[Strider]

alright, you caought me, I only read the first page of this thread (knonling as Potter fans call it) it seems this thread has gone way off topic in comparison to the page I just read

[NancyBrooke]

Welcome to OSA, Strider - going off topic is practically a spectator sport around here.

[Strider]

well that's re-assuring, I love going off-topic, it's what I do to pass the time always

[ghettoelleth]

Actually, its also a clinical diagnosis here on the ole OSA ranch. It's called topical tourette's and we treat it with an afternoon of electroshock therapy and a vegimite sandwich, two closely related topics as well.

[Robbie]

[trekqueen]

Wow this topic sure came from the back of the file cabinet.

I read through a lot of the pages but I thought I'd pose a question. I want to take a poll on this, heh Rhapsody knows what I'm up to on this, how paranoid does the hair color of elves make you?

I've recently come across someone who is a bit snobbish (possibly purist?) concerning canon hair color. Personally I wouldn't let one slight mention of hair color turn me off to a story since it is a minor detail (unless of course the color is like bright purple) and has been questioned/debated throughout many LOTR forums and communities for years.

I might have opened a can of worms here but oh well... I was a bit curious.

[Strider]

Well, I wondered this in the past, and it clearly states that Arwen's hair, like Luthien's is dark.

[NancyBrooke]

[Sulriel]

I'm pretty much a hard core purest, but at the same time, I think that most people aren't aware of a lot of what's available in canon.

If there is a change from canon, I like to see it made for a specific reason, otherwise, it looks like a lazy or sloppy error on the author's part.

I consider that following, or purposefully twisting, canon is part of 'the game' of fanfic.

if you don't want to follow canon - why are you here? I don't mean that insultingly - ...but the reason I write fanfiction is because I *love* being immersed in Tolkien's world. and by that logic, it doesn't make sense to change things arbitrarily.

using the example above. Arwen's hair is stated to be dark, unless it's a key plot point that she's blond, why change it? IMO, it makes the author look like they haven't done their homework. I don't judge authors along those lines, but I probably won't read the story simply because the immersion in canon is the main reason I read fanfic and those kinds of details pop me out of my 'readers trance' and out of the story the same way in reading historical fiction, I expect the known facts to be correct and anachronisms will throw me out of the story.

At the same time, I love playing in the undercurrents. Anyone who's read my novel length fic knows it features a threesome and I'll argue to my last breath that it's completely canon, based on LaCE and information in the HoME regarding the Marring of Arda. The Valar were greatly disturbed that two sometimes desired one. I wondered what would mar one enough to want or need or be able to accept the love of two and I'm pretty pleased with what I came up with.

Many times I see stuff in the AU cate, that I wonder why it's there because the canon actually does contain a LOT of good stuff. Time travel, reincarnation, genetic engineering. airplanes, guns and battleships in Numenor - read read read LOL!!! You'd really be hard pressed to find something that the Good Proff didn't give us and so when I read something changed or 'made up' that departs from canon, I often wonder why the author didn't do the research needed to do the story 'right'. I know my prejudice is showing, and I don't do it intentionally to make enemies - but ... it seemed to fit the thread.

The AUs that I do enjoy are a specific departure from canon that hinges the plot conflict or resolution. Again, it's, IMO, the reason for writing fanfic. Otherwise, write original.

Sulriel

[trekqueen]

[trekqueen]

[inglor]

Paranoid? not so much but a blonde Noldor would be as unusual as a raven haired Vanyar, and a silver headed elf had better be able to trace their lineage to Elwe.

For me it gives an indication of race. Blonde: probably of Vanyar descent; Black: Noldor; and Brown: Sindar. Furthermore, I would assume a Silver or fair headed Sindar would be a relative of Elwe and of noble descent. Also, if the elf in question was a redhead, some relation to Nerdanel could be inferred.

The Prof went to some lengths about hair color and IMHO is just polite to do the same. That's all I'm saying.

[Rhapsody]