Canon and Fanfiction: Imagination vrs. Respect

[piosenniel]

In fact, where does canon stop, and personal choice begin?

For me, canon stops when a hand other than Tolkien's puts pen to paper, or in this day and age I should say fingers to the keyboard.

Certainly, other writings can have the flavor of Tolkien's writings - his "style and grace", as mark12_30, put it. In fact, some are so seemly, they take the reader's breath away. But to talk about any 'canonicity' seems ludicrous to me.

I don't think we can use the word 'canon' to be objective about RPG's or fanfics. The rules should be subjective - what parameters will the admins of this particular site allow?

Rules and guidelines should be set up by them which they feel will reflect and encourage the kinds of writing they'd like to see represent the Barrow Downs. Let the judgement come from that.