Steven released this Spotlight in January, 2001
January's "Spotlight" is on Thomas Mikkelsen, better known here on the board simply as Thomas. The Danish writer is a prolific canon-type of 'Daria' fanfic author who has a quiet, low key (To me, a "Bob Newhart") type of humor that is, simply put, very funny and twisted, but not where it "jumps out" at you, with a softer side that's actually understood there to be between Daria and Quinn. He has also inserted something of a controversial take on Daria and Co., which will be later addressed in this post. In addition, his later fics have become what I call speculative fanfiction, that is, he's giving his "guesses" on what will happen in Daria's 5th season, and get this: He *hasn't* seen "IIFY?", though he has read the transcripts.
Let's take a gander at his works, without giving *too* much of the plots away (for those who haven't read them yet):
In "It's A Wonderful Life, Not", Thomas merges Jimmy Stewart's classic Christmas movie (in a way) with OH. He adds an incompetant guardian angel, a (very) nasty Quinn, and a very funny twist in the end to present what will become the basis of his unusual humor.
"Brain Games" tackles the controversial (somewhat): That Jane did (does) it with T(h)om, possibly having Jane thinking she's preggers, and a funny and classic case of misunderstanding by Helen and Jake towards Daria and Quinn ensues.
"A Stacy Orange" provides Thomas' merging of the novel "1984" with mind-control, Stacy, a huge outbreak of the flu, Quinn's "suffering", and a bet between Daria and Jodie, with Jane, Andrea, Brittany, and the Fashion Club caught in the middle.
"Past and Future Daria" involves a homework assignment with some "cast" members in the past. This fic had me rolling, especially the banter between Daria and Quinn on Quinn's assignment, and a closet. Huh? Just read.
"Hell's Angels" tackles the serious subject of anorexia, but Thomas is able to make it read funny without the fic making fun of or not taking this subject seriously. It also shows Thomas' clever way of showing how Daria and Quinn care very much for each other without actually showing it, the same to a lesser extent between Quinn and Sandi. Er, did that make any sense? You decide. ;D
"Sibling Rivalry" involves Daria babysitting the Gupty children again (can you say "Uh-oh?") and yet another case of classic misunderstanding (spousal this time), a closet (again), and out and out war between Daria and Quinn, hence the title. Downright funny.
"Family Ties" involves Quinn's dental fears, and pure lunacy ensues as she "speaks". Read and drop to the floor holding your stomach from laughing so hard, particularly the scene with Kevin and his mom.
"Sowing and Reaping", a Halloween-based fic, is actually to me the beginning of the "speculative" phase of Thomas' take from the upcoming Season Five, having taken place after "Is It Fall Yet?", with T(h)om now with Daria, and Jane evaluating her life to what she *thinks* is Daria, but is actually Quinn. What? Yes, it's true, but there also is a link (no, not *him*) in this story to his first fic, "It's A Wonderful Life, Not". Can you guess what it is? Hint: It's Halloween-related. I think it was something of a "Running Gag", now when I think about it.
"Week of Hell" continues the speculative Season Five take for Thomas, this time with Jake considering getting something bad for the home (depending on your opinion), and Daria and T(h)om doing the *deed*--yeah, *that*. We see Daria and Quinn teaming up to discourage Jake, while Helen has gone off to defend in a defenseless case, with Angier and Kay Sloane making an appearance.
"Game Theory" *really* explores Daria's take on her life now, with heavy doses of Quinn, T(h)om, and even Elsie. Most of the scenes take place at the Sloane's. I'll leave it there.
"Self Less" is pure comedy, with Quinn's "reputation" at stake because of an angry Brittany (at least that what Thomas believes) from the aftermath of the ep "Groped By An Angel". Daria is Xena, and Quinn is G.I. Jane. (No, not *that* Jane) No closets are in this one.
"The Talented Miss Morgendorffer" is something to me of a version for the newly "brainy" Quinn of the ep "Write Where It Hurts", except Quinn tries to *not* have the writing assignment from Mr. O'Neill, buts gets it anyway in *addition* to her homework. This time Link is involved (speculation, remember), as well as T(h)om, and yes, a closet is in this. ;D
"Parental Injustice" is all about the "fair" Morgendorffer family court first seen in the ep "The Big House", and Helen is at her genuine best at manipulating events to fit her take on things--in this case, something Quinn did. Guess who tries to defend her? Also there's a classic line in this fic: "I want the redhead.", and it's NOT Quinn!
Finally, in "Girl Interrupted", a collaboration with fellow 'Daria' author Medea42, Daria, after she turns 18, discovers that she almost went to a "bad" place a while back thanks to her parents, and Jane wants rent! It's dramatic mostly, but both writers put more than enough comedy to balance out this fic.
Thomas assured me that the amount of times he uses closets in his fics is purely coincidental (and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that, by the way), but I can't help but wonder if he's *subconsciously* providing us with a "Running Gag" and doesn't know it! You decide! ;D
In closing, Thomas is a very shrewd and clever writer of 'Daria' canon-type (and speculative) fanfic, with an underlying plot that involves Daria and Quinn caring for each other, just not showing it.
It's also interesting how "his" Quinns appear to be a bit more on the uptake when it comes to knowing what Daria says when giving her patented sarcasm, and "his" Darias are a bit more physical in handling Quinn, but this really doesn't hurt the overall quality of his fics, far from it. Thomas seems to have a surprisingly good take on what he thinks will happen in Seaon Five, though it's more than likely that many of these things may never occur. Hey, it's just fanfic, right? What do YOU (and the author himself) think? Thanks.
Shoebleu
Well.... I haven't read any of his stuff... but you certainly make it sound appealing. I'll go read some.
(Where can I find them?)Robert Nowall
Well, I liked the stuff of his I've read...his command of the characters and situations seems sure and solid...wish I could do as well...but there are a couple of titles I missed along the way...I think I'll go look for them...
KnightHawke
I'll add my voice to yours in praising this relatively new writer.
I stumbled onto Thomas's work accidentally, as I did the work of Kara Wild and C.E. Foreman, the two authors he most warrants comparison with.
In the tradition of C.E. Foreman and Kara Wild (early work), Thomas writes stories that are what I call "half-canon," meaning that his work EXTRAPOLATES from the canon in a manner which self-consciously seeks to simultaneously STICK to the canon. I like this, because it takes some talent to neither spin totally off from the canon nor grasp onto it like an anchor. (Not that I'm putting down the totally on- or off-canon approach.)
What'll be interesting is to see what happens to your work, Thomas, when time and the show inveitably proves you "wrong." (THis shan't be a reflection on you and I'll still enjoy reading your stories, but when one goes out on a limb, as you've done, and makes predictions, one is almost inevitably proven "wrong" by the canon itself, which has a talented and creative crew at its disposal, which seems more than capable of coming up with its own ideas, or at least disguising the ones they steal from us cleverly enough so that they look like their own.) (Joke, please don't sue me MTV. Since you're reading this, are you still doing political coverage, and if so, I have a new resume to send you.)
C.E. Foreman eventually quit writing. Kara Wild eventually created her own "universe" (though her work, remarkably, remains at least partially on-canon, which shows a degree of talent that I long ago stopped trying to comprehend).
We'll see what unique path you carve out for yourself after February 23!! *mischevious chuckles* Whatever it is, I'll read it with interest.
I had not noticed the closet motif; thanks to Steven for pointing it out. An interesting symbol; perhaps it'll become your raven or your whale.
Milo
Bravo! Another excellent spotlight selection! Congrats, Thomas!
Author's Response
Thank you Steve. I never got that much attention on the board before.
>January's "Spotlight" is on Thomas Mikkelson, better known here on the board simply as Thomas. The Danish writer is a prolific canon-type of 'Daria' fanfic author who has a quiet, low key (To me, a "Bob Newhart")
I'll take that as a compliment. Now if only I knew who Bobby Newheart is/was.
>Thomas assured me that the amount of times he uses closets in his fics is purely coincidental (and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that, by the way), but I can't help but wonder if he's *subconsciously* providing us with a "Running Gag" and doesn't know it! You decide! ;D
Actually it is coincidental. I hadn't even thought about that before you mentioned it. Luckily I'm not taken in by Freud's nonsense.
>In closing, Thomas is a very shrewd and clever writer of 'Daria' canon-type (and speculative) fanfic, with an underlying plot that involves Daria and Quinn caring for each other, just not showing it.
I don't think its of canon, or part of their development. Its first seen as early as "To Cute". It they hated each other, Quinn wouldn't have asked Daria to go with her, and Daria wouldn't have tried to stop Quinn from getting unnecessary surgery.
>It's also interesting how "his" Quinns appear to be a bit more on the uptake when it comes to knowing what Daria says when giving her patented sarcasm, and "his" Darias are a bit more physical in handling Quinn,
Physical? All I've had her do is twist Quinn's arms on a few occations. She was worse in "The New Kid"
>but this really doesn't hurt the overall quality of his fics, far from it. Thomas seems to have a surprisingly good take on what he thinks will happen in Seaon Five, though it's more than likely that many of these things may never occur. Hey, it's just fanfic, right? What do YOU (and the author himself) think? Thanks.
Isn't this the wrong forum to ask that ;) But here is what I think season 5 wil bring.
1 Tom and Daria won't do the deed. Thats for fanfic. But I've been wrong before.
2 Daria and Quinn will get a mutual friend in Elsie.
3 Link will make a reappearance.
4 Daria and Tom will have a crisis in their relationship. But I don't see them breaking up.
5 Quinn will begin to question what she's doing in the fashion club, and a late episode. 511 or so may actually have her deciding to leave it.
6 Daria and Jane will begin to drift apart.
I know number 6 is controversial. But lets face it. They don't need each other anymore as much as they did in season 1.