Category Archives: Star Wars

Replace the Catsuit: The Winners

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More sleeves!

Darren Tan’s illustration that will be appearing in the ‘Star Wars: Essential Reader’s Companion’

Discussions were had, comments were tallied, and the verdict is in. We’ve got winners in our Replace Mara’s Catsuit contest!

I should probably start by saying that selecting winners for this contest was really hard. All of the Tosche Station staff spent a good chunk of yesterday going over each entry and factoring in feedback from comments. We came to a consensus on the overall winner pretty quickly, but picking out who also should earn prizes was no easy task. In the end, we decided that there were too many solid entries for this contest. So we added a fourth prize slot that will also be receiving a copy of Allegiance by Timothy Zahn. Even then, some great entries just missed the cut.

Also as a note, Bria’s entry was taken out of the running because we brought her on as a writer last week, which is a bummer because the rest of the staff thought her costume was awesome.

The Tosche Station Staff does want to give a big thank you to everyone who entered the contest. The path to getting Mara new iconic outfits and images is a tricky one, but raising awareness that we can do better than the catsuit is a necessary first step. With any luck, the entries submitted for this contest can be a stepping stone to doing just that.

That said! Here are the winners in ascending order. To the jump!

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Aaron Allston’s Celebration VI and Dragon*Con Schedule

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Expanded Universe author Aaron Allston has updated his appearance schedule to note just where he’s going to be at both Celebration VI and Dragon*Con. As we’ve said before on the blog and the podcast, Allston is a fantastic guest to sit down and listen to. If you’ve got a chance to see one of his panels or writing workshops, you owe it to yourself to do so. 

Celebration VI

  • Friday 10:30 am-11:30 am, Behind the Scenes Stage (W414 ABCD): What’s Coming From Del Rey.
    “Acclaimed Star Wars authors Aaron Allston, Troy Denning, Drew Karpyshyn, James Luceno, and Timothy Zahn join Shelly Shapiro of Del Rey and Jennifer Heddle of Lucasfilm to reveal what’s coming next in best-selling Star Wars fiction.”
  • Friday 2:30 pm-3:30 pm, Star Wars University (W300):
    Laying Down Tracks: A Different Way to Write Your Novel.
    “Most people writing their first few novels start with an outline, or just a sense of how the early chapters should progress, and then write straight through to the end. But that’s not necessarily the best method for all novelists. In this seminar,New York Times bestselling author Aaron Allston (X-Wing: Mercy Kill) discusses an alternate method of novel writing intended to capitalize on each writer’s individual strengths and passions. This method helps bypass some causes of writer’s block, invokes ‘flow state’ writing, and prevents the sort of discouragement that can kill a novel. If you’ve ever wondered whether the standard novel-writing methods are holding you back, come to ‘Laying Down Tracks.'”
  • Friday 6:00 pm-7:00 pm, Barnes & Noble Booth (Booth #129):
    Signing. Aaron Allston, Troy Denning.
  • Saturday 3:00 pm-4:00 pm, Barnes & Noble Booth (Booth #129):
    Signing. Aaron Allston, Troy Denning.
  • Sunday, 11:00 am, Del Rey Booth (Booth #910):
    Del Rey 2012 Star Wars Sampler Signing.
    Drew Karpyshyn, Timothy Zahn, James Luceno, Aaron Allston, Troy Denning, John Jackson Miller.
Dragon*Con
  • Friday 2:30 pm-3:30 pm, Seminar 4:
    Talk to Me: Dialogue.
    “Aaron Allston discusses the art of writing dialogue — to improve characterization, to influence the reader’s responses, and to deliver the emotional wallop your story needs.”
    Room: Hanover A-B (Hyatt). Additional seminar charge will apply.
  • Friday 4:00 pm-5:00 pm, Seminar 5:
    Description.
    “Have your descriptive passages become blocks of text that stop your story cold? Aaron Allston discusses techniques to transform those passages into memorable experience that propel your story to its conclusion.”
    Room: Hanover A-B (Hyatt). Additional seminar charge will apply.
  • Friday 5:30 pm-6:30 pm:
    Meet Your Favorite Star Wars Authors.
    “Have a burning question for your favorite authors? They’ll be here to talk to you!” Panelists TBA.
    Room: A706 (Marriott)
  • Saturday 1:00 pm-2:00 pm, Seminar 8:
    Ruining Your Career Before It Gets Started.
    “Aaron Allston walks you through the minefield of deadly career-killers, including query letters that spell doom, research practices that murder a writer’s reputation, ‘everyone knows’ fallacies that lead novices and even experienced writers into quicksand, and fan interactions that are pure poison.”
    Room: Hanover A-B (Hyatt). Additional seminar charge will apply.
  • Saturday 2:30 pm-3:30 pm, Seminar 9:
    Style and Mood.
    “Aaron Allston talks about establishing and sustaining the tone of a novel — how to switch from technique to technique, like a pitcher switching from a curve ball to a fastball, in order to make the readers experience exactly what you want them to.”
    Room: Hanover A-B (Hyatt). Additional seminar charge will apply.
  • Saturday 5:30 pm-6:30 pm:
    Masculinity in Star Wars.
    “Vader, Han Solo, Luke, Lando — just what does it all mean, and where was the Maker going with chivalry, patriarchy, and the definition of masculinity?” Panelists TBA.
    Room: A706 (Marriott)
  • Sunday 11:30 am-12:30 pm:
    Literature of Gaming.
    “The world of gaming has provided a grounding for a number of books. We’ll discuss what makes it popular and writing for a preconceived world.” Panelists TBA.
    Room: Greenbriar (Hyatt)
  • Sunday 2:30 pm-3:30 pm, Seminar 14:
    Unclogging Your Plot.
    “Aaron Allston describes the Thirteen Deadly Sins that can grind your novel’s plot to a halt — how to detect them, understand them, and bulldoze them out of your way.”
    Room: Hanover A-B (Hyatt). Additional seminar charge will apply.
  • Sunday 4:00 pm-5:00 pm, Seminar 15:
    Showing Off Your Manuscript.
    “Aaron Allston discusses ways to put your fiction before the eyes of others, including advance readers, workshoppers, editors, and agents. We’ll also talk about the hazards of showing off your manuscript, including submission mistakes, hurtful reviews, and loss of creative energy.”
    Room: Hanover A-B. Additional seminar charge will apply.
  • Monday 2:30 pm-3:30 pm:
    Discussion of Mercy Kill with Aaron Allston.
    “Just what the title says — Allston discusses his latest Star Wars novel, the long-awaited continuation of the X-Wing series, released August 7.”
    Room: A706 (Marriott)

If you’re going to be at Dragon*Con, I strongly encourage you to attend both the Expanded Universe multi-author panel as well as the Mercy Kill panel. 

 

Talking Celebration VI on the next Tosche Station Radio – Ask us your Questions!

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It’s Thursday, which means Nanci and I will be sitting down to record another episode of Tosche Station Radio. This week we want talk heavily about Celebration VI and what you can expect there. If you’ve got any questions about the convention or want to know what we’ll be up to, please leave a question in this post and we will answer it.

In addition to our answers, be sure to check out Dunc’s Convention Tips over at Club Jade.

We’re also going to be at Dragon*Con if you have questions specific to that event as well. Again, leave your inquiries, comments, and questions in the comments!

Replace the Catsuit: The Entries

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Sleeves!

After nearly four months we received over a dozen entries in our Replace Mara’s Catsuit contest. We’ll announce a winner later today, but first we want to give you all the chance to look over what was submitted and give us some feedback. Whose costumes or art did you like? Any trends you noticed among the entries?

Now, because we got so many entries, we’re going to add another prize tier! Here’s what is potentially up for grabs now:

  1. First prize will receive a copy of the 2oth Anniversary Edition of Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn.
  2. Second prize will receive paperback copies of Allegiance and Choices of One by Timothy Zahn.
  3. Third prize will receive a paperback copy of Allegiance.

Below are all of the entries for the contest. We’d love your feedback as we go through and select the prize winners today, so take a look at the submissions below. Leave a comment in the post!

Brian’s ‘X-Wing: Mercy Kill’ Review

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I admit it. I have never been this nervous about an Expanded Universe novel. By know I suspect you’re all aware that the X-Wing books hold a special place in my heart. I’ve long appreciated the kinds of stories that series told and the types of characters used within them.  I hoped that this book would be a return to those kinds of novels. Thankfully, after reading it I firmly believe Aaron Allston succeeded on that front and succeeded in ways I couldn’t have imagined before picking the book up.

Mercy Kill is a unique book in its construction and tone, one that legitimately can be called a spy thriller. Imagine taking the feel of Mission Impossible and the lore of the Star Wars universe and combining the two. The result is a book that’s easily the most fun I’ve had with an Expanded Universe novel in thirteen years.  The plot revolves around finding evidence of treachery by one of the Galactic Alliance’s most powerful military figures. To find that proof, Face Loran has to rebuild Wraith Squadron and send them off on an adventure.

I could go on at length about how much I enjoyed the twists and turns, but to do so would be to completely spoil a large chunk of what makes this book work. Instead, I feel it’s more important to dive into the characters of this tale. Aaron Allston has long been known for his work at crafting characters and allowing them to dictate the story rather than shoehorning characters into plot. Mercy Kill is no different. They are the backbone of this novel and the primary reason it’s so effective as an Expanded Universe story.

The characters (and potential spoilers) loom below the cut!

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Replace the Catsuit: Costume Entry from Sarah

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We’ve got another entry today in our Replace Mara’s Catsuit contest! This costume comes courtesy of reader Sarah. Her description:

Hello Tosche Station,

In just under the wire.

This is my entry for the Replace the Cat Suit Contest.

I decided to create something I thought Mara would have worn in her Smugglers’ Alliance days working with Karrde after The Last Command. It’s a flight suit with a jacket. The colour was chosen for its practicality as it will not show dirt easily and I expect this is slightly before the fabulous Scotch-guarded outfit she wears in Vision of the Future. Also, Mara, no doubt, knows that green is a good colour for her.

I was influenced by the uniforms of the Rebel Alliance in Return of the Jedi and the Swarm War cover image on her Wookiepedia entry – which is one of my favourite existing images of her. I also pulled in some Firefly influences in the creation of the jacket with a slight Asian flavour to the collar and torso and then lacing on the sleeves for the pirate/smuggler side of things. She is wearing the Smuggler’s Alliance logo as well.

My key elements were pockets as I can’t imagine Mara without them, and sleeves loose enough to hide a blaster in.

The hair is too dark, I know, but that was the wig my budget allowed for.

Thanks,

Sarah

You had me at Firefly influences, Sarah. Thank you for submitting! Remember, you’ve got until 11:59 Pacific tonight to get your entries in.

 

Replace the Catsuit: Art Entry from Serena

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It’s the LAST DAY to enter our Replace Mara’s Catsuit contest! If you’ve got a costume or art piece you want to submit, you need to get them e-mailed, Tweeted, Facebook’d or otherwise linked to us by 11:59PM Pacific time.

The first entry on the final day comes from reader Serena. I’ll allow her to describe the piece:

Hi,

This is my entry for the Replace the Catsuit contest.  The first drawing is of Mara in formal clothing for a festive occasion during the Emperor’s time.  She hides her blaster and a lightsaber in one sleeve, while concealing a tiny grenade and a knife in the other of her flowery sleeves.  She piles her hair on top of her head and leaves the rest in a braid where it will not interfere with any of her battles against the enemy.

The skirt and the sleeves are attached by bands and a belt, but are easily discarded.  The rest of the outfit is revealed to be a simple, yet elegant blue, Imperial military, feminine jacket.  Mara wears  plain dark green, comfortable pants instead of the illogical choice of a dress to lightsaber fight.  Her gloves protect her hands from poisonous flora while climbing and also keep her from leaving telltale fingerprints when she breaks into a room.

Note her tan Jedi like boots and the choice of gray, not black gloves.  She may be the Imperial Hand, but the talented, compassionate Mara is no Sith.

Even though this outfit is simple and very practical, it also emphasizes the beauty of Mara.

The images are big, so head down to the jump to see them!

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Trope Tuesday: The Charmer

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It’s been a while since we’ve done one of these, but let’s get back to it. Welcome to another installment of Trope Tuesday, where we take a look at the literary devices and themes that make our favorite entertainment chug along. This week, we’re featuring The Charmer.

The Jack-The-Lad. Cocky, cheeky and devil-may-care, he’s the type of guy you can’t help but like, even as he’s wrapping you around his little finger. Especially if you’re a woman — mostofthe time — and The Charmer knows this all too well. As a result, if there’s a file he wants to see in a filing cabinet guarded by a pretty secretary, all he has to do is switch on his easy smile, and he has not only the file he wants, but also the secretary’s phone number.

There’s definitely a hint of the The Casanova about him, but he’s generally a lot kinder, more decent and less concerned solely with getting his end away; where the The Casanova would ultimately do anything, no matter how underhanded, to score a conquest, only to discard her once he’s achieved his pleasure, The Charmer knows what the limits are. He certainly doesn’t mind the fact that he can have any woman he wants, but he’d never stoop so low as actually take advantage, and is often a lot more chivalrous in his dealing with women. The Charmer generally doesn’t set out to break hearts; it just seems to be an unfortunate byproduct. But even if he’s Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places, The Charmer‘s usually too relaxed in his lifestyle to really consider changing.

Also, where sex is the The Casanova‘s ultimate driving goal, with The Charmer it’s usually a welcome extra; he often has bigger fish to fry, and ultimately knows his priorities

One could argue that Han Solo fits into this category, but to really find who in Star Wars fits the Charmer bill, you have to dive into the Expanded Universe. The character that best personifies this trope?

Wes Janson. Rogue, sharpshooter, Charmer.

Outside of the Star Wars universe, you see characters like The A-Team’s Face or Starbuck from the original Battlestar Galactica. Wow. Dirk Bennedict pretty much personified this trope. You’ve got Rick Castle from Castle and occasionally Dean Winchester from Supernatural slides into this trope. Of course, how can you forget Captain Jack Harkness, the rare bisexual (omnisexual?) example of the trope.

The Charmer has to be executed with care. Done right, it can be an amusing character trait, but go overboard and you will venture into extremely off-putting territory.

Catch Nanci and Brian at Celebration VI

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As you may have noticed, both Nanci and I are going to be at Celebration VI this year. We’re always up to meeting people from around the fandom and putting faces to online handles. If you’re going to be at CVI, feel free to stop us and say hi! We’ll even have some Tosche Station swag to hand out.

Here’s our tentative schedule!

Thursday:

  • 11am-12 – StarWars.com and Beyond with Leland Chee, Katie Cook, Steve Sansweet, and Ashley Eckstein (Collecting Stage/W303 ABC)
  • 1:30-2:30 – Dark Horse Comics Looks Ahead: 2013 (Behind the Scenes Stage/W414 ABCD)
  • 2:30-3:30 – It’s a Trap Puppetmasters Rose & Quinn (Digital Stage/W415 A)
  • 5-6 – Ian McDiarmid (Celebration Stage/Chapin Theatre)
  • 6-7 – Timothy Zahn Retrospective (Behind the Scenes Stage/W414 ABCD)

Friday:

  • 10:30-11:30 – What’s Coming from Del Rey (Behind the Scenes Stage/W414 ABCD)
  • 12-1 – Super Secret Star Wars Panel with Todd, Seth, and Matt (Celebration Stage/Chapin Theatre)
  • 2:30-3:30 – Laying Down Tracks – Writing Workshop with Aaron Allston (Star Wars University/W300)
  • 3:30-4:30 – Star Wars Obscure Character Faceoff (Fan Stage/W311 ABCD)
  • 4-5 – Planning Your Star Wars Wedding* (Star Wars University/W300)
  • 7:30-8:30 – Mark Hamill** (Celebration Stage/Chapin Theatre)
*Provided Nanci is feeling girly
**Prepare to queue early

Saturday:

  • 11-12 – The Clone Wars with Dave Filoni and Joel Aron (Digital Stage/W415 A)
  • 12-12:45 – Future of Star Wars in 3D (Digital Stage/W415 A)
  • 2-3 – Fakin’ It – Writing Workshop with Timothy Zahn (Star Wars University/W300)
  • 4:30-5:30 – Behind the Scenes of the Cantina (Behind the Scenes Stage/W414 ABCD)
  • 6-9 – Talking to Myself and Date with a Princess (Celebration Stage/Chapin Theatre)

Sunday:

  • 10:30-11:30 – Why We Love the Prequels (Behind the Scenes Stage/W414 ABCD)
  • 11:30-12:30 – Warwick Davis (Celebration Stage/Chapin Theatre)
  • 1-2 -Star Wars in 60 Minutes (Celebration Stage/Chapin Theatre)
  • 2:30-3:30 – Closing Ceremonies (Digital Stage/W415 A)