do you like fan-fiction? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Thinlómien · 09-10-2007, 07:34 AM

Well... I enjoy badly written Harry Potter fan fiction, but that, I guess, is mostly some form of malicious delight...

As to Tolkien fan fiction, I haven't read a lot of it, but it mostly seems horrible. Those Legolas and Aragorn's love affair things etc are too bad to be even amusing. I have nothing against stories that are set in Middle-Earth and the main characters of which are made by the author and which might have some Tolkien's character as a very minor character. Those are, sometimes, even quite excellent and I must say they resmble this forum's RPGs and some tabletop RPGs I've played. I see no problem with those. And if you ask me there is no moral problem even with the awful fan fiction as long as it's not published.

Last but not least - don't give up writing, smeagollives, just because you think you're not talented.

You don't need to be born a genious writer and you can't learn if you don't write. So, if you like writing, keep doing it and someday you see you've learned a lot and are a far better writer than you were in the beginning. (And, if I may add, a good place to write ME-related stuff is the BD subforum the Shire in the RPG section, it's worth of having a look at...)

Lalwendë · 09-12-2007, 02:26 PM

Ummm, yes/no.

I won't actively go and read it, mostly as I never really have much trouble finding things to read as it is. But if it's put in front of me I'll read it, and sometimes even enjoy it. The only exception to that is a decent Barrow Downs RPG - sometimes I'll go and read one of those without being told to or recommended, as they can be great fun and often reveal more about the Downers writing in them than they do about the stories or charcaters, which is quite intriguing

However sometimes a friend will put a tale before me and I'll happily read something written by a friend, or if there is one in the TS magazine Amon Hen - which I'll read cover-to-cover more or less.

The stuff I've found the very best though is the non-serious, the parodies, which can be excellent fun and genuinely new. Or else the brief and reflective. However I cannot stand to read a long, derivative, turgid sword and sorcery Elf-fest or anything about hard-done-by Tippy Toed Princesses. Ugh.

smeagollives · 09-15-2007, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

Last but not least - don't give up writing, smeagollives, just because you think you're not talented. You don't need to be born a genious writer and you can't learn if you don't write.

You know, my biggest problem is creating the "bad one". I have no problem making up a "good one" for my stories... but the bad ones... that is pretty complicated. I do not want bad ones who are just "plain evil"... i want them to have a reason why they turned that bad... but nevertheless i want them to be bad... i do not want the readers (well, i do not have many readers anyways) to identify with them... Tolkien has a talent for creating bad guys. Everbody understands why (for example) Saruman turned bad.. yet most readers would never identify with him.

09-10-2007, 07:34 AM	#1
Thinlómien Shady She-Penguin Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In a far land beyond the Sea Posts: 8,093	Well... I enjoy badly written Harry Potter fan fiction, but that, I guess, is mostly some form of malicious delight... As to Tolkien fan fiction, I haven't read a lot of it, but it mostly seems horrible. Those Legolas and Aragorn's love affair things etc are too bad to be even amusing. I have nothing against stories that are set in Middle-Earth and the main characters of which are made by the author and which might have some Tolkien's character as a very minor character. Those are, sometimes, even quite excellent and I must say they resmble this forum's RPGs and some tabletop RPGs I've played. I see no problem with those. And if you ask me there is no moral problem even with the awful fan fiction as long as it's not published. Last but not least - don't give up writing, smeagollives, just because you think you're not talented. You don't need to be born a genious writer and you can't learn if you don't write. So, if you like writing, keep doing it and someday you see you've learned a lot and are a far better writer than you were in the beginning. (And, if I may add, a good place to write ME-related stuff is the BD subforum the Shire in the RPG section, it's worth of having a look at...) __________________ Like the stars chase the sun, over the glowing hill I will conquer Blood is running deep, some things never sleep Double Fenris

09-12-2007, 02:26 PM	#2
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	Ummm, yes/no. I won't actively go and read it, mostly as I never really have much trouble finding things to read as it is. But if it's put in front of me I'll read it, and sometimes even enjoy it. The only exception to that is a decent Barrow Downs RPG - sometimes I'll go and read one of those without being told to or recommended, as they can be great fun and often reveal more about the Downers writing in them than they do about the stories or charcaters, which is quite intriguing However sometimes a friend will put a tale before me and I'll happily read something written by a friend, or if there is one in the TS magazine Amon Hen - which I'll read cover-to-cover more or less. The stuff I've found the very best though is the non-serious, the parodies, which can be excellent fun and genuinely new. Or else the brief and reflective. However I cannot stand to read a long, derivative, turgid sword and sorcery Elf-fest or anything about hard-done-by Tippy Toed Princesses. Ugh. __________________ Gordon's alive!