A Brief Moment of Light

Fanfiction
Title:	A Brief Moment of Light
Author(s):	Tracey Alexander
Date(s):	1978
Length:
Genre(s):	slash, K/S
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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A Brief Moment of Light is a Star Trek: TOS Kirk/Spock story by Tracey Alexander.

This story was published in Enterprise Incidents #6.

art for this story from Enterprise Incidents, artist is Martin Cannon

Reactions and Reviews

I found the efforts at fiction in EI#6 a bit timid. I think this is appropriate. Sneak up on 'em. I liked all these, especially Tracey Alexander's. Not Tracey's fault the theme is threadbare -especially in ST. I have two Denver friends (unpublished) who've covered the same ground, but not so well, plus the many published stories--most of which I think are not as good as Tracey's.

I thought the story to be a beautiful portrayal of not only the Kirk/Spock friendship, but also of the eternal nature and continuity of relationship, the only true possession that I believe can be taken and had beyond the grave.) Oh...please, if by some chance the story isn't as I...perceived it (meaning that the author wasn't implying friendship) I really would prefer to be left in the dark. (See how suspicious I've become?)

Oh, how you saved the best for last! "A Brief Moment of Light" by Tracey Alexander is without a doubt the most beautiful Star Trek story I have ever read! What a glorious idea, what touching characterization, and what an ending! It makes me wish that it all could end like that. I believe that it has the distinction of being the only Star Trek story I have read where I was glad to see the characters die!

Of course we know you're a fan! Who else but a fan would add all the nice little personal touches to a 'zine like you do.

I know I will be criticized for saying that those with talent should create their own universe. But as an example, take "A Brief Moment of Light." If you substitute Starsky and Hutch, or Shaun Cassidy or any of today's personalities, the story would lose its impact for a Star Trek fan. In judging on its merits, it is obvious that Ms. Alexander has talent; but since she can't make any money writing Star Trek stories, wouldn't it make more sense to put that talent to work for her? In fact, you can take any other story written about Kirk/Spock/McCoy and find the same substitution of current heroes, including the robots from Star Wars; and you have writers that may, in the future, be accomplishing something for themselves to Star Trek, or Star Wars, or whatever happens to be the current rage.

Oh, how you saved the best for last! "A Brief Moment of Light" is without a doubt the most beautiful Star Trek story I have ever read! What a glorious idea, what touching characterization, and what an ending! It makes me wish that it all could end like that. I believe that it has the distinction of being the only Star Trek story I have read where I was glad to see the characters die!

I want to express my appreciation for... "A Brief Moment of Light" (I thought [it] was to be a beautiful portrayal of not only of the Kirk/Spock friendship, but also the eternal nature and continuity of relationship, the only true possession that I believe can be taken and had beyond the grave.) Oh... please, if by some chance the story isn't as I... perceived it (meaning that the author wasn't implying friendship) I would really prefer to be left in the dark. (See how suspicious I've become?)

"A Brief Moment of Light" (Tracey Alexander) — In this excellent, highly thoughtful, Kirk/Spock relationship story, the Captain is an old man, retired from Star Fleet for twenty years. On his last night of life, he thinks back to his adventures in space and the death of Spock. The Vulcan's spirit visits him and takes Kirk "home" where his friends are and always will be.

I found the last story, "A Brief Moment of Light," by Tracey Alexander, overwhelmingly maudlin and self-consciously sentimental. This theme has been handled better so many times before. It does have its moments as Kirk's last day on earth is described, but the cheery little switch to heaven/Valhalla with its winged childhood pets is too abrupt, breaks the sorrowful mood that the writer has taken such pains to establish; much better that it ended at Kirk's death.

I know I will be criticized for saying that those with talent should create their own universe. But as an example take "A Brief Moment of Light" by Tracey Alexander. If you substitute Starsky and Hutch, or Shaun Cassidy or any of today's personalities, the story would lose its impact for a Star Trek fan. In judging on its merits, it is obvious that Ms. Alexander has talent; but since she can't make any money writing Star Trek stories, wouldn't it make sense to put that talent to work for her? In fact, you can take any other story written about Kirk/Spock/McCoy and find that the same substitution of current heroes, including the roots from Star Wars; and you have writers that may, in the future, be accomplishing something for themselves limiting themselves to Star Trek, or Star Wars, or whatever happens to be the current rage.

Actually I think these writers find writing Star Trek fiction, or whatever kind of derivative fiction, good practice in putting one word after the other. Not every piece of fiction I write is going to be something I'll put in the mail to the professional editor. A writer should be able to write things just for themselves, or just for fun, or just for practice, and in fan fiction writers can write and publish things wherein they can deal with subjects that the professional markets have no interest in. Plus, they can get feedback on their style and ability. I really got into writing "A Brief Encounter in a Timeless War." I wrote the first draft in two days and three months later I sat down and wrote the second draft over a period of 12 hours in what writers call a "white heat" of total involvement and high energy. I enjoyed it. I got into these characters, and even without the backdrop of the ST universe, this tale would still be interesting, as would "The Weight."

Your own article: "Fan Fiction, Is It Legal, Or Merely Tolerated?" This was extremely interesting because it points out that the fan writer does not have a chance to get published legally, and isn't that what writing is all about? Because I have been involved totally these last years (2) with our own science fiction con and writing on Star Trek in our own publication SPELLBOUND, I have now withdrawn from the group to devote myself to writing I know I can do, given a chance. Because I am 68 years old, I do not have time to waste. In the next two years I hope to accomplish my small goals; to write articles on a diversity of subjects and have them published.

"Alternative Thoughts" by Gerry Downes. An intelligent and well-written article to justify the writing of the "let's-not-talk-it-out-loud-theme".

But again, anyone who can write as well as Gerry Downes should be able to create her own heroes and situations to great advantage. I suggest that the same substitution be applied for the characters of these erotic stories. To use established characters is still imitation, no matter how well done.

To write Star Trek stories for fun is fun. But to believe that expanding and elaborating on these characters is the one reason for writing is self-defeating.

It may also be one of the reasons that for anyone who does not know and love Star Trek and all its characters, and who happens to read one of these stories, may conceive Star Trek as something entirely different. I also am of the opinion that Mr. Nimoy, Mr. Shatner and Deforest Kelley may feel that their privacy is being invaded, and we don't do that to friends.