Fan Fiction: Not A Dirty Little Secret At All

I will never forget the day when I discovered fan fiction. I say this as if it was crack cocaine and I should be standing in front of a group of survivors as I relate my story, but it’s true. I was a freshman in college at the time, and the first ‘Lord of the Rings’ film had been released. My best friend invited me to peer onto her laptop and low and behold, there was fic upon it. Now I don’t recall exactly what the story was about or who wrote it, but OMG did I fall hard for the premise.

You mean that the movie doesn’t have to end and that I can have back story, side story, future story and hundreds of versions of each. I’m going to halt the revelation there for a moment, because unlike some fan ficcers, I jumped right straight into hardcore slash. Assuming that some mildly tiptoe there way to hard stuff, I can tell you that it wasn’t long before my hard drive was bursting with files and files of fan fiction.

Mind you that I had been writing fiction since elementary school, but all it took was one short story done upon a dare, to start the fire in me. You see up until the point when I wrote my first LOTR (abbreviations abound) slash fiction, there was something so vital that I was missing and that the fan fiction community gave to me…Feedback!

With the exception of maybe two creative writing classes, which proved dull but mechanically constructive, my training in the literature consisted of studying the narratives of my favorite authors (a million and one styles) and a copy of the Chicago Manual of Style. I could write stories for miles, but with no critical and craving eye upon them, it was more of leisure time activity—nowhere near the obsession that it is today.

Yes in the world of fan fiction, not only did I get immediate comments and encouragement, but I also was turned on to the idea of the BETA reader. More on that later. Within the obsessive sugary arms of fandom, I not only cranked out LOTR fic, but HP, X-Men, Gladiator and Underworld to name a few. Initially, I started off co-writing with my friend Kia, then as the need to produce more set in, I started working independently. I wrote short stories, novellas and later novels. I posted them on LiveJournal and various fandom-centered websites and waited joyously for the comments to flow in.

Let me tell you that when you already have the meat available (i.e. World, Characters, Basic Plot) that composing a tale with a few diversions is a damn good exercise for a wannabe writer. I liken it to one having a coloring book. The outline is already in place, it all in how you color in the lines. You can also use any color crayons you want. The basics are recognizable however you can be as creative as you want.

No more did I have to wait for the next episode, daydream about whatifs, for nearly every show I loved and several movies, I could either search for it online or get to typing. Afterwards, I would have the story beta-read and published online for other addicts. Ahh…memories…I spent quite awhile in world of fandom, (I spend a lot of time in other worlds, Warcraft for example) but eventually my muse got fed up and demanded its own sandbox. Secretly, I began writing *gasp* Orginal Fic. I don’t know whether I’ve mentioned this before but unlike the fanfic, writing original works about characters not known by millions didn’t get quite as much attention. And I was not ready to give that up. The fandom community is a dragon, fierce, strong, protective of its gold and dangerous when ticked off. I loved being a part of the politics, participating in the contests, chatting with other fan fic writers and oh the dishing we did on the actors, writers and storylines of the films and television shows we wrote about.

It was not easy to leave such intensity behind, to kick the habit per se, and oddly enough I was at a convention [Con.txt] when the wake-up call really came. You see there were professional writers at the convention who also (some secretly) wrote fan fic. There were real editors there as well. There were attorneys, housewives, teachers…but I’m straying. It was while bouncing an idea of mine off of another writer that I got the encouragement to submit my original fic to a publishing house and so began that chapter of my life.

Now, even though I have published over seven titles, I still revere and miss the world of fan fiction. Why I imposed my personal ban on writing fan fiction had nothing to do with any failings or politics involved in the community. There are some truly outstanding writers and epic manuscripts coming out of the Fan Fic community…in the end it just came down to me wanted to develop my own source material, but I make no bones about my love and adoration for fan fic writers.

Do I miss it? Hell yeah. Do I read it still…BannerXStark (Please, send me reccs)

Prometheus aka I'm Gonna Pretend... (Warning: Spoilers)

Before, I eveeeeen get started, let me say that I really do hope that anyone who reads this, disagrees with me and tells me why. I don't get paid for movie reviews and I certainly don't study the fine art of movie making. The level of disappointment and sadness that filled me as I left the theater might be wholly irrational. I mean, I have read pretty much all of the trade paperbacks for Aliens, Predator, AVP and own all of the movies. I am a fan of the franchise and that's why I hate that I hated the latest installment.

As I sit here watching James Cameron's turn in the series, "Aliens," I can't help wishing that HE had done the so called prequel. It is important to know that I was warned that Prometheus was not to be taken in the same vein as any of the other Alien films and so I blame part of my mood on by stubborn ignorance.

Let me just set up this shoddy review by stating the premise which is that two scientists embark on an epic journey with corporate backing fro the nefarious Weyland-Yutani corp. to find those who may have created humanity, our Gods, or makers per se. Yes there a lot of references to religion in the film and each one is more ironic than the next. Now, outside of the naivete of seemingly every character in the film except for Vicker's, the suit in charge of the expedition, everyone seems just a little too arrogant for me. They are so fixed on asking their Gods questions but not once does anyone ever question if they are evolved or intelligent enough to ask them questions.

I'm not even gonna talk about the lack of character development and the fact that no, I really didn't give a damn about who died and didn't in the film, but even the action sequences felt flat and dull. Who...Who builds a space ship with no projectile weapons? After the engines, that would be the second thing I designed for a space ship. Let me tell you if the Engineers/Space Jockeys/our makers were looking for a gauge for intelligence, we would have failed that test. Another one, did no one have a test tube? Why weren't extensive tests done on the black goo by someone other than just the robot? Oh yeah, so again with the intelligence test: If an Earth scientist who studies rocks, gets lost in a cave when he was the one responsible for bringing the mapping equipment in the first place then no...humans aren't winning brownie points. Also, if you just gave birth to Cthullu, wouldn't you want everyone to know about it, instead of chumming up with them? Yeah, not smart.

Hmm, being of the mind of someone who might want to observe God and contemplate, rather than think I'm equal enough to "ask" him a question, that may be why I really didn't like the movie. I mean who doesn't know that creation is both a beautiful and violent process? Anyone who watches the Discovery channel should get that nature is chaotic. So nooooone thought that out makers might be? Hmmm.

Going primal, defending oneself and humanity against creations of the Gods is a better summation for the franchise that deeming ourselves evolved enough to have tea with the Gods and it is certainly what separates the Alien franchise from Prometheus, for me. You see, in every other Alien film (the horror and the action ones) humanity has to cut out the bullshit, unit despite difference and go HOSTILE. Ripley wouldn't give a damn about asking the Engineers why they made us! She strap on a hand cannon and put concussion grenades in her belt pouches ans she would give them the business! Oh she didn't need stimulants to do it. (Don't even get me started on how a chick can be drugged, wake up from said drugs, fight off scientist who want to put her in cryo, escape to a medical pod, have a c-section to have Cthullu Jr. and then do a triathlon to ask the Engineers questions)

Ohhh this movie hurt my feeling. Even the main character, whose name I keep forgetting didn't even have the presence or common sense of Newt. If you asked me who I wanted to be in charge it would be the kid, because even she knows when to get the hell out of Dodge! Instead, the main character persists in her mission to interview beings who may have created us, but who wouldn't hesitate to annihilate us...did I mention she made friends with the android who seemed to hold humanity in contempt, the same android that wanted her to give birth to an Old One? For real? ForfuckingReal?

Okay so this movie is waaay too smart and deep for me, maybe? Maybe my hope of seeing a good SyFy Action Horror was misplaced. Sure Ridley Scott is a great director of epic films, but damn, this film was hardly in the same caliber of Gladiator, Blade Runner or even Kingdom of Heaven.

Was it a beautiful film? Yes, it is. Does it tie in a little bit with the franchise? I suppose. Should you see it if you love the Aliens franchise? Ugggh...No. Thankfully I own the Quadrilogy. Today will be spent wiping that film out of my mind with "Aliens" and the first "Predator" with Arnie.

Balticon Report 2012: The Perfect Geek Gathering

I always figured that if I had children then surely they would be geeks, and not just because of my massive B-movie monster film collection, my Godzilla action figures, sci-fi tomes or even the themes of my part-time job of providing content for The Den, but because my kid would see Mom geeking out all the time and would want to participate. As in, “Mom, can I try World of Warcraft? You’ve been playing all day,” or “Look Mom, I painted your model of King Ghidorah?” Alas, this year at Balticon, a Sci Fi/Fantasy and More convention, with so many friends bringing their Geeklings in training and so many older and even elderly Grand Geeks, it dawned on me how well developed Balticon is. There is something for ever sort of geek: Anime, Film, Music, Literature, Crafting, Gaming, Science and even a Children’s Programming. Even the guys at Endlight Entertainment were back with their Ninjas Versus Series. With such a broad range of fields, I’m sure that it would be a wonderful learning and socializing opportunity for children, elder’s and even nongeeks alike!

Taking place in Hunt Valley, MD up in Baltimore, Baltimore nowhere near as crowded as it should be. You won’t often find yourself suffering from claustrophobia, however seating in some of the small panel rooms can get a bit tight but only because the rooms themselves aren’t that big. It’s located close to a wonderful shopping center where food, toiletries, liquor and even a movie theater are readily available. A side trip to the Baltimore Harbor and Aquarium are easily possible. And last but certainly not least, you never know who you may be rubbing elbows with and what they may be able to teach.

This year, I attended quite a few panels on Writing and Reading specifically. Many were good and gave me several recommendations of titles and works to purchase or research, such as “The Sandkings” a short story by George R.R. Martin (who I shall see at Capclave I vow) and “Germline” by T.C. McCarthy who was generous enough to pass out free copies of his books to panel attendees. The panel on “How military Technology is Catching Up with Military SF Tech,” blew me away as I wished it was both longer and I found myself yearning to ask more than a million questions, while jotting down names such as Myke Cole, Bill Fawcett and Charles Edward Gannon. The panel on “Sex in Traditional Fantasy,” was highly insightful in distinguishing the line between the erotica that I write, the more developed fantasy that I want to write and the how both are viewed. Interestingly enough, Ms. Barbara Friend ish was there, of Mercury Retrograde Press who I had met before at a talk hosted by the Library of Congress. Listening to experts and writers is always a joy of mine as I jot down notes and search for ways to improve.

However, of all the events I attended, it was one based on the writing craft that stole the show for me this year, not because I never attend craft courses because I do, but this one resonated with me because truly it was worth the entire admission and stay at Balticon. Taught by the charismatic author Maria V. Snyder, whom I had never even heard of, the class “Poisons and Purple Cows” not only blew me away but encouraged me to buy two copies of her book “Poison Study,” and have them signed! Did I mention that I had never heard of her before and that I usually research things before purchasing? Mrs. Snyder is a mentor with the Masters in Creative Literature Program at Seton Hill (the college I attended before UMD) and getting not one but two free courses in writing was worth the registration fee for Balticon and then some!

Attending panels and talks, book launches and parties at Balticon is one thing, however there was another aspect of convention going that left me jazzed as well: Social Networking! While taking a break between panels, I met the daughter of the owner of Night Shade Industries. Bonding over drink and cigarettes I got several recommendations and ideas during the short span of time that we talked. She hooked me up with not only her kool-as-hell mom, Rose who I shall commission to make this: But they also hooked me up with a superb recommendation (and sampling) of mead, called Bunratty Mead, available for import at a select store in Annapolis.

While there were tons of fun, interesting tidbits and people that I met, unfortunately my addled brain can't recall it all. Will I be at Balticon next year. Surely. Will I see you there? Let me know.