Fandom Snowflake Challenge: Snowball! (i.e. Days 2-6)
Better late than never right? Because it is impossible for me to do much internet-wise on the days when I'm out with the horses, and Sunday I was in a haze of exhaustion + weather-related* headache + drugs.
*Temperatures plummeted 42°F/24°C in less than eighteen hours between Saturday afternoon and Sunday. No, that's not a typo. This morning when I left for work the wind chill was 2°F/-17°C.
Anyway, snowflake challenges!
Day 2
In your own space, promote three communities, challenges, blogs, pages, Twitters, Tumblrs or platforms and explain why you love them.
1. Obviously The Silmarillion Writer's Guild. I love this community and archive, and it's the first place, along with my LJ, where I post my (granted, few) works. There's always someone willing to help out with just about any subject, no matter how obscure, infuriating, ancient or exceedingly nerdy it may be. Not to mention the wonderful selection of stories. Also, references. Also, challenges and special projects! And don't forget the Silmarillion Re-read Project going on now, courtesy of oloriel and indy1776!
2. Related but not at all limited to just SWG would be B2MeM. Despite my Real LifeTM hiatuses, B2MeM helped keep me at least a little bit involved in fandom, albeit behind the scenes. But hey, making passport stamps and icons is fun!
3. On a sillier note, Incorrect Tolkien Quotes. Entirely heretical, thus entirely fun
Day 3
In your own space, post a rec for at least three fanworks that you did not create. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so. See if you can rec fanworks that are less likely to be praised: tiny fandoms, rare pairings, fanworks other than stories, lesser-known kinks or tropes. Find fanworks that have few to no comments, or creators new to a particular fandom who maybe aren't well known or appreciated. Appreciate them.
Okay, this one is going to be both easy and hard. Easy because there are plenty of fics deserving a rec, and hard because I will never remember all of the ones I want to list until after I hit post. In keeping with the spirit of the latter half of the challenge, I'm only going to list one work per author. This list is absolutely NOT exhaustive, nor is it in any kind of order.
1. Reembodied, by Dawn Felagund.
Summary:
Tata was said to be the first of the Noldor to awaken at Cuivienen, yet the histories never speak of him again. Uncomfortable and indecisive as a leader, he nonetheless rejects the summons of the Valar to Valinor, recognizing a fundamental wrong in the ideas they preach. This is the story of his life.
An excellent story featuring the earliest Noldor, their relationships and their beliefs. Slightly heretical in a way that is both delightful and evocative of truth.
2. Cornerstone, by ncfan-1.
Summary:
He pushes the doors open, and sees his sister sitting on the throne. Arafinwë was told that she would be, but he is still not prepared for the sight.
Because Findis as High Queen definitely deserves a resounding "hell yeah!", even as much as I love Finarfin.
3. Trinity, by pandemonium_213.
Summary:
Three scientists discuss technology and responsibility in the Jornada del Muerto Valley on July 19, 1945.
Fëanor, Sauron, science and awesomeness.
4. Take A Bow, by Zaatar.
Summary:
In the wake of Alqualondë and Finarfin's departure, Fëanor shores up power and Finrod must prove his loyalty.
Brilliant characterisations of all involved in this ficlet, which is compelling from start to finish.
5. Fly Away, by Michiru.
Summary:
When the death of his father goes unpunished, Fëanáro takes matters into his own hands and establishes his own dynasty. His half-brothers' children, determined to oppose him, are drawn into a dangerous realm of intrigue as they work to bring his rule to an end.
A chilling and engagingly-written AU WIP that I still hope will one day be finished.
6. The Revenge of Curufin's Horse, by Moreth.
Summary:
How that 'Song of Parting' made it to the public domain... The Himring Codex version.
Hilarious! Just read it.
7. He held precious silver in his fist, by Urloth.
Summary:
Celebrimbor was not an only child.
A truly heartbreaking AU featuring Curufin and his wife, as well as a smattering of others in that illustrious family.
Okay, stopping at seven because Fëanorians.
Day 4
Comment to someone you haven't ever interacted with before or introduce yourself to someone you've interacted with and friend/follow them.
This is definitely the most anxiety-inducing challenge yet! I'm truly terrible at approaching people. So if you get randomly friended/followed in the next few days (or let's face it, ever!), it is because I think you seem cool and interesting, but it probably took me this long and a kick in the pants to make me actually click "add". Pathetic, right?
Day 5
In your own space, talk about a creator. Show us why you think they are amazing.
I think anyone who has the nerve to post their writing/artwork/videos/music/any creative endeavour deserves an award, because damn that shit is hard to do. I don't think there truly is an artist out there who doesn't put something of him/herself into their work, and when you put yourself into something as accessible as a story/painting/etc., it makes sharing that creation just a little bit terrifying, at least on some level. But it also makes you kind of badass. ;)
Also, moderators everywhere! Whether it's modding an entire website, a community, a game or whatever else, that takes a ton of time, work and commitment, and that makes you awesome! Okay, I know that might be a little bit of a stretch, in interpreting "creator", but I'm sticking to it.
Day Six
In your own space, share a book/song/movie/tv show/fanwork/etc that changed your life. Something that impacted on your consciousness in a way that left its mark on your soul.
Well, first there's the obvious answer, which is, of course, The Silmarillion. Not only is the book captivating (at least, once you sort out all the Fin- names) in its own right, but through it I've "met" some awesome people (and hope to meet many more!), not to mention the excellent stories, artwork, and debates that exist because of it. It should almost be illegal how much I think about Silm-related things.
For a lesser-known answer, there's Disney's Fantasia (which was my hands-down favourite film from about age 3) specifically the "Pastoral Symphony" and "Night on Bald Mountain" sequences. The latter creeped me out so much that it wasn't until I was in college that I was able to listen to the song without feeling a vague sort of terror. The former is still a song that I can listen to in times of extreme stress and feel better almost without fail. If anyone wanted to argue about the effects of musical exposure during childhood, I'm your poster child.
If you made it this far, have a cookie!