Fandom Voices: Commenting and Feedback
We are collecting fan experiences related to giving and receiving feedback on Tolkien-based fanworks.
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!
Fandom Voices: Commenting and Feedback
We are collecting fan experiences related to giving and receiving feedback on Tolkien-based fanworks.
Cultus Dispatches: Fanfiction and the Serious Business of Writer's Craft
Concern about craft and improving as a writer is so common in the Tolkien fanfiction fandom that it can be assumed universal. But Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data suggests that a growing subset of authors may be pushing back on this assumption.
New Challenge: Crossroads of the Fallen King
Cross "The Silmarillion" with a second text or fandom in this month's crossover challenge.
A Sense of History: Thálatta! Thálatta!
While he never climbs the stairs of this Elf-tower, in Lothlórien Frodo Baggins descends a flight of steps to look into Galadriel’s Mirror, wherein he first sees the sea. This post examines the view.
[Writing] Truth to tell by clotho123
Maeglin tells of his role in the Fall of Gondolin. His version is rather different from the histories.
[Writing] The Sundelions of Arien by cílil
Mairon has a favour to ask of his former lover.
[Writing] Breaking Into Light by StarSpray
Glingaereth meets the crown prince of the Noldor by chance, if chance you call it.
“All the same, sister, be careful.”
“Me?” Glingaereth said. “Careful of what?”
“Of that prince.”
“What, Fingon? If you are worried about the Noldor’s feuds, he is the one…
[Writing] Tengwar Drabbles by cílil
A collection of Silmarillion-centric drabbles written for the Tengwar Challenge. Short and sweet!
[Writing] Valiant and Dauntless by Himring
Fingon and Hurin: I. A Common Root
[Writing] The road to the Estolad by clotho123
A kind of follow up to "The Debate of Finrod and Andreth". Finrod left a few things out of his talk with Andreth, which led me to wonder what a member of a different Noldorin House might have to say.
[Writing] All The Heart's Orthographies by sallysavestheday
A perfect drabble for each of the Tengwar, for the Tengwar challenge.
Crossroads of the Fallen King
Create a fanwork that crosses with a second text or fandom. Read more ...
Tengwar
A daily prompt of a Tengwar letter per day. Read more ...
Zingers
Prompts for this challenge include zingers and insults from literature and pop culture. Read more ...
Fanfiction and the Serious Business of Writer's Craft by Dawn Walls-Thumma
[]Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data shows that while most authors self-identify as taking their craft seriously, a growing subset of authors may be pushing that norm.
Thálatta! Thálatta! by Simon J. Cook
[]While he never climbs the stairs of this Elf-tower, in Lothlórien Frodo Baggins descends a flight of steps to look into Galadriel’s Mirror, wherein he first sees the sea. This post examines the view.
With Gildor Inglorion we finally climb the stairs of Elostirion and look on the view, and what we see appears to reveal a hidden thread in the story of Frodo Baggins. This post reads two annotated translations of two Elvish songs to step through a crossroads in the narrative to arrive at the tower on the margin of the story, wherein is a stone that is a window onto Valinor.
[Writing] Waybread (The Waybredlik) by Himring
[]Lembas speaks out.
[Series] Apr 1st Stories by Uvatha the Horseman
[]Once a year on April 1st, a canon character from LOTR or the Silmarillion gets pranked.
[Writing] Crossing Forest River by Dawn Felagund
[]Bilbo recounts, in verse, the attempt of Gandalf, Beorn, and him to cross the Forest River after the Battle of Five Armies. Written for the Hungarian Tolkien Society's 2024 Mailing Competition.
Fellowship of the Fics: June Pride Month
To celebrate Pride Month, Fellowship of the Fics offers a bingo board of LGBTQIA+-related prompts.
tolkienshortfanworks challenge for June
The June challenge for tolkienshortfanworks has been posted to the community on Dreamwidth. The thematic challenge is: crossover / fusion / influence by another fandom or work. The formal challenge is: fixed length of 333 words. As always, these can be filled separately and combined with other challenges. New participants welcome!
June 2024 Call for Papers
Conferences and publications that have open calls for papers in June 2024.
Russingon Week 2024
Russingon Week celebrates fanworks about the Maedhros/Fingon pairing and runs on Tumblr and AO3.
Scribbles & Drabbles 2024
A chill Tolkien event, where artists make art, and authors write little stories in response. Begins in June and ends in November.
A beautiful continuation. This might be the most original characterization of Miriel that I've yet seen, and it's fascinating to consider how her unwittingly cruel treatment of Feanaro shapes the person that he will later become.
The moment when Finwe awakens and discovers the bed scattered with clothing works really well. Even though I've seen (and used myself) the idea of Miriel "planning" for her death by making clothes for her son through adulthood, this might be the most stunning example I've seen yet of this idea, and the wedding gown and essecarme robes indicate that she knows far more about her son's future than his father. It really adds weight to the moment in The Silmarillion when Miriel asks Finwe to hold her blameless in what comes after. I've often wondered exactly what Tolkien meant by this. The popular intepretation, when I started writing Silmfic, seemed to be "hold me blameless in my death." I've always interpretted it as meaning "hold me blameless in the deeds of my son that will largely be caused by my death" ... or caused by the larger-than-usual spiritual allotment that she has given him. This comes back to the ideas of fire that you present in Part I: something that nurtures and provides beauty and sustenance but, after a point, is equally terrible in its destruction.
Anyhoo, I am rambling. I'm really enjoying your stories and the unique angles and interpretations that you've taken. It's tempting to keep reading now, but alas, it's lunchtime. ;) But I eagerly await the final stories.
All the best,
Dawn
Hi back! Since I began reading Tolkien, Míriel´s description in the Shibboleth and the affirmation that she poured her spirit into Fëanor made me see her as a female Fëanor, or something like that. They have too many things in common, plus the idea that she poured her spirit into him.
And your interpretation of her words would make sense in the light of my story, too. My Míriel is larger than life: she does too much, and sees too much. :)
An interesting take on a very well crafted moment amidst the realm and plethora of the enigma of these persons. I say that it is indeed a job well done.
This is really intense and strikes home. A striking and meaningful way to combine both versions of Miriel's death, both that she died quickly after Feanor's birth and that she lingered.
Also, your story was recommended by AmyFortuna in this rec post: http://b2mem.livejournal.com/436445.html
There is praise for your story in the comments on the rec post as well.
[Sorry for the now deleted earlier comment--I see now that you have in fact adopted your story on AO3 already. I was just confused about that because the earlier HASA note is still in place.]
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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.