ABOUT
H.E. WILBURSON and
The Martian Diaries
I have been fascinated by The War Of The Worlds
for years and I was surprised to learn that it
was originally published as a magazine serialisation before it was first published as a complete
book in 1898. It always seemed to me that H.G. Wells had left questions unanswered, and in
2015 I began to imagine how the story could be continued. I wanted to find a way to use his
original characters to suggest reasons why the Martians invaded our planet in The War Of The
Worlds.
I have always enjoyed Jeff Wayne's musical version of the book, and wondered if it was
possible to create something new, using my own bespoke music and sound effects. I like the
way his version uses minimal narrative very effectively. Because I'm a composer, rather than a
natural writer, I thought the concept may work to my strengths.
With the first volume of my continuation I wrote the chapters in visual ‘scenes’ some of which
are quite short. I deliberately kept descriptive passages to a minimum as the music was
designed to create setting and atmosphere. For this reason book one, The Day Of The Martians
is
a quick listen or read, of around two hours.
After publishing that first audio it became apparent there was a demand for text versions, so in the
subsequent books I gave more focus to the written word and they are each more than double the
length of volume one.
The first volume of The Martian Diaries
series opens in 1913, some years after the first alien
invasion of The War Of The Worlds. I have continued to use H.G. Wells' unnamed writer as my
narrator and although Wells didn't name his wife, I have called her Laura, a popular name of the
time.
In the second volume, Lake On The Moon,
Wells' astronomer Ogilvy becomes the central
character and we learn about his unique involvement with the Martians, and how his own story
is linked to the original alien invasion.
The third volume in the series, Gateway To Mars features a direct descendant of one of Wells'
original characters who is on a quest to find a solution to Marseria, the insidious Martian plague
threatening to extinguish all life on our planet.
For me, there is something timeless about The War of The Worlds, and in the many tribulations
of the characters I believe we find the essence of survival and hope. I can only trust that
The Martian Diaries
series delivers the unexpected and I have fulfilled my wish to entertain listeners
and fans of The War Of The Worlds
alike.
There have been many unlikely, yet timely elements to the project which came together at just
the right moment, and I'm so glad I can share with you The Martian Diaries- a faithful
continuation of
The War Of The Worlds.
THE MUSIC
Some people have asked: “Which came first in the storytelling – the text or the music?”
In most cases it was the text, but I believe the interplay between the script and music helped the project's cohesion, since both came from the same mind.
Electric guitars and synthesizers are very much a part of my sound palette. but I also enjoy using a cathedral organ together with a vintage harp for example, which gives a broader spectrum of distinct mood and colour. Where appropriate, I also like to experiment with a mix of traditional and electrified instruments.
Whilst creating my continuation of The War Of The Worlds, the most important thing has been for the audience to care about
and believe in the characters as much as I do. Whether they read the text or listen to the audio versions, I hope they appreciate and enjoy the stories in The Martian Diaries
series.
THE NARRATION
An audiobook would not be complete without sympathetic narration, and Harry Preston's involvement in The Martian Diaries
came about purely by chance, after I had an unexpected
encounter with a fan of The War Of The Worlds. He told me that Harry would be excellent for the project, and we can only ponder how The Martian Diaries
would have sounded without this
wonderful storyteller's voice and characterisation in the first two volumes.
Terry Thompson's assured narration provides a contrast, and complements Harry's vocal skills with richness and
authority.
Paul Morris provides the narration for volume three, Gateway To Mars, and his experience in acting and audiobook narration is evident in his wide range of voices and engaging
characterisations.
I am grateful to all three narrators for their dedication and unique contributions to The Martian Diaries.
HARRY PRESTON
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TERRY THOMPSON
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PALPAUL MORRIS
Photo: Tenterden Steam Railway.
This scene is from the early chapters of volume one The Day Of The Martians, when the writer and his wife Laura travel to London from their home in Woking, to visit Ogilvy's Exhibition of Martian Artefacts. Terry Thompson, voice actor for The Martian Diaries, and Cheryl Mumford, also an actor, are pictured here with the permission of Tenderden Steam Railway in Kent. The costumes sourced by Ms Mumford capture the mood and era.
