MERCEDES-LACKEY Digest 1374 Topics covered in this issue include: 1) braid.... by aliza 2) Audience by "Ailsa n'ha Winifreyda" 3) Comparisons by "Sarah Margaret" 4) Re: Comparisons (Humor, Fluffy, Funny) by Korendil 5) no Misty on top 100 by Sorana Shadowcat 6) Re: who ML writes to by Sorchafyr-+AT+-aol.com 7) Re: If Wishes were Books... by BARKERM-+AT+-scss.pcbe.on.ca (Megan Barker) 8) Belgarath vs. Polgara by JBGNY-+AT+-aol.com 9) Re: If Wishes were Books... by Stasia 10) Re: who ML writes to by "[D[C[D" 11) Re: If Wishes were Books... by NyteRavynn-+AT+-aol.com 12) Re: Here's one for you/Where do I find... by Chriss Buchanan 13) The Fluffian Order by dprono-+AT+-planet.eon.net ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 22 Oct 1997 20:22:21 -0700 From: aliza To: heralds Subject: braid.... Message-ID: <344EC2EC.7C75-+AT+-erols.com> okay.. here are my questions that are bugging me... in the winds series.. elspeth discovers magick cant be discussed b/c of a spell that van put in place. now i just finished the LHM series.. and nowhere in there does he set that spell in place.. he does set stefen on the mission of bolstering the heralds opinions of themselves. does the spell get set in another book? okay.. nother thing that bothered me.. in the LHM, their is a number of references to jisha being chosen when her mom passes away.. and there is such a buildup to the death of randi and jisha's mom... but then their whole death is just breezed over. i dont know about u.. but that totally bothered me.. i felt like if i had to hear about how tragick i was gonna be.. i wanted to see the tragedy. i have to say.. i found the LHM series disappointing. well minus the first one with lendel.. after that well downhill. vanyel gets injured, vanyel heals, vanyel fights next enemy, etc. etc. vanyel gets given nother love just so he can keep doing it without going insane b/c of lack of point. i LOVE arrows.. and i liked winds.. (about to begin muddling thru the rest of the books). i guess what annoyed me was the lack of complexity to the characters... the fact their individual growth was never really broadened. it was as if so much foreshadowing was done - that reading the last two books was overkill. every once and a while a "new" twist or scene was thrown in that made it bearable. i agree on the idea for a valdemarean history text book.... and i would also love to see books written from the karsian perspective. life from inside the enemies head. on the issue of the gay thing.. i happen to be bi.. but had no idea that this would be a repititive focus of misty's books.. i started with the arrows series.. and thought it was really cool that the sub char. were lesbians. what i found more enthralling was that she has created a kingdom where people are accepted and honoured for their skills/talents and for who they are. i kept reading her other books b/c i loved the angle of magick.. and i love how the potential of all her characters is drawn out and developed. i do find it refreshing to have positive role models from all presently minority and tartgeted groups. btw, i want to extend a HUGE THANKS to the Fluff Club... u all are great.. especially during that week i thought i was gonna lose it from all the copyright crap and then having to deal with one person over-posting and flooding my mailbox. please keep us all light and laughing *hugs* -- Walk in beauty, Walk in peace -silntmoon "Don't be afraid to dream, for out of such fragile things come miracles" ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 24 Oct 1997 11:07:11 From: "Ailsa n'ha Winifreyda" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Audience Message-ID: <3.0.2.16.19971024110711.3cbf69ea-+AT+-bilbo.cc.flinders.edu.au> Dear listsibs, How can I not de-lurk about gay issues? I am a 45 (nearly 46 yikes!), gay, single female & happy to be so. I work and live in a heterosexual world where I am bombarded from all sides with rampant heterosexuality and I have no course but to accept it. It is also rampant for the most part with homophobia and predjudice. (Despite what others may believe) I am also an avid reader of fantasy and sci-fi novels - why - because I like to think that somewhereand somehow I will find a word where - WHO you are is a hell of a lot more important than WHAT you are. I don't read Misty because she has gay characters - I read her cos I like her view of the world. I like what the Herald Circle is all about and I like the Tayledras. But I do seek out gay/lebian novels - because they are an oasis to me in a desert of heterosexuality. When I find good gay/lesbian literature/films/art I am affirmed and I drink deeply at that oasis. So LHM was great and so has been Sherrill etc in AOQ. I haven't found any other Lesbian fantasy novels - but Starhawk's "The Fifth Sacred Thing" - describes a world where I want to live. I also collect good female detective, mystery novels often with a gay theme as well as just good detective/mystery novels written by strong authors. If a book is poorly written, whether it be by a gay or lesbian writer, I will not continue reading it. It is the quality of the work that is important to me. Who was it who said that stereotypes are for those people who can't think for themselves??? Warm regards, Aili & Zika (my virtual bondbird - goshawk) Herald healer, Dragon-friend and Renunciate Member of the Council of Mist ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Oct 1997 22:54:34 -0400 From: "Sarah Margaret" To: Subject: Comparisons Message-ID: <01bce028$28de4420$69c5cfcf-+AT+-zoo-2.pica.army.mil> I'm going to start this post of seriously, and degenerate into giggles as I go along. Bare with me. The format is weird, too.. I'm working on my psys-psych experimental thesis, and if I change format, it'll mess up my work. Handmaids and Holderkin : Thesis Statement : Do the societal impositions on women in both the Gilead (The HandMaid's Tale, Atwood) and Holderkin (AotQ) have similarities? My opinion : In both series, we see the imposition of a strong patricial society on men of various positions. In the position of the Gilead Handmaids, the imposition is in the form of imminent danger and punishment, coupled with the lack of power and education. Similarly, the same position seems, while less structured, to have appeared in the Holderkin societies. The position of the Holderkin may seem to be more of that of a Gilead wife; with added responsibility -- though, personally, I think it is more parrellel to that of the handmaid, with the imposition including not only childbearing, but running the house, and being dutiful to the husband and the other men and higher women in the society. Yours? : Please tell me. Jedi Knight vs. Herald Mage : Thesis Statement : Do the personalities and duties of the Jedi Knights/Masters (Star Wars, Lucas. Really, come on, here.) compare with those of the Herald Mage? My opinion : I start by examining purely the magical abilities of both the Herald Mages and the Jedi Knights. In both cases, they seem rather similar. While the names may be different, the usage is the same, and many of the powers seem to coorespond with those in the other universe. The 'force', an ability to manipulate the universes' energy, is the same description of that as 'mage-craft.' The "Light Side" Jedi also seem to have the same duties as the Herald Mages; a duty to protect the people with the power they hold from outside 'dark side' powers, and internal struggles and disputes. Personalities.. Shall I compare Luke and Van? I think not.. if I say something bad, I'm liable to get thwapped from more than one group. Let's just say their personalities in the begining of Magic's Pawn and A New Hope are a bit... similar. ;) On that note.. Top 10 Lines from the abandoned Star Wars/Valdemar crossover 1. "We need you, Darkwind. Valdemar needs you-" "Say it, Princess. You want me to stay." 2. :Choose you I do. Be Lonely you will not: 3. "But I wanna go get some mage focusses from Tashir station... " 4. "He's the last hope for Valdemar... " :No. Another, there is.: 5. "I'll never join you, Ma'ar!" 6. "Look, sir! Companions!" 7. "Mage craft runs strong in my family." 8. "An'deshna... I am your long lost relative.. " :deep breathing: 9. "I'd rather kiss a Companion!" "I can arrange that!" 10. "Hokey, ancient magic is no match for a good set of arrows at your side, kid." (note to sal.. thanks for the help. And, btw, for some reason my Latin teacher didn't like my essay on "Hellen of Trory"... shows me not to type things up at 2 am. And I'm _not_ becoming one of... them... :shudder:. I'mnotI'mnot. ;) >"Ho hum, Vanyel's about to destroy the entire Empirial army with one hand while >fighting 15 cold drakes with his mind and fencing the 42nd reincarnation of Ma'ar and >composing a new song for Stephan to try out." :snicker: But you forgot freeing a compound of farmers from the Karsites, while battling sixty three demons.. ;) :picky, editor like person that looks suspiciously like Sarah peeks out... BTW, it's Stefen..: Sarah Margaret Lady of the Fluffian Order ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 24 Oct 1997 00:35:40 -0400 (EDT) From: Korendil To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Comparisons (Humor, Fluffy, Funny) Message-ID: Sarah Margaret created, in the style of Jake: >Top 10 Lines from the abandoned Star Wars/Valdemar crossover > which reminds me of a funny parody from ...why...quite awhiles ago....append a 96 at the end of the dates (I collect old email--it's up to hundreds of megs now...in fact, I might be cajoled into posting some other old gems I have lying around. Except I'll get permission first)...and sorry for posting this if you mind, Tammy (if yer still on here), but I can't resist, and I HAVE to go to sleep soon: Subject: Herald of Alderaan Sent: 07/12 3:13 AM Received: 07/12 3:44 PM From: Tammy Harris, TAMARAH-+AT+-medicine.dmed.iupui.edu Reply-To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk To: korendil-+AT+-icubed.net > >================================================== > > > >> Herald Michal Alderan Skysong, Chosen of Tyr > > > >Huh. I didn't know they had Heralds on Alderaan. > > He's the last one. > > "Master Dark. Only you would be so bold." MD: "Don't play games with me, Your Highness. You weren't on any mercy mission this time. You travelleded directly through restricted territory. Several Mind Speech messages were sent to this area by Valdemar spies. I want to know what you've done with the plans they sent you." E: "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm a member of the Heralds Circle on a diplomatic mission to Hardorn..." MD: "You're a part of the Karsite Alliance... and a traitor. Take her away!" ********************************** E: "Grand Duke Tremane, I should have expected to find you holding Dark's leash. I recognized your foul stench when I was brought onto the grounds." T: "Charming to the last. You don't know how hard I found it signing the order to terminate your life!" E: "I'm surprised you had the courage to take the responsibility yourself!" T: "Herald Elspeth, before your execution I would like you to be my guest at a ceremony that will make this mage station operational. No kingdom will dare oppose Emperor Charliss now." E: "The more you tighten your grip, Tremane, the more kingdoms will slip through your fingers." T: "Not after we demonstrate the power of this focus stone. In a way, you have determined the choice of the city that'll be destroyed first. Since you are reluctant to provide us with the location of the Valdemar refuge, I have chosen to test this stone's destructive power... on your home city of Haven." E: "No! Haven is peaceful. We have no mages. You can't possibly..." T: "You would prefer another target? A military target? Then name the city!" "I grow tired of asking this. So it'll be the last time. Where is the Valdemar refuge? E: (softly) "Forst Reach." "They're in Forst Reach" T: "There. You see Master Dark, she can be reasonable." (addressing nearby mage) "Continue with the spell. You may fire when ready." E: " What?!" T: "You're far too trusting. Forst Reach is too remote to make an effective demonstration. But don't worry. We will deal with your friends soon enough." E: "No!" MD: "Commence primary spell." (With apologies to George Lucas.) Tammy ________________________KORENDIL-+AT+-ICUBED.NET________________________ Korendil, Knight of Amber & Marigold, One in Black, God of Night and All Things Nocturnal, (Pledged) Champion (of Lady Ele), Jester and Party Coordinator of the Clan of the Pink Wand, Terminally Cute Elfin Warrior, Fairy Godson of the Lilac Fairy, Master of Dreams, Asker Of Strange Questions To Misty, _Bower Inquirer_ Reporter. ___________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Oct 1997 22:12:15 -0700 From: Sorana Shadowcat To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: no Misty on top 100 Message-ID: <34502E2F.75BC-+AT+-olypen.com> Heyla all! Yesterday I found this page that has the top 100 SF&Fantasy novels, that are voted for by normal people. And there were _no_Misty_books_on_it! I thought that (as a loyal Misty fan;)) I should tell everyone here about it, so we can all vote for Misty's books.:) The address is http://www.clark.net/pub/iz/Books/Top100/top100.html . Read the FAQ to find out how to vote. BTW, I thought those Star Wars/Valdemar crosses were really funny! Zhai'helleva, Herald-trainee Sorana Shadowcat, High Priestess of the Goddess of Unicorns, Knight of Amber and Marigold, soon to be (I hope) Goddess of Flions *************************************************************************What is the dark; shadows around you, why not take heart in the new day? Ever and always. Always and ever. No one can promise a dream for you. Time gave both darkness and dreams to you. --Enya %-+AT+- %-+AT+- %-+AT+- %-+AT+- %-+AT+- %-+AT+- %-+AT+- %-+AT+- %-+AT+- %-+AT+- %-+AT+- %-+AT+- %-+AT+- %-+AT+- %-+AT+- %-+AT+- %-+AT+- %-+AT+- %-+AT+- %-+AT+- %-+AT+- %-+AT+- %-+AT+- %-+AT+- % And any ending that may seem to come is not truly an ending, but an illusion. For Time does not die, Time has neither beginning nor end, and so nothing can end or die that has once had a place in Time. --from Silver on the Tree by Susan Cooper ************************************************************************* ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 24 Oct 1997 02:50:28 -0400 (EDT) From: Sorchafyr-+AT+-aol.com To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: who ML writes to Message-ID: <971024025027_1735178422-+AT+-emout13.mail.aol.com> A personal antedote: I loaned my copy of the LHM series to a friend, because she had heard Shadowstalker and was curious about the characters, and because I had told her how much I loved the story. I wasn't even thinking about Van being shay'a'chern until she finished the series, and when she gave it back said "That's the first time I've ever been rooting for one guy to seduce another". The characters are likeable people first, their jobs, sexualaty, family member standing etc... second. (Although it could be argued that in the case of Heralds, their job is who they are) And now for some fluff, not mine, but with due credit: A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO VALDEMAR, OR WRITE YOUR OWN MERCEDES LACKEY NOVEL Tune: your favorite Mercedes Lackey song with similar scansion (Kerowyn's Ride works nicely) Copyright 1995 by Mark Heiman and John Burridge I am a young maiden, I live in the sticks, My parents are absent or murdered or hicks. Unloved and unwanted, a victim from birth, I spend my days dreaming of proving my worth. For though I'm enslaved in work brain-dead and boring, I've got special talents they all keep ignoring. But when I pursue them my free time's co-opted, It's perfectly clear that I must be adopted. Now the plot mustn't hazard a moment's stagnation, So I'm soon on the road to some vague destination. Led out of the nest by some unlikely fate, By the time that they notice I'm gone - it's too late! Alone on the road, I survive by my skill, And against all odds manage to live pretty well; Except when I'm captured, robbed, tortured or beaten - Descriptions you'll always read when you've just eaten. But nevertheless I still reach some great city And try there to follow my dreams - and you'll pity My foolishness, denseness, and naivete, And that's all before I've yet been there a day! And perhaps I might fall in with people quite nice Who really intend some nefarious vice And only exploit me, betray or abuse; They value me only as something to use. But of course I am rescued from those who I've trusted By people just like me but better adjusted. They're friendly, affirming, they think I'm OK, It's quite reminiscent of - oh...SCA? There's the weathered old battleaxe, tender and caring; There's the young thief who swears that he's ceased his wayfaring; The two warrior women--are they sisters or lovers? And our leader who fusses, advises, and hovers. And then there's the one my best friend keeps suggesting: His features are dark and his glance is arresting. But I'm too busy taming my barely leashed magic. I'd sure hate to toast him - now that would be tragic. You see I was right about my special talents. In fact I'm the fulcrum where light and dark balance; And those who befriend me most often just perish In magic attacks convoluted and garish. After months in the wilderness sitting through lectures In ethics and magic and multiple fractures, I'm so grounded and centered you'd think I was dead But that guy - you remember? - he's now in my bed! But there's no time for passion - well, a sex scene or three - For there's evil encroaching and it's all up to me. Of course I defeat it, but not without cost: For I'm raped, maimed, and tortured, abandoned and lost. But that's in the past now, I'm back in my bodice, With help from some horses or maybe the Goddess. The monarchy's rescued, they gave me a castle, It's guarding the border - but that's not a hassle. I married my honey - he's still good in bed. Our friends come to visit - the ones that aren't dead. You'd think that's the story, that I'm off the hook; But evil's still lurking - and that's the next book. ************************************************************ May your day be bright, Sorchafyr ------------------------------ Date: 24 Oct 1997 08:43:59 EDT From: BARKERM-+AT+-scss.pcbe.on.ca (Megan Barker) To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: If Wishes were Books... Message-ID: <199710241240.IAA05728-+AT+-fiona.orc.ca> >Personally I thought that Belgarath was better than the whole Mallorean. >He has a tendancy to write formulaic books like Piers Anthony does, and I >was glad he finally escaped the pattern a little. >Not that I have anything against Piers Anthony or David Eddings, they both >have immense amounts of appeal to me. I thought that almost all of the series was great, except for the one when ce'nedra is campaigning and getting everybody on her side in the belgariad ('and her words shall be as fire in the grass' or whatever it is). I thought Belgarath was hilarious, with all of his aside comments. I kept laughing out loud and my parents kept asking me what was so funny, but i couldnt tell them because they hadnt read it. it drove me crazy. I hear Piers Anthony's Incarnations of Immortality is pretty good, any thoughts on that series? meg ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Megan Barker 'And hast thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms my beamish boy! Oh frabjous day, callooh callay!' he chortled in his joy. - Jabberwocky, Lewis Carroll ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 24 Oct 1997 10:19:54 -0400 (EDT) From: JBGNY-+AT+-aol.com To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Belgarath vs. Polgara Message-ID: <971024101659_203545897-+AT+-emout09.mail.aol.com> I have to say, that the Belgarath book laid a lot of questions to rest about the chain on events, and was a key to Destiny more than to Belgarath himself. But Polgara's book was just one little tearful episode after another. Its interesting to read a book on events you know about from another characters' perspective. What Im saying is that Im not comparing the two as IMNSHO they were clarifying two different things: Belgarath was MOSTLY a history piece, Polgara was MOSTLY a biography. Also thanks to everyone who sent me such great email about my web site with mine and my son's picture. He's a cutie, and I am all the better to have him in my life. Wind to thy wings. . .and, to braid a little. . . May the force be with you! ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 24 Oct 1997 10:44:22 -0400 From: Stasia To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: If Wishes were Books... Message-ID: <3450B446.1BF0-+AT+-gte.net> Megan Barker wrote: > I hear Piers Anthony's Incarnations of Immortality is pretty good, any > thoughts on that series? Yes, it IS a very good series... His best, I think, because it's the perfect length, and the perfect set up. 7 books all happening at about the same time, from different perspectives of the 7 different people that take up the offices of the Incarnations. All the people are interconnected in one way or another (mostly related). If you want to know any more on the books, or the order in the series, or anything else, you can e-mail me privately or whatever. I've read them all, and have 3 of the 7 books (I keep looking for the rest in the UBS!) I guess that's it for my first bit of fluff! Amber ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 24 Oct 1997 10:10:22 -0700 (PDT) From: "[D[C[D" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: who ML writes to Message-ID: Here's my $.02. The first of Misty i read was Arrows. It also happened to be the first book I'd ever read where the characters were anything other than "straight." At first I was surprised, and then I thought, "Hell, why not?" and that was pretty much that. Personally, I like how when Misty writes, she doesn't make marriage the "Ultimate" goal for her female characters. (I am sick and tired of hearing that marriage should be the ultimate goal in a womans life, which makes it about 30 minutes of fame if she's lucky....not that i have anything against marriage:) ) but I digress. I grew up in a small town, and if anyone even _thought_ different thoughts it was asking for some kind of trouble. My parents were/are decidedly homophobic, although one of my grandparents tries really hard not to be. I am learning. I must say, out in the great big bad world, what a person does with their private lives doesn''t matter a hill of beans. Unless they murder for a hobby. :) Anyhow, my point is, I'm glad that she has variety in her writing, I know that I never would have had any kind of positive input towards gay individuals if I hadn't read Misty stuff. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 24 Oct 1997 14:11:06 -0400 (EDT) From: NyteRavynn-+AT+-aol.com To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: If Wishes were Books... Message-ID: <971024140918_829221587-+AT+-emout04.mail.aol.com> piers anthony's incarnations of immortality are his best works i would say. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 24 Oct 1997 16:38:10 -0500 From: Chriss Buchanan To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Here's one for you/Where do I find... Message-ID: <34511542.5F0A-+AT+-nwol.net> Heyla, all! I just got off the phone with my local used bookstore. I asked the proprietor to get copies of the _Sword and Sorceress_ books for me. She's on the 'net, and she told me to suggest to all of you that you might be able to track books down on the 'net (after all, that's the way she does it). Good luck to you all! Wind to thy wings! Linda ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 24 Oct 1997 16:58:32 -0700 From: dprono-+AT+-planet.eon.net To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: The Fluffian Order Message-ID: <34513628.4DD6-+AT+-planet.eon.net> Heyla! I felt that it was time to tell all of you about the Fluffian Order, and extend an invitation to all who wish to join. The Fluffians' sole purpose for being is to come on here and post humorous (Misty related) messages so that others may have a good laugh reading them. We are not here to break coptrights and we are not here to be a nusince. We are here to brighten people's days. To any who wish to join, contact me or one of the other Knights and we will initiate you. Please DO NOT contact Sarah Margret, Lady of the Fluffian Order, or Dave the Master of Fluff, as they are not really associated with the Knights and cant do initiations (sp), although the Knights are there to help them out in a fix. (If not the Knights, then I will. Be afraid. Be VERY afraid!) WTTW and Chocolate covered pj wearing salsa dancing record playing sheep to All! Yvonne Shadowshape bondmate to Chiti (Spotted-Crested Eagle) Goddess (presumptive) of Kelpies, Selkies, and other Water-Borne Appreciator of Penguins Knight of Fluff (the origional) ------------------------------ End of MERCEDES-LACKEY Digest 1374 **********************************