Star Wars Writing Tips and Tricks.

The Eras of Star Wars.

Topic suggested by musntbill.

Each of the eras of Star Wars, as exemplified above. Honestly, probably couldn't be more simplified.

We've all heard or seen the tags for Original, OT, Sequel, Prequel, SWTCW, SWR, Resistance, Rogue, KOTOR, etc. right?

But what do all these abbreviations actually mean?

Well, in short, they are references to certain points in time across the rather expansive timeline of the Star Wars universe, as seen in the image above.

But how do they reference the timeline of the Star Wars universe?

Let's take OT for example.
This stands for Original Trilogy, in reference to movies 4, 5 and 6. Even the most basic Star Wars fan knows that these three movies happen over a 5 year period during what becomes the final years of the Empire, sparking a new era marking after the end of the 4th film.

See, the years prior to the battle of Yavin, by the fandom, are referred to as xBBY, meaning x-years Before Battle of Yavin. For example 5BBY, the beginning of Star Wars Rebels, is 5 years Before Battle of Yavin.

After the Battle of Yavin, the years were referred to as ABY, such as 35 ABY for example which was the Battle of Exegol and the deaths of Princess Leia and Ben Solo/Kylo Ren.

Note, characters in Star Wars novels would not refer to the years as xBBY, because the Battle of Yavin would not have occurred nor is it consider a significant marker of time within the universe.

It is purely a fandom time marker.

The Star Wars movies have their own naming conventions, specifically Prequel Trilogy (1-3), Original Trilogy (4-6), and Sequel Trilogy (7-9). Every Star Wars fan should know what time you are talking about when you mention one of these trilogies, because they have most likely seen the films.

Other films, like Rogue One and Solo, are also pretty well known but aren't often shortened.

Rarely do you find anything that deals with a time prior to the Prequel trilogy, the Knight of the Old Republic (KOTOR) video games being the only ones to come immediately to my mind.

I feel that this is mostly because we already know what's going to happen in the Prequels, though there is definitely room for Disney to create a series prior to the Prequels that would probably garner a bit of attention.

Especially if it was in a similar vein to the Clone Wars or the Mandalorian, just saying.

This does bring me neatly into our next abbreviation: SWTCW, better known as Star Wars The Clone Wars. This show takes place between 22BBY and 19BBY, after which Revenge of the Sith and the Rise of the Empire takes place.

SWR (Star Wars Rebels) follows the Clone Wars, beginning in 5-4BBY in the first season and ending in 0BBY at the end of the fourth season, though the epilogue narrated by Sabine takes place in about 5ABY. And finally comes Resistance (of which I have seen the first 2 episodes only. Far too childish in my opinion and for my tastes).

Recently, the Mandalorian, set in 10ABY, 5 years after the 'fall' of the Empire, has become incredibly popular within the Star Wars fandom and with good reason. I personally love this show and can't wait for the next season.

Additionally, I am also looking forward to the Cassian Andor series, because he was my favourite character from Rogue One and would love to see more of the darker side of the Rebellion that Rogue One hinted to and touched on. Definitely one of the best point of Rogue One.

So, unless mentioned that your story is an AU, characters that couldn't have met or lived during different times, shouldn't interact.

Cassian Andor would not be running around with Kylo Ren/Ben Solo as a young kid through the old Rebel Base on Yavin 4. Poe Dameron might be though...

Next, we delve into the notorious starships that are often seen in Star Wars stories.

Feedback is greatly appreciated, and further topic suggestions are always open!