| Explore Worlds of "What If?"
Creative people can be found in many fields. Here are a few who inspire me, entertain me, and generally make my imagination soar:
J.R.R. Tolkien's
Lord of the Rings
Perhaps the most influential fantasy world of the twentieth century, truly a classic. Available in any bookstore, the trilogy (or parts of it) and its prequel, The Hobbit, have been turned into radio dramas and recreated in the form of animated films on several occasions... but true admirers of the original story were disappointed in these renditions.
Now, another filmaker has given it a try--in live-action format--and the results are astounding! The first two movies in the trilogy are now out, and they're fantastic! Check the official Lord of the Rings Web site to read reports about the production, see stills, join a fan club, and more.
Susan Sizemore
Susan writes everything--and she writes it well! Science fiction, fantasy, romance, adventure, suspense, seasoned at just the right moments with sometimes surprising and always brilliant humor.
You can find many of Susan's books at your favorite bookstores, both the brick-and-mortar variety and on the Web. For full information about her latest releases, visit her Website. Happy reading!
René Auberjonois
This versatile actor and director has been performing on stage, in films, and in television for over thirty years. Even if you've missed his past performances on Broadway (including Coco in 1969 with Katherine Hepburn and 1989's City of Angels), you've seen him in dozens of other roles, from the original "Dago Red" in Robert Altman's groundbreaking film, M*A*S*H, through guest appearances on dozens of TV series and voice work for cartoons and audio books, to his Emmy-winning role on Benson in the 1980s and his recent performances on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.Visit his Website to find out where you can see and hear his work.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
By far the most compelling series from the ongoing Star Trek franchise of TV science fiction. Full of complex characters and ever-evolving story arcs, the episodes of DS9 are not simply good entertainment -- the stories and the people move us, inspire us, and make us think. One of the most informative sites devoted to the series is the DS9 Encyclopedia and Lexicon. Whether you are just discovering DS9 or are a long-time fan, this is the place to explore the richest Trek experience of them all!
The Number 47
The number 47 has crucial significance in Star Trek and in the everyday world. For the full story behind all of this silliness, read The Mystique of 47.
Terry Pratchett's Discworld
If you haven't yet discovered this brilliant fantasy series (25+ books and counting), the best introduction is Mr. Pratchett's own words: "...as the world tumbles lazily, it is revealed as the Discworld--flat, circular, and carried through space on the back of four elephants who stand on the back of the Great A'tuin, the only turtle ever to feature on the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram, a turtle ten thousand miles long, dusted with the frost of dead comets, meteor-pocked, albedo-eyed.... Much that is weird could happen on a world on the back of a turtle like that. It's happening already." (from the opening of Pyramids by Terry Pratchett, c. 1989) One of several sites about these books on the Internet is run by his fan club, The Guild of Fans and Disciples, and includes, among many other tidbits, brief descriptions of all of the books. In addition to the hardbound and paperback books, available at most major bookstores, the Discworld universe has grown to include plays, maps, quiz books, toys, and collectible figurines!
Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern
This series of books combines traditional elements of fantasy and science fiction (dragons, world-spanning quests, space exploration) with wonderfully realized, believable characters. For years, Ms. McCaffrey has protected her creation, refusing offers to translate the Pernese universe to film or television, for fear that scriptwriters and special effects people would not be able to keep her world--especially the dragons--true to her vision.
For a few years, it looked like a Dragonriders of Pern television series was in the works. Sample artwork and beautiful, computer-generated dragons were designed, but unfortunately the project never quite got off the ground. However, according to The Worlds of Anne McCaffrey Web site, there is still hope that Pern's dragons will appear on screen in the future.
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