I've had a few random thoughts regarding the LOTR fandom this morning. Stop me if you've heard this one before; discuss amongst yourselves, disagree if you like (I welcome diversity and opinionations). This isn't specifically about one person or one incident, but just a whole lot of things going on that seem to have, due to convergence of planets and moons and things, all happened at once. Strange, how that is, in a fandom that is no where near as large as it was at the height of the movies, that so much conflict is currently existing.
Here's the short list. I'm sure I'll think of more later...
I think there are some people who are taking this fandom (or any fandom for that matter) too seriously.
I think some people don't know how to laugh anymore, or take a joke, or know that a joke has even been made.
I think some people are much too attached to particular Elves *cough*Haldir*cough*. (No, I'm not that attached to my absolute favorites. If I were, they wouldn't be gay, would they?)
I think it's okay for Elves to be straight, gay, or bisexual. It's going to make me go 'kwah?' if the whole entire male population is gay, but, more power to you, mega-mpregger writers.
I think everyone should mangle Quenya at least once. Just because, all of us said 'pasketti' or 'liberry' or butchered something else along the way of learning.
I think there's very nice ways of saying 'you butchered Quenya' without saying 'you butchered Quenya'. If you're writing fan fic, or have a basic grasp on how to write fan fic, you should be able to figure out one or two options.
I think Legolas should wear a tutu at least once a year. Or fishnets. Or at the very least, eye liner. Or, he should find another Elf to do it for him. But seriously, cross-dressing and Elves is like peanut butter and bananas. You're kinda making a face about it, but as soon as you have one (provided you're not allergic to peanuts or get a banana that's too squishy), like Elvis, you say thank you-- thank you VERY much.
I think we don't hug each other as often as we used to, or should. In fact, there is a severe lack of glomping, pouncing, nuzzling, and snuggling. Hell, I used to remember days when Mei and Laura and I would sign off with 'love you, sis! sweet elfy dreams!' in the days of the original elf chats. Now, I'm all 'hmm, these people might take this the wrong way, I'll just leave with 'bye, see you later', which, considering all the life-stuff we know about each other, seems pretty lame. So be warned; you may very well be glomped, pounced, nuzzled, snuggled, and loved on next time I virtually see you.
I think everyone has the right to write Elladan/Celeborn/Elrohir smut. I think I have a right to not read any of that, or anything else I don't feel like reading. Just because I don't like to read a person's specific pairing or whatever doesn't mean they're a bad writing or anything like that.
Even though I personally don't really *need* feedback, I think everyone can agree that feedback are the magic carrots our plot bunnies feed on. No carrots, and the bunnies aren't as happy eating those hard little plot bunny pellet things. I think readers should think of feedback as the coins thrown in the hat of the street musician. If you walk on by (or stop reading midway), you're not obligated to toss any money in the open guitar case. If you stick around for the whole song (or make it to the end of the story), then it's courtesy to toss something in there (and not a gum wrapper or a used toothpick). Since a review doesn't actually cost anything, and yet is worth more than anyone can imagine, it's... well, it's just a nice thing to do. It's like sending flowers but not having to pay for them. It's like a box of chocolate without the fat. It's like cheesecake but--- no, no, nothing is like cheesecake except maybe sex, and I don't think I should be promoting the free exchange of sex for fic, so I'll stop right there for now.
But don't worry, there are more, and I'll be back...
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