Bible (writing)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A bible in writing, sometimes more prosaically referred to as the writers' guide or story bible, is the standard reference used by writers for information on that story's characters, settings and other elements. They are commonly used in mediums with multiple writers, such as comic books and television series, where new writers and freelancers are often referred to it when writing scripts for the show to ensure continuity with previous episodes, but are also used by individual writers for books and movies, to keep track of details.
[edit] In television
Some shows use a very minimalist bible; others, particularly science fiction series, often go into great detail describing the capabilities and limits of technology used on the show. They are often sought after as collectibles by fans, particularly since they are often updated each season, and have been useful in researching the history of television. However, with the exception of soap operas, they rarely contain information not yet disclosed on air.
There have been a few series, such as The X Files[citation needed], which have elected not to use a bible at all, instead relying on the collective memory of a small group of writers to ensure that all aspects of the series remain constant.
The writer or writers of a show's bible are named after "created by" in the opening credits of every episode whether they have anything to do with that episode or not. Writing the bible of a produced series by itself earns a writer the full 24 units of credit necessary to qualify for membership in, and be required to join, the Writers Guild of America.
