JM Lane

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Fan
Name: JM Lane, J.M. Lane (a pseudonym), Debby Wimer [1]
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JM Lane is a Star Trek: TOS writer.

Lane often wrote with Gamin Davis, as well as sometimes with D.M. Anderson (Lane's nephew).

Some of Lane's fiction is at 1001 Trek Tales (Star Trek: TOS archive), see it here.

Print Zine Contributions

Some Comments by Lane

From "Writers and Writing"

Lane was a participant in 2000's Writers and Writing.

Couldn’t really say exactly why I write -- I’ve just always enjoyed doing it, even felt a *need* to do it, especially if I read something and believed or decided that I could do better, not to mention share my thoughts and feelings on a given subject or person through my fiction (my main non-fiction stuff has been letters to the editor). My imagination has always worked overtime; was in fact, the first thing which inspired me to write. Particularly the "what-if" type stories, the A/U type, and even a TREK/Superman crossover. It also helps me get my mind off my problems (if only temporarily), by making me concentrate on the problems of the characters in the story. (If only I could solve my own problems that easily!)

I have had many inspirations over the years, but none have inspired me more than the TOS characters--predominantly Spock and Christine, but also their friends Kirk, McCoy and Uhura--and the relationships between them all, as well as the love and/or emotional bonds between certain ones. My stories usually have a strong friendship angle as well as the strong romance angle, not to mention a strong hurt/comfort angle...sometimes even an action/adventure angle, depending on the situation the characters are in. There was usually more than one thing or person that inspired me, of course--anything or anyone I happened to feel strongly about at the time I wrote the story, in fact.

Naturally, my interpretation of the characters can and often does differ from those of others, even certain friends of mine, but I prefer to believe that at least in some aspects, I come the closest to capturing their true characterization...and try to always keep in mind how the actors who brought the characters to life might feel should they ever read any of our stories.

I only wish that other so-called TREK authors did the same. Some stuff I’ve read is so far out in left field, so totally off-the-wall, that I can’t help getting the impression that they should have kept their weird fantasies to themselves...that they simply used the characters and that the work had little, if anything, to do with TREK itself other than that. There was little (if any) plot, nor were there any plausible situations for the characters to live and work through.

I believe that true TREK authors do their best to keep to the original characterization, within the limits of their interpretation of the characters, doing it out of a sincere love for the show and the characters, and doing their best to make sure that the work at least has an interesting plot and plausible situations for the characters to live and work through. Most of what I’ve read *does* do this, fortunately, but I prefer to think about the others as little as possible.

From what I’ve seen, most writers (including me, BTW) tend to judge a literary work by their own personal standards. The other writer’s work and/or ideas may not always get a fair hearing because of that, but every writer takes that risk when he or she writes anything intended to be read by others.

Of course, not only my friend’s constructive criticism but the feedback from other readers of my work has helped me to improve my writing greatly. Of course, I may not agree with everything people say or incorporate every piece of constructive criticism into my work—in fact, I keep my original idea intact if I think it’s the best thing to do--but unlike many people, I also believe in giving everyone a fair hearing regardless of my own personal views…and often I am able to enjoy a story, even if I don’t always agree with everything the author says, if it’s written well enough. [My friend Gamin’s Trek stories usually fall in that category.]

So I warn everyone who might read my stories (I write under my pseudonym, JM Lane) that I welcome any and all feedback, but that ultimately I’ll weed out what I disagree with and keep what I agree with (which is what most writers do, anyway, as far as I can tell). Particularly the ones who are any good. I also don’t expect everyone to agree with everything I say in my stories, either, but I do expect to be given a fair hearing and ask that the person really think about my views and consider all sides of the story before picking my work apart.

Still, writers have to be able to take the bad with the good as far as feedback and/or criticism is concerned in order to learn from all the readers’ comments what they like as well as dislike and be able to write a truly memorable piece of work--be it a novel, a short story or even a news article. One must also listen to people’s views and make a note of what sticks in their minds and what doesn’t if you want your work to see print instead of ending up in the slush pile or "circular file" (aka the wastebasket).

I wrote my first Trek fanfic back in 1986, and compared to my latest work, it is far less sophisticated and contains far more grammatical errors than the latter. The newest story even contains some slash (it’s a sequel to another, similar story, which was short - eleven pages - this new one turned into a monster: over eighty pages). In the latter, Christine Chapel is married to Spock, *at first* only for the sake of giving him a child--but events (and Kirk’s actions against her) prompt the Vulcan into a gradual, if not complete, change of heart. By contrast, my first story was a simple, basic S/C story, where Vulcan specialist Dr. M’Benga helps her win Spock over with his knowledge once they realize Spock is about to go into pon farr. They are eventually married in this story too, but in the early story she has a son--the newest one features a daughter.

There is also a lot more angst and soul-searching on the parts of the three most concerned in the newer work than in the early effort. I studied the styles of other writers and incorporated the things I agreed with into my own work, but overall stuck to my original premise--and made sure the characterization, technology and terminology was as accurate as I could make it. That has always been my policy, and I intend for it to always be.To date I have written six (and am in the process of preparing a seventh) Classic Trek anthologies called "Heart Treks" based on the relationships between not only S/C, but the Big Three and the friendship between Christine and Uhura. I truly believe I have found *my* niche as far as Trek fanfic is concerned, and the reactions of those on the S/C Trek mailing lists who have read my work seem to confirm my beliefs...and I will continue writing as long as they care to go on reading it--but not only posting my own stories but several of my friends’ with their permission. As our favorite Vulcan would say, "It is the logical thing to do."

I’ve been a Classic Trek fan since the beginning--and though Spock is a *definite* favorite of mine, there is another character who is deserving of a lot more respect than she currently gets--for she is a *lot* more than she seems, and should have been explored much more extensively than she was in either the series or films: Christine Chapel.

I identify with her as well as Spock, having felt much of the same feelings, particularly the pain and loneliness, that they have, at one time. I can assure you that Christine Chapel is no ball of fluff whose sole function is to make goo-goo eyes at Spock...she could never have made it into Starfleet, much less stayed aboard the *Enterprise*, if that was all she was. The woman has a doctorate in xenobiology, people!--not to mention a degree in nursing (and now medicine) which makes her eminently qualified for any medical position she chooses to assume. And she could never continue loving someone like Spock if she was half as wimpy as some seem to think she is. The constant (seeming) rejections would have driven a lesser woman away long ago, but Christine hangs in there, determined, every bit as stubborn (if not bull-headed) as Spock. Most of the times I see her, she is cool, professional and doing her job, *not* panting after Spock, even if she happens to be in proximity to him. A case in point: "A Private Little War": the scene shortly after she begins to slap the Vulcan back to himself to break him out of his healing trance which he went into after being shot planetside by a primitive firearm... M’Benga rushes in and finishes what she started (one can be sure that Scotty was in the doghouse for some time to come--dragging her away from Spock one of the few times he asked her to help him...)

She says, "Let me help you, Spock."

He says, "That is unnecessary. I am quite fully recovered."

Then she retorts, "Yes, I can see you are," and gives him a look that’s almost a glare. He sighs in exasperation, clearly not having expected that kind of reaction from her. That shows [to me, at least] that Christine can give as good as she gets, even from Spock, when the situation calls for it.

Another example: A scene in "Journey to Babel" where Christine and Spock’s mother Amanda are standing together--and I was struck by the resemblance. If it wasn’t for the height and age difference, they would be virtually identical. I prefer to believe that Spock eventually realized this and acted accordingly, following the old saying, "Like father, like son." Finally, in "For The World is Hollow...", she argues fiercely with McCoy. Not everyone can make the Doctor back down, but Christine does. He finally says, "Please, Christine...I promise you I’ll give the Captain a full report." I figure any woman who can handle the outspoken Leonard McCoy is *certainly* worthy of *Spock’s* attention...and would be able to cope with both Vulcan logic and stubbornness at least as well, if not better, than Amanda does.

I am also convinced that Christine was the one Spock married--the same one Picard was referring to in either the TNG episode "Unification, Part 1" or "Sarek". I also firmly believe that it was her death as much as anything else that drove Spock to become an Ambassador. Everyone he knew or loved is either scattered through the Galaxy or dead, including Kirk...and Spock figures he is no longer of any use in the Federation, so he might as well go where he believes he *can* help others--work with the Romulan underground to help reunite them with their Vulcan cousins.

I would have loved to see Spock at least *begin* to realize Christine’s worth by the time of the third/fourth films after his rebirth, not to mention seen more of her helping him back to himself as well as Kirk and McCoy...and finally marry her shortly after the time of the 6th film. That would have been a *great* ending, everybody getting together for their wedding before the "Excelsior" departs... perhaps even have had Kirk marry them, McCoy as best man and Uhura as maid of honor. They might have bonded and married earlier than that, for that matter--and raising their children on Vulcan or Earth while working at Starfleet Headquarters would certainly explain why we don’t see her in any of the subsequent films except the fourth one--and then only for a brief time. Then perhaps have had an addendum or supplement to Kirk’s last log entry to explain what happened to the crew of the original *Enterprise* between the time of the 6th film and "Generations". Not much chance of that being filmed now, of course, but I like to think that I (or someone like me) will eventually write on that very subject...and if it’s not me, I pray that I’ll be around to see, read and appreciate it.

The first and most important reason that Spock should be with Christine is simply this--as Sarek might say, "It is the logical thing to do." As I understand it, they wanted to do "something unique" with the Spock character in STII; in that case, why couldn’t they have had him marry Christine? Certainly people would have preferred seeing him get married to seeing him die! [Pure speculation now, of course, but still something to consider.]

And I’m not so insecure that I’d feel threatened if my favorite character(s) married; quite the contrary. That’s what I’ve always *dreamed* of. Unfortunately, TPTB in their infinite stupidity have done everything they possibly could to avoid it, up to and including putting Spock with several different *un*suitable women at the least provocation, then expecting us to swallow the idea of that pairing when anyone with half a brain could see how wrong it was. The after-effects of these failed relationships make it all the more difficult for Christine to get closer to him. Because of this, she is continually punished emotionally for "crimes" she did not commit.

Worst of all, the only time they put Spock up close and personal with Christine was a situation where he was forced to kiss her (and possibly more, off-screen); that didn’t happen with the others. He may have been coerced, tricked or something affected him (if not both), but he was never literally *forced* before then. As if the idea of his being with her was so preposterous that they believe the only way something could ever happen was to have Spock forced into it! Like she doesn’t deserve to have him come to her willingly or something. Shows how little they think of the character...or know about her!

In fact, of them all, Christine is the only one who loves Spock for himself--both his Vulcan *and* Human halves. Also, how many women have shared consciousness with him, carried his *katra*? Not Leila, Zarabeth or any of the other women. Only Christine...the so-called "ditzy blonde wimpy nurse"! Obviously Sargon in "Return to Tomorrow" thought her worthy, however, even if no one else did--consider *that*.

If TPTB would think beyond the outer facade, they would see a woman not only intelligent (Ph.D. in xenobiology and nursing/medical degree...they don’t hand out those things in Cracker Jack boxes, people!) but beautiful, head-over-heels in love with him *and* mentally compatible with him. What more could any man--even a Vulcan--ask for? The way they make it sound, Amanda is the only one worthy of being mate to a Vulcan...which reminds me--since Christine Chapel is obviously cut from the same cloth, whether certain PTB want to admit it or not (and I can’t be the only one who can see that) if *she* is not worthy of Spock, no one is!

Spock could certainly do worse (and frankly already has--case in point: T’Pring)...and even though one might question whether or not Christine deserves him, I believe the question should be, considering the way he’s always treated her [whether he means to or not], does *he* truly deserve *her*?

Still, the most compelling evidence (at least to me) was in "Amok Time" when we see Spock show tenderness toward Christine even in the midst of pon farr when he gently wipes the tear from her cheek--despite his tenuous hold on control. Granted, he was biologically *compelled* to do what he did at that point, but if he didn’t feel *something* for her, *nothing*, not even the pon farr or a mutated virus (i.e. "Naked Time"), could have made him do it!

Christine’s proximity to Spock on the ship essentially negates the scenarios that Leila or Zarabeth felt the need to instigate--and while no one can blame them for wanting him, there had to have been better ways for them to have gone about it...yet they simply took the easy way out instead of making a real effort to think unselfishly, as our heroine does.

Leila exposed him to the spores without thinking what they might do to him; Zarabeth withheld important information which could have meant the difference between his living and dying. Christine has never tried to force Spock into anything; she obviously subscribes to the old saying, "If you love someone, set them free. If they return to you, they’re yours. If they don’t, they never were."

As much as it hurts her, she gives him the freedom of choice we all deserve, and seems to know that feelings must develop naturally--you can’t force or induce them; artificially induced or forced feelings generally disappear as soon as they come.

In the pon farr, *he* was the one to approach *her*. She went to him purely out of love and concern--not in an attempt to trick, force or coerce him into anything, though *if* she had been so inclined, this time when he was most vulnerable would have been perfect ... She probably even considered it briefly, but never acted on it. And Spock must have known, or at least *believed* he knew, why. Why else would he ask her to wait on him, bring him food...something he had previously said was "undignified" for a woman in Christine’s position to do? Care to speculate on what [or who] might have changed his mind--or what likely happened once she had brought him his food and he had eaten it? Why would he *choose* to make advances to her, even though he knew his condition all but negated his control?

So despite what certain PTB might think, it is as I said earlier: a romance/marriage between Spock and Christine would be (and *is*) "the logical thing to do". Not only now, but for all time...if only in fanfic. Certainly it would prove the old adage, "Like father, like son", not to mention the fact that I myself and umpteen thousand (or even million) S/C fans like me can’t all be wrong!

Have only collaborated twice - both times with a nephew of mine, also a Trek fan. Usually what we did was that I wrote so much, then he wrote so much. Wasn't always easy to catch up to him, but I managed. He usually knew military terminology, so that helped...since I didn't (he was in the Marine Corps Reserve and is a Gulf War veteran): but usually he said I did romantic bits better than he, so he gave me his ideas on that score and I went from there. (He liked the Kirk/Uhura pairing.) One story was four parts and roughly 75 pages long, appearing in my first anthology, currently out of print (it first came out in 1993). It concentrated on first the Romulans, then the Klingons, Spock and Christine, and finally Peter, the Captain's nephew.

The second was a lot more involved, covering 25 years and coming out to 165 pages, taking two months to write for both of us. It had three parts and is currently in print in my 5th anthology.

[...]

I usually like to do Spock/Christine stories, but Tom, my nephew, eventually talked me into doing this other story with him. In this case, Christine *doesn't* get Spock, but does marry another Vulcan, and Spock marries a woman he met while he, Kirk and McCoy were stranded in her past time (reminiscent of "City" in TOS, though the woman doesn't die). It's too long for me to go into detail about.

I don't have a lot of time to do everything I'd like, such as write a whole bunch more Trek stories. I feel sure I'd not get to them all with all the Real Life I must deal with - trying to find work, playing caregiver to an injured friend, housework, new kitty, things like that...and that's just for starters. The only way I can think of for anyone with even more to manage and still write stories is that they know how to budget their time effectively. (It also helps when you don't have a tendency to procrastinate.) I've been able to write some, but not nearly as much as I might wish, since I get my share of writers' block, although I'm presently working on an adult story with both het and slash elements, including some explicit K/S illos courtesy of a very talented lady named Marianne. Another friend will do the color cover, which is considerably more tame. Even at that, it seems like there aren't enough hours in the day and I tend to burn the candle at both ends trying to catch up. I also have e-mail friends, snail-mail friends and family, Trek mailing lists to which I've posted some of my stories and newsgroups on various subjects which interest me, which I check periodically.

At times I feel sure I'm spreading myself too thin, other times I feel I'm not doing enough. Either way I intend to continue writing as long as I have an imagination and am able to do so, writers' cramp and time constraints notwithstanding, and get ideas from the various experiences of my life.

From Usenet Post: "Why some K/Sers enjoy slash"

From Why some K/Sers enjoy slash (Oct 6, 2000):

To Certain People (who know who they are, even if they won't admit it)...

I know someone who recently gave me her theory as to why some K/Sers are so vehement in defending their beliefs. She is basically a K/Ser herself, but is open-minded enough to give other pairings a chance (specifically, het pairings with said guys). She (and I) believe that they're so jealous of any woman who might get involved with the guys that they make them gay and won't see them otherwise. It seems to me like they think that 'saves' the guy for them when it actually does the opposite. Gay men don't generally want women, so that lets *them* out right there, whether they choose to acknowledge the fact or not, not simply the women the guys may know, work [or possibly become involved] with. I can't help thinking that at least some of these individuals didn't do slash (specifically, K/S slash), they'd probably do Mary Sue-type stories. People, making a guy gay in your stories is *not* 'saving' him for you, it's putting him even more out of your reach! Please consider that. I'm not trying to act superior or anything, just stating a fact. You guys are entitled to your opinions, but please don't flame other people for feeling differently. They have the same rights of free speech ass [sic] you do, and no one says you have to respond to anything they say. Personal attacks on their character aren't going to change *their* minds either, that's for sure!! Another friend has had that happen to her and says she's not going to post to that newsgroup ever again...the Star Trek Creative Erotica Moderated (ASCEM). I subscribe to that ng at present, but am seriously considering dropping it now because of this. She sounded angry and hurt and I don't blame her. I read some of those flames and was as upset if they had been directed at me. I've had my share of flames, but these were worse than any I ever got. I don't post to any newsgroups; I find the E-groups lists do better feedback-wise, though I don't let lack of feedback stop me. I enjoy writing too much and want to share my work with fellow Trekkers. If they choose to ignore it, fine...but it's their loss.

I personally feel more secure than that and like nothing more than to put my two favorite Trek characters together romantically, whether it's canon or not. I simply prefer to do so in a het relationship, with an occasional slash relationship thrown in. Some may put their favorite characters together simply for *those* reasons. I couldn't say for sure one way or the other for those people, but am not talking about *them* here. [As I've said, I've done some slash stories, usually K/S slanted, but basically I'm het-oriented and can only take that sort of thing in small doses, usually mixed in with het stuff.] The basic philosophy of IDIC is Infinite Diversity...in other words, being willing to see more than just your own opinion, more than just black or white. Intolerance and prejudice such as some of you have demonstrated is the precise reason why one of our heroes, Spock, was driven from his home planet to go into Starfleet. Sad to think that those feelings would persist all the way through to the 23rd century...that there could be such closed minds even then. No one who acts intolerant or prejudiced can possibly be following either the spirit or letter of IDIC, and nothing (and no one) can convince me otherwise. I don't dislike people like that; I feel sorry for them. They're missing out on a lot--but if they choose to be intolerant, narrow-minded and prejudiced, so be it. They'll do it no matter what anyone else says.

I personally choose to follow the *true* IDIC philosophy of *inclusion*, not flame anybody who disagrees with me; I simply accept their opinion and respect their right to their beliefs, no matter what they happen to be.

  1. ^ linked here
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