[Melephelwen]

I'm a newbie to this thread, so I'll just answer the questions on the first page, then I can go on with page 2 and 3 etc. Hope it's okay! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Are any of you writing serious fantasy?
Yes, I am.

If so, how have you dealt with the temptation to be imitative of Tolkien?
I've never been. I've been inspired by dreams and lines popping into my head from nowhere, but I've always tried not to imitate anyone. No evil rings for me, thank you [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

How long have you been working on your story, and why?
I'm not just working on one story, but several. Some are going to be linked later, as in Silmarillion, but all together I'm working on two main Fantasy and a lot of 'real world' stories.
I've always been writing, but I started seriously two years ago. The story was deleted at a 'computer accident' but I started some other BIG things instead... I've been working on my dream-story for a year, and the other fantasy a half.

What pitfalls have you faced and how have you overcome them - or not?
I've had a writing block, but I solved it by starting on a new story, so it'd never been seriously. If I run out of plot I either jump to later in the story and return when I feel like, or I start a description of something/someone. I usually forget to descripe my characters because I want to do it slowly and then I get so many ideas, that before I know I'm through three chapters.
And another problem: I can't make the chapters. I don't know how much my handwriting is on a computerpage and I don't want to make the chapters to short or long.

And an explanation to the 'dream-story':
My one Fantasy was inspired by a dream. It's really freaky, started with a banana as a spaceship, but then it slowly makes sence. It's about a people travelling through (time? space? I don't know) and they land on a planet. They started their travel because of a prophecy and the whole story follows that prophecy (yet we don't know how.) There's one child, and he/she gets split up with three different personalities and the people get split as well. I will have to write three stories following each other but still different... and I have no idea what to name it! So for now it's just 'dream-story'.

I can't continue for now, my parents just... no swearing on this site, so I won't let you know what they did. [img]smilies/mad.gif[/img] I can't concentrate on Tolkien for the next hours. [img]smilies/mad.gif[/img] (And the second I leave the computer I probably won't be allowed to get near it for two days [img]smilies/mad.gif[/img] )
Back to continue. Luckily I was only banned for a few hours...

The other story I'm writing is for now just a lot of bits lying all around. I'm planning to make it something alike Silmarillion. It aactually started out with a small quote on a school-book, and now I'm filling my second briefcase... It's not very clear, but it's something about Snakes. Not those long creepy creatures, but humen 'Snakes'. It's really hard to explain, but they have schools, nad they're the protectors of the world. But there's some nomads that are great enemies to the Snakes, and they are therefor treated by the Snakes in the same way that whites treat the Aboriginals(sp?) in Australia. Then they will be saved by a girl, who in a strange way is related to both groups. Haven't figured out how yet...

How do you keep track of names etc. and phrases you like, that pop into your head?
I write them down and use them when I think they're proper in the storyline. And I actually get my names from... well... this sounds really weird... like this for example:

A N N E
f _o i _n
g r _g g
h w e _l
a a _r a
n y _i n
i __a d
s
t
a
n

If I could get it to work... In this case, I get Foin, Hwel, Aara and Nyin. (They're the only pronouncable...) I always start with a name and write countries vertical. I hope at least somebody understand what I mean... My language in this post is really awkward!

What inspires you? Is it everyday things, or something you read, or dreams? Or a mixture?
Lines popping into my head, names, dreams, fantasies... just about anything.

How do you feel about other people reading your work?
I wouldn't on earth let my family read anything I write except essays. They have no sence of being nice. I can draw a person, ask what I can do better technically, and then my mother asks "Is that an Elf?"! If I knew somebody who would understand why I write, then maybe I would let them read it. Another 'future author BD'er' for example [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

How long do you write for before you feel that it is finished and you can't do anymore without spoiling it?
'Til I reach the ending. I can't tell, I just know when it's done. When I use my writing as essays I mostly get 13 or 11 (Danish grades, 13 best etc.) so I think I can do it okay [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Do you illustrate your work or leave it to the reader's imagination? And do you want to design your own front cover or have someone else do it?
It depends. Sometimes I illustrate, and other times I don't. And I don't know about the front cover. I'll see if I can do it myself, and if not, then I know somebody who I would want to illustrate.

Pwew! I hope all of this made sence... Now I'll move along to page two... This has definately been my longest post ever... [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img]

[ August 04, 2002: Message edited by: Melephelwen ]