Launching Romance into the stars.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

When lovers are light years apart by J.C. Cassels





When I read an article which posed that question back in 1984, it inspired me to explore that very topic within the realm of Science Fiction Romance.Love is a basic human craving. You can trace it back to the beginning of time. It only goes to reason that as humans reach out to the stars and beyond, that we would take with us the simple desire to love and be loved in return. But when lovers are separated by light years, and intergalactic politics puts them on opposite sides of the battle lines, how do they resolve that basic human need?

Even in today’s society, individuals in search of a potential mate are turning to social networking, internet dating, and matchmaking services to find THE ONE. We pass through our lives in our insulated little worlds, interacting through smart phone apps and computer screens. Living together on the same planet, finding true love is still hit-and-miss, and no less a miracle. When I decided I was ready to meet someone, I posted an ad on an internet dating site. Many men answered, among them, THE ONE. When looking at his criteria, he noted that if I had lived two miles further south, we may never have met at all. I would have been more than fifty miles from him.Just because people travel far from their planet of origin, doesn’t mean they lose that simple human craving for love. Here on Earth, we take finding love for granted sometimes. It is a miracle in itself to find a true, everlasting love. In a universe in which human settlements are scattered across parsecs of space, it would be no less a miracle, but perhaps one more appreciated.


Fifty miles seems insignificant next to the light years between planetary systems, but the arbitrary distance, chosen at random, made the difference between a lifetime with THE ONE and years of loneliness. Put your lovers into space and send them to opposite ends of the galaxy and – poof! – you redefine the term “long-distance love affair.” It’s up to the writer, to facilitate the circumstances for them to meet and fall in love.
When love is true, it is unstoppable, invincible, and immortal – all the best elements for a rollicking good adventure. True love brings out the best in everyone and makes heroes of ordinary men. It only makes sense that given the right set of circumstances, even space adventurers would make fools of themselves for love.
On Valentine’s Day, everyone is allowed to be foolishly in love, and unleash their inner romantic, even geeks. So today, which happens to be this geek’s wedding anniversary. I will be celebrating by giving away a $15 Amazon gift card to one lucky person. There are three ways to enter:

1) comment on this post.

2)You may also enter for the drawing by e-mailing me with your name and e-mail address with "Love, Lasers & Lightswords" in the subject line.

3) Tweet me with the hashtag #giveaway


I will be selecting one lucky winner at random and will notify that person on February 15. Amazon gift e-gift card will be sent to the winner’s email address and is only valid for Amazon.com.

Gotta Name My Blog: http://jccassels.wordpress.com/
Look for the details on upcoming releases including THE TENNOVA JOB, the first installment in THE BLACK WING CHRONICLES.
Be sure to check out previous posts from the Valentine's Day Bash for more chances to WIN!
Arlene Webb
Graylin Fox
Barbara Elsborg
Laurie A. Green
Jessica E. Subject
Jaleta Clegg
Heather Massey
Rebecca Royce
Pippa Jay 
Heidi Ruby Miller

8 comments:

Kaye Manro said...

I really like this idea of lovers being light years apart. What great ideas can come from this for stories!

Pippa Jay said...

I believe there's always ONE for everybody, but it's going to take something more miraculous when lightyears (and possibly even species and cultures) separate them!

Barbara Elsborg said...

I love this post. How true it is and I'm so pleased that those two miles were on the right side of your limit. I read an article in the paper this weekend and it said internet dating was going to be THE way for people to meet for the foreseeable future. If it means lonely people have a chance at love - I think it might be one of the best things ever invented.

Pauline said...

Happy Anniversary! Not my anniversary today, but in April we'll celebrate 37 years. Definitely true love for us. :-) cool concept the distance relationship. something to think about!

Brodie Mark said...

Fantasic post, JC. Thanks for coming to the bash today.

L. A. Green said...

Great post!

I don't yet have a story where my H/H are light years apart...but I do have one where they're AUs apart.

Hey, long distance relationships are long distance relationships, give or take a few hundred parsecs. :)

Anna said...

I saw a tv show once in which the people fell in love via video messages they left each other. See they lived in the same room but were on opposite shifts and never crossed paths naturally. It was very romantic.

The whole idea is bittersweet.

doxisrcool at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary! I don't have distance in the way, but another person. Thanks for participating!