A Place in the Sun

Zine
Title:	A Place in the Sun
Publisher:	In Person Press
Editor:
Author(s):	Lynna Bright
Cover Artist(s):	Suzan Lovett
Illustrator(s):
Date(s):	1994
Medium:	print
Size:
Genre:
Fandom:	Starsky and Hutch
Language:	English
External Links:
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cover by Suzan Lovett

A Place in the Sun is a slash 96-page Starsky & Hutch novel by Lynna Bright that was originally printed in two parts in The Fix #11 (1992) and #12 (1993).

The zine includes the prequel story "A Place to Hide," originally published in Who You Know, What You Know and How You Know It (1983).

While these three stories were combined in "A Place in the Sun," the story was ultimately never completed due to its connection to real life events and tragedy in the personal life of Paul Michael Glaser and his family.

The cover is by Suzan Lovett.

Summary

From the publisher:

For those not familiar with Lynna's universe: it began after the series had concluded. Hutch left the Police Force and became a lawyer and set up home with the daughter of his boss. Starsky remained, became a Captain, married and fathered two children. They meet again when Hutch comes to his ex-partner for some help. Fires flare between them and one thing leads to another and they become lovers. The guilt they both feel is intense, but their commitment to one another goes deeper as they both consider their own relationships. Hutch leaves Jeri, whom is subsequently discovered to be pregnant, and joins another firm. During one sad, lonely holiday he tells his new employer about Starsky. The employer and his lover give Hutch a gift: a trip to a mountain cabin for himself and Starsky. They go, have one of the most wonderful times they have ever experienced, either together or alone, struggling more than they have ever done when the time comes for them to part. Upon their return to the city, they go their separate ways and Hutch realizes that he is being tailed.

An Uncomfortable Reality: A Little Too Close to RPF

Some fans, including the author, felt that this series touched on subjects, plots, and names that were too close to some of the tragic aspects of Paul Michael Glaser's (the actor who portrayed Starsky) life. The name of his wife in this story, Elizabeth, is one example, as is the actor and the character are both the fathers to a son and a daughter. The author started the series before it was discovered that Paul Michael Glaser's family (Elizabeth, Jake and Ariel Glaser) had contracted AIDS. and she had already written Starsky as having a wife, a son and a daughter named Lizabeth.

In the zine itself, the editor wrote:

Lynna's story of a Starsky who'd stayed on the force, married and who had lost touch with his partner Hutch, who had become a lawyer and was living with a girlfriend, is loved by nearly everyone who's ever dabbled in Starsky and Hutch fandom. It was also part of the reason I began writing the characters myself, after I read the story in early 1984. Naturally, when Lynna finally began work on a sequel, readers everywhere were excited. The first two sections appeared in issues number 11 and 12 of my fanzine, THE FIX. They are included in this edition, along with the never-before-published parts 3and 4.

First, a little about the story, for those of you who are the unfortunate victims of cultural illiteracy. In "A Place to Hide", Starsky and Hutch get together after along separation and spend a weekend at Starsky's vacation cottage. In the middle of the night, neither man can sleep, and sudden feelings bring them closer than ever before. They make love and discover profound joy in their changing relationship. Yet they know the weekend is only an interlude. Starsky must return to his wife and children and Hutch has another career and his girlfriend to think about. They spend their last moments together fantasizing a place to hide together.

In "A Place in the Sun" they come back to reality. You will enjoy their stolen moments together, and worry over the problems their involvement causes for both men. They are torn between the love that is most important in their lives and responsibilities and integrity they cannot escape.

I'm afraid there's good news and bad in this zine — Lynna has not yet finished the tale. Part of the reason is that she was working on this at the time the world learned about the AIDS situation in Paul Michael Glaser's real life family; it was just too dose to home that the wife Lynna had written about was also named Elizabeth, although Starsky calls her Liz or Liza, and that the children were a beautiful girl and boy. Also, Lynna had spent a number of years writing S&H, and as time went on, the urgency to do more with the characters was waning. And it was difficult to determine how to get our boys out of the complex situation she's put them in. Still, she wanted to share the story, and fans wanted to read it. We decided to publish it in installments in THE FIX, but when that publication ceased, readers were left hanging.

For those of you who prefer, their is aversion of this zine containing only parts 3 and 4. This compilation is for those who may not have issues 11 and 12 of THE FIX, completists, or those who wish the entire story (thus far) under one cover. I’ve spoken to Lynna recently and she thanks everyone for voting for "Place in the Sim" for a Huggy at last fall's ZebraCon. She isn't sure when an ending might be/would be/could be written, but we have decided on an interesting solution.

There will be a special, by invitation, writer's "contest" and some of fandom’s most inventive minds and skillful authors will have the opportunity to take the story in the direction they think it should go. This gives the advantage of allowing for several possible conclusions, plus eases the burden for any one writer. My feeling about this story has always been that I'd love to help them out with the problems they're having, but, exciting as that would be, it's just as pleasant to read what would happen. And perhaps even Lynna herself will perforce be inspired to write the 'real' conclusion of "A Place in the Sun." Writers will be notified as this

publication sees print and the projected deadline will be May, 1995.

At the time the zine was published, there was mixed reaction. Many fans felt the story was wonderful and were sad that the story ended with a "To Be Continued."

..."S/H fans-- Remember A Place to Hide (circa 1983?) I bought part two, A Place in the Sun. It is wonderful, but don't get your hopes up: the last words in the zine are To Be Continued...and there is no promise she'll ever finish it.

Some worried that the story would never be finished, but most seemed to understand why the author, under the circumstances, would not feel comfortable continuing the series.

In 1995, the publisher wrote of a possible continuation:

Also planned is the conclusion of A PLACE IN THE SUN. Lynna worked on this "Place to Hide" sequel a few years ago, stopping when we heard the sad news about the Glaser family — her Starsky family had so many similarities. I've begged, but she hasn't been able to do anymore on it, so far. So I've proposed a whole group of 'conclusions' to be written by a few of our writers. I wanted to get this out for this year's MediaWest, but none of the conclusions is ready and I want to have all of them published in one volume. SASE me and I'll let you know as soon as I know what's going on with it.

In 1995 there were murmurings on Starsky & Hutch mailing lists that several writers had taken the author up on her offer for others to write the story's conclusion and were working with April Valentine. However, it took almost a full decade before any of these stories saw the light of day.

A fan in 2001 wrote:

All this discussion of A Place to Hide makes me hope that some of the newer writers out there will take up the challenge to complete its sequel A Place in the Sun. Lynna wrote part of it, then when we heard the news about PMG's family she couldn't go on with it since her Liz character, Starsky's wife, was so close to PMG's wife, Elizabeth. I published the unfinished story and with Lynna's okay issued a challenge to writers to finish the story -- I have had one submitted so far. And I seem to recall Flamingo mentioning she'd like to have a go at it. I think what's daunting is trying to finish anything started by Lynna... her skill can be intimidating and she's given so much plot stuff that it would be hard to figure out what to do with it, but hey, I'm still hoping to get four or five more completions and plan to publish them whenever that happens.

Interestingly, in later years the potential RPF elements were not central to discussions around the story. Instead, some fan readers discussed how Starsky's decision to take Hutch as a lover while he was married and lie to his wife about the affair made them unhappy. They noted that Starsky was so wrapped up in not wanting to lose his 'family' that he was blind to the lack of respect he was showing toward his wife, let alone the pain he was causing her. This behavior went beyond the acceptable character flaws that heroic figures were allowed to have. Some readers complained that they lost respect for Starsky and felt that no sequel, no matter how well written and plotted, could redeem his character.

Others had completely different reactions. They could accept the story's main premise: namely, that Starsky & Hutch grew apart after Starsky's marriage and that they became lovers only after finding one another again many years later. They pointed out that in the story, both men agonize over the fact that Starsky is married and that the marriage was in trouble long before Hutch reappeared. Still, others countered that the Starsky agonized more over his girlfriend Rosie Malone's criminal connections and a woman he thought he blinded for life. In comparison, the agonizing in the story seemed brief and then both men continued to sleep with one another behind his wife's back. Finally, a few readers even went so far as to lay blame for the affair at the wife's feet arguing that if the two men had been able to remain close from the start of the marriage that this would have satisfied them emotionally and Starsky would not have strayed. Instead, Starsky was forced to cut ties with Hutch and the wife encouraged their separation making it clear that she felt Hutch was a rival and wanted him at a distance.

Reactions and Reviews to the Story Itself ("A Place to Hide" and "A Place in the Sun"

1983

It's not the proportion of any given story that's taken up with explicit sex, but the story's reason for it, that counts. A PLACE TO HIDE is an example. It's a look at one way the relationship could have gone. Painful, but valid. The sex is integral to the emotional situation.

All the agonizing I read in most S/H seems out of kilter for my boys, so I see them through each author's eyes and enjoy each pair of slightly different people that way. Terrific as it is, "A Place To Hide tore me apart because that rapport had been interrupted, shunted aside long enough for Starsky to get a wife and kids. It was painfully realistic and a happy ending seems so unlikely for them.

1984

"A Place to Hide" by Lynna Bright seems to be the favorite of everyone I've talked to, and while it's not mine, the story has many good qualities. The characters are believable, they have matured, faced problems and reality, and the fact that whatever forces exist in this world have decided that Starsky and Hutch belong to each other and nothing or no one can change that. It's a nice story, with a comfortable feel to it, and one that I will read again and again.

1987

Yes, friendships do cool, sometimes. Perhaps particularly such blazing friendships as S&H's. Lynna's analysis of one possible future for them in her story "A Place to Hide" is very probable, and shows a lot of insight into their characters. It's a good story, very well written, but it's not what I want to read. Real life is quite hard enough — in our fantasies (and all stories are that), I'd much prefer to have them end up together (as friends or lovers), and happy, or at least content.

1995

...a very good zine that contains (among other great stories) "A Place to Hide" by Lynna Bright, a very excellent story about S&H becoming lovers about ten years after the series--and Starsky is married. It's an excellent story which has gone on with 3 sequels (one was published in a FIX and the other 2 were published separately also by April), but unfortunately she made it a little too close to the truth (Starsky not only has a wife named Lizbeth, but a little boy and a little girl) when she started writing the whole thing several years ago and now she's having a hard time writing an ending. There is light at the end of the tunnel, though, since there is a proposed zine of having several of the best writers in fandom writing their own endings to the stories. I, personally, can't wait.

As for A Place To Hide... well, I've been itching to talk about this story ever since I first read it, so I'm going to blather for a bit; hope no one minds. Everyone else here probably read it years ago, but it's all new to me... and what a story! It's one of those where I'm tempted to plunk it down in front of everyone I know and tell them they've got to read it. NOW. I just want to *share.* (Anyone else ever get that way about a story? <g>)

Similar to you,[K-L], I came away with some mixed feelings. It's such a difficult situation for all the characters, and the story offers little in the way of answers. From the moment that Starsky and Hutch finally acknowledge their love and real *need* for each other, any choice they make will be "wrong" to some extent. Acting on their feelings will, I think, inevitably destroy Starsky's marriage and Hutch's relationship with his girlfriend, and I also suspect that it could be damaging to one or both of their careers. "Just trying to live with it"(as I believe Hutch phrased it), might not be a whole lot better, though. It might be possible for them not to act on their feelings, but that wouldn't change the feelings themselves. The emotional fallout would be agonizing for both men, and I think in the end, it would destroy their other relationships anyway.

My impression is that the title, besides referring to the secluded weekend escape and to the eventual "solution" the guys arrive at, also refers to the way that Starsky and Hutch have both found "places to hide" from their feelings for each other. Isn't it interesting that Starsky's wife, Liz, seems to have an instinctive understanding of the undertow of the guys' relationship? At least, that's what I'm getting out of her "joking" comments that Starsky should really have married Hutch... (She's right, of course. ;) The men have obviously done a better job of hiding it from *themselves* than they have from anyone else. (Liz is such a well-written OC, IMO. Lynna manages to convey a tangible sense of her personality, a feel for the history of the relationship and the basis of the initial attraction, *and* a sense of why the marriage isn't working out -- all in such a brief, economical way. I'm... awed. :)

Of course the heart of the story, the thing that makes it so compelling for me, is the sheer *depth* of feeling between the guys, the passion that crackles or simmers below the surface of every interaction. It's tangible right from the first scene, where they're fumbling to bridge their estrangement from each other, and it just builds steadily from there. It's so touching to watch as their initial argument collapses into tentative plans to go fishing(!), and then, once they get together to actually pack and leave, they end up getting completely side-tracked in conversation; obviously just *being* together is more than enough. :)

I love how Lynna starts off by referring to them as "ex-partners," and then subtly drops the "ex" somewhere after the first couple of scenes, an eloquent testament to a partnership that runs so much deeper than simply having worked together as cops. And her dialogue and descriptions are stunning, particularly in the scene where they sit down and try and talk through their feelings rationally: "...like being homesick... lonely in a room full of people." And it's beautiful how making love is clearly so much more for them than just sex: "I want us to be -- inside each other so deep, just once, we wouldn't be hungry for each other any more." Mmmm, *gorgeous.* Dialogue that verges on poetry, but only because it's so brimming with emotion, so entirely credible and *real.*

*happysigh*

Did I mention how much I love this story? <G> I'm dying to read the sequels and find out what happens. And now I'll stop blabbing about it, at least for the time being...

The Last Charade by Ro and A Place to Hide by Lynna are what inspired me to write S/H. I still remember lying on my couch reading them, tearing up over both, and in anguish letting the zine fall to the floor. My (then) husband asked what was going on and I just said, "I give up, I *have* to write these characters!" I ended up dedicating Distant Shores to both Ro and Lynna for their inspiration as it was the first idea for a SH story I had, though it took me 6 more years to finish it and i wrote a lot of other stuff in the meantime.

All this discussion of A Place to Hide makes me hope that some of the newer writers out there will take up the challenge to complete its sequel A Place in the Sun. Lynna wrote part of it, then when we heard the news about PMG's family she couldn't go on with it since her Liz character, Starsky's wife, was so close to PMG's wife, Elizabeth. I published the unfinished story and with Lynna's okay issued a challenge to writers to finish the story -- I have had one submitted so far. And I seem to recall Flamingo mentioning she'd like to have a go at it. I think what's daunting is trying to finish anything started by Lynna... her skill can be intimidating and she's given so much plot stuff that it would be hard to figure out what to do with it, but hey,

I'm still hoping to get four or five more completions and plan to publish them whenever that happens.

2001

A Place To Hide (as a married woman I struggled with it as it fought with my really wanting the boys together and their first time in this story was heartfelt).

As for A Place To Hide... well, I've been itching to talk about this story ever since I first read it, so I'm going to blather for a bit; hope no one minds. Everyone else here probably read it years ago, but it's all new to me... and what a story! It's one of those where I'm tempted to plunk it down in front of everyone I know and tell them they've got to read it. NOW. I just want to *share.* (Anyone else ever get that way about a story? <g>)

Similar to you, Karen-Leigh, I came away with some mixed feelings. It's such a difficult situation for all the characters, and the story offers little in the way of answers. From the moment that Starsky and Hutch finally acknowledge their love and real *need* for each other, any choice they make will be "wrong" to some extent. Acting on their feelings will, I think, inevitably destroy Starsky's marriage and Hutch's relationship with his girlfriend, and I also suspect that it could be damaging to one or both of their careers. "Just trying to live with it"(as I believe Hutch phrased it), might not be a whole lot better, though. It might be possible for them not to act on their feelings, but that wouldn't change the feelings themselves. The emotional fallout would be agonizing for both men, and I think in the end, it would destroy their other relationships anyway. My impression is that the title, besides referring to the secluded weekend escape and to the eventual "solution" the guys arrive at, also refers to the way that Starsky and Hutch have both found "places to hide" from their feelings for each other. Isn't it interesting that Starsky's wife, Liz, seems to have an instinctive understanding of the undertow of the guys' relationship? At least, that's what I'm getting out of her "joking" comments that Starsky should really have married Hutch... (She's right, of course. ;) The men have obviously done a better job of hiding it from *themselves* than they have from anyone else. (Liz is such a well-written OC, IMO. Lynna manages to convey a tangible sense of her personality, a feel for the history of the relationship and the basis of the initial attraction, *and* a sense of why the marriage isn't working out -- all in such a brief, economical way. I'm... awed. :) Of course the heart of the story, the thing that makes it so compelling for me, is the sheer *depth* of feeling between the guys, the passion that crackles or simmers below the surface of every interaction. It's tangible right from the first scene, where they're fumbling to bridge their estrangement from each other, and it just builds steadily from there. It's so touching to watch as their initial argument collapses into tentative plans to go fishing(!), and then, once they get together to actually pack and leave, they end up getting completely side-tracked in conversation; obviously just *being* together is more than enough. :) I love how Lynna starts off by referring to them as "ex-partners," and then subtly drops the "ex" somewhere after the first couple of scenes, an eloquent testament to a partnership that runs so much deeper than simply having worked together as cops. And her dialogue and descriptions are stunning, particularly in the scene where they sit down and try and talk through their feelings rationally: "...like being homesick... lonely in a room full of people." And it's beautiful how making love is clearly so much more for them than just sex: "I want us to be -- inside each other so deep, just once, we wouldn't be hungry for each other any more." Mmm, *gorgeous.* Dialogue that verges on poetry, but only because it's so brimming with emotion, so entirely credible and *real.*

*happysigh*

Did I mention how much I love this story? <G> I'm dying to read the sequels and find out what happens. And now I'll stop blabbing about it, at least for the time being...

2004

Then there are those readers who understand that the world is not black and white, and appreciate the authors who can write Starsky and Hutch as flawed human beings who wrestle with what's "right" in situations that can't help but hurt someone, and aren't always strong enough to make the decision that would keep them on the high road. IMO, Starksy's decision not to tell his wife he's sleeping with Hutch is very human, not right but wholly understandable, and he's probably as upset about it as Cindy. I don't think that makes him a bad person, just flawed, like most everyone else. Obviously, Lynna Bright wasn't successful in conveying that to all readers, but I'm buying it. Not excusing, but understanding....

I can accept the story's premise that S&H grew apart after Starsky's marriage, and how they became lovers after finding one another again. Both S&H agonize over the fact that Starsky is married, but there was trouble in the marriage before Hutch reappeared.

This, along with "Winter," an AU that follows S&H after a nuclear holocaust (NOT nearly as AU as DECORATED FOR DEATH, though), are my favorite Lynna Bright stories. "A Place to Hide," et al, are so elegantly written, so full of a wistful love that recognizes it cannot be realized without hurting a lot of people -- I am not an advocate of cheating on one's partner, but these two men should never have had separate partners in the first place, and they DO suffer mightily over their inability to simply control their emotions and continue as platonic friends.

I understand Lynna Bright had not completed the story when PMS's wife Elizabeth Glaser was diagnosed with AIDS, and stopped working on it. There is a plan afoot for several (I think invited) authors to submit possible resolutions to the story for a zine to be published by InPerson Press. I'm looking forward to it, and a real angst wallow!

"A Place to Hide" and "A Place in the Sun" start out with S&H separated for years, and trying to get their friendship back. First off, I didn't buy the separation at all. We're just supposed to believe it happened and move on from there to them trying to rebuild a relationship. Which then instantly turns sexual. Didn't buy that either.

My problem with Starsky comes in in the fact that he's a married man, with children, and conducts this affair with Hutch behind his wife's back. He's feeling guilty about it, and it's adding stress to his already stressed marriage. And worst yet, he *lies* about it to his wife. She's not stupid, and she's scared that he's not in love with her anymore. She's seeing all the signs, and to me, Starsky becomes a coward when she asks him straight out if there is someone else in his life and he denies it. I then becomes just another married man cheating on his wife story.

I feel much sorrier for the wife at this point than Starsky. He's so wrapped up in not wanting to lose his 'family' that he's blind to the total lack of respect he's showing toward his wife, let alone the pain he's causing her. Sure, he's afraid he's going to lose out on seeing his children. I can understand that. But he's hurting two people, his wife, and Hutch, who's like the mistress in the story.

I've found I've lost respect for Starsky at this point, and don't like him very much. If the series is ever finished, (which I really doubt it will be) maybe he can be redeemed, but at this point I'm not sure I care enough about that version of him to read it.

2006

The "feel" of this story has haunted me for 20-some years. If forced to choose, I'd probably have to say it's my top favorite. Starsky is captain, Hutch has quit the force and become a lawyer, they haven't talked for years. Starsky is married, with a couple of kids. And they get back together, reconcile, and head out to a cabin in the woods for the weekend. (Starsky has outgrown his fear of the woods.) The mood, the slow mutual seduction, Hutch's guitar by moonlight, the soul-deep confessions, the dawning recognition that life was never so good as when they were together, the bittersweetness of this story ...... Just beautiful. Haunting.

I absolutely did not like 'A Place to Hide'. It was so not the guys and I didn't buy into the premise at all.

Continuations and Inspirations

From the 1984 filk songbook, Down to Earth, a song inspired by "A Place to Hide" as it was published in Who You Know, What You Know and How You Know It

A fan in 2002 recounted Bright giving permission to other fans to continue this story.

• A Place Together by Nikki Harrington (2004)
• Places in Time by Jane

Author's Comments Regarding "Places in Time"

From the author of Places in Time, a 2014 authorized continuation by jane:

Several years ago, Lynna Bright wrote and published two stories, "A Place To Hide" and "A Place In The Sun," that beautifully told of David Starsky and Ken Hutchinson's discovery of the physical extension of their love for one another. Love they soon came to realize was all encompassing for the two of them. Love they wanted to spend the rest of their lives sharing. The depth of their love for each other was destined to be tested over and over again by profound guilt for causing people they loved pain, by fear of discovery that could cost Starsky his job, and by the lack of gay rights that could eventually cost them their children.

The following is my continuation of Lynna's story line, a story that was both pleasurable and painful -- not to mention downright scary! -- to write. Starsky is married with two young children, Kenny and Sarabet. Hutch has a child on the way, carried by his former lover, Jeri Eastman. I have taken the liberties of carrying on with the establishment of Starsky as a police captain and his son as the older of his children, as written in "A Place To Hide." Also, I call Starsky's wife Liz or sometimes Lizzy. Hutch is an attorney working for Quentin Cohen and is living in an apartment on Quentin's property. Starsky and Hutch have just returned from Aspen where they celebrated New Year's Eve together. Just after saying good-bye to his lover at the airport, Hutch discovers that he and Starsky are being followed.

It is my honor to honor the memory of Paula Wilshe. Many, many thanks to Karen-Leigh for bidding on my writing at auction and for giving me the opportunity to write this. A very patient and encouraging Karen-Leigh. And to Cindy E, for all of her help. Karen-Leigh and Cindy co-beta'd my story, and I am forever grateful. Thank you, friends.