Join us for another in a series of interviews with winners of awards from our 2023 Awards Ceremony. Our goal is to give you insight into how our fleet’s best simmers write, and imagine their characters as well as their out of character contributions and achievements.
This month we’re interviewing the writer behind Lieutenant JG Alex Forsyth playing a Human Female Tactical Officer assigned to Denali Station. She won the Sisko Tactical Cross, Xalor Clan Xifilis Award & Genesis Award.
Fairhug: Tell us a little about the writer behind the character — where in the world do you hail from?
Forsyth: I hail from a town called Dumfries in Scotland, it is located near the border of England.
Your character, Lieutenant JG Alex Forsyth, also hails from Scotland. How much of you would you say is in your portrayal of Forsyth?
Well, I partly base her on what I have gone through as I can sometimes be a bit nervous. I wanted to show what it is like for someone who has that and how they overcome it. Also wanted to represent my homeland and do something different than the usual English and American accents we get in Trek.
You received multiple awards during the 2023 awards ceremony, including the Sisko Tactical Cross which is awarded to Tactical officers who have shown cunning and bravery in battle and the ability to think strategically in a tense situation. Can you give us an example of when Alex displayed these qualities?
The time Alex came up with a feedback pulse to disable the mercenaries’ ship during the mission to recover the Orb of Renewal. The plan worked although not without a few problems.
Alex is a slightly different type of Tactical officer, in that she isn’t in the vein of say Worf or Shaxs, who are rough and ready, all action type characters. By contrast, in your sims, you portray Alex to be somewhat nervous and perhaps even vulnerable at times. Would you say you have made a conscious effort to move away from the stereotypical view of a Tactical officer?
Sort of, Alex isn’t your typical officer as much as she tries to be, but her anxiety holds her back. I do want her to overcome her nerves and be the Worf or Shaxs but that is still a few good sims away from happening.
You also received the Xalor Clan Xifilis Award, an award that was renamed all the way back in the year 2000 to honour a valued member of the SB118 community who passed away that year. How does it feel to know that you are continuing such a storied tradition of writers to have won this particular award?
I feel very honoured to earn such an award. It was no easy task but I’m proud to be apart of it.
Fairhug: In their presentation speech, Commodore Oddas Aria made reference to the fact that when you joined the fleet, you were experiencing anxiety over contributing to the game, but that you also pressed on admirably, regardless and have gone on to become an important member of the Denali crew, an effort which also saw you win the Genesis Award. Do you have any advice for other players who may be suffering anxiety regarding their simming?
Don’t let it win. Just soldier onwards and enjoy yourself. I’ve had loads of fun and I’m looking forward to more adventure, so go for it.
Finally, do you have any plans for Alex going forward that you are able to share with us?
Well I’m currently doing a joint sim with Gogi and one where she learns of a half-Vulcan brother. I also have one where Alex finds out her father is alive but I’m saving that for the future.
Thanks for your time, Lieutenant JG Alex Forsyth!
You can read more about Lieutenant JG Alex Forsyth on the wiki.
