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Aratlithiel
Joined: 10 Sep 2003
Posts: 17
Location: USA
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 Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2003 6:59 pm Post subject: |
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Ooh! I love this email notification thing - I feel like we're chatting.
I think the more popular authors are those who are rather prolific and so get their names out there more often than most. Understand that I read mostly hobbit-fic so the names I can think of off the top of my head generally write those types of tales. I think most people in the hobbit-fic world would consider Baylor one of them. Teasel is definitely getting there. RachelStonebreaker isn't, but should be. Slipstream used to be, but I think she's given up the LotR fandom. Mary Borsellino is up there as well. As far as Frodo-centric stories go, I think Shirebound and Budgielover are the ones who are the most prolific in that bunch.
Some of these I like and some of them I don't, but I'm not gonna tell you which is which! 
_________________
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup. |
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Ariel
Joined: 24 Apr 2003
Posts: 164
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| Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2003 7:59 pm Post subject: |
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| Gaslight wrote: | ...but I have been so badly unimpressed by a couple much-vaunted fics that I'm leery of approaching anything with a huge reputation that proceeds it. Plus I am also more critical of such fics, if only to provide an ineffective counterbalance to all the huzzahs. But when an author doesn't lack for reviews, I certainly don't feel obligated to leave one of my own. I'd rather spend the few minutes typing up something for someone who would be surprised to see something in their inbox.  . |
Lindorien was right! There ARE more of us than I thought! LOL!!! This is exactly what I have found!
((((((((Maram))))))))
Seriously, I like a little bit of thread disruption... keeps people posting... 
And seriously? I think you also see how dangerous and disheartening it can be to compare one's self to anyone! If you have people who read and like your fic, GREAT! And they respond to you? Even better! That is ALL that matters. Comparison gets you nothing but depressed... I KNOW... and in the end, what does it matter? This is all fanfic. We are all doing this for fun, and for the love of Tolkien. None of us is any better than any other... or we'd be out writing original stuff and people would be writing fanfic about our work!
What we were grousing about (and rather good naturedly) were the folks who seem to demand a lot of your time, effort and good will without giving any back... Even if one 'is' a popular author, and it seems you are well on your way to being one, you can still be considerate to the people who are kind enough to send you comments and reviews... That's all I was saying. Scribe believes that writing a good story is enough of a reward to a reader, but, maybe it is just me, if someone takes the time to pen a comment to me, like Aratlithiel, I feel it only right that I should at least acknowledge them back.
That may not be how you feel, but I have gotten an awful lot of very good friends that way and can vouch for the method.
| Viv wrote: | | But do reviewers feel snubbed if they offer a beautiful review and don't hear back from the author? |
Well, I don’t know about everyone, but I feel a lot more warm and fuzzy towards an author who does respond to my review… and I am more likely to give her another one at some point in the future. It isn’t necessary, but it sure is nice to hear back from the author you have complimented…
| Lindorien wrote: | | That is why I answer every review, even if it is simply with 'Thank you', but, oddly, especially if it is less than gushing. For while compliments are nice, incisive commentary goes further to make me a better writer and thoughtful commentary concerning my characters or use of language or clarity of the message goes straight to my soul and how could I not let somebody know that they touched me in such a way? |
Exactly! I love getting glowing reviews, but ones that actually TELL me something are much more interesting and helpful!
| daw wrote: | | Also, IMHO, the only reason not to read something is that you don't enjoy it. Automatically ignoring stories with lots of revews or none, stories that very long or very short, or whatever else means that we miss some things that might give us pleasure. |
Oh, I don’t ignore things that I might like.. I’m just less likely to review something that already has a ton of accolades on it. Those folks already know they have a good fic. They aren’t going to miss my little ol’ review!
Scribe - I'm kinda with Aratlithiel on that one... I doubt anyone I'd mention would find this little thread in the immensity of the internet, but I'd hate to be seen as catty towards anyone. If an author reads this thread and hears how some reviewers would really like to be responded to - then maybe that will be enough to get her thinking about doing so. It may simply be she never realized how welcomed it would be.
Ariel |
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Scribe
Joined: 15 Sep 2003
Posts: 4
Location: Betelgeuse
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| Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2003 8:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Ariel wrote: |
Scribe - I'm kinda with Aratlithiel on that one... I doubt anyone I'd mention would find this little thread in the immensity of the internet, but I'd hate to be seen as catty towards anyone. If an author reads this thread and hears how some reviewers would really like to be responded to - then maybe that will be enough to get her thinking about doing so. It may simply be she never realized how welcomed it would be.
Ariel |
Well that's your perogative and I do believe that response is sometimes warranted. I tend to respond to long rolling reviews that have been sent directly to me but I do not feel obligated to go read their stories or review them because of that. Most thank me for writing and when I respond, are grateful that I do and that is the end of it. They know they can approach me again within limits. You may think this is harsh but I cannot tell you the number of Sue stories I'm asked to review or stories where people want me to collobarate. I actually had one girl whom I thanked for reviewing my story actually ask for a collaboration and the very plotline of the story she had suggested was one of my earlier works!!! There was another one who threatened me with death if I finished the Easterling??? I mean it was stupid of course but do you see why authors may be a bit anxious about establishing too much of a relationship with their readers? And this is just fan fic!
I don't consider myself a great author or anything of the kind but its a personal thing for me to not read too many LOTR fics because I fear it might dilute my own ideas. Fortunately some stories are a template of what NOT to write but other stories by good authors make me very nervous. I mean I love Bagenders to death and I know I've actually tempted to write something similar, which concerns me because really I could be plaguirizing and that worries me.
While its important to keep in touch with your readers, you also have to understand there is a need for distance. Some can even track you down from another continent and move three streets away from you ..ehhhh Do?  Seriously, one should never forget the readers and always have time for them but there is a line that shouldn't be crossed and its just for the writer's sake but for the reader's sake. |
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Ariel
Joined: 24 Apr 2003
Posts: 164
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| Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2003 8:56 pm Post subject: |
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Threatened you with death?! 
Geez... I'll stick with hobbit smut that few people read! LOL!
And yes, I would believe the number of Sue stories you are asked to read... I write OCs too. Luckily (or unluckily) if someone asks me for a real review, I will give it... and I am honest. I'll generally find something to compliment the author on, but I call a spade a spade... if it stinks, I tell them it stinks... and that will often cut short the 'relationship' with anyone who isn't really serious about improving their writing.
On the other hand, I have taken some young and promising writers under my wing and been very pleased to see improvement... That is a rewarding experience too - but it takes a lot of effort and I'm not willing to beta more than a couple folks at a time... I don't have that kind of spare time.
Not reading too many fics... Hmmm... well, I haven't had that difficulty yet - mainly because I have already written treatments of all the situations that most Frodo-centric fanfic writers tackle. My fics now are from odder POVs and of a particular AU - or they are tackling mature and little explored concepts. (Hmmm... maybe I will post my short Mablung piece here...) I've had plots tackled by other writers, but I already have SO many plot bunnies I can spare one or two.
| Quote: | | I actually had one girl whom I thanked for reviewing my story actually ask for a collaboration and the very plotline of the story she had suggested was one of my earlier works!!! |
Uh.... Been there too... only the story I was asked to review was a scene for scene rewrite of one of my stories. I had to explain to the author that that sort of thing was frowned on even in fanfic. She thought it was OK because we were all already plagerizing Tolkien. I then explained the concept of a disclaimer... 
Ariel |
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Scribe
Joined: 15 Sep 2003
Posts: 4
Location: Betelgeuse
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| Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2003 9:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Ariel wrote: | Threatened you with death?!
Geez... I'll stick with hobbit smut that few people read! LOL!
And yes, I would believe the number of Sue stories you are asked to read... I write OCs too. Luckily (or unluckily) if someone asks me for a real review, I will give it... and I am honest. I'll generally find something to compliment the author on, but I call a spade a spade... if it stinks, I tell them it stinks... and that will often cut short the 'relationship' with anyone who isn't really serious about improving their writing.
On the other hand, I have taken some young and promising writers under my wing and been very pleased to see improvement... That is a rewarding experience too - but it takes a lot of effort and I'm not willing to beta more than a couple folks at a time... I don't have that kind of spare time.
Not reading too many fics... Hmmm... well, I haven't had that difficulty yet - mainly because I have already written treatments of all the situations that most Frodo-centric fanfic writers tackle. My fics now are from odder POVs and of a particular AU - or they are tackling mature and little explored concepts. (Hmmm... maybe I will post my short Mablung piece here...) I've had plots tackled by other writers, but I already have SO many plot bunnies I can spare one or two.
| Quote: | | I actually had one girl whom I thanked for reviewing my story actually ask for a collaboration and the very plotline of the story she had suggested was one of my earlier works!!! |
Uh.... Been there too... only the story I was asked to review was a scene for scene rewrite of one of my stories. I had to explain to the author that that sort of thing was frowned on even in fanfic. She thought it was OK because we were all already plagerizing Tolkien. I then explained the concept of a disclaimer...
Ariel |
Well the support mechanism in place for all writers for this archive was my way of doing that. I'm lousy at nurturing, I'm about as maternal as a chainsaw but I wanted this place to be a meeting point for good authors and new ones, to facilitate a way to help them find each other for improvement. I guess, this was my way of helping out my readers while not crossing that line so to speak.
Does that make sense or am I talking out of my ass again  |
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Ariel
Joined: 24 Apr 2003
Posts: 164
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| Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2003 9:17 pm Post subject: |
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| Scribe wrote: | | Does that make sense or am I talking out of my ass again |
Well, if you are, you do it quite eloquently...
Ariel |
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JennnLee
Joined: 03 Nov 2003
Posts: 123
Location: Orlando, FL
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| Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2003 9:26 pm Post subject: |
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Wow, after reading this thread, I guess I'm glad that I'm not more involved in the world of LOTR fanfiction. Most of my experience in fanfic has been through fanfiction.net, and by corresponding with fellow writers I was able to meet two people who I consider two of my closest friends now (Hi Ell!), and an awesome collaborator (Hi Ell again!). But I know that I'm not any kind of 'well-known' writer among LOTR folks, and that's really fine with me. I write because... well, because I have to, really. I get an idea, and I want to go with it. I'm not all that prolific, since I don't have too many ideas, but I have fun.
So I guess I never had to think about things like the etiquette of writing to reviewers or whether or not I should review. I leave reviews when I'm tempted to, and don't when I don't.
So that was my little waste of bandwidth of a post... |
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Scribe
Joined: 15 Sep 2003
Posts: 4
Location: Betelgeuse
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| Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2003 3:14 am Post subject: |
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Okay ladies,
I think its time for everyone to take a breath and remember the original topic of this thread? Fan fiction recommendation and discussion? I think that the issue of reviewing should go into a separate thread if you want to keep discussing it. I’m not telling you what you can or cannot discuss but people are coming to this thread seeking to read recommendations and discussions about fics, not about the review process, the popularity of authors, etc. In other words, get back on point.
This discussion belongs in the forum section about reviews, so if you want to keep discussing this, by all means do so but do it there and allow this thread to continue as it was originally intended. |
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Ariel
Joined: 24 Apr 2003
Posts: 164
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| Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2003 1:41 pm Post subject: |
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Well, that promptly killed the topic... And the thread it seems.
Perhaps I was unclear about the discussion angle that I was hoping to engage in. I also enjoy free flowing, coffee table like discussion of various topics related to fanfic in general. Starting a new thread for every little thing that comes to your head means that no one gets an email notification for the topic. Is there a place, a forum or a thread, at OS where this kind of round table discussion could be engaged in?
Ariel |
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Hobmom
Joined: 08 Sep 2003
Posts: 14
Location: BEWTE
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| Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2003 1:45 pm Post subject: |
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How about starting a Fanfic Roundtable thread? That will let us ramble on more freely. I'd go along with that.
_________________
"Everything is part of the one great song but each thing and person has it’s own voice. And the song is always growing with each new thing that lives. We all add our part.Sit down, Sam, and listen.”
Frodo- "More Than This" by Me |
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Ariel
Joined: 24 Apr 2003
Posts: 164
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| Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2003 1:48 pm Post subject: |
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Rather than incur the wrath of Scribe again, I would prefer she answer - since it is her site. I know what I am looking to do and if I can do it here, great... if not, then I will go elsewhere... simple as that.
Ariel |
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Scribe
Joined: 15 Sep 2003
Posts: 4
Location: Betelgeuse
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| Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2003 4:11 pm Post subject: |
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| Ariel wrote: | Rather than incur the wrath of Scribe again, I would prefer she answer - since it is her site. I know what I am looking to do and if I can do it here, great... if not, then I will go elsewhere... simple as that.
Ariel |
Now people, I'm not angry or wrathful at anyone. This topic is an interesting one and I've enjoyed taking part in it but I think it warrants a different thread on its own. In fact, it should go into the general discussion section instead of one that is for fan fic recommendations and discussions. You must admit that the topic did stray from its original purpose and those coming here to find fan fic recommendations stepped into a discussion which may have seemed unrelated to them.
That ways people have no reason to complain about the topics being discussed whatever they may be. I mean go with Hobmom's idea of calling it a Fanfiction Roundtable, I'm all for it. I'm not saying you can continue discussing it, I'm just saying that it deserves its own thread. I hope you understand. |
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Ariel
Joined: 24 Apr 2003
Posts: 164
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| Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2003 4:21 pm Post subject: |
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OK... I am up for having a separate recommendations thread (in fact, I see someone already did that) but if a 'Roundtable' thread would be one where we could wander from topic to topic (all related to fanfic, of course) then that is what I'd like to do. It really is fun, and though I know it is not the way many people have come to see a forum, I have seen this type of 'community' thread work quite well. That's really all I am looking to put together.
Are you able to move the posts that would belong in another thread to them? Is there a forum where you would rather see this type of 'community roundtable' thread? Just let me know. I aim to cooperate!
Ariel |
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Gaslight
Joined: 12 May 2003
Posts: 87
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| Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2003 4:30 pm Post subject: |
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I'm also eager for a Roundtable thread where the topic can wander around a bit. When thoughts lead to other ones, it's liberating to be able to go with the flow without having to keep to some sort of outline!
I think when any Roundtable or whatnot gets started, maybe some guidelines for language should be set up as well. Like what level of "naming names" is acceptable. I know that we all hate putting feet in mouths (and I confess I do this all the time), but if we want to cite something, should we just leave it authorless and only describe the situation -- and let anything specific beyond that be taken care of via private messages for those who ask? I mean, I'm open-minded about any rules and if someone feels that anything positive or negative from my fics can be used to illustrate a point, I hereby give permission for anyone to do that.
I'm not looking at the Roundtable as a place to dissect things and have the tone be a negative one, but the topic will be sure to rise on occasion and it would be good if guidelines/what is permissable were clear from the get-go rather than have things flare up later on. Just a suggestion! |
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Hobmom
Joined: 08 Sep 2003
Posts: 14
Location: BEWTE
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| Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2003 4:33 pm Post subject: |
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There we go! That wasn't too bad.
Ariel, you know I hardly know what OT means so I will love the Roundtable thread!
Just put an announcement here so we who want to post can find it.
_________________
"Everything is part of the one great song but each thing and person has it’s own voice. And the song is always growing with each new thing that lives. We all add our part.Sit down, Sam, and listen.”
Frodo- "More Than This" by Me |
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