Darkover Newsletter/Issues 41-50

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==Issue 41 (June 1988)==
Darkover Newsletter 41 was published in June 1988 and contains 24 pages.
The front page includes a poem by Patricia n'ha Myrtis called Do you want to write for Marion Z.B.?
 
* The editor, Ann Sharp wrote a piece about writing well, plotting and avoiding cliches and stereotypes. It ends with a plug for fans to submit their fiction to the DAW Darkover Anthology, "Domains of Darkover."
* The pro-writer Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Mertz writes a letter and thanks Bradley for being a fan and recommending her books in the Darkover Newsletter: "You ought to be getting a commission! [snipped] Sounds if you are in full form and back on track, which is wonderful; just slow down a little, lady, or you will make aging writers like myself feel even older. I get tired these days!"
* This issue contains a logic puzzle.
* There is much chat about cats.
There are two mentions of Bradley's works being optioned for film. One is a brief mention of two Darkover books. Ann Sharp said: 
There is also some discussion about filming Darkover and The Mists of Avalon. A fan asks: "A while back there was a mention of the possibility of a Darkover film. Anything further on that? Seeing such films as "Excalibur" and "Merlin and the Sword" which had such potential with directors and cast and fell flat on their faces with screenplay, I kept saying, "Why couldn't they have used Mists of Avalon?" Any hope of a film there?" Ann Sharp replies: 
Bradley's Letter from MZB discusses UFOs. and begins with "Just lately, I've been thinking about one of the few taboos in SF -- which is to write about anything science can't solve. This adds up, effectively, to writing about UFOS." She says she doesn't belive in them, pointing out the "unidentified" part of the word, but does belive in them as she has seen them herself which is enough indentification for her. Bradley decribes an enounter in Knox City, Texas while she was doing her laundry in about 1961: 
A fan compliments Bradley on her character's complicated genealogies and how they don't have mistakes. Does Bradley use a chart? Bradley replies: 
==Issue 42 (September 1988)==
Darkover Newsletter 42 was published in September 1988 and contains 20 pages.
* This issue includes an essay by Ann Sharp about writing.
* This issue contains a Darkover crossword puzzle.
* This issue, as well as many others, contains a bibliography of Bradley's professional works.
* Ann Sharp tells a fan who is worried about not knowing enough Darkovan to write a good fanfic: 
Bradley's Letter from MZB is very long and complicated. One of the many topics she tackles is the questions she gets from fans at cons and book signings. See Where do you get your ideas?. The other part of the essay is about "channeling" and the topic of visionaries, quacks, and self-appointed people who claim to have religious and metaphysical truths: "Have fun with your space brothers — but don't believe a word they say."
==Issue 43 (December 1988)==
Darkover Newsletter 43 was published in December 1988 and contains 20 pages.
* The editor deconstructs the plot synopis of a story from the first page.
* There is much chat about allergies to cats and what to do about them. Allergies, not cats.
* There is a flyer for Unicon '89.
* This issue contains a logic puzzle.
* Ann Sharp writes about Bradley's involvement in the newsletter's content: "Marion reviews all DNC letters and my rough drafts of responses, then adds her own comments (unless she is out of town or sick)..." Bradley adds: "Write to me in care of the Friends. I answer any letter within hollering distance of politeness."
* Bradley's describes some of her past lives: "I vaguely remember one as, I think, a cowherd somewhere in Scandinavia and one as a Dominican, I think, monk whose task it was to bury the homeless dead as one of the corporal works of mercy. Like in those days, as Hobbes said, was indeed "nasty, brutish, and short"—especially short."
* Bradley replies to male fan's long letter about pre-marital sex: "The only reason for sex before marriage is that an otherwise inexperienced woman might find out too late -- because of the indissolubility of marriage -- i.e., kisses and embraces -- as well as a high voltage -- sex."
* Bradley replies to a fan: "I love Magda, Camilla, etc., as you can see in City of Sorcery. Someone once asked me how Magda could find anything to love in an elderly woman like Camilla. Thanks. I too am getting old and I have proof I am really greatly loved."
From the Letter from MZB: 
Bradley writes about two of her books: 
Ann Sharp tells a fan: 
==Issue 44 (March 1989)==
Darkover Newsletter 44 was published in March 1989 and contains 18 pages.
* The editor writes a lengthy piece on how to do genealogy research.
* This issue contains a logic puzzle.
* A fan complains of being unable to read some of the typed font and the editor has a lengthy reply explaining her typewriter.
* There is a one-page fiction piece by Jean Lamb (something very rare in this newsletter) called "The Angel at Nevarsin."
* A fan asks for information on Guild Houses in the area of West Virginia as she is "very interested in creating women's life center in my ideas garnered from the Renunicates' philosophy... Please help if you can." MZB responds: "I really hesitate to recommend Darkovan solutions to Terran problems. That's like recommending 1430 solutions, Catholic, to 1989 problems of women's sexuality. (Just say No, anybody?)."
* Fans discuss the morality and reality of sex before marriage.
* A fan writes in about her "laran" and ESP experiences, and Bradley responds: "I still get a little tired of people claiming empathy when they can't use the five senses they certainly have. I am not saying you don't—only that everyone seems to claim empathy even when they obviously don't—they seem to think that a sentimental feeling for animals is all they need."
Bradley writes of genealogy, and of her new-found mildness, in her Letter from MZB: 
Bradley also discusses feminism, and politics, in her letter: 
==Issue 45 (June 1989)==
Darkover Newsletter 45 was published in June 1989 and contains 20 pages.
* There are several statements by Elisabeth Waters to fans that touch upon the subject of Bradley making a concentrated effort to not read fan stories.
* The editor writes a lengthy article on genealogy.
* The editor, who is still using the font readers have complained about, says she has bought a DeskJet Plus laser printer.
* This issue contains a logic puzzle.
* There is no mention of Walter Breen; Bradley and Breen's divorce had been finalized the month before.
* Bradley tells fans that the "Gregg Press" hardcover Darkover editions are out of print.
* Walter Breen, a constant presence in early issues of this newsletter, has been largely absent for a number of years, but in this issue there are some very rare short comments from him. He answers some questions from a fan about Darkover geography, timelines, and other trivia-type queries.
* A fan writes that Darkover kept them from committing suicide: "There once was time that I had seriously considered removing myself from this stagnant planet earth. Once I discovered Darkover I now have a safe escape whenever I need it."
* Elisabeth Waters writes a fan who wants to alert MZB to a short story the fan has written: "...MZB's newest Darkover novel is the story of what happens when the Terrans rediscover Darkover, so she can't read your story (when she's working on something she doesn't read anything on that subject...)"
A fan supports Bradley, her feminism, and ideas: 
Bradley writes in her Letter from MZB that she loves music but not rock music as it is far too loud; she goes on to discuss sound and decibels, AND puts in a plug for some original music that is summarized in the MZB Enterprises flyer as "A group of very funny songs about science and academia, by Dr. Jane and the Primordial Oohz. Cassette $11.00; Lyric/chord book $5.00.": 
A fan asks Bradley: 
A fan says she is writing her own Darkover story: 
A fan describes at great length an anomaly in some Darkover books regarding some characters' relationships, and wants to write about this in some fic: 
==Issue 46 (September 1989)==
Darkover Newsletter 46 was published in September 1989 and contains 18 pages.
* The editor writes another long article on how to do genealogy research.
* This issue contains some small illos by Hannah Shapero which are reprinted from Darkover Songbook.
* There is much discussion about music and quality and how loud is should be played. Includes a lot of "kids these days" statements.
* About the Darkover "atlas": "John Shimwell did compile a Darkovan part-grammar, part-dictionary, but it is out-of-print --that is, the original manuscript is now in such poor shape that it can't be duplicated again." See Darkovan Dictionary.
* This issue contains a logic puzzle.
* Bradley's con schedule for the rest of 1989 is printed: "October 6–8, Bouchercon, Philadelphia -- November 5–6, Baldwin School Book Fair, Bryn Mawr -- November 24–26, Grand Council Meeting. It was in Bryn Mawr that she had another stroke.
* A fan mentions playing a role-playing game "through the mail" and Ann Sharp has a reply that both tells fans of Bradley's disapproval of gaming, and some of her own unawareness of the creativity of fans: "... role-playing games, MZB is allergic to them if they involve Darkovan characters. Can they be played through the mails?."
A fan writes about putting Darkover "to use" in one's daily life: 
The Letter from MZB: 
A fan writes of fanfic and replies to another fan: 
==Issue 47 (December 1989)==
Darkover Newsletter 47 was published in December 1989 and contains 18 pages. This was the last issue that was copyrighted by MZB Enterprises.
* The editor discusses how science fiction deals with Christmas and asks how "should a science fiction holiday story be put together?" She mentions no other holidays except Christmas and Thanksgiving.
* Bradley writes that Walter Breen is preparing an updated Darkover Concordance with character biographies.
* A fan comments on the mention of the word "Darkover" in early non-Darkover book of Bradley's. Ann Sharp replies: "At the time The Door Through Space was published, MZB did not know that any of the Darkover books would ever be published. She used some of the background of what was then her private Darkover universe in The Door Through Space. Later, when the Darkover books became a series, she put the Dry Towns back on Darkover where they'd been in the first place."
* This issue contains a logic puzzle.
* A fan says a friend of hers is working on a Darkover botanical survey.
* Bradley writes: "I have lost count of the New Age types who solemnly assure me that I've created my own reality (e.g., diabetes) and could cure it if I really wanted to."
* A fan writes: "As to role-playing through the mail, I should think you can do it. A friend and I managed to do so for many years -- though we didn't call it that back then -- we were just writing a story and were the characters... it was great fun, and I'd think anyone interested could do it. It also teaches potential writers a great dead about characterization!"
Bradley's Letter from MZB begins with "ALARUMS AND EXCURSIONS. This has been a fairly disastrous time." It describes her experiences with the October 17, 1989 earthquake. Her house was fine, though the cable television was cut. But there were problems with Walter Breen. 
Bradley also discusses her health, and the major stroke she had: 
Jean Lamb writes Bradley: 
Nina Boal writes about one of her stories, its male character, and she gets some pushback from Bradley: 
A fan writes about being inspired to write her own Darkover story and thanks Bradley: 
==Issue 48 (March 1990)==
Darkover Newsletter 48 was published in March 1990 and contains 20 pages. This issue was copyrighted by Marion Zimmer Bradley, not MZB Enterprises.
* The editor writes of "New Age," what it is, and how to incorporate it into fiction: "Look at the illustration to the left [referring to the illo on the newsletter's first page]—our NEW AGE heroine, clearly about to go into action with her starstone. I have been reading a number of books which make quite free with various tools of the "new age" philosophy (for want of a better word), some welI-written, some—silly. Just what are their proper literary uses?"
* A fan, for the very first time in the newsletter, provides her electronic mail address: "My CompuServe User ID is *****,**** and my GEnie User ID is ********." [addresses redacted].
* There is a mention for the first time (and some confusion) of the possibility of fanfic on computers. A fan states: "I am in that group, however, who wishes to write a Darkover story. I have WordPerfect and may shortly get hooked up to CompuServe. Since I have seen one story printed in The Four Moons of Darkover, I am particularly interested in knowing where to send my story that way." Elisabeth Waters corrects him: "The story in Four Moons of Darkover wasn't sent over CompuServe; that was simply how its author first got in touch with Mrs.Bradley so that he could find out where to get guidelines for the anthology."
* Bradley says that Mary Renault was her favorite writer. "She was charming to me -- the one letter I got before she died -- and I mourned as for a family member. A great exception to the usual Terran."
* Fans discuss more Christian holidays being celebrated on Darkover.
* Fans discuss women's oppression as opposed to men's oppression.
* This issue includes a logic puzzle.
* There is an announcement that Elisabeth Waters has won a 1989 Gryphon Award. It is an award for "women writers who have not published more than two books or several short stories professionaly." It is judged on a manuscript of about 75,000 to 100,000 words that is sent to Andre Norton. The award in 1990 will be a trophy given at the American Convention in San Diego in August, $500 and a possible book publication.
Bradley's Letter from MZB notes that she has recovered fairly well from her stroke. She also mentions Contraband for the first time: 
A fan says that Bradley is her "mother confessor"—and more: 
A male fan writes of differing masculinity on Darkover: 
Nina Boal clarifies some things about the letter she had in the last issue: 
==Issue 49 (June 1990) ==
Darkover Newsletter 49 was published in June 1990 and contains 16 pages.
* The editor comments on Barbara Bush's commencement address at Wellesley College and the remarks that women's priorities should be domestic and taking care of their families. The editorial also talks of gender roles and rights in our society today.
* A fan, Jean Lamb, writes: "Hurrah for the news about possible new Darkover books. (See, whining and groveling does too work -- okay, people, remember that collection everyone promised to take up for the Story Fairy if she came through for MZB? Time to pay up now!) I am utterly delighted to hear of Return to Darkover, and look forward to Contraband (of course, I hope for appearances from My Favorite Headblind Hastur, but, to be honest, I'll take anything I get!) [snipped] Hurray for all those lovely people who want to write more Darkover stories! I've been in contact with [Benjamin B], and it's been a lot of fun to toss around ideas."
* Bradley writes: "By the way, there are at least two more Darkover books in the works. I've taken a clue from HEIRS OF HAMMERFELL that the best character was the dog. At least that's what I think—what do you think?" She later comments in this issue that making the best character the dog was deliberate, but does not elaborate.
* There is a flyer for Marion Zimmer Bradley's Fantasy Magazine.
* Bradley announces the guidelines for the next DAW Darkover Anthology, and includes: "On August 1, 1990, I shall begin reading stories for a new anthology of Darkover short stories. Since last years anthology was a Free Amazon one, let's give Free Amazon stories a rest for a year....Original stories only please—if your story has been printed in a fanzine, I've already seen it."
* Bradley writes: "Funny how much you can tell about a person by her choice of Heaven or Hell - to me, Heaven is backstage at the opera. Hell Is Texas, pure and simple - or Hell is a place where there's only football on television and only beer in the fridge."
* This issue contains a logic puzzle.
Bradley's comments to fan letters are sparse and short, as is the Letter from MZB which includes a health update: 
Elisabeth Waters also writes about Bradley's heart attack: 
==Issue 50 (September 1990)==
Darkover Newsletter 50 was published in September 1990 and contains 20 pages. It contains sparse art by Morning Glory G'Zell, Hannah Shapero and Laeli Williams. It was published by MZB Enterprises.
* This issue includes a logic puzzle.
* There are many letters from fans which discuss: co-education, Orthodox Judaism, marriage and children...
* The editor says this issue is number fifty but "(actually, forty-three or forty-seven, depending on how you count double issues) issues of DNL." This makes sense, as she is ignoring issues #29 and #30 which were never published.
* MZB Enterprises merchandise advertised in the back of the zine has a note that the "final closeout expires 12/15/1990" This reflects the closure of this company due to Bradley's ill health.
* A fan writes a very detailed, well-thought out letter about books in the romance genre, their appeal and their readership. Bradley's response: "You can have my share of romances and I will never ask for a change -- It's not a moral issue, just de gustibus honest disputandum. I am not myself much of a romance fan, but at seven I loved Myrtle Reed. Moralities don't belong in fiction -- Opinion." Ann Sharp vehemently disagrees with Bradley, and has a lengthy response, one which includes many comments about the romance genre.
* Bradley says: "As for feminism, I've never understood why selling shoes at Macy's is spiritually preferable to cooking and looking after kids. I became a writer because I refused to work eight hours and come home to cook and clean while my husband worked eight hours, came home and read the paper."
* Bradley writes that she is "working on the Roman Britain story of Eilan, working title, 'The Forest House.' It's under contract to Viking and was sidetracked by 1) Earthquake 2) Stroke 3) Heart Attack, but it is now underway again." She hopes it will be published in September 1991.
 Elisabeth Waters comments on several things, two of them Bradley's health, and the other some upcoming book plans: 
Bradley writes in her Letter from MZB that Darkover has been around for a quarter of a century, which makes her feel old. The letter is also a very personal, extensive autobiography: 
Bradley wrote about becoming a fan and her start in science fiction: 
Ann Sharp says she is trying out a computer creative writing program called "WritePro": "[It] uses the computer's attributes to focus on any creative writing ability you may happen to have on the important story elements. It directs you to write in way that specifically focus on the 'elements' of a good -- i.e. saleable -- plot." She also writes about something she read in the newspaper, an article about a woman who had turned to customized writing in order to make a living: 
==References==
Category:Darkover Zines
Category:1988 Zines
Category:1989 Zines
Category:1990 Zines