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Protected: PATREON EXCLUSIVE: The Point of Origin of a Certain Aesthetic

Colleen Doran — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 16:38:00 +0000

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

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A Letter From a Friend

Colleen Doran — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 00:39:32 +0000

I’ve written many times about toxic fan groups, and one of my oldest friends in fandom wrote me a letter about it. Printed with permission and light edits to remove personal information. Yesterday I got into a twitter-spat with a friend from many years ago. It was really kind of terrifying, but it gave me the opportunity to reflect on one of the things I am most thankful for.: Having known you. That fellow and I were once quite tight. What’s scary is that looking back I was well on my way to ending up like he has. The man I spoke to yesterday was once just like me and is now sustained only by resentments and finds his self worth only in vitriolic hatred masquerading as righteousness. Knowing you when I did helped to blow fresh air on the dying embers of my self awareness. It inspired me to get the hell out of the emotional tar pit my social circle often was, and, as a wise person once said, stop “muddling through life with delusions of adequacy”. The seeds of sloth, cowardice and hate are within us all. A lack of self reflection and malignant associations are the water and soil needed to grow those weeds. Knowing you helped me catch myself, and be on guard against the self destructive aspects of my nature. For that I am forever thankful. I once had it out with this friend, and a few other friends, that the fan circle was dragging them down and keeping them in a place where they could never be outstanding in any way. The entire group were the biggest bunch of crabs in a barrel I’ve ever encountered. I could be pretty harsh, telling someone they were “muddling through life with delusions of adequacy,” which wasn’t a very nice thing to say. But it drove me crazy how often these talented, smart folks would settle for less, or worse yet, let their fan circle of “friends” deliberately drag them down and belittle them until they stopped trying for better. They were the sort of people who were always there to buy an alcoholic another drink, which is not a metaphor. You need serious emotional backbone to get away from that dreck. The worst fan art and fan fic were given golden trophies for participation, but by God, if you went pro or accomplished something in the real world, they’d piss on it. If you were one of the few pros in that circle, you’d better stay low enough not to rise higher than their egos. I recall one writer whom I’d known for years who became inflamed with jealousy when I started working with J Michael Straczynski! The jealous writer (you’ve no doubt never heard of him, he doesn’t write fiction) sent me furious emails about how my life would soon be ruined by all the hi-flying people with whom I was keeping company. Obviously, I was undeserving, and these people were just messing with me. As of 2004, he was still advising me to get out of comics as he’d done for years, since that comics gig was going nowhere! Whew, sure glad I didn’t listen to this dude! My response to the letter. I want you to know once more how much this meant to me. I realized a long time ago that many of my early friends in fandom and prodom were incredibly toxic people. They don’t like to see you change or get better at anything. They just want everything to remain as it was in 1987. I think I finally cut ties with all of these people and my life has changed for the better. I’m glad I didn’t steer you wrong. I can’t believe how angry, resentful, and full of self pity some of these people are, and so ready to drag other people down over the dumbest things. I think they were always like that, I just didn’t see it. Anyway, thanks again I haven’t spoken to that ass of a writer in well over ten years. Or any of the rest of these people. Good riddance.

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Another great D’mer tattoo from Deven Stephens

Colleen Doran — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 17:30:53 +0000

Gorgeous! I am going to try to put up a section on the main page for fan art and fan photos again, and I’ll let you know when I do.

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Fan Art: Deven Stephens Gets a D’mer Tattoo

Colleen Doran — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 14:05:25 +0000

Long time patron Deven Stephens sent me this great photo of his new tattoo from a sketch I made of D’mer in one of his hardcover limited editions. Deven says he also got D’mer’s ritual scars tattood on his arms and chest. I’m amazed and deeply flattered that people enjoy A DISTANT SOIL so much that they make it an important and intimate part of their lives! Thank you!

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A Distant Soil Fan Art: Amazing Niniri Doll and Set!

Colleen Doran — Fri, 11 May 2012 14:04:20 +0000

Allen, aka IXIDragonLordIXI has made a wonderful Niniri doll complete with elaborate Ovanan set! This is amazing! LOVE it!!! Looks at those earrings and that hairpiece! Those are real crystals! And Allen made the entire doll head and body himself. Here she is at her console, planning galactic domination in the sweetest way possible. And doing it all with fabulous hair! A girl likes to be well dressed, and this lovely cape is just the perfect accompaniment to the genteel megalomaniac’s wardrobe. Vogueing it, while poised to push the red button! Detail of the back of Niniri’s cape. Just love this, what an outstanding job, Allen! Thanks so much for sharing it with us! And what timing, considering the scene now running on the website! c

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FAQ: The Word on Fanfic

Colleen Doran — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:17:36 +0000

Dear Colleen, I know you have a lot to worry about with your work and how you want it to be used, and I always want to respect the creators and their opinions about their work. So, I was just wondering what you would think if I wrote A Distant Soil fanfic. I would not sell it or anything, I just want to write stories for myself. Is it all right if I show it to people or post it on my blog? I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do. I respect your hard work and your opinion, and would not do anything you do not want me to do. Sincerely, Karen French Dear Karen, First off, let me say how kind it is of you to ask! I am so very grateful for your consideration. I have absolutely no problem with people writing fanfic of my work. Write away! I was also a part of fandom and did lots of fanfic and fanart when growing up, so I know how much fun it is. A lot of fan activity exists in a kind of legal grey area. Some authors and artists never want to allow fans to make fanfic or fanart of their work. In all the years I have been a pro I have only had to step in and deliver a legal warning a couple of times when the use of my work got a bit out of hand. Technically, fanfic and fanart are derivative works. Go to FANFIC QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS for a great website which will tell you just about all the legal stuff need to know about fan activity. I don’t mind it if you post fanfic on your blog and share it with your friends. But please don’t make commercial use of my work. I usually try to not pay close attention to any fan use of my work, because I trust the fans to do the right thing. Please don’t forget my copyright and trademark information. As long as it stays “fannish” in nature and doesn’t stray into commercial enterprise, or as long as it doesn’t threaten the viability of my copyright and trademark interests, I will do nothing to interfere with your fun. The only serious action I have ever taken against anyone in this area was when a former editor of A Distant Soil was found to have been writing and selling A Distant Soil fanfic some ten years after I stopped working with her. Due to the nature of the confidential information on my book to which she had had access, and the breach of professional boundaries, as well as the copyright and trademark concerns, we had to send her a cease and desist notice. It might interest you to know that the first mainstream comics job offer I ever got was because I was working on a Legion of Superheroes fanzine when I was in high school. The fanzine was always sent to the DC offices so the pros could see it. Keith Giffen, the Legion artist, saw my work on that fanzine and called me on the phone one day! Most pros I know support fan activity and would really prefer to NEVER take action against a fan. It is so good and kind of you to ask, and I am glad to have this opportunity to share this information with other fans. Enjoy your writing! c

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