Occasionally, we all feel like pawns on the chessboard of life. Those who constrain our options and actions may do so by exerting emotional, physical, or legal power over us. Alternatively, we may find ourselves in the grip of situations from which, whatever we try, we cannot break free. That which limits us may even reside inside our very beings. Either way, we tell ourselves that if we just soldier on, eventually we will push through whatever bars us from accomplishing our goals.
So why do we often fail so miserably?
Two books that exemplify this constant battle are Downbelow Station and The First Casualty. In C. J. Cherryh’s story, the inhabitants of the Pell Space Station find themselves caught up in a battle between the Earth Company that once dominated the stars, and the rebel Union intent upon driving their former masters back to humanity’s home planet. In Mike Moscoe’s novel, asteroid miners find themselves drafted into military service by the Society of Humanity, while on the opposing Unity side, Ray Longknife sees his new society’s glorious ideals being twisted by a repressive dictator. Both books feature great characters: Cherryh’s Signy Mallory and Moscoe’s Mattim Abeeb are both capable star ship captains who have earned the respect of their crews and fight for the causes they believe in. In each story, characters cannot avoid the conflict, and soon find themselves so overwhelmed that most of us, were we in their shoes, might concede the fight and accept defeat. Yet these people find the strength and the determination to soldier on.
Both novels are exciting and entertaining. Both provided the essential basis for later stories by their authors. Both were purchased by business-savvy editors, and published by major publishing houses. Yet Downbelow Station went on to win numerous awards, as well as critical and commercial success, while The First Casualty failed to catch fire with critics or readers, and has since gone out of print.
Thankfully, Ace Books and Mike Moscoe decided to soldier on together. Although he had to change his pen name to Mike Shepherd, he has gone on to achieve success with his Kris Longknife series. As of this writing, Ace Books has published nine novels (based on the characters, situations, and universe created in The First Casualty), with a tenth due out next year.
Whatever enabled C. J. Cherryh’s success, and whatever cost Mike Moscoe the ability to sell books under his name, both authors soldiered on. Because of their perseverance and their determination, both have found a lasting place in the hearts of their readerships.
While my life often seems controlled by external chaos and constrained by internal forces beyond my conscious control, I gain inspiration not only from the structured-reality great Fiction provides, but also from the stories of authors who created the stories I cherish. Either way, these models help me battle on. I offer them to you in the hope that they will likewise inspire you.
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