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| Life goes on apace by Mirkwoodmaiden | 3 Review(s) |
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| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/11/2026 |
| I, too am fascinated how this re-editing will turn out. I am torn between posting as I go, which is my normal way and posting after the edits are done. I think the second way is good for this sort of process but I am impatient and want to know what people are thinking. What do you think? Hmmm. I've done it both ways. Posting as you go: In the old days, I published my stories on FF.net as I was writing them (i.e. publishing each chapter as it was finished). Then, as I wrote each subsequent chapter, I took reviewers' comments into consideration because they often gave me new insights into the characters or made me aware of something I'd overlooked or hadn't considered. (That said, after I learned my lesson with Runaway, I tended to write the entire first draft to the end before starting to post the draft chapters on ffnet to avoid getting stuck in the middle for whatever reason and unable to finish the story.) Nowadays, I finish writing the draft version to the end, and then I polish each chapter in turn and then post it (sometimes after running it past my current beta reader if I want to check something like continuity or characterization). Without the blessing of regular feedback that lets me know what's working (or not), as in the old days, I'm flying blind, more or less, and simply hoping that readers find the stories interesting and the characters believable. Also, because I tend to read one or two chapters at a time rather than a whole story at a gulp, I post my stories in chunks in the same way. Posting after editing: In the past, after a story was posted in full on ffnet (as described above), I'd give it to my beta readers, and then I posted the edited chapters on SoA. For some of my shorter stories, instead of posting while in progress, I've waited to post them until after beta-reading was complete. I still tend to post one or two chapters at a time. Partly habit, partly time constraints. I've started cross-posting to An Archive of Our Own, but that's a whole 'nother animal. I think the way that site works best is to post an entire finished work all at once. I'm not quite sure about it yet, but that seems to me to be the way to go with that site. I'm still kind of feeling my way, in part because so many of my stories have so many chapters. It's my own fault, of course. (And even here in this comment, I can feel myself starting to ramble...) | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/10/2026 |
| MM! What a lovely treat to begin the weekend! I'm quite looking forward to seeing this project develop. The beginning is perfect! Especially She still kept up residence in the Houses of Healing, not because she needed to but because it now felt like home. – it marvellously conveys the change in Éowyn's life and heart and mindset. The first paragraph is infused with peace and serenity and newness and hope and determination. Her sudden encounter with Aragorn presents a jarring contrast. But I had perfect confidence that he would go and find her as quickly as possible and continue (complete?) her healing... and, as it turns out, Faramir's healing as well. It is interesting to see the different approaches Aragorn employs with Éowyn and Faramir, skilfully tailored to the personality and needs of each, and satisfyingly effective. (((hugs))) Lin Author Reply: Lin! Thank you so much! I was aiming for the beginning of joy and hope but still there is some healing that needs to take place. In ROTK Tolkien does say that she chooses to stay in the Houses and I ran with it. There have been times in my life that I begged (nothing near so serious as Eowyn's reasons) but was only left with the feelings of shame and humiliation. I could only imagined Eowyn's humiliation. I also knew that Aragorn would make amends as soon as could be because Tolkien mentions how heavy his necessary denial weighed on him. It has been my experience that when you own up your own behavior it is easier to bear and confront. She is able to see Aragorn for what he is and not what she wanted him to be. Also Faramir's love makes all of this a whole lot easier. Faramir is still in the healing process as well and can too easily slip back into negative thinking and stoic behaviour. Happiness and acceptance are still new to him. He had had niggling doubts about Aragorn's meaning to Eowyn that he successfully put to the side but with Aragorn's appearance they all came to the surface and he needed to hear what Eowyn had to say to Aragorn. The battle between happiness and self-doubt can be difficult as Faramir learns to grow within Eowyn's love. Aragorn knows what he needs to hear and re-enforce the idea. I, too am fascinated how this re-editing will turn out. I am torn between posting as I go, which is my normal way and posting after the edits are done. I think the second way is good for this sort of process but I am impatient and want to know what people are thinking. What do you think? thanks again! (((hugs))) MM | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/9/2026 |
| What a beautiful and joyous chapter. How lovely it must be to be able to 'feel' hope in the air! I especially like these phrases: "now it was time to live for those who would not live to see the new age; who had sacrificed so that it could become a reality." "I was lost, drowning in duty and regret and I saw in you what I did not have. But be happy for me. I am no longer lost and a gentle heart has won me.” Author Reply: Shirebound! Sorry for the late response but I had my first Shingles shot and was too tired yesterday. I am feeling better today though my shoulder is still a little sore! I am glad that the joy showed through the chapter! "How lovely it must be to be able to 'feel' hope in the air!" Yeah! It would be nice to be feeling that! "now it was time to live for those who would not live to see the new age; who had sacrificed so that it could become a reality." I have to think that is what motivates most after a battle such as the Ring War. It is the only way to justify the tragedy and loss of life. "I was lost, drowning in duty and regret and I saw in you what I did not have. But be happy for me. I am no longer lost and a gentle heart has won me.” This sentence does indeed make me happy! Thanks so much for reading and writing. I look forward to you writing whenever I post a story! (((hugs))) MM | |