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Post by branwyn on Nov 1, 2006 0:51:31 GMT
I work in accounting and financial analysis (probably the only certified public accountant in the world who writes Tolkien fanfic, lol) but have also studied English lit at the undergrad level. I share a house with my husband, hundreds of books, and the three wunderkatz. I am interested in historical re-creation and have been a member of the SCA for 25 years. I am a student of medieval culture and technology, so if you have any questions, throw them my way and I will do my best to find an answer (just ask Raksha, I can babble endlessly about this stuff).
Almost three years ago, I sat down one day and started writing a LOTR novel. It didn't occur to me at the time that I needed to know how to write. :-) I love to discuss writing and besides being a LOTR obsessive, I am a fan of Stargate: Atlantis, Dr. Who, Blake's 7(if anyone remembers that show!), Babylon5, Beowulf, the Arthurian legend, and Hornblower. Maybe some day I will write original fiction, though I feel very at home writing in MiddleEarth.
So hello to everyone!
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Post by Raksha on Nov 1, 2006 3:54:05 GMT
Welcome, Branwyn! 
I truly think that the best way to learn how to write is to apply one's backside to chair and one's fingers to keyboard (or hands on pencil to paper), there's no magic route to knowing how to write. Reading good stuff helps, because the brain soaks it up for later reference.
And your LOTR novel, By The Light of Earendil's Star, is an outstanding work of LOTR fanfiction. Anyone who hasn't read it, should!
www.fanfiction.net/s/1825529/1/
www.storiesofarda.com/chapterlistview.asp?SID=2444
And if anyone wants to read Branwyn's many other shorter pieces of LOTR fanfic, look at her SoA page, accessible via the SoA URL above...Several are up for the 2006 MEFA Awards, deservedly so.
Branwyn is my best Medieval Consultant, and has extensive knowledge of matters Horticultural and Textile (costume!). And what she doesn't know about combat history and methods, her hubby does.
I remember Blake's 7! Hated the ending, though.
RAKSHA
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Post by Lily on Nov 1, 2006 12:16:38 GMT
Hello Branwyn, we all like LOTR fanfiction, but any other input is very welcome here as well. I am a fan of the Arthurian legend myself and there are quite a few wonderful books - and some very bad movies.  |
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laerien
Short story writer
Posts: 192
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Post by laerien on Nov 1, 2006 13:13:58 GMT
Hello Branwyn! WOW, someone I can ask about things!!! YAY!  |
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Post by Rosie on Nov 1, 2006 23:33:01 GMT
Hi Branwyn - I've read and enjoyed your work on ff.net. Tell us more about your LOTR novel.  |
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Post by branwyn on Nov 2, 2006 0:04:10 GMT
I am still trying to figure out how this works, so here goes... Raksha-- Regarding learning to write, practice is crucial but it has to be directed practice and there has to be a mechanism for receiving feedback. There was an interesting article about the nature of genius in (of all places) Fortune magazine. money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2006/10/30/8391794/index.htm?postversion=2006101915Some researchers claim that success in sports or the arts is not due to inborn talent but to consistent and focused practice over a long (many years) period of time. (I would say it is due to both.) Just practicing isn't enough--the practice has to be designed to improve specific aspects of performance. The article also said that writers take about 10 years to hit their stride, and that made me feel a lot better. Thanks for the kind remarks about my fics. Yes, Blakes7 ended badly, but that is why we have "fifth season" fics! (Just think "Boromir lives!") Lily, I never noticed that dichotomy, but you are so right! Why are there good books but bad movies about the Arthurian legend? Laerien, I will be happy to help, if I can. Rosie, Aaaaahh! Scream!!! Someone has read my stuff! |
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Post by celebne on Nov 2, 2006 15:50:27 GMT
Hello Branwyn! Welcome to the board!  |
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Post by lindahoyland on Nov 3, 2006 3:25:52 GMT
Welcome, Branwyn, I'm so pleased you have decided to join us here.
I love the Arthurian legends too,and some of the films. I enjoyed Babylon5 when it was on TV and the Hornblower series.
I am owned by 4 cats and a visiting one when the others let him in.
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Post by junomagic on Nov 4, 2006 9:34:47 GMT
Hi Branwyn, That is really an interesting article, thank you for sharing! I agree about focused practice and talent - it's a mixture, and it takes time. I have to say, I don't even mind that - it's an interesting journey. Oh, and SCA! My husband would like to join, and I have often picked apart the brains of online friends that are SCA members - the best resources ever!  While I've studied history, SCA lives it... and for writing it's most often the small details of "lived" knowledge that are important (and they are often very difficult to find in historical sources or textbooks). Cheers, Juno |
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