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What Fans Say About Sime~Gen
The excerpts below are taken directly from an email survey conducted on the Sime~Gen Listserve:
> 5)This is what I tell my newest friends about why they should come visit my
> favorite Universe:
>
It's fun; it'll grab you and not let go; it's like eating Chinese food - an
hourafter finishing one book, you go hunting feverishly for the next one. It's
about
some of the *neatest* people you'll ever meet!
> 6) These are the SF/F Universes I like best in order of how much I like them
> (novels, stories, tv shows, movies -- all jumbled together but listed in
> order of how strongly each has grabbed me.) {Insert S~G in its proper place
> in the order of preference (and I really don't expect you to put S~G first!)
> }
>
Gael Bauldino's Elvish Series
Patricia Kenneally Morrison's 'Gaels In Space' stories
Robin McKinley's Damarian stories (Blue sword, Hero and Crown, Deerskin)
Pat McKillip's Riddlemaster of Hed series
Star Trek
Valdemar/UrbanElves/SERRAted Edge
Pern/BB Shipverse
Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series
Sime~Gen (probably, if I can read these acain, the ordering will change)
Star Wars
Witch World
> 7) I think Sime~Gen would have its greatest appeal to fans of -- (fill in
> the blank). List as many fandoms as you feel might be appropriate.
Damar, Riddlemaster, UrbanElves
> I'm hunting for a way to "pitch" Sime~Gen -- so if you can think of another
> angle, method, whatever -- feel free to suggest it.
Pitching them on the Net is *very* good.
> A commercial pitch would include things like a slogan for a TV advertisement
> , a "jingle" for advertising, a "narrative hook" for the
simegen.com page,
> imagery for that page, etc. Consider if you were watching television and
> saw an advertisement for Sime~Gen but had never heard of S~G before -- what
> could it say in 15 seconds that would make you go hunt for the novels?
Two hands coming together in a firm grasp (one Sime, one Gen), and the starredcross in
glowing outline shows up, with the words 'This way! We can hide in here!'
voiced-over, and a hint of torchlight.
>From Zoe Farris,
REASONS I LIKE SIME~GEN
1) The Characters are People who:
E) who seem familiar and into whose affairs I seem to fit.
I find that I identify with the situations and struggles that many of the characters have
to deal with, and how they fight on when there appears to be no hope. Like one of the
other list folk (sorry I can’t remember who right now) said, I also feel like this is
somewhere I could belong, as I too feel I have never really belonged anywhere.
2)The S~G Universe seems to be . . .
A) a world that is more real to me than the 6 O'Clock News
Actually it seams more real than a lot of the "real world"
3)What S~G and the fandom have added to my life:
B)The courage to tackle my own problems
C)An appreciation of human potential
I have always tried to tackle my own problems, and have help for when I cant, but stories
like S`G and Star Trek, and some others, have given me hope and insight at times when I
seamed to have needed it and could not find it in "this world".
So now see if you can figure out what makes S~G the same as and different from other
fiction, and sf/f in particular:
I’m not sure exactly what it is or if I can explain it, but I said to Stas the other
day that while I love Star Trek and I’ve read all of Isaac Azimov’s robot
stories and I’ve been into vampire stories it’s as though S~G is more real and
is more a part of me than the others. Well like I said I’m not sure I can explain,
but I’d go as far a to say I could live without the others but I’d feel like
there was a part of me missing if I suddenly lost S~G.
With sf/f in particular I would have to agree what others have said in that human issues
can be explored with greater freedom than in many other genre. As with original ST having
a mixed race crew.
5)This is what I tell my newest friends about why they should come visit my favorite
Universe:
I’m not sure really, usually it starts with me having to explain the meaning of
something I said, when I have used a Sime term (which is regularly). I explain about S`G
so I can explain the meaning of the term I used.
6) These are the SF/F Universes I like best in order of how much I like them (novels,
stories, tv shows, movies -- all jumbled together but listed in order of how strongly each
has grabbed me.) {Insert S~G in its proper place in the order of preference (and I really
don't expect you to put S~G first!)
S~G. (Honestly it is.)
Star Trek……….(All variations)
War of the Worlds. (These two are on the same tape so I watch them together)
The Time Machine… (which is quite often)
The Planet of the Apes. (All of them, the first is my fav)
Forbidden Planet.
The day the Earth stood still.
Isaac Asimov….(All his robot stories)
Piers Anthony. (The Split Infinity series)
Chelsea Quin Yarbaro.(sp?)
(Ahhhhh somebody stop me. Now I want to go and read them and see them again)
7) I think Sime~Gen would have its greatest appeal to fans of -- (fill in the blank). List
as many fandoms as you feel might be appropriate.
Gee, I don’t have any connection to other fandoms so I don’t know.
A commercial pitch would include things like a slogan for a TV advertisement , a
"jingle" for advertising, a "narrative hook" for the simegen.com page,
imagery for that page, etc. Consider if you were watching television and saw an
advertisement for Sime~Gen but had never heard of S~G before -- what could it say in 15
seconds that would make you go hunt for the novels?
An idea for a pitch.
The Sime~Gen Universe. Where a split human race fights for it’s very existence, and
for unity. The Simes; Who must survive month to month on the life force of the Gens,
resulting in the Gen’s death. The Gens; Who produce the life force the Simes need,
and who fear the Simes deadly touch. Two side of humanity who deny the humanity of the
other. Into this comes the Channels And Companions. The Channels; Simes who can take the
life force from Gens without killing and give to other Simes. The Companions; Gens who can
give their life force without being killed. Are the Channels and Companions enough to
bring the human race back together?
Consider if you saw one of these banner advertisements that pop up on websites -- what
could such a banner say that would make you click it and discover S~G? How would you
recognize something that you'd never heard of before -- recognize it as something vitally
important to you?
Maybe two hands reaching toward each other, one Sime, one Gen. I think someone else may
have said something simular, but that is what mad me pick up "House of Zeor" all
those years ago.
Stay Safe, Stay Strong.
Zoe.
I like S~G because the characters are people who C) I could learn something from and E)
who seem familiar. The S~G universe seems to be A) a world that is more real than the 6
o'clock news. S~G has added to my life B) the courage to tackle my own problems and C) an
appreciation of human potential.
Favorite sf/f universes, in order: original series Trek, S~G, Arthurian.
I think different aspects of S~G would appeal to almost anyone with an interest in good
storytelling set in a coherent, well-developed universe.
Peace and long live,
Dave O'Neal
Hello, one and all! It's been over a month since this survey was posted, and here I am
at last. It's been a particularly hectic several weeks, and I'm not even quite caught up
reading s/g list digests, but here I am on a sleepless early am with time to respond.
I first discovered S/G at a con in NY, Creation? Townsley? It was my first con, 1977 or
78, and both Jean and Jacqueline were there signing and autographing their new book, FIRST
CHANNEL. I was at that con with my friend who had introduced me to the wonder of zines,
some of which had had intriguing stories by JL. We split the cost of a book. I ended up
loving it, she didn't, so I got custody and sought out the related zines and previously
published books.
First Channel remains my favorite, though among fan-published work I like MaryLou's Den
and Rital stories and Karen Litman's Frevven stories best.
My life: I'm 46, married, no kids, but I love kids so I've been working since 1991 as a
live-out nanny in the Cambridge/Boston area. I'm crafty, but practical--what I make is
durable, useful, machine wash/dryable. Mostly I make stuffed animals and dolls, including
fannish ones like Vulcan babydolls that salute, and Ewoks that really do look like Ewoks,
unlike the smarmy Kenner ones. Ahem. To continue: Since nannying doesn't pay well and my
husband, a talented but largely unrecognized composer, works halftime as a tech writer to
help pay expenses, we have to pinch pennies. I sometimes can attend one con per year,
MediaWest, if I've raised the funds via craft sales. I wish I could visit you all at
Darkover or other cons you discuss on the list, but maybe sometime you'll be at something
local.
The computer I'm using is my husband's composing tool, and I get access when he's asleep
or otherwise occupied. S/G is the only list to which I subscribe.
I enjoy reading the lists...it's like instant round-robin on many topics. i
tried archiving certain discussion topics, like s/g geography, newly stated
canon by Jean or JL on various characters and eras, etc., but lost all the
material via computer glitch or ineptitude...I really have so little time to
spend at the keyboard that I haven't learned much about what I can or should
do. (Now I do know enough to back up on disk) I do hope someone is saving and
cataloging the
canonical material that's posted on this list.
REASONS I LIKE SIME~GEN
1) The Characters are People who:
A) I wish I were like
B) I'm glad I'm not like
C) I could learn something from
D) I could help make their lives better
E) who seem familiar and into whose affairs I seem to fit
xxxF)All the above
2)The S~G Universe seems to be . . .
xxxA) a world that is more real to me than the 6 O'Clock News
B) a world where my own story could have a good ending.
C) a world with problems I know how to solve
3)What S~G and the fandom have added to my life:
xA)Personal friendships (whom I've never seen, and may hve spoken to once)
B)The courage to tackle my own problems
xxxC)An appreciation of human potential
D) A vision of a career I could launch and the determination to do it
xxxE) A broader view of what is heroism, and the worth of my own perseverance
5)This is what I tell my newest friends about why they should come visit my
favorite Universe:
I mention that the mutation is as great or greater a polerization as male/female and that
it's so engaging that I can neither put the book down once begun nor think of anything
else for a week or so once finished. I see things from the perspective of the S/G
universe--it becomes real to me.
6) These are the SF/F Universes I like best in order of how much I like them
(novels, tv shows, (tied for first for certain ones) stories, movies -- all jumbled
together but listed in
order of how strongly each has grabbed me.) {Insert S~G in its proper place
in the order of preference (and I really don't expect you to put S~G first!)
}(Unfair! I like S/G better than most of the stuff on the list, with the exception of some
notable books (Like L'Engle's Wrinkle, etc), TV series (currently Babylon...it's not only
good, there's one every night, unlike s/g books), some zine stories, and alltime favorite
movies...tho' I don't bother with most movies, some I won't miss.
7) I think Sime~Gen would have its greatest appeal to fans of -- (fill in
the blank). List as many fandoms as you feel might be appropriate.
I'm running out of time...I think generically, fans who attend fan-run cons, ie fans who
are there not to get near stars or for glitz & collectables, but those who mob the
Dealer's room for zines, who discuss relationships and background details passionately,
who need their characters to matter and their universes to feel real. Of non-fans, people
who read in order to feel, hope, care, and look at themselves with an eye toward
self-improvement.
I wish I had more time and brain cells to devote to this, and to the list itself.
Take care, all. Thanks for being there.
Pax.
Janice
<< REASONS I LIKE SIME~GEN
<<1) The Characters are People who:
<< C) I could learn something from
<< F)Other (specify)......... aliens with a most fascinating and well
thought-out physiology which affects their lives in ways analagous to our own
strivings to understand difference and to adapt to each other
<<2)The S~G Universe seems to be . . .
.......... a marvelous laboratory in which to contemplate ways of being... much more than
entertainment... a safe place to be .... and, yes, more thrilling than many aspects of
"real life"
<<3)What S~G and the fandom have added to my life:
<<C)An appreciation of human potential
..... more, a hope for us, in all our myriad ways of being, that we might yet survive and
be better, more complete folk
<<5)This is what I tell my newest friends about why they should come visit my
<<favorite Universe:
............. It's good science fiction *and* science fantasy, with deep and true
characterizations. It's a Real place where you will thrive and grow.
6) These are the SF/F Universes I like best in order of how much I like them
Roughly chronological : Tolkien, Roddenberry (Star Trek), Saberhagen's Dracula, Sherlock
Holmes (believe me there's lots of SF Holmes), SIME~GEN, Forever Knight, The Modern Vamps
(Rice to Huff to Elrod to Hamilton) ....... most importantly I've only worked on stories
in Star Trek and SIME~GEN
7) I think Sime~Gen would have its greatest appeal to fans of -- all of those listed above
... also any F Paul Wilson "Healer" fans, those in the healing and bology
professions...
never heard of S~G before -- what could it say in 15 seconds that would make
you go hunt for the novels?
.................. In quick flashes with thrumming music : non -tentacled
hands reaching out Voiceover :"When touch is forbidden," ...... tentacled
hands reaching out "Because humanity has changed" ...... changover victim to
hero/heroine , "I'm changing, run NOW! before it's too late".....
banner advertisements
................. got me.....
How would you recognize something that you'd never heard of
before -- recognize it as something vitally important to you?
.................... Anything that delineates themes of differentness --- tolerating it
without denying its dark and fearful side : for example I love vampires struggling with
their own nature (Forever Knight), hate the RayBan vampires watching the sun rise
commercial.... Forever Knight narrates that theme in its first seconds of the credits...
American Gothic spelled it out in its credits too... both grabbed me when noted surfing
tv.... took only a few seconds.... Hamilton's Anita's situation is equally succinctly
spelled out, clear even in a book blurb....
Well, as usual .. dreadfully late due to my impossible schedule.... (what a month of
deliveries and surgeries!! Whew!!)
More later,
Pat N
Salutations, everyone. I'd like to introduce myself. Forgive me if I tend to run on.
My name's Janet Coleman Sides. I'm a Gemini, just turned 28, a Long Island Yankee now
living in Memphis, Tennessee, and I've been in love with Simes since about 1982? 83?. I
never knew anyone else who had ever even HEARD of these books until I had the good fortune
to look up an interview with JL at Amazon.com, in which she gave a URL for the Zeor site.
EUREKA! More about that in a minute.
By trade, I'm a graphic designer. By nature, I'm a writer. Thus far, a short story writer,
though I am now gestating (and making real progress with, lately!) a fantasy novel, a
story I've always wanted to tell. Most (though not all) of my short stories are f/sf
erotica. I like finding 'strange new worlds', not just a tawdry scene of same-old
same-old. *shrug* One woman's opinion.
I grew up loving Star Trek, too. I believe I carted MAHOGANY TRINROSE home from the
library on the same day as both of the Marshak & Culbreath STAR TREK: THE NEW VOYAGES
more than once. UNTO ZEOR, FOREVER found its way into my collection. Devoured them, read
them over and over. What hooked me then about the series, besides the supernatural themes
in MT, was, oh, the tentacles, the zlinning... and the concept of lortuen. Since MT was
the first S/G book I read, I guess I assumed the supernatural subtext such as the
reincarnating Farrises (and others), a subject I saw raised in a recent digest of this
list. I didn't worry too much about it.
What hooks me *now* is: yes, the Sime has all those nifty extras, but how they have to
*pay* for them -- and I can really empathize with that, blessed was I am with a variety of
chronic health flaws. The Gen's precarious position, of being a target just by living, by
feeling, is something I could not identify with when I was a teenager convinced of my own
invincibility. Now I can more fully imagine and join with the story...I have enough
context to begin to glimpse (not *truly*, of course, as I'm not a parent) the horror of
trying to have an everyday life and love your kids, with the underlying certainty that 1
in 3 weren't going to 'make it'.
AND, finally getting the point, I love that when the two halves reunite they make
humankind greater than the Ancients. It's like an evolutionary step that depends on
humankind's moral fiber to complete it. Quite a gamble, mother Nature! Quite a payoff,
too.
I was aware of the existence of conventions, fan newsletters etc. ... but just didn't
pursue it. I was too young to go to "Esotericon" by myself and I couldn't
interest my parents in it, so it kind of got dropped there. Ah, and in college in New York
City I begged and begged a boyfriend to take me to a Trek con, but he balked at the gate
when we found that admission cost $25. I finally went to one in '91, where Leonard Nimoy
charmed us all like snakes. Oh, he was lovely! After that there were 2 or 3 more minor
(and poorly attended) other cons. But I never joined the fan community -- had no one to
talk with about this stuff I loved!
Then I got online in '94 and, as my computer then was a 2400-baud-modem text-only old
warhorse named 'Ol' Bess', the Internet for me was mostly USENET, and WWW via Lynx. After
some exploratory nosing I sat right down (...snipped...) and started writing again -- I'd
had a few rather slack years while I flailed around growing up, but now there was an
audience! People actively asking, some of them BEGGING, me to write more, write more... It
was Utterly Thrilling, and a great motivator. I got into Quantum Leap (... snipped...)
I publish all of my stories (fanfic and original) on my Web site and, while it
would be nice to be paid for them, a continuous stream of fan mail is pretty rewarding
too. (Plus, I have *quality control* over this kind of published material: it seems like I
can't read a single book these days in any genre that does not contain *several*
irritating typos!) Since my novel really started to take hold of me, I haven't posted
anything new. But every once in a while something just jumps out. <g>
As soon as I realized that Sime~Gen was a living presence online, I nearly exploded with
happiness. Oh, WOW! Wonderful new novels of *top* quality; the presence and participation
of Jacqueline and Jean (I bow deeply to you both!); warm and gracious responses to my
initial queries; even the loan of several books -- ah, to FINALLY get to read RenSime --
*need assuaged*. Thank you, Tori!
I have been reading digest logs of this list. The discussions are fascinating, and this is
clearly an intelligent and enlightened group of folks. It's great to be here. I'll stop
babbling.... now. <g>
Janet Coleman Sides
http://magibox.net/~storybox
--
Release that dream into the world -- Alphaville
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