RIP Gerry Anderson

Gerry Anderson, creator of Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, UFO and Space: 1999 (among other shows) died today aged 83.

Thunderbirds was a significant influence in my childhood interest in science fiction; it was a bright, optimistic show depicting a future full of extraordinary and wonderful machines (but very few people!).





















Captain Scarlet was a far darker show, with the Mysterons, an alien race probably based on Mars, waging a "cold war" against humanity because we destroyed one of their Martian cities.

Space: 1999 had the bizarre premise that the Moon was blasted out of orbit and tumbled through outer space encountering weird and strange alien worlds.

And UFO involved a secret organisation battling invading aliens with the help of hi-tech space-craft, set in... er... 1980. (ten years ahead when the show was made!)


 
Gerry Anderson forged much of my childhood image of the future. Rest in peace, Gerry - you will be remembered through your creations.

Why fantasy?

Storytellers have told tales of magic and monsters from time immemorial. The Greek myths are widely known, with a myriad of Gods and monsters. 

The Norse myths have dragons, dwarves and spirits.

The Celtic cultures (in particular Irish) have giants, goblins, magical cauldrons and sorcery.

Less well-known mythologies have the same range of magic and monsters, whether it be Hawaiian or Aztec.

Why is there such a fascination with monsters and magic? The usual explanation is that these stories explain strangenesses and unknown phenomena that the ancient peoples did not understand, and that knowing, for example, that the Gods are responsible for lightning makes the thunderstorm less frightening.

 

I don't agree. There would be far easier ways to explain such things, and so many of the stories do not actually explain any natural phenomenon or landmark. No, my explanation is far simpler. People like having a sense of wonder. People like stories. Big, extraordinary, magical events and monsters are fun. They brighten up the lives of the readers or listeners. Nowadays we have television and films, but back in the distant past the best wide-screen surround-sound cinematic effects were created by storytellers. And fantasies make the best and most exciting stories.

SFFSat 15/12/2012

 

 This is my snippet this week for SFFSat. SFFSat is a place where a number of authors post snippets from their written works, and give the opportunity for comments, support and encouragement. Please also explore the other blogs that are part of this set - you can find the information here.

This snippet carries on almost directly from last week's events. Sorrel has picked a fight with three graalur. One, nicknamed Crest, is dead. One is tackling the woman Sorrel was trying to rescue. The third, unimaginatively named Three, is still thoroughly alive, much to Sorrel's dismay.

Once again I've asked my heroine not to use such bad language, but Sorrel doesn't take any notice of what I say...

 

His next blow was low and twisting, beautifully timed and controlled. Volg it, the squumer was good! I brought my sword up, catching his motion, barely edging it aside and leaving myself with no way to hack back. I retreated, trying to remember where Crest's body was - the last thing I wanted was to fall over him. Three, of course, wanted nothing else for me. He was grinning, breathing fast, the sword moving in small circles as he bore down upon me. And somewhere there was the other graalur - it didn't sound as though the woman was keeping him occupied. I was in trouble. Again.

 Comments welcomed!

SFFSat 8/12/12

 This is my snippet this week for SFFSat. SFFSat is a place where a number of authors post snippets from their written works, and give the opportunity for comments, support and encouragement. Please also explore the other blogs that are part of this set - you can find the information here.

My snippet this week is again from Sorrel in Scarlet. Sorrel is in trouble again - she has gone to a woman's aid, and has found herself confronting three angry graalur. She has dealt with two so far...

As is often the case with Sorrel, I give the usual warning about bad language!

  

    Three had dropped into a fighting stance, his expression hard. He was no longer thinking about taking me captive. The other woman had gone silent, and I wondered fleetingly what had become of her. If I could deal with Three, I'd try and help her.

    Three took an experimental swing, trying to gauge my skill. I let him almost pink me. Lull him into false confidence. The blow came closer than I had intended, and I only just managed to parry his strike. Volg it, he was fast! I had a nasty suspicion that I was lulling him into a realistic feeling of confidence.

Comments welcomed!

Leicester successes

Well, I'm back from Leicester in one piece after going to the UK in the Playground gaming convention. A successful trip – I ran a Star Wars game with some degree of success, and also sold half a dozen hard copies of Sorrel.  It gives me quite a boost when people want a signed copy. It was the best single day for sales of Sorrel since the novel launched.

We also took part in the Leicester Games Society's Geek Quiz, and won. Well, won the wooden spoon, anyway, for getting the worst score of anyone! It was a good day, if quite exhausting.