How to (Make) Love (To) an Alien - My Galaxy Fest Presentation, Part 3

It wasn't until Star Wars that we got to see some terrific other species.

Okay. There are exceptions to every rule.

I also love what Rick Baker has done in the Men in Black franchise.

Some great stuff there.

But on the whole, alien races were what is termed "human anthropomorphic". That means we've humanized them. Made them appear to look more like us...

But with a few "cosmetic" differences.

So what does all of this have to do with making love with one? Well, plenty, actually. You see, if he looks like us, chances are he's built like us, reproduction-wise.

Same goes for the female. Which wouldn't make the thought of doing the horizontal tango too much of an "eww" factor. Or so you would think, right?

Back in late '89, early 90s, there was a television show called Beauty and the Beast. Remember it? The beast was huge and lion-like. Super strong. He could purr and quote Shakespeare simultaneously. Believe it or not, people objected to the idea that he and the heroine could mambo with the rest of us. But while we fans yelled back, "Hell, why not?", the censors remained worried and adamant.

It wasn't until Alien Nation that sex with an alien finally came out from under the blanket. Who remembers that show? Do you also remember the premise of the show takes place in 1997? Anyway, I remember one episode where Sam Francisco, the alien cop (center), sees his human partner Matt has a black eye and I think also a broken wrist and severe neck lash. Sam starts to ask Matt, "What happened to you?" when he remembers that Matt is dating Susan (in the red dress) who is an alien. "Did you try to have sex with Susan?" he asks, much to Matt's embarrassment because the answer is yes. If you've never seen the series, please check it out. It's funny, warm, exciting, and very thought provoking.

To be continued tomorrow...

How to (Make) Love (To) an Alien - My Galaxy Fest Presentation, Part 2

Until the past couple of decades, when it came to the romance genre, either in movies or television or books, the alien looked human. You had the choice between something like "I'm From the Planet Displaysia", or whatever, and Earth was about to be destroyed.

Or, if you were male, there were the AMAZON WOMEN OF MARS, (or in this case, "Space Thing"), who were here to mate with Earth men. And if you were one of the unfortunate to be captured, you were doomed to a life of absolute luxury and frequent sex. The horror!

When I was growing up, the comic books were full of aliens. All human. All extremely easy on the eyes, and with the additional perk of having super powers.

How neat would that be if you fell in love with one? You could have your own personal Super Hero! He'd be a great lover AND he can turn the car into a six-inch block of melted goo in six point four seconds!

But when it comes to human aliens, where better to start than with the original Star Trek? With exception of some body paint...

...a little extra hair here and there...

...and a few prosthetics, every plant's inhabitants were either human looking, or at least humanoid in appearance. Oh! But before you say, "What about the Horta?"

I gotta give 'em credit for that. It was a wonderful exception.

To be continued tomorrow.

How to (Make) Love (To) an Alien - My Galaxy Fest Presentation, Part 1

This week I'll be uploading my presentation that I gave at Galaxy Fest up in Roswell, NM. The lecture was not meant to be serious or thought provoking, as most of the other key notes were. Instead, it's a light-hearted look at "Romancing the Alien" through the past few decades via television, movies, and books. The original, of course, was a slide show presentation. Here you're going to get the original photos and accompanying dialog.

Enjoy!

* * *

Hello! Good afternoon, and thank you for coming. Especially those of you who came to take notes. How are you enjoying the festival so far? If at any time you wish to ask a question, please don't hesitate.

This session was originally entitled "How to Make Love to an Alien". That was the PG version.

It's now called "How to Love an Alien". Don't tell anyone, but you're still getting the PG version.

My name is Linda Mooney. I am a best-selling and award-winning author of sci-fi, fantasy, and paranormal romance. I write for Carina Press/Harlequin, Whiskey Creek Press Torrid, New Concepts Publishing, and Red Rose Publishing.

I also write horror under the pseudonym of Gail Smith.

Every Monday night, starting at 11 P.M. eastern, I host a Blog Talk Radio program called "Other Worlds of Romance", where I interview other authors of the sci-fi, fantasy, and paranormal genres. But what makes the show unique is that the authors read a ten- to fifteen-minute excerpt from their books. For a link to the talk show, you can go to my website, Linda Mooney (dot) com.

When I'm not writing or hosting, I teach Kindergarten, and have been an educator since 1976. You do the math.  I have a BM and an M&M -- that's a Bachelor and Master of Music Education, from Texas A&M University in Kingsville.

But enough digressing. Let's get back to the reason why you're here.

To be continued Wednesday...

Xavier Axelson is my Guest Author Tonight on "Other Worlds of Romance" on Blog Talk Radio

We're crossing our fingers and hoping third time's the charm! Xavier Axelson is my guest author tonight on "Other Worlds of Romance" on Blog Talk Radio! Come listen as he reads an excerpt from his erotic paranormal romance, Earthly Concerns, from Seventh Window Publications.

Show time is 11 pm et/10 pm ct/8 pm pt

Don't miss it!
* * *
Between love and loss, there is obligation…

It was a peaceful night when Barrett and his daughter were driving home… then something happened.  Something sinister.

Between shadow and light, there is uncertainty…

Now the only person Barrett can turn to for help is Anson, a man gifted with psychic abilities beyond reason. But Anson is also his ex-boyfriend, a man whose heart he’d already broken.

If you can see, you have to help.

As Anson delves deeper into the circumstances surrounding Barrett’s accident, he begins to realize that he’s not only in a race against time, but in a battle against his own broken heart and the terrifying understanding that whatever has taken Barrett’s child is a force of evil beyond anything either man has ever encountered.

And between decision and consequences, there are… Earthly Concerns

Give 'Em a Little Personality

Life, Nature, and the Universe

There Must Be Something Wrong With Me

I just finished IMing with a friend and fellow author. As she had mentioned in the past, she was having difficulty with her current Work In Progress (aka WIP) because her characters were telling her to do something other than what she had originally planned.

In other words, the voices in her head were telling her how to write her book.

I've heard other authors make the same kind of claims. A character was not acting like the hero she wanted him to be, or the hero and heroine were not getting along, when they should have been making up and having sex. The list goes on and on, which is why I've started to doubt myself.

You see, my characters NEVER talk to me. I don't know whether it's because I refuse to listen to them, or because there's so much "other stuff" going on in my head that prevents me from hearing them. Oh, there's been plenty of nights when I've tried to get some sleep, but scenes and dialog and the like kept going round and round in my brain. (Thank goodness for the little notebook I keep by the bed for occasions like that, 'cuz I know I'd never remember those ideas come morning!)

But I continue to wonder what's wrong with me that I don't have that "kind of connection" with my characters.

DANCERS AMONG US by Jordan Matter

"Amazing photo series by Jordan Matter features top professional dancers in everyday situations." Go here to see more of these incredible photos.

Come Join Us Tonight!

How would you like to win free books? Come join us tonight when I and a few of my friends take over the Coffee Time Romance Erotic Eloop from 7-10 PM EST! We'll chat about our new releases, and even give a few away.

If you're not a member of the eloop, you can access it here.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/karendevinkaren

An Amusing Look at the Dog-Eat-Dog Business World

Deatri King-Bey is my Guest Author Tonight on "Other Worlds of Romance" on Blog Talk Radio

Deatri King-Bey is my Guest Author Tonight on "Other Worlds of Romance" on Blog Talk Radio. She will be reading from her fantasy romance novel, The Other Realm.
Show time is 11 pm est/ 10 pm ct/ 8 pm pt
Don't miss it!

* * *

Aurora never fit in and preferred the fantasy world she created for a video game to her own. In her fantasy world she’d found love and acceptance. Then one day a goose spoke to her, and she knew she had spent too much time in her fantasy world. Though she knows she must be crazy, a longing to “return home” compels her to listen to the goose and open a portal to another realm. Now Aurora must work with the man of her dreams—a warrior she’d thought was a result of her vivid imagination—to save both realms.

Tahlan is a warrior and warriors can’t fall in love. No matter how much he desires to make love to Aurora, no matter how much his heart tells him she’s the one, he can’t allow anyone to learn of his feelings for her. His love for her could lead to her death, and that’s the one pain he could not bear.

The Rights of the Reader by Daniel Pennac

Fantastic 3D Artwork by Nagai Hideyuki

Go here to see the fantastic 3D artwork by Japanese artist Nagai Hideyuki. There are even videos showing how the pieces are created.

Alien Leftovers from the Roswell Fest

A close-up view of one of the objects d'art you could buy. Note the aliens are little green "Daleks".

A creature from one of the books being sold.

Visitors from the UK with proper headgear and such.

A "skinned alien" hanging in the library.

Fire in Zero Gravity

Have you ever wondered what fire looks like in zero gravity?
Well, now you do.

Happy 4th of July!

I'm Going Home! And Playing Tourist Along the Way.

Got up bright and early, and started my touristy shopping. Got these two neat t-shirts (one of which I'll keep for a sleep shirt, and the other will go to my 7'2" son.) See the teeny little green man finger puppet that'll go on my whatnot shelf?

Next stop, Carlsbad Caverns. THAT ONE CAVE WAS SO ENORMOUS! I did the self-guided walking tour. This behemouth was nearly 60 feet tall! I also outdid myself in the gift shop, especially when it came to the Native American Indian art.

For a quick comparison, I took in Sonoma Caverns. Yes, they're underground, too, but that's the only thing they have in common with Carlsbad. Where you are in this huge underground cave with Carlsbad, Sonoma is right in your face. You follow the guide on a very narrow trail, and try not to touch, hit, or bump into various formations. (You can see the single-person walkway at the lower right.) This one is quite "personal", and I liked it tremendously.

My last stop for the day was at Ft. Lancaster. Although most of what you'll see are the ruins, the place is quite fascinating with regards to its historical significance. I arrived just as they were about to close, but hosts Debbie and Melissa were gracious, and allowed me to roam the place and adjacent museum, answer my questions, and give me some neat feedback for a future book.

Tomorrow is the last leg of my trip, arriving home in time for the Fourth!

Galaxy Fest Day 4

Today was the last day of the festival. I thought I'd give you an idea what the interior of the UFO Museum was like. This is the main (central) area. The authors' display tables were set up between the partitioned areas. Each area highlights different aspects of UFOs, like crop circles, photographs, eyewitness testimonies, etc.

My favorite areas are the reinactment scenes. This one uses the actual props seen in the movie "Roswell".

The largest and most popular crowd-pleaser was this full size replica of four extraterrestrials. What you don't see is the disk above is rotating. Lights flash, and the aliens "breathe", move their heads and arms, and talk. The smoke comes from the bottom of the UFO, and this show goes off every 33 minutes.

Here's the library where some of the lectures (including mine) take place. What you're seeing is just a small part of the immense collection of books, CDs, and audio tapes.

After the museum closed for the night, and everyone was packed up to go home, the staff had a pizza and beer get-together to celebrate. I've never met or felt such comraderie with a group of people. I feel very, very lucky to have been a part of this celebration.

Galaxy Fest Day 3

Aliens everywhere. At hotels (where they parked their flying saucers)...

At KFC...

The Credit Union (where they convert their galactic credits for good old American dollars)...

And supermarkets.

Some are quite cute, instead of green!