Ryf van rij biography of rory

Now that she's writing fantasy novels she's taken down her fanfic.

Bright New Future

(1) "In The Beginning" (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 29th January 2001 (2)
(126K)

This is the second of CiceroCat's stories, and shows even more heavily the Susan Foster influence, since this AU setting is more like the GDP series; a near-futuristic setting, where Guides are second-class citizens. There also seems to be a bit of borrowing of an idea from Y.S. McCool's "Upgrades" universe, but that may be a coincidence. Again, this author manages to leave the worst horrors of the GDP universe out of this story, and refrains from giving Jim animalistic behaviours (yet), while at the same time giving a reasonable explanation as to why Blair is downtrodden and distrusting. Yes, a WimpyBlair, but not as wimpy as the one in GDP.

The opening is really good -- a tense, immediate scene which manages to give us background and backstory without any boring exposition.
    "In a few short minutes, a new century, with new possibilities will be upon us. New heights reachable by way of ever advancing technology. . . "
    Pant; thump; pant; thump. . .
    Gotta hide, gotta hide, gotta. . . Panting heavily, breath visible in the frigid air, his rhythmic footsteps pushed out all superfluous thought. He barely gave the booming voice from loudspeakers any attention, a voice that told of a grand future in store. A future he probably wouldn't see.
    Dark, so dark. She's gonna find me, it's not gonna work.
    ". . . A greater future is at hand, a future that is our heritage, our destiny. . ."
    Shoes squeaked loudly on slick concrete sidewalks, as he slid. Cursing, he went down on three limbs, his hand catching and levering him up from the cold, unyielding surface, as

Vancouver: Up to a half-dozen more local feature filmmakers will get British Columbia Film funding assistance in the next 12 months now that the board of directors has decided how to dole out new money given by the province in March. The NDP government, prior to the election call this month, gave B.C. Film $5 million to support more production over the next three years.

In fiscal 2001/02, which began April 1, B.C. Film will use $2 million to bolster its equity-financing envelope by $1.75 million and its development/marketing/skills development programs by $250,000.

For feature producers it means that while only Suddenly Naked and Mile Zero received $200,000 each toward production last year, up to eight productions will get funding this year. A new low-budget production stream offers equity financing of up to $100,000 while larger budget productions can get as much as $100,000 per project.

Many productions will still be left wanting, however. B.C. Film is currently vetting 25 feature film proposals requesting $5.4 million, which means this envelope is oversubscribed by $1.65 million.

The extra dollars and the improved supply-demand ratio mean B.C. Film is in its best shape to support production since the closure of the Market Incentive Program in 1998.

‘The extra money is a real shot in the arm,’ says CEO Rob Egan. ‘It will help us better meet the demand in both television and film.’

Development, marketing and training, meanwhile, will jump to $1.95 million this year from $1.2 million last year, including the extra $250,000.

The new feature support will also free up money for television projects – but again most will be unlucky. And shows that were overlooked by EIP shouldn’t expect B.C. Film to pick up the slack.

Fifty-four television applications want $4.5 million when only $2.25 million is available. Of those, 17 television drama series, animated series and MOWs want $1.1 million while 17 documentary productions want

Author at Breaking Orbit http://www.farsight.net.nz/fiction/.
Also has a journal at http://vilakins.dreamwidth.org/.

Anthropology (Blake's 7)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 9th December 2008 (18)
Tags:Short Story
(41K)

Summary:Vila takes Orac and uses it to sabotage the Federation. In the meantime, Avon is looking for him. (PGP)

Sharp and bittersweet; this author always does good Vila and Avon, and this story is no exception.

Boarding Party (Blake's 7)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 24th September 2006 (4)
Tags:Vignette
(4K)

An alternative universe where, when Avon returns to the Liberator at the start of season 3, he is confronted not by Captain Del Tarrant, but by Captain Vila Restal. I love this version of Vila, he's still himself, but with added confidence. More like the archetypal Trickster, in a way. I would sooo like to see more stories set in this universe.

The Hand of Friendship (Blake's 7)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 29th July 2007 (1)
Tags:Novelette
(59K)

PGP; Vila's hands have been damaged, and nobody volunteers for the therapy needed... except Avon.

Lovely Avon-Vila friendship story. Avon makes amends, and it isn't an easy road.

Islands (Blake's 7)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 17th August 2004 (14)
Tags:Short Story
(31K)

This B7 ficathon story opens with more melancholy, as Avon, Vila and Cally ponder how alone and isolated they are... and then things get very interesting. Good characterisation, especially of Avon's combination of curiosity and pain. There's also a very alien -- but that would be telling.

Let There Be Light (Blake's 7)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 22nd December 2003 (1)
Tags:Novelette
(61K)

I was taking a quick peek at "Vila Restal's Livejournal" (http://vila-restal.livejournal.com/) when I followed the reference to this, expecting something frivolous, and what I got was something which was very much in character (she's got Vila's voice