Frienz/Issues 03-04

Frienz · Issues 01-02 · Issues 03-04 · Issues 05-06 · Issues 07-08 · Issues 09-10 · Issues 11-12 · Issues 13-14 · Issues 15-16 · Issues 17-18 · Issues 19-20 · Issues 21-22 · Issues 23-24 · Issues 25-26 · Issues 27-28 · Issues 29-30 · Issues 31-32 · Issues 33-34 · Issues 35-36 · Issues 37-38 · Issues 39-40 · Issues 41-42 · Issues 43-44 · Issues 45-46 · Issues 47-48 · Issues 49-50 · Supplements

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Frienz is a gen and non-explicit slash Starsky & Hutch letterzine.

They contain letters, want ads, con reports, clippings, flyers, and occasional fiction.

Issue 3 (April 1989)

Frienz 3 was published in April 1989 and contains 24 pages.

"Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy" by Jean C.

• TOTM: "Dt. Sgt. David Michael Starsky (aka: Starsky, Starsk, dirtball, Gordo). Who is he? Where does he come from? Why is he cop? How did he get partnered with Hutch? Give us ... the fax! Also, any post-SR ideas for him? (Please limit anatomical raptures to one page.) Also, we're looking for vignettes (no overt "/", please), First Impressions; commentaries for Forum; song lyrics; also, see T. Beckett's letter for her wonderful "Just Imagine" idea (give us period, dress, reason why you like it and a little dialogue maybe."
• "Starsky," poem by Pat Massie
• "Sons of Enoch," fiction by Cheryl Meier
• JUST IMAGINE: Imperial Russia, circa 1810: "Vingt-et-un" - T. Beckett (vignette, part one)
• IMAGINE Post-War America, circa 1946: "Doggone" - P. Massie (vignette)
• "Play Misty for Me," fiction by Molly D. Brown (part one, a choose-your-own-ending story, one that uses "//" to indicate inner thought—something that is a practice from older Star Trek fiction)
• "Hourglass," poem by Angela Talley
• Forum: by Cindy Rancourt -- "Has anyone noticed the different way the guys react when the other one is injured?"
• many fans envision a lengthy fanon backstory for Starsky
• the editor scolds fans a bit, telling them to use more punctuation and be better spellers, as she is spending way to much time deciphering their letters

Issue 3: Sample Fan Comments

A fan writes of a gathering:

By the time this letter will be printed, a group of us from the East and Mid-west (and a few from out West) will have gathered for SHare Con in the Baltimore area. A portion of us who attended Z-Con felt S&H weren't represented nearly enough and Pat and Nancy decided to rectify that grossly negligent situation by organizing an "All-S&H weekend party" to be held ASAP! A con report will be included next issue ...

A fan addresses another:

Enjoyed your letter. As you said, the greatest appeal of S&H is that not only were they loving and caring, but they were open in demonstrating their feelings and that display of affection entranced us. NO, "/" is NOT the norm of S&H fandom. There are a number of us who see the guys as straight, despite the majority of fans believing the men to be otherwise. It's good that we can all abide opposing viewpoints and still participate happily in fandom, but S&H fandom isn't exclusively "/".

A fan is struggling with a sort of writer's block regarding slash:

I would hope that maybe a few more straight (or non-/) stories will eventually surface, by the way -- I love 'em just as much as the '/', if not more so, but I'm having trouble writing them, let's see if I can explain that coherently. I have a plot. S'right, it's straight (well, as straight as anything they're in can be), and everything is going along just swimmingly until I look at the page and damn if they're not snuggled in a corner canoodling. If I ignore it and hope no one will notice, next thing I know they've hauled each other into bed and nothing but nothing is being left to imagination. Now this does not auger well for my 'straight' plot. Okay, rip it up and try again. And guess what happens on page 34, or 45, or whatever? Right. At it like minks. Do I sound a tad jaded with S/H? I have reason. If that's not bad enough, it" been creeping in to my other writing, and that way lies—if not madness, at least severe mental trauma. And please don't anyone ask when they can see those aborted attempts at a story. Please.

A fan explains the infamous The Kiss in the Alley Debate:

A quick peek inside the old can, okay? In FIX, just before the tag, there is a hug in the alley. It is a beauty of a hug, and there was a school of fandom who saw a kiss right in there with it. Me, I didn't. Unless smooching an earlobe can be thus construed. Our Noble Editor had it right when she told you you had missed nothing.

A fan writes of The Huntingdon Chronicles:

...the activity of let's-put-S&H-in-an- historical-setting has always been a favorite activity of mine. I don't know if I'd really want to write a whole story in that mode, but fantasizing them in various time periods can be quite satisfying. (If people at work knew what I was thinking of when that blank look settles on my face...) Huntington Chronicles is the result of an entire universe that Carol Davis and I came up with after hours and tours of phone conversations. (Thank heaven we're not long distance or we'd both be bankrupt.)

A fan touches on the past in SH fandom:

Returning to those thousand faces, and the variety and the versatility they represent, I dislike the suggestion (page 2), in reference to people (numerically or individually unspecified) alleged to have been 'driven out' of SH fandom. The suggestion pre-supposes driver(s). But who? Fandom has to have a place and space for all who want to participate; any decision not to participate in any aspect is a matter for free personal choice, rather than acceptance of some edict from some hypothetical 'driver'—'Depart!' Is it really like that? I want a welcome for every one of those thousand faces. I can't imagine that's an isolated attitude? (Ed. note: Not these days, anyway. Fandom being a much friendlier place. Unfortunately, I can remember 'drivers', several who gave me a hard time as a neo-letter writer and fan. Yes, fandom today is a much kinder place, pm)

A fan scolds another new one [C R] a bit, warning her to slow down and not to not highlight old fandom battles:

Wow! Seems like you blew into our fandom and were impressed with what you found. I'm happy that you like it; we certainly do. But I think you might want to take things a little more slowly here. Ten years of B7 in ten months? I hope that you realize that this is a small, close-knit fandom, and are ready to fit yourself in. That is not to say that you must enjoy, read, or even discuss anything you don't want to, but please don't go out of your way to fan the flames of old battles. If you want some perspective on the history of SH fandom, I highly recommend the old SH (Ed. note: Or, as it was known in the old days, S & H. pm) letterzines as well as the more recent Between Friends and Who Do We Trust Times. You can often find someone selling an old set if you keep your eyes open. I encourage you to write quality straight fiction, it's pretty clear that almost everyone enjoys a good straight story when they can get their hands on one.

The fan, [C R], writes:

...if everyone likes straight stories so well, why aren't people writing them? I refuse to be the only one in an entire fandom writing straight stories. It's just not done...I'd kill for some good straight S&H stories. How's "TLC" coming, [April Valentine]? Is it turning out to be straight hurt/comfort or slash hurt/comfort? Which are people writing as opposed to what is being advertised for? And you readers, what are you looking for? Straight or slash? Action/adventure or hurt/comfort? I'm curious to see if there's a difference between what people are writing and what people want to read or whether it's all the same. How 'bout it, ladies?

Issue 4 (June 1989)

Frienz 4 was published in June 1989 and contains 28 pages.

Nancy Broll

• TOTM: "Coffin"/"Shootout"—If you have to choose, which do you prefer? Compare/contrast realism, plotline, bad guys, time frame, h/c quotient. TEENY-TINY-TENDERS: These are the moments, minutes, and nuances that really touch, delight, and make you go "ahhh". FIRST SEASON, please. Here's an open invite to "get it off your chest or bust"! Tell us about ATTENTION MEDICO'S procedure errors. Also, any comments about Starsky's post S'Rev injuries, scars, ability to return to normal routines very welcome."
• the editor writes that she will be continuing the letterzine after issue #6 (the original run she'd promised) as response has been so good, but the catch-22 is if the response is good, the letterzine is bigger and more expensive -- she is not raising the cost of it, but is begging for cover art
• a fan writes of the fan casting she did for her zine No Easy Answers
• "How to Change a Typewriter Ribbon in One Easy Lesson" by MRK (fiction)
• "PARENTHETICALLY SPEAKING (An exercise in the art of a minor wallow) by Cindy Rancourt (fiction)
• Report from Left Field by Ima Fool
• "Doggone" by Pat Massie (fiction, part 2)
• "Play Misty for Me," part two, fiction by Pat Charles
• THE MENTAL VIDEO SHOW: Fanny Goes to the Laundromat, humorous vignette by Pat Massie
• JUST IMAGINE: Vingt-et-Un, part two, fiction by T. Beckett
• an essay by Janna Silverstein on the episode "Sweet Revenge"
• TEENY/TINY/TENDERS—The Very ESSENCE of S&H -- FIRST SEASON: "There are so many" by Maria Farina
• many, many fans compare and contrast the episodes "Shootout" and "A Coffin for Starsky"

Issue 4: Sample Fan Comments

A fan responds to other's comments about S&H in historical settings:

[T] and everyone: setting the characters down in past scenarios is always interesting. Everybody seems to be enjoying this ides, but it makes me wonder one thing—why did so many seem not to like it when the first couple of installments of "Lost" by Lynna Bright began to appear in THE FIX? Lots of you said it was really hard to get into the characters of Christian and Manfred — taking S&H out of L.A. made them not the guys we've learned to love, it was said. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to see the apparent change in opinion and I know now that many of you have grown to love "Lost", but it did strike me as kinda odd. I guess once we get used to an idea, it's easier to expand on it.

A fan comments on S&H in historical settings:

...dropping our boys into a historical period does require a knowledge of history—it's got to be done well to work.' It does depend on what you're aiming to do, though. The light-hearted stories are fine, provided one never thinks of them as historical. Fantasy...olde-tyme romance...fine. On that level, credibility isn't a consideration and one can just enjoy. But to set S&H in the recorded documented past is something else again. The values and truths inherent in their kind of friendship/relationship are, of course, always valid and may be found at any time or place in human affairs. But the modes of expression, the background style of the individual characters, their day-to-day assumptions, the 'furniture' of their minds, all the contemporary imagery—all these have to be so different from late-20th century L.A., that wisdom would suggest, as a minimum, the choice of different names. S&H somehow risk being lost in the whole process, though a kind of other time counterpart could be possible, perhaps, preferably, with different physical appearance. The characters themselves, apart from exemplifying a depths of relationship which some human beings, in all times, have been able to know, cannot, by definition, be S&H. I'm not sure that those two transplant so easily. We're still enriched by the characters we know in the inexhaustible scope of their own time. And we can still have a lot of fun with all those other stories.

A a fan asks another fan about her comments in the previous issue:

And [T], again: what do you mean by saying you're jaded about S/H? You sound really down on it as a theme, and that perplexes me. I don't know if that's really what you meant to imply or not. Surely you don't disagree with the premise—if you did the characters would not be trying to jump into bed every time you tried to write about them. It is pretty difficult to write characters other than the way we see them—if you don't see them as lovers, it's nigh onto impossible to get them to act that way, and visa versa. Speaking of NEA—[J] got her copy (Saturday), so I'm hoping I'll have mine in hand by Monday as this letter is going out. I'm very anxious (to put it mildly) to have a good read! I hope you get lots of LoC's once we all have a chance to get our hot little hands on your story.

A fan remembers the not-so-good-olden days:

Like you I can remember the 'drivers' who made things so difficult for neo-fans- Frankly, fandom is a nicer place without such people. It's credit to us that we hung in there and didn't let ourselves be 'driven'!

About some drawerfic and straight stories:

...about those straight stories that no one is writing any more. It has been brought to my mind that Chris and I wrote about a dozen straight SH stories before we got into fandom. A couple of them have been published—KILLING GROUND, QUIET COUNTRY WEEKEND—once we'd rewritten extensively. Where are the rest, you cry? I'm ahead of you. They're not good enough. Really. That isn't false modesty. In our defence, let me say we wrote them without the benefits of VTR, of fannish feedback—we thought we were on our own. So they're more or less a form of shorthand mnemonic for our own mental video shows. Some of the ideas weren't too bad—they get recycled. But I have no intention of publishing them. If you don't believe me about the lack of quality, ask Tabby. She was too kind to criticise, but she'll know what I'm talking about. So... maybe the other straight story writers are still hiding their lights under bushels? Your other point of communication—I've found that men are much less able to communicate on an intimate level—which would fit with the difficulties we see in fourth season...

A fan says she prefers straight stories:

I believe Starsky and Hutch love each other, but not physically. If they did, their relationship would be so different than any other sexual relationship. But it is different - noble even. (That's a word I haven't heard in a long time. I guess it went wherever "chivalry" went.) Anyway, I see "pure love" here.

About a con:

SHareCon was FUN! The "Starsky & Hutch Party" took place March 17–19 in Md and was a warm, casual, mutual give-and-take. All attendees freely mingled, shared precious collections, personal histories, read stories, made food runs. We viewed and discussed episodes, played trivia, "pin the wound on Starsky" (a sick bunch, no?) and "psychodrama" - re-enactments of key scenes from certain episodes(such fun playing a "dead" Gillian!). We were able to dub long-sought tapes and copy articles; we even welcomed 2 new fans, which is always encouraging, but the highlight for me, however, was the discovery, after 13 years, that H calls S "Babe" in Shootout!! How could I have missed such an exquisite moment all these years??!! I'm ecstatic to know about it now, though!! Everyone present seemed to enjoy themselves and I sincerely hope we'll have another one to look forward to next year ...

A fan writes about putting ambiguity in her fanfiction so that zines will publish it:

Jumping into the discussion of slash vs. non-slash stories, I still write straight stories. In fact, contrary to what some think, everything I write is straight. But I find myself often adding elements of ambiguity simply to make sure the stories get published. I've had stories rejected because they weren't slash and the editors felt their readers wouldn't be interested. And when most zines requesting submissions are identified as slash, it can get pretty tough for those of us who prefer to write straight.

A fan ruminates on fandom:

...many zines, cons and friends later, I've discovered that there's a chemistry not just between our dear partners, but between ourselves. We've created, in the friendships we've made in fandom, the kind of friendship we watch and enjoy so much in Starsky and Hutch, the kind of "go-for-it-at-all-costs" friendship that is so well portrayed in "Sweet Revenge": the love, the sharing, the trust, the nurturing and growth that good friendship inspires. Those kinds of friendships are very rare—and very sweet indeed.

A fan is curious about some cultural differences:

As for you, [T], from your letter I judge you to be a very silly person and I think I like you! What is it about Brits anyway? I just found another beautiful beautiful wallow called "Decorated for Death" which kept me in ecstasy at a Blake's 7 con, for crying out loud! How can you Brits write such wonderful h/c and yet so far as I know there's practically none on your television shows? The Professionals had such great promise but no h/c at all! Lot's of hurt, but... Hope you keep it up, anyway!