My work, precursor hopefully to greater things

[WaywardFan]

I didn't mean actually combining the two. Sorry, I know my Hollywoodspeak kinda makes it sound like that though.

One of the scripts I wrote was like a combination of The Crow and 12 Monkeys. Most scripts today can be described simply as a combination of two other things, i.e. Last Samurai is a cross between Braveheart and Glory, etc...

Ah. Got it.

That would be an interesting exercise, trying to categorize my stories as a two script hybrid.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Thanks. I'm so glad you liked it.

I think I was spurned to write it to protect him. At the time, I had never seen a story regarding his death. However, I was beginning to see some stories that frankly abused the character. I saw some having him fall into drug dependency and other things and I was afraid his death wouldn't be done 'right'. Now, as with any story, my version of his ending is only one version, not any more right than another. But, I got mine out, and many people have said to me it is the RIGHT way for him to go.



Thanks. After taking and then teaching fencing classes, I'd like to think combat writing is one of my strong suits. I do think I have much better ones in my other stories. Aether Way and its sequel have some good ones, and there's a lot about the lightsaber, fighting with it and fights with it in Blacklight.

I don't think I mean the lightsaber part...I thin I just mean the aura about it...the power he has...

Fencing duels get old to me...but the way you did the battle...letting the enemy attack him on the left, then on the right, etc., where he wanted them to...crushing the robots with his hand...that's what I'm talking about.

Seemed a lot different than stuff you usually read. Was awesome to see him so powerful.

Mike

 

[FischerKing]

Just finished the Death of Luke story - awesome!

Good job man! Props to you.

Shawn

 

[WaywardFan]

Just finished the Death of Luke story - awesome!

Good job man! Props to you.

Shawn

Shawn,

Thanks!

I guess the name in the title, not to mention the implication of the event in question, had led everyone to this story so far. That, and it is probably the shortest one I have posted. This is not bad, just interesting. Many SW fans shun the story, preferring to not even consider the event.

It also demonstrates a truism of fanfic, people on balance are more interested in reading about the known characters of a genre and not so interested in original characters presented.

If anyone wants to read something other than DOLS, I would suggest Aether Way. It’s not very large and readable in one sitting (which is good at work ). Chewie and the Falcon are in it, and Luke plays a major role. Apparently, it is more than any other of my stories what I’m known for in the SW fanfic circles. Read into that what you want.

It also leads into my most recent story, the sequel called Aether Side. If you’re looking for consequential events and good fight scenes, this one’s for you.

I appreciate all the commentary. It’s nice to get feedback and compliments. Such things really are fuel for writers.

Sean

 

[Chaz]

Hey Sean,

I read Aether Way and Aether Side over the last couple days. Very interesting stuff. I found some of the particular language a bit clumsy in places but the story and it's presentation are very well done. They are as good as some of the published works I have read. Do you have plans for a book length story? I plan to start EOTF next. I am having trouble downloading blacklight, I am getting an error when I click on the link.

I looked at the Han Solo books I have. It is the Han Solo Trilogy by A.C. Crispin. Like I said some of it was a little cheesy but now I know the history of Han Solo. The last book ends in a cantina in Mos Eisley were he meets an old man and a kid that want to book passage to Alderran. A must read for any Han Solo fan.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...f=sr_1_2/104-5230417-7697511?v=glance&s=books

 

[WaywardFan]

Hey Sean,

I read Aether Way and Aether Side over the last couple days. Very interesting stuff. I found some of the particular language a bit clumsy in places but the story and it's presentation are very well done. They are as good as some of the published works I have read.

Thanks. I have no doubt some of the language didn’t work in places. I’ve seen some of them in time after the fact but that’s just only what I saw. If you ever want to take the time to point out a few examples to me, I would appreciate it.

Do you have plans for a book length story?

You mean Star Wars? I already have that pretty much in Blacklight. As to other stories, original fiction, yeah, I’m getting ready to start on novel length story, something I can submit to publishers.

I plan to start EOTF next.

That one is a big longer than AW or AS, but I like it a lot. It’s not for everyone though.

I am having trouble downloading blacklight, I am getting an error when I click on the link.

That’s odd. Just say the word and I can turn you on to other links. It’s posted other places on the web. I can also send you a link so you can download the whole bloody thing as a zip file.

In the meantime I’ll check the links myself. Each section of the story is pretty long, totally over 440 pages altogether.

If you wanted to try to read Blacklight with the musical accompaniment, let me know. I can burn a cd and get it out to you.

I looked at the Han Solo books I have. It is the Han Solo Trilogy by A.C. Crispin. Like I said some of it was a little cheesy but now I know the history of Han Solo. The last book ends in a cantina in Mos Eisley were he meets an old man and a kid that want to book passage to Alderran. A must read for any Han Solo fan.

You know, I never read those. I suppose I should. I’ll take your recommendation to heart.

Thanks for taking the time to read my stories. I’m always ecstatic to please a true SW fan.

Edit: Yeah, the Blacklight links aren't working. Odd. That site has been still for a few years and it picks today to go down. I'll supply new links in the initial post as well as a new one as soon as I get them. Sorry for the snafu.

S

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Wayward,

I just finished Aether...wow, that was even better than the Death of Skywalker.

Some language problems like Sir Chaz said, but overall, what a facinating story! I was totally engrossed, again, and loved how it played out.

Did someone else come up with the Aether idea, and you used it in your story? Or did you think of that up youself? It's pretty imaginative! You have a gift!

Mike

 

[KingLouieLouie]

I "sticked" this thread, if you don't mind....

I read some of this links and you must do anything that you can to get your writings published......

I've been writing song-lyrics for years and been hoping to get them published somehow myself, but been trying to find someone who is willing/able to compose the music to transcribe the ideas I have in my head....

But to echo what many have said, I definitely encourage you to pursue your dreams at all cost necessary and never allow any criticism (that is if you encounter any) to affect your pursuit of them...

 

[WaywardFan]

Wayward,

I just finished Aether...wow, that was even better than the Death of Skywalker.

I'm glad you liked it! Yeah, I like the story and especially the characters. I hope you'll take the time to read the sequel. Big stuff happens, and not everything is roses for Gyn.

Some language problems like Sir Chaz said, but overall, what a facinating story! I was totally engrossed, again, and loved how it played out.

I think Aether was my second writing attempt, a side project after finishing the first Blacklight section. That would make the story over 5 years old. In going back, I see a lot of the language problems as well as editing snafus. I think one thing I wanted to do, that maybe came across as too vernacular, was to create a connection between the characters and the reader by using more casual dialogue. I probably have that throughout my stories.

Did someone else come up with the Aether idea, and you used it in your story? Or did you think of that up youself? It's pretty imaginative! You have a gift!

No, I didn't. I just applied it.

The theory of ether (alternately spelled aether but pronounced 'either' hence hte play on words with the title) has been around literally forever. Essentially, the Greeks came up with the theory of ether as a sort of fifth element. They thought that there was an elastic substance that was invisible and unable to be felt, but 'held' everything it place (a column to the ground, the moon in the sky, etc.). So, I thought, if there's this alternate phase, maybe that's where all the 'action' happens with the Force.

I found in my web surfing that interestingly, modern day scientists are working on the thoery of aether again, albeit from a different perspective. I thought it would an interesting way to explain the mechanics of the Force, and certainly much more fulfilling than the whole stupid midichlorian thing.

Anyway, I'm not sure if this is the same website I found when I thought this up, but it looks to be quite informative on the historical and contemporary aspects of the aether theory:

http://www.mountainman.com.au/aetherqr.htm

 

[WaywardFan]

I "sticked" this thread, if you don't mind....

Of course I don't! Thanks. I was wondering how it got 'stuck'.

I read some of this links and you must do anything that you can to get your writings published......

I am deeply moved by this. Thank you. I do hope to get published some day. I just need to write some things that I can send out. I have a story ready to be written. The outline and soundtrack are done. I just need to get going on it.

I've been writing song-lyrics for years and been hoping to get them published somehow myself, but been trying to find someone who is willing/able to compose the music to transcribe the ideas I have in my head....

That has to be so much harder than what I'm doing. After all, you use your imagination and soul to write something, but then have to apply it (or have it applied) to music from scratch. I can't imagine.

I hope you find your counterpart. I imagine that might be truly as difficult to find as a soul mate. I wish you nothing but luck.

But to echo what many have said, I definitely encourage you to pursue your dreams at all cost necessary and never allow any criticism (that is if you encounter any) to affect your pursuit of them...

It is support like this that will keep me going. It won't be easy, and the odds of me actually getting published are dramatically slim. However, I want to give it a shot. At the very least, I can post it online for people to enjoy, and I have a legacy for my daughters.

Again, thanks and ever thanks.

Sean

 

[Mike Olbinski]

I'm glad you liked it! Yeah, I like the story and especially the characters. I hope you'll take the time to read the sequel. Big stuff happens, and not everything is roses for Gyn.

Reading it right now! and not getting any work done today...lol

I think Aether was my second writing attempt, a side project after finishing the first Blacklight section. That would make the story over 5 years old. In going back, I see a lot of the language problems as well as editing snafus. I think one thing I wanted to do, that maybe came across as too vernacular, was to create a connection between the characters and the reader by using more casual dialogue. I probably have that throughout my stories.

Sometimes that's not good I don't think...it might cheapen the characters.

I think one line read "we're all good" (I think this is in the sequel I'm reading right now). That just seems like a "modern, hip" thing to say nowadays...but personally, I'm looking for more elegant stuff from these characters...

Just me personally...but I see where you were going with them.

Mike

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Okay, now I'm officially hooked, lol!

The sequel rocked, and I must find out more about Gyn and what happens in this story...I mean, how can you leave me hanging like this???

I am loving this character...the power he has, it's just so cool and original. I love it.

Also, just as a side note...in thinking back to the first chapter...what purpose did Chewbacca really serve in that story? Maybe I missed it, but basically, he was just transporting them to pick up the ship, right?

Gimme more!

Mike

 

[WaywardFan]

Okay, now I'm officially hooked, lol!

MUHAHAHAHA!

The sequel rocked, and I must find out more about Gyn and what happens in this story...I mean, how can you leave me hanging like this???

What is the adage, always leave them wanting more?

Really, the sequel is to be a setup for something more grandiose. To counter the NJO books and to show pro authors don’t have the best stuff, I came up with a pretty ambitious idea. I wanted to gather a bunch of fanfic authors (6-12 of them) and write an overlying story arc, the Jedi Crusades. Each author could write their own story that also advanced the overlying story arc, and then other authors would take it from there.

That idea never really took off. I think the golden age of SW fanfic is over. However, I suppose I might pursue it myself someday. I don’t know.

If you liked the girl Moira, she has her own story in Echoes of the Force. Funny, I wrote Echoes before AS, so really her cameo in it is a flashback.

I am loving this character...the power he has, it's just so cool and original. I love it.

I like him very much too. He’s very persistent too. He wants more print.

Also, just as a side note...in thinking back to the first chapter...what purpose did Chewbacca really serve in that story? Maybe I missed it, but basically, he was just transporting them to pick up the ship, right?

His purpose was to transport, but I wanted to get him in somewhere. I love Chewbacca, and I’m not happy with how the pro books deal with him (and do him in). So, I just wanted to show a little glimpse of something different, another angle for a SW fan to see of him. I love the idea of him and Luke playing balloon ball on the Falcon!

I have written my own Wookiee though. He’s in Blacklight. I won’t get into too much detail, only to say his callsign is Prank!

Gimme more!

Mike

You need to take the last step to the Darkside, Mike. You need to read Blacklight. It’s huge, no doubt. But it is a complete story, from start to finish. It is my baby, my epic. Eldritch (the guy in my avatar coincidentally), is an awesome character. I’m working on getting new and undistracted links up, but I can certainly email you zipped files in the meantime (Chaz has already taken that last step….heh heh heh).

I must say, the feedback on this thread has been more than I could have imagined. Feeling quite burned out and not sure to continue writing in any way, this is renewing me.

In my GSSA timeline, there are 3 more stories to tell (beyond the Crusades). One is a Blacklight sequel, one is a sequel to Echoes. The other takes place 15 years after the Death of Luke. I wonder if I should tempt you with a little snippet I wrote of that….

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Tempt us, please

And email me that zip file

Mike

 

[WaywardFan]

Okay, link update.

To get to Blacklight, follow this link:

http://www.geocities.com/sandy_julie/Outerim.html

From there, you can find all of Blacklight, including links to download zip files.

From here you can also navigate a small but impressive fanfic site. In fact, you'll find all my fiction there, including some non-SW writing exercises. I encourage people to look through some of the other stories on the site if you're interested in reading more fanfic from other authors.

About the only other one I can recommend is a long story called 'As Simple and as Complicated as All That' by Xia Sang Li. It is highly regarded as the prototypical Luke/Mara story, if not one of the prototypical SW fanfics of all time. I'll have to see if it is still posted somewhere on the web.

 

[thirty-two]

Gimme more!

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is what the fan fiction world (or maybe it's just X-Files FF, I don't know) calls "A poke!"

Waywardfan has been POKED for more stories!

These stories sound really interesting, but I'm just afraid I would be missing out on things if I were to read it without knowing any Star Wars background. What do you think? Is a heavily knowledge needed?

 

[Chaz]

Is a heavily knowledge needed?

Probably not but Wayward's stories (that I have read) don't have as much background as some other stories I have read.

You could still enjoy the story. The basic introduction is the Jedi are kind of a Sci-Fi Samauri. They follow a code, have some special powers (through "the force"), and dispense justice around the Star Wars galaxy.

You could still evaluate the writing and enjoy the story most likely.

 

[WaywardFan]

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is what the fan fiction world (or maybe it's just X-Files FF, I don't know) calls "A poke!"

Waywardfan has been POKED for more stories!

You know, I never knew that!!

These stories sound really interesting, but I'm just afraid I would be missing out on things if I were to read it without knowing any Star Wars background. What do you think? Is a heavily knowledge needed?

Here is a link to general synopses for the movies. You don't even have to concern yourself too much with movies 1 and 2 (concentrate on 4-6). After that, you can read the briefing in my very first post of this thread about the highlights since the end of the 6th movie.

http://www.omegacron.com/starwars/movies/

Hope this helps.

(Edit: One major fact isn't actually stated in the synopsis of the 5th film, Empire Strikes back. The little suprise it mentions at the end is the fact that Vader is Luke's father)

 

[thirty-two]

The little suprise it mentions at the end is the fact that Vader is Luke's father)

I never knew that! You just ruined it for me!!!



My Easter Break from college is next week, so I'm thinking about renting all the Star Wars movies and watching them, once and for all.

Thanks for the link - I'll be sure to check it out. And I'll get to reading your work, too.

 

[Chaz]

My Easter Break from college is next week, so I'm thinking about renting all the Star Wars movies and watching them, once and for all.

The DVD of the original 3 movies (episodes 4, 5, & 6) are to be released 9/21/04.
Right now they are only available on VHS or LD.

 

[thirty-two]

My Easter Break from college is next week, so I'm thinking about renting all the Star Wars movies and watching them, once and for all.
QUOTE]


The DVD of the original 3 movies (episodes 4, 5, & 6) are to be released 9/21/04.
Right now they are only available on VHS or LD.

CRAP!!!! We only have a DVD player. Maybe I can borrow a friend's VCR.

 

[Ryanwb]

CRAP!!!! We only have a DVD player. Maybe I can borrow a friend's VCR.

I broke down and bought a VCR because I still had a ton of movies on VHS that were just wasting away...

 

[WaywardFan]

I broke down and bought a VCR because I still had a ton of movies on VHS that were just wasting away...

You could borrow or buy one of those VCR/DVD combos...

 

[WaywardFan]

Bump...because more might be on the way...

 

[WaywardFan]

Okay, well instead of writing something original to send to publishers I wrote another SW piece.

This is one of my more experimental works, so I don't know if it will appeal to everyone.

My first objective was to try my hand at an anti-hero. My second objective is to write something with a very cinematic feel. I want the reader to READ a movie, and I tried to 'do' sweeping camera shots and all that good stuff that makes a difference in a movie. I think this worked pretty well.

I don't know how successful I was on my third objective. I wanted to write a fight scene against multiple opponents, but I wanted to write a very specific and progressive sequence of events (as opposed to something more general and stylized) that was clear, easy to understand and hopefully entertaining. I think the jury is still out as to how well I did in this.

For fans of Aether Way and Aether Side, there's a little cameo and tie-in.

Anyway, in case anyone's interested. Here it is:

http://www.geocities.com/sandy_julie/Stormbringer.htm

Thanks,

Sean