zhie | Last Council Meeting & a meme

Today was the year's last council meeting... well, our 'year' begins on July 1st (That'd be midsummer, kinda, right? Close to Tarnin Austa... no wonder I feel so 'elfy' so often), so this is our 'year-end' meeting. I actually had to do some presentationy things at the meeting and asked some Erestor-type questions. Had a long walk with 'Elrond' after the meeting, around the grounds and in the woods. (It's just easier to assign people at work elf names instead of calling them things like "Mr. C" in case someone starts connecting things. Anyhow. This is probably the elfyest day I've had in a while. Sat between 'Cirdan' and 'Celeborn' at the meeting; they kept whispering jokes which did not help me with my concentration, and 'Galadriel' made it worse by cracking very loud jokes... she's the worst, but damn, she keeps us from falling asleep. Alright, nuff of that. Work is so much more fun if you can pretend it's not really work.

I saw fish in the pond, and baby turtles. I squeed about the baby turtles. And Sam & Rosie are back, as are Pippin & Diamond. Merry's still recooping at the preserve. (geese)

And now, a fanfic meme. Including a future scene from Unforgettable! Stolen from... everyone.

What's the last thing you wrote?
A love scene between Glorfindel and Faelion.

Was it any good?
Meh... I'm still not satisfied. Hence why it's not yet posted.

What's the first thing you ever wrote that you still have?
Fan fic wise, I don't know what I still have. Probably the little self-insert star trek inspired comic books I wrote and drew back in late middle school/early high school.

Write poetry?
At times, but I tend to do either really, really short poems, or friggin huge epics. About the Trojan War or Ballerinas. Okay, just those two, then.

Angsty poetry?
Sometimes, but mostly, not.

Most fun character you ever wrote?
Toss up between reborn Glorfindel and lil Thranduil.

Most annoying character you ever wrote?
Taralawen, and OC that needs to be swatted. Gwindor's up there, too. Salgant used to be, but he's redeemed himself over the last year.

Best plot you ever wrote?
Glorfindel's story in the Bunniverse. I can't go on more than that, because there is something coming up that I ADORE, but I can't reveal. It's good. At least, I think so.

Coolest plot twist you ever wrote?
I think the Erestor is Haldir's dad turned a few heads. And I had that planned for a while, AND, managed to keep it mostly secret, which is amazing. For me.

How often do you get writer's block?
Not often.

How do you fix it?
A nap. After a nap, I bounce back.

Do you type or write by hand?
Both, but really, I love writing it by hand. Computer tends to be more convenient, but sometimes, I need the feel of paper. Also, I will at times write with a feather quill if I think I'll get more 'in character' that way.

Do you save everything you write?
Hee hee. Yes, including phrases on napkins and things like that. I have tons of notebooks and various versions of files, but best of all, two magazine box files on my shelf filled with loose pages and scraps with notes of things like 'Make Lindir fall in love with Vilya, and then eventually he goes for Tallasinde instead' or 'Little Legolas brings home squirrels', stuff like that.

Do you ever go back to an old idea long after you abandoned it?
At times. I've been fighting over a couple of different 'endings' for the Bunniverse. As other things take shape, I shift back and forth. I've got, hmm, three top possibilities, and a couple of maybes. Also, speaking of abandoning, I abandoned a story about Erestor being ganged up on by the ladies of the household to admit to Glorfindel he loved him way back in Gondolin, and now I think I know how to rewrite it to make it work.

What's your favourite thing that you've written?
I love my bunniverse; I think, off the top of my head, it's a cross between The Good Archer and the Candles scene from Fluff n Stuff.

What's everyone else's favourite thing that you've written?
Blind. A lot of people love it. Exotic Erestor didn't do too bad, either.
The surprising one, still, I think, is Unforgettable. It was a drabble... and people keep poking, so I keep writing. It was not one I ever anticipated going this far.

Do you ever show people your work?
Sure. Gets posted here and there. I also read it to anyone who will listen. My poor husband has to listen to the majority of it. And yes, he's even listened to E/G nookie, so, I'm pretty open to sharing the elf love, er, stories.

Who's your favourite constructive critic?
Hubby. He's not afraid of saying 'this isn't right'. Harshest comment was when he told me the Lorien brothers sounded like giggling teenage girls in one of the fics... I did some editing... past him... hmm... I think Malinorne and Britt are the two who give me things to chew on most.

Did you ever write a novel?
Kinda sorta... are we still talking fanfic? Maybe I read the directions wrong and this isn't just fanfic. Well, I wrote Consequences for Nano, and then mostly wrote the dragon novel the second time I did Nano, and then sorta fudged Nano this year by writing 50k of Unforgettable... which, by the way, most of the first 20 chapters? New writing. Meaning, there's still 40K+ of writing of other chapters yet to see the light of day. Guh.

Have you ever written fantasy, sci-fi, or horror?
yes, yes, yes

Ever written romance or teen angsty drama?
yes, kinda

What's one genre you have never written, and probably never will?
mystery is tough for me, but i've done it... I don't know, I like challenges, I've done a lot of different things

How many writing projects are you working on right now?
Well, there's about 40 unfinished fics nagging at me, and then the dragon novel, and other stuff

Do you want to write for a living?
no, i much rather like being a librarian... writing isn't a job for me, it's a gift i like to share with other people

Have you ever written something for a magazine or newspaper?
I self published a magazine at one time... newspaper... school and local

Have you ever won an award for your writing?
Yes, playwriting

Ever written something in script or play format?
LOL! See above... wrote about seven or eight plays, had three of them performed (and in front of actual audiences, not in someone's basement or something). Also, currently writing a script for a fanfilm with a working title of 'Curse of the Noldor'

What is your favourite word?
Plutonium. Ok, I'm kidding... um... I like the word 'darling' a lot. I have Glorfindel use it a lot.

Do you ever write based on yourself?
There's a little of me in a lot of the characters, and bits of other people in many of them, too. Write what you know, y'know?

Which of your characters most resembles you?
On the outside, Erestor... librarian, advisor, instructor, long dark hair, that 'chief counselor' look, etc... on the inside, Glorfindel. Especially right after we've both had cheesecake. I'm actually a hell of a lot more like the Glorfindel I write about than people probably realize. Well, I guess now they'll know... lol. However, in terms of in the bed naughtiness? I'll let people ponder that one; it's neither of these two.

Where do you get ideas for your characters?
From everything. Bunnies attack me constantly.

Do you prefer happy endings, sad endings, or cliff-hangers?
A cliff hanger that leads to a happy ending. However, I know that endings are not always happy. The purple plot bunnies doesn't quite end happily... Elrond's pissed and Bilbo's dead. Fluff n Stuff? Not the fluffiest ending... a bit uncomfortable, really. And Morgoth Trembled has the worst ending, I think, to date.

Unforgettable will trump it, though. Undoubtedly.

Have you ever written anything based on an artwork you've seen?
Yes. About two dozen of the pieces I've written are based on artwork.

Are you concerned with spelling and grammar as you write?
Yes, but I've got a fairly good grasp of the language, since I've been speaking it since I learned how to talk and writing it since I learned how to write. I've managed to get some pieces back post beta without any corrections. Go me!

Ever write something entirely in chatspeak?
Oh, fuck no. That shit pisses me off.

Does music help you write?
Andy Bell is my real life muse. Also? David Lee Roth, Prince, Jim Morrison, and others. I love music when I write. I'm listening to Purple Rain right now.

Are people surprised and confused when they find out you write well?
Not really. But then, I'm pretty vocal about it, and I'm a talkative lil Gemini who isn't too afraid to say 'hey, read this thing I wrote'. Also, my bosses are well aware of my writing skillz and have me write up reports and things for them. In fact, my one boss knows so much of it, he calls and asks me 'How are things in Rivendell?' from time to time.

Quote something you've written.

Damn, so many choices... how about a peek at some future Unforgettable? That'll be fun!

The candles had burned themselves out and the curtains were drawn, leaving little light in the tiny room. Glorfindel had not even bothered to turn down the bed sheets, opting instead to strip off his over clothes and rest. He stared up at the ceiling, and would rub his tired eyes with the back of his hand every so often. When the maid had come early in the day, he shook his head at the offer for her to light a fire in the hearth, which meant that the cold was thick in the air around him.

A heavy chill settled over him, like a blanket of ice, but it was more like something creeping up instead of an abrupt intrusion. His head throbbed as someone forced their way into his mind, and he fought back instantly. They withdrew, and laughter echoed between his ears. “Tell me where you are, child, and I shall leave you alone.”

Glorfindel was more than apprehensive, and he squeezed his eyes shut and forced himself to focus on the image of nothing, of darkness and void.

“There is a way for you to save yourself, young one. Help me, and I can help you. I know more about your physiology than the keenest healer. I can save you, but I do not know where you are.”

“Nor will you know,” replied Glorfindel. He could feel the anger building within Morgoth, and something else as well. Fear. The connection seemed to work both ways, whether the Dark Lord was aware of this, Glorfindel did not know. “You think you will find us? I do not think you are able to, not on your own. Why else would you contact me? Why me? You must think I am either very stupid, or very desperate. I am neither. There is nothing you could offer to make me give up my loyalty to my king.”

“Oh, but I could. I will find your haven, and when I do, it would be in your best interest to be on friendly terms with me. I could heal your heart, ‘tis true, but I could heal your heartache as well. When I overtake Gondolin, all will bow to me. I could arrange it to have one bow to you as well.”