I recently joined this group and thought that I would quickly introduce myself. 
I too became a reader of Tolkien only after seeing FOTR.  I fell in love with
the books.  Up until 2005, I was involved in writing fanfiction (the unfortunate
stories are still up at ff.net) and in various LOTR themed RPGs.  When
greatestjournal.com went under, I lost most of my other Tolkien fanfiction.  My
muse got put on hold when I married and started a family.  However, I am in the
process of finding my library of Tolkien and re-immersing myself in this world. 
I will be posting fiction again, and I welcome all constructive criticism.

I look forward to meeting you all!

Kim

Hi, Kim, and welcome! :)

I also became interested in Tolkien's books thanks to the movies; reading LotR
prompted me to read the Silm, and here I am! :)

This list has become fairly quiet lately, although I do hope that will change
someday (possibly when I have the time to be a proper group owner/mod again ...
soon!). You might also be aware, but we have a website with a fiction archive
for Silm stories:

http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/

So what are your favorite aspects/characters in the Silm? Did you write Silmfic
before, or did you mostly focus on LotR? Any particular interests as a writer?

Again, welcome, and please give me a holler if I can help you in any way! :)

Dawn

--- In SilmarillionWritersGuild@yahoogroups.com, "KImberly" <kbgutierrez@...>
wrote:
>
> I recently joined this group and thought that I would quickly introduce
myself.

I did just join this morning!  I hope to gain some vital concrit since it has
been at least four years since my last try at fiction writing.

I am reacquainting myself with my copy of the Silmarillion, so I am in the midst
of discovery again!  I've had quite a few "I remember that!" moments.  I have
always been interested in many of the main players in the First and Second Ages.
I tend to favor Gil-Galad.  There was something beautifully tragic about his
reign as the last king.

I have attempted Silmarillion fiction before and re-read the tries.  Some of my
plots were borderline heretical!  I am proud to say that not only my writing
style, but my common sense has evolved.

Sign up now for My Slashy Santa 2012: a Tolkien Slash exchange! From the Years
of the Trees through the Fourth Age – it's time once again to make your Tolkien
FPS fanfic dreams come true…

Have you always wanted to read a certain pairing or scenario, but couldn't write
it yourself? Or have a plot bunny that's been rolling around in your mind, but
just can't see yourself writing that particular story?

Have it written for you – specifically and especially for your own sweet self!
And share your own fic gift in exchange!

That's right, it's time for My Slashy Valentine brought to you by the same folks
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Aragorn-on-Halbarad strikes your fancy... or maybe Manwe is your main man - from
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Sign-ups begin Saturday, December 3, 2011 and will close at midnight (GMT-5:00)
on Saturday, December 17, 2011. For first time participants, stories will be due
by February 1st, and for returning writers they will be due on February 8th.
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on Tuesday, February 14th.

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<http://slashy-santa.livejournal.com/66463.html> ) and you will find a link to
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rating, and the plot elements you would like to read, as well as the elements
you are willing to write, and someone will write a story for you. In exchange,
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Even if you don't want to take part in the exchange, you can still elect to be a
reserve writer to be called upon in case of an emergency. Just say so on the
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All we ask is that you adhere to some basic rules - If you sign up, please make
sure that you can follow through and write at least 1,200 words. Please note
also that this is a SLASH only FPS exchange (no RPS or het, please).

PLEASE NOTE: If you have defaulted in previous years, you will NOT be allowed to
participate this year! These stories are gifts for your friends and fellow fans,
and it is incredibly disappointing for a participant who has worked hard to turn
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Visit the Swap Rules and FAQ <http://www.slashysanta.com/rules.html> for the
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* Dec 24th: Assignments delivered
* Feb. 1th: Stories due from first time participants
* Feb. 8th: Stories due from returning writers
* Feb. 14th: Archive opens

Come check out SlashySanta.com <http://www.slashysanta.com/eFiction> and peruse
some of the past entries - they're terrific and will give you an idea of what's
in store!

Hope to see you there!

The Slashy Admins
"'Tis Always the Season for Slash!"

Hey guys!

My Slashy Valentine 2012 (Tolkien fandom, all Ages, FPS only) sign-ups is going
on its final week. If you were thinking of signing up, please do. We'd be happy
to have you!

Important Dates:

Sign-up period: December 3 - December 17
Assignments to be distributed no later than December 24
Deadline for first-time participants: February 1, 2012
Deadline for returning participants: February 8, 2012
Archive opens: February 14, 2012

Here's the sign-up post and rules:
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Come join us!

The Slashy Mod

My Slashy Valentine 2012 (Tolkien fandom, all Ages, FPS only) sign-ups end
tonight at midnight. If you would like to receive a special fic tailored to your
prompts and write a reciprocal fic for someone else, sign up now while it is
still open!

Important Dates:
Sign-up period: December 3 - December 17
Assignments to be distributed no later than December 24
Deadline for first-time participants: February 1, 2012
Deadline for returning participants: February 8, 2012
Archive opens: February 14, 2012

Head on over to here:
http://community.livejournal.com/slashy_santa/59960.html

Slashy Mod

Hello!

I am new to the Yahoo Group of the Silmarillion Writers Guild. I am a huge
Tolkien fan since I read the The Lord of the Rings in the tender age of 13. More
than LotR, I love the Silmarillion. Especially, the story lines about Feanor and
his seven sons with Nelyafinwe Maitimo Russandol being my most favourite
character.

Since the Sil is rather short, I enjoy reading good fanfiction. I loved Dawn
Felagunds portrayal of the Feanorians in "Another Mans Cage" and the stories of
Ithilwen_of_Himring in particular.

I have no experience in writing but decided to try a story of my own concerning
- yes :-) - the Feanorians as well. I had hoped the group could help me with
some questions and humbly ask the masterminds for counsel.

There is one issue I would like to discuss, namely the following paragraph in
the chapter "Of the return of the Noldor" in the Silmarillion. I quote:

"But even in the hour of the death of Fenanor an embassy came to his sons from
Morgoth, acknowledging defeat, and offering terms, even to the surrender of a
Silmaril. Then Maedhros the tall, the eldest son, persuaded his brothers to
feign to tret with Morgoth, and to meet his emissaries at the place appointed;
but the Noldor had as little thought of faith as had he. Wherefore each embassy
came with greater force than was agreed; but Morgoth sent the more, and there
were Balrogs. Maedhros was ambushed, and all his company were slain; but he
himself was taken alive by the command of Morgoth, and brought to Angband."

So my problem is: Seriously, what was Maedhros thinking??

I mean, he knew it apparently that Morgoth was baiting him with a Silmaril and
couldnt possibly think he would show up himself or he was really sending a
Silmaril with his emissiaries. So what was he hoping to gain? Even if he really
thought, he could beat Morgoths forces (which may be so as they nearly destroyed
them in the preceding battles under the command of this father or at least
seriously damaged Morgoths might) what was to come next? So he would have
destroyed another of Morgoth forces. What benefit did he hope to gain
by putting himself in grave danger of being killed (or captivated)?

My thoughts on this issue... I think, though he seemed not as hot-tempered as
his father, he was probably also a bit arrogant/proud and therefore
underestimated his foe. I think, he hoped - by baiting himself, the High King of
the Noldor after Feanors death - that Morgoth would send all his remaining
forces to capture him and therefore leaving Angband largely undefended since the
bulk of his army was marching against him. Then, defeating the said force, he
could march against Angband, now that a direct assault against it walls bereft
of its defenders would be more easy.

What do you think? Does this make sense and sound logic? Could he have argued
similarly with his brothers and convinced them thus?

A part of my story contains a flashback where Maedhros discusses Morgoths offer
with his brothers and convinces them (save Maglor, who is sceptical).

So I would very much appreciate if you would share your thoughts on this matter
with me.

Thank you in advance.

Hello, Dawn!
I appreciate your answer very much! As I mentioned before, I love your story
"Another Mans cage". I am rereading it for the third time now. Love it, how you
portrayed each character in a way, which is so very believable. I deeply admire
your talents as a writer and your amazing creativity. Hope you will continue to
write your genius stories (especially concerning Maitimio ;-)).

Concerning my question…

So you basically say, that Maedhros indeed believed Morgoth´s offer for
surrendering since he believed him defeated and near his end and intended to
seize the opportunity to destroy Morgoth entirely by taking a much larger host
with him and taking all three of the Silmarils. But that would also mean, that
he also believed, that Morgoth would show up himself, wearing all stones in his
iron crown. Otherwise, he could just hope to gain just one of the Silmarils as
agreed upon sended with emissiaries.

So you think, Maedhros also believed Morgoth to come to the parley as well, like
himself as the leader of the Noldor?

Another question… could it be possible, that the fact, that Morgoth offered just
one of the Silmarils, made his offer more believable? Maedhros might have
thought, that Morgoth underestimated the Noldor and sought to buy himself some
time to gather his strength by showing his good will in surrendering one of the
Silmarils.

Another point is also, that even he believed it to be a trap, as he was plotting
one himself, he didn´t think Morgoth to be capable of overrunning the Noldorin
forces and so didn't think the parley to be too dangerous.

My last thought concerns also the following point… do you think he also acted
quickly as he wanted to spare his father the everlasting darkness? I don't have
it in my mind clearly, but I think, the oath contained some words which spoke of
the everlasting darkness if it wouldn't be fulfilled…

I hope, I could explain, what I mean… as you clearly may have noticed, English
is not my mother tongue .
You may call be Pervin, by the way ;-).



--- In SilmarillionWritersGuild@yahoogroups.com, Dawn Felagund
<DawnFelagund@...> wrote:
>
> Welcome to the SWG, P! :)
>
> > I mean, he knew it apparently that Morgoth was baiting him with a Silmaril
>
> I don't get from the passage that Maedhros knew Melkor intended to be
> unfaithful. (Although ... yeah, it's Melkor, so it's probably a reasonable
> assumption ... ;) What I get from "persuaded his brothers to feign to treat
> with Morgoth" isn't that Maedhros realized Melkor was plotting against him
> and convinced his brothers to go for it anyway but that Maedhros thought
> Melkor was sincere but planned to arrive with a larger force than agreed
> and to defeat Melkor utterly. To me, this makes sense because I don't see
> the Feanorians--on account of their oath and their justifiable loathing of
> Melkor--settling for anything less than total defeat of Melkor. They are
> going to seize any opportunity to do so and--coming hot off the heels of a
> kinslaying and abandonment of a large portion of Finwe's people--I don't
> think they'd have any scruples with lying to the Dark Lord.
>
> Now as to why Maedhros didn't realize the likelihood that Melkor wouldn't
> keep his promise--I don't think there are any clear answers to this, in the
> text anyway. This would be a good point to explore in a story. I think
> there's many possibilities, pride certainly being one of them, as you
> mention.
>
> > that Morgoth would send all his remaining forces to capture him and
> therefore leaving Angband largely undefended since the bulk of his army was
> marching against him. *snip* What do you think? Does this make sense and
> sound logic?
>
> I would have to be convinced as to why Melkor would need to clear out
> Angband to capture one Elf. That's not to say that I *couldn't* be
> convinced, but it would take some work on your part, as the author. What
> about Maedhros would make Melkor feel so threatened? I don't see it based
> on the texts. I mean, I think Maedhros is made of awesome ;), but if Melkor
> wasn't cowed by *Feanor*, then I don't think Maedhros will have much of an
> effect on him.
>
> My *personal* vision of that incident is that, after the Noldor soundly
> routed Melkor's forces, Maedhros underestimated Melkor's ability to muster
> the kind of force that he brought to their supposed parley. His
> confidence--or pride ;)--convinced him that any army Melkor could bring
> would be no match for the Noldor. He just didn't see reason to fear the
> "handful of leaves" left to Melkor. Melkor sent his messenger in the same
> hour as Feanor's death, giving Maedhros and his brothers little time for
> rational consideration; they were already on an emotional high, both from
> their success against Melkor and the spectacular death of their father. The
> two would have made a potent combination for seeking vengeance.
> Furthermore, Maedhros probably figured that, with the shattered remains of
> an army left to him, Melkor wouldn't be able to muster an assault against
> the Noldor in so short a time. That may have made him trust Melkor's word
> more than he would have been inclined to do otherwise.
>
> Again, this is my personal interpretation; I hope others share their
> thoughts too! :)
>
> Dawn
>
>
> --
> ~oOo~
> Dawn Felagund
> http://themidhavens.net/heretic_loremaster/
> http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org
>