Writing meme
Taken from lindahoyland, but posted all at once. Behind the cut for length:
1. Which is your favorite of the fics you've written ?
Long story: "A New Reckoning" because nearly all my subsequent stories were based on it.
One-shot: "One Great Leap" because I love the idea of that pivotal moment of Bilbo's life being honored.
2. Favorite piece overall?
"Eleventy-one Years: Too Short a Time, Book One: The First Fifty Years" What fun it was to take all the information from the Appendices, the Tale of Years and the Family Trees, plus much of my own headcanon and fanon to create a backstory for Bilbo's childhood and young adulthood. I'm looking forward to writing the next part!
3. Which was the hardest to write, in terms of plot?
"The Road to Edoras" (sequel to "A New Reckoning".) I stalled several times with that; there were plot twists I didn't expect and interruptions in RL that disrupted my thoughts about it.
4. Which has the most "you" in it, however you'd define that?
"Hobbit Aid". That story was purely a cathartic reaction to my experiences in Hurricane Katrina. It was written and posted raw, without either beta or self-editing except to check for typos and spelling, as I wanted very much to keep the emotions preserved.
5. What is an image/set of images that you're particularly proud of?
My drabble, "Pippin and the Sea":
"It stretched as far as he could see. Grey water: ceaseless motion, undulating lines of white foam marking the waves and holding the gaze. How far across the Sundering Sea? Pippin wondered. How long would Frodo’s journey take?
He stood between Merry and Sam, watching as the sky slowly deepened, grey to purple to indigo, and the yellow water-path the Sun made faded, the water darkening. He drank in the sight, never knowing if he’d ever see it again.
Arwen's POV, my set of vignettes, "The Token":
"The roses of my bower were red and fragrant, yet neither I nor my companion could appreciate their beauty. He leaned into the circle of my embrace, weeping bitterly. I knew not how to comfort him, for only a few moments before, my father had told Bilbo that he would not be allowed to accompany us on our journey.
"Your health will not stand it, my old friend. I am very sorry, but as your healer, I will not countenance it. Would you have us arrive in Gondor to see Frodo and the others, only to tell them that we had left you buried along the way?"
My father's face had been both stern and gentle, and pained as well, for he knew the disappointment he was causing. He glanced to me in entreaty ere he left us, hoping I would be able to comfort poor Bilbo.
I knew not how to console the old hobbit's grief. For long months we had been comrades in adversity, united by our fears and our hopes for the loved ones we had watched go off into mortal peril. And now, after all the long waiting, he was not to go and be reunited with them, but must wait instead for them to come to him. And I was disappointed as well, for I had looked forward to his stout and cheerful presence at our side when Aragorn and I finally realised our long-awaited dream.
But it could not be; my father was right--these months of anxious waiting--nine months if I considered the turmoil and fear that had accompanied Frodo's dangerous journey to Imladris, and the days and nights of anguish after his wounding, as well as our mutual worries when they left once more--had all taken their toll on my small friend. He was already ancient by the reckoning of his kind, and the destruction of the One had released the hold it had on him, leaving him prey to all the years it had held at bay. As much as he wished it, he would not survive a journey to Gondor in his perilous state of health.
His weeping exhausted him, and soon his weary body succumbed to sleep. As I felt his hitched sobs slowly even out into soft gentle snores, I eased him into my arms. He was frail, and weighed no more than a very young child. I arose carefully, and carried him through the wide door that led from my bower-garden to my chambers, and laid him upon the soft cushions of a small bench by my window. He curled up, and slept on without further stirring. I cast a fond glance at him, and laid a kiss upon the papery-thin translucent skin of his brow, as I drew a thin coverlet of my weaving over him. Sleep softened his great age, and I marvelled again at the changes time makes upon a mortal. Until Aragorn, I had met few mortals and loved none. Since I came to love Aragorn, I found that there were other mortals making inroads upon my heart--this small one not the least among them. My own heart contracted as I realised that I would probably never see him again after we departed on the morrow.
6. Idea that you always wanted to write but could never make work?
For years I've had a backstory about the close childhood/adolescent friendship between Frodo's mother and Pippin's older aunts, but I've never been able to pull it together into a real story, only little bits and snippets here and there.
I have also had an idea for a few years for an HP one-shot featuring Arthur Weasley, but haven't developed it enough to write. I far prefer writing in LotR. But I keep telling myself that one day I will write Arthur's story.
7. Least favorite plot point/chapter/moment?
"For Folco", which was the first character death I wrote. Once I had the idea, I could not get it out of my head, but I liked the character and did NOT want to kill him off.
8. Favorite plot point/chapter/moment?
"Trotter", when he uses his cooking skills to convince the Rangers to keep him around.
It Takes a Took The last chapter of my Pippin/Diamond romance, in which they finally get to kiss.
9. Favorite character to write? Bilbo, followed closely by Merry, although I enjoy writing all of the hobbits immensely, the POVs for those two come to me very easily, they almost write themselves.
10. Favorite line or lines of dialogue that you've written
From "Pippin the Protector":
The clerk had finished attending the matrons, and Pippin cleared his throat hopefully. The clerk affected not to hear, and cast his eye in Frodo’s direction. Merry’s face began to turn red. Frodo squeezed his cousin’s shoulder.
The clerk stepped towards them, leaving Pippin with a forlorn expression. “May I serve you, sir?”
“I believe the lad was ahead of me,” said Frodo with deceptive mildness.
The clerk glanced at Pippin disdainfully. “I’m sure the child can wait.”
Frodo stared back at the clerk every bit as disdainfully. “I think *not*; I believe my young cousin has waited long enough.” Frodo’s tone could have frozen the Brandywine.
The clerk blanched. He quickly turned to Pippin. “I beg your pardon, young Master--?”
Pippin smiled, relieved to have his attention at last. “Peregrin Took at your service,” he said. “I just wanted to get these gifts for my parents.”
Now the clerk turned positively green. He quickly finished Pippin’s transaction, and even did up his purchases in a neat paper parcel.
Pippin favored him with a charming smile, completely forgiving, now that he had what he wanted. He allowed Merry to draw him to his side.
“Now, sir,” said the clerk, turning to Frodo with trepidation.
“I find that I have changed my mind.” He placed the items in the clerk’s trembling hands. “What is your name?”
“O-otto S-sandheaver, sir,” was the hesitant reply.
“Well, Mr. Sandheaver, I am quite certain that my good friend, Mr. Carlo Brownlock will be interested to know that you feel the farthings of a child are worth less than those of an adult. Good day."
From "A Conspiracy of Hobbits":
It is a commonly held opinion among the other races that all hobbits are good cooks. Of course, like all such opinions it is not strictly so. A hobbit who cannot cook is rare, but a few such exist. “Good” of course is a matter of degree.
Sam was an excellent all-round cook, even by hobbit standards, able to turn even the simplest of ingredients into a feast. Frodo, on the other hand, was a competent cook, not outstanding. However, there were a very few special dishes at which he truly excelled. One of those was his stuffed mushrooms, which he was making now, as he argued with Sam.
“I really wish you would, Sam,” he said, tossing a knob of butter into the hot skillet to melt.
Sam looked over from where he was preparing three chickens for roasting. He hoped that three would be enough, with Mr. Pippin and Mr. Fatty here. “It wouldn’t be proper, Mr. Frodo.”
Frodo rolled his eyes. Proper. They’d been having this argument almost ever since they came in the kitchen. He looked at the melted butter, and threw in the onions, celery, carrots and mushroom stems he had diced. The garlic could wait a minute longer. “You eat with us all the time, Sam.”
“In the kitchen.” Sam finished trussing the second bird. “Not in the dining room.” Sam was getting almost as tired of the argument as Frodo. Truth was, if it had only been Mr. Merry and Mr. Pippin, he might have given in. But he didn’t know Mr. Freddy and Mr. Folco as well, so he dug in his heels.
Frodo tossed the garlic into the skillet, watching carefully; there was nothing worse than scorched garlic. After a moment, he splashed in a dollop of Old Winyards. After a second’s thought he splashed some of the wine into a cup for himself. He held the bottle up. “Sam?”
“No, thank you, Mr. Frodo.” Sam was now putting the chickens on the spit, and took up the argument once more. “and don’t say you don’t know why the room makes any difference, because you do.”
Frodo gave a sigh as he took the skillet off the heat, and prepared to grate stale bread into a bowl. “Well, maybe I do, but it shouldn’t make any difference at all. And it is my party. I should have whom I like.” Frodo frowned. That last sentence had sounded childish. If he wasn’t careful, he’d lose this argument.
Sam shook his head as he lifted the chickens onto the fire. If he weren’t careful, he’d give in. He hated it when Mr. Frodo used that sad, forlorn tone of voice.
“Have we any fresh rosemary, Sam, or should I look out the dried?” Frodo had finished grating the bread, and was now grating a small chunk of hard aged cheese.
“There’s some in the blue bowl on the table, sir.” Sam started scrubbing the potatoes and carrots.
The two worked in companionable silence for a while, both ready for a truce, but also aware that the matter wasn’t finished yet.
After a few moments, Frodo spoke again. “How about a compromise, Sam?”
“Sir?” Sam was suspicious, but hopeful. Maybe he could live with a compromise.
“You come in before the dinner, when I give out the gifts; and you join us again afterward in time to toast Uncle Bilbo and share in the cake.” Frodo looked at him pleadingly.
Sam sighed. “I guess that’s only fair, Mr. Frodo.”
“Very well, then, it’s settled.” Frodo stirred the cooked vegetables into the bread crumbs. “Now, where on Middle-earth did I stow the pan with the mushroom caps?”
11. If I'm showing off just one of your pieces to someone, which one should it be?
"Pippin the Protector". It's framed by the Quest, but features a long flashback to pre-Quest, and features young Pippin and the first appearance of one of my favorite OCs. So I think it shows off well the dynamic I believe must have existed between Frodo, Merry, Pippin and Sam before the Quest. Also, it's a one-shot, but a fairly lengthy one-shot.
12. What WIPs do you have going now? Are you excited about them?
"Ancestress" , "In the Court of the High King" (third in the series that began with "A New Reckoning" and "The Road to Edoras", and "The Prisoner and the Hobbit", being co-written with pandemonium_213. I am excited about them, although there are some hold-ups with the latter two. But I am making good progress with "Ancestress". (The fact that each chapter is only 300 words helps with that one.) I have several sequences written for ItCotHK, but they need to be hacked into chapters and fleshed out before posting. And P&H is temporarily on hold, but hopefully not for too much longer.
13. Are there any things that might have happened in any of your stories, but you changed them at the last minute? (So-and-so dies, they don't actually kiss, main character has long extended ballet-based dream sequence, etc.)
"The Brandy Hall Incident", definitely. I began that story with every intention of NOT including Frodo, but he insisted on butting his way in to the story. "Silent Partners" was the result of an OC trying to take over a chapter of ANR. I finally realized that the only way to deal with it was to take out all the details that were over-running the chapter and make it into a side-story one-shot. And "Road to Edoras" had several unexpected plot twists.
14. Would you want to write canon for any of your fandoms (like be hired by showrunner to do an episode)? Which one? No. My main fandom is a closed canon, and I like it that way. And I am only peripherally into the other fandoms I enjoy--most of them I have never written for and so far have no desire to. There are a couple I do have ideas for, but Tolkien keeps me so busy that I don't have time for them. Maybe someday.
15. Does font matter to you when you're writing a draft? Yes. Definitely. My preference is Century Gothic, 14 point. It's very easy on the eyes, and I find that it is also easy to find mistakes. I usually will convert any fic that I beta into that font to work on, as well.
16. 3 favorite comments ever received on fanfic.
For my story "Pippin's Promise", which was a coda to my story "The Dare", in which young Pippin had a dangerous encounter with peer pressure and binge drinking, and I received a review I will never forget.
"Again, I don't think you realize how much your stories impact me!
I'm reminded of the first time I read The Dare. It was the first of your stories that I had read, and I was instantly hooked. Talk about being on the edge of my seat!
Funny. I just realized that it was exactly a year ago that I read that. Two days before my birthday, 2004. (And two days after Frodo and Bilbo's birthday:) Coincidence or fate?
Well, I'll tell you that my friends and I love to play truth or dare. And of course, it is a crime to pass down a dare. We've done some pretty crazy things(none of them dangerous:), and I'll do just about anything if dared. EXCEPT drink anything containing alcohol. after reading your story, i made a promise to myself that I would NEVER accept that kind of dare. Now, those kind of dares may not be an issue now, but if when I'm in college and am dared to do something like that, I'll remember your story and my favorite hobbit. Thank you. That may really make a difference on my future, even if you may never know."
To know that I possibly was of help to a young person facing such a situation made me feel really great.
I cherish the following MEFA review from pandemonium_213, since it was the beginning of correspondence between us that eventually brought us to collaboration.
"Dreamflower's [Trotter] stands among the best examples of how a fan fiction writer can pluck a lesser known tale from the early stages of Tolkien's legendarium (The History of Middle-earth) and bring it to fruition through creative interpretation of the text, fine wordcraft and excellent characterization. Dreamflower's tactic illustrates the wonderful result of viewing the legendarium as mythology or folkloric tales (as opposed to "this is factual canon" -- a dubious proposition with Tolkien's works from my observations) and then transforming the myth or folktale into "this is what really happened." Hildifons' character is perfection in this story. Not that he is a perfect fellow. No, he's as flawed a human as the rest of us (and that makes him all the more appealing). It's just that he's entirely *hobbit* but with that little something extra. His Tookish penchant for restlessness and adventure come through when he sets out from the Shire after being spurned. Dreamflower has given Hildifons a voice reminiscent of a young British fellow of the 19th century who has left for adventure in foreign parts, such as India, the Americas, Africa, etc. The use of first person point of view is especially effective for this. The pacing of the story is nicely executed; the narrative never drags with Dreamflower's streamlined prose and crisp dialog. The supporting case, in particular, is appealing, especially the Rangers. Oh, yes, the Rangers. Dreamflower creates a wonderfully drawn society here, and we get to see real characters of what were just names in Tolkien's background writings, e.g. Argonui among others. Although initially uncertain of his place among these Men, Hildifons proves his worth and then some, which earns him his coveted nickname of Trotter. Hildifons is a truly memorable character who carries a truly memorable tale. Hat's off and a bow to you, Dreamflower, for writing one of my very favorite hobbit fan fics. "
Finally, this comment from Fiondil, since it was the last communication I had from him before he passed. It means a lot to me to know he found enjoyment from one of my stories:
"I've never gotten around to reading this. Been sitting here tonight going from chapter to chapter and have found it delightful and poignant and very clever in explaining the "fairy wife" reference. I've enjoyed this very much, Dreamflower, and look forward to reading more of this delightful story (and thank Eru the chapters are so short; it makes it easier to fit it into my already crowded schedule)."
17. Any mean comments? How'd you deal with it? Who laid the smackdown?
I've had a very few. Had one profane anon on ffn that I ignored. But usually it's someone pointing out in a snarky manner what they think is a mistake, but isn't. I tend to go all uber-polite on them and pretend to ignore the attitude as I condescendingly explain why whatever is not a mistake. (This does NOT include any of my regular reviewers who also sometimes point things out! My regulars tend to be very kind in their con-crit!) I don't think "smackdown" is usually needed, but once in a while I've had other reviewers do it on my behalf, which gives me a warm glow.
18. If you could go back and revise one of your older stories, which would it be? "When the King Comes Back (the Great Smials)" and "When the King Comes Back ( Brandy Hall)" Those were my first two stories, and they were companion stories about the same time period; I think it would be interesting to combine them into one story. OTOH, I think they turned out well for first attempts, and they remain among the more popular of my stories. So why mess with them?
19. Do you make up scenes at work/on the bus/at the gym? Who are the characters that pop up the most? Do you write them down?
I used to a lot more than now, but I still do it from time to time. If I have something to write on, I certainly will do so. But if I can't I try to keep it in my head until I get home. As for the characters, well, it's almost always hobbits. It would be, wouldn't it? ;-D
20. Go nuts, and talk about writing.
I've always enjoyed writing. Not just making stories, but words and even the individual letters. Here's one of my very favorite quotes about writing:
"Whence did the wondrous, mystic art arise
of painting speech, and speaking to the eyes?
That we, by tracing magic lines are taught
how to embody, and to colour thought?"
-William Massey
Think about it --at some point, someone thought up the idea that a picture was not just a picture of something, but a symbol for a word, or was even the symbol for the sounds that make a word. How did they do that? How did they make that leap? Before writing there was no history, only pre-history.
With writing, stories could be preserved, knowledge could be passed on to other generations and even in other cultures. With writing people could communicate to places where they were not. People call using fire or inventing the wheel as the beginning of civilization, but I think it had to be writing.
1. Which is your favorite of the fics you've written ?
Long story: "A New Reckoning" because nearly all my subsequent stories were based on it.
One-shot: "One Great Leap" because I love the idea of that pivotal moment of Bilbo's life being honored.
2. Favorite piece overall?
"Eleventy-one Years: Too Short a Time, Book One: The First Fifty Years" What fun it was to take all the information from the Appendices, the Tale of Years and the Family Trees, plus much of my own headcanon and fanon to create a backstory for Bilbo's childhood and young adulthood. I'm looking forward to writing the next part!
3. Which was the hardest to write, in terms of plot?
"The Road to Edoras" (sequel to "A New Reckoning".) I stalled several times with that; there were plot twists I didn't expect and interruptions in RL that disrupted my thoughts about it.
4. Which has the most "you" in it, however you'd define that?
"Hobbit Aid". That story was purely a cathartic reaction to my experiences in Hurricane Katrina. It was written and posted raw, without either beta or self-editing except to check for typos and spelling, as I wanted very much to keep the emotions preserved.
5. What is an image/set of images that you're particularly proud of?
My drabble, "Pippin and the Sea":
"It stretched as far as he could see. Grey water: ceaseless motion, undulating lines of white foam marking the waves and holding the gaze. How far across the Sundering Sea? Pippin wondered. How long would Frodo’s journey take?
He stood between Merry and Sam, watching as the sky slowly deepened, grey to purple to indigo, and the yellow water-path the Sun made faded, the water darkening. He drank in the sight, never knowing if he’d ever see it again.
Arwen's POV, my set of vignettes, "The Token":
"The roses of my bower were red and fragrant, yet neither I nor my companion could appreciate their beauty. He leaned into the circle of my embrace, weeping bitterly. I knew not how to comfort him, for only a few moments before, my father had told Bilbo that he would not be allowed to accompany us on our journey.
"Your health will not stand it, my old friend. I am very sorry, but as your healer, I will not countenance it. Would you have us arrive in Gondor to see Frodo and the others, only to tell them that we had left you buried along the way?"
My father's face had been both stern and gentle, and pained as well, for he knew the disappointment he was causing. He glanced to me in entreaty ere he left us, hoping I would be able to comfort poor Bilbo.
I knew not how to console the old hobbit's grief. For long months we had been comrades in adversity, united by our fears and our hopes for the loved ones we had watched go off into mortal peril. And now, after all the long waiting, he was not to go and be reunited with them, but must wait instead for them to come to him. And I was disappointed as well, for I had looked forward to his stout and cheerful presence at our side when Aragorn and I finally realised our long-awaited dream.
But it could not be; my father was right--these months of anxious waiting--nine months if I considered the turmoil and fear that had accompanied Frodo's dangerous journey to Imladris, and the days and nights of anguish after his wounding, as well as our mutual worries when they left once more--had all taken their toll on my small friend. He was already ancient by the reckoning of his kind, and the destruction of the One had released the hold it had on him, leaving him prey to all the years it had held at bay. As much as he wished it, he would not survive a journey to Gondor in his perilous state of health.
His weeping exhausted him, and soon his weary body succumbed to sleep. As I felt his hitched sobs slowly even out into soft gentle snores, I eased him into my arms. He was frail, and weighed no more than a very young child. I arose carefully, and carried him through the wide door that led from my bower-garden to my chambers, and laid him upon the soft cushions of a small bench by my window. He curled up, and slept on without further stirring. I cast a fond glance at him, and laid a kiss upon the papery-thin translucent skin of his brow, as I drew a thin coverlet of my weaving over him. Sleep softened his great age, and I marvelled again at the changes time makes upon a mortal. Until Aragorn, I had met few mortals and loved none. Since I came to love Aragorn, I found that there were other mortals making inroads upon my heart--this small one not the least among them. My own heart contracted as I realised that I would probably never see him again after we departed on the morrow.
6. Idea that you always wanted to write but could never make work?
For years I've had a backstory about the close childhood/adolescent friendship between Frodo's mother and Pippin's older aunts, but I've never been able to pull it together into a real story, only little bits and snippets here and there.
I have also had an idea for a few years for an HP one-shot featuring Arthur Weasley, but haven't developed it enough to write. I far prefer writing in LotR. But I keep telling myself that one day I will write Arthur's story.
7. Least favorite plot point/chapter/moment?
"For Folco", which was the first character death I wrote. Once I had the idea, I could not get it out of my head, but I liked the character and did NOT want to kill him off.
8. Favorite plot point/chapter/moment?
"Trotter", when he uses his cooking skills to convince the Rangers to keep him around.
It Takes a Took The last chapter of my Pippin/Diamond romance, in which they finally get to kiss.
9. Favorite character to write? Bilbo, followed closely by Merry, although I enjoy writing all of the hobbits immensely, the POVs for those two come to me very easily, they almost write themselves.
10. Favorite line or lines of dialogue that you've written
From "Pippin the Protector":
The clerk had finished attending the matrons, and Pippin cleared his throat hopefully. The clerk affected not to hear, and cast his eye in Frodo’s direction. Merry’s face began to turn red. Frodo squeezed his cousin’s shoulder.
The clerk stepped towards them, leaving Pippin with a forlorn expression. “May I serve you, sir?”
“I believe the lad was ahead of me,” said Frodo with deceptive mildness.
The clerk glanced at Pippin disdainfully. “I’m sure the child can wait.”
Frodo stared back at the clerk every bit as disdainfully. “I think *not*; I believe my young cousin has waited long enough.” Frodo’s tone could have frozen the Brandywine.
The clerk blanched. He quickly turned to Pippin. “I beg your pardon, young Master--?”
Pippin smiled, relieved to have his attention at last. “Peregrin Took at your service,” he said. “I just wanted to get these gifts for my parents.”
Now the clerk turned positively green. He quickly finished Pippin’s transaction, and even did up his purchases in a neat paper parcel.
Pippin favored him with a charming smile, completely forgiving, now that he had what he wanted. He allowed Merry to draw him to his side.
“Now, sir,” said the clerk, turning to Frodo with trepidation.
“I find that I have changed my mind.” He placed the items in the clerk’s trembling hands. “What is your name?”
“O-otto S-sandheaver, sir,” was the hesitant reply.
“Well, Mr. Sandheaver, I am quite certain that my good friend, Mr. Carlo Brownlock will be interested to know that you feel the farthings of a child are worth less than those of an adult. Good day."
From "A Conspiracy of Hobbits":
It is a commonly held opinion among the other races that all hobbits are good cooks. Of course, like all such opinions it is not strictly so. A hobbit who cannot cook is rare, but a few such exist. “Good” of course is a matter of degree.
Sam was an excellent all-round cook, even by hobbit standards, able to turn even the simplest of ingredients into a feast. Frodo, on the other hand, was a competent cook, not outstanding. However, there were a very few special dishes at which he truly excelled. One of those was his stuffed mushrooms, which he was making now, as he argued with Sam.
“I really wish you would, Sam,” he said, tossing a knob of butter into the hot skillet to melt.
Sam looked over from where he was preparing three chickens for roasting. He hoped that three would be enough, with Mr. Pippin and Mr. Fatty here. “It wouldn’t be proper, Mr. Frodo.”
Frodo rolled his eyes. Proper. They’d been having this argument almost ever since they came in the kitchen. He looked at the melted butter, and threw in the onions, celery, carrots and mushroom stems he had diced. The garlic could wait a minute longer. “You eat with us all the time, Sam.”
“In the kitchen.” Sam finished trussing the second bird. “Not in the dining room.” Sam was getting almost as tired of the argument as Frodo. Truth was, if it had only been Mr. Merry and Mr. Pippin, he might have given in. But he didn’t know Mr. Freddy and Mr. Folco as well, so he dug in his heels.
Frodo tossed the garlic into the skillet, watching carefully; there was nothing worse than scorched garlic. After a moment, he splashed in a dollop of Old Winyards. After a second’s thought he splashed some of the wine into a cup for himself. He held the bottle up. “Sam?”
“No, thank you, Mr. Frodo.” Sam was now putting the chickens on the spit, and took up the argument once more. “and don’t say you don’t know why the room makes any difference, because you do.”
Frodo gave a sigh as he took the skillet off the heat, and prepared to grate stale bread into a bowl. “Well, maybe I do, but it shouldn’t make any difference at all. And it is my party. I should have whom I like.” Frodo frowned. That last sentence had sounded childish. If he wasn’t careful, he’d lose this argument.
Sam shook his head as he lifted the chickens onto the fire. If he weren’t careful, he’d give in. He hated it when Mr. Frodo used that sad, forlorn tone of voice.
“Have we any fresh rosemary, Sam, or should I look out the dried?” Frodo had finished grating the bread, and was now grating a small chunk of hard aged cheese.
“There’s some in the blue bowl on the table, sir.” Sam started scrubbing the potatoes and carrots.
The two worked in companionable silence for a while, both ready for a truce, but also aware that the matter wasn’t finished yet.
After a few moments, Frodo spoke again. “How about a compromise, Sam?”
“Sir?” Sam was suspicious, but hopeful. Maybe he could live with a compromise.
“You come in before the dinner, when I give out the gifts; and you join us again afterward in time to toast Uncle Bilbo and share in the cake.” Frodo looked at him pleadingly.
Sam sighed. “I guess that’s only fair, Mr. Frodo.”
“Very well, then, it’s settled.” Frodo stirred the cooked vegetables into the bread crumbs. “Now, where on Middle-earth did I stow the pan with the mushroom caps?”
11. If I'm showing off just one of your pieces to someone, which one should it be?
"Pippin the Protector". It's framed by the Quest, but features a long flashback to pre-Quest, and features young Pippin and the first appearance of one of my favorite OCs. So I think it shows off well the dynamic I believe must have existed between Frodo, Merry, Pippin and Sam before the Quest. Also, it's a one-shot, but a fairly lengthy one-shot.
12. What WIPs do you have going now? Are you excited about them?
"Ancestress" , "In the Court of the High King" (third in the series that began with "A New Reckoning" and "The Road to Edoras", and "The Prisoner and the Hobbit", being co-written with pandemonium_213. I am excited about them, although there are some hold-ups with the latter two. But I am making good progress with "Ancestress". (The fact that each chapter is only 300 words helps with that one.) I have several sequences written for ItCotHK, but they need to be hacked into chapters and fleshed out before posting. And P&H is temporarily on hold, but hopefully not for too much longer.
13. Are there any things that might have happened in any of your stories, but you changed them at the last minute? (So-and-so dies, they don't actually kiss, main character has long extended ballet-based dream sequence, etc.)
"The Brandy Hall Incident", definitely. I began that story with every intention of NOT including Frodo, but he insisted on butting his way in to the story. "Silent Partners" was the result of an OC trying to take over a chapter of ANR. I finally realized that the only way to deal with it was to take out all the details that were over-running the chapter and make it into a side-story one-shot. And "Road to Edoras" had several unexpected plot twists.
14. Would you want to write canon for any of your fandoms (like be hired by showrunner to do an episode)? Which one? No. My main fandom is a closed canon, and I like it that way. And I am only peripherally into the other fandoms I enjoy--most of them I have never written for and so far have no desire to. There are a couple I do have ideas for, but Tolkien keeps me so busy that I don't have time for them. Maybe someday.
15. Does font matter to you when you're writing a draft? Yes. Definitely. My preference is Century Gothic, 14 point. It's very easy on the eyes, and I find that it is also easy to find mistakes. I usually will convert any fic that I beta into that font to work on, as well.
16. 3 favorite comments ever received on fanfic.
For my story "Pippin's Promise", which was a coda to my story "The Dare", in which young Pippin had a dangerous encounter with peer pressure and binge drinking, and I received a review I will never forget.
"Again, I don't think you realize how much your stories impact me!
I'm reminded of the first time I read The Dare. It was the first of your stories that I had read, and I was instantly hooked. Talk about being on the edge of my seat!
Funny. I just realized that it was exactly a year ago that I read that. Two days before my birthday, 2004. (And two days after Frodo and Bilbo's birthday:) Coincidence or fate?
Well, I'll tell you that my friends and I love to play truth or dare. And of course, it is a crime to pass down a dare. We've done some pretty crazy things(none of them dangerous:), and I'll do just about anything if dared. EXCEPT drink anything containing alcohol. after reading your story, i made a promise to myself that I would NEVER accept that kind of dare. Now, those kind of dares may not be an issue now, but if when I'm in college and am dared to do something like that, I'll remember your story and my favorite hobbit. Thank you. That may really make a difference on my future, even if you may never know."
To know that I possibly was of help to a young person facing such a situation made me feel really great.
I cherish the following MEFA review from pandemonium_213, since it was the beginning of correspondence between us that eventually brought us to collaboration.
"Dreamflower's [Trotter] stands among the best examples of how a fan fiction writer can pluck a lesser known tale from the early stages of Tolkien's legendarium (The History of Middle-earth) and bring it to fruition through creative interpretation of the text, fine wordcraft and excellent characterization. Dreamflower's tactic illustrates the wonderful result of viewing the legendarium as mythology or folkloric tales (as opposed to "this is factual canon" -- a dubious proposition with Tolkien's works from my observations) and then transforming the myth or folktale into "this is what really happened." Hildifons' character is perfection in this story. Not that he is a perfect fellow. No, he's as flawed a human as the rest of us (and that makes him all the more appealing). It's just that he's entirely *hobbit* but with that little something extra. His Tookish penchant for restlessness and adventure come through when he sets out from the Shire after being spurned. Dreamflower has given Hildifons a voice reminiscent of a young British fellow of the 19th century who has left for adventure in foreign parts, such as India, the Americas, Africa, etc. The use of first person point of view is especially effective for this. The pacing of the story is nicely executed; the narrative never drags with Dreamflower's streamlined prose and crisp dialog. The supporting case, in particular, is appealing, especially the Rangers. Oh, yes, the Rangers. Dreamflower creates a wonderfully drawn society here, and we get to see real characters of what were just names in Tolkien's background writings, e.g. Argonui among others. Although initially uncertain of his place among these Men, Hildifons proves his worth and then some, which earns him his coveted nickname of Trotter. Hildifons is a truly memorable character who carries a truly memorable tale. Hat's off and a bow to you, Dreamflower, for writing one of my very favorite hobbit fan fics. "
Finally, this comment from Fiondil, since it was the last communication I had from him before he passed. It means a lot to me to know he found enjoyment from one of my stories:
"I've never gotten around to reading this. Been sitting here tonight going from chapter to chapter and have found it delightful and poignant and very clever in explaining the "fairy wife" reference. I've enjoyed this very much, Dreamflower, and look forward to reading more of this delightful story (and thank Eru the chapters are so short; it makes it easier to fit it into my already crowded schedule)."
17. Any mean comments? How'd you deal with it? Who laid the smackdown?
I've had a very few. Had one profane anon on ffn that I ignored. But usually it's someone pointing out in a snarky manner what they think is a mistake, but isn't. I tend to go all uber-polite on them and pretend to ignore the attitude as I condescendingly explain why whatever is not a mistake. (This does NOT include any of my regular reviewers who also sometimes point things out! My regulars tend to be very kind in their con-crit!) I don't think "smackdown" is usually needed, but once in a while I've had other reviewers do it on my behalf, which gives me a warm glow.
18. If you could go back and revise one of your older stories, which would it be? "When the King Comes Back (the Great Smials)" and "When the King Comes Back ( Brandy Hall)" Those were my first two stories, and they were companion stories about the same time period; I think it would be interesting to combine them into one story. OTOH, I think they turned out well for first attempts, and they remain among the more popular of my stories. So why mess with them?
19. Do you make up scenes at work/on the bus/at the gym? Who are the characters that pop up the most? Do you write them down?
I used to a lot more than now, but I still do it from time to time. If I have something to write on, I certainly will do so. But if I can't I try to keep it in my head until I get home. As for the characters, well, it's almost always hobbits. It would be, wouldn't it? ;-D
20. Go nuts, and talk about writing.
I've always enjoyed writing. Not just making stories, but words and even the individual letters. Here's one of my very favorite quotes about writing:
"Whence did the wondrous, mystic art arise
of painting speech, and speaking to the eyes?
That we, by tracing magic lines are taught
how to embody, and to colour thought?"
-William Massey
Think about it --at some point, someone thought up the idea that a picture was not just a picture of something, but a symbol for a word, or was even the symbol for the sounds that make a word. How did they do that? How did they make that leap? Before writing there was no history, only pre-history.
With writing, stories could be preserved, knowledge could be passed on to other generations and even in other cultures. With writing people could communicate to places where they were not. People call using fire or inventing the wheel as the beginning of civilization, but I think it had to be writing.