Fanclub Callista Fans!!! (v.7 something or other...)

You know, I actually enjoy some of KJA's books very much. I liked his Jedi Academy Trilogy and the YJK series (haven't read the JJK series, though). His books are fun to read. But I HATED Darksaber. And it wasn't just because he ruined Callista's character, even though that played a huge part in it.

I hate the fact that in almost all of his books, KJA makes ALL his villains inept or stupid. Just look at Admiral Daala and the fact that she lost EVERY SINGLE FREAKIN' BATTLE in his books, and Exar Kun (who started off great before turning into a sissy in Champions of the Force), or Durga the Hutt, whose stupid Darksaber superweapon DIDN'T EVEN WORK! I'm also not fond of his "Superweapon of the Week" plotlines (Sun Crusher, Death Star prototype, Darksaber, etc.), even though he's not the only writer who falls into that trap.

And every time he referred to Jacen or Jaina's "brandy-brown eyes," I wanted to hurl. Come on; have SOME variety in your descriptions!

And then, of course, there's the whole Callista fiasco. 'Nuff said.

And for the record, I didn't like his IG-88 story in Tales of the Bounty Hunters, either. I mean, come on! IG-88 became the freakin' CORE of the Death Star?!?!?!?!?!?! Well, at least it was somewhat original.

 

And every time he referred to Jacen or Jaina's "brandy-brown eyes," I wanted to hurl. Come on; have SOME variety in your descriptions!

I couldn't agree with you more...

It should be noted that I, as well, enjoy the Jedi Academy Trilogy, if only because they're such an integral part of the series as a whole. It's a fairly interesting storyline, even if it's not teribly well executed. Any of his other stuff is pure drivel. I refuse to read his "Dune" continuations. I don't want another of my favorite sagas ruined.

 

Attention, all Callistars! Report to the Mer Girl thread at once! There has been an update! I repeat, Mer Girl has been updated! This is not a drill!

That is all.

 

10 pages of schweeet Callista goodness! WOOT!!!

 

And how's this for extra sweetness? Chapter 19 of Callista's continuing adventure is finally up, and it's longer than the previous chapters (about darned time too!)

Luke and Callista: it's whats for dinner!

 

*runs off to the Rejuvenation thread*

 

Luke and Callista forever!!!

I just had to say it.

That Rejunenation post was loaded. The action scenes are so, so well-written. Think I'll pay you to write mine. Can't wait to see how it resolves.

I had another dream about Callista last night, something about a bunch of us Callistars together somewhere, talking about Callie. Cool stuff, but I can't figure out why I keep dreaming about her!

Luke and Callista forever!!

 

I concur with LJ! I loved the lightsaber battle between Luke, Callista, and that wacky Dooku clone. Well done, jedi2187leia! Your story just keeps getting better and better.



EDIT TO ADD: How's your story coming along, LostJedi?

 

It's coming along. Last weekend, when I stopped writing in it, there was some more dialogue, and I was trying to fill in the gaps. I think this is going to be one of those write and rewrite type of stories that keeps getting polished again and again. Or at least, for now, because I am never satisfied. Can we say perfectionism?

I don't know much at all about Callista's homeworld, Chad. I know it's a water world, and about the Cy'een, and Tsaelki, but that's all. How many moons? How bright is the sun? Does it have a spaceport? Are there any continents at all, or is it just water?

I'm hoping to get more writing going tonight, and maybe more ideas.

Luke and Callista forever!

 

I got this information on Chad from the Unofficial Star Wars Encyclopedia.

Chad
Type: Planet
System: Chad
Galactic Region: Outer Rim
Environment: Swamps, mountains
Length of Day (in standard hours): 20
Length of Year (in local days): 380
Native Sentient Races: Chadra-Fan

Unfortunately, Chad doesn't feature very much in the novels, so there's not much info on it. You can always make up your own stuff about the planet's geography, climate, moons, etc.

 

Hmm, so where does Callie's mention of it being a water world, and having all the oceans come in? Are there two different planets? I know she was from Chad III, I think? ?

Now I'm curious.

And thanks! Fascinating stuff.

L/C forever!!!

 

It could mean a couple of things. For example:

Yavin IV (Rebel base); a.k.a. fourth moon of Yavin. Maybe the same can be said about Chad III. Maybe it's the third moon of Chad, and it's a waterworld (minus Kevin Costner).

Some people are confused about Endor in ROTJ. It's easy to forget that it's the forest MOON of Endor, and not Endor itself. As said in the movie novelisation, the planet Endor disappeared ages ago, with only the moon left in its place.

And the Death Star Service Pack 2 (with Emperor upgrade).

 

LostJedi, I found some more information on Chad here.


Astrographical
Region: Outer Rim
System: Chad system
Suns: 1 (Chad)
Moons: 9

Physical
Primary terrain: Oceans, Marshes, Bayous

Societal
Native species: Chadra-Fan
Immigrated species: Humans
Official language: Chadra-Fan
Affiliation: Galactic Empire, New Republic

The planet Chadra, also called Chad, was the homeworld of of the Chadra-Fan race. It was in the Slice and in the Outer Rim.

Chadra was a watery planet, with extensive marshes and bayous. Chadra had nine moons, and had a very elliptical orbit, giving rise to a complex tidal cycle. Due to its unusual orbit, it was at different times either the third or fourth planet in orbit of the blue-white star Chad. Unfortunately for the Chadra-Fan, Chadra was also prone to hurricanes and tsunamis. In 10 BBY, a tsunami and groundquake wiped out much of their civilization.

Chadra was also home to a Human population. The Jedi Knight Callista Ming was one of the Humans born on Chadra.

Chadra was discovered as early as the Mandalorian Wars, but never joined the Galactic Republic. However, it was represented in the New Republic Senate.

Fauna
Chadra was home to many animal species, including:
Bildogs
Cy'een
Methnaps
Proops
Tubular eels
Tsaelke
Wander-kelp
Wystoh

Hope this helps, LJ!

 

Awesome find, Geith! Amazing that someone can find the time to write up all that data, eh? Makes me wish I had a job with Lucasfilm....

speaking of amazing, if you want to know what happens with Callista and Luke, check out Chapter 20 here!

 

Jackpot!!
Thank you, Geith. That is amazing stuff. I love the wealth of information people have put up! It will come in handy, let me tell you.

I know why action scenes are so hard for me. Visual aspect of lightsaber techniques, fighting/dualing, space battles. I can read about them all day long, but for some reason, I guess because I'm such a visual/kenesthetic learner, plus I'm blind so there's no way for me to see the actual battles or techniques used, it's all vague to me. Jedi2187, I think I'll pay you to write any action scenes for me. that's if I have any action in mine.
What I would need is someone to get a life-sized lightsaber, and physically show me the different stances, moves, etc. It's fascinating to me, I just can't wrap my brain around it. And space battles... well that's a different story, and I have no clue how I'd work with them.

I was talking with my roommie a while ago, and I realized these things, so I thought I'd write them out.

I'm curious where Callista might have been when she built her lightsaber, and what kind of crystal she used in its construction.

Luke and Callista forever!

 

jedi2187leia, that was another excellent update over at Rejuvenation! I'm really enjoying it; definitely better than a lot of the EU novels out there, IMO!

And you're welcome, LostJedi! I'm glad that information was able to help you.

For me, whenever I'm writing an action sequence, it's not just about the action. I also consider the emotions the characters are going through. For example, in the Callista Trilogy Cara and I wrote, the fight scenes between Callista and her daughter Kara are more about the emotion than the actual kick-butt action. The history between the two characters, the pain they've both gone through...I try to write it so that there's a lot more going on in the scene than just two women pounding the crap out of each other.

Other things I consider when writing an action scene is to make it as descriptive as possible. Don't just say "X punched Y. X blocked Y's lightsaber attack." Include descriptions such as, are they sweating? Are they getting exhausted? Are their injuries slowing them down? Is their heart even in the fight? Why are they even fighting in the first place? You have to get into these characters' heads, so to speak, if you want to make an action scene interesting to read.

And as for space battles, I find those harder to write than lightsaber fights. For me, I just watch the space battles in the SW movies before writing one, or even the space battles in Star Trek for inspiration. The X-Wing books have some good space battle scenes, and I'd recommend reading those for some ideas.

Hope some of this helps. I'm just rambling as usual.

 

I'll help you as much as I can, LJ. Sorry I haven't replied back yet, but life gets in the way more often than not. Space battles are a cinch for me, especially after reading some old Wing Commander novels (the games are better than the books and the movie, IMO).

Check out Wookiepedia for Lightsaber fighting styles; it'll mention where they're performed in the saga. I have two lightsabers at home (one custom and the other is a Master Replica of Skywalker's saber).

 

This is why I let Geith write all the action in our series, and I kept to the drama. He's brilliant in the action scenes!

 

Why, thank you, Cara! But don't forget, I wrote the majority of the drama scenes in Shadowlight, so action scenes aren't my only strength.

And I think you write action very well. I loved the Ilios/Cerante fight in Mer Girl, as well as the practice spar between Ilios and Callista (very Crouching Tiger-esque).

And I've updated Mer Girl, everyone!

 

Yes, of course, Shadlowlight was definitely your baby, as Mergirl was mine. Thanks for your analysis of my action sequences, though!

 

My pleasure.

Oh, and another fight scene you wrote that I loved: Luke vs. the Sith Witch in Forever Home!

 

I second that! Without spoiling it for anyone, it makes Ani and Kenobi's fight in ROTS look like a sissy-slap contest in comparison!


L+C

 

Aw, thanks guys...

Just for let you know, I'm about halfway through polishing book 1 of our NJO rewrite, Falls the Shadow. As soon as it's finished, Geith and I will be posting it here for you viewing pleasure! Expect it in a week or so!

 

*camps out in front of Cara's house; waiting for 'Falls...' to be released*

 

Oh, that's you? I thought it was just some homeless dude.