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Friday, December 21, 2018

From Star Trek Fandom To Babylon 5 Fandom

As long-time Star Trek fans, my hubby and I were hooked from the start on Babylon 5. We had attended a lot of Star Trek themed conventions ( cons ), and one of our favorites was Rebelcon, now sadly long gone. It was at Rebelcons that we first met many of our favorite Babylon 5 stars, including the late Michael O'Hare and the late Stephen Furst.

But the very first celeb we met there was Ed Wasser, who played the infamously evil "Mr. Morden." Ed was very approachable and friendly, and we enjoyed talking to him. My own favorite star, however, was the late Richard Biggs, who played Dr. Franklin on B5. He was the nicest man you could imagine, easy to talk to and very kind. At that point, Babylon 5 was in danger of cancellation, and Mr. Biggs was surprised and happy to hear that fans on the East Coast stayed up until 1 am to watch every episode.

Over the ensuing years at Rebelcons and United Fan Cons, we were lucky enough to meet several other B5 actors, such as Robin Atkins Downs, Pat Tallman, Robin Curtis, Jason Carter, Claudia Christian, and Mira Furlan.

Many of our best-loved conventions have since disappeared. We miss the adventure, the camaraderie, the fun of meeting our favorite stars--several of whom had crossed over from acting in Star Trek to acting in Babylon 5. Sadly, many of B5's stars have now passed "beyond the rim," but they will always be fondly remembered.

These are certainly moments and people that we will always remember--moments that could never be recaptured.

Peace and good holidays to all!
MRTighe

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

What Is Cosplay?

   One of the things I've always loved about science fiction conventions and, more recently, comic cons is called "cosplay" nowadays. This refers to the practice of fans and con-attendees dressing up as their favorite characters or to invent their own costumed creations.

   Probably the first time I ever encountered this tradition was on the West Coast at a Westercon held in Santa Barbara, California. ( The East Coast, being more proper, hadn't yet succumbed to such shenanigans! ) This was the one and only con where I also dared to wear a costume: a bright orange Indian sari. Though I thoroughly enjoyed being part of a cosplay group, I was never tempted to indulge again.

   I get much more enjoyment from observing the creative efforts of others who cosplay. Over the years I've been attending cons, I've seen some memorable costumes, from the sublime to the ridiculous. For instance one young woman who won Best Costume for a non-costume: a scattering of glued on sparkles and very little else!

   At another con, I was impressed by a pair of very detailed, authentic-looking Borg. ( If you're a fan of Star Trek, you know what I mean. ) I've seen spectacular winged beings, Elves, Minbari, Harry Potters, etc. One of the best costumes was a gorgeous Chris Hemsworth look-alike dressed as Thor, hammer and all. Sigh!

   But perhaps my most memorable experience was at a Rebelcon in Mass. A group of Klingon cosplayers were gathered at the hotel pub. As the last of the group got up to leave, the bartender hollered across the room, "Hey, Klingon! Who's paying for the drinks?"

How very Klingon of them!

I love those who take the time and effort to produce and wear these costumes They show their true love for their characters and make events much more fun for fellow fans.

Cosplay forever!

MRTighe

Saturday, August 4, 2018

Liar, Liar!

All fiction writers are accomplished liars.

We not only tell whoppers on a regular basis, but we try to make them as believable as possible! The main difference between writers of fiction and pathological liars is that writers do not believe our lies are true. Well, most of us anyway!

We just love ( and are addicted to ) making up stories of all kinds: historical romances, paranormal tales, horror stories, mysteries, Western dramas, scifi adventures--whatever!

The truth is that we not only love to write but always hope that our readers love to read these well-embellished lies of ours. Remember that to weave a good lie requires believable details--and lots of them!

So, my fellow liars, never stop writing, and to my readers, never stop reading!

MRTighe

Monday, July 9, 2018

Do You See Yourself in Your Characters?

I had always heard that writers tend to put themselves into their characters. I found that a bit hard to believe--that is, until I became a published author myself. Since analyzing my own characters, I have discovered some amazing similarities:

1.) My heroine, Ensign Rona Scott, is probably the most like me. I suppose that is be expected. She starts out a bit timid and unsure of herself due to her lack of experience; she fears she's going to "deep-six" her first mission in deep-space aboard the space cruiser Astrella II. But Rona is stubborn, curious, impulsive, head-strong, and on occasion, feisty. Also like me, she happens to be open-minded and soft-hearted, and she stands up for her principles.

2.) Another of my main characters, Malkis of Tartarus, is also stubborn to a fault and brutally honest ( unlike me. ) He usually hides his true feelings, which I tend to do all too often! But above all else, he believes in honor and loyalty. He has a keen sense of Justice, very much like me. Of course, these attributes tend to get him in trouble. He's not all that popular with his shipmates, many of whom hate his guts.

3.) Richard Hughes, the Captain of Astrella has a notorious temper with a short fuse ( unlike me--I have a very long fuse, but a terrible temper! ). He plays by-the-book, like I do, but his no-nonsense attitude isn't my cup of tea. Bring on the nonsense!

4.) One of my most favorite characters is Kalom of Eris. He's light-hearted with a great sense of humor. He's informal, down to earth, and has been known to break the rules--but only for good reason. I think Kalom represents the more playful, cocky side of me--not the worry-wart!

5.) Lastly, there's Dar-kan ( the villainess introduced in Book 2 of my trilogy.) This Ghendarian Ship's Commander is young, but well-trained as a warrior woman. She's probably the least like me,  or at least I hope so! She's sexy, viciously cruel, and sadistic. But in her own twisted way, she's also naïve, curious, and dead-stubborn ( again, guilty as charged! ) We all have a dark side; like Dar-kan, I tend to be selfish and want everything my own way. I'm also as bossy as hell--first-child syndrome.

My fellow writers out there: Do you ever see aspects of yourself in any of your characters?
Have you ever sat down and tried to analyze them? You'll find it's actually rather fun!

Keep on reading and keep writing no matter what!
MRTighe

Friday, April 6, 2018

This Can't Be Science Fiction!

I'll never forget this comment made by one of the members of my writing group ( the only one I ever belonged to! ) After reading the first page or two of the rough draft of the second novel in my Tartarus Trilogy, True Son of Tartarus, he complained loudly that there were too many homey details for my work to actually be science fiction.

To say the least, I was flabbergasted. It was obvious to me that this guy hadn't read much science fiction and clearly didn't understand it.  Probably all he knew of science fiction was through TV shows, movies, and comics. I restrained myself from going for his jugular and summoned enough patience to calmly address his concerns.

I explained that science fiction, though it deals with fictional, futuristic people and events, has to be believable. The author wants his/her readers to be able to relate to and identify with the characters, and to envision each scene, no matter how improbable the situation.

Therefore, in the opening chapter of True Son, a recently married couple wakes up and proceeds with their daily activities, such as dressing, doing their hair, eating breakfast, etc.: ordinary activities that we can all relate to. Nothing bizarre.

But this particular couple is unique; theirs is a mixed-marriage: she's Terran and he's Tartarian ( the True Son of the title.) The planet they live on is not present-day Earth, but a strange new world with vastly different customs and different beliefs.

In order to make these characters believable and familiar--comfortable for my readers--I had to include some homey details about their lives. Once able to relate to this couple, my readers would be more than willing to go along with them on the strange, out-of-the-ordinary adventures which the couple will face in the remaining chapters.

I do not know if the guy I referred to in the beginning ever really "got it", but I hope this helps you to understand not only my writing, but the work of many other writers of science fiction.

Please keep reading, my friends, and never stop writing, whatever your genre may be!
MRTighe

Monday, January 22, 2018

So What Qualifies You To Write Science Fiction?

At one of my book signings, a gentleman boldly challenged my credentials in those exact words. Although this was a first for me, I was fully prepared to answer the question.

I took a deep breath and calmly explained that I had been reading science fiction since I was old enough to read. Even then I was a voracious reader: I devoured everything put before me--including the dictionary and the encyclopedia!

But for as long as I can remember, I've been entranced by scifi in all media: television, movies, books, comic books, artwork. When my family got our first TV set, I began watching reruns of old Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon serials. I loved movies such as Forbidden Planet and The Day the Earth Stood Still. I was glued to Rocky Jones: Space Ranger, Tom Corbett: Space Cadet, Captain Midnight, Commando Cody, Superman, etc. As I got older I became an avid fan of The Twilight Zone, Science Fiction Theater, and One Step Beyond.

Inevitably, I became one of Star Trek's original fans; I was hooked even before the first episode aired! To this day I'm proud to be a Trekker/Trekkie ( whatever you like!) But I'm also a huge fan of Babylon 5, Farscape, Star Wars, Alien Nation, Batman, Spiderman, etc.

Please don't assume that all I've ever done is watch TV. I also read all the science fiction books and stories I could get my hands on, from Isaac Asimov to Zenna Henderson. Back in the 60s and 70s, I was privileged to meet and learn from such scifi greats as Asimov, Hal Clement ( Harry Stubbs ), Ben Bova, Larry Niven, and Anne McCaffrey.

In fact, after meeting many famous authors and discovering that they were real people, I got up enough courage to start writing my own science fiction. I'd been writing other types of stories since the age of eleven. All my life I'd been anticipating our expansion into outer space, exploring the solar system, and colonizing Mars, and I really enjoyed fantasizing about what those experiences would be like.

So, eventually, I produced a rough draft of my novel Judgment on Tartarus, which I would continue to work on for many years until it became my first published novel. That soon led to two more books which completed the Tartarus Trilogy, then on to the space opera Galaxy Rand.

Apparently, my answers satisfied the gentleman who had challenged my qualifications to write scifi.
They also encouraged me to pursue publication of my fifth science fiction novel: a sequel to my Tartarus Trilogy. So don't be afraid to challenge yourself, and don't let others discourage your pursuits.

Keep on reading and for heaven's sake don't quit writing!
MRTighe