2004 Author Reviews for
Dwimordene

Dwimordene's writing style is perfectly suited for drama. She has a talent for getting into a character's psyche and examining situations from all angles. When those situations turn problematic and multiple characters start interacting, the drama takes on new dimensions. It becomes a political game, a personal obstacle, and a family dispute. Character introspection seems to play an important part in whatever situation Dwimordene has concocted for her characters, and she is careful to make these moments of reflection pertinent to the story and intriguing for readers. It's easy for some writers to become bogged down by introspective details, but Dwimordene neatly avoids that trap by transforming introspection into an extension of dialogue. Her characters essentially speak to themselves. Not with thoughts in italics or anything like that, but the structure of the narrative is such that it feels as though the introspection is a long conversation. And as Dwimordene excels at conversation (some of the most impressive dialogue can be seen in her stories involving Faramir) the introspection becomes a thing of great interest and plays very well into the dramatic atmosphere that already characterizes her stories.

Dwimordene has a wonderful grasp of the Steward's family characterizations, and she really knows how to tell a tale well. Very well. I can't help but think her philosophy education flavors her writing and syntax. And in a good way. She can hold the drama throughout, make you laugh or cry when necessary and let you really feel like you know those characters. She brings us closer, in most cases, than Tolkien did, as he told his story from more of a distance. Dwim brings us right it so that we can see the dust on the fireplace mantle. And she's not limited to the Stewards's family. I know from other stories she can write Legolas and Elves well, and here she wrote Arwen better perhaps than I've ever seen her written before. Even for Tolkien. He didn't write much of her. Dwim filled her out, put flesh on her bones, gave her a soul, distinctly Elven yet mortal by decision.

Dwimordene favors Aragorn, but she does write Elves very well. Maybe it's because Aragorn lived in Rivendell for so long. Anyway, she makes them seem real, three-dimensional, and yet different from us in subtle ways. Roots was especially good. She could have focussed on Aragorn, but there was so much going on with the Elven patrol. Politics, friendship, walking in trees. She brought it all to life, and left me sad when some of those original character Elves died.

Dwimordene's main strength in writing is usually Aragorn, but through the story "Roots," she shows that she's more than capable of writing Legolas, Thranduil, and the elves of Mirkwood. Her elves are elves, in every sense of the world. I love the way she describes their reactions, their obsessions, and most of all, the effect of an elven gaze. She keeps in mind that elves are often walking contradictions to the mortals around them, and even for Aragorn who was raised among elves, this is often the case. Thranduil, in particular, seemed especially well characterized. I love the way he encompassed father and king both effortlessly and simultaneously. Seeing the elves in action was a thrill, and we are reminded just how the elves managed to hold out against Morgoth for so long. Dwimordene's ability to write quiet moments as well as spine-tingling action and horror is beautifully demonstrated by this story.

I think Dwimordene can write anything. Short, long, drabble, poetry, humor, angst, mystery.You name it, she can write it. Wish I could say the same.

Nobody writes LotR like Dwimordene does. Very few approach her gift for ensemble characterization. Even fewer approach her ability to deliver such a complex plot that ties so well with the original story even as it leaves on its own adventure. Dwim has kept me guessing throughout her epic, which is a great treat for me, and she has brought to life in vivid detail my favorite characters as well as characters I never really understood before. Dwim writes this Au the way that AUs ought to be written. She keeps it so close to Tolkien's canon that it's painful, especially when the breaks begin to occur. I actually yelled at my computer when Aragorn and Gimli left Fangorn to make for Edoras. But I think what really amazes me as far as Dwim's writing is concerned is how she shows everyone's perspective. Legolas's observations clearly come from an elf. Gimli's views are very much the views of a dwarf. Eomer sees the world as a frustrated rider of Rohan should see the world. Sam's practical and very hobbitish look at his situation made me both laugh and cry. Each character clearly has his/her own voice, and Dwim plays to that character's strengths while also showing how these strengths can be weaknesses, too. It's my opinion that Dwim has the best fanfiction on her hands, and with that, I'll be shamelessly add that I would love to see this story updated soon!

Dwimordene writes symphonies! I have only come up with four writers with metaphorical reviews. Dwim was the first. Just read the first paragraph of chapter two of Lie Down in the Darkness and you'll see. I swear there is music in it. Not just the theme. I mean the words. She builds a symhony with those words. She has such beautiful syntax and phrasing. It's melodic and complex. I think her background in philosophy really gets used to great effect in her writing. I can see her stories as I read them, like a mini cinema in my mind. She claims she favors Aragorn, but she writes Legolas just as well! She can write drama and horror with the same ability. And she can do comedy. I'm not sure there isn't anything she can't write! Dwim will go down as one of the best LOTR fanfic writers in my opinion. She doesn't just write stories, she writes masterpieces.

Dwimordene is one of my favorite LOTR fan writers. Even if I haven't read all of her stories. She writes beautifully, poignantly, melogically. She writes sympathies. I know, that's not the first time you've read that and it's not the last time you'll read that. ;-)

The most powerful writer I know. Her speech is not as good as Altariel's but her plots and thoughts are mind-boggling. Dwimordene writes so well that I followed her through 'From the other riverbank' and was overwhelmed by her vision. It took weeks to blot out with time this notion of Boromir's and Denethor's homosexuality. And that although I really do not think that Tolkien's Boromir and Denethor are homosexuals. She wrote it so believable that she managed to change my mind for some time. "Father and Sons" belongs to my imaginary LotR Appendix G.

It's one thing to write a parody. It's one thing to write a poem. It's one thing to write a bit of humor. But it's quite something else to write such a humorous poem parody and carry it on for stanza after stanza without losing any bit of the humor or the interst of the reader. And Dwimordene can do it!

"The Hamster" is very well written poem. Though it has no content to my liking it shows the prowess of the author with words.

Dwimordene is pretty much guaranteed to be good at whatever she chooses to write. That goes without saying. But spooky stories are a tricky thing, and this is where Dwim's talents really shine. She is able to take us into a legend. We experience the underpinnings of a subculture, including the differences between those who live down on the plains and those who live in the shadow of the Door. She takes a canon character, fleshes him out, and gives him an OC companion who is also remarkably complete. The story is paced to draw out a dark tale, which is very much in the true spirit of all spooky stories. They begin with other stories. The end of the tale (bereft of its two main characters) is nearly as unnerving, and probably gave those in Harrowdale something to talk about for many years. Dwimordene leads us through a broad, far-reaching story without ever losing sight of the characters, the point, or the mood. Ghost stories are difficult to write without coming off as contrived or using cliché techniques, but Dwimordene gives us an excellent example of how to convincingly unnerve people and also hwo to set it within the context of LotR canon. A remarkable achievement. Considering the author, I can’t say I’m surprised.

I'm running out of things to say about Dwimordene. Here she proves she can write Men other than Aragorn. Just kidding; she's shown that elsewhere as well. Anyway, she handles an adolescent viewpoint well, and does the Twilight Zone bit quite well also.