News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| Steelsheen by Ecthelion of the fountain | 2 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 4/9/2025 |
| Fire in a community built of wood and (I think?) thatch would be terrifying. I think of the accounts I've read of the Great Chicago Fire and the Peshtigo Fire and the London fire (and more recent wildfires that roared through communities, seeming unstoppable), and I'm not looking forward to summer and "fire season" in our region. (Is this accident or sabotage? I wonder. Reading on, it appears not to be. At least at first glance. Though the mention of Gríma raises my suspicions.) Sheesh. Gríma is about the last person I'd want to see. It is Wormtongue, isn't it? Or is the name more common than I'd realized? Has Wormtongue already arrived? (Gríma Wormtongue has creeped me out since the first time I read LOTR some decades ago. Even as I've scoured the work for details to consider in my own writing based on JRRT's world, I have avoided the passages where he appears, at least as much as possible.) Once again, I am brought up short by such a simple thing: this small glimpse into Théoden's character: ...the King smiled and said, “I would save the effort, child, were I you. It is not as though I learned nothing raising Théodred.” Lady with the warm hands – what a lovely epithet. Without the context, I might take "like a blade beneath fine silk" in a negative way, such as an assassin's blade hidden under fine clothing. But I think it's meant differently here, even though it has the same thought behind it of hidden qualities or not judging a book by its cover. Oh those tales that grow in the telling! Like, beginning with you running into a burning house in your night-shift. And ending, by our folk’s eager telling, with you lifting five fallen beams and hauling out an éored’s worth of elders and babes. Well done! It's both amusing and effective in conveying the speaker's respect, admiration, and concern. I thought at first it was Théodred speaking, for it sounded so much like him, but the "little sister" must mean it was Éomer? The "he said nothing" confused me at first, until it occurred to me that he was saying nothing in response to Éowyn's laughter. The ending is a perfect wrap-up for this event and its outcome. As to the note I wrote you earlier, it seemed the right thing to do. No matter that I may have written more words of fanfic than JRRT wrote about Middle-earth (someone whose hobby was math made that observation to me back before HoME was published; I have no idea as to its accuracy), I have this underlying anxiety so that when I see a line of "0" reviews for chapter after chapter of one of my stories, I think the worst. I'm not saying I think so highly of my writing, or even that I believe other people have the same anxiety that I find so difficult to resist. I simply felt the need to convey that I hadn't lost interest in the story or abandoned it because it wasn't worth my time. (Those are so often the thoughts that randomly cross my mind when I post a new chapter to a story that has no reviews – or reviews on early chapters and then a line of "0" reviews following. I am committed to finishing my WIPs, but that little voice in the back of my head accuses me of being stuck on myself, posting chapters that nobody else – except me – enjoys reading. Sort of like the vulgar expression about people who enjoy the smell of their own farts, something I imagine might be an expression the down-to-earth Rohirrim might use.) While I don't want people leaving reviews out of pity (how lame that would be, like fishing for compliments), still, I find silence troubling and can't help thinking of it as reflecting some failure on my part. When I read a flawed story, I still try to leave positive feedback. My years as a teacher of writing have shaped my approach to reading (and reviewing, actually). To my mind, writing is the best way to learn to write. Thus, I formed the habit of looking for all the good bits sparkling from the page. Encouraging writers to keep on writing feels important to me. So many times I've found incredible creativity cloaked in flawed writing, and I've rejoiced in seeing progress as someone continues to write and grow as a writer. (Please note that I am not calling your writing "flawed". Far from it, actually. Reading your work is an unmitigated pleasure. At least, I think "unmitigated" is the right word. My concentration is starting to flag, so I need to finish nattering on and post this review soon.) All that to say, I didn't want you to become discouraged, if that might be a possibility. If you are the hardy type who doesn't worry about such things, I commend you (and feel a bit envious, actually). Blessings to you, and thanks for listening. | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 4/8/2025 |
| (I just wanted you to know I'm still eager to read, but last week was busy and my days are full of RL obligations for the rest of this week. I hope to be back soon! It'll be nice to relax with a cup of tea and a few chapters of fanfic to chew over once our calendar goes back to normal. Meanwhile, I'm excited to see you've added new chapters to the story. Best wishes, Lin.) Author Reply: Lindelea — thank you so much for the kind note! Honestly, I’m a bit baffled (in the best way) that you’d take the time to write just to explain—I never expected you to keep reading, and I’m truly flattered to know you’re looking forward to more. Wishing you all the best with your obligations this week—and thank you again for the encouragement, it really means a lot! | |