I remember seeing the magazine picture and it's pretty gritty looking. Don't think it's the scan quality.
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I remember seeing the magazine picture and it's pretty gritty looking. Don't think it's the scan quality.
It isn't the scan quality. And, without saying where it did come from, no one yet is anywhere near the source of the image!
Paul Simpson
Editor, Star Trek Magazine
Might it have been inspired by Djimon Hounsou from Amistad and/or Gladiator (and many other films)?
Bear in mind that the picture is meant to go along with the excerpt printed in the magazine. At that point Jaza is in considerable distress. I was surprised by the image, not because it looks "rough" but because it was, to my mind, a fairly good representation of his physical and mental state at that point in the book.
I'm no David Mack but I smack my characters around a lot. Jaza is no exception.
I had never seen the British STAR TREK magazine before and I was VERY VERY pleased with the overall quality as well as with what was done with that little slice of the story.
Thanks again, Paul.
Keep up the awesome work.
I'm no David Mack but I smack my characters around a lot. Jaza is no exception.
I had never seen the British STAR TREK magazine before and I was VERY VERY pleased with the overall quality as well as with what was done with that little slice of the story.
Thanks again, Paul.
Keep up the awesome work.
Thanks for the compliments about the fiction section - I'll pass them on to Dan Bura, my incredible designer on the mag. You've hit the nail on the head regarding the way the character was meant to look, hence the distressing of the image.
Also thanks for the overall compliments: it's always good to get feedback. We've just sent the most recent issue to the printers which includes interviews with Zachary Quinto and John Cho as well as Dayton & Kevin's feature on Starfleet captains, so I hope you like that as much!
Paul
I picked my copy up yesterday afternoon at Barnes and Noble, in the newly released paperback display.
I managed to make enough time to read the first 3-4 chapters and I'm really enjoying it so far. I'll be sure to share my thoughts in a discussion thread once more people have picked up the book.
I managed to make enough time to read the first 3-4 chapters and I'm really enjoying it so far. I'll be sure to share my thoughts in a discussion thread once more people have picked up the book.
Just finished it. While not bad, it was probably my least favorite of the four.
I have to say that I am seriously annoyed by one insignificant aspect. I don't know who thought it would be cute, the author or editor, but referring to "Ensign Rossini" when there are TWO Ensigns Rossini on Titan is being unnecessarily mean to those of us who like to keep track of who appears in what book/episode. I know I have no life, but do you really have to make what little I do have difficult? *Sigh* I guess I'll assume both appeared, as there were multiple scenes with an unspecified Ensign Rossini.
I have to say that I am seriously annoyed by one insignificant aspect. I don't know who thought it would be cute, the author or editor, but referring to "Ensign Rossini" when there are TWO Ensigns Rossini on Titan is being unnecessarily mean to those of us who like to keep track of who appears in what book/episode. I know I have no life, but do you really have to make what little I do have difficult? *Sigh* I guess I'll assume both appeared, as there were multiple scenes with an unspecified Ensign Rossini.
I don't really do "cute." The reason the other Rossini wasn't mentioned was because he wasn't necessary. No big mystery. It's not a grocery list.
Sorry it didn't blow the doors off for you. I'll try to do better next time around.
Sorry it didn't blow the doors off for you. I'll try to do better next time around.
You really did it now, Geoff.
LOL
As I said, both weren't necessary nor was the mention of the brother who doesn't appear. It had nothing whatever to do with the story. People who've read the whole series know there are two. People who haven't don't need to know. It wasn't important to the story for me to make that distinction.
I don't write "talking heads." And I don't think, if I did, Pocket's editors would publish such a book. Granted I haven't read the entire Trek library (only Jeff Ayers is crazy enough for that) but, so far, including the "amateurs" in SNW, I haven't read any talking head stories.
I did put you inside Rossini's head and, as I never mentioned there were two in the story, there's every reason to assume that, each time he pops up, it's the same guy.
Because he is.
Does that mean his brother is dead or missing or otherwise omitted? Nope. He's just not in this story. It's also possible to tell a Voyager story featuring one of the Delany twins without ever mentioning that she is or has a twin.
I actually am sorry this bugged you so much because it means, ultimately, that the rest of the story wasn't kick ass enough to keep your focus where it needed to be. That is my fault and I apologize, sincerely.
Next time I'll do better.
Now, as for netiquette. I think it's always better, if you're leveling criticism, to make it as impersonal as possible. Cracks about people wasting time on "cute" smacks to their audience because you didn't like some aspect of their approach tends to get people hot. At least it does me.
Every writer and editor of Star Trek fiction is also a fan of the material. I have met and had direct contact with a number of them and think I can say safely that nobody on our side of the screen is giving anything but their best.
Otherwise what would be the point? We could just let KRAD write all the books and go do something else.
Read it today, found it quite enjoyable. I love the diversity of the Titan's crew.
But.. USS Voorhees???
But.. USS Voorhees???
All right, then.
You say you were aware that there were two of them. Great.
They don't both need to appear. Fine.
It's the same one in all scenes. Fine.
The fact that there are two of them is not mentioned? Fine, too. You are not getting my point by repeatedly saying this. I already KNOW that. And I KNOW it's not necessary.
You're not trying to be cute? Okay.
Then why not write, "Jaza asked Ensign Paolo Rossini" or "Jaza asked Ensign Kevasa Rossini"?
Why just "Ensign Rossini?" A first name does not reference the other twin. You seem to think that I needed you to mention that they are twins. I do not. I just like to know who I am reading about. Did Kevasa experience this? Or did Paolo? Which one of them wants to become a chief engineer after many years? Maybe it doesn't matter to you when you read something to know who is doing something, but it does to me. Given that other characters' first names are mentioned, whether in dialog or description, it seemed like it was done purposely, to be cute.
Let's use your Delaney example.
Read this example:
"Harry Kim exited the turbolift, and saw Delaney. He ran up to the woman and kissed her. Delaney was surprised."
Harry kissed Delaney. Which Delaney? Did he kiss Megan or Jenny? By your logic, I am upset that Harry wasn't thinking about how Delaney is one of two, or how Delaney didn't think about her twin's reaction. No. I want to know, as I am aware that there are two Delaneys, which Delaney sister Harry kissed. Does this knowledge hinder the rest of the story? For someone unfamiliar with the Delaneys, no. But for me, yes. I hope you finally understand.
But I guess I could just ask. Which one was it? Paolo or Kevasa?
As for the talking heads, I may be incorrect in the term I'm using. Sorry if you find that offensive. I didn't mean to insult anyone.
Just to reiterate, this is an insignificant aspect. I like to keep track of character appearances, so it was especially annoying. Not a big deal. I just want you to understand my point.
And you did an okay job. I think the Orishans and Seleneans were cool and intriguing species, and I thought the plot was interesting, too. Characterizations seemed mostly good, too. The only other problem I had is I guess my mind wandered at times, like it did with "Chiaroscuro." I'm not sure why.
You say you were aware that there were two of them. Great.
They don't both need to appear. Fine.
It's the same one in all scenes. Fine.
The fact that there are two of them is not mentioned? Fine, too. You are not getting my point by repeatedly saying this. I already KNOW that. And I KNOW it's not necessary.
You're not trying to be cute? Okay.
Then why not write, "Jaza asked Ensign Paolo Rossini" or "Jaza asked Ensign Kevasa Rossini"?
Why just "Ensign Rossini?" A first name does not reference the other twin. You seem to think that I needed you to mention that they are twins. I do not. I just like to know who I am reading about. Did Kevasa experience this? Or did Paolo? Which one of them wants to become a chief engineer after many years? Maybe it doesn't matter to you when you read something to know who is doing something, but it does to me. Given that other characters' first names are mentioned, whether in dialog or description, it seemed like it was done purposely, to be cute.
Let's use your Delaney example.
Read this example:
"Harry Kim exited the turbolift, and saw Delaney. He ran up to the woman and kissed her. Delaney was surprised."
Harry kissed Delaney. Which Delaney? Did he kiss Megan or Jenny? By your logic, I am upset that Harry wasn't thinking about how Delaney is one of two, or how Delaney didn't think about her twin's reaction. No. I want to know, as I am aware that there are two Delaneys, which Delaney sister Harry kissed. Does this knowledge hinder the rest of the story? For someone unfamiliar with the Delaneys, no. But for me, yes. I hope you finally understand.
But I guess I could just ask. Which one was it? Paolo or Kevasa?
As for the talking heads, I may be incorrect in the term I'm using. Sorry if you find that offensive. I didn't mean to insult anyone.
Just to reiterate, this is an insignificant aspect. I like to keep track of character appearances, so it was especially annoying. Not a big deal. I just want you to understand my point.
And you did an okay job. I think the Orishans and Seleneans were cool and intriguing species, and I thought the plot was interesting, too. Characterizations seemed mostly good, too. The only other problem I had is I guess my mind wandered at times, like it did with "Chiaroscuro." I'm not sure why.
It was Paolo.
As for the rest, no harm, no foul.
As for the rest, no harm, no foul.
You say that like there's something unlucky about it.
I'd hate to see how many times you post over a significant issue, then...
I was just responding to RedJack's responses. He was not understanding me, So I wanted to clarify.
But I rarely post about significant issues, cause others usually beat me to it, and I have nothing really to add. (Though I did complain about Before Dishonor.)
And thank you, Mr. Thorne. I'm really sorry about the "cute" comment.
But I rarely post about significant issues, cause others usually beat me to it, and I have nothing really to add. (Though I did complain about Before Dishonor.)
And thank you, Mr. Thorne. I'm really sorry about the "cute" comment.
the Eav'oq are an alien race in DS9R and led to a series of frankly over-used and increasingly unfunny puns using the 'oq spelling in words like shock.
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