Founded in 2005, the Silmarillion Writers' Guild exists for discussions of and creative fanworks based on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion and related texts. We are a positive-focused and open-minded space that welcomes fans from all over the world and with all levels of experience with Tolkien's works. Whether you are picking up Tolkien's books for the first time or have been a fan for decades, we welcome you to join us!
Character of the Month: Marach There are few details in the texts about Marach, but he is noteworthy for his allegiances and his descendants, who would become pivotal to the history of Middle-earth and the eventual defeat of Morgoth and Sauron.
New Challenge: Allusive Literature and art constantly refer back to each other using allusions, and this month's prompts are inspired by allusions to literature, myth, art, and history.
New Challenge: Building Middle-earth Let global architecture be your inspiration in this challenge, where you will work with a prompts that are architectural styles, locations in Arda, or both.
Fëanor shrugged, studying the contents of his wine glass. “Something must be done about that house. It will fall down eventually.” “It does not follow that it must be you that tears it down single-handedly. Are you sure you do not want help?” “It’s not as though I…
Of course, she knew that in the Blessed Land, true harm was unlikely to come to him. The Valar watched over them all, and the lesser spirits were everywhere. It was a great hound of Oromë who had found him happily splashing in the creek, in fact. But anyone could drown in mere…
Across three surveys and ten years, the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey has document when authors began writing. These data reveal trends in how film promotions, the films themselves, the books, and other historical contexts have influenced not only who writes but how long they stay.
When uneasy dreams bring him back into Beleriand, Daeron finds a pair of twins who have lost their home, and an enemy who has lost himself. The Shadow's reach is growing ever longer, and if they are to survive, they must do it together.
Current Challenge
Allusive
Choose from our list of allusions to history, literature, mythology, and art to create a fanwork. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Block Party
During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, we offered a menu of daily prompts designed to help people connect, show kindness to others, and refocus on their own creativity during this uncertain moment in history. Read more ...
Across three surveys and ten years, the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey has document when authors began writing. These data reveal trends in how film promotions, the films themselves, the books, and other historical contexts have influenced not only who writes but how long they stay.
There are few details in the texts about Marach, but he is noteworthy for his allegiances and his descendants, who would become pivotal to the history of Middle-earth and the eventual defeat of Morgoth and Sauron.
A dissenting voice in Marach's alliance with the Elves of Beleriand, Amlach experiences a change of mind after a mysterious twist in the story reorients his priorities toward enmity with Morgoth.
Bilbo, the strange old hobbit with the wandering feet, senses something special in young Frodo the first time he sees the lad; as they become close, they find in each other a cameraderie not well understood by other hobbits. Five poignant moments between Bilbo and Frodo Baggins over the course…
The Silmarillion Writers' Guild is more than just an archive--we are a community! If you enjoy a fanwork or enjoy a creator's work, please consider letting them know in a comment.
I'm pleased to have run into this story. Brooding analysis and self-reflection from darker characters never ceases to interest me. I'm fairly new to Silmarillion-era fic, and this is the first Maeglin story I've read. He's a favorite character of mine, and I really enjoy your characterizations of him and Eöl. Eöl is so very ruthless and eloquent here. The idea that unsated desire, though painful, is more substantial than sated desire--that does seem to fit those two. I'm looking forward to finding the time to finish reading this. Cheers! -Huin
Oooh Spooky: but more importanly - very insightful! You stuck just the right tone of one who recalls something long forgotten (or in this case repressed) that is pertinent to their present circumstances. This aligns beautifully to Maeglin's story as published - proceding straight away to next chapter...
Powerful stuff, a highly relatable account of an extraordinary situation; and for all your 'stylistic liberty' you walk closely in step with JRRT's original - liking this very much!
A very sympathetic portrait of a troubled soul, and that's just Idril! I too don't see her as perfect, even though at the end she is ultimately proved right; yet your allusion to her feeling spied upon and somehow violated is a fair justification for the dislike of her cousin. It was inevitable here that Maeglin's nature would mostly echo his father; nevertheless you pull this off with great aplomb by exploring and displaying all the gloomy colours of his rainbow... nicely done!
A effectively discriptive chapter charged with atomsphere and tension; your comparison and merging of Maeglin with his partly forge knifed worked well, tempered and twisted fits him nicely. The whole confrontation aspect had an operatic feel about it, preceeded of course by a lamenting aria from Maeglin, and could have easily been composed by Verdi...
A chilling account of the depravity of Morgoth and the grottiness of Angband; little wonder then that Maeglin was so reluctant to speak of it. Isn't it interesting that Morgoth despite his prevalence throughtout the First Age and his becoming ever more earth-bound therein is so difficult to describe in physical terms; a thing I have struggled with in both pen and pencil. This is no criticism against your piece, indeed you overcome this with great originality and suitable darkness of tone...
Comments on Confessions of a Sharp Glance
The Silmarillion Writers' Guild is more than just an archive--we are a community! If you enjoy a fanwork or enjoy a creator's work, please consider letting them know in a comment.