FORKNI-L

FORKNI-L Digest - 10 Oct 2005 to 11 Oct 2005 (#2005-270)

Tue, 11 Oct 2005

There are 14 messages totalling 406 lines in this issue.

Topics of the day:

  1. FK Moment.... almost, but not quite (2)
  2. "Mary-Sue" and War question (9)
  3. Today's Birthday:  October 11
  4. Mary Sue and Wars
  5. FK Biz Cards

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Date:    Mon, 10 Oct 2005 18:12:17 -0700
From:    Amanda Berendt <debrabant_foundation@y......>
Subject: FK Moment.... almost, but not quite

Saw this article on yahoo news.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051010/ap_on_fe_st/prize_pumpkin

If it had only been one less pound.  Maybe someone could cut the stem
a little bit.  :-)

-Amanda

"This thing... man... whatever it is...evil may have created it, left its mark
on it, but evil does not rule it.  So I cannot kill it."  - Gabriel Van Helsing
http://www.darksideoftheglass.com


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Date:    Mon, 10 Oct 2005 23:22:33 -0700
From:    teri d <darius4evr@y......>
Subject: "Mary-Sue" and War question

There's always so much talk about Mary-Sue type stories in fanfic. It
seems that everybody knows Mary-Sue when they see her, and she pretty
much seems to be despised no matter where she turns up. She's never
hounded me personally, though. I couldn't write serious FK fanfic if
my life depended on it(I leave that to those of you who are good at
it)so I don't have to worry about her showing up and taking over any
of my stories. ;)

My question is, what do we call our WAR-type stories where we're
writing about ourselves in all our silly, factional glory, running
around intermingling with the FK characters in their world or
blatantly dragging them into ours? Are they actually a form of
Mary-Sue, or do they fall into a category all by themselves? I've
gone to as many sites as I can find that talk about Mary-Sue and how
to identify her, and we just don't seem to fit into any of her
descriptions.


~Teri~
Check him out!... http://www.benbassfanclub.com/
Proud Vaquera/Vachon's vassal/Defender of Brown-eyed Vamps
V-loop/Vaqdreams/benbassfanclub/T+V/DP/Fanatic Listmom #2
and OFFICIAL Lisa Ryder Fan Club Member #5!!! :o)

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Date:    Tue, 11 Oct 2005 01:59:50 -0500
From:    Becky Hinson <bayoubecky@c.......>
Subject: Re: "Mary-Sue" and War question

----- Original Message -----
From: "teri d" <darius4evr@y......>


> My question is, what do we call our WAR-type stories where we're
> writing about ourselves in all our silly, factional glory, running around
intermingling with the FK characters in their world or
> blatantly dragging them into ours? Are they actually a form of Mary-Sue,
or do they fall into a category all by themselves?

I've wondered the same thing myself, to be honest.  I think, though, that
they're not really Mary-Sues because we're really writing ourselves, with
just a tiny little bit of embellishment (okay, okay, a lot of embellishment
in some cases...  LOL).

If someone can prove me wrong, please do!

:)
~Cousin Becky

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Date:    Tue, 11 Oct 2005 06:15:01 -0500
From:    eowyn23@j.......
Subject: Today's Birthday:  October 11

Hi Y'all!

Today is the birthday of: Aviva         viv11374@y......

You may send birthday greetings to Aviva at the above email address.
Please NOT to the list!

Others who share this birthday:
Daryl Hall, Rock & Roll Singer/Guitarist
Elmore Leonard, Novelist
Michelle Trachtenberg, Actress, Buffy's little sister
Henry John Heinz, Businessperson
Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady

Significant events on this date:
80, A.D., The Coliseum was built in Rome.
1492, Christopher Columbus spies land on the horizon after crossing the
Atlantic Ocean.
1881, roll film for cameras was patented by David H. Houston of Cambria,
Wisconsin.
1887, A Miles patents the elevator.

I hope you have a very Happy Birthday, Aviva!

If you would like to be added to the birthday announcements, please send
your name, birthdate (no year needed) and email address to me,
eowyn23@j......., privately, and I'll be glad to add you.

Terri
eowyn23@j.......
GWDFC, FK X-Stitcher, Proud Survivor of FK Fic Wars 8-12, Texas Knight
Dreamers, Knighties List Owner, Keeper of the FK Birthday List

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Date:    Tue, 11 Oct 2005 06:23:51 -0500
From:    Robert Sellers <sellersjr@c.......>
Subject: Re: "Mary-Sue" and War question

I'd say I almost agree, but don't.

Writing one's self into a story for the specific purpose of intermingling with
characters to benefit a relationship that the writer would want is probably
"Mary Sue" -- BUT, if you use the known characters *and* yourself to do a story --
then I would say it's just making it easier for a writer to learn the craft.

One of the biggest hurdles a writer has to get over is developing their own
universe. By using an existing one -- be it FK, CSI, or X-Files -- one can focus
on what story they are trying to tell. Adding a character based upon yourself is
just adding another character to the mix.

I give credit to the Wars for allowing me to practice writing stories that I
now do with my own universe and characters.

If a writer simply does a story to show they are "best buds" with a particular
character, then that would be what I would call "Mary Sue". Writing a story
where you have hired Nick to protect you from mob hitmen -- might not be,
depending on the plot.

In the end, "Mary Sue" or not, if you come away with the itch to write and take
up writing, then you may be past that hurdle and on to bigger and better
writing things.

Now, I find the itch to use a character in my stories named "Mary Sue"...
sigh...

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Date:    Tue, 11 Oct 2005 07:36:06 EDT
From:    Libratsie@a.......
Subject: Re: "Mary-Sue" and War question

Although 'war stories' are Mary Sue in a way, I consider them to fall more
under the "role playing" description. Yes, we are role playing ourselves
instead
of another character, but we're usually so embellished in a war that we are
role playing.

--Libs

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Date:    Tue, 11 Oct 2005 22:17:57 +1000
From:    Dot Simpson <jennii35@y.......>
Subject: Re: FK Moment.... almost, but not quite

   Oh  so very close    lol    Dot



--- Amanda Berendt <debrabant_foundation@y......>
wrote:

> Saw this article on yahoo news.
>
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051010/ap_on_fe_st/prize_pumpkin
>
> If it had only been one less pound.  Maybe someone
> could cut the stem
> a little bit.  :-)
>
> -Amanda
>
> "This thing... man... whatever it is...evil may have
> created it, left its mark on it, but evil does not
> rule it.  So I cannot kill it."  - Gabriel Van
> Helsing
> http://www.darksideoftheglass.com
>
>

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Date:    Tue, 11 Oct 2005 13:35:59 +0000
From:    Nancy Kaminski <nancykam@c.......>
Subject: Re: "Mary-Sue" and War question

Teri wrote:

> My question is, what do we call our WAR-type stories where we're
> writing about ourselves in all our silly, factional glory, running
> around intermingling with the FK characters in their world or
> blatantly dragging them into ours?

I never considered War stories Mary Sues just because they are obviously
written in a way that gently pokes fun at both ourselves and the FK characters. A
true Mary Sue is so...earnest. <g> The Wars are like running jokes, full of
tradition (the bar fight, Les hiding from Lacroix, Julia in handcuffs, and so on) and
our own fond characterizations of ourselves.

I think Wars are our own special beasts, unlike anything else I've seen on the
net. Whoever came up with the idea for the first one should be thanked for such
a fabulous idea! They give people who would never otherwise interact a chance
to get silly together.

Nancy Kaminski
nancykam@c.......

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Date:    Tue, 11 Oct 2005 07:01:27 -0700
From:    Stacy <theknightcallsmyname@y......>
Subject: Re: "Mary-Sue" and War question

At the risk of sounding stupid, would someone please
explain to me what or who "Mary-Sue" is?  I admit to
seeing her referred to before, but I've never been
quite clear on this.

Thanks!
Stacy

DarkNN'er, Faithful
http://heartsblood.descentintodarkness.net
theknightcallsmyname@y......
YIM: theknightcallsmyname

"I don't accept your reality. I substitute my own."


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Date:    Tue, 11 Oct 2005 08:39:21 -0700
From:    chris thatcher <mb_the_spy@y......>
Subject: Re: "Mary-Sue" and War question

--- Stacy <theknightcallsmyname@y......> wrote:
> explain to me what or who "Mary-Sue" is?

...Little Mary-Sue Who, who was no more than two...

chris ;?


"I don't bite.... Well, that's wrong; I do bite."
       ~K'Ehleyr


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Date:    Tue, 11 Oct 2005 11:59:11 EDT
From:    Evelyn Duncan <BrandyKitt@a.......>
Subject: Re: "Mary-Sue" and War question

I first read about Mary-Sue during the early 70s; her name came
up in the Star Trek fiction of that time.  Mary-Sue was the perfect
woman:  she could fulfill any position on the Enterprise, she could
be a better captain than Kirk, knew more science than Spock,
could operate better than McCoy, and all the men fell in love with
her.

I love reading the WAR stories; they can be so funny; Mary-Sue
stories are so earnest they feel like new shoes that are two sizes
too tight.

Evelyn Duncan
brandykitt@a.......

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Date:    Tue, 11 Oct 2005 10:53:44 -0700
From:    Liz the Lucky <lizthelucky@c.......>
Subject: Re: "Mary-Sue" and War question

My Dad calls them 'an excuse for a lot of people to get together and have
fun'. That may be the best explaination, since Wars tend to be a thing unto
themselves. That was his reply after I *finally* managed to explain what one
was, this War 'round.

Hugs and Kisses,
Liz the Lucky             lizthelucky@c.......
http://www.lizthelucky.com/ForeverKnight/
Merc House Mommy

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Date:    Tue, 11 Oct 2005 13:03:36 -0700
From:    Kristen Fife <fenix23fyre@y......>
Subject: Mary Sue and Wars

First of all, this has been a great topic!

I got bitten by the bug after seeing about five
episodes of FK, and started writing a lengthy story.
Thank goodness I read some internet lore regarding
"Mary Sue", because the character in my story fit the
mold. <grin>. I started writing fanfic as practice for
endeavors into longer, original work (which is in the
making), and still continue to be inspired by the
medium (as if you couldn't tell!!!) and use it to
polish my craft. As far as Mary Sue vs. War goes, I
agree with the observation that our Wars are more
role-playing than they are Mary Sue. There are several
"Mary Sue" stories on www.fkfanfic.com, and most of
them are deliberately poking fun at her ;)

Here are a few resources about Mary Sue:

http://www.lyricalmagic.com/fanficFAQ.html#marysue

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Sue

http://missy.reimer.com/library/guide.html#5

Kristen Fife
http://www.fkvoyage.com/fkfanfic/fife_kristen/
"I have a vampire by my side and I'm not afraid to use him!" -Tanya Huff

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Date:    Tue, 11 Oct 2005 13:46:25 -0700
From:    Kristen Fife <fenix23fyre@y......>
Subject: FK Biz Cards

If anyone is interested in getting a few of these for
cons, or just to evangelize the show, I have plenty.
They are red and have links to the fiction sites as
well as to "managing your subscriptions". I've sent
them out to several people, just email me off list for
my address to send an SASE.
I also have a soft copy if you would like to see them
first.

Kristen Fife
http://www.fkvoyage.com/fkfanfic/fife_kristen/
"I have a vampire by my side and I'm not afraid to use him!" -Tanya Huff

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End of FORKNI-L Digest - 10 Oct 2005 to 11 Oct 2005 (#2005-270)
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