Cycle (glossary term)

Synonyms:	Verse
See also:	Alternate Universe
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

Cycle is a term used by fans to describe a self-contained, chronologically unified set of stories in a specific universe.

It was used mostly by early Star Wars fans.

Examples of Use

• ""Venture to Hamlor" is the official beginning of GF's STAR WARS Cycle. Chris and I have worked out a series of stories which show how events occurred in the STAR WARS Universe -- or at least our version of it — after the destruction of the Death Star. Implicit in this Universe is the special relationship which will develop between Han Solo and Princess Leia... A special note to prospective contributors. If you have a story which you want to submit to us, but it doesn't fit into our Cycle, don't worry about it. If we like it, we will certainly publish it anyway. "

• Thousandworlds is sometimes referred to as a "Cycle."

• a Star Trek example: "THRESHOLD, a novel by Carol Walske and Fern Marder, is one of the newest ST 'alternate universes. ' Complete and self-contained in and of itself, the novel is nevertheless part of the 'kilingau' cycle developed by Walske and Marder. This cycle traces the Klingon-Federation war from opening hostilities to uneasy peace, particularity through the inter-reactions of the Alkarin Kor and his family. THRESHOLD is a major part of the cycle."