Thoughts on Pan from Orquist
When and how did you arrive at PanHistoria? How did you find out about Pan?
I first joined up at Pan at the invitation of a friend, upon the incipient demise of Ancient Sites, where my interests
were things Celtic and Egyptian. I’d been just getting active with the Urchurdan Family there, and naturally when they and other early Celt aficionados started up the novel Scotia, I joined in. We needed a really nasty character to keep things in line, and so Orquist was created. I’ve never once regretted that Founder’s membership, especially since my interests have more than expanded.
What keeps you coming back to Pan?
Well, I kind of walked off the planet recently for a bit, but I’m back. It feels like walking back into a comforting den, fireplace ablaze, warm slippers at the ready. It’s relaxing after a day at work, to know I’m in the company of writers and thinkers and creators and other interesting people, and so Pan is a soul-reviving place. It’s about the people, ultimately.
How often and what time of day do you check in at Pan?
I used to be on two or three times daily – the wee hours before work, Eastern Time; and then again a couple times after work; no set times. Lately, I’ve had to scale back, but it appears this is thankfully changing. Unfortunately, it’s rare that I can check in at work – frankly, I find it amazing how many people are able to! Don’t they have tyrants looking over their shoulders there?
Is there any piece of work that you are especially proud of that you created here? Why are you pleased with it?
As Orquist I was pleased to develop a truly obnoxious character, but most of his best writing was lost in the Crash. I’m also pleased with DustJacket work I’ve done: Scotia and then At Worlds’ End for example. I’ve done some much better writing in the last couple years under other names in my severe case of Multiple Character Disorder; and my best stuff is when I tackle off-kilter characters. I truly enjoyed my postings with Bria in the novel Scotia – you have to look at them as a gestalt between the two of us. We’re waiting to take this to the next level of whatever that might be, on At World’s End. So, I can’t point to a specific piece right now, but the best work is always interactive.
What experiences had you had, if any, with online communities other than Pan?
AS started me out, and yes I’m at the revived Ancient Worlds. I scratch different itches at each community and like both of these. I’ve looked at MySpace, but nothing really resonated there. I have a blog at LiveJournal on which I interact largely with people I previously knew from the real-life science fiction fandom community. Yes, I go to SF conventions, but not as often as I did back in the eighties and early nineties. The world of fanzines evolved into LiveJournal for me, although I seem to be active there these days only in spurts of fevered posting interspersed with invisibility. Since, Pan is more interactive, I’m here much more regularly.
What are your favorite memories here?
Let’s see – The day I discovered that Pan was back up, after the Crash! Now, that was something special! In addition: Hmm, killing myself off in the first episode of Survivor: Pan Historia, which was prior to the Crash. Death can be so rewarding! Playing as Orquist versus Emchath, or Bria. It’s something when you can get a true gestalt going. The hardest part was learning to truly let go, to truly be *evil*. Maybe I’m afraid to admit I really am…
Are there any people that stand out in your memory? Who and why?
Emchath of course. Em is a pleasure to write with, you never know what’s going to happen next. Ditto goes for Saoirse, who is a hoot of fun even if she’s my unplanned wife and is unfortunately going to be moving back to my territory now. We’ll see how long that lasts! Antagonistic writerly partnerships are actually fun and challenging. Other great people that I’ve known over the years, some not as well as others but their work has always impressed me: Liberty, Karamy, Zoe, Wyatt, Birket, Jerry Cornelius, Azrael, Nosqhon, Apepa, and more. The good folks at ACME, AWE, Middle Earth, and more. I’m sure I’m missing half the people I’d like to mention.
If someone asked you "Why PanHistoria and not site x, y or z?" what would your answer be?
I thrive on interactive fiction writing here. I’ll now have the time again to catch up on reading some of the other novels here, too. I’ve enjoyed helping people when those opportunities have arisen. I’ve also made some very good friends at this site, and have over the years even met one or two of them face to face. I really don’t know how else to find this sort of creative writerly interface and give-and-take.
Finish this sentence.. A life without PanHistoria is like a life without …
Sunshine? Hackneyed. You know, this is the hardest question of the lot! Stepping into character once again, a life without PanHistoria is like a life without a good tankard of mead and a bunch of hapless people to terrorize. But then again, that’s just Orquist.
