SG1: Alliances -- a new Stargate novel

[KarenMiller]

Evening, all. I just wanted to pop up my head and wave at everyone, with some shameless promotion of my first Stargate SG1 novel, Alliances, which is due out from Fandemonium in September (publishing glitches permitting).

But who the heck are you, I hear you cry! Well, I started out writing Stargate in the fanfic world, with the Medical Considerations series. From there I moved to professional spec fic novels, and then I put up my hand to write a Stargate novel. It's been a blast. As soon as last minute corrections are finalised I'll be able to link to an excerpt, for those of you who like to try before you buy. Another way of sampling my style is to check out Issue 11 of the Official Magazine -- that's my short story in there. I'm still grinning about it.

All I'll say in closing is that I'm a huge fan of the show and have been since I saw Children of the Gods, way back when. I loved the original movie, too. I consider myself incredibly lucky to be given this chance to play in the Stargate sandbox ... and really hope I haven't let my fellow fans down with my take on the show and its fantastic characters.

If you have any questions, I'll do my best to answer them. Thanks for your time!

[Albion]

Well, Karen, I've always wanted to see the events of Euronda and the aftermath explored more. I always believed it must have caused some serious fallout, so I'm definitely looking forward to this one and finally getting to see it have some effect on the character relationship of the team, as we never did on the show.

Albion

[Sia]

I LOVED the Medical Considerations series - it was one of the first series I read on Heleopolis. Couldn't quite decide if you were writing from experience or a really good researcher! Either way your stories were right up there with Sally Reeve, Dietcokechic, Seldear, Ruth M King and those I always went looking for.

I hadn't made the connection with your name until I saw this but really looking forward to reading a full length novel by you.

[KarenMiller]

Thanks so much for the vote of confidence, Sia! Very pleased that you remember MC fondly. I'm not a doctor, but I have a good friend who's an ER specialist. Hanging around her and her medico mates really rubbed off on me ...

Albion, I agree about the episode I used as a springboard, Season 4's The Other Side. It's a Brad Wright script, and he's my standout favourite writer on the show. He always comes up with interesting stories and never fails to include terrific character moments. Perhaps it's because we share a playwrighting background, but I really love scripts that are light on FX and explosions and heavy on the people. It's the human element that sucked me into the show in the first place. I can't get excited about spaceships and ray guns, but I fall in a puddle over terrific interpersonal scenes and moments. There were so many unanswered questions left after TOS, such a juicy ethical dilemma, I really wanted to play with those dangling threads. I'm just lucky I got to it first, and that the wonderful folk at Fandemonium were happy for me to give it a shot.

So much fun! Tee hee! Whoopeeee!

[Albion]

Perhaps it's because we share a playwrighting background, but I really love scripts that are light on FX and explosions and heavy on the people. It's the human element that sucked me into the show in the first place. I can't get excited about spaceships and ray guns, but I fall in a puddle over terrific interpersonal scenes and moments

Music to my ears and you're singing my song.

Well, I started out writing Stargate in the fanfic world, with the Medical Considerations series.

Out of curiosity, I went back to my personal file of SG1 stories I have hoarded on my hd. All my favourites that I've picked up along the way. Not only do I, indeed, have the Medical Considerations series listed (so I must have enjoyed them), I have them tagged in my notes as 'often poignant, funny and warm'.

Looks like I might just enjoy this one in September.



Albion

[Elite Anubis Guard]

Well if you're up there with Sally, I have no end of confidence in your novel already. Will Alliances have any nods to the other SG1 novels?

[sueKay]

Welcome to GW!

Can't wait to read your novel!!!

[KarenMiller]

Alas, I haven't managed to work in any inter-novel nods with Alliances. The trick with that kind of thing, as with referencing other episodes, is that you can come off looking contrived or forced if you're referencing only for the sake of it. Certainly if the opportunity presents itself down the track it would be a fun thing to do.

What I'd like to ask, if folk don't mind, is what kind of stories you'd best like to read about with the novels. Obviously I have no control over Fandemonium's general publishing direction or the parameters laid down by MGM, but for future reference I'm interested in knowing what works for you as readers, and what doesn't. Not getting personal about other writers though, please, or desiring to ignite torrid debate about any divisive issues -- just the things that tickle you most in the series that you'd love to see translated into the novels.

And if anyone has any questions about the writing or the process or anything like that, I'm always happy to natter.

[Katkin]

Alas, I haven't managed to work in any inter-novel nods with Alliances. The trick with that kind of thing, as with referencing other episodes, is that you can come off looking contrived or forced if you're referencing only for the sake of it. Certainly if the opportunity presents itself down the track it would be a fun thing to do.

What I'd like to ask, if folk don't mind, is what kind of stories you'd best like to read about with the novels. Obviously I have no control over Fandemonium's general publishing direction or the parameters laid down by MGM, but for future reference I'm interested in knowing what works for you as readers, and what doesn't. Not getting personal about other writers though, please, or desiring to ignite torrid debate about any divisive issues -- just the things that tickle you most in the series that you'd love to see translated into the novels.

And if anyone has any questions about the writing or the process or anything like that, I'm always happy to natter.

I’ve always looked to the long fanfics to follow up some of the issues that the PTB seem to think are too profound for an hour on the Sci-Fi channel… many episodes have included events and circumstances that must surely deeply affect the characters – but the consequences never get followed up. To that end, I would love a really good Abyss-fallout novel…

[KarenMiller]

Well, Sally Malcolm did some fine work looking at post-Abyss issues with her two-parter Matter/Cost of Honor. If you haven't read them, I can highly recommend.

[Albion]

CoH/MoH and Sabine's new one Survival of the Fittest. Stick roughly to that mold and you'll have me hooked.

I want to see a real mix of drama, action, humour, TEAM <g>. I want to see the characters showing that they care for one another. They don't necessarily have to be completely in harmony at all points, but I do like to see the close friendship at some point.

Some S/J ship will always be welcome. Although I don't mind it being understated. In fact, prefer it that way. But if there is no ship at all, then I tend to be disappointed in the novel. I do understand that you walk a fine balance with something of that nature in a published novel, where you are more restricted than in fanfic. Sally and Sabine struck just the perfect note on this one for me with their novels.

Introspection. I want to know what the characters are feeling. Although, again, you can't go overboard with that in a published novel, so a light touch on it is just fine.

Think that's it for my wish list. <G>

Albion

[KarenMiller]

I find the question of ship in the novels fascinating. Laying it on the line here, I've always enjoyed the relationship between Jack and Sam and had no problem when that got pushed up on the televised agenda. I felt it was pretty obvious all the way back in Season 1 (most specifically in TBFTGOG, where it was established AU Jack and AU Sam were engaged) that those two had sparkage -- and that the show runners felt so too. Subsequent episodes like PoV which explicitly handled the relationship all pointed out to me that those 2 unlikely people had a profound connection whatever universe they were in. Of course, in 'our' universe the relationship is severely limited. On the whole, I think the show maintained a good balance of 'what if' and 'if only' with the military practicalities. I honestly never felt it was overplayed, or overshadowed other aspects of the action. I don't think the other characters or the 'team' element suffered as a result.

I do appreciate that some fans aren't invested in the ship between those characters, but for me -- it's canon. The subject was handled explicitly in Season 4, and touched upon in subsequent seasons. It's a fact of the Stargate universe, and I don't see there's much point getting upset about it. Of course, when it comes to writing the novels there's a wide open field when it comes to handling that relationship. In the show, those 2 people don't allude to their feelings much at all. They agreed to put it to one side and, for the most part, that's what they did.

Given that Alliances is set prior to D&C, the ep that lays it on the line once and for all, and also given that Jack and Sam are ultra-professionals who never let that kind of stuff get in the way, there's no overt ship in the book. But I won't deny there's a certain ... frisson ... in places.

I hope it's not so much that the non-ship fans find it unreadable. I certainly hope the non-ship fans won't trash me or the book because of that certain frisson. Feelings can run pretty high at times, I do know ... so I guess my fingers are crossed just now.

I like to think I've included lots of great team stuff ... but of course, in the end, that call belongs to the readers.

[Albion]

Why isn't it September yet?

Albion (hitting the pre-order button on Amazon)

[KarenMiller]

Oh lord, given the state of my deadlines I'm quite relieved it isn't September!

Thanks for the advance vote of confidence there, Albion. Now fingers crossed I don't disappoint ...

[HirogenGater]

Alas, I haven't managed to work in any inter-novel nods with Alliances. The trick with that kind of thing, as with referencing other episodes, is that you can come off looking contrived or forced if you're referencing only for the sake of it. Certainly if the opportunity presents itself down the track it would be a fun thing to do.

Thank you, this happens way too much in Star Trk novels. Authors through in every cameo under the sun.

What I'd like to ask, if folk don't mind, is what kind of stories you'd best like to read about with the novels. Obviously I have no control over Fandemonium's general publishing direction or the parameters laid down by MGM, but for future reference I'm interested in knowing what works for you as readers, and what doesn't. Not getting personal about other writers though, please, or desiring to ignite torrid debate about any divisive issues -- just the things that tickle you most in the series that you'd love to see translated into the novels.

All I would like is stay true to the characters. I read The Morpheus Factor, and hated it! O'Neill and Jackson were completely out of character. I think Jack was calling Daniel, Jackson throughout.

I would like a novel set in Season 3 with Apophis? as the baddie.