Painting One's Self Into A Corner - The Cynthia Chronicles

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Many years ago I started to write a series of stories based on the SRU Wizard. In reading about The Wizard from other points of view, the lack of consistency among stories bothered me. The Wizard seemed to lack genuine purpose. He did what he did because he could. There were times he seemed mean and vindictive. There were times he showed some heart. I particularly remember a tale where he turned a biker into an elementary school teacher, much to her pleasure.

When I wrote the first story, Cynthia and the Incremental Journey, I had formed some basic plans on continuing writing about that universe. I wanted to be consistent in the stories, and try to avoid contradictions. I have a time line so that I may keep track of the characters' from one story to the next. Some of the stories were not written in sequence. In fact, at one time there was an eleven year gap in the stories, and I have been filling that gap over the years.

Another thing I wanted to do was to keep things as scientifically accurate as possible. The magic had to pretty much follow scientific rules and principles. The magic could manipulate time and space (not often knowing how they did it). They could not turn lead into gold, but they could certainly find gold if necessary. The sex changes The Wizard performs follow genetic rules, as do his morphological changes he does to others. I certainly don't have the abilities The Wizard does, but perhaps if I was in his universe I might. The main thing is, I've tried to be consistent among the stories.

Well, I am working on a new addition to the Cynthia Chronicles. I have yet to decide on a title. The story will be the third in a mini series within the main series. The first of these was Simoné and the Second Time Around . The second is Marti and the Doppelganger. The second story left many, many unanswered questions. The story I am working on now will try to answer many of those questions. There was another problem. I realized that there was a scientific mistake in one of the episodes I wrote quite a while ago. That story, Bobbie and the Glass Ceiling is one of my favorites in the series. It might seem strange that a bit of fantasy would take a lot of research; however, if you have read the story you will understand. I corrected the errors in that story today. Now I can get on with the current project at hand. I am about 10,000 words into the current project, and I am not sure how much is left to write. Forewarned is forearmed. This story will probably have some transformations; however, the story will raise some serious ethical problems. There are moral and ethical issues that will raise significant questions. I hadn't realized it at first; however, I know now that the universe I created will have many questions created. There are moral issues that go back to Nazi Germany. Once the story is out there, you will see what I mean. I want to make this work, and I think the people I created will take the right direction.

Comments

Circumstances

You did morally ambiguous before, recall the results of Bobbi and the Glass Ceiling's big reveal and how it ended after...if forced age regression isn't ambiguous then I don't know what's coming to be much worse than destroying two lives in punishment.

Same goes for keeping a huge secret from Cindi, making her depressed to the point of being in fear of her life due to secrecy. Or a teenager who sells her body for sex to survive after making her go on the run from murderers, nearly dying twice before the big reveal

You have done it before in several ways, it's just how you do it that's the key. Blatant morally ambiguous acts are tough to swallow, but doing it for a good reason that pays out later? That's just classic literature there.

I'm told STFU more times in a day than most people get told in a lifetime

Ouch!

littlerocksilver's picture

Of course you are correct. The two that were regressed in Bobbie and the Glass Ceiling actually end up having wonderful lives, and they are fully aware of what they did, what happened to them, and why. I had some of that resolution put on as an addendum to Bobbie; however, I was not happy with some of it, so I deleted it. I am working on making that a full length story; however, there were serious problems with it, also. Those I intend to correct.

I thought I explained their point of view when what happened to Donna and Cindy was revealed. Cindy's mother, Marissa, was highly pissed off about it, and she gave several people, including The Wizard, a piece of her mind. What is going on in the current effort will bring up several moral issues. Including what I see as unintended genocide.

Portia

The issue is choice sometimes

The issue is choice sometimes. They chose to break the rules of magic and paid a price, it wasn't their choice to lose their maturity but the alternative wasn't pretty either...

I think if you want an example of how to do what you are considering, maybe Doctor Who? The whole Dalek-Time Lord War along with the serial "Genesis of the Daleks" can give you an idea as the two address the same issue from two different eras and perspectives.

I'm told STFU more times in a day than most people get told in a lifetime

Cool.

WillowD's picture

I believe I have read all of your Cynthia stories. I would love to read a new one.