elderberrywine | Ummm. Not a fic, and I'm probably crazy to do this....

but I always do what aratlithiel (and my Rice Krispies) tell me to do. And also because I really feel strongly about this.

Sooooo..... *digs toe into ground*

Aratlithiel has a very interesting post/rant up today about the nature and quality of writing and fandom writing, as well as intrawriter comparisons and feedback (I hope that sort of sums it up). My personal feelings on this issue -

We ought to be doing this because it's fun. Because there's a story/picture/manip/essay - whatever - inside of us that needs to come out. All of us have different takes on these characters, and this story, and that's what makes it an inexhaustible source. Does it mean we can be ranked in any way? Ridiculous.

As you said, there are many superb writers in this fandom. They can write about Frodo's teapot, and I am in awe. But are they going to tell the story that's in my head? Of course not, so I try to do that as best I can. Will I ever match their pure writing abilities? Of course not, but they're not telling my story, either.

None of this is a writing contest (thank God) and if what we're doing challenges us, and extends us, and makes us grow personally, AND just happens to entertain someone else while we're at it, well, life is good.

And feedback? Well, of course, feedback is wonderful. It always makes me squee. (And I especially love when someone says I did something that I didn't know I had. Oh, yeah, I meant to do that. Heh.) But it can't be the reason you write, because then more is never enough, and that's no way to make yourself happy (which is the point of a hobby, no?).

So, anyhoo, don't do it if it's not making you happy, and let's all give it our best in our own particular way, and enjoy everyone else's hard work as well. That's what makes for a productive fandom, not a bitchy one. *climbs down off of soapbox*

This is my first time experience with an interactive fandom of any type, so a lot of this is sort of surprising to an old codger like me. So don't make me go all Rodney King on you guys.

OK. Back to the fic.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Amen to what you and

aratlithiel said.

Thankyouverymuch. (Oh yeah - icon love!!!!)

All of us have different takes on these characters, and this story, and that's what makes it an inexhaustible source

Thank goodness. ♥ all the writers, readers, and supporters.

:)

Really. That's why we should never grouse that Tolkien should have done this or that. If he had, we'd have had no reason to write. But since he left us with such a wonderfully living and breathing gift, all the more for us to play with. We're incredibly lucky, you know.

Hee! You always do as I say? Okay - write me another Frodo-never-sails-and-lives-happily-ever-after-with-Sam fic. *grin*

And you're not crazy to do this. It reads just as good here, the second time around and I think you should spread this far and wide. And yet again, WORD!

Oh! And the fic? Lots of smut. I'm just sayin'.

Heheh. Yes oh master. Your wish is my command. I live but to serve.

*stares pointedly at challenge after next*

I am with you and

aratlithiel on this issue.

And I am totally with her on her comments in this thread regarding whether or not you do as she says!! *points up* Bring on that fic, baby!

Thanks for the moral support here!

And that fic? Happy ending Frodo? With the smut yet? Hmmm....

Just to be clear (as much for my own pathetic sake as anything else), I really do agree with you about the writing and creativity issues.

As for the fic, *hangs head in shame* I just can't help it; I'm a total sucker for a happy ending, and am feeling a tad blue. However un-canon it may be, I just adore a well-written AU in which Frodo does not leave Sam, and there aren't too many of those, and you'd do it so amazingly well with the way you write those two, and... O.K., I'll try to stop jumping up and down on your LJ.

But it really would be glorious...

Would chocolate work?

Catherine

Chocolate will entice me to do just about anything. *dark chocolate. sensuous, intense. just a hint of sweetness, but with a deep musky voluptuousness... oh, excuse me. right, chocolate*

Well, for what it's worth, I debate the ending of LOTR a lot to myself. When I wake up in the middle of the night and can't sleep (grr - but we won't go into that). But being a very optimistic sort, all endings are eventually happy (note - eventually).

Hmm. *goes off to deliberate over endings A, B and C*

Hmmm... Valhrona, I think; maybe Caribe... Or French couverture I'll peruse my sources!

I do agree that just about any ending is happy eventually. (I just get impatient and glum sometimes, and feel the need for it to be happy now! *whining*)

And I do look forward to whatever Frodo/Sam fic you choose to write next!

Catherine

No shit. You go. Erm, cool it with the "old codger" references please. *winces*

Heehee.

Hey, I embrace my old codgerness. Maybe because I live in the midst of teenagers, for whom I'm definitely a few eons older than dirt. But then I can always snicker to myself and think, what you don't know about me, you young puppy, you. Wait 'til you find yourself my age and writing hobbit porn, you young sprat. *cackles and waves AARP card*

I agree with everything you say about writing being a hobby that is meant to give us pleasure . . . I have thought at times that a certain story was making me stress but it always turns out that I'm stressed about other things and it frustrates my ability to write.

Fb is lovely but one can't write in hopes of getting it that's not why I write it's just nice to know that someone enjoyed something like I enjoy the writing of others . . . I'm an old codger too and it really doesn't matter at all.

As well as yourself and Aratlithiel, Claudia touched on some of these issues in a recent post. I think it's good to let new writers (in particular) know these things.

Thanks for the post :)

Thanks for the backup!

Maybe some of this is a result of being an old codger. After you've been through a certain amount of RL drama over the years, you just really don't need this in your hobby, don't cha know?

Amen

Preach it, sister!

Couldn't agree more!
There are so many fantastic writers, but maybe also quite a few just starting out and unsure about their abilities. If we can enjoy the stories in all their diversity and give constructive feedback then it will make for more stories in the future rather than frustrated or scared writers.
In the worst case harsh criticism might just lead to someone not writing any more, when all they needed was some time, positive feedback and a bit of experience.

My experience so far with LJs/stories has been very positive and I hope it stays that way. (even though so far it has only been feedback to my feedback!)
As for being 'over the hill'.......I work with teenagers every day, and I am amazed about how they think anyone over 30 is past it and anyone over 40........well, they do wonder why they bother 'hanging around for so long'......
(did have an episode once where I said to a teenager something like...."just wait until you get to my age...." upon which the teenager replied: " I'd rather be dead........!!" and he wasn't the only one with that additude! )

If they only knew .........

Yeah, that getting started part is very tough, and especially scary if this is your first real experience with writing (as it was for me). I started with two small stories, that were just burning in me, and didn't know if I'd ever write more. Then (I didn't have a LJ yet) I submitted them on purpose to West of the Moon, because it had a review process before it posted. I really needed to know if they were halfway decent, and figured that was one way to find out. And then when Shadow took them, and I got a few kind pieces of feedback, well, it made all the difference.
It wouldn't have taken much to shut me down at that point.

But I think the best way to find your own voice as a writer is through your story. Don't just write because you think it'd be a cool thing to do. Write because you have a story that you just really have to tell. Some of my favorite fics are not the best written, in a technical sense, but I love the stories they tell. And a good beta that you work well with is a huge help.

And that always makes be laugh about teens, the dramatic "I'd rather diiieee than be 30". I just snicker and say, "Oh yeah, I remember saying that. Guess what. You change your viewpoint when you hit 29." Then you go for object of awe status. "Why yes, I was the same age as you are now when the Beatles first came to America." "Whoa. I didn't know anyone was still alive from back then."

Ummm. Not a fic, and I'm probably crazy to do this....

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