White Gulls Calling...

Fanfiction: Just For Fun

2006-05-06T20:02:00.000-04:00

I was reading posts on the lotrfanfiction.com forum, and one of them got me thinking. This was originally just a response to a comment on there, but I'm afraid it rather got away from me, so I decided to put it here instead. So: On Fanfiction and Fans, and Being Too Serious

We're just too pretentious about what we do. I go to an art school so I'm surrounded by lots of silly teenagers puffed on their own importance, convinced that they're going to be the next Big Name in whatever their particular field is, and I alternately want to pat them on the head for their enthusiatic naivity or slap some sense into them and knock them off their high horse. (Inicidentally, I'm a teenager, too; I just avoid that because I'm going into comic books, and that is inherently a field about fannish fun more than Critical Acclaim and all that.) But pretention isn't restricted to the arts, and it has its place in fanfiction as well.

People just aren't as willing to do things "just for fun" as one might think they should be. Everything has to be important or impressive or special. And I think that's really the problem. If people would write just from the standpoint of having fun and would admit that that's all they're doing, perhaps the fans (and I have to include myself in this number) who pick at things like cannon and character and implausible plots wouldn't bother so much, but when an author turns in something rife with errors and presents it like the next Great Novel, well, I think we just sort of attack on instinct. ;) Raar!

Of course, I try to take my own writing seriously, but that's because that's the sort of thing I enjoy reading. Even the humorous stories I like to read usually avoid being OOC, or if they are, it's OOCness specifically tailored to point out humor, such as in Noldo's "Balrog's Lunch"...which in and of itself is poking fun at the invasion of Mary-Sues. Yes, the hypocrisy of judgement is something I suffer from, and I must say that Mary-Sues set my teeth on edge. Does this mean I'm going to yell at someone for writing them? No...but it does mean I'm going to poke fun, because that's what I do. Sarcasm and snarkiness is my friend. ;) But there's no reason to flame people for it! Again, people take themselves too seriously; if you can't poke fun at yourself, you need to loosen up. And if you can't poke fun at someone without being mean, you need to do the same. We hold too much "holy" and it results in nothing but hurt feelings and flame wars.

Getting back to the art school thing, I think that may be why I'm so open to criticism. If you aren't when you go to art school, you're screwed, because the only way to get better is to let people tear you apart...and to do the same to others. I have professors who will literally roast very good work over the coals, but they do it with love and usually with humor. But there are people who can't take this, and the slightest bit of critisicm will send them into a fury. Same is true in any art form, and writing is a form of art, even writing fanfiction. You can't view anything you've done as "perfect," just as "better than last time." And yes, I admit, it can be painful to watch something that you've put a lot of work in to be attacked, but you have to let it happen, because snapping back at someone offering real, actual criticism of what you've done only means that you're dooming yourself to never improving. This may be part of the reason why I have to wrestle so hard against leaving really harsh reviews; I've been trained for the last three years or so to leave no imperfection unnoticed and to brutally point out even good things that could be better.

So while I do try to approach with humility in my own writing, as much because I've seen some truly spectacular pieces as because it's fan-pieces of someone else's work, I do have a tendency to attack a bit when I read a story that strikes me a less than it should be. I try to rein it in when leaving comments, but since I try to always review what I read and yet leave a review that isn't totally empty this can be hard. Leaving a review of "lol good work" on a story that obviously could use some drastic improvement is nice, but not really useful. It may make an author feel good about themselves, and while that's not a bad thing, it doesn't help them get any better, which is really a big point about writing. (By the same token, there are stories that you read that really all you can say is "that was good" because you can't find anything to better.)

Considering some of the crap I wrote when I was starting fanfiction writing, I really should know better, but it's hard when you read something that strikes you as hideous to remember that all writers start out sucking and it's only through the encouragment to continue writing that they get better.

To that end, I think that reviews can be the most important thing about fanfiction. They let an author know that there's at least the potential of entertaining one other person with their writing, and also they can force an author into finishing longer stories. I know that, for me, the best thing about posting a fanficiton is knowing that I'm going to be coerced into eventually actually finishing it, because I don't want to leave it hanging openly and annoy a reader.

To sum up what has gotten quite verbosely out of hand, everyone's too bloody serious about what they do.

People need to take things with a grain of salt and stop leaping down everyone else's throats, but people also need to realize that when someone picks at your work they aren't doing it because "omg you suck go die now!"...they're doing it because they truly do want you to get better. The thing about fanfiction is, we do it because we love it, both writing and reading. And this means that you need to respect the material and your own work; you need to take the time to do it well, both because you should do that for yourself and because once you post something for others to read you're saying that you feel it's ready to be seen by the public eye. This also means that you want to read more of it, because that's why you write this sort of thing. And when you read something, you want it to be good, and that's why you critique. You're trying to build a collection of things you like, and that is done by adding and improving your own work and by getting the others that submit things to do better on their own pieces. However, remember, it is just for fun. Don't be mean, but don't be defensive, either. If everyone can just relax we'll have a better community overall, not just in fanfiction, but in everything we do.

Because Sharing is Caring

2006-04-06T15:35:00.000-04:00

Very nicely written indeed. Remember When? Actually, everything I've read on this blog was very nicely written so far. Thanks to ladielazarus for pointing it out. Now, I do my duty and spread the witticisms and wonders. Enjoy!

Top 10 Sings You're Reading a Fic by Tathrin...

2006-02-18T13:50:00.000-05:00

Have been tagged by Noldo. Will now list, in no particular order, the top ten signs that you're reading one of my fics. Please, consider yourself tagged in turn, and of course, feel free to add.

1. The plot tends to vacillate and occassionally disappear behind the characters. If there even is a plot. Because all the plot really is, is the slightly-necessary vehicle to get the characters to appear. And once that's happened, it can fade into the background.

2. Dialogue stretches on forever. As does introspection. And, for that matter, sentences; they're either fragments or entire paragraphs in and of themselves.

4. You just know there's going to be those little ***'s somewhere, because the scene cannot just play through. There must be a shift in time or space but more likely, in both.

5. There's so much detail in the descriptions that your mind implodes before you make it to where something actually happens.

6. Wounds will be described in as much painful detail as everything else, but they will have very little impact on stopping the character suffering from them, even if s/he by rights ought to be unconcious in the critical condition ward right about now.

7. Somehow, some time, some way, light will glimmer or shimmer or glance or dance or so on and so forth. (Probably on somebody's silken hair.)

8. Geographic reality and even sensibility is optional.

9. Every conversation turns into some sort of snappy back-and-forth bit of banter...and it lasts forever, or at least until I can't think of a good come back.

10. You need a microscope to find a grain of romance, but an umbrella to protect from the deluges of sarcasm and snarkiness. And a blast shield to keep from being impalled upon the never-ending series of dashes--whether they're strictly necessary or not--but who wants to use a comma when a dash will suffice?

Oh, and the most obvious sign that you're reading a fic by me: it never bloody updates. Sorry about that... *slinks away*

Edhel!

2006-01-10T13:00:00.000-05:00

Elvish

To which race of Middle Earth do you belong?
brought to you by Quizilla

Yay, I'm an Elf! And speaking of Elves...Shadows Creeping has finally been updated. I don't know when I'll be able to post another update, or one for Ostad, but I am still working on both of them, don't worry! Eventually...

Time for an Intelligent Argument

2006-01-07T11:38:00.000-05:00

10 Best reasons Gay Marriage is wrong:
_{~Courtesy Lord Mookie of Dominic Deegan fame.}

1. Being gay is not natural. Real Americans always reject unnatural things like eyeglasses, polyester, and air conditioning.

2. Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall.

3. Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract.

4. Straight marriage has been around a long time and hasn't changed at all; women are still property, blacks still can't marry whites, and divorce is still illegal.

5. Straight marriage will be less meaningful if gay marriage were allowed; the sanctity of Britany Spears' 55-hour just-for-fun marriage would be destroyed.

6. Straight marriages are valid because they produce children. Gay couples, infertile couples, and old people shouldn't be allowed to marry because our orphanages aren't full yet, and the world needs more children.

7. Obviously gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.

8. Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. That's why we have only one religion in America.

9. Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. That's why we as a society expressly forbid single parents to raise children.

10. Gay marriage will change the foundation of society; we could never adapt to new social norms. Just like we haven't adapted to cars, the service-sector economy, or longer life spans.

Re-post this if you believe love makes a marriage.

Shame and Hypocrisy

2005-11-27T18:04:00.000-05:00

I came here to tell you all how amazing Good Omens is, but I can't right now. Instead, I have to tell you about something that is far, far beyond horrible.

I have always had a "thing" about napalm, even from my earliest knowledge of what it is. It makes my stomach twist everytime someone mentions Vietnam. I can think of few fates so horrible as that. I am sure there are some, but nothing comes to mind.
And now...

There are not words to express the shame I feel at being an American citizen right now. There are not words with which to describe the sick horror I feel.
There are not words, but if you read those of Riverbend, you may get a sense of what it is like to live with that horror daily.
There are not words, but there is a video that may make you understand. It is disturbing and horrifying, and I cannot in good conscience recommend that you watch it, because the images are horrible and the meaning behind them worse...but I cannot in conscience not tell you to watch it.

It will disturb you, but you need to be disturbed. The world needs to be disturbed, and it needs to be told, and it needs to be shown. Because there is nothing--nothing--that can justify this kind of horror. Nothing.
And perhaps the worst part of it all? It is the "good guys" doing it.
"We"--and I cannot describe how much that word twists and tears me to have to use it--"we" go in because of "weapons of mass destruction"...and then we use this? Who's the villain here?

I feel sick. If this is what it felt like in the 60s...and then, at least, the cover-ups got broken. Now, it's like no one cares. No one is allowed to care. You'd think "we" would have learned our lesson from Vietnam, but apparently "we" learned the wrong one. Instead of learning that there are some horrors that cannot and should not be unleashed for any reasons, "we" apparently learned, rather, that if and when you plan to unleash such evil, you need to make sure that no one finds out.
That is not the lesson we should have learned from all that! That is not right by any stretch of the imagination or twisting of the truth. That is so far beyond wrong, there do not exist the words to say it. How can people do things like that to another human being? And still call themselves "good" and "just" and "right" and "righteous" while they do!

They are not right. They are not righteous. And they make me wish I believed in Hell, because even that would not be torment enough to pay for what they have done.

I do not have words. And I am sorry.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Awesome

2005-11-18T03:55:00.000-05:00

Just got back from the midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and I cannot possibly say how much I loved it.

...However, I'm having a really, really hard time keeping my eyes open as the sheer overwhelming excitement is starting to wear off and I think it's time to go to sleep.
(More shall be forthcoming here when I need a quick break in between doing my finals.)

Go see it! It rules so very much!

Dionaea House

2005-11-04T14:42:00.000-05:00

I just found a really cool thing. I'd say more about it, but...that would ruin it. Check it out when you have time to read, because you need to read the whole thing. Dionaea House Read through all of those, then check out the Updates Page and look at all the links on that page, either as they come up or all together at the end.
It's quite worth the time, I assure you.

And don't read any comments, either here or on any of those site, until you're done; it's better that way. Trust me.

Only Rain

2005-10-19T16:11:00.000-04:00

It may be only rain, but it almost made me cry. My eyes actually watered, and if you know me you know how shockingly rare that is. A very short, almost poetic piece written by the amazing Noldo, Only Rain is an absolutely amazing piece of work. Every line is beautiful beyond belief. It starts out almost light and amusing and wades through sweet and bitter both without changing tone one bit before depositing you in shocked sorrow at the elegantly crafted end. I cannot possibly recommend this story highly enough.

Shadowsong

2005-10-09T16:10:00.000-04:00

I just read Shadowsong and it was absolutely amazing. Terrifying and deliciously creepy and chilling and absolutely amazing. I've never even thought about getting inside a Nazgul's head before, and now I don't think I'll ever be able to escape. She crafted the words so beautifully, and warped them so very, very well into evilness. It's an absolutely amazing piece of work. I dedicate my future nightmares to Ellisande with admiration. Go get inside the Witch King's head, and shiver in the darkness that was once his soul.

Mundane Nirvana

2005-10-05T23:08:00.000-04:00

All right people, you finally get to learn why I havne't updated any of my fics as I was supposed to. This is why: Mundane Nirvana
That's right (well, if you haven't clicked the link you don't know yet, so I'll tell you!) I have a webcomic. It's not all mine; I'm just the artist. My friend Lady L is our writer. And apparently I'm the html-manager, which sucks, as I suck. Very much so, as you can see from the lame and pretty much non-existant layout of the site.
But the important part is I HAVE A WEBCOMIC!
Go check it out. Please? I'm soooo excited!
:D

Oh, and don't worry, now that this is beginning to finally be sorted out, I'll have time to start writing again. Promise!
EDIT: See, Ostad is updated now! 10-08
EDIT: Look, and Shadows Creeping, too! 10-11

The Most Beautiful Dance

2005-09-12T11:58:00.000-04:00

This is one of the most beautiful stories I have ever read. Certainly, it's the most Elvish. It doesn't even feel like you're reading so much as...I don't know, I'm not verbally skilled enough to explain it. It seems as if you're being it, but from outside. If that makes any sense at all, which it probably doesn't. But really, it is just absolutely, absolutely beautiful. It's a short tale about Elrond and Arwen sharing a last dance before he departs, and it says so much so elegantly. Dancing Within Walls, by Sphinx, is a story you just have to read. It's short, just one chapter, so it won't eat a lot of your time, but it's amazing. Such beautiful lines, and they flow together so that it's almost like music itself. You can probably find it on your favorite lotr-fanfiction site (I know it's up at SoA and I think it's at HASA too) but I just included the FFnet link because for all it's faults, you can review there without taking the time to register--and a story like this deserves far more reviews than it has right now. Please do go and enjoy.

V and SCAD ETA

2005-09-09T00:27:00.000-04:00

So, as of this weekend I'll be back at college, which is (hopefully) good news for all of you, as it means I'll be back to writing and posting and updating and all that good stuff that sort of disappeared over the summer. A few days to get everything sorted, and unless Art History proves to be even more evil than I think it will, I should be back to writing.
Cross your fingers...

Anyway, in the meantime, here's a link to a trailer for what will hopefully be an absolutely amazing movie: V for Vendetta. The book, by Alan Moore and David Lloyd, is completely mind-blowing. It was part of the "required reading" I was handed when I started work at the comic book store, and it's an absolute favorite. I highly, highly suggest you visit your local wherever-you-buy-graphic-novels store and pick up a copy, because it's really, really amazing. And if you're at all interested in things like the theatre of melodrama, overthrow of corrupt governments, futuristic fascist societies, post-apocalyptic futures, well-written literature, stories where you'll notice something new the seventeenth time you read them (I just did...I'm so stupid; Rose is the rose, sheesh...), and things that make you think long after you've finished them, you'll love it. That's absolutely a guarentee.
Now, if the movie can only be half as good as the book, I'll be in heaven...

Finally, Something Written!

2005-08-22T12:19:00.000-04:00

So, firstly and most importantly, I've finally updated. You can find both of them at FanFiction.Net or at LOTRFanfiction and Ostad is also up at Freedom of Speech Fanfiction should you wish to see any of them. Many apologies for keeping anybody waiting who was reading!

Secondly, do to rejoice good gentles, for Renaissance Faire season is upon us again! Do to give a hearty "huzzah!" my good people. Aye, one of my chief obsessions, the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, is in session once again. Anyone near enough to come, I highly recommend you do so! There are very few things indeed half so fun as a Renaissance Faire, so if you have one in your area, I suggest checking it out. Oh, and if you go? Do it in garb. Everything is more fun in costume, but especially a Renaissance Faire!
Alas, 'tis all I have to say. And so, I bid thee all anon and fare thee well!

Not Dead Yet

2005-07-11T02:18:00.000-04:00

Hello all, guess what? I'm still alive. Sorry I haven't been around. Summer's been fun for me, awfully busy though. I'm about halfway done with my next chapter, though, so it's entirely possible that I'll have an update out sometime before July is over. But I can't say for sure.

Anyway, just saw Fantastic Four and it was a lot of fun, absolutely hysterical. Highly recommended, you'll have a great time. Even Sue was in character, and I was worried about her. Johnny and Ben were both priceless and perfect. Worth seeing just for those two, honest.
Also saw War of the Worlds and it's another enjoyable movie albeit less comedic and more suspenseful. My only complaint on that one would be (aside from a video camera that must be magically powered because it works when it shouldn't), it seems to me, a bit confused about the ending if one were unfamiliar with the story. It just seems too subtle for most people, I'm afraid. However, having known it going in I can't say for certain.
Heading back in time a bit, Batman was excellent. Scarecrow was charmingly creepy, Ra's was elegently evil, Alfred was astonishing, and Batman--well, both the Dark Knight and his alter ego were very well done indeed. Excellent work to Mister Bale for that. To everyone invovled, really; even poor little Katie Holmes did well, I think--for the obligatory "randomly inserted female character" that she was playing, who surprisingly managed to not annoy me at all. Awesome movie, really. I can't wait for the sequel. And the fact that I just got back from Chicago, where they filmed parts of it, is just too cool for words.

I think that's all as far as interesting updates or recommendations. Haven't really had any time to read lately, sorry. Uh, let me think...
Well, I have the address for the website I had to make for Computer Art, I suppose. Not much of an update, I know, but it's all I can muster at the moment. I'll try and do better next time, promise.

Anyway, bed for me now. Ta, lovelies!

Oh right, I should probably give the address I mentioned. Might help, no? Right: http://studentpages.scad.edu/~nwagma20/

G'night! :)

This Weapon is Your Life

2005-05-22T13:21:00.000-04:00

Told you I'd give myself a lightsaber this weekend! Now if only I could find a way to get one for real...

Everyone should have a lightsaber...even if only in Photoshop. ;)

Costume pictures!

2005-05-19T12:25:00.000-04:00

Last night was so awesome, I absolutely love midnight showings. There's really nothing like 'em...especially when you go in costume! I lost track of how many pictures I ended up in. I might have even made the local news! It was great, there were some really impressive outfits. A stormtrooper, an arc trooper, a sandperson, a Jek Porkins, and a Darth Vader that really blew me away, especially. They were extraordinarily well done. And I so want one of those nifty new lightsabers...

And I'm being very good and restraining myself from mentioning anything about the movie yet, save that I'm still in a state of shock and it hasn't sunk in that I've seen it. So this is a SPOILER FREE blog, at least for a day or so! :)

And look, I got pictures of me before I left! There's the project that ate my life for the past two, three weeks...

The Aayla Secura costume came out so much better than I thought it would, and the paint almost matched the leotard and headdress. So awesome!

A little bit of Photoshopping this weekend, and I'll be holding a lightsaber...

I added a glove so the sleeve of the leotard wouldn't show on my wrist...

Every Twi'lek Jedi needs her own make-up artist...

I'm blue da ba dee da ba da...

(Again, sorry I can't find a way to cut them or something so they don't make it take awhile to load...I'm html incompetent, many apologies!)

Episode III

2005-05-19T04:08:00.000-04:00

Wow.

I have no other words.
I'm still in a state of shock. It has yet to sink in that I've seen it.
My brain is now dead.

Good night.

Yee hee hee! Episode Threeeeeeeeee!!!

2005-04-27T22:19:00.000-04:00

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! *jumps up and down clapping her hands*
I just got my Episode III ticket!!!
*cue strange mix of fangirl squealing and evil mwa-ha-ha laughter!!!*
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hee, I am SUCH a geek...but the theater didn't take credit cards, so I couldn't buy it with my Darth Vader card, which would have been just SO awesome...
But YYYAYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYY!!!!
Ooh, can't wait for midnight on the 18th!!!!!
:D

A Pale Moon Rises

2005-04-25T13:31:00.000-04:00

Time to recommend another fic. Fading Unto Night, by Lisette, is a beautiful, poignant, bittersweet story about Arwen's end. If you enjoyed the incredible Thundera Tiger's Beyond This World (or even your humble poster's lesser Mellyn) this is a story for you. Where I sort of brushed over Arwen and went on to everyone's favorite Elf and Dwarf, Lisette pulls no punches in showing us the bitter that Arwen must reap after her six-score years of sweet. It will choke you up and make you smile and maybe bring a tear to your eye--or quite a bit more if you cry easier than desert-eyed moi does. It's beautifully written and seemlessly melds lovely visuals with a few lines from Tolkien and pieces of "Into the West" with a very delightful turn of phrase. I suggest playing said song while you read it, but if you do, have some tissues handy just in case. Simply a beautiful story and well worth the short read!

The Amazing Fugue

2005-04-19T16:21:00.000-04:00

I'm finally back and posting and reading again, and even offering a recommendation again: Fugue by the lovely Noldo. It left me absolutely speechless. I really hope there are lots of lurkers out here to go off and read it, because it was amazing. This is Denethor. This is what the movie missed, what the books even only touched the surface of. Here he is, Steward of Gondor; read his mind and despair for him. Simply amazing.
I'm sitting in my computer art class right now sneaking fic-reading in between projects, but I had to post this right now because it was so highly awesome. Noldo m'dear, if you're reading this, let me just say "wow" again.

*** And ladies, let me apologize for how long it took me to read your latest bits, they were excellent. Avie, I don't know why FFnet won't let me post my reviews to your new chapters, but I'll try one more time after class ends (I have them written and saved on my laptop) and then I'll just put them here for you. Hope that works, because it's bloody annoying reading something so good and not being able to comment. Seriously, the latest Conversations was one of the best things I think you've written. Incredible...so I suppose this has just become a double recommendation, but ah well, it's deserved. And it's my site, so I'm allowed to do things like that. ;) I'll put the link in as soon as I get back to a computer that isn't annoying and won't let me do things like that for some reason. Anyway, brilliant work you two, and I'm sorry I didn't get to see them sooner!

The Return (Revenge?) of the Tathrin!!!

2005-04-05T22:32:00.000-04:00

Normal service has been resumed.

Well good news my little lovelies! The computer has returned to me! My own, my preciousss... So yes! I'm back, recommendations and randomness will commence once more! Speaking of, Thundera Tiger has updated Land of Light and Shadows which has made me very happy! And on that note, I have updated as well, both Shadows Creeping and Ostad, finally! So yes, I'm back, and very very happy about it! :)

Dead Laptop

2005-03-21T00:55:00.000-05:00

The laptop's LCD screen blew. It's at Dell right now being fixed. As it blew out as soon as break began, I haven't gotten anything written. Apologies and I'll be back when they send it to me. GREAT sadness. Finally get the mouse, and the computer dies...I think I'm cursed. It's the only explanation, I have decided. Again, sorry, and I'll be back...eventually. Just keeping you up to date on the cursed computerness.

The Trials and Tribulations of Being Friends with an Artist

2005-02-28T23:52:00.000-05:00

Finals are approaching. This means that time is fast dwindling away. The more I tighten my grip, the more time slips through my fingers…er, sorry. Anyway, this is especially for the person who has to deal with most of these, but hopefully the rest of you can be amused as well. So, my top fifteen trails. Feel free to add any that you can come up with!

1.) Having had to have said, “you have blue (or another color of your choice, but blue is the most common) on your face” so often you no longer notice when you do so.

2.) Coming into the room to find the Artist attempting to contort herself into interesting positions…and the bad luck to be spotted by the Artist and thus instructed to assume the interesting positions yourself.

3.) Conversations that are suddenly interrupted with lines such as “oh crap, trees are green!” or “um, water…water has ripples, right?” in the midst of serious intellectual dialogue.

4.) Phone calls at odd hours that start, “Suerat and anyone else ever connected to pointillism needs to die,” and are then abruptly disconnected. Sometimes with muttering.

5.) AIM conversations that are paused by, “hang on, just let me finish the moon,” and then do not resume for hours.

6.) AIM conversations that attempt to continue despite the moon and due to the disclaimer “painting, excuse typos” and thus end up with some interesting and exceptionally creative misspellings.

7.) Screams of frustration that seem to contain the words, “whoever invented trees was a sadist!” or “I hate feet!” with no further explanation offered.

8.) Random mutterings along the lines of, “why do we have noses? Noses are evil. We should cut them all off. No more noses for anyone.”

9.) India ink. Carpet. Open bottle. Elbow. Resolve sucks. No further words. Oh yeah, the Artist’s Friend now has new carpet in her living room…

10.) Attempting to decipher mutterings around the brush in the Artist’s mouth that seem to be intended to mean, “hang on, mixing paint.”

11.) Random exclamations of, “holy sithspit, I think I just put my foot in my palette!”

12.) Random exclamations of, “gah, dropped brush, crap, hair!”

13.) Random silence on the phone. Usually followed by something like, “crap, mom could always get these out of my clothes,” or the slightly more entertaining, “paint on pants! Paint on pants!” and the sounds of frantic scrambling.

14.) And of course…sudden disappearances of the Artist around Finals time while she locks herself up with her paints and papers, emerging only to feed and fly to the art supply store…or for periods of procrastination. Often late at night during prime sleep time, or at least in the afternoon during prime work time.

But really, without procrastination, what would artists do for inspiration?

15.) …there’s always bug their friends, of course. That can be number fifteen. ;)

Vanya...

2005-02-24T20:10:00.000-05:00

I have to showcase this artist now. Avalon Estel showed me, and I'm in awe. Simply and truly amazing. Go check it out; I guarantee you will be amazed by the beauty and skill demonstrated. Wow...
I feel both inadequate and inspired right now. Only the best art that do that to a person, in my opinion. Simply incredible.

A Biting Story

2005-02-15T01:27:00.000-05:00

More than thirty comments in our discussion on the last post means that I'm over-due for an update, don't you think? So in honor of my sarcasm meter still running high, we have a lovely and rather biting fic by the talented Noldo. What does Valentine's Day put in the mind of fanfic authors? Nightmares about Mary Sues, of course. And so, in an effort to continue with the scathing destruction of pre-packaged romance and nauseating mushiness, we have here A Balrog's Lunch. A beautiful little story featuring that incomparable inhabitant of Moria...and his lunch. Very humerous and tongue-in-cheek (in more ways than one) it gives 10th Walker stories a reason for existing. Delicious enough to tempt even a vegetarian at this sappy time of the year...!

Colored Shadows

2005-02-06T14:53:00.000-05:00

Ooh, look, look, I managed to get a hold of Photoshop and I colored it! Hee hee, so much fun! I'm really not all that talented in Photoshop as I've only used it a few times, and that was two years ago, but it's fun and I really enjoyed coloring this all last night and this morning instead of doing the homework that I ought to have done... ;)

Legolas and Fuiniel again, this time colored
(hints and criticism welcome!)

Of course, forgetting how to blank-out the white backgroud was annoying...that's why the pen lines are sort of faded, I had to delete the white by hand. Anyone know how to do that? I know you can, I just can't remember how...Oh well, hopefully I'll get that computer art class next semester and they'll re-teach me... And as you can tell, I'm too lazy to do real backgrounds, so you get airbrushed green empty space they can float in. Later!

Mellyn Wins!

2005-02-05T23:04:00.000-05:00

My story, Mellyn, just won the Flame of Arnor Awards category for Best Friendship Fic! *does a little ewok jig of happiness* YAY! Thanks to everybody who voted/read/reviewed, whatever! Hannon le! *dances some more* Hee hee, great happiness!

A Not Altogether Unhappy Accident

2005-02-05T11:36:00.000-05:00

I just read a great little short piece by Avalon Estel about two Elves meeting quite by accident long after the Fourth Age has passed. They're both very much in character and it's an excellently-written premise. Albeit brief, Avie has their interaction say quite a lot. I guessed who they were as soon as I saw the summary, but I don't want to say just in case. Anyway, it was extraordinarily well-handled and makes perfect sense. It gets a lot of depth in a very short space. Fated Meetings is the title. Check it out! And after that, if you think you want to see at least another one-shot, bug Avie about it! Heh, sorry Avie, but you just did it so well I want to see more. Nuzgul for you! :) After all, the meeting ought to have been fated for more than just the forgiveness of long-held darkness, and the meeting of two long-estranged long after the rest of their kindred was gone and...okay, so it's fated for enough reasons. But let's add one more! C'mon, please? How about if I beg?

Elflings

2005-02-05T01:39:00.000-05:00

And while I was uploading pictures (translation, had managed to ste--er, borrow a scanner) I thought I'd post a character piece I did a while ago for Shadows Creeping of little Legolas and Fuiniel.

Fuiniel and Legolas

An Image from the Darkness

2005-02-04T23:51:00.000-05:00

In honor of finally actually finishing a story, I drew a sketch for it!

Exploring Darkness

Actually, I was just sort of doodling and this is what happened, so please excuse the funniness of, say, Eldarion's anatomy and the disappearing rock. Just a sketch, but I thought you might like to see it. Cheers!

Nirnaeth Arnoediad -- Unnumbered Tears

2005-02-03T17:22:00.000-05:00

Here is a story that you must read. It brough me to tears. Me to tears. That sort of thing just doesn't happen; my tear ducts are defective or something. Seriously, if I had not had to literally fly out the door and been reading as fast as I could to get to my meeting on time, thus knowing that I could not cry--I would have. I'm sure of it. I was a hairsbreadth away. This is the most moving, touching, heartbreaking, amazing story I have ever read in any format. Beyond this World, by Thundera Tiger, is a tale of the Undying Lands long after Return of the King in which the end of the Fellowship finally comes to pass. And it is just so amazing... A tale of friendship, and love, and life, and death, and loss, and acceptance, and and and it will bring you to tears even if you've only seen the movies, I assure it. I mean...wow. I am just so far beyond moved, and so far beyond words. Read it, see for yourself...

Mellyn

*You can find the fanart by bri-chan mentioned in the reviews of the story here.

Kittens!

2005-01-30T18:05:00.001-05:00

Okay, I said I'd try to put up some pictures of my kittens, so here they are!

This is Griffon, isn't he great? He's gotten bigger since then...and pouffier...

And this is Merlin, isn't he cute? He's got big bat ears, although you can't see that too well from this picture. My baby!

Here's the little brother with both, aren't they adorable? Merlin's still about that size, but Griffon has grown...

Sorry, I don't know how to do cut-aways, so you'll just have to put up with the slower load-time the pics create when they're here...

Mmm...chocolate...

2005-01-30T01:32:00.000-05:00

Okay, it's late and I'm silly. But I'm sitting here eating nutella, and I realized that there are lots of people who have never heard of it. I was made aware of this recently when I used a jar of nutella in a still life for my evil Drawing II teacher (I swear, if Melkor bred...she'd be the result) and she tried to tell me it was drawn wrong because it wasn't circular. I'm like, does it say peanut butter anywhere on the lable, dorkfish? The jar's an oval...I do know how to draw a jar...sheesh... Anyway, nutella is the greatest thing in the world. It's right up there with popcorn as one of the chief food groups. Nutella, for those who don't know, is a chocolate-hazlenut spread. Think peanut butter, only creamier and made out of chocolate. Mmmmm... Anyway, it's delicious on just about anything. Seriously, anything you could even imagine nutella tasting good on, it does. Tastes good on a spoon, too...which is how I'm eating it right now... Mmmmm... Anyway, just thought I'd do my part to introduce the most delicious spreadable substance ever invented to anyone I could. Trust me, search your grocery store, and try some! I've put a link there, just click the title, and it will take you to the manufacturer's site so you can see what you're looking for. I'm personally fond of the recipe page, particularly the one that says "Bread." Here's what you do, and I quote: Step 1: Open Jar. Step 2: Spread Nutella on bread. Step 3: Place bread in mouth and enjoy. Repeat as desired. That last bit basically means, until you run out of bread. Trust me, peanut butter's just not cutting it. Try nutella. Mmmm...chocolate... *goes off to eat some more* Gods, I'm really bad for people's diets! ;) ...but then, the lable doesn't look like it'd be all that bad for you...that I can tell... Doesn't matter! It's yummy!

Little Help Here...

2005-01-23T20:02:00.000-05:00

Okay, a little help here would be cool. I'm pretty far along in the next story I'm working on that I want to start posting soon. Unfortunately, I can't do that until I have a name for the city in which a good portion of the action takes place in. I'm bad at names... :(

Anyone who wants to help, that would be wonderful. A little background: It's really two cities in one, with the older, inner part mostly well-made of stone and surrounded by a high, strong defensive wall. The newer half of the city grew up around it over years, and is basically a tent city of shacks, etc, and there's a flimsy wooden wall that was errected around the whole thing. I need some sort of name that relates to the fact that it's really two cities in one, but my brain is absolutely dead. I don't care if it's in Westron, Sindarin, or something else entirely as long as it sounds appropriate. The "name" I'm looking for is actually more of a nickname that eventually became the only thing it was referred to as. Hence the reason it relates to the duel nature of the city.

More info's up at the lotrfanfiction.com Forum, both of my descriptions of the city's location and history if you want some of that, and some of Noldo's ideas. So...anyone want to help me? I'll post as soon as I get a name that works! :)

Oh yes, and must celebrate: have now got over 200 Reviews on one story! Sqeeee! *breaks out into big ewok dance of joy*

Despair is Never Out-of-Date

2005-01-17T19:10:00.000-05:00

I am really saddened and ashamed. First, let me apologize to anyone who is trying to "avoid" politics out of disgust and despair, but I stumbled across a blog that really got to me. I know that this blog was just a nice little series of recommendations for stories and things that I thought worth checking out, but I don't see a problem with breaking form. Sorry to anyone who's upset at not finding what they thought they would this post. But here's something else worth reading, even if it doesn't contain a single Elf or Ring. http://www.riverbendblog.blogspot.com is a post from a girl in Iraq about living through the occupation. It is very intelligently and movingly put forth. Anyone who thinks that they just don't want to hear about it anymore--imagine being in her shoes, and those of the people around her. They cannot simply turn off the tv and change the subject when they are "tired of hearing about it." They don't have that option. If you want the truth, there's no where better to go than to the eyes of someone who's living it. Is this the "complete truth"? No, and I don't claim it is; nothing is ever the "complete truth." Everything has more than one side and a million shades of nuance. But here's at least a facet of the Truth, and it hits home far more than a hundred pictures on the television ever could.

I realize that it's not "current" to be talking about Iraq or the election of a few months ago right now. I "should" be bemoaning the tragedy of the tsunami--and that is horrible, and a disaster, and I'm not trying to say it isn't. But we can't just keep flying off to the latest story on the news and forgetting about what they showed yesterday or the week before or even never. In our constant quest for new stimuli to keep our disordered minds amused, we forget that not everything can be solved in the half-hour span of a tv series. Things have consequences and they keep going even when everyone has looked away and is watching the "new" news. But the old stuff's still there. So maybe I'm not current, maybe I'm behind the times and maybe I'm going to annoy some people because of this.

But that really doesn't matter. Because whether you want to look or not, this is still happening. And I just have to wonder now...what is coming next? He has four years. What's his next action going to be, and will we ever recover from it? It will take Iraq years to recover from America's last act of "global awareness." What will happen to the world if we decide to stay involved? Maybe isolationism wasn't as bad a policy as I always thought it was. At least then, we weren't screwing everyone else over. Maybe we should all stick our heads back in the sand. That's a recipe for disaster, of course, but a slower-cooking one than our current course.

All I can say is, I hope every single one of the assholes who voted for Bush feels like a scumbag now that he's been re-elected and we--and the rest of the world--have to deal with four more years of him.

More information and a more detached viewpoint available at Informed Comment, a blog by a Professor of History at the Universtiy of Michigan.

...Who Needs Enemies?

2005-01-07T22:05:00.000-05:00

It's time for another recommendation, ladies and gents! With Friends Like These, by Jay of Lasgallen, is a story about the early years of Elladan, Elrohir, Legolas, and later Arwen. Very canonical, with only a slight alteration of time in order to make Arwen a bit older and thus able to participate with the others, and that works out fine as she's still younger. Very well written with great focus on relationships and character definition, it travels from Mirkwood to Imladris with many enjoyable mishaps along the way. The story very delicately creates the characters and builds them as it goes along, interweaving their connections and relationships with skill and subtlety. It's quite an enjoyable adventure of both lighthearted moments and deep drama. It's not quite done, but don't let that stop you from checking it out now; it leaves off at the moment at a good "break" point in the tale, so there's no better time to take a look than now. Enjoy! http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1200342/1/

White for Mourning

2005-01-05T17:01:00.000-05:00

Well, I am finally back, but unfortunately do not feel like rejoicing at the moment. I managed to get a new chapter of both Exploring Darkness and Shadows Creeping posted yesterday, so I ought to be excited. However, after enduring the horrors of my evil, evil, [please insert your favorite nasty description of choice] evil Drawing II teacher, I can't quite muster up an ewok dance of joy. Apologies. Instead, I will offer you a brief, beautiful story by the wonderful Noldo entitled White for Mourning. It's lovely, and just sad enough to make me happy right now. It's a lovely view of what those left behind by the men who went off to fight in the War of the Ring would feel after learning of the outcome...those who live in Rhun and Harad. Yes, the Haradrim had families too, and many brave warriors perished on both sides of the Pelennor Fields. Beautiful, grieving, and just the thing to make you remember that every conflict has more than one side. Enjoy.
Oh, and terribly sorry that the updates won't be popping out quite as quickly as I intended originally. I need to devote my time right now to reading, as I volunteered to help with the Flame of Arnor Awards over at lotrfanfiction.com but don't fear, I'll be writing too! And don't worry, I'll be back with better spirits--and more updates--soon!

Tides of Time

2004-12-21T15:58:00.000-05:00

In honor of having managed to eke out a modicum of time, I have an absolutely marvelous story for everyone. I think it's a fitting piece for this time of year; it has the temporary death of winter followed inevitably and eventually by the new growth of spring. Very "legend-ish" it truly makes one feel the mythic qualities so often striven for--and here, achieved! This can easily be enjoyed solely for its aesthetic qualities, for it is truly just a beautiful piece of writing. However, if you happen to like either (or both) The Lord of the Rings or the Legend of King Arthur, you should really make it a point to read this. A short story, it won't take up much of your time, but it will affect your mood for a time after--not in a bad way, not at all! The wording and descriptions are beautiful, and you can tell that there is quite a lot of time put into this. The story does what Tolkien always hoped for, and makes The Lord of the Rings into the legend he designed it to be. Tides of Time links Tolkien to Arthur, making two legends seemlessly into one. You ought to come away with a delightful little shiver once you reach the end! A fantastic piece of work; please do check it out! http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1970827/1/

The Highwayman or the Elvenking

2004-12-13T23:19:00.000-05:00

Well, it's time for another recommendation, for I stumbled moments ago upon a lovely piece. Written to The Highwayman, the old, beautiful ballad of a poem that Loreena McKennit sings so sweetly, the story is called The Elvenking. It is about Thranduil, King of Mirkwood and father of Legolas. You don't necessaily need to know anything about Thranduil, or even Lord of the Rings, to appreciate this, though; it's simply a beautiful piece of work. I sang it to the tune of the song as I read, and it fits perfectly. The brilliance of the piece is how it ties so well to both the originial poem and to Lord of the Rings. Most "songfics" don't do that, but this isn't a songfic. This is a re-written poem, with entirely new words and story but it doesn't lose the depth of emotion or the beauty of the original. Once more, I highly recommend this, as well as the original version whether written or sung. Do take a look, it's beautiful--either Elvenking or Highwayman, whichever you prefer!

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1569575/1/

Now That's an Eye-Opener and No Mistake!

2004-12-07T04:25:00.000-05:00

For this blog's first recommendation, I have chosen a story with a real kick. It literally socks you in the gut at the end, in a what just happened, holy kest! sort of way. Absolutely a wonderful story, and very short, so even if you've only got a minute you've got time enough. Beautiful descriptions, and extraordinarily subtle until the jaw-dropper of an ending. I highly suggest it, even if you've only seen the Lord of the Rings movies once, rather than having read the books so many times they're half (or more) memorized. Very well written, beautiful descriptions, and one of those stories that sticks with you long after you've clicked to a new window. Please take a look, and let the author know what you think, good or bad--I despise "lurkers" and am not about to create any. ;) Enjoy: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/712895/1/

Mae Govannen

2004-12-02T16:03:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my blog. Basically what I am doing is switching from my xanga site over to here, due to the fact that this looks less restrictive. (I dislike things that restrict you from leaving comments unless you sign up as well; drives me nuts...and here you can post anonymously, so...) If you wish to see previous ramblings, you can go to http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=Tathrin and peruse the "back issues" (wow, that was a bad pun) there.

What this will basically be is a combination of recommendations--at the moment mainly for fanfictions of the Lord of the Rings nature but all sorts of things from movies to novels to essays to music to really whatever strikes my fancy--and ramblings. It will be updated far more often while I am at college than when I am at home, as my free time at SCAD ends up being split between writing, reading, drawing, and random fiddling around on my computer. This qualifies as the last, although it relates to the second as well of course.

If you wish to know about me, this paragraph is for you:
I am a freshman at Savannah College of Art and Design majoring in Sequential Art (comic books in plain speech)--can you believe, you can major in comic books? Anyway...I have a younger brother whom I have trained reasonably well and two kittens who are slightly less-well-trained, of which one is technically "mine" and named Merlin, and the other is technically "his" and named Griffon...if I've remembered how he spells it... Not being a normal teenager--I'm a geek and proud of it--my pastimes include the above reading, writing, and drawing as well as many, many trips to the PA Renaissance Faire over the summer, lots of movies (midnight showings are exceptionally fun; Star Wars and LoTR in costume!), card-and-board games, and lots of randomness with my equally insane friends. I am a comic book junkie--it's healthier than most addictions, if occasionally not much cheaper--and currently subscribe to over 40 titles. It's not my fault; I used to only get four, but then I went to work at the local comic book store and...it's addictive, what can I say? I am also obsessed with Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and like things of fantasy and science fictional nature. I am also obsessed with the entire concept of Elves to the point of having written out a species essay of my own version of the creatures, and am currently creating a detailed history. I also have a large neon green sign floating above my head that flashes the word "geek" very brightly. And that's me. For all those that really didn't want to know.

Incidentally, any reference to "Glerfindle" is deliberate, I do actually know how to spell Glorfindel. Glerfindle is the mini-Balrog that I adopted from Camilla Sandman's Official Fanfiction University of Middle-earth, and is not so much a Muse as a Nuzgûl chaser.

As I mentioned once or twice, I am a fan of fanfiction. You can find my work at either http://www.fanfiction.net/~rhys or http://www.lotrfanfiction.com/viewuser.php?uid=128, and from those links you can access a listing of other stories and authors I recommend highly.

Now that I have taken up far too much of both your time and mine, I bid you all a very fond farewell. *vanishes*

2004-12-02T14:09:00.000-05:00

Arwen in Lothlorien