I've always been a believer that when someone gives you something, you try to give back equally. And, in all honesty, I don't know if this is a debt I can ever completely repay.
In 1984, I was a shy, introverted 13 year old girl who didn't have much idea of what she wanted in life. I knew I liked to write and imagine, but I never really thought of making a LIVING at it. Then I discovered VOLTRON, and came up with an idea that moved me so much I wanted to write it down and share it.
That first simple premise for "Flight of the White Lion," two typewritten pages long, was sent to World Events through my local affiliate. Even if it wasn't used, I at least wanted to know what they thought. When I got back a form letter and a promo packet, I wasn't satisfied with that. So, with some thoughts thrown in by my sister, we put together 22 episode ideas and sent them directly to Executive Producer Peter Keefe. For the first time in my life, I found something that moved me so much I wanted to fight for it.
What I got back was a letter from Head Writer Marc Handler, and it was his words that encouraged me to keep at writing for television and later for film. This encouragement motivated me to make contact with other professional writers, find my vocation in college, and has brought me more than I think I would have gotten if I'd walked any other path in my life.
So now it's my turn to give back to the show that made me dare to dream. That's why, several years ago, I approached Ted Koplar (owner of World Events Productions) about some new ideas to ressurect the series. This seemed timely since MIGHTY MORPHIN' POWER RANGERS would be out the next fall. I sent him a sample script for a VOLTRON show, but held on to my biggest ideas for later. He never contacted me after that. So the time still wasn't right.
I believed that 1996 was the time to share those ideas with the world -- and what I do here, with this site, is my way of saying 'thank you' to the show for its inspiration, by sharing all I've learned with others for whom the show has not passed away from memory... and to the new fans yet to come, especially with the news that new episodes of VOLTRON will premeire in 1998.
And maybe, someday, I can do something for Peter Keefe and Marc Handler too... thank you.
--Shannon Muir
May 2010 Post-Script: Peter Keefe passed away from throat cancer at the age of 57 on May 27, 2010. I've over the years somewhat downplayed his role in my story, instead often emphasizing Head Writer Marc Handler more. I don't think it was intentional, but it didn't make his involvement any less important. If he never made the initial decision to send my materials from St. Louis back to Marc Handler on the West Coast, the rest never would have happened. Thank you, Peter Keefe, for everything.