ALIEN: Manticore sequel update

Not sure if I replied to something like this (maybe I did, maybe I didn't) in another thread but here it goes. I think that it's difficult to make yourself known as a writer even if you post your things at a message board for people with the same interest. Maybe there are much alien-things out so you go to have something special (in the eyes of the companies, not the fans) for them to release it, that's not to say that your work is bad.

I’ll be blunt, screw Raised By Wolves, android crap.

“... it comes off like it was written by a bunch of stoned 3rd graders.”

LMAO! Love that insult

Scott is more famous so even if your ideas seem better, it is what it is. I don’t like his ideas and I bet that you would do a better work story-wise. Don’t forget that resources and money can get you far even if the product stinks, that seems to be the thing with RBW. I’m also disappointed with how the alien franchise has developed, so we share that opinion.

I don't trust Scott or Disney, his ideas about David F that shit. Not interested in Alien 5 either, it seems like a repeat.

I hope that you come back here some day so you can participate in the discussions, if you want to. Everyone might not agree with each-other but I can honestly say that I really like the different perspectives that people have and to me your perspectives are welcome too.

It's bad when that happens, but can I find out where you post your stories? If this is some kind of blog or personal site - perhaps not very good places. Perhaps you should post your work on some popular and well-known site specifically for fanfiction.

Leto

I think these links will get you to everything I have published thus far. 

I'll be assembling a Google Drive folder with them all for you and others to be able to download them if you like. I will try to get that done today, but in the meantime, you can read them all at Issuu...if I did the links right, if not, please let me know.

https://issuu.com/rlblackburne/docs

https://issuu.com/rlblackburne/stacks

In Space, No One Can Hear You Scream.

In space, there is no safe place.

Below is an excerpt from the Sequel

START QUOTE**************

On the hangar deck, assorted drones meant for handling large, heavy and bulky objects brought the escape pods and lifeboat aboard. The escape pods weren’t a challenge, but the lifeboat required cooperation of several of the largest units and the ceiling-mounted servicing crane.

Smythe conducted an appraisal of each of the escape pods, and upon seeing the condition of some of them, immediately contacted the bridge.

“Sin, we have a significant problem.” Smythe said, drawing his sidearm whilst keeping a careful and watchful eye on the open space outside the open hangar bay doors, his vision examining the edges of the opening as well over and over while he quickly went to the controls that closed the reinforced and armored doors.

Less than a minute later, the doors leading into the rest of the ship opened, revealing two suited figures in the transfer airlock. They moved out quickly, moving apart from each other yet staying cloe enough to cover and aid each other if need-be while they went to Smythe.

“You mentioned trouble?” Selinaehra inquired, rifle up, sweeping across the hangar bay’s interior while Katherine did the same with her carbine while the hangar doors closed and sealed.

“I did indeed.” Smythe replied, relaxing a little with the arrival of backup, but still looking and sounding shaken through his helmet’s faceplate and over the comms.

“Sonuvabitch…” Came Sin’s voice over the comms as he reacted to what the suit-cam feeds showed him on the bridge’s monitors.

Smythe, Selinaehra and Katherine moved among the lined-up escape pods, examining them carefully, and with some respect for the deceased therein.

The sleekly-rounded coffin-shaped pods had all been pried open by sheer brute force, from the outside.

Within them, in varying conditions, were the corpses of the unfortunate occupants for whom the life-saving escape pods had become death-traps. One common detail was shared among them all; Faces frozen in absolute terror.

END QUOTE***********

BWW: I like your way of writing. One thing that was a good example of writing was this:

"One common detail was shared among them all; Faces frozen in absolute terror."

It makes me wonder what it was that caused it. This could go into many directions but as with the alien-movies not everything got to be explained. Thanks for letting me know about it.

Thoughts_Dreams

Thank-you!

You're very welcome!

True, not everything needs to be explained, but as the story unfolds, things will be made pretty clear and fitting to the title;

A L I E N: Manticore 'Out Of The Silent Dark'

Roger G

Thank-you for telling me about that audio podcast idea! I'll be keeping that in-mind, and audiobooks are The Big Thing nowadays, after all!!

Someday I hope to be able to retain the services of a decent artist and do things up maybe as a Graphic Novel or at least add some illustrations to the stories. That's been a 'want to do' for a long, long time.

@Blackwinter-witch

You refer in your OP to physical challenges. How you overcome those to "write" is not something I have any experience of so I will make observations which are more generic.

In the end, any creative act has to be to satisfy ourselves. If we then find people who enjoy what we create it is a bonus. Naturally, if we rely on it financially to survive I suspect in many cases that come as it takes over as our main income driver. It will not begin as such. 

However, if we write within a previously copywritten area it can only be for the love of the subject. There is no income and the only joy is that others will read it who enjoy the copywritten area in question. 

I would suspect that most people find that if they enjoy writing say within a franchise environment eventually they stop and begin writing original stories. The joy is in storytelling not storytelling about a particular subject. 

Only you know how good you are and whether that talent would better be directed at something fresh and original. 

When I wrote my first draft of what is now called Prometheus: The Furious Gods it was to give back meaning to the movie. It was an act of an obsessive hobbyist. However, unconsciously once I had reached the original goal I changed tack and began to do much more with the story. I realised writing a story was far more important than making the movie right for me or answering what the material in the cylinder as compared to the bowl was etc. The important element became whether the characters spoke with authenticity, the landscapes came alive and whether the story made you curious to carry on. As well as the World Building.

I found from second draft onwards my style of writing is essentially counter-intuitive. I place my characters in familiar settings but the story they are in is asymmetrical. Just one example the questing innocent person of faith is the antagonist. So writing F.G. was merely a platform for me to begin writing original works. Several of my friends have been kind enough to say. "You have done two stories which are attached now get on with your own unique ones."    

So I would ask you to think about what you really want to do write about the franchise or just write. 

I would suggest you will find the latter liberating. 

As far as being frustrated by the reaction to your work remember only 21 people are online as I write this, two years ago it was 200. That tells its only story.

I also think when you place your work on a particular medium it tells you as much about the nature and marketability of that medium as your own work. 

I am experimenting with Wattpad as a writing tool and am going to offer to Furious Gods in a serial rollout and see if it gains momentum there.

My biggest success is Baidu the Chinese Search Engine. I have a sense that Chinese readers though in small numbers are beginning to pass it around. To begin with, I thought it was just one of curiosity but it has gone on to long and is too repetitive. 

I also think an active Blog on subjects works. I have 200 views a month on my Music Blog which I may only post to every three or four months with a review. After a time things have there own momentum.  

What I would say though is ALIEN produces a ceiling of interest. I know with P: FG in conversation it has garnered interest from some but as soon as people know it shares DNA with Alien its a barrier. 

I hope that is not obtrusive and I wish you well with whatever you decide to do.  

@Blackwinter-witch Like I said on your other thread, if you need anything PM me, i'm almost always around. Keep your chin up and don't despair, and don't give up your dreams because of this, take a break and come back to it. I really hope you find the peace and happiness you deserve.

                     ********************

((I already posted on your other thread, but i'll post here too so people can see it, because for some reason people think Ridley Scott is the creator.))

Ridley Scott didn't write or create this show. He only directed a couple of episodes and added some stylistic choices/designs, everything else was Aaron Guzikowski.

Here is an article about how he came to work with Ridley Scott on the project: Raised By Wolves creator wants to know what will "Lead us out of the darkness"

'Speaking of sci-fi characters and fear, you get the master of that — Ridley Scott — to open the first two episodes of your show. How did that come about?

I’d written the script and I’d brought it into his production company, Scott Free. I didn’t imagine he was going to direct it, just that they would produce it. But he read it and he responded to it — apparently he started drawing the storyboards immediately afterward, which was incredible.

When I heard that on the phone I was like, “Holy s***! That’s amazing, is he really going to do it?” I still didn't really believe it. But before you know it, we were in South Africa shooting. It was amazing, as soon as he got on board it started rolling along like a freight train. He was just having a great time, inspired to tell this story.

Here is another great interview with Aaron Guzikowski. He talks about what inspired him to create the show, the themes he chose to use, etc. 

If you can, please forgive me.

There is nothing to forgive nor apologize for. We are human. We all push on as best we can.

@Blackwinter-witch

Well there is no better feeling, I believe, then setting yourself free. I see no regrets in taking on new projects.

This has broken you or taken a part of something now that cannot easily be replaced. Partly this is do to the nature and effect of what time does to all of us. Partly it is do to you reaching another realization in what is best for you.

What ever the case may be there is a very wise saying in Buddhism.

You must first empty your cup to receive more.

Try on this new role in your life and see what may grow into the new space.

For me the Alien universe has had its moments of profound reward as well as its regrets. I have chased this monster as well to the limits of perception.....and no long want or desire it's secrets.

There is something very liberating in choosing a new mysterious road...walking through that door you have never gone through before...taking those first steps into a new room full of strangers...figuring out a new undiscovered path.

I sincerely hope you never look back with out one single regret and find a more fulfilling inner peace.

"Also, all anyone talks about anymore is Raised By Wolves. I looked into it"

I think its Mentioned on here because its a WORK by RS, some of the THEMES are maybe what he could have been looking at with a Continuation in the Franchise which i think he even ADMITS is Unlikely to Carry On.

As for RBW i have YET to see it, i think the PLOT seems Interesting but it depends on the Execution and Writing of the Plot Points.  I dont think we should and could Consider it as PART of the Alien Franchise.

The ALIEN Franchise will LIVE ON in each of us, we all have our OWN things we like or Dislike within the Franchise, i think everyone is ENTITLED to what they like/dislike within the Franchise and its Direction.

FAN FICTION allows for the Fans to give their Ideas to the Franchise in which other Fans can Read and Enjoy, i think that to go and PUT a LOT of Effort in some Fan Fiction does take a LOT of Time and Dedication...  But do-not be Disheartened by it, IF you are Pleased and Proud of you work then thats ALL that Counts ;)

We are in a TIME where there is LITTLE NEWS on the Franchise, but while we WAIT for any, then things like Games and Comics can give a ESCAPE into the ALIEN Universe.

And Sharing Fan Fiction is something that can FILL the VOID of NOT having much going on in Regards to the Franchise.

I applaud you for your WORKS and ART.... you have Committed a LOT to your Creation and i am sure Many would ENJOY your Works.

Hopefully your Health improves, in the Meantime then having a BREAK is Fine, i want to THANK YOU for the Effort in Writing some Material for the ALIEN Universe and your Contributions to this Site X

Michelle Johnston

I found what you said to be helpful, encouraging, informative and absolutely un-obrusive. I want to Thank-You for your well-written and helpful reply. I gave me what I needed, a 'fix' akin to a sailing ship using a lighthouse beacon, and I really appreciated it!!

When I went on that 'tear' over the weekend, I was in a really dark place...not the fun kind of darkness with drooling skull-cruncher, but one of personal desolation.

That said, tomorrow I'm going in for a treatment consultation, and then I have a big decision to make, and while radiation treatment is much more advanced than it used to be, there can always be complications and unwanted side-effects especially when the brain is involved.

I am still feeling very regretful everyone here saw me in such a state. The 'blackouts' are nasty, and a rare complication of what I am fighting but make the whole situation that much more embarrassing and frightening...still, it provides serious motivation to roll the dice on the radiation treatment.

Thank-you again for what you said, and the tools you mention like 'Wattpad', I'll have a look and yes I know remember that this is about love Of The Franchise & Fandom. My other works--unsuitable to be discussed here--I hope to make a financially-supportive career with as there's no reason erotic fiction can not possess good storyline, plot and well-evolved characters. One involves my FIRST attempt at a Detective story...it's finished in pre-first Rought form, needs a LOT of work, but I actually enjoy editing as one gets to use 20/20 Hindsight constructively.

Thank-you again, Michelle!

Svanya

Thank-you ((HUG)) I really appreciate that! I might need some help with things...memory issues are a 'thing' right now, and at times I can forget for days how to do the simplest things...forgot about how to operate the washing machine for a week...as one fine example.

Thank-you also for the insight regarding RS...it's a Relief because I was heartbroken (mistakenly) that he was 'selling out', but as you show, that is so happily not the case!!

Thank-You for that day-brightener!!

dk

BlackAnt

Thank-you for understanding!! I am so ashamed of this 'incident', and want to make things right...been cleaning up those nasty posts, replacing them with ones more hopeful.

I have 'emptied my cup'...in a manner of speaking.

I basically took yesterday, and stepped back, and looked at what I want out of my works for the Fandom.

It gave me insight I didn't have before, and shared with my 'Co-Creator/Author' who actually understood my ham-handed efforts at trying to put it all into words.

So, come what may medically-speaking I will continue on with this new viewpoint and approach. 

I promised a Sequel and other works to the Fandom, and I will make it happen for you.

I'm not dead yet, and I might yet be able to survive this 'bullet'...at least it's not caused by Neomorph spores, so I have that in my favor. lol

However, the Sequel will mark where I send The Alien off to a very, very well-deserved Vacation. Less is more with this creature, and it's a BIG universe with additional and other stories to be told and explored while the critter kicks back and relaxes until it's time to come back out of the shadows again. 

I have some vague plans for the future where The Alien appears, but that will not be for quite some time...this poor critter needs a break, room-service and big, cold over-exaggerated drinks served at poolside. :D

BigDave

Thank-You!! ((HUG))

As always, you make some Excellent points and gave me another 'lighthouse beacon' fix to work from.

I will be continuing, as best able but relying more on my Co-Creator/Author. So, a 'working-break', and it does give me some comfort as my only real other option is do nothing but Worry and twist myself into a fear-frenzy, which won't help my health issues one little bit...mental outlook and attitude counts for much, so light-working helps me in that.

BUT I won't push myself needlessly nor to extremes as that's not good for me either...so a 'happy middle ground' I would say. 

Even getting a little bit of work done makes me happy and feel better about things. ;)

@Blackwinter-witch Yay! I am so happy I was able to help. I hope you feel better now and do continue to write! 

Hi Blackwinter-witch. Apologies for coming in late on this one. I feel I failed to offer support when you needed it most. I hope you are doing well? Sorry to hear of your challenges, it sounds horrible to be unable to do the things you love. If you ever need to talk you have a family of friends here who have your back. 

Svanya

(((HUG)))
You did and please read below. :)
I am experiencing worsening symptoms--it's expected so I just ride them out/surfe the wave as best I can when they get in my way, but things are in the pipeline to deploy the weapon vs. The Enemy.
Confidence is very high a new technique will do the job in a single strike, maybe two and minimize secondary & side-effects on me.

I/we are working on the sequel, it has moved into Chapter 2, and won't keep folks waiting for things to start getting Interesting. 

I/we am bringing Order to Chaos regarding the tie-in short-story, it's coming along pretty well albeit a bit slow as we fight with a stubborn scene that's proving difficult to get 'right'.

I/we have a Vignette coming up, should be done pretty soon, hopefully by end of this coming weekend...depending on how stubborn it proves during editing. :)