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December - 1999 01.
[From the editor]
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What a season it has been. We have had the chance to see Hudson up on the big screen in Chill Factor and see the resolution of her character Callisto in the hit series Xena:Warrior Princess. More than that - this issue comes out with less than 30 days before a new year and a new century begin. These are, as they say, heady times. First off - as you can see by the news on the website for you Con hounds - Hudson has been confirmed as a guest for the StarFury2000 in England. STARFURY: CHARIOTS OF WAR part 2 will be taking place 23-24 September 2000, at the Radisson Edwardian Hotel, Heathrow, London. Other confirmed guests include Ted Raimi (Joxer). Further guest to be announced shortly. The convention website is at: http://members.aol.com/Xenaevent. So for those of you across the ocean - get ready for the Haze to go transatlantic. Now that I have done my official news duty :-) allow me a few moments to digress on a few things. Chill Factor premiered on September 1, 1999 and I was there - first showing - at the giant screen multi-plex. It was nice to be able to see Hudson on the big screen and I enjoyed the movie more than I thought it would. No fault against Hudson, I had just been expecting something so completely cheesy so the banter between Cuba Gooding Jr. and Skeet Ulrich (wow what a long way from Scream huh?) was a pleasant surprise as was Hudson's snarling performance. While it wasn't quite the "clawing cat scream of a performance hurtles onto the screen like a Pakistani tactical nuke about to go critical." It was good. I suspect some of it ended up on the cutting room floor. Below you will read a few reviews of what other people thought of the movie as well as the final Callisto episode. Myself, I enjoyed Fallen Angel as the end of the Callisto arc - and while I thought the 'beatific' hair length was not necessary to indicate the transformation (short hair=evil, long hair=good uhm ok). Everything about Hudson's performance was well worth the wait. I think that RJ Stewart penned the script for Fallen Angel, so I also thought that added to the sense of closure. RJ Stewart created Callisto on paper and Hudson Leick brought her to fierce life which allowed this fan base to blossom and spawned endeavors such as this newsletter and the fabulous HLOFC website. Tapping into a partial holiday spirit, the idea of a retrospective review (the OFC was 2 years old in September) and the end of one era and the beginning of another. I want to extend a sincere "Thank you" to Hudson for giving us an 'official' venue to talk about her work, thanks to the fans who contributed their thoughts to this newsletter, thanks for the people who read it and send their notes. The new year and the new millennium are just around the corner and the world awaits. Haze on! Dyann
Hudsonpalooza -
or Just call me Haze-head
by Geekgrrl [Xegeekgrrl@hotmail.com]
Disclaimer: This article is a reality-based fiction - a haze colored look back at Hudson's whirlwind Con appearances last year. I bear all responsibility for any delusions contained herein. :-) No copyright infringement was intended for the 'palooza' reference. Just call me Haze-head.
The call of the open road - heading out with just my backpack (quick checklist: Callisto shirt - check, homemade Callisto's Charm School shirt - check, Callisto buttons-check,binder with Callisto pictures - check, Callisto sweatpants-check - Not really <g> tickets - check, printout of Convention itinerary-check) and my sense of adventure. I had traveled to the first ever Xena convention (lo those many moons ago) and started this year's Hudsonpalooza at Burbank (98) when Hudson made her appearance in the cat-suit. My buddy Eph and I had coined the phrase 'Hudsonhaze' after the Valley Forge Convention of the previous year (Oct-97) and we saw the effect she had on the audience. Burbank '98 hammered home the power and reality of that phrase. People walked up to me and said, "The character of Callisto was ok, but Hudson, Hudson is wow!" Indeed she is.
Allow me to give a brief overview of the Hudsonpalooza. After Burbank came Tulsa, OK, Minneapolis, MN, Cherry Hill, NJ and her final appearance at ZonCon in Baltimore, MD. I did go on to the San Francisco convention that Hudson was supposed to be at - and did get to see Claire Stanfield's first ever Con appearance - but that is a whole 'nother story.
What was Hudsonpalooza? That is like asking what is the Haze? It is a phenomena, that brings together a sense of camaraderie, traveling across the country, eating at over-priced hotels (another travel tip - take your backpack to the all you can eat buffets and load up on apples, oranges and anything that fits in your backpack. Trust me, you'll thank me when you are standing in the long autograph line) sitting in the lobby during late night hours, hanging out in the bar, meeting people who know what this drive is that propels you across the country and back again. It is a sub-culture of the Xenaverse, that sub-culture of the world at large. It is a sociological experiment playing out with no controls. There is the synergy of Hudson and her fans interacting in a small space. Hudson gives more than her time and genuine listening skills - she gives herself. And the fans give back (some fans want more but that is again, a whole 'nother story) and there is an energy and adrenaline rush that permeates the entire weekend. Hudson answered the same questions patiently at each con, sometimes teasing, sometimes earnestly serious. When we got to the last Con, ZonCon, it was a smaller more intimate gathering. Perhaps it is just me that likes the synchronicity. Burbank was large and explosive, Hudson was in rare form and the entire audience felt it, reacted to it and was a part of it. The rest of the tour was the same thing in varying doses. By the time ZonCon came, it felt like old friends kicking back and having coffee or chai tea as the case may be. <smile> More than that, ZonCon had friends and family of Hudson present. So it really did feel like 'old home' week.
Now - here it is - a year later. Everything appears to have come full circle, including the character everyone loved to hate. Now, life moves on, the Xenaverse is moving on, Hudson has moved on to greater things and be they professional or personal - I know that I share others sentiments when I say - good luck.
The Sweetest Memories
Of The Xenaverse
by Marty Slater [martys@erols.com]
In the beginning:
It started simply. I wanted to see who was playing Callisto; that's all.
The first time I saw Hudson Leick was the first time I had seen any celebrity. I had never been involved with fan activities until X:WP. LoDuca and Hudson Leick were scheduled for a convention near Detroit. IMHO they are the two truly creative artists of X:WP, and I wanted to see them, especially Hudson Leick who seemed to create a character from between the lines of scripts that it didn't seem she needed.
I will never forget the way she moved from the curtain to the microphone. I was in the first row at the NOVI convention. I didn't realize anyone could look leick that, or move leick that. Whew!
The Haze:
Her answers were intelligent, and above all, direct. The microphone wasn't working properly. She moved to the edge of the stage and squatted on her heels to get close to eye to eye level with those asking her questions. I had a question, but she was so close! She was looking at me as though she was really interested in what I would ask her. That was nice, except I wasn't interested in what I would ask her. I only wanted to get a little closer to see if anyone could really look like that, and wanted to say "Have a wonderful life. You deserve it."
She had been on her hands and knees with some little boy on stage,
signing a picture. His father was so pleased. Seeing someone reach from
the distance of a celebrity stage appearance and touch people so personally
was surprising. Trying to maintain eye contact with her and talk in whole
sentences is not easy. I don't remember what I said, or what she said.
I do remember the impression of stunning beauty.
The Haze was starting to sink in. I had 2 drawings of Callisto to
show her. Showing anyone a portrait of themselves is touchy. People often
don't like photographs of themselves, but that would be the camera. If
she didn't like the drawings, it would be my fault. She had surprised and
impressed me much more than I anticipated. I don't know what I anticipated,
but there is no way I had been prepared for The Haze. By the time I got
to her in the autograph line, I was a mess. She looked up at me and said
she thought I did beautiful work. I'll never forget it.
Burbank:
Then came Burbank. The audience was enormous and more distant than
at other conventions . She was great, but couldn't get as close as usual.
When she got together for snapshots with those of us in her fan club she
signed my tee-shirt, with me in it! She jumped into some guy's arms for
a photo. Later I saw him walk down a hall. Suddenly he fell to the floor
and rolled over a couple times. That honestly happened. He literally was
rolling on the floor.
Minneapolis:
Usually when they say Hudson Leick will appear, she moves across the
stage spinning out a storm of poses that lets you know someone came into
the room, and you will be paying attention; close attention. It didn't
happen. She walked to the center of the stage, smiled, said something pleasant,
and asked people to go to the microphone to ask questions. No one moved.
It was like a sunny spring day in storm territory.
My wife walked to the microphone, told Hudson I was her biggest fan, and would like to have a picture taken with her. Ms. Leick said "Absolutely", and I was on stage with her . It was a sweet moment. What I like most about Hudson Leick is how nice she makes things for everyone. No one could do more to please parents, thrill children and dazzled young men. After all she does on stage, she found the time to pose for snap shots with people in her fan club. High school guys are in line, and hear "Next". They look at her, and don't move. It's leick "I'm not going over there! Are you crazy? This isn't cute. This is the big leagues! What in the world am I supposed to do over there? " Hormones are pouring out of their ears! They're paralyzed for a while. It's wonderful to watch. She's dazzling.
My wife knows the respect I have for Hudson Leick. Because of her efforts and thoughtfulness, I was on stage, and Hudson's kindness was directed at me. I have another memory, with my arm around Hudson's waist, posing for a snapshot. Then for some reason I don't remember I said "Get closer". I was kidding. She didn't know it. Suddenly she was in direct contact with me from her collarbone to her ankles. Whew! I hope people at that convention had a nice time. That's the last thing I remember for quite a while.
Cherry Hill:
Another image of Hudson Leick. For the first time I saw a real celebrity
on stage. She was a more distant star, and the audience was hers. It was
as though someone tapped her on the shoulder and said "Hudson, you're
famous." and she thought "You know, maybe you have a point."
I don't know. 
Then came the autograph line. Among a series of kind gestures in a not so good situation, Hudson Leick came down from the stage, walked into the audience and embraced a young woman who was in tears. Mistopholes had a matted print of one of my drawings which she asked Hudson to sign for a Sword and Staff auction. She signed it and held it up for others to see; a print of my drawing! I could hardly believe it.
Then came my turn to have her sign a photo. She looked at me, said "I remember you." reached over the table, put her arms around my neck, and gave me a little embrace. When I walked away completely hazed, I heard someone ask me if I knew her. I remember thinking "No, but I would like to. She must be a wonderful person to know." Again she took me by complete surprise. It is another memory that will never leave my nervous system.
Zon Con:
During a mixer at the Zon Con in Baltimore, she sat at the same table
with us. I tried and tried to find a chance to tell her how much I appreciated
how nice she had made things for everyone around her, including me. It
was too noisy, and I was too far. I told her mother in a chance conversation,
and told her friend. I guess her friend told her.
In the autograph line I started to say something quickly. She looked at me and said , "So your the one who said that." She personalized an autograph "To my sweet Marty"
She said that convention would be her last. I was sorry to hear that, and sorry to know I would never have the chance to tell her personally what I think, and why.
All the Memories:
Someone
at a convention brought up the term "Hudson's Haze". She acted
as though she hadn't heard it, and didn't know what it meant. I'm not sure
she realizes how well liked she is, that there is a great deal of respect
for her from many people, and that we saw and appreciated the way she reached
and touched people so personally from a distance not many celebrities try
to cross. If she fully realizes all that, the effort to tell her would
have been wasted. If not, someone should have looked at her and told her
because she should know. What I would have said would have probably sounded
a bit sappy to her, and maybe I would have started reaching for words and
ended gasping for breath. I wish I would have risked it.
Of all the memories I have of my trips in the Xenaverse, which includes all of the great people I have met, arguing with 4 guys about Xena, Gabby and Cally in the basement of a lesbian bar in New York, hearing Becki's imitation of Xena's battle cry ring out over Hershey Park, and many, many others, the memories of Hudson Leick are by far the best. I doubt whether I will see her again. I will never forget her.
[Mordindae@aol.com]
Excellent episode! I was so glad that Callisto was redeemed, and that it
was done so masterfully. If someone had told me that she would end up in
Heaven by the end of the episode, I would have thought the task of writing
that script impossible, but it was incredibly well done. The best aspect
was that she didn't lose her strength or dignity in going from the psychotic,
dangerous, vengeful, and deeply troubled Callisto that we all knew and
loved to her peaceful and forgiving eternal persona.
Kudos to the writers, and of course, to Hudson! No one has ever given a character as much life -- I mean real LIFE -- as she has with Callisto. She will be sorely missed from Xena, so I hope some studio people paid attention to Chill Factor, which I thought was a lot of fun.
[LIQUOR.ATKINS@CO.MO.MD.US]
The two end-of-season episodes of "Xena" that Hudson was in last
spring ("Ides of March" and "Fallen Angel") were very
good.
The extraordinary situations and bedevilment's (!) that our favorite characters get themselves into on "Xena" (and "Hercules" as well) far surpass in scope those of any other shows. On these two season-ending episodes of "Xena," as usual, the costumes and special effects were outstanding. I guess that's why "Xena" continues to be so popular. I think most fans were happy to see Callisto finally reconciled with everyone, and reunited with her dead parents in eternal bliss. (Still, we did find out that even in heaven, things get stirred up from time to time.) Now, is Callisto ever going to reappear as a "good angel" to help out?
We have been treated to a large number of highly entertaining villains on both H&X. Hudson's Callisto must surely stand out--maleficently, rather than magnificently--at the top of the list.
I wish her good luck as she moves ahead in her career, and hope I'll be seeing her again on TV or in the movies before too long.
[griffij@netdirect.net]
Some time it is not always a phrase that is memorable, referring to the
scene in "Ides of March: where Callisto was just standing out in the
snow with her tongue out catching snow flakes as Xena and Gabrielle were
carried to the cross. That is superior acting. Her ability to be evil in
other scenes/stories and then to turn it all around in "Fallen Angel"
further supports her superior acting abilities. What more can one say except
"She is the greatest." Each are provided a way to follow and
a talent to perform It is obvious that Ms. Hudson's way is to be in show
business and her talent is leading her to be an outstanding actress.
[voyager1@qnci.net]
When I saw Hudson in Ides of March and Fallen Angel. I hated her character
Callisto for what she did to Xena. The perfect villain!!!. In Fallen Angel
she played such a beautiful role. What a make-up job on her. I liked what
the writers have done with her character. It was very nicely done. As if
Xena never met her. It was nice how she helped Xena get better. I think
they should keep Hudson in the Xena universe for future episodes, maybe
as other characters.
Review of Chill
Factor
by J. Connell
Chill Factor" was a most appropriate title for this movie,
less because of the semi-original premise than for the icy-cool performance
of one Hudson Leick, better known to us as Callisto of "Xena: Warrior
Princess" fame. Hudson, as the Toronto Sun put it, has to "be
seen to be believed". Foregoing her patented battle-screech and exchanging
her sword for a big Glock, Hudson delivers a deadpan but intense performance
as one of a mercenary team (and the only woman present) intent on securing
a doomsday chemical weapons, named "Elvis", from good guys Cuba
Gooding, Jr. and Skeet Ulrich.
Forgetting the rest of the movie - which is basically a forced marriage between "Speed", "North by Northwest", and "The Andromedia Strain" - it would not be too far to say Hudson is the most memorable thing about the film. Watching Elvis do its lethal work, in what is among the most eye-catching and unnerving use of special effects this side of "Terminator 2", and the on-again-off-again chemistry between Cuba and Skeet both run a close second. And there are the occasional thrills and spills on both sides, including the requisite number of car chases and things blowing up. Hudson, however, remains at the center of it all.
HERO FOR A DAY
by [Wight@axl.be]
..........
"Help !!" A little girl, barely ten years old, dressed in simple
farmer's clothes and with long golden hair ran past Callisto into the bushes
and forest beyond, too scared to even notice the lone traveler along her
path. Not ten seconds later a second person followed, though this time
the hunter rather then the hunted.
"Wha ... " The warrior, a big muscled man, wearing the typical scavenged leathers that marked him as a common thug, stopped in front of Callisto and gazed at her, trying to figure out what to make of this intrusion in his affairs. "Who are you ?!" He finally growled, but not after first checking the rest of his surroundings to see if there were any more unexpected surprises.
"The wicked witch of the forest ?" Callisto answered.
"Is that supposed to be funny ?!!" He wielded a heavy bastard sword, holding it in his hand in a defensive posture.
"Only if you'd like one last laugh before you die." She smiled in reply.
For a moment, the thug seemed dumbstruck, then his face grew red with anger. "Why you little harlot !!" And with that he charged forward.
Unfortunately for him, he never had a chance to even strike a first blow. His clumsy charge and gross miscalculation of Callisto's skill or speed made him impale himself on his smaller opponent's sword. He stopped dead in his tracks, and his expression changed from anger to shock.
Callisto simply withdrew her weapon and sidestepped the falling body ...
"You can come out now."
After a few seconds, the little blond girl appeared from behind a tree, her eyes fixed on Callisto, displaying something of fear, awe and gratitude all rolled into one.
"Is he dead ?"
"Yes he is." Callisto answered, wiping her sword on his clothes and then sheathing it again.
"Will you help me defeat the others ?"
Callisto looked up, back at the girl who had come out of hiding and was standing before her only a few meters away. "Others ?"
"The bad men. They come to town and hurt mammy and daddy and everyone else."
"Not my problem." Callisto answered and began to turn away.
"Please ?"
She stopped, turned back and looked the small kid right in the eyes: "Remember this. You don't invite a wild lion into your house, even if it is to help fight a rabid dog." Then she turned one last time and marched away, leaving the confused girl behind ....
..........
That night the riders came again ...
With grim determination, like the Oracle that had seen dark fate but was unable to change it, Callisto objected and struggled, anything not to have to enter that ominous barn, already blackened by flames even though they were outwardly yet invisible.
Eventually, a tall blond woman, saying little words of comfort 'It'll be alright' and through physical strength managed to push young Callisto inside. Again the same corner, again the same fearful huddled together with her sister as outside the cries of the banshees started ...
"Close your ears my little darlings." Mama spoke. "Everything will be alright, you'll see ... "
Callisto's little hands moved up to her ears, the same way her sister did. Even this Callisto tried to fight, and even this failed her. She knew what would happen, could feel it, knew that every step brought her closer to that most nightmarish fate, yet was unable to do anything differently. Maybe if just once she could fight it, if just once she could chose not to cover her ears, maybe then ...
But in the end Callisto, just like her sister, covered her ears and the cries of the banshees gave way to a much more terrifying and eerie silence.
It was Callisto who first detected the smoke and fire, though it was her sister that first brought mama's attention to it. It started far off, in a corner, amidst some hay, like it wasn't really there, like the distance between took away its danger. But the flames leapt fast and furiously, in the blink of an eye that crossed meters, eternities, as they had always done. Mama was panicking. Looking around furiously. Then Callisto was picked up, carried in those loving but trembling arms towards a small window opening out into the nightmare beyond.
"Noooo ... " Callisto screamed internally. She fought, she flailed, she kicked, she grabbed her mother's hair. Everything not to be separated. No, don't leave me alone !! But it was futile. Like always she fought, like always she lost, deserted to something much much more frightening then the fires could ever be ....
She fell down on the ground outside, where mama had dropped her. Don't go back mama, don't go back. But sister was still inside, and Callisto knew her mother would not be stopped. The confusion and surealness of pure shock washing over her, young Callisto saw herself stand up, her little legs barely able to keep her upright. She peered over the window ledge inside. Mama, where are you ...
"Don't worry Callisto, everything will be alright. Mama will be right ... "
The sentence turned into a scream as mama, with sister in her arms, disappeared under a flaming beam of wood, fallen from the sky as the proverbial wrath of the gods. Mama's cry died quickly, but was continued by Callisto's own ...
"Maaaamaaaa !!!!"
And then there she was. The dark fate was complete again. She was alone, as she had always been.
Her surroundings turned into chaos and death. Young Callisto walked like a ghost, with no regard for he own safety, right through battles, right past murderers, stopping only once to gaze in the eyes of the black haired demon that snarled at her and rode on. Untouched, unharmed, Callisto walked, unable to find her mother... all alone. ..........
Callisto got up early next morning. There was something she needed to do ..........
Standing in front of the huddled mass of frightened peasants, the outlaw leader thought himself high and mighty: "You villagers are pathetic ! Hiding your food and supplies for us. Would you rather have it we take your lives instead ?"
"Oh no, please don't hurt me." The sentence however did not come from one of the simple commoners in front of him, but rather from behind, and it's tone of voice showed nothing of fear or submissiveness ...
Surprised, the warrior turned to see who dared mock him .... -- Callisto looked at her opponent. The village she was in was non-descript, much like any other village she had seen in her travels as a warlord, its inhabitants frightened and weak, so that a mere group of ten bandits was enough to scare them into submission. Her eyes met those of one particular villager, a little girl with blond hair ...
The laughter of the would-be warlord turned Callisto's attention back to the task at hand: "You, a simple girl, would dare to stand up to me ?!"
In reply, Callisto just shrugged and drew her sword. .......... About fifteen seconds later, when the outlaw lay dead at her feet and his men stared at her in shock and disbelief, Callisto sheathed her weapon again and walked forward, raising her sword for all to hear: "Let it be known that from this day onward this village is under the protection of Callisto, Warrior Queen." Immediately, at pronouncing her name, the expressions on just about all faces changed to one of recognition and fear. All, save one.
"So I suggest, " She continued, talking to the remaining outlaws. "That you get out of here as fast as your feet can carry you, before I decide to kill you for walking on my territory."
That did the trick, having seen their leader slaughtered by a woman known as one of the fiercest and dangerous warlords in all of Greece, the warriors needed no more encouragement. As one they turned around and ran, leaving the simple peasant folk again free of oppression.
Callisto watched them run away, then watched the frightened mob, still standing frozen to the ground, in their eyes having switched one menace for an ever greater one, and not even finding the courage to stand up to a single warrior. She shook her head in disgust, then turned around and began to walk away. She was done here, what those villagers thought of her mattered not.
But as she neared the town's edge, the sound of little footsteps running after her stopped Callisto. She turned to see who was following her, in truth she already knew, and found herself staring at the little girl she had met the day before not long after ...
"Thank you, for saving mama, and for chasing off the bad men."
Callisto smiled, she normally cared not, but there was something so innocent and genuine in the young girl's eyes that it touched even her. In the end, she replied with a simple:
"Go home ... Don't be alone ... "
..........
An Interview With Some Callisto's Tales Authors
Kevin C. Wong
[jahn@csua.berkeley.edu]
Part 5a. Robert Buckley
-----------------------
Robert has established himself as a proficient author with his stories "More Sinned Against Than Sinning", "Callisto Explains It All", and his most recent story "The Making of a Modern Goddess". Robert has concentrated on the Goddess aspect of Callisto, and extrapolated her to modern times. He brings a decidedly different viewpoint on the character, one that stands out a bit from the rest of the Callisto fan fiction out there.
"More Sinned Against Than Sinning" is a story that I skipped when I was first reading all the Callisto fan fiction out there. Upon reading the description, I didn't think it would be appealing, since it was a Goddess story with a warning about sex, language, violence, and torture. I had already read stories with what I thought was similar content and those stories were awful, so I didn't want to read yet another bad story.
Once I ran out of everything to read I finally read "More Sinned..." and found much to my surprise a well written and entertaining story. Here was a writer who could do a Goddess story with mature situations without being tastelessly graphic and explicit. It changed my misconception that there were no good stories in this subcategory, and I've since found other good stories that pull off this combination successfully.
In August of 1998, I had a chance to ask Robert and a few other authors some questions about writing Callisto fan fiction. Although the original questions and answers are a bit dated, Robert graciously took the time to bring his answers up to date. This is the last of my initial batch of interviews, and being the longest it has to be split into two parts.
I think you'll find this interview interesting and informative. And perhaps it will encourage any budding authors to write and share their works with others. Creativity is something that should be encouraged and fostered, and to that end, make sure to tell people what you thought of their efforts. Every message counts, and positive feedback is the greatest reward that any artist will receive.
-- Kevin (Who sometimes has trouble taking his own advice...)
[Kevin]
What was your first Callisto story? Why did you write it?
[Robert]
More Sinned Against Than Sinning. Really it was because I'd never seen any fan fiction or anything on the show that did things the way I liked.
Poor Callisto never got any background depth on the show and I felt there was such a lot going on with her that her story needed to be told. I also didn't like the "tough love" message of the shows - to invert a John Major phrase, "more understanding, less condemnation," was what she deserved.
I found it hard to accept the "Callisto becomes good", "Callisto finds her soulmate", etc stories. People don't change that much unless something radical happens to them. To me, fan fiction which has this happen is almost lying: it's writing about someone other than the character as some kind of wish-fulfillment, using her name, etc.
At the other scale of things, there's fan fic that delights in gore, rape, etc. I don't think having Callisto as a serial killer, a Sadist, exhibitionist, or whatever is any truer. It makes her mono-dimensional and removes any trace of characterisation.
So I wanted to write a piece of fan fic that was true to Callisto (as I see her) and was sympathetic towards her.
[Kevin]
Have you written any other fan fiction besides those on Callisto's Tales? Were these written before/during/after the time you wrote your first Callisto story?
[Robert]
I have. About five years ago, I used to write Doctor Who fan fiction (oh, the sins of youth). I gave up after a while because I realized that humanity needed to be preserved from them, such was their excruciating awfulness.
About two and a half years ago, I started work on a Cracker/X-Files crossover with my ex-girlfriend. It wasn't as bad, but it was quite bad. We never finished it, although that's not why we split up (and it wasn't the fact she wiped my copy of "Callisto" either!)
More Sinned was my first piece of fan fic since. It wasn't totally awful, thank God.
[Kevin]
When you write, how far ahead do you plan? Do you have the whole story thought out beforehand, just a chapter, nothing planned?
[Robert]
I currently have the overall arc for the next three stories planned out. I know what has to happen at the end of each one to get to the start of the next one. Who knows if there'll be more afterwards. When I get to the end of no. 5, there'll be a such a large number of ways it can go from there, that I'm suffering from "choice paralysis" and can't make up my mind what to do!
I generally mull over various scenes that I want to occur in the story, going over the dialogue a large number of times before I absolutely have to commit them to paper so I can empty my mind for other scenes. Once I've achieved a "critical mass" of ideas in my head, I assemble the plot so that all the scenes can occur, perhaps with some modification. Then I start writing. Linking scenes (ones I haven't thought about in advance). I just write as I need them and then rewrite as appropriate.
The key to all the scenes is that I have to be excited by the ideas. If I'm not, I can't get the story to flow onto the paper so I have to wait until the idea comes along. I've just had to chuck a quarter of the current story because the main plot was boring me senseless. I've got a much more fun one lined up now.
[Kevin]
How would you summarize who Callisto is, what motivates her, what her goals are?
[Robert]
Callisto is a woman who, as the result of a number of events in her childhood, became both sociopathic and depressed.
What kept her going was her obsession with Xena. The pain that would normally have kept her more or less incapacitated/suicidal is focused by the sociopathy into rage so that she has a reason to live as long as Xena needs to be punished for her crimes. Her real goal in life was to lose her pain _and_ to punish Xena (make her atone), hoping the latter will cause the former (it doesn't).
Anyway, that's the Callisto of ancient Greece. The Callisto I write is of the 20th century, is 2000 years old, and has the powers of a goddess. That gives her a slightly different perspective on life.
[Kevin]
When you write your stories, do you prefer Callisto as a mortal, immortal, or Goddess? Do you feel any of those is substantially harder to write for?
[Robert]
Callisto as a goddess is infinitely easier to write for than as mortal/immortal.
Callisto as a mortal is just plain boring. I didn't find the mortal Callisto at all interesting on the show. To be honest, she was very dull in "Callisto" and only slightly less dull in "Return of Callisto". Being just immortal is too limiting. For one thing, Callisto's stuck in a cave. In both cases, if Callisto goes up against Xena (unless you do alternative universe stuff), she has to lose, so there doesn't seem to be any fun to be had there.
Callisto as goddess doesn't have anything to inhibit her expressiveness. If she's angry, she let's it out in balls of fire and so on. She's far more fun as a goddess!
I know some people say that mortal Callisto has dangers to face, the threat of death and so on, that are too easy to overcome if she's a goddess. But, Callisto isn't afraid of death. She is, however, afraid of emotional pain.
[Kevin]
How close do you think your characterization of Callisto comes to the one shown on "Xena: Warrior Princess"? If there are differences, why did you include/exclude them in your characterization?
[Robert]
Tricky question. In the "More Sinned..." universe, there are TV shows called "Xena: Warrior Princess" and "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys". These shows are identical to the shows we see.
However, X:WP is based on The Xena Scrolls, as recorded by Gabrielle. Gabrielle's version of reality is coloured by the fact she was Xena's lover and hence all the records of Callisto beating Xena, Xena not being as nice as suggested are missing because she didn't think they showed Xena in a good light.
H:TLJ is a modernization of Hercules' mortal years, altered as part of Zeus' propaganda to convince mortals the gods weren't as bad as the myths made out, with Hercules and Athena both trying to make sure the shows don't seem like total whitewashes. Zeus' version skirts round things like Hercules killing his own family (while driven insane by Hera) for this reason. Modern day Hercules is like the character depicted onscreen. Olden times Hercules is more like the Greek myths.
Callisto is of course a whole lot older and wiser than on the show. She has integrated into society to some extent and has gained a far less impulsive nature. She's also taken it upon herself to make herself into something her mother would be proud of and has got herself an education and so on. But without a Xena to obsess on, her depression has far more of a hold on her than in the show. Otherwise, she's more or less as seen.
I feel I've got pretty close to the Callisto of the show. Sometimes her turn of phrase can be a little too English (explained by extended stays in the UK during the 17th and 18th centuries, rather than my inability to get American syntax totally down pat...) and there are a few too many Callisto one-liners flying around at times.
Hopefully in "The Making of a Modern Goddess", which has flashbacks to various points in Callisto's life, people can tell whether my characterization is intentionally the way it is because Callisto's personality changes according to the time period: as she gets older, she becomes more like the character on the show then matures past that. However, equally likely is that I could just talking rubbish and that I simply can't characterize properly.
[Kevin]
When you write Callisto stories, how important is it to keep within the Hercules/Xena Universe as depicted in both TV shows?
[Robert]
Again, a tricky question. Everything that happens in the TV shows happens in the TV shows in my "universe." However, that doesn't mean the events depicted actually happened to the characters.
It's important not to change things too much. Fans are fans of X:WP, not of your writings. If you don't stick to what's onscreen, you're essentially writing for a different show which fans won't necessarily be fans of. However, I do hate rewriting history to fit modern-day theses so I was intent on not sticking to things as shown on TV (more on that later).
In "More Sinned...", the Xena Scrolls exist and they form the basis for the show X:WP. However, they are Gabrielle's interpretation of events so while you can assume that more or less everything depicted on screen in X:WP did happen, people may have interpreted things differently and even put their own spin on things. The only things I really changed were the constant rock falls on Callisto, etc. They were just too stupid.
H:TLJ, on the other hand, is so blatantly silly that I had to ignore most of the detail of what happens onscreen, take the myths as a guide to what really happened and simply assume Hercules was a slightly nicer guy than depicted in the stories. Most H:TLJ fans are fans of the characters rather than the plots so I didn't think changing the plots and leaving the characters the same would be too heretical.
[Kevin]
Do you read any other Callisto fan fiction? How about other fan fiction in general? Is there any fan fiction that has influenced your writings? How has it influenced your writings?
[Robert]
I do read other Callisto fan fiction but not other fan fiction. It's influenced me simply by showing me what I didn't want to do (make Callisto nice, make her find her soulmate, etc) rather than inspiring me to follow examples. In fact, if I see a good idea in another piece of fiction, I deliberately don't feature something similar in my own fiction because I'd rather not be accused of copying. The only other influence I have is Brant's "Times" -- I keep trying to write a better piece of fiction than that!
[Stay tuned for the second part of this interview, to be included in the June 2000 HLOFC Newsletter]
Mike C's Hudson Leick Fan Site is located at [http://hudsonleick.itgo.com]
My website is a fan appreciation page for Hudson and her work. I want it to serve as a place for Hudson fans to find information about her, see pictures of her, and share ideas and have fun in the process.
My picture gallery consists of donated images from other people and other websites. It's not my main focus. I have some fun quizzes on my site that will allow people to test their knowledge of the Callisto character as well as their knowledge of Hudson's career. Hopefully, some fans can learn some things while at my page. I will also post Hudson related articles there. Fans can also find some surveys and a crazy captions contest at my site to do for fun. I also have an area on my site where I am going to ask for some fan reviews of TV and movie work Hudson has done. Just some short write-ups to give other Hudson fans an idea of what most of us think is a "must-see" performance. I would like to have many fan donations whether it be pictures from conventions, artwork, fan fiction, poetry, or whatever other Hudson fans might find interesting.
Interestingly enough, I had watched "University Hospital" a few times, but to be honest, Hudson didn't stand out on that show at all in my mind. I didn't even remember who she was when I read a TV Guide promo for the Xena episode, "Return of Callisto", as I missed the first season "Callisto" episode. I read the promo and saw that Callisto was being played by Hudson Leick and I thought (and please don't laugh) who the heck is that guy? Anyhow, when I watched the episode I found out who SHE was, and then I remembered back to seeing her on "University Hospital".
-Actually no (this is not my first website). I had to develop a small personal website for a college HTML programming class I was in. But my Hudson page is the first one I am actually putting up on the Internet. I just wanted to give a little something back to Hudson after all she has given to us fans.
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[http://www.heidihudsonleick.com] [webmaster@heidihudsonleick.com]
It's a site that has been around since February '97 when Project Callisto had just started and the Official site at that time lasted about three months. It also features other themes but mainly focuses on Callisto Warrior Queen.
The website offers a unique shockwave look at Callisto as well as HTML. It features Real video, sounds from select episodes, downloadable desktop themes and alot of quality pictures.
When did you first discover Hudson? On the episode Callisto.
I started the website after my professor teaching our MCSE course asked our class who was currently involved in developing a website and not one person responded. I decided to start a fan site in January '97 of our favorite swordswoman Callisto. Since going online with the site at the time with only one page in February '97 it has grown in size substantially and has branched off into Fitness and Female Bodybuilding.
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We also have a web-site dedicated to Callisto and Gabrielle @ [http://home.talkcity.com/SpiritCir/hudson25/index.html]
My site is dedicated to Callisto & Gabrielle and Hudson Leick and Renee O'Connor.
I have wallpaper, sounds, downloads, mantras, webrings, episode reviews, webrings, Callisto & Gabrielle postcards, and much more.
When did you first discover Hudson? Callisto
Yes it is my first website what prompted me was my struggle with a woman's disease called Endometriosis and my love for Xena:Warrior Princess and it grew from there!
Long Live Hudson! and Callisto :)
(ed. note - Hear hear!)
That's it for this issue of the newsletter -thanks for all the great feedback and contributions - thanks to the fans! Thanks to the members of the maintenance team (Wes and Mike) for all they do, thanks to Debbie for answering my questions (you all know about her legendary patience), and again, thanks most of all to Hudson for giving us all a reason to chat and meet.
Dyann [hlofcnl1@ix.netcom.com]
Photo Contributors:
