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Sun Spots, v. 3, issue 4, whole no. 12, November 1940
Page 10
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November, 1940. SUN SPOTS Page 10. "THE WAY I SEE IT" By D.B. Thompson, of 2302 U.St., Lincoln, Nebr. " 'ASTOUNDING leads the field.' Certainly! But AMAZING is not in ASTOUNDING'S field." So says RAP in a recent article in STARDUST; and, of course, he's right! It follows, as RAP implies, that AMAZING also leads its field; and that, again is right. To be sure, both magazines present science fiction. Also, it is true that most "fans" read both;-- and, naturally enough, they compare these two opposite extremes in the domain of science fiction. "Comparisons" 'tis true "are odious", but..... ASTOUNDING is the "literary" magazine of science fiction. "The ASTOUNDING flavor.....comes from careful handling of...details, "says Campbell, in the letter section of the October ASTOUNDING. This includes, among other things, the selection of the exactly correct word for a given purpose; careful distinction between known facts, established theories, and new theories presented by the author; presentation of the means by which such "new" theories are arrived at; consistent action on the part of all characters; and many other seemingly dry and undramatic elements. The result is the suvvession of fine stories which appear in this publication. If science fiction ever makes its way in any quantity into the "slick" magazines, it will be due, in large part, to Campbell and his authors. But "pretty writing" of this type, in RAP's view, is out of place in pulp magazines. Arresting situations, sharply defined"Love Intrest", and, above all, trigger-quick, fast action, as the answer to every situation, characterize the adventure yarns in his magazines. The hero throws away all his fancy, scientific gadgets, and tears in with his fists to settle the matter, regardless of the odds. Why not? That is the method of settling arguments with which the pulp reader is most familiar, whether the story be fantastic, western, detective, love, sport, war or what have you. The ordinary run-of-the-mill pulp reader is not a very severe critic of literar style; but he insists upon one thing, above all else;--the story must"move". AMAZING meets this requirement perfectly. Personally, I prefer ASTOUNDING. I am interested in the possibility of science fiction working its way into the "slick" field. Also, personally, along with many of the other fans, I have often criticised the notorious AMAZING "policy". But, "The way I see it, "AMAZING has made, and will hold for a long time to come, a definite place for itself in the pulp science fiction field. THIS AND THAT: "The way I see it," the proposed science fiction convention to be held in an eastern city next year, if it is to be simply a sectional convention, is a good idea, because of the large number of fans in and near the Metropolitan Area; but if, as has been hinted, it is going to be a "rump" convention, run at thesame time as, and in competion with the national at Denver, it will brand its organizers as a group of very poor sports. But that is just--"The Way I See It!" ***** Have you joined the Solaroids, an active organization?
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November, 1940. SUN SPOTS Page 10. "THE WAY I SEE IT" By D.B. Thompson, of 2302 U.St., Lincoln, Nebr. " 'ASTOUNDING leads the field.' Certainly! But AMAZING is not in ASTOUNDING'S field." So says RAP in a recent article in STARDUST; and, of course, he's right! It follows, as RAP implies, that AMAZING also leads its field; and that, again is right. To be sure, both magazines present science fiction. Also, it is true that most "fans" read both;-- and, naturally enough, they compare these two opposite extremes in the domain of science fiction. "Comparisons" 'tis true "are odious", but..... ASTOUNDING is the "literary" magazine of science fiction. "The ASTOUNDING flavor.....comes from careful handling of...details, "says Campbell, in the letter section of the October ASTOUNDING. This includes, among other things, the selection of the exactly correct word for a given purpose; careful distinction between known facts, established theories, and new theories presented by the author; presentation of the means by which such "new" theories are arrived at; consistent action on the part of all characters; and many other seemingly dry and undramatic elements. The result is the suvvession of fine stories which appear in this publication. If science fiction ever makes its way in any quantity into the "slick" magazines, it will be due, in large part, to Campbell and his authors. But "pretty writing" of this type, in RAP's view, is out of place in pulp magazines. Arresting situations, sharply defined"Love Intrest", and, above all, trigger-quick, fast action, as the answer to every situation, characterize the adventure yarns in his magazines. The hero throws away all his fancy, scientific gadgets, and tears in with his fists to settle the matter, regardless of the odds. Why not? That is the method of settling arguments with which the pulp reader is most familiar, whether the story be fantastic, western, detective, love, sport, war or what have you. The ordinary run-of-the-mill pulp reader is not a very severe critic of literar style; but he insists upon one thing, above all else;--the story must"move". AMAZING meets this requirement perfectly. Personally, I prefer ASTOUNDING. I am interested in the possibility of science fiction working its way into the "slick" field. Also, personally, along with many of the other fans, I have often criticised the notorious AMAZING "policy". But, "The way I see it, "AMAZING has made, and will hold for a long time to come, a definite place for itself in the pulp science fiction field. THIS AND THAT: "The way I see it," the proposed science fiction convention to be held in an eastern city next year, if it is to be simply a sectional convention, is a good idea, because of the large number of fans in and near the Metropolitan Area; but if, as has been hinted, it is going to be a "rump" convention, run at thesame time as, and in competion with the national at Denver, it will brand its organizers as a group of very poor sports. But that is just--"The Way I See It!" ***** Have you joined the Solaroids, an active organization?
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