Yahoo Forum Archive

Author: annmarwalk · ID: 177 · Genres: Drama [107]: General
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-11-16 23:58:07
Annmarwalk is very good at describing a single scene or moment.
Depending on her aim, the characters' interior feelings may be the
object, or it may be some particular, lushly described thing in the
world that comes into focus, prompting a character's reaction. Her
'palette' as it were is bright--I find her at her most vivid describing
the profusion of color (emotional or physical) that surrounds joy and
lingering over it. But she always adapts herself to the character,
too--we can see this in her dwarf-centric stories very clearly, which
brings out another thing that seems to be important to Ann--craftmanship
or craftwomanship, as the case may be. The productive arts seem to show
up in key places as something more than simply coloration.
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Author: AWing · ID: 594 · Times: First Age and Prior [23]: General
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-11-16 23:58:22
Awing characterizes her Elves extremely well, lending life and nuance
and interest to characters who often can seem fatally distant to the
reader of [The Silmarillion]. Her psychological portraits are nuanced,
individuated, and lend to the atmosphere of the piece wonderfully.
There's no excess here--what is said needs to be said, what is shown,
needs to be shown.

In addition to excellent characterization, she manipulates theme very
well, which I always appreciate, and her descriptions of the scene are
wonderful. I'm particularly impressed by her descriptions of Elvenhome
and of the cities that have grown up there over the immensely long time
that has passed since the Noldor departed--they help set the tone and by
putting a character in that vividly described physical space, she
highlights the psychic space he also occupies in the face of this
setting. There's a lovely, windswept sort of feeling for that place that
seems just right; likewise, when she describes Beleriand before its
fall, it is a gritty, grim presence that serves as a background against
which characters stand out.

Definitely worth the read, particularly for those of us for whom the
Silm Elves are generally too distant to generate much interest in
themselves, Awing is a writer to look up.
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Author: AWing · ID: 594 · Races: Elves [38]: General
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-11-16 23:58:38
Awing characterizes her Elves extremely well, lending life and nuance
and interest to characters who often can seem fatally distant to the
reader of [The Silmarillion]. Her psychological portraits are nuanced,
individuated, and lend to the atmosphere of the piece wonderfully.
There's no excess here--what is said needs to be said, what is shown,
needs to be shown.

In addition to excellent characterization, she manipulates theme very
well, which I always appreciate, and her descriptions of the scene are
wonderful. I'm particularly impressed by her descriptions of Elvenhome
and of the cities that have grown up there over the immensely long time
that has passed since the Noldor departed--they help set the tone and by
putting a character in that vividly described physical space, she
highlights the psychic space he also occupies in the face of this
setting. There's a lovely, windswept sort of feeling for that place that
seems just right; likewise, when she describes Beleriand before its
fall, it is a gritty, grim presence that serves as a background against
which characters stand out.

Definitely worth the read, particularly for those of us for whom the
Silm Elves are generally too distant to generate much interest in
themselves, Awing is a writer to look up.
-----------------------------------------
Author: DrummerWench · ID: 626 · Genres: Drama [107]: General
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-11-16 23:58:53
DrummerWench writes excellent short stories and vignettes, and excels in
extrapolating from Middle-earth's various cultures the kinds of fairy
tales and folklore stories that might have been told. She adapts content
and, perhaps to a lesser degree, tone to the people whose campfire
stories she is telling and so convincingly is able to evoke the
subcreative aspect of Middle-earth--its having a history proper to
itself, despite being a fictional world. This also comes out in her
gap-fillers, and her characters, canonical and original, are nicely drawn.
-----------------------------------------
Author: Dreamflower · ID: 115 · Times: Late Third Age [26]: General
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-11-16 23:59:09
Dreamflower has to be one of the most faithful mimics of Tolkien's style
in [The Hobbit] I have ever read, and that's meant as a great
compliment. She really nails the tone and style of that story for me,
and in doing so, gives her characterizations, especially of hobbits, but
also of Dwarves, Rangers, wizards, and Tom Bombadil, immediate resonance
and credibility with the reader. We see the world through Dreamflower's
Bilbo in a manner eerily similar to the way we see it through Tolkien's
Bilbo.

This stylistic mimicry makes her an extremely effective writer of
gap-fillers. One can believe immediately that this is how it might have
happened, if Tolkien had thought to show this part of the story. I can
recommend her work to anyone who wants to revisit [The Hobbit] but in
places and times Tolkien did not choose to write.
-----------------------------------------
Author: Dreamflower · ID: 115 · Times: The Great Years [56]: Poetry
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-11-16 23:59:25
Dreamflower has to be one of the most faithful mimics of Tolkien's style
in [The Hobbit] I have ever read, and that's meant as a great
compliment. She really nails the tone and style of that story for me,
and in doing so, gives her characterizations, especially of hobbits, but
also of Dwarves, Rangers, wizards, and Tom Bombadil, immediate resonance
and credibility with the reader. We see the world through Dreamflower's
Bilbo in a manner eerily similar to the way we see it through Tolkien's
Bilbo.

This stylistic mimicry makes her an extremely effective writer of
gap-fillers. One can believe immediately that this is how it might have
happened, if Tolkien had thought to show this part of the story. I can
recommend her work to anyone who wants to revisit [The Hobbit] but in
places and times Tolkien did not choose to write.
-----------------------------------------
Author: Dreamflower · ID: 115 · Genres: Adventure [10]: General
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-11-16 23:59:41
Dreamflower has to be one of the most faithful mimics of Tolkien's style
in [The Hobbit] I have ever read, and that's meant as a great
compliment. She really nails the tone and style of that story for me,
and in doing so, gives her characterizations, especially of hobbits, but
also of Dwarves, Rangers, wizards, and Tom Bombadil, immediate resonance
and credibility with the reader. We see the world through Dreamflower's
Bilbo in a manner eerily similar to the way we see it through Tolkien's
Bilbo.

This stylistic mimicry makes her an extremely effective writer of
gap-fillers. One can believe immediately that this is how it might have
happened, if Tolkien had thought to show this part of the story. I can
recommend her work to anyone who wants to revisit [The Hobbit] but in
places and times Tolkien did not choose to write.
-----------------------------------------
Author: Dostoevsky's Mouse · ID: 624 · Races: Men [73]: General
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-11-17 00:00:09
It's difficult to find really good novelists. Novels can get bloated,
bog down, and suffer all manner of problems due to baroque plotting,
drawn out characterization, repetition, and other such things.
Dostoyevsky's Mouse tackles the epic task of trying to cover a
relationship that at the very least lasted years, if not a decade or
more, and though she hasn't finished, what we have is very promising and
speaks to her skill in characterization but also in terms of developing
a relationship and a plot over long periods of time. She's a good prose
writer--poetic skipping about and minimalism are avoided for the sake of
working out the details, though of course, novelists, too, have to
compress things and DM does so convincingly.

Her skill in exhibiting tension in a relationship, without allowing that
to stagnate or go over the top into violent clashes, and to display the
intelligence and caution of her characters is very well done. She can
write complex characters without simply telling her readers about that
complexity--it's displayed, it's shown, in measured doses and without
fuss, so that the reader is simply drawn along. I hope to see her work
finished one day and that she's written more than this one story.
-----------------------------------------
Author: Dana · ID: 264 · Genres: Alternate Universe [22]: General
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-11-17 00:00:39
Dana is yet another writer whose work seems to bear a very distinctive
stylistic mark, so that it should be hard to mistake her writing for
anyone else's. She deals sensitively with her characters, always cutting
quickly to the central themes and evocations of them, so that their
actions and their understanding of their actions flows quickly and
naturally. It's a very clean style, very strong, and flows like a
current in a river.

Her depiction of romantic relationships, particularly those subtextual
slashy ones, benefits from this, as it enables her to effectively
present two characters as deeply in love (or falling into it) without
any unnecessary flourishes or sentimentality, and in a poetic manner
rather than a purely prosaic one. Silences speak, and what isn't said is
nevertheless presented through omission and nicely suggested. In this
way, the reader is drawn ineluctably to simply believe what is placed
before him or her. Check her work out, it is well worth it.
-----------------------------------------
Author: Dana · ID: 264 · Races: Hobbits [106]: General
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-11-17 00:01:00
Dana is yet another writer whose work seems to bear a very distinctive
stylistic mark, so that it should be hard to mistake her writing for
anyone else's. She deals sensitively with her characters, always cutting
quickly to the central themes and evocations of them, so that their
actions and their understanding of their actions flows quickly and
naturally. It's a very clean style, very strong, and flows like a
current in a river.

Her depiction of romantic relationships, particularly those subtextual
slashy ones, benefits from this, as it enables her to effectively
present two characters as deeply in love (or falling into it) without
any unnecessary flourishes or sentimentality, and in a poetic manner
rather than a purely prosaic one. Silences speak, and what isn't said is
nevertheless presented through omission and nicely suggested. In this
way, the reader is drawn ineluctably to simply believe what is placed
before him or her. Check her work out, it is well worth it.
-----------------------------------------
Author: Branwyn · ID: 240 · Races: Men [73]: Fixed-Length Ficlet
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-11-17 00:01:16
Another writer whose style permits distinctive atmospheric coloration.
Branwyn does 'snapshots' well--she's good at finding the moment and
showing it as such. She knows what effects she's aiming for, and how to
achieve them. Her characterization is good, and she can evoke incredibly
vivid and unique images (I think of barnacled Boromir and damp and
moldering Théodred, both always dripping water, as well as the trees and
the path leading north in one of her shorts) in a very short space--an
enviable talent. She is also capable of condensing the heart of an
alternate universe scenario into an extremely compact story, like a
drabble, and thereby opening these brief, startling insights into
something subterranean at work in the original storyline.
-----------------------------------------
Author: Branwyn · ID: 240 · Times: The Great Years [56]: Fixed-Length Ficlet
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-11-17 00:01:33
Another writer whose style permits distinctive atmospheric coloration.
Branwyn does 'snapshots' well--she's good at finding the moment and
showing it as such. She knows what effects she's aiming for, and how to
achieve them. Her characterization is good, and she can evoke incredibly
vivid and unique images (I think of barnacled Boromir and damp and
moldering Théodred, both always dripping water, as well as the trees and
the path leading north in one of her shorts) in a very short space--an
enviable talent. She is also capable of condensing the heart of an
alternate universe scenario into an extremely compact story, like a
drabble, and thereby opening these brief, startling insights into
something subterranean at work in the original storyline.
-----------------------------------------
Author: Branwyn · ID: 240 · Genres: Drama [107]: Fixed-Length Ficlet
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-11-17 00:01:59
Another writer whose style permits distinctive atmospheric coloration.
Branwyn does 'snapshots' well--she's good at finding the moment and
showing it as such. She knows what effects she's aiming for, and how to
achieve them. Her characterization is good, and she can evoke incredibly
vivid and unique images (I think of barnacled Boromir and damp and
moldering Théodred, both always dripping water, as well as the trees and
the path leading north in one of her shorts) in a very short space--an
enviable talent. She is also capable of condensing the heart of an
alternate universe scenario into an extremely compact story, like a
drabble, and thereby opening these brief, startling insights into
something subterranean at work in the original storyline.
-----------------------------------------
Author: Branwyn · ID: 240 · Genres: Drama [107]: General
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-11-17 00:02:17
Another writer whose style permits distinctive atmospheric coloration.
Branwyn does 'snapshots' well--she's good at finding the moment and
showing it as such. She knows what effects she's aiming for, and how to
achieve them. Her characterization is good, and she can evoke incredibly
vivid and unique images (I think of barnacled Boromir and damp and
moldering Théodred, both always dripping water, as well as the trees and
the path leading north in one of her shorts) in a very short space--an
enviable talent. She is also capable of condensing the heart of an
alternate universe scenario into an extremely compact story, like a
drabble, and thereby opening these brief, startling insights into
something subterranean at work in the original storyline.
-----------------------------------------
Author: Branwyn · ID: 240 · Genres: Adventure [10]: General
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-11-17 00:02:34
Another writer whose style permits distinctive atmospheric coloration.
Branwyn does 'snapshots' well--she's good at finding the moment and
showing it as such. She knows what effects she's aiming for, and how to
achieve them. Her characterization is good, and she can evoke incredibly
vivid and unique images (I think of barnacled Boromir and damp and
moldering Théodred, both always dripping water, as well as the trees and
the path leading north in one of her shorts) in a very short space--an
enviable talent. She is also capable of condensing the heart of an
alternate universe scenario into an extremely compact story, like a
drabble, and thereby opening these brief, startling insights into
something subterranean at work in the original storyline.
-----------------------------------------
Author: Branwyn · ID: 240 · Races: Men [73]: General
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-11-17 00:02:59
Another writer whose style permits distinctive atmospheric coloration.
Branwyn does 'snapshots' well--she's good at finding the moment and
showing it as such. She knows what effects she's aiming for, and how to
achieve them. Her characterization is good, and she can evoke incredibly
vivid and unique images (I think of barnacled Boromir and damp and
moldering Théodred, both always dripping water, as well as the trees and
the path leading north in one of her shorts) in a very short space--an
enviable talent. She is also capable of condensing the heart of an
alternate universe scenario into an extremely compact story, like a
drabble, and thereby opening these brief, startling insights into
something subterranean at work in the original storyline.
-----------------------------------------
Author: Bodkin · ID: 411 · Races: Men [73]: General
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-11-17 00:03:15
As a rule, I tend to find Bodkin a stronger writer in the short story
category or the one-shot piece category than I do a novelist. In shorter
pieces, characterization and motivation are at more of a premium, and as
these are her strengths, she does well presenting slices of larger
pictures. This is sometimes done humorously to good effect. Not as
strong on longer stories where plot has to take more of a front seat,
but I definitely think her talents shine in the short story.
-----------------------------------------
Author: Bodkin · ID: 411 · Genres: Humor [50]: General
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-11-17 00:03:34
As a rule, I tend to find Bodkin a stronger writer in the short story
category or the one-shot piece category than I do a novelist. In shorter
pieces, characterization and motivation are at more of a premium, and as
these are her strengths, she does well presenting slices of larger
pictures. This is sometimes done humorously to good effect. Not as
strong on longer stories where plot has to take more of a front seat,
but I definitely think her talents shine in the short story.
-----------------------------------------
Author: Bodkin · ID: 411 · Races: Cross-Cultural [28]: General
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-11-17 00:03:51
As a rule, I tend to find Bodkin a stronger writer in the short story
category or the one-shot piece category than I do a novelist. In shorter
pieces, characterization and motivation are at more of a premium, and as
these are her strengths, she does well presenting slices of larger
pictures. This is sometimes done humorously to good effect. Not as
strong on longer stories where plot has to take more of a front seat,
but I definitely think her talents shine in the short story.
-----------------------------------------
Author: Forodwaith · ID: 50 · Times: The Great Years [56]: General
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-11-17 00:04:24
Although she has but one story entered into MEFAs this year, Forodwaith
continues in a tradition of giving solid characterizations and
explorations of Arwen. Familiarity with others of her stories shows that
she has a good sense for depicting minor characters and drawing out
their motives, the patterns and textures of their experience. Her style
is understated--no flights of excess here, but a certain quietness that
nonetheless can convey a great deal of emotion. She tends to use
juxtaposed elements to draw things out--mortality and immortality,
success and failure, the slow movements of elven time suddenly
confronted with the speed of mortal years, debt and release. Well worth
the read, always!
-----------------------------------------
Author: Fileg · ID: 106 · Genres: Drama [107]: Fixed-Length Ficlet
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-11-17 00:04:43
Fileg is another of those authors who makes the most of brevity, as
befits a poetic talent. You get the feeling that every word has been
carefully weighed for maximum efficacy in evocative power. This lets her
create a definite atmosphere or tone even in so short a piece as a
drabble. Her frequent use of elemental and Celtic motifs in her work
helps create a consistent sense of flow, but also give a ground or frame
to her work, and so a sense of depth. She seems to have an affinity for
female characters, and this is all to the good since Middle-earth is in
desperate need of voices for women characters who so often are invisible.
-----------------------------------------
Author: Eggo Waffles · ID: 676 · Genres: Humor [50]: General
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-11-17 00:04:59
Eggo Waffles writes a good parody, showing excellent awareness of the
humor potential of certain fandom trends. But she does it in such a way
that we can believe the characters' reactions, that if, in some strange
space between worlds, they were confronted with our representations,
they would act this way. Her characterization skills are thus
demonstrated, as well as her eye for the ridiculous.
-----------------------------------------
Author: EdorasLass · ID: 299 · Times: The Great Years [56]: Fixed-Length
Ficlet
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-11-17 00:05:14
EdorasLass is a character writer--characterization is her strength, and
she shows herself capable of writing both adults and children, in a
variety of different moods. She really captures the emotional tone, the
insecurities and the high points, the petty childishness where
appropriate and its resolutions, defensiveness, and all such moods as
may be called for. She also knows how to generate suspense, even when we
know already how the story will resolve itself in a gap-filler, which
takes some work and talent!

Her alternate universe scenarios, whether they are slight modifications
to allow some greater sense of closure, or else more radical breaks, are
very well done and take good advantage of the AU form, and again let her
show off her skills in characterizing various canonical characters.
-----------------------------------------
Author: EdorasLass · ID: 299 · Races: Men [73]: General
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-11-17 00:05:31
EdorasLass is a character writer--characterization is her strength, and
she shows herself capable of writing both adults and children, in a
variety of different moods. She really captures the emotional tone, the
insecurities and the high points, the petty childishness where
appropriate and its resolutions, defensiveness, and all such moods as
may be called for. She also knows how to generate suspense, even when we
know already how the story will resolve itself in a gap-filler, which
takes some work and talent!

Her alternate universe scenarios, whether they are slight modifications
to allow some greater sense of closure, or else more radical breaks, are
very well done and take good advantage of the AU form, and again let her
show off her skills in characterizing various canonical characters.
-----------------------------------------
Author: EdorasLass · ID: 299 · Genres: Alternate Universe [22]: General
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-11-17 00:05:47
EdorasLass is a character writer--characterization is her strength, and
she shows herself capable of writing both adults and children, in a
variety of different moods. She really captures the emotional tone, the
insecurities and the high points, the petty childishness where
appropriate and its resolutions, defensiveness, and all such moods as
may be called for. She also knows how to generate suspense, even when we
know already how the story will resolve itself in a gap-filler, which
takes some work and talent!

Her alternate universe scenarios, whether they are slight modifications
to allow some greater sense of closure, or else more radical breaks, are
very well done and take good advantage of the AU form, and again let her
show off her skills in characterizing various canonical characters.
-----------------------------------------