Lawrence Dagstine: “Historical Works in Progress…”

Posted on April 2, 2010

On Alternate History, Historical Weird Tales, and SF Serials…

In the next couple of weeks I will be continuing my bimonthly series of Free Fiction. This time I will be serializing a science fiction-themed novella about two orphans that get stranded during an interplanetary adoption. It takes place on the largest planet in the universe — The planet Ragnarok (aptly named after the warring Gods of Norse Mythology, which later supposedly caused a lot of catastrophes concerning Mother Nature and the like for Mankind). You’ll understand why as you get into it over the course of the year. There are even a few flashback sequences similar to the series LOST. On Ragnarok, Quadrant 4, located on the outer rim of the Cat’s Eye Nebula, like most of my worlds, there are eighteen seasons. Unlike Earth, which has only four. The good guys are a bunch of giant lizards with chest communicators. Think the Silurians from Doctor Who, only bigger, stronger. Bad guys are a bunch of elemental wind creatures who harvest meat by “shadowy” & “vampiric” means. These guys are the horror element to the story. Main orphan characters are Chelsea and Blake, and you are sure to fall in love with these two kids. Mind you, this serial is FIRST DRAFT, so if you see the occasional typo or a bit of redundancy, I don’t plan on publishing this anywhere but my homepage. Entertainment purposes only. I could best describe the early portions as a cross between Lord of the Flies, the movie Pitch-Black, and Living Amongst the Lizards (short story). Serials shall run between 2,500 and 5,000 words in length. Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. Once again, all first draft.

Name of planned Bimonthly Serial: “Orphan’s Prey” – Stay Tuned!

On The Great Depression and post-Civil War era…

I already have a batch of finished short stories and novelettes set in these two eras. Some accepted, too.

Story One: “A Town of Crows” – Killer Scarecrows after the Civil War now appearing in Steampunk Tales #6. See eBooks & Kindle.

Story Two: “A Time and Place for Monsters” – a very long novelette with vampires and werewolves during the Great Depression coming to Cover of Darkness. Also, a bit of back history concerning President Hoover and The Monsters. Never before done.

Story Three: “The Two-Sided Market” – Dedicated to H.G. Wells/Parallel Piece.

Story Four: “The Great Martian Depression” – Scifi currently appearing in The Martian Wave Issue#1.

Story Five: “FDR and the Locusts” – Franklin D. Roosevelt and BIG Insects, with a plot twist.

Cleopatra VII - Brooklyn Museum of New York 2008 - 2009

On Cleopatra and Alternate History…

There are two finished stories, finally edited, featuring Cleo as a fourteen-year-old. They take place between Ancient Egypt and Rome. Alternate History meets Historical Fantasy, and there will also be mages, sorcerers, the undead, gods, and demigods! Also, the stories begin with Mark Antony as narrator for the first page and ends with him conceptually. Here, I decided to experiment.

Story One: “Young Cleopatra and The Whispering Ancients”

Story Two: “Young Cleopatra and The Eye of Horus.”

Story Three: UNTITLED (coming 2011, and concerning the suicide of Mark and Cleo).

On Pompeii and Rome…

Next, later in the year off to Pompeii and some more fiction in Rome. Introducing the Children of Ash short stories/novelettes. All stand-alone tales, which I often prefer.

Story One: “The Children of Ash” – After Volcano Day.

Story Two: “The Nightmare Lair” – Inside the Volcano.

Story Three: “The Vampires of Pompeii” – The Romans have some neighbors. 😉

I’m also thinking up a totally “messed-up” Caligula-style crossover piece as well. Of course, this is still not a guarantee that a market will accept all of them. Never is.

I also noticed that a lot of Fresh Blood PDFs were sold. Like 40 or 50 in the first two, three weeks. At $3.50, yeah, it’s a great price. If you own a reader, click on eBooks & Kindle and treat yourself to a copy. You can also now read PDFs on the Amazon Kindle, or download the free iPhone/iPad application off of Amazon.com as well. I’d like to thank all of you. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it. The same with my scarecrow story in Steampunk Tales #6 (www.steampunktales.com).

Other than that, there are ten brand new short stories and novelettes completed, my first novella is in the editorial screening stages, and ten brand new acceptances for 2010-2011. I wish I had the time to blog ten times per day, but life does not permit me such luxury. I’ll try and fit what I can. Historical stories take two, three weeks alone. However, some acceptances are to print anthologies. So stay tuned! SF serial starts Late April/May 2010. It’s gonna be fun!

Cheers,

Lawrence Dagstine

Print Magazines * Amazon Kindle * The iPhone/iPad * Sony & PDF Download

Other New Entries: “General News”

P.S.: Speaking of crazy historical tales, enjoy the new season of Doctor Who. Series Five with Matt Smith!

Doctor Who: “The Regeneration of Matt Smith…”

Posted on October 6, 2009

…Or, rather, David Tennant. But I will get to that in a moment.

Artwork by Neil Cameron

Plot devices and continuity. Like most hit television shows, in any given genre, be it comedy or drama… from Grey’s Anatomy to Ugly Betty to Lost to Star Trek to Stargate to, yes, Doctor Who. New writers must come in and draw a fine line where the old left off, and hopefully fill those new shoes properly. If you were hired to write a hit TV show tomorrow and you were not a fan or somewhat of an expert or historian in that series, somewhat part of the progression of it, I would tell you to get the F out. Good example, Desperate Housewives. I mean, come on, five years later? OK, prequels I can handle. Pip and Jane Baker; you wrote about Colin Baker but you never ever bothered to watch the series and analyze your lead character’s progressions?

I have faith Stephen Moffat will make this new improved Doctor Who work to his advantage, and, most importantly, the audience’s advantage. And don’t be surprised if Russell T. Davies “guest writes” a story every now and then. Like most science fiction shows, the best writers and collaborators must look at the material of seasons past and see how they can improve on that, go one step further. They must include an element within a series that will not only keep the viewer attached but something that approximates the previous seasons and the very heart of what the show represents, especially in terms of approach and sophistication. Good example, historical stories. Anything else nowadays is a waste of time and a quick cancellation.

The Two New Stars of Series Five

: Amy Pond, The 11th Doctor, the New TARDIS

But, once again, I have faith in the soon-arriving Fifth Series Doctor when it comes to his bow-tie donning persona, what I personally consider to be a 21^st century Peter Davison by way of Jon Pertwee and perhaps a bit of suave “academic emo”. Then again, over the next three years—in which Matt Smith was contracted—I could end up wrong. However, I love the new outfit. And I fell in love with Matt Smith when I saw that new TARDIS, the tweed dandy, and the old crotchety boots and rags he was wearing. Yes, sometimes fashion makes a bold statement. The best part: it works for just about all age groups.

When I was growing up, the late Tom Baker and Peter Davison years were my era. My son loves Christopher Eccleston. Who knows, maybe it’s the ears. But he is young. The way I grew up to Davison, is the way my boy will start off “fresh” with Matt Smith. The Eleventh Doctor. Below you will find set photographs littered across the web of Matt Smith in a rather torn-up outfit belonging to a dead David Tennant. Yes, the Tenth Doctor’s garb. Ice cream, anyone? And there’s a surprised Karen Gillan, in standard police uniform, by his side. So one question now remains: what happened in the aftermath of whatever it is that killed Tennant’s character off?

Well, actually, two: How did David Tennant die?

REGEN-NEWS TIP: The Gallifreyan Embassy (Doctor Who Podshock): ttp://networkedblogs.com/p13718949

Official BBC Doctor Who Homepage:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/

Doctor Who Series Five Monster Poll:

https://lawrencedagstine.com/2009/03/16/doctor-who-series-five-monsters/

On-Location Film Shoots:

www.bigpicturesphoto.com

Surprise, surprise!

"Can I get you a Firerocket, Amy?"

The 2010 series assures us the return of Alex Kingston (Professor Riversong, who I suspect might be Amy Pond). The new series assures us the return of the Daleks. The 2010 series rumors that Billie Piper and Christopher Eccleston will be back. How the latter, I do not know. Maybe Merlin, maybe CGI dragons. There are rumors of The Sea Devils, Sherlock Holmes, The Yeti, The London Underground (remember The Web of Fear), and possibly Noel Clarke and John Barrowman, too. But until 2010, that’s all they are: rumors.

Matt Smith

Nevertheless, I’d like to take this time to thank David Tennant, Russell T. Davies, and Julie Gardner for fulfilling a dream I had wished come true way back in the 90’s when I was scouring Forbidden Planet, Barnes & Nobles, and Borders for paperbacks like the “The New Adventures” and places like FYE and Sam Goody for VHS Tapes of past stories.

Goodbye David Tennant

Thank you David Tennant, for being a BRILLIANT Tenth Doctor. This post is dedicated to you.

Yours Truly,

Lawrence R. Dagstine

Just Another SF Geek.

P.S.: How about that new DW Logo? What do you think?

P.S. 2: I’ll return with more Whovian news and thoughts in 2010.

Doctor Who: Paterson Joseph Replaces Matt Smith…?

Posted on June 6, 2009

No press releases, no nothing… Everything is all very “hush-hush” since the news regarding the Doctor’s new companion for 2010 (Karen Gillan), who could pass for a younger Professor Riversong might I add. However, there is nothing to quell these rumors at the moment… Only that Paterson Joseph may have replaced Matt Smith (or maybe the English actor was always in the driver’s seat to begin with). Then there’s this photograph below. What is Doctor Who writer Stephen Moffat planning?

Paterson Joseph

Official BBC Doctor Who Homepage:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/

Supposedly Tennant already filmed the regeneration sequence. I’ve seen the pics where he’s in a lot of pain, staggering, and a pre-2004 Billie Piper — yes, she returns for the two-part Christmas finale — along with her mother Jackie, bump into the soon-to-regenerate David Tennant. Tennant encounters Ood Sigma at one point (again!), but it is unknown whether he makes it back to his TARDIS alone or not (according to Russell T. Davies, alone, because back in 2004 Rose Tyler would not have known the Doctor. It’s said, however, that the ending is both a “surprise” and a real “tearjerker”.

But how do you explain these sudden rumors of Matt Smith being replaced, and the Paterson Joseph pic? No recent photographs of Smith in his new Time Lord outfit at the very least? Nothing else leaked? Or is the pic above really bogus?

Previous Doctor Who links (related to Matt Smith):

https://lawrencedagstine.com/2009/01/05/doctor-who-matt-smith-is-not-the-eleventh-doctor/

https://lawrencedagstine.com/2009/03/16/doctor-who-series-five-monsters/

Doctor Who: Series Five Monsters…

Posted on March 16, 2009

New Monsters! It’s about time… Hmm, am I making any sense? I don’t know, I might not make any sense ever again. Fanboy-ism aside, and as a science fiction writer to boot, I’m here today to declare my love yet again for one of the longest running shows in TV history. That’s right — Doctor Who! Torchwood would probably come in second or third for me. And, as we all know, David Tennant regenerates after this year and becomes The Eleventh Doctor. This role will go to the then 27-year old Matt Smith.

regeneration_stunt

Now I will admit, at first I wasn’t too keen on the idea of Smith taking over the role; I had fingers crossed for Paterson Joseph, Adrian Lester, or even Colin Salmon. But I guess it’s only right that we give the boy a chance. After all, Stephen Moffat is a remarkable writer and it’s as if he were born to lead such a fantastic show. Also, Matt Smith promises to bring a lot to the role as the Doctor — retracing the 70’s show model, Matt and Stephen? — and you know these newbies, one night they’re nobody, the next they’re a guaranteed success and eating the pie from the Actor’s Guild. Matt Smith you have my attention. I will give you a chance, I promise. But what adversaries will you face? What monsters will you go up against? What surprises does Moffat have in store for us in 2010?

Official BBC Doctor Who Homepage:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/

I know the one monster I don’t want to see anymore is The Daleks — NO MORE! They’ve been done to death. Russell T. Davies abused them enough, I think. I love the Cybermen, don’t get me wrong… but please exit right. And it’s safe to bet that the Sontarans were just a “one-time” gig. I want monsters that harken back to the Baker years. Or they should be, at the very least, considered.

matt-smith-doctor-who-1

I have read rumors (and they are only that), that the “Weeping Angels” will be making their return. I’ve seen The Sea Devils being tossed about the Net. The Troclafane were mentioned on one “source” forum, but I hope they weren’t serious. And like the Sea Devils, my money is on the Ice Warriors all the way! I wouldn’t be surprised if they are a major villain in Series Five.

There are so many monsters that haven’t returned, that should. I mean, what about the Nimon? These were Minotaur-like monsters who could shoot you down with their horns. In the insect department, you have the Wirrn, who are most memorable from Baker’s second story, The Ark in Space. A Horror of Fang Rock-like story involving the Rutans would be kind of interesting. Or how about using CGI to remake The Gravis and a new sort of Tractator? Perhaps The Zarbi? No, even better, how about the Rani?

nimon

As I get ready for PLANET OF THE DEAD, I wonder what surprises are in store for Matt Smith. And us…

What monsters do YOU want to see return to Doctor Who? Would you like to cast a vote?

Come, take a Doctor Who poll with me…

For another Matt Smith/Doctor Who related poll, go here:

https://lawrencedagstine.com/2009/01/05/doctor-who-matt-smith-is-not-the-eleventh-doctor/

Like monsters? Then read my latest collection, FRESH BLOOD. There’s plenty to be had there, in PG-13 color:

https://lawrencedagstine.com/books-anthos/

Cheers,

Lawrence R. Dagstine

Doctor Who: Matt Smith is NOT the Eleventh Doctor…

Posted on January 5, 2009

No, it has to be a PR stunt as Russell T. Davies leaves the show and Stephen Moffat takes over. It’s a terrible lie, I tell you! No, the next doctor is not some goth kid who just “happens” to look like Peter Davison and Beethoven. Are they blowing the series like John Nathan Turner did back in the 80’s with Colin Baker and Sylvestor McCoy, just blowing it right the hell off television for good? Did they just choose him because his hair was “cool”? Who knows. All I know is that I would have preferred a much older actor — not a “companion” as the Doctor; they might as well have gone with Radcliffe now — maybe a black actor. Colin Salmon, Paterson Joseph, or even Adrian Lester! As a science fiction writer myself, I would have even bargained for Morrissey, Nesbitt, or Sean Pertwee. But who is Matt Smith? Well, if you look at the picture below, that’s him.

Matt Smith... The Eleventh Doctor

Official BBC Doctor Who Homepage:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/

He was just introduced the other day on Doctor Who Confidential, and it appears that this man is the Doctor my son will most likely grow up to. And while I am a fan of “young” doctors (Peter Davison is by far my all-time favorite), and while I have faith in Moffat’s writings, I just don’t particularly like the wild card choice he made with some no-name talent; Smith also has a few unmemorable shows behind him. Matter of fact, Moffat and Paul Cornell’s writing in particular are some of the BEST! But Matt Smith doesn’t remind me of a Time Lord. Sorry. OK, so maybe I am jumping the gun. I’ve been to Outpost Gallifrey, Den of Geek, and every other website and forum in-between hoping the news was really just a big old PR stunt — praying that Paterson Joseph walks through the TARDIS door and says in 2010… SURPRISE!!! But at the age of 40, Tom Baker was relatively a no-name actor with only a few creds to his name… look at what he accomplished. Peter Davison was, at one time, the youngest Doctor to take on the role. He was fantastic, too, but he had a hit series like All Creatures Great and Small behind him. Acting experience! Maybe the scripts will make the difference here, not so much the “hairstyle”. Because this, to me, seems like why they chose him. That and his odd finger mannerisms. I guess we have to watch and see, eh? I mean, David Tennant made the part all his own in one season. He grew on us. But how long will Matt Smith last as The Eleventh Doctor? Will he even be any good? What are some of your thoughts on Matt Smith (aka Doctor Number 11)?

Matt Smith promo shot

A while back I held a few Doctor Who fan polls, where you could vote for your favorite Time Lord and so on. This time I have TWO POLLS… Both dedicated to Matt Smith…

Come, take TWO different DOCTOR WHO polls with me…

Cheers.

Links to PREVIOUS Doctor Who polls:

https://lawrencedagstine.com/2008/11/12/doctor-who-and-the-eleventh-doctor-is/

https://lawrencedagstine.com/2008/10/30/doctor-who-david-tennant-says-goodbye/