As a calligrapher, I love not only the words themselves, but the shape and beauty of them, the "letter arts" as they are called. And then there *are* the words. We've lost just a little something now that all writing is no longer done by hand. I love these, a tribute to the way it once was.
Author's reply
I agree with you - there is something about holding a letter from someone written by hand that just has a lot more meaning and import to it. Email is too transient and done on a whim to be treasured in the same way.
Thank you for your thoughtful and lovely review!
Dreamflower
· 9 October 2004
· Chapter 4: Some Vague Anxiety About His Master
These are lovely, just summing up how I think it must have been for Frodo, and for his three friends; so frustrating for them, not to have him properly appreciated, so comforting to him to sink into obscurity.
Author's reply
I always felt sad when reading the descriptions of the Travellors after the Scouring of the Shire. And as you say, even though Frodo was probably just as happy to "sink into obscurity", it is so frustrating for the others (and for us!) to see that happen.
esamen
· 9 October 2004
· Chapter 5: Writing
Oh, these are just gorgeous little gems. You have a real talent for bringing to life a wonderful moment in time.
I look forward to reading more of them!
Author's reply
Thank you, esamen! I love the way you phrased that: "bringing to life a wonderful moment of time". If you feel that I do that through writing, then I feel very flattered.
shirebound
· 4 September 2004
· Chapter 3: The Wonder of Elves
Oh, I just love how you're weaving these themes together. I especially love this description:
"...eyes that were unnaturally bright and a voice that spoke each word as if it were tasting every tantalizing letter."
Author's reply
Thank you! You picked out my favourite line right there! I have always loved listening to a reader who does that, or I enjoy doing that myself.
esamen
· 28 August 2004
· Chapter 2: Concerning Frodo
Beautiful . . . I loved reading them, especially the last one.Tender, yet full of the tension of the quest. Can you make that into a longer story? I would love to read it.
Author's reply
Make the last one into a longer story? Or all of them? That would make for interesting writing, but somehow I think that it lends itself more to individual scenes rather than a plot-based story. But I have to admit I loved writing those ficlets. Thank you for your review.
shirebound
· 28 August 2004
· Chapter 2: Concerning Frodo
You're arranging your pieces by "theme" beautifully. I like reading things grouped by subject or person -- they seem to give multiple perspectives on similar themes. And oh, what a perfect way to sum up Boromir's main concern:
"A Halfling with little strength, and with no plan beyond walking into the evil land. Folly!"
Author's reply
This is the only time that I've tried to write Boromir. I'm glad it turned out the way it did. Thank you!
Claudia
· 21 August 2004
· Chapter 1: Ficlets of the Ring and Chain
Wow, these are very powerful. I did like the healing one a lot -- very evocative.
Author's reply
Thank you! I find that when I attempt "FrodoHealing", that the sense of touch comes into it somehow. I know nothing about herbs and potions and whatnot (and would rather read other, more knowledgeable people's writings about that), but I'm very flattered and happy to hear that what I feel I can write about is effective.
Nivina
· 21 August 2004
· Chapter 1: Ficlets of the Ring and Chain
Yay! I'm glad you're collecting all your lovely, short gems from LJ over here as well! Re-reading them is a pleasure. :)
The title is great... and appropriate, of course. :)
Author's reply
Thank you, Nivina! Yes, I know that I'm going to have fun revisiting the ficlets and reconsidering how they might best fit together.
I'm rather fond of the title too! But the title itself has ended up being multi-faceted too! Have a look at my response to Shirebound below...
shirebound
· 20 August 2004
· Chapter 1: Ficlets of the Ring and Chain
I'm so glad you're posting these here, and I love the title! Frodo truly is as multi-faceted and full of light as any gem.
:)
Author's reply
It's nice to bring them all together and revisit them. I think that this way, with them being posted in themes, it gives a little more... ?meaning, ?connection between them.
As for the title... I had to laugh! This is the title I wanted, but over at ff.net, it is The Many Facets of Mr. Frodo, because the hyphen kept disappearing! I didn't like the look of "The MultiFaceted..." But I prefer "multi-faceted" to "many facets". So Stories of Arda has the title as it should be. Hurrah!
esamen
· 20 August 2004
· Chapter 1: Ficlets of the Ring and Chain
Wow . . . that took my breath away. Do you have more of this up your talented sleeve? Please write more . . . it's just beautiful.
Thanks and happy typing
Author's reply
Thank you! Yes, I have quite a bit more. They're not all like this -- there is a variety of moods and styles -- but I will be posting them in subsequent chapters in themes. I hope that you will find those as pleasing.