2010 Fanfiction Year In Review
Jan. 2nd, 2011 02:04 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
aearwenI decided to snitch this meme from ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
thunderatiger, not realizing the work it would take to actually answer all the questions. It's a good one, though...
Stories
Spoils of War
The Elvenking’s Lady
New Roots
Impatient
Birthday
Second Chances
Winter’s Chill
The Ties That Bind
To Walk a Dark Land
In The House of Elrond – Riding Fences
In The House of Elrond – First Blood
In The House of Elrond – Disclosures
In The House of Elrond – Messages
Overall thoughts/Leitmotif
Most of my stories deal with cross-cultural issues between Elves and Men. The differences between mortals and immortals psychologically and culturally are things that intrigue me. I can see where attraction between the sexes could cross those lines, but find those situations generally to be more tragic than romantic.
My best story of the year
“Spoils of War”, I think, was my best effort of 2010. It was one of those stories that came at me hard and fast, pushing me to write almost as fast as my fingers would move in order to get the entire tale out in what turned out to be less than two weeks. It also plumbed a face of the cross-cultural leitmotif that doesn’t often get touched – namely, the nature and fate of those who were, at least officially, part of the Dark Lord’s forces, whether willing or not.
My favorite story of the year
My favorite is one that isn’t finished yet, unfortunately. It is entitled “I Dhaerlend Dadui”, and promises to be a monster. Of the ones I posted in 2010, I suppose “Spoils of War” is my favorite.
Story most underappreciated by the universe, in my opinion
I really didn’t have any that flopped with the fandom more than any other.
Most fun story to write
“Birthday” was the most fun, because it was about such a joyous occasion. It also gave me a chance to explore an OC who will be appearing in more than one venue, and hearing her “voice” more clearly was most delightful.
Story that shifted my own perceptions of the characters
“Winter’s Chill” was a glimpse at a point in the overall story that not many explore too deeply, and from a perspective that most avoid. I think I feel more for Arwen, watching Aragorn approach the end, than I did before. I usually view that event more through the eyes of Elrond, so this was an interesting perspective to investigate.
Favorite major canon character
Anybody who reads my work knows that I have two favorite major canon characters: Elrond and Thranduil. I love them equally (and am laughing to see them glowering at each other for my refusal to declare a favorite) because I see them both as having endured tremendous loss and remaining strong despite it all. They both exercise great authority and demonstrate strength of character beyond that demonstrated by anyone around them.
Favorite minor canon character
Hmmm… I think that would have to be Erestor. He is an enigma in canon, and the way I picture him maintains the enigma while making him a very volatile and underrated person who only Elrond and Glorfindel fully understand.
Favorite original character
This year, that would be Inzilanî, the main character in “Spoils of War”. She is a very strong character to have endured what she did and come out the other end of it both intact and sane. I sometimes toy with telling more of her story, but I have enough WIPs to deal with that I’ve promised myself that I’m not gonna do that until at least two of the others are finished.
Story with the single sexiest moment
While “The Elvenking’s Lady” was the resolution of some serious UST between my mortal OFC and Thranduil, I think the sexiest moment came between Gilraen and Glorfindel in the third installment of “In The House of Elrond – Messages”. That is a romance that simply cannot be, and the moment both of them realize they’ve stepped over the lines was a delight to write was a powerful one. Reader comments seemed to agree with me as well.
Hardest story to write
That would “The Elvenking’s Lady”, by far. Actually, truth be told, the story that ended up being posted was the fourth version of the tale that I had written – and of all the others, only the first half of the story remained the same throughout. I probably ditched over 40k words in editing and rewriting that thing, and it took nearly a year to get it done. I wanted it to be right, and not simply a PWP.
Easiest story to write
Believe it or not, “Spoils of War” was the easiest in so many ways, because my Muse was on fire and knew exactly where she wanted to take Inzilanî and what she wanted to happen to her. I was merely along for the ride and had to hold on tight with both hands the whole way through. It wasn’t an easy tale to tell, but the writing flowed very smoothly and very quickly.
Biggest Disappointment
That I didn’t get more of the WIPs finished. Understand, please, that I have a total of six novel-length WIPs that I’ve been working on over the course of the year, which accounts for why I haven’t posted as much this past year as the year before. My Muse allowed herself to get scattered, and to offer up another tantalizing and impossible to resist story idea before she’d finished with her last bit of genius. I have a couple of “short” stories pending as well, uncertain if they’re gonna stay “short” or end up “novellas”. My lack of finished product is my biggest disappointment this past year, which has spurred my resolution to finish some of these bigger projects.
Biggest Surprise
That my Muse has decided she likes writing short pieces in answer to challenges again. One of the above was an ALEC submission, and I have one that I want to run past my online workshop comrades before posting – probably next week. Another is currently in the voting process. I wish my Muse would focus on “I Dhaerlend Dadui” or “Changeling” instead, though…
Most Unintentionally Telling Story
Probably “To Walk a Dark Land”, because I was working with a character I’m not truly familiar with yet (Gildor Inglorion) and in a setting I’ve never visited in my fics before (the Dead Marshes). Gildor plays a role in “I Dhaerlend Dadui”, however, so I hoping I get to know him a whole lot better as time goes on.
Story I haven't yet written, but intend to
I suppose if there’s a story to be told by a character that is virtually ignored by most others, that would be the one I’d want to. I’ve debated writing the tale of how one of the Nazgûl first came under Sauron’s sway and what happens when Sauron is vanquished, as I’ve touched upon his fate with some drabbles. I do like tackling characters that most others dismiss or find too easy to simply paint as two dimensional characters that are simply evil without apology. Most characters – just as most people – don’t set out to be deliberately “evil”, but their actions have foundations and causes that make those actions justifiable to the character themselves. To take a canon character everyone believes to be irredeemable and make that character remotely sympathetic is a challenge I love to throw at myself.
Did you take any writing risks this year?
Not like I did in 2009, in writing “Along Came a Spider” (see answer immediately above.) But I did take a chance to actually consummate the relationship between Thranduil and my mortal OFC in “The Elvenking’s Lady”, a move I wasn’t certain would be popular or acceptable to my readers.
Favorite Opening Line(s)
“The unbelievable had happened: the vast army sent forward from the Tower to crush these northern enemies of the Dark Lord had been defeated.” (“Spoils of War”)
Favorite Closing Line(s)
“He could hardly wait.” (“Impatient”)
Favorite 5 Line(s) from Anywhere
1 “"If you think I will permit you to take up a hermit's existence and slowly fade of grief beneath my trees, cousin, you are sadly mistaken." Thranduil's expression grew stern. "I have few I can call family or close friend on this shore any longer; permit me the luxury of hanging onto those who remain, even when they have other wishes."” (“New Roots”)
2 “Laeriel glared at him, giving a deep sigh that came from the bottom of her very being. For the most part, this was a side of Thranduil that she hadn't seen for almost an entire Age, and it was a part of him that she really hadn't felt nostalgic for. "Enough. You will survive these next few minutes, although you will do so in a much more diminished capacity if you continue to exhibit the patience of a flea. Now. Sit. Down."
Green eyes narrowed dangerously. "I exhibit the patience of a what?"
"You heard me: you have the patience of a flea today. You remind me of one as well, hopping from one foot to the other the way you were." She shot a wondering look at the closed door, hearing the sounds of murmuring inside, and then returned to give her husband a fond yet frustrated glance. "A great, big, golden-haired sand-flea."” (“Birthday”)
3 “"I'm not a child – and you're not a whole lot older than I am!" she blurted defensively at him, and then cringed in fear of his reaction. The time she'd spent with Trevor and his so-called "friends" should have taught her better…
The absolute last thing she expected him to do, however, was to break into a warm chuckle as he rose and once more adjusted the blankets to just below her chin. "Looks can be very deceiving," he tossed at her and headed back to the fire to stir his pot.” (“Second Chances”)
4 “She blinked. "Little one?" That was something she had heard all too often in reference to Estel, not her.
"Humor an old Elf, will you?"
Oh, when Erestor smiled like that, Gilraen found it hard to deny him! Where had this good-natured, fun-loving Elf been hiding all this time? "Very well, for tonight only, then, and only because you are just a little bit older than I am."
For her troubles, she was given another round of carefree, uplifting laughter from her dance partner even as he lifted her into the air again to fly with the music.” (“In The House of Elrond – Disclosures”)
5 “Inzilanî sat up in bed. "But what I do now, Borongil? If I not a slave, what am I?"
His grey eyes shone at her with understanding. "Free."” (“Spoils of War”)
Top 5 Scenes You Would Choose to Have Illustrated
1 Elara greeting Thranduil’s return with the woven crown in “The Elvenking’s Lady”.
2 Elrond teaching Gilraen to ice skate in “In The House of Elrond – First Blood”.
3 Gildor Inglorian speaking to Hador in “To Walk a Dark Land”.
4 Inzilanî dancing for Bronamar in “Spoils of War”.
5 The meeting of Thranduil and Celeborn in “New Roots”.
Until next year, folks...
thunderatiger, not realizing the work it would take to actually answer all the questions. It's a good one, though...Stories
Spoils of War
The Elvenking’s Lady
New Roots
Impatient
Birthday
Second Chances
Winter’s Chill
The Ties That Bind
To Walk a Dark Land
In The House of Elrond – Riding Fences
In The House of Elrond – First Blood
In The House of Elrond – Disclosures
In The House of Elrond – Messages
Overall thoughts/Leitmotif
Most of my stories deal with cross-cultural issues between Elves and Men. The differences between mortals and immortals psychologically and culturally are things that intrigue me. I can see where attraction between the sexes could cross those lines, but find those situations generally to be more tragic than romantic.
My best story of the year
“Spoils of War”, I think, was my best effort of 2010. It was one of those stories that came at me hard and fast, pushing me to write almost as fast as my fingers would move in order to get the entire tale out in what turned out to be less than two weeks. It also plumbed a face of the cross-cultural leitmotif that doesn’t often get touched – namely, the nature and fate of those who were, at least officially, part of the Dark Lord’s forces, whether willing or not.
My favorite story of the year
My favorite is one that isn’t finished yet, unfortunately. It is entitled “I Dhaerlend Dadui”, and promises to be a monster. Of the ones I posted in 2010, I suppose “Spoils of War” is my favorite.
Story most underappreciated by the universe, in my opinion
I really didn’t have any that flopped with the fandom more than any other.
Most fun story to write
“Birthday” was the most fun, because it was about such a joyous occasion. It also gave me a chance to explore an OC who will be appearing in more than one venue, and hearing her “voice” more clearly was most delightful.
Story that shifted my own perceptions of the characters
“Winter’s Chill” was a glimpse at a point in the overall story that not many explore too deeply, and from a perspective that most avoid. I think I feel more for Arwen, watching Aragorn approach the end, than I did before. I usually view that event more through the eyes of Elrond, so this was an interesting perspective to investigate.
Favorite major canon character
Anybody who reads my work knows that I have two favorite major canon characters: Elrond and Thranduil. I love them equally (and am laughing to see them glowering at each other for my refusal to declare a favorite) because I see them both as having endured tremendous loss and remaining strong despite it all. They both exercise great authority and demonstrate strength of character beyond that demonstrated by anyone around them.
Favorite minor canon character
Hmmm… I think that would have to be Erestor. He is an enigma in canon, and the way I picture him maintains the enigma while making him a very volatile and underrated person who only Elrond and Glorfindel fully understand.
Favorite original character
This year, that would be Inzilanî, the main character in “Spoils of War”. She is a very strong character to have endured what she did and come out the other end of it both intact and sane. I sometimes toy with telling more of her story, but I have enough WIPs to deal with that I’ve promised myself that I’m not gonna do that until at least two of the others are finished.
Story with the single sexiest moment
While “The Elvenking’s Lady” was the resolution of some serious UST between my mortal OFC and Thranduil, I think the sexiest moment came between Gilraen and Glorfindel in the third installment of “In The House of Elrond – Messages”. That is a romance that simply cannot be, and the moment both of them realize they’ve stepped over the lines was a delight to write was a powerful one. Reader comments seemed to agree with me as well.
Hardest story to write
That would “The Elvenking’s Lady”, by far. Actually, truth be told, the story that ended up being posted was the fourth version of the tale that I had written – and of all the others, only the first half of the story remained the same throughout. I probably ditched over 40k words in editing and rewriting that thing, and it took nearly a year to get it done. I wanted it to be right, and not simply a PWP.
Easiest story to write
Believe it or not, “Spoils of War” was the easiest in so many ways, because my Muse was on fire and knew exactly where she wanted to take Inzilanî and what she wanted to happen to her. I was merely along for the ride and had to hold on tight with both hands the whole way through. It wasn’t an easy tale to tell, but the writing flowed very smoothly and very quickly.
Biggest Disappointment
That I didn’t get more of the WIPs finished. Understand, please, that I have a total of six novel-length WIPs that I’ve been working on over the course of the year, which accounts for why I haven’t posted as much this past year as the year before. My Muse allowed herself to get scattered, and to offer up another tantalizing and impossible to resist story idea before she’d finished with her last bit of genius. I have a couple of “short” stories pending as well, uncertain if they’re gonna stay “short” or end up “novellas”. My lack of finished product is my biggest disappointment this past year, which has spurred my resolution to finish some of these bigger projects.
Biggest Surprise
That my Muse has decided she likes writing short pieces in answer to challenges again. One of the above was an ALEC submission, and I have one that I want to run past my online workshop comrades before posting – probably next week. Another is currently in the voting process. I wish my Muse would focus on “I Dhaerlend Dadui” or “Changeling” instead, though…
Most Unintentionally Telling Story
Probably “To Walk a Dark Land”, because I was working with a character I’m not truly familiar with yet (Gildor Inglorion) and in a setting I’ve never visited in my fics before (the Dead Marshes). Gildor plays a role in “I Dhaerlend Dadui”, however, so I hoping I get to know him a whole lot better as time goes on.
Story I haven't yet written, but intend to
I suppose if there’s a story to be told by a character that is virtually ignored by most others, that would be the one I’d want to. I’ve debated writing the tale of how one of the Nazgûl first came under Sauron’s sway and what happens when Sauron is vanquished, as I’ve touched upon his fate with some drabbles. I do like tackling characters that most others dismiss or find too easy to simply paint as two dimensional characters that are simply evil without apology. Most characters – just as most people – don’t set out to be deliberately “evil”, but their actions have foundations and causes that make those actions justifiable to the character themselves. To take a canon character everyone believes to be irredeemable and make that character remotely sympathetic is a challenge I love to throw at myself.
Did you take any writing risks this year?
Not like I did in 2009, in writing “Along Came a Spider” (see answer immediately above.) But I did take a chance to actually consummate the relationship between Thranduil and my mortal OFC in “The Elvenking’s Lady”, a move I wasn’t certain would be popular or acceptable to my readers.
Favorite Opening Line(s)
“The unbelievable had happened: the vast army sent forward from the Tower to crush these northern enemies of the Dark Lord had been defeated.” (“Spoils of War”)
Favorite Closing Line(s)
“He could hardly wait.” (“Impatient”)
Favorite 5 Line(s) from Anywhere
1 “"If you think I will permit you to take up a hermit's existence and slowly fade of grief beneath my trees, cousin, you are sadly mistaken." Thranduil's expression grew stern. "I have few I can call family or close friend on this shore any longer; permit me the luxury of hanging onto those who remain, even when they have other wishes."” (“New Roots”)
2 “Laeriel glared at him, giving a deep sigh that came from the bottom of her very being. For the most part, this was a side of Thranduil that she hadn't seen for almost an entire Age, and it was a part of him that she really hadn't felt nostalgic for. "Enough. You will survive these next few minutes, although you will do so in a much more diminished capacity if you continue to exhibit the patience of a flea. Now. Sit. Down."
Green eyes narrowed dangerously. "I exhibit the patience of a what?"
"You heard me: you have the patience of a flea today. You remind me of one as well, hopping from one foot to the other the way you were." She shot a wondering look at the closed door, hearing the sounds of murmuring inside, and then returned to give her husband a fond yet frustrated glance. "A great, big, golden-haired sand-flea."” (“Birthday”)
3 “"I'm not a child – and you're not a whole lot older than I am!" she blurted defensively at him, and then cringed in fear of his reaction. The time she'd spent with Trevor and his so-called "friends" should have taught her better…
The absolute last thing she expected him to do, however, was to break into a warm chuckle as he rose and once more adjusted the blankets to just below her chin. "Looks can be very deceiving," he tossed at her and headed back to the fire to stir his pot.” (“Second Chances”)
4 “She blinked. "Little one?" That was something she had heard all too often in reference to Estel, not her.
"Humor an old Elf, will you?"
Oh, when Erestor smiled like that, Gilraen found it hard to deny him! Where had this good-natured, fun-loving Elf been hiding all this time? "Very well, for tonight only, then, and only because you are just a little bit older than I am."
For her troubles, she was given another round of carefree, uplifting laughter from her dance partner even as he lifted her into the air again to fly with the music.” (“In The House of Elrond – Disclosures”)
5 “Inzilanî sat up in bed. "But what I do now, Borongil? If I not a slave, what am I?"
His grey eyes shone at her with understanding. "Free."” (“Spoils of War”)
Top 5 Scenes You Would Choose to Have Illustrated
1 Elara greeting Thranduil’s return with the woven crown in “The Elvenking’s Lady”.
2 Elrond teaching Gilraen to ice skate in “In The House of Elrond – First Blood”.
3 Gildor Inglorian speaking to Hador in “To Walk a Dark Land”.
4 Inzilanî dancing for Bronamar in “Spoils of War”.
5 The meeting of Thranduil and Celeborn in “New Roots”.
Until next year, folks...
