Feedback and Suggestion Box

[Aldarion Elf-Friend]

If suggestions from a mostly-lurker may be entertained:

Originally Posted by Aiwendil

1A. We may want to allow a longer time (i.e. longer than one week) for each discussion before beginning the following chapter.

I think that a longer time is an excellent idea, but why tie down to a fixed period for each discussion. As the eariler chapter discussions show, some chapters elicit much discussion, give and take, and point and rebuttal. Others generate 2 or 3 posts and then nothing for five days (although it would surprise me if Silm has that affect).

How about this: each chapter is open-ended, with the moderator announcing two or three days in advance that, since discussion seems to be drawing to a close, the new chapter will be posted on...

Originally Posted by Aiwendil

1B. Another possibility is to further sub-divide the chapters (particularly the later ones).

If you can find logical starting and stopping places, then by all means.

Originally Posted by Aiwendil

2. I wish to encourage, in addition to direct discussion of the chapter as found in the published Silmarillion, discussion of the history of each tale (i.e. of related material in UT and HoMe). But I certainly don't want to frighten off readers unfamiliar with the additional material. I plan to include a list of references in UT and HoMe for each chapter, and also to give a short introductory note on the textual evolution of each chapter. Does this sound like a good idea or might it be too intimidating?

I think that this sort of material in the introduction and inserted by the more knowledgeable and well-read members would be most welcomed, even by the casual reader (will there be any casual readers of these threads?) So far, the source material that has been referenced has been included in a way that is straighforward, non-confusing, and adds to the experience. Kudos to those, especially in the LotR discussions for that!

I have only read UT, so don't know what Silm material is included in the other volumes of HoME, but I know that the stuff from UT was either totally fascinating (the complete Fall of Gondolin, or the creation of the sun and moon), or failed completely to hold my interest (the evolution of the story of Earendil, for instance). I know that everyone's experience is different, and therefore encourage the inclusion of source material and "historical" refrences as part of the discussion.

Thanks for listening.

[Aiwendil]

Mister Underhill wrote:

I think shooting for the weekend after the coming weekend at the earliest would be best. It would give time to post an Announcement and build some awareness before the project rolls. Also, a lot of people start school up again this week; might be better to let them settle in first (not to mention that it will give us time to iron out the technical details).

Quite sensible. Let's make it the weekend of the 16th - 17th then.

I'm inclined to try a two week discussion period. Longer than this would certainly not be advisable. But I see no reason that the length must be set in stone at the outset. If two weeks proves too long, it can be reduced.

[Mister Underhill]

Sounds good. I'll throw an announcement up today. Aiwendil, I think I've set you up to be able to start threads in CbC -- check on that if you would. We'll also have to set the naming conventions for the threads.

[Aldarion Elf-Friend]

What about starting on the 15th, and catching the anniversary of the Silmarillion's publishing date?

[Aiwendil]

The first Silmarillion discussion will be opened shortly. I hope this is not a problem for those attending Oxonmoot; in any case, the next discussion is not set to start until two weeks from today, which should give everyone who's interested time to participate in the Ainulindale.

I will be including some comments on the textual history of each chapter, as well as some references to Unfinished Tales (UT) and The History of Middle-earth (HoMe) for those who are interested in reading more. Please note: these additional readings are not required for participation! I hope that the discussions will appeal to first time readers of the Silmarillion just as much as to venerable HoMe scholars.

[Aiwendil]

I thought that with the Silmarillion discussion now well underway, it might be good to check in with people for any feedback or suggestions. What do you think of the two week time period? It seemed about right to me for the Ainulindale and Valaquenta discussions, but QS chapters 1 and 2 have so far been much quieter (though ch. 2 is, after all, pretty slight). What do others think?

Is there anything else in the way of feedback or suggestions? Anything I could be doing to improve the discussions? (Not that I'm not happy with them so far).

[Aiwendil]

Due to the general business of the end of the semester, the opening of the next discussion will be delayed until late next week. Judging by the activity level of the last few discussions, this will not be of much import to anyone, but I just thought I should let you know.