Themes in writing

[winter]

I've been thinking, which never bodes particularly well.

I've been thinking that I'm, after all, limited in my expression as a writer, fanfiction and otherwise. Lately I can do action/introspection, and I can do twisted, and that's about it. I haven't done proper all-out angst since... hell, since Three for a Funeral. And now, between OUATIM and LOTR/Silm, I'm in the perfect fandoms for it.

So why the hell am I writing... whatever it is I'm writing? I'm very sure I haven't done comedy for years. Magic Mystery Thief Silmarillion Elf Team. Bah. Anyone got an idea for a better title?

^-- these ramblings brought to you at 8AM by a Beth who stayed up 'till three and got up at seven, at 1000kcal food per day. Low sugar + low sleep = weirdness. Just so the more recent additions to the f-list know.

Comments

[atheva]

Ooooh, angst! Some of he best Silmarillion angst comes from (in my opinion) Maedhros and Fingon. *nods sagely* Or just Fëanor being his usual self to his sons... *cough* jerk *cough*

"Magic Mystery Thief Silmarillion Elf Team?"

*blink... blinkblink... blink*

[winter]

Or just Fëanor being his usual self to his sons... *cough* jerk *cough*

*hiss* I am of the firm opinion that Fëanor was a good father. There was a reason, you know, why they followed him even after his death, and why they all turned out decent except for the genetic bipolar disorder thing. So there :P

*blink... blinkblink... blink*

Get on AIM and I'll be happy to elaborate :)

[atheva]

I actually agree with you whole-heartly. Put yur heckles down (though you're absolutely adorable with them up, too!). I dont think his sons would've followed him if they didn't respect him not only as their father but also as a male. Besides, they'd have all turned okay if circumstances had been a little differnt.

So... my vote is for Maedhros/Fingon angst. Unless you want to placate a fangirl such as myself with something about Ecthelion...

Sorry I can't get on AIM now.. I'm -supposed- to be unpacking. I got moved to a new dorm room! Yippie!

[winter]

No worries about the AIM thing, I'm dead in the water and going beddy-byes anyway. Some other night.

As for the angst, unless I can borrow someone's Ecthelion (haven't yet developed my own), I'll settle for a triple-drabble on pride, fear and immortality. First age's Feanor, second age's Celebrimbor, and I'm debating who to choose for third age. Prolly Denethor.

*room swims in front of Beth's eyes*

*thud*

[tehta.livejournal.com]

Ah, the eternal question. Should we write what we love/do best, or should we try to expand our range? This is a big one for me, since I have this huge fear of being a one-key writer: snarky comedy with a touch of plot, that is my game.

I do, of course, try to write Other Stuff. (I was so relieved to realize that I can write serious pieces that are well-received!) And I will continue trying to expand my range. However, I am starting to accept that comedy will always be my staple.

Why? Well, I feel that, while as an angst or smut writer I am ordinary, one of many, most of whom can outwrite me with one hand tied behind their backs, I think that I have a real gift for a type of comedy that I want to read. I hope that doesn't sound too obnoxious: all I am saying is that I write the stories I write because I want to read them, and because few other people seem to be writing them.

Perhaps the reason you are focusing on your own subgenres is because you feel that those are the genres you can make the biggest contribution to?

[winter]

Trouble is, they're bloody not. It switches, comes in tides and turns. I've written some angst even I'm proud of, and I still get feedback for the humour fics I've written two years ago. Even if I didn't, I'm too competitive (Feanorian or Slytherin, take your pick) not to improve my writing. The action/introspection kick only started in October, and the reason for it was that I was completely unable to do it before.

What I want is to be able to write on demand, whatever I want. I'm kind of tired of being such a slow writer, of only writing when bursts of inspirations are upon me. When I did Nanowrimo, it helped, but it's still. Too. Bloody. Slow.

So I'll write. I really will.

...just gotta finish the three Roger Zelazny books from the library first ^^;

(And yes, still sleepy, incoherent and dieting. Hope this whole message makes sense. If it helps, imagine a tall, Maedhros-like figure, only female, with two hands and really kick-ass nailpolish, walking around the room, ranting and glowering at innocent inanimate objects.)

[tehta.livejournal.com]

I shoved this in my 'reply to' folder and forgot all about it. I do want to reply, though.

I've written some angst even I'm proud of, and I still get feedback for the humour fics I've written two years ago.

You know, I really wish I followed your fandoms as I would love to see this. What fics are you talking about?

Incidentally, how come your English is so amazingly good if you live in Warsaw? It's hard to learn to be so idiomatic without being immersed in a language...

[winter]

What fics are you talking about?

I think my best all-out nigh-Fënorian angst-fest is my "Darkest" universe for Batman/DC Comics. More so for Darkest Before Dawn (the Nightwing/Dick Grayson there is very close to a darker Maedhros lurking in my closet), than in Three For A Funeral, but both are angst galore.

My humour so far is anime-style, probably not your piece of cake. Chibification is probably my most-acclaimed one, though I've written other for the X manga and anime. I'm in the process of writing a Silm one, so you should have a sample soon :)

It's hard to learn to be so idiomatic without being immersed in a language...

Tell me about it. Fanfics helped a lot - I read an amazing amount of fiction. My fanfics folder, trimmed and groomed over the last five years or so, holds about 5000 files - and that's just the stories I liked well enough to save for re-reading, maybe one in ten. I read e-books on the computer, I know every place you can get an English book in Warsaw, I'm an avid Usenet poster. I get by :)

I still have a lot to go in the cultural background, though. I've got a list of stuff I should read - I believe John Donne is at the top right now.