Beyond Algo FAQ

Questions about the website....

1. What's the story behind the website?

The Beyond Algo website was started in July of 1997 when I decided that I wanted to have my own site, so that I could archive my stories, theories, and other tidbits in any manner I chose. Back then, the site was located at a different URL. In early 1998 I combined Beyond Algo with another website I ran. This second website, which was phased out over time, was a basic information site that covered Final Fantasy, Sonic the Hedgehog, Castlevania, a few other game series. Since then, Beyond Algo has grown considerably. I have added dozens of stories, poems, theories, and other features. A hit counter was not installed until November of 1998, but it is my estimation that Beyond Algo has had more than twenty-five thousand visits in its more than two years in operation. I am very pleased with that.

2. Will you post my stories on your site?

Nope! Don't even ask me this. You may have noticed that my site is a sort of showcase for, well, my own work. If you want your work to be posted online, that's great! Now, submit your work to a public archive or start your own website.

3. Can we exchange links?

Naturally, I am more than happy to let people link to me. In fact, if you want to link to me, don't even bother asking for my permission. Just go ahead and do it! That does not necessarily mean I will link to you in return, though. I only link to the sites that I personally find the most useful, original, interesting, and entertaining.

Questions about the stories....

1. What is the purpose of the Beyond Algo stories?

There is not just one. First, and most simply, I love to write. I also love Phantasy Star. So, it was probably inevitable that the two should meet. I also wanted, in my Phantasy Star stories, to create original characters and watch them grow. And, I wanted to write about the universe outside of Algo and Algo's distant future, because both were areas almost completely untouched by other authors. All of these factors came together to form Beyond Algo. So, the simple answer is that I like to tell stories and this is the form my stories just happened to take.

Secondly, I use Beyond Algo as a medium for forming, explaining, and clarifying my theories about the world of Algo.

Third, I sometimes use Beyond Algo as a forum in which to express my views on various timely issues and matters of morality and all that.

2. What is your plan for Beyond Algo? Is the saga winding down?

I have received messages from many people asking me if the series will be ending soon. I am not sure what has caused this phenomenon, but whatever the reason, let me assure you that the answer is an enthusiastic "No!" I've already promised myself that I will not stop until there are at least twenty stories. I do this partly so that I can get in all the ideas I want to use, and also so that I can develop the characters to the fullest. Beyond that, I am an impatient and impulsive person and I need to build discipline.

In the future, I plan to alternate between far-reaching arcs that deal with many characters and last for many stories, and shorter tales that focus on one character and give the reader a more in-depth look at that character's personality. Likewise, the scene of the action will alternate between Algo and a variety of alien worlds, some of which have already been mentioned and hinted at, and some of which I haven't even dreamed of yet.

3. Are any characters based on you, or other people?

The answer to that question is that, yes, all of the characters are based off of myself, and people I know, and people I know of.

4. Do you plan to kill off [insert name here]?

To put it simply, no. I have no plans to kill off any of the major characters, and I would do so only if I thought the progression of the saga absolutely demanded it.

5. What is going to happen next?

You'll just have to wait and see!

6. What connection exists between Beyond Algo and your other work?

All stories, poems, and other stuff on my site deal with the same universe, or continuity, as Beyond Algo itself. Beyond Algo, actually, is just an outgrowth of that greater continuity. To be more specific, it is a chronicle of that continuity's distant future (in relation to the events of the actual Phantasy Star games). Themes, characters, locations, and so on present throughout the other works also appear in Beyond Algo.

Questions about me, Neilast....

1. What is your name? How old are you? (And so on....)

First of all, let me stress that I will not answer any personal questions not answered by this FAQ, so don't bother asking!

That said, I am nineteen years old and live in Omaha, Nebraska, USA -- my home town. I graduated from high school in May of 1997. Currently I am a full-time creative writing student at Creighton University, a major bastion of higher education run by Jesuit priests. (It has been voted "Best School" by US News and World Report for several years running.) My ultimate ambition is to be a writer and make a reasonable living off of works that I sell. I consider myself very conservative. I'm a Catholic Christian who studies Judaism and Islam. (No, I'm not thinking about converting.) I am also a registered Republican. My heroes include Pope John Paul II, Mother Theresa, President Ronald Reagen, Dr. Laura Schlesinger, Judge Judy Sheindlin, Rush Limbaugh, Mother Angelica, Marilyn Vos Savant, Dalla Reese, and Oprah Winfrey. If you don't like any of that...tough!

Also, my birthday is September 17. I mention this only because it is the same as Rolf's!

And lastly, let me emphasize that "Neilast" is a pen name and not a persona or character!

2. Have you ever had any of your writing published?

Are you prepared for blatant self-promotion? If not, don't say I didn't warn you.

Anyway, yes, I have been published, although only four times so far. I have been published in Alternative Literature Magazine (1996), "Totem" (1996 and 1997) and "Voices" (1996).

"Voices" was a short annual/biannual magazine published by the Omaha Public Schools. It featured the poetry of high school creative writing students. In 1996 I had two works featured in "Voices" which, sadly, was dropped the next year.

"Totem" is a highly exclusive book published annually by Omaha Public Schools. It features short stories, poetry, and artwork from students all the way from kindergarten to twelfth grade. Each grade has its own section of the book. Thousands of students submit their work each year, but only a tiny handful of works are selected. I had the honor of seeing five of my poems published in "Totem" in 1996, with an additional poem being published in 1997. In 1996 I had the most pieces chosen out of anyone at my school, and I had the second highest number of accepted pieces in all of Omaha Public Schools.

Alternative Literature Magazine, which is no longer in existence, was a small home-run magazine that published poetry of virtually any variety, as long as the editors liked it. They published one of my poems in 1996. This was my very first submittal to a publisher, so I am especially proud that it was accepted. It's all thanks to God, though.

My next goal is to have something published in my university's creative writing magazine, Shadows. I am also working to get something into Reader's Digest. My ultimate literary goal is to have a poem of mine published in The New Yorker.

3. Have you received any awards or special recognition for your work?

Yes. In 1995 I received an award for Excellence in Creative Expression from the Totem committee of the Omaha Public Schools. The award was for a short story of mine that had made it to the final round of Totem selection, but was rejected. I received three more of these awards in 1996, for three poems that also made it to the final round for Totem. That same year, I was named Outstanding Communications Student for unrelated works in the English program (specifically for journalism, speech, and debate). Also in 1996, I was chosen to be part of a select creative writing program held during the summer months.

4. What sort of stuff do you write?

If you want to know what sort of thing I write when not writing about Phantasy Star, try reading the works of Ray Bradbury, specifically his books of short stories (such as The October Country and R is for Rocket). Or, alternately, watch just about any episode of the classic The Twilight Zone. That is the sort of stuff I write (or at least that's what I try to write). I generally try to stay away from human nature and the meaning of love and youthful angst all that stuff (although I do succumb to the temptation once in a while.) But really, I just want to tell a fun story.

5. Will you ever publish any of your non-Phantasy Star works online?

No. I will never publish any of my other works online because some publishers now recognize online publishing as being equivalent to first time print publishing. This can only make selling works more complicated, if not impossible, and is therefore best avoided.

6. What are your favorite Phantasy Star game and character?

My favorite game is Phantasy Star II. My favorite character is Sari from Phantasy Star III, although she is followed very closely by Alis from the original Phantasy Star.

7. Do you have ICQ? If not, will you download it so that we can chat?

No. I'm more than happy to talk to you, but I'd prefer to keep it to e-mail.

Questions about other stuff....

1. Would you mind if I wrote a story based on your work?

Not at all! Feel free to do so! In fact, I'd be thrilled if you decided to do this. If you do decide to take up such a project, please contact me and tell me what you're planning. I'd love to hear about it.

2. Will you write a story I have thought of/planned out?

Nope! Don't even ask this. I've got more ideas than I've got time for as it is. Besides, you will be happier with the final product if you write the story yourself. Even if you don't fancy yourself a writer, I promise you, you will feel better if do the work your own self in your own way.

3. Will you co-author a story with me?

No. See above.

4. Will you read my story if I send it to you?

No. Don't ask me this, either. Sometimes weeks will go by without anyone sending a story to me, but some weeks I get upwards of five or six story submissions. I simply do not have the time (nor the interest, sometimes) to read them all. Besides, I'm just one person. You're much better off sending your work to a public fanfiction archive and then plugging it to everyone in sight without mercy. You'll get more readers and probably more feedback as well.

5. Can I get your opinion on a story or theory idea?

Yes! I am more than happy to read all ideas and give my honest impressions of them.

6. I disagree with a theory or story idea of yours. May we discuss it?

It would be my pleasure. As long as you aren't rude, feel free to fire away.

7. What's the story behind "Legend of Perseus?"

"Phantasy Star: The Legend of Perseus" is a game I am designing in an on-again, off-again way. It is very much a back-burner project, but by no means is it on hold or abandoned. I don't want to reveal too much about the game's plot or storyline, but it is basically a chronicle of the events of "Perseus," the Protector who lived one thousand years before Alis. In keeping with the legends of Perseus, both in Algo and here on Earth, the game has a decidedly Classical feel to it, and it is set in a world reminiscent of ancient Greece.

8. What's the story behind The Phantasy Star WebRing?

The Phantasy Star WebRing was started by me in early 1997 because I thought it was time the community had a means of connecting its (then relatively few) websites. Until early 1999 it was the only Phantasy Star webring in existence. Although it is no longer the only Phantasy Star webring out there, it remains the largest and most complete of them all. About that I am quite pleased.

9. I submitted my site to your WebRing, but it wasn't added. Why?

There are a few possible reasons. First, you might not have put the WebRing's banner on your page. I do not add pages that don't have the banner. Or, I may have found material on your page that violates the rules of the WebRing, which are clearly posted on the Ring's homepage. Or, third, I may have simply not reviewed your site yet. Be patient, as I will surely get to it soon.

10. May I send sound, video, zip, or other files to you?

Absolutely not. If you do this without receiving my permission first I will personally pinch your head off.

11. Can you sell me Phantasy Star merchandise?

Sorry. I don't really have any to sell to you. All I own are my single copies of the four games, their cases, instruction books and maps, and my hintbooks for Phantasy Star II, Phantasy Star III, and Phantasy Star IV. I also have a handful of magazine articles from old issues of Electronic Gaming Monthly, Gamepro, and a few other gaming mags. I refuse to part with any of what I have, but it wouldn't be worth much anyway.