*Fan Fiction Information and Recommendations*

[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?

[Ibrîniðilpathânezel]

Morthoron is nominated, under the same name.