Autobiographical Scalzi

[stephbg]

Fan of John Scalzi's Old Man's War universe books and the blog Whatever, seek same for confirmation of a creeping suspicion. (And yes, asking this question over at Whatever would be more sensible, and I may try it some day).

I'm about half way through The Last Colony having finally got my hot little hands on a local paperback. Has it struck other readers that John Perry is John Scalzi, Jane is Scalzi's wife Krissy, and that Zoe is quite clearly Athena? I'm reading this wonderful SF work of space aliens, guns and politics, and it feels like I'm reading the family blog. Just, on a particularly interesting day.

Anyone else getting that? I'm too fuzzy to proof this properly now so I may not be making much sense.

Comments

[stephbg.livejournal.com]

*blink*

Hi John, nice of you to visit. I like your work.

The important word here, as you say, is *family*. In isolation your three characters do not immediately recollect (what I know of) you, Krissy or Athena. Except maybe Krissy, come to think of it, but my knowledge of her character is no more than the sketches you publish on Whatever.

In The Last Colony it's the moments of interaction between Perry and Zoe that felt particularly realistic and familiar. And when it comes down to it, the affectionate relationship between a father and daughter doesn't necessarily change that much between 9 and 16. I'm a 38-year-old Daddy's Girl myself :-)

And now, if you'll excuse me for a moment:

OMG! OMG! *running, armwaving, and fangrrlish squeeing*

[stephbg.livejournal.com]

And from Whatever:

Post: A Public Service Announcement: I Go Other Places Online. Don’t Be Alarmed

My Comment:
#16 stephbg on 23 Nov 2008 at 8:43 am
So have I detroyed your deep respect of me as an internet commentator by concluding an otherwise intelligent exchange with the following:

OMG! OMG! *running, armwaving, and fangrrlish squeeing*

That’s just me being pleased and surprised to see you. A couple of years ago I offered to become Tim Powers’ official stalker for the con we were at. More recently I got to play with Elizabeth Moon and was always pleased to see her and we had long chats in stairwells. It’s just me being happy to interact with people whose work I admire.

John's response:
@19
stephbg:

You’ve definitely not destroyed my deep respect. I am not so humble that I cannot admit enjoyment out of a good squee that my presence has caused. One of my points, though, is that one should not comment elsewhere just to get a “squee” fix.