizes that the writing life isn’t all that it’s cut out to be or how it’s portrayed in the media. Popularity may flag and book sales may dwindle. The pressure of constantly writing and publishing new material, attending all the book conventions and events, and fighting tooth and nail to remain relevant can be taxing on your life, your mental health, and your bank account. Many end up disillusioned, like the bumfuzzled Buzz in the guise of Mrs. Nesbitt at the tea party, wondering what became of it all and why they didn’t hit the big time like others around them. Some even throw in the towel and, in frustration, give up their writing aspirations entirely.

Eventually, Woody helps pull Buzz out of the depths of despair and, united, they ban together to battle the evil neighborhood kid, Sid. Sid is much like the worst aspects of social media; mean, manipulative, ready to tear you apart emotionally and reassemble you into something of its own making. The majority of today’s writers indulge in social media; promoting books, building their brand, staying visible, and becoming accessible to loyal fans and potential readers in a way that wasn’t possible twenty years ago. It can also have detrimental effects; over saturation, petty drama and vendettas between writers, publishers, and readers, as well as give social media ‘watchdogs’ and ‘gatekeepers’ within the genre more power and influence than they rightly deserve.

By the end of the movie, Woody and Buzz are good friends; supportive and accepting of one another. They take on an equal partnership in Andy’s Room with no competition, resentment, or animosity between them. Like Woody, veteran horror authors (yours truly included) should lend support, advice, encouragement, and, yes, most of all, friendship to those new to the genre. In turn, the Buzz Lightyears of the horror scene should appreciate and respect those who came before them, and treat them as equals, not has-beens or annoying hangers-on. Together, old and new authors alike can build and sustain a positive, supportive environment free of bias, discrimination, intimidation, and strife. A writing community devoid of those obstacles is free to devote its collective talent and energy for the betterment of the genre as a whole and, most of all, the content on your bookshelf.

As one of the old dogs who got his start in the small press horror magazines and mass market paperback houses of the 1980s and 90s, I’m always here to offer support, encouragement, and advice. Never forget, you’ve got a friend in me.

(Sorry, but I simply couldn’t resist. Like Thanos, it was inevitable.)

— Ron Kelly