Happy birthday to the Horta ensign's mama

[thatcrazycajun]

Felicitations and hugs and all kindsa stuff like that there to dduane, a real nice lady and the best author of Star Trek novels (and comic book stories) ever, bar none. (Sorry, all you Peter David and Keith DeCandido fans.) She's created some of my favorite characters that have never been seen on a screen, large or small, and that damned well oughta be. My personal favorite is Naraht, the Horta officer aboard Jim Kirk's Enterprise in novels including The Wounded Sky and My Enemy, My Ally—although the arachnoid scientist/engineer K's't'lk and her (...um...mother? previous self? ancestor?) predecessor K't'lk come in a real close second. She's also one of the few Trek authors to really make an effort to bring in and develop non-humanoid characters...and do it well. Writers on the studio's shows and movies could learn from her...and one hopes at least a few have. ([sings] "There's more richness in a single planet's zoo / Than the sameness in a Federation crew..." —thanks, Kanef!)

She's also a top-notch author of non-Trek original novels and stories, as a quick search through Amazon.com will show you. (One of these days I really should bestir myself to read some of 'em. Real Soon Now, Diane, I promise.)

Comments

[redaxe.livejournal.com]

the best author of Star Trek novels (and comic book stories) ever, bar none.

While I think you have a case wrt the two you've mentioned (although I could also argue for either of them), you've missed the all-time number-one ST author, despite that his oeuvre is only two books: the late John M Ford. Hands-down winner, and a great loss when he died earlier this year.

[thatcrazycajun.livejournal.com]

Stipulated that Ford's death is a tragic loss to his loved ones as well as fandom. But absent any more than those two books as proof (and of those I only recall reading The Final Reflection), I'm not sure I'm prepared to cede the title to him over Diane. Read Spock's World, fergossakes, if you haven't already and tell me you don't think she's at least as good.

[redaxe.livejournal.com]

I have, and I adore her work. It's the difference between great (Duane and David and DeCandido) and transcendent (Ford). The dearth of quantity doesn't in any way diminish their quality.

[sdorn.livejournal.com]

You and my daughter should compare notes. She's read everything you haven't, and vice versa.