*Fan Fiction Information and Recommendations*

[Mnemosyne]

I finally finished managing to upload my Fourth Age OC Hobbit Epic, Keep Alive the Memory, on the old UBB site, here. I know it's bad form to self-rec, but ever since I started writing the piece I dreamed of getting it published on the 'Downs and having some of you admirable folk read and review it.

Speaking of--this means (actually, it happened over a year ago, but no one actually posted about it here) that the website crash of Aught Eight which disabled the fan fiction forum for a while has been fixed, which means that we've again got easy access to The Hobbits, Whatever Happened to Folco?, and those bits of The Fairy Wife that have made their way on the site.

I'd also like to rec Morth's stuff, which is incredibly creative and deals with the lands east and south of what we know of from LotR. He did start publishing on the Barrow-Downs fan fiction page, and if you'd like to check it out and encourage him to upload the last bit *cough* please do--you can find it here.

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Mnemosyne

I'd also like to rec Morth's stuff, which is incredibly creative and deals with the lands east and south of what we know of from LotR. He did start publishing on the Barrow-Downs fan fiction page, and if you'd like to check it out and encourage him to upload the last bit *cough* please do--you can find it here.

Thanks so much for the kind words, Mnemo. The Tales of a Dark Continent story placed 2nd in the Drama category at the almost-coveted, faux-prestigious, nearly-famous, quasi-important Middle-earth Fanfiction Awards (MEFA). It would have placed first, or so I am told by many voters, but as it is a full-length novel, many folk were daunted by the size of the work (some 87,000 words). As Emperor Joseph once said to Mozart, "It's quality work, but there are simply too many notes..."; therefore, I will soon be providing an edited version without articles, prepositional phrases or adverbs.

Rather than upload it to the BD fan-fic site, which has become a literal barrow down in its own right, here is the story in its entirety in an easier to read format:

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4625805/...Dark_Continent

[Mnemosyne]

Originally Posted by Morthoron

It would have placed first, or so I am told by many voters, but as it is a full-length novel, many folk were daunted by the size of the work (some 87,000 words).

I know exactly how you feel... only my magnum opus had to deal with being Honorably Mentioned at Fourth (one point below the second and third places, too, grr). Even more embarrassing is that my highest placing tale was movie!verse (fix-the-movies!verse, but still movie!verse) and thus had my arch nemesis, Frolijah of the Cerulean Orbs of Power*, as a protagonist.

Thanks for placing the full link. ^_^

*A power which was largely abused first by Jackson and then by the rest of the fandom, whom I fear will never join the spirited Brown-Eyed Camp. For a much more effective use of the Eyes, see Sin City.

[Ibrîniðilpathânezel]

Originally Posted by Morthoron

It would have placed first, or so I am told by many voters, but as it is a full-length novel, many folk were daunted by the size of the work (some 87,000 words).

Well, my "magnum opus" had several other problems, as far as MEFA was concerned, so nobody even bothered to nominate it. I didn't post it in popular archives (my own website isn't sufficiently popular), I didn't post it in html (the files were pdf, and from what I was told, that is a Mortal Sin), it was 132,000 words (which is kinda average length for me, if not a tad on the short side), and I guess it didn't have enough Hobbits, known Elves, or known Men in it (I was flat out told by several folk that "no one is really interested in Gandalf"). It's what I get for being more interested in Valinor than in Middle-earth. Ah, well. I don't write for the adulation, so it's not really an issue. That anyone reads it at all is enough.

[Mnemosyne]

Originally Posted by Ibrîniðilpathânezel

Well, my "magnum opus" had several other problems, as far as MEFA was concerned, so nobody even bothered to nominate it. I didn't post it in popular archives (my own website isn't sufficiently popular), I didn't post it in html (the files were pdf, and from what I was told, that is a Mortal Sin), it was 132,000 words (which is kinda average length for me, if not a tad on the short side), and I guess it didn't have enough Hobbits, known Elves, or known Men in it (I was flat out told by several folk that "no one is really interested in Gandalf"). It's what I get for being more interested in Valinor than in Middle-earth. Ah, well. I don't write for the adulation, so it's not really an issue. That anyone reads it at all is enough.

And here I was planning on nominating one of yours for next year, along with several other examples of Downer fic! (Seriously.)

[Ibrîniðilpathânezel]

Originally Posted by Mnemosyne

And here I was planning on nominating one of yours for next year, along with several other examples of Downer fic! (Seriously.)

I'm flattered (thank you ), though I'm not sure they'd consider it eligible anymore, since I haven't added anything new in... two or three years, I think. Though I'm considering revising the one completed novel, and I actually started working on the stalled one again recently. Dang writer's block. I knew that I should never start posting a work in progress. It's almost a sure guarantee that I'll stall before the end. *sigh*

[Mnemosyne]

Originally Posted by Ibrîniðilpathânezel

I'm flattered (thank you ), though I'm not sure they'd consider it eligible anymore, since I haven't added anything new in... two or three years, I think. Though I'm considering revising the one completed novel, and I actually started working on the stalled one again recently. Dang writer's block. I knew that I should never start posting a work in progress. It's almost a sure guarantee that I'll stall before the end. *sigh*

As far as I know, anything's eligible as long as it hasn't run as a completed work before. (Which also means this: WIPs compete with each other!) When the 2010 season starts up I'll do some more poking around (they usually change the rules just a bit each year) because most of the stuff I want to nominate has been around for quite some time. As long as they can get in touch with the author, I think it's good.

All of my other potential 'Downer noms I've already mentioned above (although I just trawled the archive and couldn't find the Folco fic--Esty, have you taken that down? (And you may also consider this a prod to continue your work!)), otherwise I'd try to drag this back on topic a little bit.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Originally Posted by Mnemosyne

...the website crash of Aught Eight which disabled the fan fiction forum for a while has been fixed, which means that we've again got easy access to The Hobbits, Whatever Happened to Folco?, and those bits of The Fairy Wife that have made their way on the site.

Thanks for that reminder, Mnemo! Alas, I haven't visited the site regularly, and your post, bringing up this thread, reminds me to do so. I shall take the time to read up on some of the stories there.

I just trawled the archive and couldn't find the Folco fic--Esty, have you taken that down? (And you may also consider this a prod to continue your work!

Thanks for your interest! The Folco story is still there; its title is To Everything ... Time, which accounts for not being able to find it under the question that sparked the idea. I'm not a great writer of fiction, so have neglected to carry on with the tale. Work on Music in Middle-earth last year took priority over all other writing, so I do have an excuse of some worth. I shall dig out my notes and see if I can get into it again. I don't normally like to leave things unfinished!

[Ibrîniðilpathânezel]

Originally Posted by Estelyn Telcontar

I'm not a great writer of fiction, so have neglected to carry on with the tale. Work on Music in Middle-earth last year took priority over all other writing, so I do have an excuse of some worth. I shall dig out my notes and see if I can get into it again. I don't normally like to leave things unfinished!

That is something I can REALLY understand! Although I have written a lot of fiction, and it was actually several very bad years full of deaths among family and friends (not to mention the family strife that followed) that started my current bout of writer's block, it wasn't helped when the Muse got pulled in other directions. Most recently, I started producing a line of original designs and patterns for charted needlepoint, and have been working to build up enough of a "library" to start marketing them beyond local shops. Every time the Muse wants to dabble with writing, there's the pull that says, "No, you've got this next pattern and model to complete," and that takes priority because it means real income potential. (I did manage to squeeze in my love of Tolkien even there, though: one of the designs/patterns is titled "Stars in Shadows Shimmering." I really have to get that ad page for this stuff up on my website....)

Don't you hate it when Real Life insists on getting in the way of Art?

Okay, okay, back to the topic!

[Mnemosyne]

The 2010 Middle-earth Fan Fiction Awards are underway.

It's a fandom-run competition in which readers can "vote" for their favorite stories by leaving reviews (a longer review is worth more points), and contains some of the best fan fiction written in the past year--or previously.

I am posting this information here because I am trying to nominate exceptional examples of 'Downer fic. I've already made a few nominations, but if anyone has any other suggestions I am open (or they can join the awards and nominate them themselves!).

Additionally, should people be scrolling through the site, bored and in need of something to read, you are guaranteed to find at least one piece that you like on the archives (that's a very poor recommendation, because it's so vague, but it will have to suffice for now).

The website may be found here. I compete and review under the name "Celeritas".

Sincerely yours,
Mnemosyne

[Ibrîniðilpathânezel]

I thank you kindly (and publicly) for your nominations (under the pen name MJ -- y'know, I appear to be one of a very few LotR fan writers who actually publishes stuff under their real name, no doubt a holdover from my days as a print fanzine editor/writer, where everyone used their real names). And I wish you good luck -- also Morth, who I see is nominated as well. I have my doubts as to whether or not this will amount to anything for me, as I'm not active in the online writing communities, but what the heck. It's an honor to be nominated after all these years.

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Mnemosyne

The website may be found here. I compete and review under the name "Celeritas".

Good lord, Mnemo, I had a lengthy conversation with you as 'Celeritas' and you never told me you haunted this forum! Thanks again for the insightful review last year.

I have only one story in the running this year, and not so ambitious as the last.

[mark12_30]

Originally Posted by Mnemosyne

I've already made a few nominations, but if anyone has any other suggestions I am open (or they can join the awards and nominate them themselves!).

The website may be found here. I compete and review under the name "Celeritas".

Celeritas Mnemosyne,

Humbled and honored by your nomination, for which I thank you, and for your kind comments about The Fairy Wife and about Tapestry. I am glad that you have enjoyed them both!

Thanks again.

[Mnemosyne]

So, I was out of town when all these replies came in... anyhow... thanks... I'm really honored to try to get some more exposure to these excellent pieces, and if you look at the public reviews it's started working...

Those who are curious can follow the awards here, and can sort reviews by author. They'll keep on accepting them into December, then tally them and present winners.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Originally Posted by Mnemosyne

The 2010 Middle-earth Fan Fiction Awards are underway.

It's a fandom-run competition in which readers can "vote" for their favorite stories by leaving reviews (a longer review is worth more points), and contains some of the best fan fiction written in the past year--or previously.

I am posting this information here because I am trying to nominate exceptional examples of 'Downer fic. I've already made a few nominations, but if anyone has any other suggestions I am open (or they can join the awards and nominate them themselves!).

Additionally, should people be scrolling through the site, bored and in need of something to read, you are guaranteed to find at least one piece that you like on the archives (that's a very poor recommendation, because it's so vague, but it will have to suffice for now).

The website may be found here. I compete and review under the name "Celeritas".

Sincerely yours,
Mnemosyne

I'd like to remind all Downers that voting in this competition ends on December 15 - you still have almost two weeks to read, review and vote for your favourite stories! Hopefully, of course, they're by a fellow Barrow-Downer...

[Mnemosyne]

Originally Posted by Estelyn Telcontar

I'd like to remind all Downers that voting in this competition ends on December 15 - you still have almost two weeks to read, review and vote for your favourite stories!

I'd like to reiterate Esty here, and add that I've been really impressed with the number of reviews the 'Downer fics have gotten, considering that so few of the reviewers have heard of them. Since my real intent in nominating them was to try to open a lot of the fandom's eyes to fan fiction that they hadn't encountered before, I consider that a rousing success.

I'm planning on starting my reviews this weekend, so watch out!

[Mithadan]

Mnemosyne, thank you for nominating some of my stories. I am honored.

I would like to point out that some of our writers are listed under names other than their nicknames on the Barrowdowns.

Mnemosyne writes as Celeritas.

mark12_30 writes as Daffodil Furrow.

Ibrîniðilpathânezel writes as MJ.

Are any other Downers nominated other than we 4?