SciFi Question of the Day: If a future human society, either on Earth or a new planet, fully accepted that young people often have their first sexual experience in their late teens, what kind of celebrations or rituals might they develop for the occasion? What euphemisms might be more appropriate than “losing” or “giving” one’s virginity to a sex partner?
Pony Horton You could either say they’ve “been tamed” or “gone wild.”
AmyBeth Fredricksen In one Heinlein book, the family (a very rural, farming family off on some human-colonized world) had a little party for the girl when she came home all excited about what happened in the hayloft with the neighbor boy. Cake and everything!
Geri Bressler I have a pattern for a Booby Cake my mom used to make for bachelor parties. That would make a good sex cake I think! It uses Snow Balls, Coconut, and a little triangle of fabric…I’ll let ya’ll figure out where everything goes.
Geri Bressler Ooh…ooh!! I know! Let the person the cake is for figure out where everything goes! You know, since they know now.
Geri Bressler You could call it a Sharing. I think that sounds better than giving/taking/deflowering/ruining/etc. Wow there are a lot of words for that event!
Cayla Ray Mommy taught me that a good girl shares. 😉
Geri Bressler See?! The whole dialogue changes when you change the language used to describe the event! God I love words
AmyBeth Fredricksen I was taught that good girls don’t… “share.” Well, they share, but they don’t “share.”
Kent Schmidt AmyBeth, I think it was called Santa Carolita’s Day and it shows up in several of Heinleinis novels, most memorably “To Sail Beyond the Sunset” and it became a coming of age celebration as well as a bachonalia (sp?) on some planets.
Brian Covault I’d be concerned too many people would be having sex ONLY BECAUSE they know there would be cake afterward. <g>
Kent Schmidt Theres supposed to be cake?!?! How come nobody tells me these things?
Cayla Ray Is it only one incidence of cake, or can we have cake after each time?
AmyBeth Fredricksen Heinlein also wrote about the family throwing a little party (yes, with cake) when the girls had their first period. I’m not so sure I’d like that… but then again, throwing a party announces to the world that it’s a perfectly natural step in the girl’s “coming of age,” not a sign that she should be shunned by the community until her flow stops.
I wonder if they’d throw a party the first time a boy had a wet dream?
Google Plus Answers
Rebecca Blain Have it be in public and call it a coming of age ceremony or something…?
Jamie Rich I like the idea of friends (and family?) invited to a night, or day of sexual activities, and exploration. Of course that would hafta be SciFi as the invitees would not be judgmental, but rather loving…
Dee M I’d imagine that t would be a coming of age ritual similar to how some societies have that don’t have the same taboo as our society.
In fact there was a Scifi show where teens did loose their virginity and it was not a big deal. The family openly talked about it. Anyone remember Alien Nation?
Rebecca Blain +Jamie Rich You could have that in a fantasy world/setting too, it is all about the presentation.
Jean Auel wrote about such a ritual in her Earth’s Children series. Of course, those were prehistoric humans. But an interesting ritual… certain adult volunteers from the community were selected to take each young person through their first sexual encounter. She wrote about some of the emotions involved, such as young people developing an emotional attachment to their “initiator” and young people chastising one of their own who had apparently “jumped the gun” and had a sexual experience before their initiation ritual.
Wayne Beach Up until the late 19th century such rituals were commonplace in nearly every culture and many rituals still faintly echo them such as Mitzvah’s, “Sweet 16’s”, Quince’s and the like.
I would love to hear what you think! Even if you are reading this post a year or more after publishing, I hope you will leave a comment with your own ideas on this topic.
Rick Chambers is both a writer and a public relations practitioner. He has published a science fiction novel, Radiance, as well as four novelettes and a number of award-winning short stories. He is the owner and president of Rick Chambers & Associates, LLC. Rick brings 30 years of experience in corporate communications, public relations and journalism. Rick began his career as a newspaper reporter, winning awards for investigative journalism and news reporting. He entered the public relations field in 1987, working in the pharmaceutical industry, where he gained broad experience in both internal and external communications, holding key leadership roles ranging from local community relations to global media relations.
Rick is also a lifelong fan of Star Trek. His screenplay for the Star Trek: Phase II episode Bread and Savagery was filmed this June in Port Henry, New York. His next script The Holiest Thing will be filmed for Star Trek: Phase II next June.
1. How much writing did you do before being published?
I’ve been writing stories since I could put words on paper. It became a way to create adventures when I couldn’t play-act them, like during school. I used to blast through my school assignments so I could write stories on loose leaf paper or in spiral notebooks. I would watch a lot of television then–not so much these days–and writing was a way to create new episodes of my favorite shows. I wrote “Lost In Space,” “Gilligan’s Island,” and, of course, lots and lots of “Star Trek.” My first official publication was a memoir I wrote as a teenager about a little boy I knew who died. Unbeknownst to me, someone submitted it to an international church magazine, which gave it a full page and illustration.
2. Have you always considered yourself to be a writer, or was there a time in your life when you decided that is what you were?
I’ve always considered myself a writer, but there were a few events in my younger years that underscored my conviction. The first writing award I ever won was in fourth grade, when I took second place in a school poetry competition–which is funny, because I’ve never considered myself a poet. As the years went on, I started getting a lot of compliments from my parents and my teachers for my writing. I also found that I enjoyed essay assignments at school better than others, which served me well all the way through university. I wrote a lot of fiction during those years, but not for publication.
One of the other highlights was my exposure to C.S. Lewis. I read his Narnia books and his Space Trilogy around age 11, and they sparked my imagination. I remember thinking, especially regarding Out of the Silent Planet and Perelandra, “This is what I want to write!”
Finally, when I was in high school, I mentioned my desire to write as a career to an academic counselor, who promptly told me, “Well, must be you want to starve, then.” I was deeply angered by that statement. You don’t go around quashing someone’s dream. So I was all the more determined to write, both as vocation and avocation.
Picture (used with permission) from MLive article By John Liberty, photo by Mark Bugnaski Longtime “Star Trek” fan and Portage author Rick Chambers has penned an episode for the web-based series, “Star Trek: Phase II.”
3. What is your earliest Star Trek related memory?
Watching “The Corbomite Maneuver” during the first season of The Original Series. I was about five years old, and when Balok’s alter ego appeared, along with that frightening voice by the late Ted Cassidy, I did a “Doctor Who” move and dove behind the couch. I didn’t watch Star Trek again until 1970, when it went into syndication. Not only did I fall in love with the show, but I finally learned that Balok was a little wuss and I could’ve taken him easily!
Rick and his grandkids
4. What prompted you to write a script for Star Trek: Phase II?
One of the other early Star Trek memories I have is watching the TOS episode “Bread and Circuses.” That last scene on the bridge, when Uhura tells Kirk, Spock and McCoy that the “sun” worshippers of the Roman planet were actually “Son” worshippers, just bowled me over. It was a fantastic twist, very much in line with the stuff I loved from Lewis. In my opinion, it begged for a follow-up story. Ironically, I’m not a big fan of sequels, but this was one I wanted to tell. I was well aware of Phase II and the high quality and love they lavished on the show. So I pitched the idea, and to my delight James Cawley and his brilliant team accepted it.
5. What surprised you the most when you first saw the Retro Films Studio?
I was impressed with the resourcefulness of the RFS team. When you drive by the studio, it’s not a place that catches your eye. But inside is this magical world that Trek fans once thought was gone forever. And James and his group have made it happen, with all the quality and commitment to detail that rivals–and beats–any big West Coast studio. It’s to the eternal shame of a writer to admit to being speechless, but when I first stepped onto the bridge set, words failed me. It was incredible, like stepping into a dream.
The cast finally got fed up with the writer.
6. How did you survive the long hours and hot days?
I’m a hot-weather guy, so the heat really didn’t bother me. The hours, on the other hand, were a challenge. My body craves eight hours’ sleep nightly, but there was none of that going on during the shoot! And I didn’t have the time to exercise, which I sorely missed. But the excitement of making Star Trek, real Star Trek, got me and everyone else through the short nights and long days.
7. Were you at all worried about how Phase II would handle the topic of religion?
I think any writer who offers up his or her “baby” for filming secretly frets whether the original intent of the tale will translate to the screen. That’s not limited to topics like religion. What I found in my experience with Phase II was a shared desire by everyone to make a great episode of Star Trek, period. I also found a great respect for the writer’s vision within that context. The process of honing the final script was collaborative from the beginning. Mark Burchett, the outstanding director of Bread and Savagery, had me at his side for every scene and frequently asked my opinion on certain actions or tweaks to dialogue. And the actors constantly sought my view on whether they were doing the script justice. (For the record, they all went above and beyond!) I was blown away by all this, because I doubt that’s the norm in Hollywood. Phase II sets an example of respect and collaboration for everyone involved that the industry–any industry–would do well to emulate.
8. What do Star Trek and CS Lewis’ works have in common?
Both Star Trek and Lewis’ fiction use allegory to challenge people’s assumptions, to get them to look at life in a different way. I’m all for rocking one’s preconceptions, and I do it often in my short stories. That doesn’t necessarily mean trying to change their thinking; it means getting them to understand why they think the way they do, and whether their convictions stand up to their own scrutiny. Lewis used to complain when people assumed he set out to create allegorical tales, particularly with the Narnia books. He claimed that wasn’t true; he simply tried to tell a good story, and the “thought bombs,” as I call them, materialized on their own. I think he was being partially honest, but I suspect he also knew his convictions about humanity, faith and existence would ultimately drive his stories in certain directions. In any event, he got people thinking. Star Trek, at its best, does the same thing.
As a Christian, I was dumbfounded to learn that more people were killed during the 20th century for being followers of Jesus Christ than in the previous 1,900 years combined. I couldn’t understand why we didn’t hear about this on the nightly news. VOM works to raise awareness and provide support for those imprisoned and tortured for their faith, and to support the families of those who are killed or jailed. They report each month on the work they’re doing and the real people they are helping. When I published my novel, Radiance, I gave 100 percent of the first 16 months’ royalties to that organization. No one should be imprisoned, tortured or killed for their religious beliefs, be they Christian or not.
10. How much of yourself did you put into the main character of your novel Radiance?
Almost none. That surprises most people, because the main character, Tristan West, is an ex-PR guy. But for most of the story, he’s a reluctant protagonist–bitter, resentful and a bit of a selfish jerk. I’d like to think I’m not that kind of person. In the end, when his shell of bitterness is stripped away and we see who he really is, a man of integrity, loyalty and faith … that’s the kind of person I hope I am. Or at least I try to be.
11. What is the value of myth?
Let’s define the word first. These days, “myth” is synonymous with “lie” or “false assumption.” They’ve become things we “bust.” But in the beginning, myths were traditional narratives used to share ideas, morals and perspectives. In a way, that’s exactly what Gene Roddenberry did in creating Star Trek. It’s a modern myth that uses the tool of video to make a point, to prompt discussion and introspection. We should not underestimate the value of myth. C.S. Lewis described it like this: “The value of myth is that it takes all the things you know and restores to them the rich significance which has been hidden by the veil of familiarity.”
12. What’s behind the door labeled “Police Public Call Box?”
A bunch of jackets and a 6-inch Dobsonian telescope. (I repainted the closet door in my home office last year to represent the TARDIS.)
13. Can you wear a brown coat with a red shirt?
Only if you’re offering yourself on the menu for Reavers.
14. What social media do you use? Do you combine the personal and professional, the writer and the PR pro?
I’m on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ (though rarely) and Pinterest. I also have my own website for my public relations agency,www.rickchambersassociates.com, which includes a blog that I try to update at least weekly. In my view, writer and PR pro are intricately linked. No one who can’t write will cut it in public relations. And I’m talking about public relations in its true sense, as a means of building relationships, sharing perspectives and generating dialogue–not the unfortunate (and false) stereotype of the slick-haired, glad-handing propagandist.
I had the pleasure of meeting Rick on the set of “Bread and Savagery,” which he wrote. I was trying my hand for the first time as Script Supervisor/Continuity. Long hot days indeed, but watching the Pros at Phase II film REAL Trek was amazing!
15. Which comes more naturally for you, screen writing or novelization?
For me, I’m not sure I can draw a sharp line between the two. Most of my short stories are written like TV shows–a teaser aimed at grabbing the reader, and multiple acts that build toward a climax. As i look back at Radiance, even there I see similarities to the structure of a screenplay. I was thinking recently that I would love to take Bread and Savagery and novelize it. Wouldn’t it be cool to see a Phase II episode among the steady stream of Star Trek novels? (Actually, we’ll get that wish when Dave Galanter’s excellent novel Troublesome Minds is filmed for Phase II this November!)
16. Why did you transition from journalism to public relations?
Journalism was a natural step for me in pursuing a writing career, and I loved it. I was co-winner of a national award for investigative reporting, and I won a number of state awards as an editor and beat reporter. I had lots of great experiences and met many fascinating people, too! But then, as now, it wasn’t a particularly lucrative field. That didn’t really matter to me until I got married. Then I had an offer to join a reputable pharmaceutical company–back in the days when the industry was respected–and I made the switch. It was a nice move because I was doing many of the same things I did as a journalist, only I was doing it for employee publications. Over time, I became involved in other internal communications, as well as on-camera news reporting, speechwriting, media relations, community relations, philanthropy and a bunch of other roles. As a journalist, I worked hard to be fair, balanced, accurate and reputable. I brought those same convictions to my PR job. I’m proud and grateful to say that when I left the corporate world to start my own business, I heard from a lot of folks who affirmed that.
17. You have a long list of awards to your credit! Which is the most meaningful to you?
The most meaningful was being named 2011 Community Trustee of the Year by the Kalamazoo (Michigan) Regional Chamber of Commerce. It recognized my professional accomplishments, including the leadership role I played for my employer at the time, as well as the work I’d done for community nonprofits aiding those in need. I was surprised, touched and humbled by this award. It meant I was making a difference in people’s lives, which is the greatest service one can render.
Rick Chambers Scott Bakula at RTC Quantum Leap convention 03.29.09
18. What is your favorite electronic or digital writing tool?
My aging desktop computer gets the greatest workout, though I often hammer away at stories or blogs on my laptop.
19. What is your favorite non-electronic writing tool?
Paper and Fisher Space Pen! That’s where most of my stories begin.
Han, of course. Han Solo was a bad ass who was ultimately redeemed by his love for Leia and his realization that life was more than the credits he could beg, borrow or steal. The only way I might accept the notion of Greedo shooting first is if, in the next revamp of Star Wars, Lucas has him learning his sharpshooting skills from the Imperial Stormtrooper Academy. We all know stormtroopers can’t hit the broadside of a barn.
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I purposely put off writing this update because I was oh… so close to accomplishing something big! Last week began as a good week of writing for me, but it crashed towards the end. I wrote several chapters of What Would Have Been, my Marie Antionette Story, and I think I can finish it in just two or three more chapters. Undisturbed, I could do that easily in one afternoon.
Undisturbed.
I’m a Mom. Such a thing does not exist.
I have to admit… some days, it wasn’t all disturbances, it was also distractions. But I tend to get very stressed when I just know that I’m going to be disturbed sometime in the next hour… and I don’t know whether that disturbance will be during minute :03 or minute :53. It’s like Chinese water torture, waiting for it to happen. Like now. My teenager will arrive home sometime in the next 45 minutes. It could be 2 minutes… it could be 42. I’m writing this blog post anyway. But would I dive into my WIP or try to wrap my head around a story knowing I was about to be interrupted? Not likely. What I am likely to do in that time is…
Oh look… a kid… BRB…
Five Hours Later…
All right. One track meet down, hubby is serving dinner, and now I can take a few moments to finish this post, and hopefully hop around some other ROWers’ posts as well.
Goals…
Spend one more week wrapping up stuff before I dive in. I had some great 2k+ days, then some 0.2k days last week. We finally received a long-awaited reimbursement, and I might indulge in a portable word processor that would let me take my WIP to the track or the park… or bed! I can better gauge what’s a good goal for me once I start using the portable machine and finish the old project.
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SciFi Question of the Day: If a hypothetical SciFi writer advertised “Free Higgs Boson particle with every purchase” would you buy their hypothetical book?
I would love to hear what you think! Even if you are reading this post a year or more after publishing, I hope you will leave a comment with your own ideas on this topic.
Jenny Lyn is a writer of stories and a lover of all things southern, including her tiny hometown in north-central Florida, where she’s resided all of her life. Wedged between the historic Suwannee River and the beautiful Gulf of Mexico, it’s hot, sticky, and full of mosquitoes, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. When she’s not pecking away on her laptop and arguing with the voices in her head, she’s fishing with her husband or taking her teenage son to see one of their favorite rock bands in concert. She has one book published, Saving Sydney; a short story in the upcoming erotic anthology, Felt Tips; and many more things in the works. She can be found rambling about everything from Elvis to moonshine at her website: http://www.authorjennylyn.com, and often saying inappropriate things on Twitter @Jennylynwrites.
1. You’re a romance writer, yet the first post I see on your blog is about SciFi! Are you a fan?
Well, the funny thing about my blog is that it’s probably the least “romance-y” website of any romance writer out there. I talk about everything – birds, Elvis, being a redneck, movies, whatever. That post you read was about my excitement over the movie Prometheus, which has cooled since seeing it. 😦 You’ll have to read my follow-up post where I reviewed it. No spoilers, I promise, just a lot of ranting.
I am a fan of some Sci-fi movies. I love Alien and Aliens, J.J. Abrams’s Star Trek (though I’m not a Trekkie), the original Star Wars trilogy. The “prequels” I didn’t enjoy, thanks to the dude who butchered the part of Anakin Skywalker. I also love the Halo video games and its storyline. I don’t play, I just watch my son. He keeps trying to get me to read the books. I adore the movies with Sci-fi elements that meld genres, Super 8 for instance.
2. Would you consider writing SciFi?
Probably not. I have a huge amount of respect for Sci-fi writers, with their unique creations of distinct worlds and languages and weaponry, etc. I doubt I could do that justice. I’m a big believer in finding your own personal writing niche and sticking with it. That’s not to say I don’t think you should spread your wings occasionally, but we’re usually better where we’re most at home.
3. I loved Alien vs Predator! Does that make me weird too?
Of course not! But let’s face it, that wasn’t a very popular installment in the series, was it? Even my family rolls their eyes at me when I watch it. I just find the Aliens and the Predators to be two of the most detailed, scary space monsters ever created. I think another thing that appeals to me about AVP is that a woman is the lone survivor. 🙂
4. What research did you do in order to answer the last question in this interview?
I asked my son to recap the scene for me without offering his personal views on what happened so I could form my own opinion. He has both versions, the original and the “altered” re-issue. I chose to comment on the re-issue, but either way it wouldn’t change my opinion of Han. I was always a bigger fangirl of him over Luke.
5. I’m also a native Floridian, but it seems weird to say that since I haven’t lived there since I was two. I’ve heard that Floridians are “real” southerners… where’s the logic in that?
There is no logic in that, unless you’re only talking about geography. Sometimes when I speak to customers on the phone at my day job they’ll comment on my accent. They automatically think I’m from Georgia. People that don’t live in the south tend to not think of Florida as being a “southern” state in terms of traditions, dialect, mannerisms, etc. I always say you can’t get much more southern than Florida, but I’m speaking strictly in terms of location on a map. And perhaps people don’t qualify us as southern in the same sense they would Alabama or Georgia or Tennessee because our state represents a lot of different nationalities and cultures, depending upon what town you’re in. I’m speaking strictly about my neck of the woods, more north-central and up.
Our state gets a bad rap a lot in the press and I’m always quick to defend it. We shouldn’t be judged on the whole based on the actions of a few. The area where I live is in the crook of the state, or the “Big Bend”. It’s still what I do call “old Florida”. There are lots of natural resources with very little over-population, which sadly, the bottom part of the state suffers from. We have lakes, rivers, natural springs, ancient Oaks, Pine forests, Magnolias, Dogwoods, Spanish moss, alligators, and Mosquitoes the size of Hummingbirds. I love it when people visit my little town and tell me they had no idea Florida was like this. That makes me very proud to live here. Can you tell?
6. Have you found any way to capitalize on the fact that you have the same name as a famous porn star?
Erm, no. I have gotten a few hits on my website, but I’m sure they’re awfully disappointed at the lack of available “material” when they get there.
7. What is the most memorable (or disturbing) thing Tiffany Reisz has ever tweeted?
Ah, that’s easy and very memorable for me!
“So @AllieSanders & I have decided that the first story in FELT TIPS will be @JennyLynwrites’ as it best captures the spirit of the antho. — Tiffany Reisz (@tiffanyreisz)”
I danced and cried and squealed about that Tweet for several days. Nothing she says ever disturbs me.
8. When you first heard about Felt Tips, did you immediately have a story idea?
Actually, when I first saw her tweets about submitting stories for the anthology, I wavered on writing something. I put it off until a week or so before the deadline, and then one day (at work, of course) the idea for my story came to me out of the blue. I tend to do better with writing short stories when I’m under a little bit of pressure to perform. I don’t know why that is, but it just comes easier for me when I have parameters. I had the story, which is called INDELIBLE, written in two days, then I spent a couple more tweaking it before sending it in. I didn’t hear a word from her so I figured she hated it, or it wasn’t up to par with the other submissions and I was going to get a polite rejection. I finally caved and sent her an email to just make sure she got it, and she said she couldn’t find it and would I resend it to her. I had her response back within the hour telling me she loved it.
9. What’s the best thing about being a part of an anthology?
This is my first anthology, but I hope it’s not my last. For me, so far, the best thing has been making connections with all the great writers involved in the project. And we’re all very diverse in our writing backgrounds. There are men and women, erotica writers, Sci-fi writers, poetry writers, even a few first-timers. With 44 stories, there’s bound to be something for everyone.
And this anthology in particular is for charity! I see great things ahead for it.
10. What was the path to publication for Saving Sydney?
I wrote the manuscript over two years ago, then sat on it for awhile, which I think a lot of newbies like me do sometimes. I kept tweaking it and rewriting, working up my nerve, and really just doing way too much self-editing. That’s a problem of mine. When I finally decided I was going to try submitting, I picked a few epublishers and sent it out. Within a week I had interest from LooseId, asking to see the full manuscript. Then came the rejection from them (although, it was a very nice, personal one from Tere Michaels), saying it didn’t have quite enough heat for them, but that they liked my clean writing style and my characterization, and to think of them again for my next project.
Then came the offer from Breathless Press, which having already been rejected once, I jumped on it, maybe a bit too quickly, but that’s another story. It was only a few weeks later that I got an actual phone call from the third publisher, also offering, but I had to turn her down because I had signed a contract with BP.
Overall, the experience was very encouraging and positive, which I know is not always the case with first-timers.
11. What heat level is Saving Sydney?
Obviously not hot enough for LooseId! LOL The sex is explicit and detailed and hot, if I may say so myself. It definitely falls well into the parameters of erotic romance. On a scale of 1 – 5, I’d say it’s a 4. The sex is primarily vanilla, literally in one scene where the hero uses frosting from a birthday cake, but there’s a little light bondage thrown in too. I really loved all the characters in the book, and I’ve received some very nice reviews.
12. What are the lines between romance, erotica, and porn?
I think they’re getting blurrier every day, but here’s my take on it. Romance is a very broad brush, but I’d say it’s anything with a love story at its core and a HEA ending. Erotica, if it’s good, is sexy, explicit, smart, physically and emotionally stimulating, but doesn’t require a HEA or even a HFN. Porn is…aimed toward your genitals only, in my opinion.
13. Would you rather be known for writing that one perfect bestseller that turns into a living classic, or a long series of only mildly-successful novels?
That’s a tough question. The book/author that immediately pops into my head is “To Kill a Mockingbird”, by Harper Lee. I’d take that kind of notoriety over mild success any day.
14. What are you working on next?
I’ve just finished a full-length (98,000 word) erotic romance set here in Florida on the banks of the beautiful Suwannee River in a fictional town called Trespass. My intentions are a 3-book series with a different H/h for each book, yet still intertwined. I’m debating on whether or not to seek an agent or stick with epubbing it.
I’ve got a few more books I’m trying to finish and way too many started!
15. Many writers go through a stage when they hate what they’re writing. Do you ever feel this way?
I wouldn’t say that I’ve ever hated anything I’ve written, I just haven’t fallen in love with it. If that happens it goes into the “Unfinished Works” folder. I try not to spend too much time on things that aren’t working for me. After all, if it’s not happening for me when I’m writing it, how can I expect it to work for a reader?
16. What is your ideal writing environment? Have you ever been able to create it?
Has anyone? Maybe Stephen King or Nora Roberts or Nicholas Sparks. Ideal for me is a cottage somewhere on the water (I am a true Pisces) with no distractions and all the time in the world to write on a brand spanking new Macbook Pro. The best I can do is a few hours each evening at a tiny desk in front of a window that overlooks an open field with the door closed to keep out family and pets.
17. What is your favorite electronic or digital writing tool?
My laptop, though she and I do occasionally have a spat.
18. What is your favorite non-electronic writing tool?
A spiral notebook, a pen and my imagination. Sorry, that’s three.
Gibson Watching the Birds
19. What is the most persistent distraction from writing?
Everyday life, the internet and television. Damn, that’s three again. Obviously, I have a problem following orders.
Well, it’s very close on who pulled the trigger first (depending on which version of the movie we’re talkin’ here), but the important thing to me was that Han didn’t miss. Since it’s the first time we meet Han we have to see him as a sci-fi version of Clint Eastwood. The romance writer in me sees him as a little bit of a roguish anti-hero, but that’s my favorite kind. Flawed, but still redeemable in the end. And mighty handsome too!
Yesterday I received an e-mail letting me know that a short story I submitted has been accepted to an anthology! This means I have two stories coming out in two anthos… one in the fall, the other in December.
I spent the last round tying up loose ends, and mostly succeeded. I spent the last two weeks working on the Star Trek: Phase II shoot Bread and Savagery. It was an incredible experience, not just as a Trekkie, but as a novelist. Being intimately involved with the production of a story from script form to action was relevatory.
But now I’m very much out of the writing habit.
I’m also very unsure of what my goals should be. My Marie Antionette fantasy has gone on for six months now, far longer than I’d planned for this serial “short.” I need to concentrate on the Pangalactic Sojourners, as an editor has expressed interest in them. That little spark of interest by someone who could greatly help me further my writing career should be enough to inspire me to delve headfirst into a writing frenzy! And I’d love to do exactly that. However, real life makes demands, and I can never have as much time as I’d like to write.
So my goals for this round?
Spend the first week writing as much as possible, and gauge what a realistic daily writing goal should be. I know I can do 1k1hr when I’m warmed up and in writing mode. This first week, I’ll have to take as an initiation to getting back into that mode.
At the beginning of the second week, write more specific goals.
Good things are happening. Now I have to make sure I follow through, and don’t let a good thing pass me by.
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SciFi Question of the Day: If we had the technology that allowed you to cheaply order a car with modern innards but looking like any pre-2000 car, what would you choose?
Geri Bressler 1963 Volkswagon Superbeetle…but I’d rather have the original workings. So much cheaper to fix and easier to keep running! Oh…but I’d really need AC. Seriously. Good AC. Like Arctic even.
AmyBeth Fredricksen Robert that’s not the one that was too big for me to get into without jumping, was it?
Gwendolyn Wilkins That really is a toughy – there were so many beautiful vehicles in the 20th century. Unfortunately I don’t know makes and models well, but let’s got with one of those big black cars from the 30’s you’d expect a Chicago gangster to drive 😉
William J. Teegarden 1930 Duesenberg Dual Cowl Phaeton, or 1936 Auburn 852 Supercharged Boattail Speedster, hands down.
Brittany Constable Oo, the Cord is nice, too. I flipped through my stepdad’s big old book of classic American cars and discovered that my taste definitely runs to the cars of the ’20s and ’30s, which I guess isn’t much of a surprise, because so much of my other tastes favor that era as well. So now my stepdad’s keeping an eye out for something for me. Husbandperson wants a Morgan, but that’s probably only going to happen if we win the lottery or otherwise become independently wealthy.
It’s funny, husbandperson and I have actually talked about the viability of either putting out fiberglass kits of old cars that are made to run with electric or biodiesel engines and modern mechanics, or just actually producing the finished product. I love the look of the old cars, but not how they drive. (Though the ’38 has power brakes and steering, which makes life easier.) Purists might consider it sacrilige, but if we were to get our hands on a classic car, we’d definitely modernize it.
I would love to hear what you think! Even if you are reading this post a year or more after publishing, I hope you will leave a comment with your own ideas on this topic.
Christopher Clark (A.K.A. Steven Leo MacPatches Tomahawk Panama Brown Seagal) is not a writer. He has nothing to do with Science Fiction or Romance other than that he reads. In fact, I’m not exactly sure why I’m interviewing him. I think it has something to do with the fact that this interview is scheduled for the end of the two-week Bread and Savagery shoot with Star Trek:Phase II, and I really needed a filler different, interesting and new interview for that week since I’ll be so busy.
When Christopher is not working on a batch of home brewed beer, he can be found making deep and snarky comments on my Google Plus posts.
1. Our last e-mail exchange ended with you recovering from head trauma… are you all right?
i dont exactly…. recall that. I, oooh wait yeah, im fine i kinda just smashed myself in the face with a hand tool. lot of blood, some booze helped kill the pain now its all better. well not all better, i mean its like a huge bruise and its all kinda of sore. but overall fine.
Oh its also Nice of you to burn one of my 20 questions on my apparent safety and health, iv never done an interview and its nice to get that extra leg up.
Im not Exactly sure what you mean by that question, as juvenile
Not fully grown or developed, if its some kind of flirting to say i look younger than i am, im honored
but if you mean in a more ‘of or denoting young birds that have developed their first plumage of adult feathers’ kind of way then thats just a sick thing to say to someone whom suffers from both Ornithophobia and Pteronophobia and it would suit you well to avoid such topics or know your Interviewee a little better!
No but really, you know the Old saying Men age like fine wine, and you know how a great bottle of wine sits on that rack and Begs to be opened. well in my family you can’t open a bottle of wine without a great story, my being juvenile is just my way of saying get me off this rack, lets have story time
3. I thought you were going to take my Nessie-avatar picture and turn them into ninjas… why is one of them wearing a witch’s hat?
Please Note
*May 23, 2012 Edit*
i kinda want to edit them, make them ninjas….or wizards
i know my art is a little bad, but please don’t confuse my wizard hat with a witches hat.
More importantly you should take note and ask Why i didn’t keep to my word on your Share of my image that stated “*edit When im sober enough to try, im going to add a Kilt, because the Boy Nessie cant be a Scottish monster without a kilt” and the reason behind that was because when i sobered up, adding a kilt did not sound like fun, Plus work wasn’t all that great the next day and frankly, i think it would have just looked silly, a Kilt on a wizard-lake monster
No, No that simply Would not do.
4. I just discovered an illustration you did on a paper towel for my short story Intergalactic Bacon. Why didn’t you show me this before now?
I sooooooo totaly did, infact you can click to see whom it was shared with, you are the ONLY person i shared it with, when i saw this question i even made up a Huge elaborate lie about how i was embarrassed and everything, till i went back and looked…. your clever almost got me.
also, after i finished photoed and shared that one, i did a better one on a post-it note, i’ll include a photo of it with this email,… maybe i might share it on G+ because i know you’re most likely never to see it.
5. What is your favorite incarnation of Star Trek?
its All about T.N.G. as a 5 year old child sitting in mom’s Lap watching the Premiere episode of what will soon be my new Heros.
Falling asleep to the best comfort any child could have next to his mommy, then in syndication, it was the only thing that got me through both the lonely painful process of Puberty with medication for anxiety, and high school in general.
and now as an adult, the hours of meaningless Debate spawned by a beer and an old episode of TNG has gained me most of my dear friends than my simple charm ever could.
6. Have you ever read a romance novel that wasn’t just a SciFi novel with a romance on the side?
really, they make them in Sci-fi too?!? when did this start?
my mother has this collection of books, and i mean… our local library looks small in comparison.
books on Tarot, Stuff on Dreams, Power tool manuals, Home Building guides, medicine and all the standard stuff, but then… there’s this special storage shed she built for her Romance novels.
(okay its really for her tools and antiques but its filled with boxes and boxes and more boxes of her collected romance novels)
of course being the momma’s boy that i am, my mom was cool to me. so i read a lot of those too, in fact all her books are willed to me. (cant exactly donate them to a public library they dont have the storage capacity we do
she won’t throw them out, she refuses to every throw out a book, but its not like she can donate them to the local schools)
7. Team Edward or Team Jacob? Team Peeta or Team Gale?
Ha! as if, @TeamCoco, well What i mean to say is, i have no idea who those teams are…..
but dont spoil it for me, i’ll get to those teams some day. im way behind in my reading.
(do me a favor and write a better answer for me if those are some of the great classics i skipped over)
why not something simple like, Picard or Kirk, Lord of the Rings or Chronicles of Narnia, Star Trek or…. whatever the other one is.
8. What does it take to grow hops in New Mexico?
what a lovably drastic topic change, well Hops (Humulus Lupulus) are a fast growing vine that requires large amounts of sunshine and nutrients from the soil to sustain their rapid growth.
To grow hops you generally must be between the 35th and 55th parallel, elevation may make it possible to grow hops at slightly lower latitudes.
and i live in the 32-ish parallel but at a nice dizzying 7000 ft altitude.
im in NO way an expert, and my hops going is more of a very hopeful experiment, there have been alot of reported Hops gardens further south than us, but most of those people have at least some kind of experience, this is my first garden.
but from what i hear it grows wild in majority of the world, so i thinks with enough water, the chicken coop going in right next to it, and the neighbor’s horse pen right behind it, for nutrients and the 9-ish hours of sunlight spot it has, i think its got a pretty good chance.
9. What would it take to grow hops on the moon?
well, it would be as simple as any other plant on the moon i guess, a nice aeroponic the 20-ish foot of vine might take up a little more room than welcomed in a cramped moon lab, but different breeds different lengths and whatnot, i think it would be pretty simple.
iv been looking into the set-up NASA uses for their potatoes and whatnot, and that’s doable if you can dedicate the square footage to the project im sure the O2 return and the preservative nature might almost even make it worthwhile to do as an early settlement crop.
10. If you could successfully grow hops on the moon, what else would it take to produce beer on the moon?
What else depends on who’s rules you follow, if you follow german beer rules
Reinheitsgebot (1487)“requiring that beer have only four ingredients: water, malt, hops, and yeast.”
by that rule you would need only to grow some Malts and Hops, maybe melt the ice of a comet or have to produce your own water, then if your growing in a greenhouse, you will already have some yeast floating in the air, provided your air filters airnt to strict.
I myself Prefer the Belgian Style. Belgian brewing tradition also dates back centuries, and Belgians took a completely different approach to beer than some of their German counterparts. Belgian brewers often have a flair for the eccentric, adding all sorts of herbs and spices to their beers, while some simply stick to a method of manipulating fermentation temperatures to create incredible flavors from their yeast. This free approach to brewing has produced some of the most unique and interesting beers on the planet, and their approach is being adopted by brewers around the world.
11. What effect would the moon’s lower gravity have on the brewing process?
on the brewing yes, and the storage
the reason we boil the water (212 degrees Fahrenheit) is to kill off any bad yeast or germs and stabilize the Wort (thats what unfermented beer is called) for the addition of hops and to propare the best possible medium for fermentation. Boiling at that atmospheric pressure… errrrrh thats math i cant even start to wrap my head around.
Luckily there are Much smarter people than myself working on that http://gizmodo.com/5652163/astronauts-cant-enjoy-beer-but-theres-a-solution-coming
12. What’s the difference between scotch and whiskey? Could either be produced on the moon?
OOOOh thank ‘Q’ an easy answer the difference between Scotch and Whiskey
1st and foremost American and Irish liquor producers tend to favor the spelling WHISKEY, while Canadian, Scottish, and Japanese producers tend to favor (or should I say, favour) WHISKY.
so the first distinction you should notice if you say Whiskey, its american or irish, dont get me wrong a tall neat glass Whiskey is a great way to spend an evening, but I’m a scotch guy. what exactly am i doing different? well
Scotch is Whisky there is No difference but there is one of those silly rules, its segregation its mean but it helps with classification and keeps things ‘pure’
Mexico has the same thing classification with the local alcohol its called Tequila, and can be produced only in specifically designated geographic areas, primarily the state of Jalisco in west-central Mexico.
Champaign isnt True Champaign unless made in Champagne France,
Scotch is just Whisky made in Scotland Single malt is just bottled up one recipe of (they will mix batches for consistency in flavor but only one recipe) all Scottish made whisky, Mixed or Blended Scotch is mixed from scotch made from a group of Scotch distillers.
However, as for If it could be made on the moon, Damn lady i aint got no PHD in physics, i suppose a little a little centrifugal force for keeping the Mash (what booze is called before its Distilled) apply some heat maybe a slight vacuum to help guide the vapor into a collection area. i think it would be Possible.
13. Would a winery be easier or more difficult to establish on the moon?
EVERYTHING about wine is easier. Except the waiting, i think really, thats all wine really is, bottled time.
14. Once you have a successful lunar brewery, how will you take what you’ve learned and adapt it to Mars?
are you asking for a challenge!?! I will do both projects at the same time, i don’t suspect it would take longer for either of them and adapting one to the other, as long as the material could be grown and spared from food storage
15. You get 1 Mythbuster, 1 Starfleet Officer, and 1 Superhero to help you build your Lunar and Martian brewery empire. Who do you choose and why?
Adam Savage, i know he likes Scotch, Jamie seems a party pooper, like he wouldn’t be fun to throw a few back with. if you can’t drink with them, you sure can’t make a business of making drinks with them, Maintenance Engineer Rom, because as long as i don’t rip him off his brother Quark would be indebted to help me out, and i need new and undiscovered adjuncts for my beer production, and he’s also a built in distributor, so like…. bonus….
and then i need funding, and and transportation, Tony Stark mega-multi-billionaire-super-mega-Engineer-genius/ Iron Man because he likes a drink now and again also.oooooh and because he could help fund it….. and build an Iron suit Fleet to haul massive amounts of product.
16. You can choose a “companion” from either the Dr. Who Universe or the Firefly Universe to run your front office. Which do you choose?
do you mean a companion like the profession of character Inara Serra, or just whom i think would be best in an office in charge of my front office of the brewery? if we are talking my money is on the line, well i haven’t watched all like what 20ish years of Dr.who (i never much cared for it) and i haven’t seen firefly for so long i can’t remember half of it, i’ll make Tony Stark Hire someone for that, maybe even ask Quark from my prior answers.
17. If you could remake any SciFi movie, and add ninjas, which would you choose? Would the ninjas be protagonists or antagonists?
i think i would Add Ninjas to the Star Trek Movies,
Now Hold on i know that annoys people right off the bat, but lets be fair Star Wars Had Ninjas, them Sneeky Sith baddies, even some of the Jedi has some pretty sick Ninja Moves.
Serenity Had that one chick, TOTAL NINJA
the closest thing Star Trek Gets to Ninjas…. Klingons…. unless… well maybe you can count the romulans
I think all sides Need a little more ninja, and the federation outfit lends itself sooooo well to a little Ninja redesign. its not because i think the story needs it, not because i think the movies really Need anything
But the Popular movies of the day seem to be sporting Battle scenes, its just what sells to the masses, forget story or dialog, Massive Battles, Lasers, Phasers and Bat’ leth, Blood Spraying Bodies piling up…. it would sell it, a rebirth of Star Trek, sorry Gene yours was better by far, but this is what the people want now.
18. Would you stick a tiny fish in your ear if it would give you the ability to automatically understand any language?
you can give me the mutation,technology,or fish excrement in my ear to make me understand the dialect of any thing, but you can’t force me to understand what the hell they’re all talking about.
19. Was Starbuck a better character as a male or female?
who cares? ones a smuggler ones a bounty hunter, one does things the government says you shouldn’t do, the other, a vigilante(by standards of actions not as a synonym). a person (a private individual (or (pl.) group of individuals) who presumes to carry out extralegal punishment in defiance of existing law.[1]Lynching is a principal form of vigilantism and was practiced widely in the United States particularly — though not exclusively — as an attempt to control and intimidate non-white and non-Christian citizens. Posses comitatusrepresent another form of vigilantism.)
I abhor both practices, and think the chaotic warship of the franchise of star wars and the characters therein is offencive. promoting a character as a hero, or even an anti-hero whom Main storyline is, stealing, illegal trespass and sales of illegal or untaxed goods is just incorrect, even for the era in which it was released to the public.
I could only hope the practice of the use of the concept ‘Good vs Evil’
Hero Vs Villain Or the less likeable but more Likely Anti-Hero Vs Half second of side character as literature filler to show how ‘badass’ this smuggler character is’ is discontinued and not used in movies or ever again. Except in cases where extreme bias is and only one-sidedness is the style that the story in question is being told.
Moreover in the midst of typing this micro rant i was tweeted by on Mr. @Angry_Han_Solo whom has informed me, that he in fact shot first, as the only living person from said incident, i am inclined to believe he would know best.
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Caroline Glenny As an Englishwoman it would have to be a cup of sweet tea!
AmyBeth Fredricksen But Caroline … in the US, “sweet tea” is a concoction most common in the south, which is cold ice tea with a LOT of sugar in it… surely a good Englishwoman would give him, oh, Earl Grey? Hot?
Caroline Glenny I’m thinking a good old fashioned hot cup of whatever tea was on offer at the supermarket last week! 🙂
Gwendolyn Wilkins Coffee, if I had it. All distraught spacemen drink coffee!!!
(Hmmm….gonna have to go out and buy some….) ;P
Google Plus Answers:
Moe Tousignant Point to Tassimo, point to shelf of 12 or so options. Say “take your pick”
Paul Carroll Tea. It helps with everything. And obviously I’d need to offer a hot towel. Unless he has one of his own. (And where would a spaceman be without his towel?)
michael interbartolo Tea, because it is most likely the Doctor or maybe River Song in that spacesuit.
Laston Kirkland I can do tea, coffee, or cocoa in less than sixty seconds. I can add rum or vodka or amaretto on request. Calm down, stop waving the hand blaster… what are you doing in my kitchen acting like that, and where are your manners?
Jenn Kirkland Which species? Time Lords usually need tea. Vulcans, um… plomeek soup? No idea what kind of hot beverage your average Cylon needs…
Moe Tousignant Yeah my first answer was beer, but then I noticed ‘hot beverage’ that changed things.
Jenn Kirkland Oh, and for the record, if it was the Doctor showing up in our living room, our nine-year-old would approximate fish fingers and custard, make him a cup of cocoa (but never beans, bad bad beans) and then demand to go with him.
Also because we don’t have coffee and we only have cheap cocoa. We have very nice tea, though, because I insist on quality tea.
Twitter Answers:
Eric SatchwillEarl Grey tea..I would love to hear what you think! Even if you are reading this post a year or more after publishing, I hope you will leave a comment with your own ideas on this topic.
When Terry Morgan isn’t working with Star Trek: Phase II, he’s working his day job as a professional magician. He is a true, seasoned-pro. Having started in magic at the age of 7, Terry has been lucky enough to see and learn as much magic as any of us could wish for. He’s had the priveledge of spending time with such legendary magicians as Doug Henning, Harry Blackstone Jr., and the amazing Kreskin to name only a few. He has performed at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, CA, and was hired by Disney to perform at 2 of their magic shops at the Magic Kingdom. In the past 20 years Terry has performed at countless private functions, been hired by major companies to work their trade shows, and has been seen at many resorts throughout the area. Terry is also in demand to provide magic lessons and has been asked to present lectures to fellow magicians on many original effects he has created. A well-polished act is always a treat, treat yourself to seeing Terry Morgan.
1. If Star Trek, the original series (which lasted three seasons) was supposed to be a five year mission, what happened to those last two years?
That assumes that one season equals one year, the three seasons of Star Trek could have taken place in only the first year of the five year mission.
Assuming that one season equals one year, the remaining two years would be covered in the New Voyages and Phase II episodes.
2. Of all the Star Trek fan-films out there, what sets Phase II above and apart?
Two thing stand out for me.
The quality of the episodes and the involvement of Industry Professionals. Anyone who watches the New Voyages/Phase II episodes in order, will see an exponential improvement in quality from one episode to another. Each episode we learn things which allow us to make even better episodes in the future.
Many TV and movie professionals (some who worked on the original Star Trek) volunteer their time and talent just because they are fans and want the opportunity to make new episodes of Star Trek. Many of our scripts were written by legendary Star Trek writers such as D.C. Fontana and David Gerrold.
3. Who makes money off of it?
No one involved in the production makes any money. Everyone involved in the production is there on “their own dime”. We all pay for our own lodging, food and necessities during a shoot. The only ones benefiting financially from Phase II are the motels, hotels, cabins, restaurants and stores patronized by our volunteers.
4. How does the Phase II budget compare to that of the original series?
We are making episodes of Star Trek for a fraction of the original series budget (and that’s in 1960’s dollars). The biggest saving of course, is labor costs. Since we are a crew of volunteers, the episode budget covers such things as building materials, carpet and paint, fabric for costumes, makeup, etc., etc., etc.
5. If copyright laws allowed Phase II to charge a dollar for every download, how would that change the budget?
Since our episodes have been seen by millions of people worldwide, we wouldn’t need to worry about budget. We would have enough money to make the episodes and perhaps provide lodging and food for the volunteers.
6. How is it possible to have professional looking special effects in a show that is produced by volunteers?
Thankfully, we have many talented volunteers who do either do special effects for a living or for fun. Industry name such as Tobias Richter and Pony Horton are involved in our production. We have also had a good relationship with schools that teach how to create special effects. The Dave School in Orlando Florida provided special effects for one of our episodes as a class project. We also have Pyrotechnic expert Howard Brown to handle effects such as smoke, sparks, fire and explosions.
7. Have you ever been working with someone on set or in the green room, covered in paint or doing something else not-so-glamorous, just to realize later that the person was famous or otherwise highly-accomplished?
Many times. One which quickly comes to mind is one of our G&E crew. In real life he is a prominent psychiatrist. The actor who plays Dr. McCoy is a real life Doctor. The actor who plays Captain Kirk is the best Elvis Impersonator in the World.
8. From how far away do people come to work on a Phase II Shoot?
We have people come from all over the World. We have had volunteers come from England, Australia, China and Spain. We have people from this country come from Washington State, California, Florida and all points in between.
Terry With Barbara Luna
9. Why do so many people not only donate their time and talent, but pay their own way, even pay their own room and board to participate in a Phase II shoot?
This is a Star Trek fan’s ultimate fantasy. Star Trek Conventions are fun, but we would rather “make” Star Trek than stand around and “talk” about it. We have had the chance to sit down and talk (and joke) with Walter Koenig (Chekov), George Takei (Sulu), Barbara Luna (Marlena Moreau), Denise Crosby (Tasha Yar), Gil Gerard (Buck Rogers) and Director/Author David Gerrold among others. So far, I have personally participated in the filming of seven episodes. Many of my fellow volunteers have been doing it longer than I have. All these folks have become my second family. Recently, two of our volunteers past away unexpectedly. Members of their Phase II family attended the funerals along with their actual families. I look forward to each shoot as a family reunion.
10. If a fan wanted to donate a few dollars to help Phase II, how would they do so? How would the money be used?
All donations will be used to cover production costs for such things as building materials, carpet and paint, fabric for costumes, makeup, etc., etc., etc.
11. How many different hats have you worn with Phase II?
Just two.
My main job is Security. I am a “real” Red Shirt Security Officer. What do I do?
Mainly make sure no one has access to the studio except authorized personnel. I also give the actors privacy to rest, study lines or get their make up applied. Occasionally, I have to escort people off the property for disturbing the production by refusing to follow rules.
I have also worked as a driver, picking up or dropping off cast members and crew members at the Albany and Burlington Airports
12. At the time this interview goes up, you, my hubby and I will all be knee deep (or more) in a sleep-deprived marathon of shooting, sharing a hotel room with who knows how many other people. Do you have a high tolerance for snoring roommates?
Since I snore myself, I am very tolerant of others with the same problem.
I am usually one of the first people at the studio and one of the last to leave, so I usually have no problem falling asleep. If sharing a room, I always recommend ear plugs just to be safe.
13. How would you describe Port Henry to someone who has lived their entire life in the Los Angeles area?
A beautiful small town that has seen better days financially. Some of the stores on Main Street have closed due to competition from the nearby big name stores. But many businesses have survived and provide nearby opportunity for food and other necessities. The view of Lake Champlain from Port Henry is one of the best on the entire lake. The people of Port Henry are friendly and are no longer surprised to see cast members in full make up and costume walking the streets of the town.
14. Of all the Phase II episodes that have been released, which is your favorite?
World Enough and Time
In my humble opinion, everything about this episode is top notch.
The story, the acting (George Takei and Christina Moses were outstanding), the lighting, the special effects (especially the Shuttle Bay sequence), the humor and the very emotional ending. I believe that it not only qualifies as the best episode of New Voyages/Phase II but one of the best Star Trek episodes EVER (including The Original Series).
My opinion may be clouded because of my emotional involvement with the episode. I was there when it was being filmed and I attended its first showing at a major Science Fiction Convention (Shore Leave). We showed the episode to a full Ballroom on Friday night. When the episode ended, many people came up to us crying, hugged us and thanked us for bringing back “real” Star Trek. I was never as proud to be involved in anything in my life as I was that night. When word got around about the episode, the organizers asked us to do another showing on Sunday morning. Again the Ballroom was full and we got the same audience reaction when the episode ended. It was a very emotional three days.
15. Of all the Classic Trek episodes, which is your favorite?
That’s like asking which is you favorite child.
I have many favorite episodes.
If I had a gun to my head and I had choose only one episode it would be:
“City on the Edge of Forever”
Its a great story, its well acted and has great special effects.
Its a wonderful Kirk/Spock episode. It has a great (but sad) ending and stars a more demure (but still sexy) Joan Collins.
16. Have you ever used your magical talents either on set or behind the scenes?
When things get boring in the Green Room (waiting for sets to be erected or lighting to be set) I do some magic to lighten the mood. I have also taught some magic to a number of cast and crew (even Spock).
In one episode (Mind Sifter), Captain Kirk is supposed to make a balloon animal sculpture of the USS Enterprise. I made a balloon Enterprise to be used in the scene. Captain Kirk (James Cawley) pretended to twist the balloon, then showed the balloon I made. The scene ended up being cut as the balloon was thought to take away from the serious nature of the scene.
17. What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever witnessed in the Green Room?
What happens in the Green Room Stays in the Green Room.
Once there was a bat flying around the Green Room and there was a lot of panic and screaming.
One of my favorite practical jokes:
One of the G&E (Grip and Electrical) crew fell asleep on the couch and the rest of the G&E crew clipped about 50 clothes pins (called C47’s in G&E speak) on to his hat, shirt and pants. Then they woke him up and he slowly realized he was covered by C47’s!
18. Where does James Cawley get his superhero-level charisma? Did he fall into a vat of radioactive silly putty?
Certain people just have incredible Charisma. When James enters a room, all eyes are drawn to him. He doesn’t even have to be dressed as Elvis or Captain Kirk. After you get to know him you realize what a down to earth guy he is. James does the best Elvis I have ever seen and I have seen a lot of Elvis Impersonators. Besides the look, the costumes and his dead on vocals, James has the same kind of charisma that Elvis had. This is what makes a special connection between James and his audiences. To me, James’ biggest attribute is his generosity. James had a dream (New Voyages/Phase II) and he allows us to share in that dream.
Terry with his childhood hero Mark Wilson
19. What are some of your favorite memories of performing as a Professional Magician?
Performing at the Magic Castle in Hollywood California, performing at Walt Disney World and performing at Corporate Trade Shows at the Javits Center in NYC. Meeting Magic legends like Siegfried and Roy, Harry Blackstone Jr., Doug Henning, David Copperfield, Penn & Teller, Dai Vernon and Mark Wilson.
SciFi Question of the Day: If a future human society, either on Earth or a new planet, fully accepted that young people often have their first sexual experience in their late teens, what kind of celebrations or rituals might they develop for the occasion? What euphemisms might be more appropriate than “losing” or “giving” one’s virginity to a sex partner?
Sean Key first personal connection. FPC
Gwendolyn Wilkins Prom
Pony Horton You could either say they’ve “been tamed” or “gone wild.”
AmyBeth Fredricksen In one Heinlein book, the family (a very rural, farming family off on some human-colonized world) had a little party for the girl when she came home all excited about what happened in the hayloft with the neighbor boy. Cake and everything!
Cayla Ray I want my cake!
Geri Bressler I have a pattern for a Booby Cake my mom used to make for bachelor parties. That would make a good sex cake I think! It uses Snow Balls, Coconut, and a little triangle of fabric…I’ll let ya’ll figure out where everything goes.
Kent Schmidt AmyBeth, I think it was called Santa Carolita’s Day and it shows up in several of Heinleinis novels, most memorably “To Sail Beyond the Sunset” and it became a coming of age celebration as well as a bachonalia (sp?) on some planets.
Al Hartman The day after Sadie Hawkin’s day?
Brian Covault I’d be concerned too many people would be having sex ONLY BECAUSE they know there would be cake afterward. <g>
Rebecca Blain Have it be in public and call it a coming of age ceremony or something…?
Jamie Rich I like the idea of friends (and family?) invited to a night, or day of sexual activities, and exploration. Of course that would hafta be SciFi as the invitees would not be judgmental, but rather loving…
Dee M I’d imagine that t would be a coming of age ritual similar to how some societies have that don’t have the same taboo as our society.
Wayne Beach Up until the late 19th century such rituals were commonplace in nearly every culture and many rituals still faintly echo them such as Mitzvah’s, “Sweet 16’s”, Quince’s and the like.
I would love to hear what you think! Even if you are reading this post a year or more after publishing, I hope you will leave a comment with your own ideas on this topic.
Rick Chambers is both a writer and a public relations practitioner. He has published a science fiction novel, Radiance, as well as four novelettes and a number of award-winning short stories. He is the owner and president of Rick Chambers & Associates, LLC. Rick brings 30 years of experience in corporate communications, public relations and journalism. Rick began his career as a newspaper reporter, winning awards for investigative journalism and news reporting. He entered the public relations field in 1987, working in the pharmaceutical industry, where he gained broad experience in both internal and external communications, holding key leadership roles ranging from local community relations to global media relations.
12. What’s behind the door labeled “Police Public Call Box?”
SciFi Question of the Day: If we had the technology that allowed you to cheaply order a car with modern innards but looking like any pre-2000 car, what would you choose?
7. Team Edward or Team Jacob? Team Peeta or Team Gale?
Eric Satchwill
12. At the time this interview goes up, you, my hubby and I will all be knee deep (or more) in a sleep-deprived marathon of shooting, sharing a hotel room with who knows how many other people. Do you have a high tolerance for snoring roommates?
AmyBeth Inverness 
A Round of Applause!
Yesterday I received an e-mail letting me know that a short story I submitted has been accepted to an anthology! This means I have two stories coming out in two anthos… one in the fall, the other in December.
I spent the last round tying up loose ends, and mostly succeeded. I spent the last two weeks working on the Star Trek: Phase II shoot Bread and Savagery. It was an incredible experience, not just as a Trekkie, but as a novelist. Being intimately involved with the production of a story from script form to action was relevatory.
But now I’m very much out of the writing habit.
I’m also very unsure of what my goals should be. My Marie Antionette fantasy has gone on for six months now, far longer than I’d planned for this serial “short.” I need to concentrate on the Pangalactic Sojourners, as an editor has expressed interest in them. That little spark of interest by someone who could greatly help me further my writing career should be enough to inspire me to delve headfirst into a writing frenzy! And I’d love to do exactly that. However, real life makes demands, and I can never have as much time as I’d like to write.
So my goals for this round?
Good things are happening. Now I have to make sure I follow through, and don’t let a good thing pass me by.