PORT OF CALL: Richard Garriott and the Return to the World

Legendary computer game designer Richard Garriott — known to many of us as ‘Lord British’ — joins us aboard the DragonHearth for a final time from Star City, Russia to conclude his first-hand account of his recently completed spaceflight aboard Soyuz TMA-13 to the International Space Station. In this final of three parts interview, we’ll discover how life after such an adventure has its own challenges … that the lessons that have been learned are sublime and unexpected … and how he has not yet had time to fully appreciate what the journey had brought to him.

You can read more about both Richard and his mission into space at his Richard in Space website.

Episode 39 / November 8th, 2008

PORT OF CALL: Richard Garriott and the First Sci-Fi Movie Made in Space

Legendary computer game designer Richard Garriott — known to many of us as ‘Lord British’ — joins us aboard the DragonHearth from Star City, Russia to continue his first-hand account of his recently completed spaceflight aboard Soyuz TMA-13 to the International Space Station. In this second of three parts interview, we’ll hear about his feelings approaching the International Space Station … how the realities of life in space can be unexpected … and how he took a ’secret project’ created by Laura and I with him into orbitand used it to make the first science-fiction film ever actually filmed in space.

You can read more about both Richard and his mission into space at his Richard in Space website.

Episode 38 / November 7th, 2008

PORT OF CALL: Richard Garriott, Private Space Explorer
Legendary computer game designer Richard Garriott — known to many of us as ‘Lord British’ — joins us once again aboard the DragonHearth from Star City, Russia this time to tell us his first-hand account of his recently completed spaceflight aboard Soyuz TMA-13 to the International Space Station. In this first of three parts interview, we’ll learn of his experiences leading up to his launch … what it it like to take a Soyuz into space … and the costs beyond the monetary that such an adventure exacts on one’s life.

You can read more about both Richard and his mission into space at his Richard in Space website.

Episode 37 / November 6th, 2008

PORT OF CALL: Richard Garriott, Spaceflight Participant
Legendary computer game designer Richard Garriott — known to many of us as ‘Lord British’ — joins us once again aboard the DragonHearth from Star City, Russia to update us on his final training and events leading up to his upcoming October 12th spaceflight aboard Soyuz TMA-13 to the International Space Station. Richard, a tireless crusader for the exploration of space, is a founding board member of the X-prize Foundation, is on the board of directors of Space Adventures, and takes all of us to other worlds in his new Tabula Rasa computer game.

In this interview we’ll learn about some of the final ceremonial duties that are part of his graduation from the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, the experiments he will be conducting and about the infamous ’spinning chair’.

For those of you who are hearty, you may stay up with me and watch the launch over the internet. You may wish to try NASA Select TV online to watch the launch. According to the NASA Select TV website, Sunday, October 12th, the video feed of Expedition 18/Spaceflight Participant Launching Morning Activities begins at 1:15 a.m. EDT with coverage beginning at 2:am EDT. The launch itself is currently scheduled for 3:01 a.m. EDT. There is a scheduled replay of the morning’s launch at 10:00 a.m. later that morning. Docking of the Soyuz to the ISS has coverage beginning at 4:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, October 14th. The docking itself is scheduled for 4:38 a.m. EDT. At 5:30 a.m. begins coverage of the Spaceflight Participant hatch opening and Welcoming Ceremony. Both of these events will be rebroadcast at 9:00 a.m. EDT. As the return schedule may have changed, look for updates on the hatch closing and farewells as well as the reentry coverage.

You can read more about both Richard and his mission into space at his Richard in Space website.

Episode 36 / September 26th, 2008

PORT OF CALL: The Timpanogos Storytelling Festival

Laura takes us to the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival held in Provo Canyon and at the Sierra Amphitheater in Orem, Utah. She introduces us to the incredible storytellers: Victoria Bernett, Antonio Rocha, Kevin Kling, Motoko,  and Rex Ellis.

Carmen Agra Deedy is our dear, exceptional friend. If you would like a sample of her extraordinary talents, watch the online video of her address at the Library of Congress.

DISTANT SHORES: On Being Extras in the Movies

We’re in a MOVIE! You can check out the website and previews for the movie and, who knows, you might actually get to SEE it one day.CREATIVE ENGINE: Secret Projects

Thoughts on why sometimes silence is the best course of action.

STATUS REPORT

Laura and Tracy’s DNA going up to the International Space Station as part of Operation Immortality. Upcoming appearances at the Lucca Comics and Game Convention in Lucca, Italy and the “Life, the Universe and Everything” Symposium at Brigham Young University in February.

UNCHARTED TERRITORIES: The Dairy District Derby

You can keep your Belmont Stakes and Kentucky Derby … here’s what horse racing is all about!

CAPTAIN’S CABIN: The Course Ahead

Settling in on course for the fall … and a look at our future transmissions.

Episode 35 / September 16th, 2008

Recorded live at the 2008 Gencon Gaming Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana…

DISTANT SHORES: Reading from the upcoming ‘Drakis’ book ‘Song of the Dragon’

Laura and Tracy invite members of the audience up to assist them in a reading from their upcoming novel, ‘Song of the Dragon’.

CAPTAIN’S CABIN: Final Thoughts

Thoughts on what is coming next … especially Laura and Tracy’s DNA going up to the International Space Station as part of Operation Immortality.

Episode 34 / August 18th, 2008

Recorded live at the 2008 Gencon Gaming Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana…

STATUS REPORT: Guess Who’s Coming to Gencon

Margaret Weis, Jamie Chambers of Margaret Weis Productions, the Producer of the Dragonlance Movie John Frank and Phil Athans, Managing Editor of Wizards of the Coast Book Publishing … all join Laura and Tracy aboard the Dragonhearth and begin by each giving us their own status report on what they are currently working on.

PORT OF CALL: Questions and Answers

Questions from our audience are answered including the possibilities for a second Dragonlance Movie and the future of Dragonlance at Wizards of the Coast.

Episode 33 / August 18th, 2008

NEWS AND MAIL:
We at last deal with a number of questions, including ‘Hourglass Mage’, the question of swearing in my novels as it relates to my faith, and a plethora of questions regarding the social customs of … gulp … gully dwarves.

STATUS REPORT
Manuscripts for first books in both the Weis & Hickman ‘Dragonships’ series and the Hickman & Hickman ‘Drakis’ series are at the publisher … plus there’s the question of this secret project.

CAPTAIN’S CABIN: Appearances
Tracy & Laura are scheduled to appear at the Gencon Indy Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana this August and at the Lucca Comics and Games Convention in Lucca, Italy in November.

Episode 32 / July 21st, 2008

DISTANT SHORTS: Gencon OZ in Brisbane, Australia
Part Two of Two as Tracy and Laura conclude their journey to Brisbane, Australia and the first Gencon Australia Game Convention.

We begin with a reading from the upcoming Tracy & Laura Hickman series ‘Drakis’ … enlisting members of the audience (shown here) into our cast. With only a few minor bumps along the way, their performance is flawless.

We then conclude with additional questions from our new friends ‘Down Under.’

Episode 31 / July 3rd, 2008

DISTANT SHORTS: Gencon OZ in Brisbane, Australia
Part One of Two as Tracy and Laura journey to Brisbane, Australia and the first Gencon Australia Game Convention.

We speculate about Rugby League vs. Union rules and on why American Football manages to make a ninety minute game last for four hours. We tell about our adventures aboard the Mirimar going up the Brisbane River and our encounters with Koalas and Kangaroos in the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

We explain the nature of Killer Breakfast and why Australians should come and enjoy it just like those in the Northern Hemisphere.

We then take questions from the Dragonlance Crew (shown below) and prepare for a reading from our upcoming book ‘Drakis.’

Episode 30 / July 3rd, 2008

Episode 29 / June 21st, 2008

DISTANT SHORES: Ben Stein’s “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed”

A review of Ben Stein’s documentary film about Intelligent Design. You can visit the ‘Expelled: No Intelligent Design’ website for more information on the film and their take on ID.

News and Mail

THE CREATIVE ENGINE: An Inconvenient Book

The strange case of ‘Dragonlance: Lost Chronicles’ and the twisted fate of ‘Dragons of the Hourglass Mage’ are considered — the mystery of how a third book in an advertised trilogy (whose previous novel was a New York Times Best Seller) would be abandoned by its publisher.

STATUS REPORT

UNCHARTED TERRITORIES: Blu-ray and Browncoats

Why HD DVD is … er, WAS … better than Blu-ray … and why it didn’t matter.

CAPTAIN’S CABIN: “The Immortals”

Celebrating the new printing of the book with an excerpt from the podiobook.

Episode 28 / April 22nd, 2008

PORT OF CALL: Richard Garriott, Spaceflight Participant
Legendary computer game designer Richard Garriott — known to many of us as ‘Lord British’ — joins us aboard the DragonHearth from Star City, Russia to conclude our two-part conversation about his amazing life, his recent projects and his preparations for his upcoming spaceflight aboard Soyuz TMA-13 to the International Space Station scheduled for launch this coming October. Richard, a tireless crusader for the exploration of space, is a founding board member of the X-prize Foundation, is on the board of directors of Space Adventures, and takes all of us to other worlds in his new Tabula Rasa computer game.

In this second part of our interview, we discuss his training for the mission, his objectives for the flight and what he is looking forward to after his flight.

You can read more about both Richard and his mission into space at his Richard in Space website.

Episode 26 / February 11th, 2008

PORT OF CALL: Richard Garriott, Spaceflight Participant
Legendary computer game designer Richard Garriott — known to many of us as ‘Lord British’ — joins us aboard the DragonHearth from Star City, Russia to talk about his amazing life, his recent projects and his preparations for his upcoming spaceflight aboard Soyuz TMA-13 to the International Space Station scheduled for launch this coming October. Richard, a tireless crusader for the exploration of space, is a founding board member of the X-prize Foundation, is on the board of directors of Space Adventures, and takes all of us to other worlds in his new Tabula Rasa computer game.

In this first part of our interview, we discuss life in Star City, his history and his views on the current state of computer games.

You can read more about both Richard and his mission into space at his Richard in Space website.

Episode 26 / February 11th, 2008

UNCHARTED TERRITORIES: The Dragonlance Movie Review
The Dragonlance Movie has premiered here at the Hickman House … and here is our first review. You can join the discussion on this topic either at the Dragonhearth Message board or get additional information from the Official Dragonlance Movie website.

PORT OF CALL: The Blu-ray / HD-DVD War Report
Our son Curtis Hickman … a professional After Effects artist as well as professional magician … calls the victor in the Blu-ray vs. HD-DVD war.

CREATIVE ENGINE: Softening Stories for Young Children … and why you shouldn’t
An essay by Stephen Leacock from the early 1900’s shows us why ‘politically correct’ children’s stories may NOT be the best choice!

CAPTAIN’S CABIN: Santa’s Beard
My father recites our favorite of his Christmas Poems:

DON’T TALK TO ME ABOUT SANTA’S BEARD
By Dr. Harold Hickman

Don’t talk to me about Santa’s Beard…
That it’s just fur or cotton.
I busted Joe just up the block
for saying things that rotten.

He said down at the shopping mall
The Santa Line was merry.
‘Cause they gave kids a lolly-pop
And his was lime … or cherry.

It stuck to Santa’s beard real good
It glued right in the middle.
And he yanked that guys beard right off
And he just tugged a little.

Well that might be for store-bought ‘Nicks
In shopping malls some place
But it’s not true of Santa Claus
He’d always save his face.

You see there’s just ONE Santa Claus
A mighty jolly guy
The others are just helpers
Like Santa’s foreign spies.

Cause Santa’s got a rush up there
To get his stuff all ready
He’s got a million things to do
And work must go quite steady

If he would leave this time of year
The whole place would be frantic
With all them elves a running round
And Mrs. Claus in panic.

So he assigns some guys around
Who look the same as he does
But they ain’t got no beard like his
As soft as down or peach fuzz.

They represent the grand old man
And listen to the kiddies
And ask what kind of dolls they want
To sing them little ditties.

So these guys look like Santa Clause
To make us all remember
That this old man who brings the stuff
Will be here this December.

So next time you sit on his lap
NO LOLLYPOP … and trust him!
The next kid that pulls off his beard…
I’ll find him out AND BUST HIM!

Episode 25/ December 1st, 2007

PORT OF CALL: Killer Breakfast
At last we can bring you Killer Breakfast: The Series! Our famous Gencon event is now a new video podcast which you can view either online at our website or subscribe to for download… and don’t miss the obligatory gift shop on our way out!

CREATIVE ENGINE: NaNoWriMo
Nation Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is an effort to bust through your writer’s block with a blitz attack of words on the page. It includes mutual support online.

STATUS REPORT

UNCHARTED TERRITORIES: NaDruWriNi
An joke that has a darker side when we explore the myth of the drunken writer.

CAPTAIN’S CABIN: Dragonlance Art Auction
A discovery of forgotten art brings a piece of Dragonlance history to light. The original Larry Elmore painting that was used to sell Dragonlance to TSR is for a limited time up for auction on Ebay … along with four additional pieces by Larry Elmore. You can view the art and find the auction by searching Ebay for ‘TRH’ or through this link in the DragonHearth Ship’s Log.

Episode 24 / November 19th, 2007

UNCHARTED TERRITORIES: Choking on Bones
Our visit to the set the the hit television series ‘Bones‘ — as guests of the talented Director of Photography, Gordon Lonsdale — turns into a nightmare as I fight to suppress the dreaded COUGH!

NEWS AND MAIL

CREATIVE ENGINE: Scary Writing Reviews
We ponder the the underlying questions behind the most dreaded and terror-inspiring question “What do you think of my writing?”

STATUS REPORT

CAPTAIN’S CABIN A halloween story by Dr. Hal Hickman.
My father has told this tale to generations of Hickmans … and now you are being subjected to it as well! For other tales, you may wish to listen to his own podcast, “Tale of the Old West.”

Episode 23 / October 30th, 2007

PORT OF CALL: Game Designer Interview
Jamie Chambers and Cam Banks, game designers for Margaret Weis Productions and authors of Dragonlance, Serenity and Battlestar Galactica RPGs are interviewed.

Episode 22: October 25, 2007
Visit www.dragonhearthproductions.com for our ship’s log and our contact message board.

DISTANT SHORES: Dragonlance Soundtrack Composer Karl Preusser
This time we interview Karl Preusser, the composer of the music for the Dragonlance movie. You can find him on MySpace or browse his website.

Also, if you are interested in the innovative way the music was recorded, you can visit the orchestra.net website.

Finally, two important groups contributed to the magnificent sound of Karl’s score: the Mila Vocal Ensemble and the Musica Antiqua. We hope you’ll take a moment and visit the sites of these two astonishing groups.

The Music Cues List in the Dragonhearth Podcast:
The following music cues and their position in the podcast is as follows:

(01:06 - 02:56) Forestmaster
(06:31 - 07:44) Main Title
(10:53 - 12:00) Tanis Theme & Goldmoon Resurrection (short)
(15:30 - 16:17) Traveling Back to Solace
(17:23 - 19:06) Dragonarmies
(29:03 - 31:29) Tanis Theme & Goldmoon Resurrection (long)
(32:52 - 34:05) Qualinesti Hymn

These times are taken from the original source files for the podcast and are timed from the beginning of the podcast itself before the addition of any bumpers for Farpoint Media. All music used in the podcast is from the upcoming movie soundtrack except for the opening and closing theme and the music for ‘The Immortals’ promo.

CAPTAIN’S CABIN: the Qualinesti Hymn
In addition to hearing it on our podcast, you can see an online video which Laura and I created for the Gencon Game Convention which also shows some of the background art from the film set to the incredible sound of the Qualinesti Hymn. You can view low resolution versions of of this at The Dragonlance Movie Website and on YouTube or you can view a higher resolution version on the DragonHearth Productions Website.

Episode 21: September 22, 2007
Visit www.dragonhearthproductions.com for our ship’s log and our contact message board.

DISTANT SHORES Dragonhearth Live at Gencon 2007.
An exhausted Tracy and Laura Hickman welcome guest to the DragonHearth at the Gencon Game Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Episode 20 / August 31st. 2007
Visit www.dragonhearthproductions.com for our ship’s log and our contact message board.

UNCHARTED TERRITORIES Dragonlance Soundtrack and the Prague Symphony
We hope everyone will get acquainted with Karl Preusser, the composer of the music for the Dragonlance movie. You can find him on MySpace or browse his website at www.karlpreusser.com.

Also, if you are interested in the innovative way the music was recorded, you can visit the orchestra.net website.

CREATIVE ENGINE Playing Guitar Hero
If somehow you’ve missed the whole Guitar Hero wave, the wikipedia is a good place to start.

CAPTAIN’S CABIN: Gencon Preview
For information, please visit the Gencon website.

Episode 19 / July 30th, 2007
Visit www.dragonhearthproductions.com for our ship’s log and our contact message board.

Episode #18 / June 20th, 2007

Distant Shores: Pirate Movies Actually Worth Watching
If you have already spent your money on a bad pirate movie, perhaps you would now like to see a few GOOD ones! We recommend the following as a lot of fun…

The Sea Hawks
(Errol Flynn)

The Pirate
(Gene Kelly and Judy Garland)

Cutthroat Island
(Gena Davis and Matthew Modine)

Pirates of the Golden Age:
Against All Flags
Yankee Buckaneer
Double Crossbones
Buccaneer Girl

Veggie Tales: The Ultimate Silly Song Countdown
(Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything)

Muppet Treasure Island

Captain Blood
(Errol Flynn)

The Crimson Pirate
(Burt Lancaster)

News and Mail: Convention Report
The only convention Laura and I will be attending this year will be the Gencon Gaming Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. We’re especially pleased that we’ll be performing a special edition of our ‘Killer Breakfast’. Gencon has even given us our own page on their website and you can now watch the Safety Presentation Video online. You can also get information about all our other Gencon events.

Uncharted Territories: My Favorite Piratical Things
That they might feel better about pirates in general after the latest movie release, we thought you might want to sing along with Laura’s song in the podcast. Here are the lyrics

My Favorite Piratical Things

Boots that are shiny and swashes that buckle
Gaudy big rubies, a pair of brass knuckles
Cutlasses flash as they strike with a ring
These are my favorite piratical things.

Blackbeard and Bonnie and tales of Port Royal
Taking a prize at the end of a foil;
Hearty rough men in a chorus all sing
These are my favorite piratical things.

High Jolly Roger and deep buried treasure;
throw in a couple of skulls for good measure;
Erol Flynn given a rope always swings
These are my favorite piratical things.

Swab the decks and … stop the fighting,
Eat your tack and limes
Then simply remember Piratical things
And sail away to good times.

Tall ships with mast heads and filled with good plunder
Grapple with hooks and then split them asunder.
Thunderous yells, cannonballs on the wing
These are my favorite piratical things.

Women with corsets and sultry eyelashes
Passionate kisses to foaming sea splashes
Rogues who have stolen the bride of a king
These are my favorite piratical things.

Tempest filled oceans and epic sea battle
Burry the treasure ‘cause dead men don’t tattle
Traitorous dogs walk the plank as they sing,
These are my favorite piratical things.

Swab the decks and … stop the fighting,
Eat your tack and limes
Then simply remember Piratical things
And sail away to good times.

Episode #17 / May 31st, 2007
Visit our website for contact information and access to our DragonHearth Harbor Message board.

CREATIVE ENGINE, Soundtracks to write by
NEWS AND MAIL
STATUS REPORT
UNCHARTED TERRITORIES Dr. Leopold Van Der Kvak and Fossle Fuels
CAPTAIN’S CABIN, PBS, Mormons and a gift.

Episode #16 / May 5th, 2007
Visit our website for contact information and access to our DragonHearth Harbor Message board.

CREATIVE ENGINE, How to be famous
NEWS AND MAIL
STATUS REPORT
CAPTAIN’S CABIN, Guido the Gimlet of Ghent, a satirical romance of chivalry.

Episode #15 / March 29th, 2007
Visit our website for contact information and access to our DragonHearth Harbor Message board.

PORT OF CALL, Jason Marsden interview
NEWS AND MAIL
CREATIVE ENGINE, Don’t share worlds
UNCHARTED TERRITORIES, Academy of Hickman Awards
CAPTAIN’S CABIN, New Series Announced.

Episode #14 / February 24th, 2007
Visit our website for contact information and access to our DragonHearth Harbor Message board.

Distant Shores BattleLore review
News and Mail
Creative Engine Purposive and Reflective Art
Status Report
Captains Cabin the Gift of Dreams.

Episode #13 / January 24th, 2007
Visit our website for contact information and access to our DragonHearth Harbor Message board.

PORT OF CALL Interview with Caroline Gelabert the voice of Laurana in the new Dragonlance movie
DISTANT SHORES Reading of the Prologue from Dragons of the Highlord Skies
UNCHARTED TERRITORIES Twas the Night Before Podcast
CAPTAIN’S CABIN Lauras Christmas Poem.

Episode #12 / December 23rd, 2007
Visit our website for contact information and access to our DragonHearth Harbor Message board.

DISTANT SHORES Stranger than Fiction
MAIL CALL questions and answers
CREATIVE ENGINE Everything I learned about how not to be famous
STATUS REPORT Current status on upcoming projects
PORT OF CALL Steve Alten and Adopt an Author program

Episode #11 / November 21st, 2006
Visit our website for contact information and access to our DragonHearth Harbor Message board.

PORT OF CALL: Dead Gentlemen’s The Gamers and Dorkness Rising
The Dead Gentlemen’s films ‘The Gamers’ and their new “Dornkess Rising” movies are a ‘critical hit’ with gamers. Check out the original ‘Gamers’ and ‘Dorkness Rising’ trailers here!

UNCHARTED TERRITORIES: My Star Fleet Memories
As always, the Star Trek website can give you the latest on what’s going on in Starfleet. You can check out the details behind the scenes of the Remastering of Original Episodes and also get the latest on the Christie’s Auction.

CREATIVE ENGINE: What’s REALLY scary?
Laura talks about horror, terror and suspense — and what makes for a really GOOD scare!

STATUS REPORT: Current status on upcoming projects

CAPTAIN’S CABIN: A special Halloween Treat Tracy reads Stephen Leacock’s Buggham Grange A Good Old Ghost Story.

Tracy reads Stephen Leacock’s “Buggham Grange: A Good Old Ghost Story”. Stephen Leacock (1869-1944) (Wikipaedia) was a Canadian humorist writer and lecturer as well as the William Dow Professor of Political Economy and chair of the Department of Economics and Political Science at McGill University. His parodies of some of the most popular genres in fiction are found in his ‘Nonsense Novels‘ and ‘Winsome Winnie’. My personal favorites of his literary works, however, are his ‘Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town‘ (free text download / audio / iTunes) and ‘Arcadian Adventures among the Idle Rich’ (free text download).

Episode #10 / Thursday, October 19th, 2006
Visit our website for contact information and access to our DragonHearth Harbor Message board.

PORT OF CALL Perspectives of Starting Authors
MAIL CALL News about Writers Workshop and a question about writing partnerships
CREATIVE ENGINE Part II of James Chrstensen interview
STATUS REPORT Current status on upcoming projects including the Dragonlance Movie
CAPTAIN’S CABIN The Author and the Doorknob.

Episode #9 / September 21st, 2006
Visit our website for contact information and access to our DragonHearth Harbor Message board.

Special Edition / September 4th, 2006
Visit our website for contact information and access to our DragonHearth Harbor Message board.