[phoenixqueen]

*eyes widen* I almost don't want to know how everyone got onto this topic, but its been...interesting for me to hear so many different viewpoints. See, I'm a Christian and as such, I just oppose any same-sex pairing or incest on the principles of it. Not to insult anyone, that's just my personal opinion, and since I can't stand it in RL, I have a problem reading it in fanfiction (or any fiction) too.

There is only ONE exception that I have made, and that is "The Last Herald-Mage" trilogy by Mercedes Lackey. Even though the main character is gay, I overlook it because he is otherwise a very well-rounded character, and you can feel for him. I wasn't happy with the fact that he is gay, but it's a very little problem when you look at the over-all emotional aspect of the character. Plus there is nothing that is explicit, so it makes it kind of easy to forget that the character is gay. If that makes me a hypocrite, oh well.

I was reading some fanfiction the other day, and I came up with another pet-peeve that I have. I tend not to read stories where the entire chapter is run together in one long paragraph. Since I do a lot of beta-reading and editing for others, I can't stand that. To me, it says that the author was more concerned with typing random words and not with making certain that their story could be easily read by other people. *shrugs*

I have absolutely no problem with AU or crossover fics, in fact I tend to enjoy those most of all, because that's when the author can get really creative.

Although, I was wondering...can anyone give me some tricks to reading "The Silmarillion"? I've been trying to read it for the past year, but I can't ever get past the Valaquenta part. I've been dying to read it, but I am struggling with it. Is there anything that some of you do that helps you get past the very formal language?

phoenixqueen

[Thuriniel]

[sindohte]

[BittenBuggy]

*Basks in the Silmarillion glow*

Nah, I do absolutly LOVE the book though. If I could only read one thing, for the rest of my life, man that would be it... *sigh* And yes, the first few chapters are hard to get into, but once you get past that to the elfie parts its so much better! (Look who doesn't sound like a Silm expert)



I don't make any sense today. I'll come back later when I can be more articulate

[Anna]

Oh yes, welcome over to the Silm reading group! It´s so much fun! You really should read The Silmarillion, phoenixqueen. Silm is absolutely great! But, yes, it can be a bit difficult to get into at first. Listen to BB; when you get to the elfie parts it´s ALL good! Well, I´m a convinced PEF, so all elfie parts are good parts...

One thing you can do to get past the formal language is to start reading it out loud to yourself. Then you´ll hear the beautiful rhythm and it´s a lot easier to follow. Before you know it you´ve stopped reading it out loud and begun focusing solely on the wonderful story. It always helped me the first times I read it!

I hope we´ll hear from you in the reading group!

[Hathor]

[Andreth]

Same-sex pairings don't bother me in fiction or in real life. My best friend is gay and I wouldn't trade him for the world. And I would rather read a well-written slash story than a poorly-written het story.

In fiction, just as in real life, it's not whether or not a character is gay that makes them good or bad, it's how they're put together as a person. Unfortunately people tend to forget that sometimes.

[Panneth]

[BittenBuggy]

[Hathor]

[SilverMoonLady]

[Andreth]

While there are many things I'd like to put through Bush's skull, tolerant ideals haven't been among them yet. Besides, it would be a waste of time. I think he's allergic to them. As a nation we regressed about 40 years both economically and socially when he took office.

And Silvermoon Lady, you read my mind! My husband and I have been plotting our escape to Canada for the last few years. Socialism looks really good right about now. And I miss Victoria in the summertime. Beautiful place.


Anna

[SilverMoonLady]

[Hathor]

[Strider]

I implore you all to please read the play "when Shakespeare's Ladie's meet" and think about what the Shakespeare purists thought about it... just food for thought.