[Child of the 7th Age]

Thanks to the admins for those words of clarification.....Thank you. And good luck with a much needed task. I hope your headaches are few and small!

And, now, back to the other question. The main reason that I posted this thread is that, increasingly, I saw the words "canon" and "fanfiction" or "canon" and "RPG" used in the same sentence. And, like Pio and others, I'm not sure that is appropriate. I can live with "canon friendly" or "canon consistent." Even with these terms, I feel we're dealing with the intent of the writer rather than making a pronouncment on the actual results.

But I'm still curious about my specific question. Have you ever been writing a fanfiction (or RPG) and come to some point where you said, I'd like to include this, but it really pushes me beyond Middle-earth, and I don't feel comfortable there?

Helen -- your quote of Tolkien's letter was helpful. I actually feel more comfortable stretching plots or settings or even places. It's when I get to characterization that I draw the line. There are specific things certain characters won't do in my head. This may be a matter of personal choice rather than a "canon friendly" issue, although I feel it can have implications for both.

sharon, the 7th age hobbit