Can I just admit that I'm addicted to LotR fanfiction? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Nerwen · 06-23-2008, 12:29 AM

Lush, I wasn't trying to make sweeping statements about you or anyone. I was speaking only of the subset of people who claim their judgement is more valid than that of the rest of us, due to what they've been through. I was just putting forward reasons why this may not be the case. At no time did I mean this to apply to all victims of abuse.

I have to say, though, people who have a history of trauma are, in my limited experience at least, very apt to do what I described. Perhaps they are not representative– an exception rather than the rule. All I can say is that some people react in this way, and leave it at that.

Anyway, obviously I did offend you, and I'm sorry for that.

I guess I did not make it clear what I was trying to say. I'm not really all that good at expressing myself verbally. (I've been lynched in WW for this!)

Once again, after reading reams of angsty fan-fic, I find it impossible to believe that most "fanbrats" are other than spoiled teenagers working off their natural adolescent hostility to their parents. Like I did.

EDIT: clarifying, adding a comment.

Lush · 06-23-2008, 05:22 AM

Quote:

I find it impossible to believe that most "fanbrats" are other than spoiled teenagers working off their natural adolescent hostility to their parents. Like I did.

And that's what can make them really, really fun.

Nerwen · 06-23-2008, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lush

And that's what can make them really, really fun.

That... and the typical Mary Sue's weird name, weirder powers (were-dragons, anyone?), special eye-colour... I mean, they're still hooked on violet! And I love how they totally take the story over (mystical connection to the Ring, etc.)

Some people do get awfully upset by things like fairies and drow in Middle-earth, though...

Estelyn Telcontar · 06-23-2008, 06:17 AM

The very best way to write a Mary Sue story is to proclaim it a parody so that readers know you're above that kind of shoddy writing. Then you can do absolutely anything you want with both character and story and be considered witty and intelligent, because you're allegedly not taking it seriously nor are the readers. Who's then to accuse the author her/himself of self-insertion or therapeutic writing?! Best of both worlds!

Nerwen · 06-23-2008, 06:32 AM

You haven't done this yourself, by any chance, Esty?

EDIT: fixed bolding.

EDIT2: update. I just discovered a great Mary Sue– named Nerwen! (Author must have got the name off a list somewhere, as she's clearly never read any of the books, let alone UT.)

She rides a unicorn.

***Thenamir*** · 06-23-2008, 10:46 AM

... as mentioned by the Lovely Estelyn, can be found right here on the Downs: Revenge of The Entish Bow and its sequel, The Reunification of the Entish Bow -- and I don't say that becase both Esty and I participated in the writing thereof ...

Ibrîniðilpathânezel · 06-23-2008, 08:08 PM

As someone who writes both original fiction and fanfic, and published a fiction fanzine for about 14 years, I've read or seen just about every permutation of fanfic in existence -- and ah, the tales I could tell, the horrors I have seen, and the occasional delights. But that's a long, long story.

For myself, I don't care much for angst or H/C or Mary Sue or whatever fics (just give me a plain old good story), but there is one Mary Sue LotR parody that makes me laugh so hard, it hurts. It's called "Nine Men and a Little Lady" by one Kielle, and I believe it can be found here: http://www.subreality.com/marysue/nmaall.htm Personally, I find Galadriel's entry the most hilarious, but I have a rather odd sense of humor.

06-23-2008, 12:29 AM	#1
Nerwen Wisest of the Noldor Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ˙˙˙ssɐןƃ ƃuıʞooן ǝɥʇ ɥƃnoɹɥʇ Posts: 6,694	Lush, I wasn't trying to make sweeping statements about you or anyone. I was speaking only of the subset of people who claim their judgement is more valid than that of the rest of us, due to what they've been through. I was just putting forward reasons why this may not be the case. At no time did I mean this to apply to all victims of abuse. I have to say, though, people who have a history of trauma are, in my limited experience at least, very apt to do what I described. Perhaps they are not representative– an exception rather than the rule. All I can say is that some people react in this way, and leave it at that. Anyway, obviously I did offend you, and I'm sorry for that. I guess I did not make it clear what I was trying to say. I'm not really all that good at expressing myself verbally. (I've been lynched in WW for this!) Once again, after reading reams of angsty fan-fic, I find it impossible to believe that most "fanbrats" are other than spoiled teenagers working off their natural adolescent hostility to their parents. Like I did. EDIT: clarifying, adding a comment. __________________ "Even Nerwen wasn't evil in the beginning." –Elmo. Last edited by Nerwen; 06-23-2008 at 02:07 AM.

06-23-2008, 06:17 AM	#4
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	The very best way to write a Mary Sue story is to proclaim it a parody so that readers know you're above that kind of shoddy writing. Then you can do absolutely anything you want with both character and story and be considered witty and intelligent, because you're allegedly not taking it seriously nor are the readers. Who's then to accuse the author her/himself of self-insertion or therapeutic writing?! Best of both worlds! __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

06-23-2008, 06:32 AM	#5
Nerwen Wisest of the Noldor Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ˙˙˙ssɐןƃ ƃuıʞooן ǝɥʇ ɥƃnoɹɥʇ Posts: 6,694	You haven't done this yourself, by any chance, Esty? EDIT: fixed bolding. EDIT2: update. I just discovered a great Mary Sue– named Nerwen! (Author must have got the name off a list somewhere, as she's clearly never read any of the books, let alone UT.) She rides a unicorn. __________________ "Even Nerwen wasn't evil in the beginning." –Elmo. Last edited by Nerwen; 06-23-2008 at 08:40 AM.

06-23-2008, 10:46 AM	#6
*Thenamir* Spectre of Capitalism Join Date: May 2001 Location: Battling evil bureaucrats at Zeta Aquilae Posts: 987	Some of the best parody writing on the Web... ... as mentioned by the Lovely Estelyn, can be found right here on the Downs: Revenge of The Entish Bow and its sequel, The Reunification of the Entish Bow -- and I don't say that becase both Esty and I participated in the writing thereof ... __________________ The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. ~~ Marcus Aurelius

06-23-2008, 08:08 PM	#7
Ibrîniðilpathânezel Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Back on the Helcaraxe Posts: 733	As someone who writes both original fiction and fanfic, and published a fiction fanzine for about 14 years, I've read or seen just about every permutation of fanfic in existence -- and ah, the tales I could tell, the horrors I have seen, and the occasional delights. But that's a long, long story. For myself, I don't care much for angst or H/C or Mary Sue or whatever fics (just give me a plain old good story), but there is one Mary Sue LotR parody that makes me laugh so hard, it hurts. It's called "Nine Men and a Little Lady" by one Kielle, and I believe it can be found here: http://www.subreality.com/marysue/nmaall.htm Personally, I find Galadriel's entry the most hilarious, but I have a rather odd sense of humor. __________________ Call me Ibrin (or Ibri) :) Originality is the one thing that unoriginal minds cannot feel the use of. — John Stewart Mill