Hello my fellow STO players and creative co-horts!

My name is Terilynn. I am an avid Star Trek fan, columnist, reader, fan-fiction author and fan-production enthusiast. I’ve been writing, blogging and pretty much talking non-stop about Star Trek since 2007 when I came out of the closet as not just a Trekkie – but a BIG Trekkie.

I do feel I need to confess something right here and now – I am NOT a gamer.

Star Trek Online is literally the first computer game (any type of computer game) I’ve played since the baseball program on our family’s “Intellivision” console back before there was a written history. (Okay, so maybe they did write history then, but – I am older than most of you, I’m sure.) I have extensive experience with Pong, Frogger, Tetris, PacMan and considered myself a master at Tempest before boys took a more dominant role in my life; but I haven’t picked up a game controller, mouse or a joystick since then.

Between then and now I dabbled in reading fan-fiction, but didn’t begin to write my own until late 2007. It was when I first shared my stories with others in the Trek fan-production circles that it really took on a life of its own. I have two full-length novels down, one in the works, two in outline form and a plethora of short stories. I have done voice work for fan-produced audio dramas and do my best to support and publicize fan-produced films, videos, machinima and music.

Then Star Trek Online appeared and gave me the ultimate opportunity to play inside the universe I have loved since I was a very little girl. I bought the lifetime sub the moment it became available. I bought the digital edition (and the collector’s edition later) and have played on an almost daily basis since the game was released.

Imagine how excited I was when I heard about this amazing new tool called The Foundry – the ultimate “fan-fiction” tool! A way to not only create a story within the Trek universe but literally creating the world in which the story is told! It’s the evolution of the Trek fan-productions and one that I knew I wanted to get involved with from a very early stage.

That’s how I ended up here at Starbase UGC and how I am now able to share with all of you the amazing depth of knowledge that my fellow fan-production enthusiasts have already made available to those of us who will be using The Foundry to tell our tales.

To that end, I will be posting here on a semi-regular basis, sharing with you the tips and tricks to better story-telling; a place to discuss Star Trek canon, lore and fiction – whether it be official CBS/Pocketbooks publications or from the fan-production realms, as well as a means for you to ask questions and for me to try to help you find the answers so we can help you tell a better tale in Star Trek Online!

And the first question is … usually … OMG where do I even begin?!

Easy.

Begin at the beginning. If you plan to undertake creating a mission in The Foundry, be prepared to do your research! Be prepared to ask questions and most importantly, be psychologically prepared to be told “I don’t like it.”

A lot.

You see, Trek fans are THE MOST particular, passionate and brilliant. They’re the most technologically, scientifically and sociologically educated fans you will ever meet. They are VERY opinionated and let me tell you now that their opinions run the gamut. Some hate The Original Series while other rail on Deep Space Nine. They argue about whose captain was more “honorable” while the others are more “believable” because they’re more “fallible.”

In short – it won’t matter what you write. It won’t matter what story you tell – someone WILL hate it.

And that’s okay!

Make the stories that appeal to you!

But – don’t be surprised that if you create a mission and hold it out to be a “Trek” mission, you will face the criticism of those who have watched, lived, breathed and eaten Star Trek for the last 45 years.

So – Are you ready?

The Foundry is due to go live onto the Holodeck server by early next week!

Brush up on your Trek lore and never hesitate to comment here with ANY questions you have about story, canon, characters, plots or otherwise! We here at Starbase UGC are here to help you make GREAT missions – which will only make Star Trek Online a game to outlast any others that have come along!

I will post more resources as time goes on, but I would be remiss if I didn’t point out the links that are already posted on the front page of this site. (Psst – down there – to the right.)

Memory Alpha is perhaps the single-most indispensable tool any Trek author could ever hope to have. I know for a fact the “official” authors use it regularly along with the actual shows on DVD. It is a wiki of ALL THINGS TREK CANON. Trust me, if it isn’t on Memory Alpha – it didn’t happen.

Also is a link for Memory Beta. This is a wiki of great interest for what is commonly known as “soft canon” – the “official” books. While I myself do use the term soft canon – be prepared to acknowledge the fact that there really is only one canon – and that is what was televised or shown in theatres.

Many people say with conviction, “There is no such thing as ‘soft’ canon. It’s either canon or non-canon.” Technically, they’re right! “Soft” canon doesn’t count, and that includes everything in Star Trek Online. Games are not considered canon by the fandom.

While you may think that’s disappointing, I don’t. I’ve been playing in the “non-canon” world for so long, I find it to be very freeing. And I hope you will too when you share your stories of what you’d like canon to be!

Last but not least, if you’re interested, take a look at ST EXPANDED: ( STExpanded.wikia.com ) the fan production wiki that I sometimes use to get ideas of new stories to read. While I don’t think I need to remind you – be respectful of your fellow writers/creators and don’t be lazy and steal their ideas – be inspired by them.  If you want to use one of their original characters – ask them first. They would do the same for you.

Thanks for letting me go on, on this, my first post with Starbase UGC. I look forward to sharing so much more with you and helping Starbase UGC become the ultimate resource for The Foundry and for Star Trek Online!