What Next?

[Aiwendil]

1. If I hadn't been back yet and I got the FoG draft in an email I know I'd stop in. It is scary to have so many people getting a hold of a transitional text (maybe even some spies of the Estate?).

I'm hoping that your hypothetical reaction will be typical of the people we send the draft to; I really think that this could serve to remind some former members about the project.

2. Waiting for some reader response (mine included) is good. I expect most to the plot issues are set after so much work and the editorial process will be limited to spelling and grammar.

That would be ideal, I suppose. One problem (or not, depending on how you look at it) may be that a lot of the comments will revolve around issues that we have worked on extensively, but where that work is invisible given only the draft text. I mean, for example, that the inclusion of the mechanical dragons may generate a lot of feedback; but surely most, if not all, of what there is to be said about that issue has already been said.

4. Getting on to Eärendil is a great move, keeping with the linear momentum built in FoG. But not so fast! Last time I was around the next step was working with the beginning: Ainulindalë and Valaquenta. Easier (by comparison) and already in the process of getting done, right?

I agree that we should finalize these first, and I actually recently pulled up those threads. It would be great if you (and everyone else) could take a few minutes to look over the changes made so far and comment on anything that comes to mind (or if you agree with everything as it is, post and voice your agreement).

I think that those two could be finished off very quickly, and three draft texts is, at least psychologically, a lot more to show for three years of effort than just one.

What do people think of the mailing list idea?