 how much that person defends and stands up for the saga. Maybe that came out wrong. Maybe I just don't see how Carrie's book could hurt SW. People who are "loyal" to SW are not going to stop being fans because of her book, and people who aren't fans or who are neutral aren't necessarily going to start being fans anyway. I guess that makes me not a "truly loyal fan" by Wendy's definition, and I would certainly deny that. Carrie's book, the way I see it, is just that — Carrie Fisher's book. Carrie Fisher is an actress not Princess Leia. She may be identified with Leia, but people are going to suddenly turn against SW because of POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE. Excuse me, but Mark Hamill played a sleazy producer on Broadway — did it harm SW? Not the way I see it. Wendy mentioned Sir Alec Guineas' autobiography, saying that it was complimentary and positive on SW, so it was okay to promote it. First of all, Sir Alec's book didn't even mention SW, or if it did, didn't say much about it. (I read it on a long plane trip, that's why I'm a bit hazy.) But even if it had totally panned SW, it would still have been only one person's opinion. Everyone is entitled to an opinion.
An issue worth the long wait! BIGGER, give me MORE!
Good job, Rennie, on the "Heroes" story. Han ready to skip out a second time — just like him! The Wook and his conscience brought him back during the battle, but he would feel he had repaid the Alliance in full and Luke, in particular, and be ready to hit hyperspace again. He just never quite makes it. So much for destiny.
"As The Galaxy Turns" — Virgin alert? Really, girls! I still can't decide if this is a spoof or serious. Call me dense. MORE LUKE, please...
First of all, HS #5 was nearly typo-free! That tells me that you spent a lot of time over your typewriter or money for a computer! ((Editors: Computer??? Only in our dreams! Actually, we spend a lot of money on white-out!!)) Either way, it's seen and appreciated!
Love the editorials! I always like hearing how the editors feel. Makes stuff personal, you know?
"Exceptions" — Loved the segments with Wedge and Chewie. They are characters that usually appear only in cameo (if at all) in most SW stories. It was totally funny and believable, the reasons for their drunken joyride. Han's reaction to the Falcon's damage is also terribly funny, and I really cracked up at that sentry's unexpected trip. Spennard Fos is a good character, his disbelief in the rumors of Rebel Jedi interesting. I wonder how he'll react to Luke Skywalker's abilities. The ending of the chapter was a shocker. I hope Leia isn't too badly hurt. The authors really left us a cliffhanger ending. Luckily, HS is a bi-monthly zine or else I wouldn't be able to stand the strain of waiting for what happens next!
"Heroes Aren't Forever" — A good story about Han's decision to stay with the Alliance. Luke's boyish innocence is in sharp contrast to Han's cynical pirate act and shows their differences dramatically. Yet in spite of these differences, the beginnings of a friendship are built. One thing bugged me in the story. The title of Heroes Aren't Forever" didn't seem to have anything to do with the story. What did the author mean by it?
"ATGT"— Complications! Complications! Luke is attracted to Nissa, and her old boyfriend Tarr shows up. Nissa does not want to acknowledge her feelings for Luke, having been hurt in the past. Incidentally, all three must escape from their Romulan captors. Space opera with a touch of soap! I found references to the ENTERPRISE'S personnel, along with Luke's lesson with the communicator, very amusing. Tarr's virgin alert remark was cute, but I was surprised he wasn't killed (by Luke) for it. (If looks could kill, however...) Mention of Luke the Sithlord was intriguing, and I hope you develop that. I do think you could've told a little more about Nissa's background. You left tantalizing hints but no solid information. Is it deliberate or what? ((Barbara, the editor: It's not really deliberate. Nissa is Denise's creation, and in many ways her past is more complex than Tarr's, even though she has a lot less of it t^n he does. I'm finding it very difficult to work her background in without letting her simply have a six-page dialogue with Luke. Part Two of ATGT will give a lot more info; on her family and home, but I'm still working on the rest. Bear with me! Denise is no longer helping me revise ATGT, and I've had Nissa simply dumped into my lap as a result. I'll try to work in more details. ) In contrast, you gave a lot more background for Captain Tarr Masir!
Wendy Schwartz' LoC I'm not commenting on Wendy Schwartz's letter because I don't believe I need to. You're very likely to have a lot of others writing in on this very opinionated LoC. If you don't get one letter about it, SW fandom is dead!
Art: Very nice. I especially liked Melanie's front cover. It had a strong three-dimensional quality that I found beautiful. The Yoda on the LoC page was also a favorite.
About the zine content itself, I think your strongest and weakest asset is your serial stories. Serials are a strong asset because the zine is bi-monthly, and having a segmented story, you can always type the whole-story at once but print it over a period of months. You also know how much you have for future issues. But serials are one of the most difficult forms of writing. A chapter must stand alone in the serial, but also keep the reader interested enough to continue next time. And the whole story must hang together. With two continuing serials, HS #5 had space problems. MS #5 had one short story...
My idea of a short story Is exactly like the one Rennie Cowan wrote for the second issue. I loved it!!!! It was superb and fantabulous!!! This is close to how I write my stories — like a chapter out of a book. With the exception of one, most of my pieces deal with the "nobodies" living in the SW universe.
Hibernation Sickness 6 was printed in February 1988 and contains 23 pages.
"The Storm Within"—I love stories from other pov's (not just L,L, or H). "Storm" gave quite a plausible explanation for why a lot of people supported the Empire. I'm sure that that was the reason — that people thought it was a good thing. What about the Republic, though? Or I guess there were a lot of people without much contact with it.
Star Quiz — I must be getting a little rusty on my SW trivia. (Didn't do too well.) Yes, but can Aaron quote Greedo's lines in Greedo's language? Ha!
AS THE GALAXY TURNS — (I saved the best 'til last.) Luke is a SITHLORD?! What does Yoda have to say about this? I loved this story, and I thought Hissa and the two Federation spies were too hysterical for words. Wow! Holy smoke! Lord, the ending! That last paragraph was incredible... I think I'd better stop before I run out of adjectives....
Ooof. See what I mean? I always comment on everything...so, like I said, my LoC's turn out bigger than the zines themselves. One last thing, though. In the ads, the 'Only a few left'ad' made me roll around on the floor! Whoever thought that up is wicked!...
Well, anyway, I've calmed down a bit now. Overall, I'd like to say that HS is a good zine, and I'm sure it will get even better. One suggestion, though — it might be better to staple it like SOUTHERN ENCLAVE is stapled. It would make it look more official that way. But hey — who am I to say?
cover of issue #7, Melanie Guttierrez: "Ewok Exterminator: I Smash 'Em, You Trash 'Em"
Hibernation Sickness 8 was printed in (April?) 1988 and contains 41 pages.
The art is by Z.P. Florian, Barbara Gardner, Melanie Guttierrez, Jenny Medick, Aaron Schofield, and Linda Yamashiro.
I would just like to say that the anniversary issue of HIBERNATION SICKNESS is the best one I've seen so fare. The front cover was cute, especially with the Ewok's tongue sticking out. I laughed the minute I saw it.
Before I go any farther, I just have to say how much I loved Lisa Thomas' story, "Conflict" It was beautiful! My eyes were watering the minute I read " I wonder if you have her smile?" She wrote Vader's confused feelings nicely. That's the ind of SW I like to read -- the soft and sad ones. Good job, Lisa