100 Proof Positive
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| Star Trek TOS Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | 100 Proof Positive |
| Author(s): | Paula Smith |
| Date(s): | 1975 |
| Length: | |
| Genre: | |
| Fandom: | Star Trek: The Original Series |
| External Links: | |
Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
100 Proof Positive is a gen Star Trek: TOS story by Paula Smith.
first page of story from the print zine Menagerie #6
It was published in Menagerie #6, and reprinted in Warped Space #13 and The Best of....
It is a parody of the well-known story by Sharon Emily called Proof Positive and was rumored to have caused Sharon Emily to leave fandom for a time.
Summary
Spock goes back in time to find Santa Claus.
The Story Behind Proof Positive
Several years ago, Miss Emily wrote "Proof Positive," a story in which Spock, using the Guardian of Forever, seeks amid finds the "real" historical Jesus Christ. It's probably one of the most famous pieces in ST fan fiction (as is Paula Smith's devastating parody, '100 Proof Positive.) [1]
By fall, Paula Smith had written a satire on Sharon Emily's story, "Proof Positive." The satire, "100 Proof Positive," appeared in both Menagerie 6 and Warped Space 13 by the year's end. Sharon was married to a Methodist minister, and her story, "Proof Positive," mixed Star Trek and religion (a difficult task even for more experienced writers). The story was a reprint of a similar story appearing in a more obscure fanzine called The Worksheet. The premise of Sharon's story is that Spock goes back in time to meet a religious figure. In Paula's satire, Spock goes to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus. Paula's satire was funny and well-received by many fans; Sharon later commented that she found the satire flattering.[2]
For some reason, there are people who seem to think that it was Paula Smith and her parody of 'Proof Positive' that influenced me to retreat. NOT SO!! As a matter of fact, Paula and Sharon Ferraro have both expended much time, effort, phone bills, and postage seek to get get me to change my mind about retreating. Let it go on record here that Paula sent a copy of her parody to me BEFORE she sent it for consideration by any editor, promising me that she wouldn't release it if I felt it would harm me in any way. Actually, to have one's work parodied is one of the finest compliments a writer can receive... Paula and Sharon are individuals that I'm honored to call Star Trek fandom friends, and I hope this statement will end the rumors.[3]
Reactions and Reviews for 100 Proof Positive
'100 Proof Positive,' and hilarious satire on Sharon Emily's 'Proof Positive' (Showcase #2) is just right.[4]
References
- ^ from Spectrum #33
- ^ from Boldly Writing
- ^ In 1977, Sharon Emily sent this personal statement to Scuttlebutt
- ^ from Interphase #2
- ^ from Spectrum #20