NEW lotr ebooks to be created. Set BEFORE and AFTER the original lotr. HELP NEEDED. [Archive]

Marileangorifurnimaluim

12-12-2001, 08:39 PM

I would contact Mithadan, check out his Tales from Tol Erisea on this site.

Interesting thought I've had (I'm interested, and I'd probably write it myself but don't know if I have the time): story about a Black Numenorian, one of the ones they described as being "deceived by Sauron" who later fell into the right side after the fall of Numenor - only I would have his turn about happen just before the fall, too late to stop it. A noble, well-meaning, intelligent person, with some normal character flaws but nothing glaring, who thinks he's on the right side.

The point?
First... I'd like to see Numenor described in lush detail.

Second, I think it would make a good story to be able to see why Sauron could fool so many elves and men. To see Sauron through their eyes. What tremendous charisma, how reasonable and good he must have seemed! People must have grown up trusting him. It would work particularly well if we don't tell the readers right off that this great leader is Sauron, let them be fooled too... and then hint at a deception... with a perfectly reasonable explanation... then another... then another.. then clue the reader in before the black numenoreon finds out, so you're desperately aware that he's on the wrong side for all the right reasons.

It'd be a damn good story.

And if Numenor and it's ways were described lovingly and well, it'd be heartbreaking to witness it's loss, explaining the heartache of Gondor in later years.

I've been told I'm a good writer, but I think I'm better as an editor. I don't see the flaws in my own writing very well.

Resource for prospective writers: "Character and Viewpoint" by Orson Scott Card. He's a great writer (wrote Ender's Game) but is well known as an excellent teacher, and this book covers a lot of ground on character, plot development, how to successfully describe what you see in your mind's eye. Makes the difference between:

Arrod woke beneath a tree along the sea of Eluim. The waves crashed, and seagulls soared overhead as he wondered where he was. Durneald had said... but then he remembered Durneald was dead, or as good as."

Why should we care about this Arrod, what is he doing in this vague place, how can seagulls be in the trees, who the heck is Durneald, plus it doesn't hold the reader's eye in one place long enough for them to see what's happening - a writer's version of a jumpy camara. And Arrod has no personality, no attitude. All we get are some facts, and a person we don't relate to. This tells the same story:

He regained consciousness slowly, to the sound of pounding surf. More painfully, Arrod became aware of the matching throb of his head as he stirred and spat out the salt tang. His mouth was dry, as if he hadn't swallowed half the sea of Eluim in one night. In this gentle breeze, a memory of thundering black water, clutching at life, going under, seemed an evil dream. But he couldn't place himself.

He heard the sound of gulls, and the whisper of leaves.. a mystery confirmed by the roots digging into his back. Treeline? How had he come so far ashore? Durneald had warned him.. but the thought of his friend's advice brought a wash of bitter pain. He remembered. All of it. It was no dream. Durneald was dead, or as good as.

Was it inevitable? Gods, what have I done?

Arrod opened his eyes, which confirmed the wreck of his former life.
Kelp decorated branches above him, branches which careened at odd angles, trees uprooted, flung like a giant's playthings, having uprooted still others. Scattered fish gasped their last in puddles far from home. Only the seagulls profited, winging their way lazily through wilted leaves, enjoying this unaccustomed harvest.

Wonder replaced past horror as Arrod realized how very closely he escaped death. With a moment's guilt for Durneald he gloried that he was still alive, for all that! The gods preserved him for some dark purpose of their own - probably punishment, he laughed - but he, who most deserved death had a second gasp at life. He could undo nothing of the past, but this marvel of life made anything seem possible.

Sorry, I started writing and I couldn't stop. I don't have writer's block right now. smilies/biggrin.gif But you get the idea. Of course I had my rootmate critique it - the original barely had a hint of a character, had no "root" so I had to go back and change it. There's no substitute for an editor.

-Maril

[ December 13, 2001: Message edited by: Marileangorifurnimaluim ]