Daniel Keys Moran
Encyclopedia
Daniel Keys Moran also known by his initials DKM, is an American computer programmer
and a science fiction
writer.
A native of Southern California
, he formerly lived (with his former wife Holly Thomas Moran) in North Hollywood. DKM, his third wife Amy Stout-Moran, and their sons Richard Moran and Connor Moran, along with Amy's two daughters and one son later lived in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles
.
In early 2005 Keys Moran lost vision in one eye due to wet macular degeneration
.
Moran currently maintains an active blog, and has in the past maintained two web sites. Queen Of Angels (1999–2004) was his official web site, and Lakers Talk (2002–2006) was a fansite for the Los Angeles Lakers
. Much of his work is available for sanctioned free download at the Daniel Keys Moran Mirror.
As part of Moran’s description of how a ubiquitously available Internet would affect society (The Long Run, 1989), he introduced the concept of Internet addiction disorder
, which he called “data-starve”.
Prior to the beginning of the stories, the aforementioned Trent character spent some years developing an Image called ‘Ralf the Wise and Powerful’. The juvenile nature of the name reflects Trent's youth as he was not yet a teenager at the time. As the events in the stories unfold, it is a seemingly minor point when an eleven year old Trent is forced by circumstance to abandon his Image code in the net. Trent's impressive capabilities are confirmed by the fact that his Image was sophisticated enough to make the leap (with some assistance) to becoming a full sentient AI. As Trent’s Image it was an online representation of his skills, outlook, ethics and morals. As an independent being Ralf closely adheres to his origins, and acts to support Trent in his efforts to serve the greater good according to his pacifistic moral code. It should be pointed out that the Trent character is portrayed as an exceptional Player, perhaps the best ever. After leaving 'Ralf the Wise and Powerful', Trent created (and later semi-merged with) 'Johnny Johnny'.
Denice Castanaveras is, as of the end of "The Last Dancer" the only person alive who knows how to invoke the flame.
In the middle of the wheel, there is an entity known as "the chained one" which works as the wheel's source of power.
Jodi Anne Moran : DKM's younger sister, born March 9, 1964. She is the author of an unpublished novel, Devlin’s Razor.
Gladys Prebehalla : A woman approximately the same age as DKM's mother whom he met in a writing class when he was about 20 years old. They collaborated on a story, “Maggie Archer”, about an older woman forced to have a computer in her house
Published work available online with Moran's permission. Unpublished work available online with Moran's permission.
Computer programming
Computer programming is the process of designing, writing, testing, debugging, and maintaining the source code of computer programs. This source code is written in one or more programming languages. The purpose of programming is to create a program that performs specific operations or exhibits a...
and a science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
writer.
Biography
Moran was born to Richard Joseph Moran and Marilynn Joyce Moran. He has three sisters, Kari Lynn Moran, Jodi Anne Moran and Kathleen Moran.A native of Southern California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, he formerly lived (with his former wife Holly Thomas Moran) in North Hollywood. DKM, his third wife Amy Stout-Moran, and their sons Richard Moran and Connor Moran, along with Amy's two daughters and one son later lived in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
.
In early 2005 Keys Moran lost vision in one eye due to wet macular degeneration
Macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration is a medical condition which usually affects older adults and results in a loss of vision in the center of the visual field because of damage to the retina. It occurs in “dry” and “wet” forms. It is a major cause of blindness and visual impairment in older adults...
.
Moran currently maintains an active blog, and has in the past maintained two web sites. Queen Of Angels (1999–2004) was his official web site, and Lakers Talk (2002–2006) was a fansite for the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
. Much of his work is available for sanctioned free download at the Daniel Keys Moran Mirror.
The Great Wheel of Existence
The multi-verse in which most of DKM’s work is set.- “The Gray Maelstrom” — Isaac Asimov’s Science Fiction MagazineAsimov's Science FictionAsimov's Science Fiction is an American science fiction magazine which publishes science fiction and fantasy and perpetuates the name of author and biochemist Isaac Asimov...
. Vol. 7 No. 2 (whole no. 62) February 1983. Story art: John Pierard.
Human/Praxcelis Union
- “All the Time in the World” — Isaac Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine. Vol. 6 No. 5 (whole no. 52) May 1982. Story art: Laura Buscemi/Artifact.
- The Armageddon Blues (expansion of "All the Time in the World") — Bantam Spectra paperback (April 1988). ISBN 0-553-27115-6. Cover art: Jim BurnsJim BurnsJim Burns is a Welsh artist born in Cardiff, Wales.In 1966 he joined the Royal Air Force, but soon thereafter he left and signed up at the Newport School of Art for a year's foundation course....
.
Quiet Vision hardcover ISBN 972-1-57646-576-5 (April 2001), tradepaper ISBN 1-57646-637-X (June 2002). Cover design: DKM. - “Realtime” with Gladys Prebehalla — Isaac Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine. Vol. 8 No. 8 (whole no. 81) August 1984. Cover art: Hisaki Yasuda. Story art: Ron Lindahn.
- The Ring — Bantom Doubleday hardcover (October 1988). ISBN 0-385-24816-4. Jacket art: Shusei. Jacket design: Jamie S. Warren.
based in part on a screenplay by William Stewart and Joanne Nelson.
The Continuing Time
- Emerald Eyes — Bantam Spectra paperback (June 1988). ISBN 0-553-27347-7. Cover art: Paul and Stephen YoullPaul and Stephen YoullStephen Youll is one of today's top science fiction art talents. He got his start in the genre when his work, done in conjunction with his twin brother Paul, was seen in 1987 at the 45th World Science Fiction Convention in Brighton, England...
.
Quiet Vision hardcover ISBN 1-57646-577-2 (June 2001), tradepaper ISBN 1-57646-638-8 (June 2002). Cover art and design: DKM. - The Long Run — Bantam Spectra paperback (September 1989). ISBN 0-553-28144-5. Cover art Jim BurnsJim BurnsJim Burns is a Welsh artist born in Cardiff, Wales.In 1966 he joined the Royal Air Force, but soon thereafter he left and signed up at the Newport School of Art for a year's foundation course....
.
Quiet Vision hardcover ISBN 1-57646-578-0 (August 2001), tradepaper ISBN 1-57646-639-6 (April 2002). Cover design: DKM.- Emerald Eyes • “The Star” • The Long Run — Queen Of Angels limited edition hardcover omnibus (August 1998). Jacket art and design: DKM.
“The Star” is a new short story set between the two novels, and is also included in the Quiet Vision printings of Emerald Eyes.
- Emerald Eyes • “The Star” • The Long Run — Queen Of Angels limited edition hardcover omnibus (August 1998). Jacket art and design: DKM.
- The Last Dancer — Bantam Spectra paperback (November 1993). ISBN 0-553-56249-5. Cover art: SanjuliánSanjuliánManuel Pérez Clemente is a Spanish painter, most notable for his magazine and novel covers. He was born 24 June 1941 in Barcelona, and studied at Belles Arts of Sant Jordi....
.
Quiet Vision hardcover ISBN 1-57646-579-9 (March 2002). Jacket art and design: DKM. - The A.I. War, Book One: The Big Boost — ebook from fs& in multiple formats (March 2011). Cover art: Angel Greenwood.
- Lord November: The Man-Spacething War — (unpublished — first two chapters available on-line at the semi-official DKM fan site)
The Sunset Strip
- Terminal Freedom — with Jodi Moran. Queen Of Angels hardcover (March 1997). Jacket design: DKM.
Quiet Vision tradepaper ISBN 1-57646-643-4 (February 2002). Cover design: DKM. - In Cool Blood — with Jodi Moran. (unpublished)
Other stories
- “Given the Game” — Aboriginal Science Fiction. Nov.–Dec. 1990 (No. 24). Cover and story art: Charles Lang.
- “Hard Time” — Story, with Lynn Barker. Star Trek: Deep Space NineStar Trek: Deep Space NineStar Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...
, episode 4×19. (April 15, 1996). - “On Sequoia Time” — Asimov’s Science Fiction. Vol. 20 No. 9 (whole no. 249) September 1996. Story art: Steve Cavallo.
- “Roughing it During the Martian Invasion,” — with Jodi Moran. War of the Worlds: Global DispatchesWar of the Worlds: Global DispatchesWar of the Worlds: Global Dispatches is a 1996 Bantam Spectra science fiction anthology, edited by Kevin J. Anderson. It is a tribute to H. G...
anthology, edited by Kevin Anderson — Bantam Spectra paperback (May 1997). ISBN 0-553-10353-9. - A series of commentaries for NPR Sirius’ The Way In, airing in 2001:
- “The Road Goes Everywhere”
- “A Freeway in My Back Yard”
- “The Vast and Endless Sea”
- “It’s Great to Be Me”
- As of early 2006, Moran was working on a couple of books (Symphony in Black & The Hotel California) in the vein of Travis McGeeTravis McGeeTravis McGee is a fictional character, created by prolific American mystery writer John D. MacDonald. Unlike most detectives in crime fiction, McGee is neither a police officer nor a licensed private investigator; instead, he is a self-described "salvage consultant" who recovers others' property...
.
Star Wars
- all three short stories below were published in Bantam Spectra paperback anthologies, edited by Kevin J. AndersonKevin J. AndersonKevin J. Anderson is an American science fiction author with over forty bestsellers. He has written spin-off novels for Star Wars, StarCraft, Titan A.E., and The X-Files, and with Brian Herbert is the co-author of the Dune prequels...
, with cover art by Stephen Youll.- “Empire Blues: The Devaronian’s Tale” — Star Wars: Tales from the Mos Eisley CantinaTales From the Mos Eisley CantinaTales from the Mos Eisley Cantina is an anthology of short stories set in the fictional Star Wars universe. The book is edited by Kevin J. Anderson.- Contents :- External links :**...
(August 1995). ISBN 0-553-56468-4. - “A Barve Like That: The Tale of Boba FettBoba FettBoba Fett is a character in Star Wars. A bounty hunter hired by Darth Vader to find the Millennium Falcon, he is a minor villain in both Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi....
” — Star Wars: Tales from Jabba’s PalaceTales From Jabba's PalaceTales from Jabba's Palace is an anthology of short stories set in the fictional Star Wars universe. The book was edited by Kevin J. Anderson and was released on December 1, 1995.- Contents :* Introduction...
(January 1996). ISBN 0-553-56815-9.
- “Empire Blues: The Devaronian’s Tale” — Star Wars: Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina
- Published under a pseudonym, about which Moran had the following comment on his website. — “Editorial changes that were unacceptable to me were made to ‘A Barve Like That,’ which is why the ‘J. D. Montgomery’ pseudonym, but on balance it is perhaps not a bad story, and I won't disown it if people understand that the final product is only perhaps 80% mine.”
- “The Last One Standing: The Tale of Boba Fett” — Star Wars: Tales of the Bounty HuntersTales of the Bounty HuntersTales of the Bounty Hunters is an anthology of short stories set in the fictional Star Wars universe. It presents the background stories about each bounty hunter that was seen aboard the Executor in the film The Empire Strikes Back. The stories all intersect at that particular movie scene.The book...
(December 1996). ISBN 0-553-56816-7.
- “The Last One Standing: The Tale of Boba Fett” — Star Wars: Tales of the Bounty Hunters
Concepts in the Continuing Time
Daniel Keys Moran’s Continuing Time stories cover an abnormally large number of standard SF/F themes and story devices. There are multiple universes, time travel, cyberpunk, alien invasions, martial arts, dance, paganism, the politics of world government, an interesting twist on non-violent protest, and any number of everyday technologies that were unheard of in 1985 but are surprisingly common today.The Crystal Wind
This fanciful name for the virtual space created by a global network of interconnected computers is Moran’s extrapolation of what the Internet would become. Aside from its everyday uses in his stories it also provides another environment in which good and evil can do battle. Surprisingly, the most significant battle in the series is a fight against excessive governmental control of this fundamental quasi-public space.As part of Moran’s description of how a ubiquitously available Internet would affect society (The Long Run, 1989), he introduced the concept of Internet addiction disorder
Internet addiction disorder
Internet addiction disorder , or, more broadly, Internet overuse, problematic computer use or pathological computer use, is excessive computer use that interferes with daily life...
, which he called “data-starve”.
Images
Characters who have a significant presence in the Crystal Wind are called Players, one such is ‘Trent the Uncatchable’ in The Long Run. But when Players ‘Dance’ in the Crystal Wind they can easily incur the wrath of the authorities, corporate entities, or other denizens of the Crystal Wind. All competent Players carefully craft an Image that they use to interact with the virtual world. This Image is a set of customized code that the Player slowly builds and improves over time. Its primary tasks are to filter the overwhelming amount of available data into understandable information, and to put into effect (through complex technical means) the wishes of the Player. In this way, the Player automates as much of the slow human search, analysis, actions and reactions that are much faster using suitably advanced Image algorithms and hardware. In effect, they create a computer version of themselves that requires only occasional input from the slower but more complex Player.Prior to the beginning of the stories, the aforementioned Trent character spent some years developing an Image called ‘Ralf the Wise and Powerful’. The juvenile nature of the name reflects Trent's youth as he was not yet a teenager at the time. As the events in the stories unfold, it is a seemingly minor point when an eleven year old Trent is forced by circumstance to abandon his Image code in the net. Trent's impressive capabilities are confirmed by the fact that his Image was sophisticated enough to make the leap (with some assistance) to becoming a full sentient AI. As Trent’s Image it was an online representation of his skills, outlook, ethics and morals. As an independent being Ralf closely adheres to his origins, and acts to support Trent in his efforts to serve the greater good according to his pacifistic moral code. It should be pointed out that the Trent character is portrayed as an exceptional Player, perhaps the best ever. After leaving 'Ralf the Wise and Powerful', Trent created (and later semi-merged with) 'Johnny Johnny'.
The living flame
A force of life which can be "brought down" into the mundane world by gifted individuals, mostly through dancing. As of the most recent stories it is unknown what effects the flame has apart from giving the witnesses a deep feeling of spirituality.Denice Castanaveras is, as of the end of "The Last Dancer" the only person alive who knows how to invoke the flame.
The great wheel of existence
The foundation of reality, it holds the different timelines together.In the middle of the wheel, there is an entity known as "the chained one" which works as the wheel's source of power.
Co-authors
Neither of Moran’s co-authors has published independently, and there is little public information about them. The information below was posted by Moran on his website.Jodi Anne Moran : DKM's younger sister, born March 9, 1964. She is the author of an unpublished novel, Devlin’s Razor.
Gladys Prebehalla : A woman approximately the same age as DKM's mother whom he met in a writing class when he was about 20 years old. They collaborated on a story, “Maggie Archer”, about an older woman forced to have a computer in her house
External links
Moran's blog.-
- Moran's website.
- Moran's Lakers fansite.
- Moran's Lakers fansite.
Published work available online with Moran's permission. Unpublished work available online with Moran's permission.
-
- Moran is an infrequent poster.