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.
An interesting take on what this meeting might be like. Poor Nerdanel, getting all the information on the events second hand. And yet her heart didn't break until she got the news of Maitimo. The waiting really is the hardest. You handled the situation believably and poignantly.
Thank you for your kind words. I know that many people consider Nerdanel to have survived. But in my opinion, if any elf would die of grief...it should be her, the poor woman. Maitimo alone didn't *really* send her over the edge. It was just so much bad news, all at once...and that was the last part. But he is definitely hearing "It's all my fault."
Oh this one is lovely, it is sad and bittersweet and just very veyr nice to read! Very well done!
I like how Nerdanel lingered and remained strong until she finally was given the news on what had befallen her family on the other side of the sea, how she no longer recognised the sons sh had once brought up and how that brokeher heart. Very nicely done. I always like Nerdanel and trying to imagine her reactions once she finds out what has happened to her sons.
I also very much liked the touch of how it was the mention of daughters that had estranged Feanor and Nerdanel in the first place, a lovely touch which with the backstory and the odd ways couple works is a very beleivable and human touch.
very nicely written
Nerdanel fascinates me. She must be the only elf to have *seven* children (and all sons at that!), and of course she's the only one who could ever influence Fëanor. I see her as very strong and...unflappable, as well as wise. *Not* the type of elf who would usually die of grief! But the news from Middle Earth would definitely have pierced her heart like a sword. I tried to think of what seemingly innocent comment of hers would make Fëanor suspicious enough to lose his trust in her - and the daughters seemed innocuous and unreasonable enough! Thank you so much for the review, ford_of_bruinen!
I cannot help to wonder what Maedhros is learning to discover the rules and boundaries in Mandos :) It feels like a story on its own. I was however unfamiliar with Fourth Station of the Cross, so I searched for it, read up about it and read the story anew. To me it surely placed the story in a new light. I will admit that I felt disappointed of Nerdanel not understanding the hearts of her sons that they would pursue the oath with such fire and that this mere fact undid her (also Mithluin, I wasn't so sure why Nerdanel was there and the realisation that she was dead came at a perfect timing). Yet it makes sense, for her to remain faithful to her husband and sons: not willing to believe (like Mary remained faithful to her son Jesus when all his disciples fled). However, it is her sadness here, a sadness in her heart she has to share and this comes out beautifully in this piece. In her own way, she is seeking for her own healing and redemption and seeking out her eldest feels like a good start.
Besides this theme, I like your take on how Fëanor reacted to having daughters and how he would see it as a weakness to have them. This might be a taboo to address this patriarchal behaviour and people might fault Fëanor for that, but there is such grief lying underneath it, so I feel its fair to give Fëanor a hearsay about this in Mandos (oops I hope I just didn't sick a bunny on you). Ok I am going to cease rambling, there is much more I want to say about this piece, but I will safe that for another time. This is a great story and gives the reader much to ponder about!
</i>*It feels like a story on its own.*<i>
It is! :) This particular WiP is called 'Lessons from the Mountain,' and it begins with Maedhros' death and judgement. Thank you for such a thoughtful review, Rhapsody! I am flattered that you looked up the Stations of the Cross to understand it better. Nerdanel perhaps should have known them all better, but she was reacting to the shock. The last she heard from them was Alqualondë and the Doom of Mandos. To hear that they had *all* died (except Maglor, who was still lost to her)...was just too much. Also, if she had heard the story from someone a bit more...sympathetic...to the Fëanoreans, she might have understood it better. Instead, she's hearing that her oldest ended as a thief and a murderer, universally condemned. No doubt she is blaming herself for not staying with them..what did she do wrong as a mother? and all that.
I agree that the daughter idea is very...charged. I hoped to show that Fëanor's complaint had little to do with patriarchy (the man had 7 male heirs, after all!), but was more his own deepest-seated insecurity and fear of betrayal. His mother abandoned him, and his father (alone of all elves) married another woman. Nerdanel has always been his steady anchor </i>apart<i> from all of that...so it was the only way I could think of to identify her with Indis in his mind. Not that he would ever admit any of this! Which is why Maedhros' conversation with Fëanor is going to be quite...interesting...when I write it ;).
Thank you again for such a kind and insightful review!
I often wonder what Nerdanel would have said to her sons if she were to meet any of them. This is a very interesting, bittersweet take on a possible meeting. The reference to the Way of the Cross makes your story more poignant. This is a wonderful read. Thank you. I enjoyed it very much.
Yes, we hear so little from Nerdanel that it is hard to know what she would say, given the chance! If it makes you feel any better, I imagine her finding healing in Mandos and being restored to life. Thank you for the kind review.
Site © Dawn Felagund
Logo © Bunn
All copyrights for creative work hosted on this site are retained by their creators.
This site is built using Drupal and the theme W3CSS.
Characters and stories associated with J.R.R. Tolkien's works remain the property of his estate. Creative work using this material has been written solely for the enjoyment and enlightenment of its creator and their associates. No profit is made on the materials shared on this site.
Comments
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.