DARK SHADOWS FORUMS
General Discussions => Current Talk Archive => Current Talk '24 I => Current Talk '03 II => Topic started by: Annie on November 02, 2003, 08:34:11 PM
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Hello, gang i was just sitting here thinking
about how lonely and empty inside i will feel
and the rest of us with no DSin two months.
Just hard to beleive that this is happening.
No more Q-man to drool over, except the pics
i have of him. ( I'll have to start
buying the MPI Tapes so i can watch The
Q-man. Love Anne :-[
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;D That's what it is, Anne! It's a dastardly plot by MPI to try to sell all those 1841 Parallel Time videos sittin' on their shelves! -- wes
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Anne..I'm trying not to think about it :'( :'(
I'm so rarely around to watch 'live' that when winter comes, and I'm actually home to watch, it won't be there. :'( :'(
Patti :'(
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For those who haven't read it, or just need to get a fix, my Dark Shadows novel, The Labyrinth of Souls--which almost certainly would have been an upcoming HarperCollins DS book had HarperCollins seen fit to do the right thing and not cancel the line <wry G>--is available to read at http://public.webbox.com/628627 (http://public.webbox.com/628627). These are the original MS Word files and must be downloaded to read; the Webbox index does not list them in order, so the chapters are jumbled, but I'm sure y'all can figure them out; labyrinth01.doc is Chapter 1, labyrinth02.doc is Chapter 2, etc., etc., and so forth. My personal feeling is that it's better than Dreams of the Dark, and I sure wish it would have had the opportunity to see the light of day as an officially sanctioned novel.
--Mark
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[book2] THANK YOU! I will be reading Labyrinth very soon! I loved the first book... I have been known to talk it up on another of these DS message boards!
[book2] DREAMS OF THE DARK was terrific. So, I looked for more RAINEY/MASSIE stuff all over. I looked on the web & I did find chapter 1 of LABYRINTH somewhere... I just assumed it was part of a book -- but, I never could find any more chapters! Also, chapter 1 became lost (IE, I couldn't find it anymore & forgot where I found it in the first place).
[book2] I went to a lot of bookstores, looking for other RAINEY/MASSEY books. I did find some issues of the magazine you did (especially nice was the one with a DS article) in that shop in Burbank. Can't recall the name, now, not Dark Delacies, but the other one... across from the Ralphs mall area... On Olive?
[book2] I also found SHADOW DREAMS, WIRE MESH MOTHERS, and WELCOME BACK TO THE NIGHT. Which of these is best? Anyone know? I am struggling through Francis Swann's ROYAL STREET, now. Three chapters, and nothing's clicking for me & Swann.
[book2] Ross is much better -- you always have these deformed, freaky characters to hold your interest, and the smarmy dialogue and descriptions... Well, none of them matter, becauce I'll be reading LABYRINTH OF SOULS! THANK YOU, AGAIN!
[hello]
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[book2] I went to a lot of bookstores, looking for other RAINEY/MASSEY books. I did find some issues of the magazine you did (especially nice was the one with a DS article) in that shop in Burbank. Can't recall the name, now, not Dark Delacies, but the other one... across from the Ralphs mall area... On Olive?
Sounds like Creature Features! Here's their website: http://creaturefeatures.com/
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;D Yes, that's it, CREATURE FEATURES. They have some back issues of Mark Rainey's magazine, which I recall; now, it was called DEATHREALM.
8) I finally got LABYRINTH OF SOULS. Except, in Chapter 18, it suddenly ends on page 5, with "...beneath the blow," Obviously, something is missing. I guess I shouldn't complain, 'cause it didn't cost much & I'll probably guess what's missing
[crazd] I really like it, I'll get back to it now. I won't spoil it for anyone. At first I thought it was going to be **** going back to Collinwood in the present... Then, it was **** going back after a couple of years. The subject of the, er... point-of-view character's lot in life is a good one to deal with. The author knows the characters well, which is a relief, 'cause you want them to be the basic, organic characters from the TV show. It follows the TV show very well, like DREAMS OF THE DARK fit in very well.
[lpsldb] I will be VERY OBLIQUE (as you can see), so I don't ruin the story... but, really, auburn-haired doctor looks only "a few years older" than the tall guy with the portrait??? C'mon! He was in his late 20s & she was trying to stay on the better side of 50!
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Try downloading Chapter 18 again. This problem has cropped up before, which I don't quite understand, since I've made sure all the uploaded files were complete. Anyway, I've replaced the file. See if it works OK.
--Mark
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The same thing happened to me with Chapter 18, but, just as Mark said, downloading it again did the trick.
By the way Mark, I'm now engrossed in Labyrinth... it's faboo!! (Did I actually use the word faboo in a sentence?!? ::) I don't think I've had enough sleep! LOL)
grayson67 (Melissa) [sleep]
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[hello] THANK YOU, MARK! I did get chapter 18. I had to get up and do something else for a few moments because your story is so EXCITING... I have to get up and get away from it so that I can absorb all that is going on! It's great...
[lpsldb] I can't say much because I don't want to ruin it for anyone... but, let's just say that I was just as amazed/agape as Dr. J at this snake bite. I think I'm calmed down enuf now to return to the story! It's calling to me...
[crazd] Pleasant dreams! -- wes
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Awwhhh.. I see my beautifully written review of Mark Rainey's book isn't here...
I posted my impressions on LABYRINTH OF SOULS last evening. The screen came up asking to reload again and again...
I see it didn't post...
I guess I used to many "Smileys" and italics (patterned after the usage story) & it was rather long...
-- oh well, maybe I can recall what I said when I have more time...
Somewhat di-spirited, wes
(loved the book, though)
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I guess I used to many "Smileys"
There's a limit of 20 smileys per post. If someone goes over the limit, a warning will come up explaining you've gone over the limit and telling you how many smileys you've used. However, there is no record of such an error having come up for you. (All forum errors and warnings are logged by the system.)
The screen came up asking to reload again and again...
Unless I'm spacing it out, I can't think of any forum errors that ask someone to reload. Also, there's no error like that in the forum's error log. Perhaps it was a browser or OS error, but unfortunately I can't quite place what might have caused something like that either. :(
it was rather long...
It would have had to have been very, very long because post size is set at 40,000 characters (because of Robservations). And again, no error like that in the log.
I wish I could be of more help...
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Unless I'm spacing it out, I can't think of any forum errors that ask someone to reload.
Just checked - no forum errors ask people to reload. So, it definitely seems like you received a browser or OS error. :)
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I didn't expect anyone to look into it! It wasn't as long as the limit you mentioned, that's for sure... I think I started out with 20 smileys; but, I didn't use them all. When I first posted, the little blue bar started to load, then the screen telling me to reload came up. I tried to go back to save what's I'd written, but kept getting the reload screen. I hoped the post did go thru. I checked back & it did not. I worked pretty hard on that, so it was a bummer. I'm over it now... Thank You for lookin into it! --wes
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I didn't expect anyone to look into it! It wasn't as long as the limit you mentioned, that's for sure... I think I started out with 20 smileys; but, I didn't use them all. When I first posted, the little blue bar started to load, then the screen telling me to reload came up. I tried to go back to save what's I'd written, but kept getting the reload screen. I hoped the post did go thru. I checked back & it did not. I worked pretty hard on that, so it was a bummer. I'm over it now... Thank You for lookin into it! --wes
Wes -- I hope you'll be able to manage a recap. I was looking forward to it. ;)
Thanks for the effort!
--Mark
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This is crazy! I had a time getting in here -- I kept getting sent back to the home page. Then, I get in here & can't post my response!
I did a "recap" & had a bit of a different twist on it that last night -- more of the focus was lamenting that we don't have more officially authorized (by TPTB) stories like THE LABYRINTH OF THE SOULS...
Anyway, I was smart tonight!
or , so I thought...
I typed it in my word processor. I came over here intendind to do the cut and paste trick. It doen't paste! This works on other message boards, but not here!
So, I did the recap, Mark, of your beautifully-written book -- but it didn't post.
I'll try again (I saved that, but I can't save this)
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Mark, I found your email & sent what I couldn't post here.
subject: Dark Shadows Message Board (Not)
Everyone else, you must read DARK SHADOWS: THE LABYRINTH OF SOULS!
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I typed it in my word processor. I came over here intendind to do the cut and paste trick. It doen't paste! This works on other message boards, but not here!
Right click is disabled for security reasons, which isn't uncommon on posting boards, but that doesn't mean you can't cut/copy & paste text into your post. Highlight and copy/cut the material in your word processing program as usual, place your cursor over the response window, select Edit in your browser's dropdown window, and click Paste.
I'll try again (I saved that, but I can't save this)
The same works in reverse-- highlight the text on the forums, select Edit, then click copy.
Hope that helped.
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Of course I can provide a recap on DARK SHADOWS: THE LABYRINTH OF SOULS¢â‚¬¦
:-X First, I won't reveal (and didn't last time) anything that would spoil the story for anyone else¢â‚¬¦
[angl2] The most important observation, other than that it was a great read, is that it is very true to the organic characters/original concept of DS. This goes along with the two DS novels that were done by HarperCollins. Sadly, it has not been the case with the other various updates and rip-offs metered out over the years. In hindsight, the post-DS franchise can only be described as mismanaged. Look at the Star Trek franchise. While they were on, DS beat ST in this dept (by a mile). Now, look at what has happened to these franchises since then. Compare the "Next Generation" approach to the "Revival Series." See the difference? Now, back to the book. Mark's books are the way these characters should be "updated" (though, I would favor a "Next Generation" approach to these characters; but, let me set that aside). LABYRINTH takes the characters and updates them successfully. It respects the characters. Yet, the story is written for a modern audience. It also incorporates elements (snow) that the original series did not. These additions enhance, rather than detract, from the original characters. The character that uses too much disinfectant in the bathroom might be startling, at first, but it is accurate; this is exactly how the character would be written in 1966 -- if TV writers were able to address that sort of thing. There is more stuff like that in the story, and it makes the characters more enjoyable The original writers and actors created wonderful characters -- it's so sad that we have so little done with them. LABYRINTH treats the characters so well; it's a crime that this book isn't published. Forgive me, but why consider a musical version of DS? Why tell the Barnabas story for the FOURTH TIME? Why, when Mark Rainey, Elizabeth Massie, & Lara Parker can treat this subject with love & respect & tell NEW STORIES. It's a shame!
[hello] Mark's LABYRINTH is not only a true representation of DS -- it is also a professionally written, modern story. It is not a retro or nostalgic book. It is not fan fiction. It is a professional, modern book (didn't I just say that?). I do think I would add some more background information for readers with some degree of unfamiliarity with the original series (a couple paragraphs here and there). DREAMS was more "stand-alone," and could have fit in with the 1991 show, too. LABYRINTH is much more dependant on the original series. DREAMS OF THE DARK was pretty much set around late 1968/early 1969, if I recall. This was never specifically stated (wisely). LABYRINTH has more to go on if you want to pinpoint the exact year. I would change a few things. Again, I am not going to reveal anything that will ruin the story¢â‚¬¦ David is described as 15. I would take that out. That puts the show at approximately Christmas 1970. I don't think that's where you want it. I would say it's supposed to be more like in the range of Christmas 1972, 1973, or 1974. I think it's better to stay vague (like in DREAMS). You could say Julia is "several" years older than Quentin, rather than a "few" years older. That still flatters her. There is one page where David calls Julia "Julia" and "Dr. Hoffman." He really should call her "Dr. Hoffman" consistently. One Windcliffe needs an "e" removed (to match your favored "Windcliff"). I was not editing, but I did notice one "." that should be a comma & one ".?" that should be a "?" only. But, really, there isn't much wrong with this book.
;D If I were editing, I would change one more thing. I would leave out one phrase. I couldn't explain it last night & I still can't explain¢â‚¬¦ it's the way you describe a character. There is one phrase that gave something away, for me¢â‚¬¦ I don't know if anyone ease would get it¢â‚¬¦ maybe not. Anyway, this is such a beautifully written book, it hardly matters anymore! The story is delicious. It just grabs you. The pace is perfect. I had to leave it for supper, once (alas, not at Pennock's); to digest what was happening. There were several points when I thought it would be nice to have 20 more chapters like this. The setting was beautiful! I could picture the scenes beautifully. I quoted some beautiful bits of language last evening. I am not going to try to recall that -- but the language is beautiful. Collinwood on a snowy morning¢â‚¬¦ "skeletal tree branches" seemingly swayed by a "mischievous hand" and "a loose shutter on one of the upper windows occasionally struck its sash with the sound of a cruel slap." The poetry/prose/writing is never overdone/overwrought, though; it elevates the Dark Shadows. The use of italics is perfect. Here, I could say stuff to ruin the story. I really recommend everyone read this story; then, you'll see what I mean! The story is not only faithful to the original DS -- it also adds to the understanding of the original show. That would be an example of the italics¢â‚¬¦
:D I could "cast" all the characters, except one¢â‚¬¦ P Mathis. Who would play P Mathis? I made some references in the great "lost" response from last evening to the character Rathburn. I miss him! I like what you did with him. I remember very well the beautifully done flashback with Rathburn and Jonah Collins. There are dozens & dozens of stories to tell (like these) without altering anything already in the canon. All you need is imagination¢â‚¬¦
[crazd] I also mentioned in that (now legendary!) lost response that I thought Dan Ross and some of the original actors/writers would enjoy LABYRINTH. I know Dan and Grayson aren't with us, but maybe Marilyn & Sam would like the story? I caught the nods to Ross, of course.
>:( I see that I did focus on different things tonight. Last night, I was more into the love LABYRINTH. I think tonight I'm a little down because of my disappointment that this doesn't get published and promoted. It's so sad to have all these great characters out there¢â‚¬¦ just wasting away while someone like Mark Rainey is so capable of breathing life into them, but cannot. What nut is responsible for this crime?
>:D It's almost Christmas, so everyone get over to that web page and read LABYRINTH OF SOULS for a fine Christmas present (you'll like it better than a Mexican silver broach in the shape of a Quetzalcoatl!).
-- wes
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Thanks for such a detailed review, Wes.
Your points are very well taken, and I quite understand certain aspects you might wish to see done differently. That's inevitable in something like this, and I'll be the first to acknowledge that it helps to have a professional editor give a book a good going-over. It's very difficult for a writer to edit his own work, and that extra set of eyes will always find things the writer didn't. Some of the points you make are definitely those that an editor would catch. Of course, LABYRINTH is a first draft and an only draft, since I probably won't be going back to work on it; I'm sure if I did, any number of improvements could be made.
Above and beyond pitching this to HarperCollins back when it looked like the series would continue, I completed LABYRINTH for two reasons. First and foremost, for personal enjoyment; the ideas I'd had for the original proposal bit me like a case of lockjaw, and I couldn't just pry them loose. Basically, they demanded I do something with them. Secondly, once I made up my mind to do this thing without the usual paycheck to accompany it, I figured I could at least expose it to this select group of DS fans, for better or for worse. You, as a group, have been terribly kind in your support of DREAMS and my other books and stories; some of you have even plunked down yer hard-earned cash to buy stuff with my name on it, and I felt maybe it was time to offer a freebie before somebody got wise and started clamoring to get their money back. ;)
Seriously... being a writer with a certain mercenary mindset, I like to get something for what I do, and in this case, the feedback I've gotten, both positive and negative, has made the project worthwhile. I can look back and say that, even though I didn't get paid for LABYRINTH, it was a profitable endeavor. Although this particular book is DARK SHADOWS, I can apply readers' observations about it -- and my writing as a whole -- to other projects and hopefully better myself as a writer. Because of the vast, varying amounts of criticism, both good and bad, about DREAMS OF THE DARK, LABYRINTH is a far better work than if I were simply writing in a vacuum, without the kind of interactivity with other DS fans I'm lucky enough to experience here. Although it don't buy groceries, it's worth an awful lot to me personally, and I appreciate it. ;)
--Mark[/b]
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Getting back to Annie's original post about the final weeks of DS on Sci-Fi . . .
I was greeted this evening with a lovely missive from my cable company informing me that they will be adding Sci-Fi to their non-digital lineup at the end of the year. Swell timing. ::)
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There is one page where David calls Julia "Julia" and "Dr. Hoffman." He really should call her "Dr. Hoffman" consistently.
Hmm....I don't see that. He's older now - at one point Quentin observes that David is nearly as tall as HE is. Plus, I seem to recall David calling her Julia here and there later in the show. (?)
Anyway, it's a great read, isn't it??
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Mark,
I've been meaning to thank you for posting the link to the story. I lost it in a drive failure a few months ago and wondered if I'd ever see it again.
:'( :- :'(
It is now happily back in residence. Ah... ;D
-CLC
Mark Rainey Fan
(Who was reading chapter after chapter last night when I was SUPPOSED to be doing something else.) ::)
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;D Yes, he does call her Julia on the show, I believe. I think you're right, it should be Julia after 5-6 years. LABYRINTH has one of the main characters returning after two years. That seems to fit best & would put David in the 17-year-old range; so, Quentin's compliment on his height ("I hardly recognize you. You're almost as tall as I am.") would make sense. I did get the impression Quentin was trying to make David feel more "grown-up," rather than meaning that he really was approaching Quentin's loftiness...
::) YES, the book is great! I would advise everybody to scrooool up and find Mark's link to the book before it disappears, again, into cyperspace. Anyone you loves the show should love this book!
:o "You have passed through a land that few human beings have ever witnessed. You are to be congratulated. And you are also to be very afraid, for this is but the beginning." -- The Labyrinth of Souls, by Stephen Mark Rainey, chapter 10