Sulriel · 28 March 2005 · Chapter 5: Alas, Poor Ufthak! (Ufthak, Shagrat, Orcs)
*snicker*
Author's reply
Somehow, I imagined that you would enjoy this one, my dear... ;-D
ET's Dribs and Drabbles by Elena Tiriel
Reviews (66)
Sulriel · 28 March 2005 · Chapter 2: Ambush in Ithilien (Faramir, Rangers)
I especially love this one. You know it is my weakness to write from a single line of obscure text. Well done.!
Author's reply
A single line of obscure text -- yup, that's my weakness, too! And Tolkien wrote so many lines that just pop out at you and *want* to be embellished upon... Most of my overall ideas for drabbles come from the HASA birthday cards forum, but when I think about which aspect of that idea to focus on, it's almost always one of Tolkien's lines -- often obscure -- that provides the spark. What an absolute genius he was!
Sulriel · 28 March 2005 · Chapter 8: A Long, Unexpected Drabble (OFC)
Elena Tiriel, how absolutely wonderful, and what a range of subject and style!! I haven't seen most of these before, shame on you for just now posting! Sulriel
Author's reply
Thanks for your kind words, Sulriel! I finally gathered the courage to post them publically. Almost all of them come from the HASA Birthday Cards forum. Even when I'm not writing drabbles -- just had a dry period of almost six months -- I can still read all the delightful ones others submit there... it's a real treat.
Raksha The Demon · 28 March 2005 · Chapter 6: Triumph Incarnate (Sauron)
Note To Sauron: Pride Goeth Before A Fall! A well-written glimpse inside the mind of ol' Tall, Very Dark and Soon To Be Less Handsome.
Author's reply
ROTFLOL! That's great, Raksha! You know, I'm especially proud of this title, Triumph Incarnate -- it's the most fitting one I've ever chosen: "Hey, you -- yeah, you! Ol' TVD&STBLH! You might be Triumphant and Incarnate now, but you ain't gonna be neither for much longer! Pfffffffffffffft!" Ah, I feel so much better getting that off my chest...
Raksha The Demon · 28 March 2005 · Chapter 5: Alas, Poor Ufthak! (Ufthak, Shagrat, Orcs)
Ooh, nasty! And funny in an awful, Orcish way.
Author's reply
Thanks, Raksha! Shagrat and his gang were a real piece of work, all right...
Raksha The Demon · 28 March 2005 · Chapter 4: Earth and Sky (Legolas, Gimli)
Awww. Poor Gimli. Excellent depiction of Leggy's lightbulb moment of starting to understand the dwarf...
Author's reply
Thank you, Raksha! I think that "lightbulb moment" really describes it well; Legolas' attitude seems to have turned around completely at that moment.
Raksha The Demon · 28 March 2005 · Chapter 1: A Long Tradition of Ancient Lore (Faramir, Denethor)
Lovely scene with Denethor and young Faramir! Now we know how the latter's love of "lore" started! I especially liked the last line - 'may I read it..Please?' - very much like a child.
Author's reply
LOL! Thank you, Raksha! I love that last line -- I can almost hear Faramir's wheedling tone of voice: "Pleeeeeeeeeeease?"
elliska · 28 March 2005 · Chapter 8: A Long, Unexpected Drabble (OFC)
Now this left me giggling because this is exactly my train of thought when trying to write a drabble. :) These were alot of fun. I hope to see more soon.
Author's reply
Me, too! I just tear my hair out over some of them!
elliska · 28 March 2005 · Chapter 7: Silver and Gold (Celeborn, Galadriel)
Very nice! The reunion of G and C is something indeed I (and I think many others) love to contemplate. Again, I'm amazed at how much powerful emotion you capture in 100 words. I'm teary again.
Author's reply
Thank you, Elliska! I really tried hard to use words with a powerful emotional impact; glad it worked. And tears - wow! What a compliment!
elliska · 28 March 2005 · Chapter 6: Triumph Incarnate (Sauron)
Great Sauron! There is a character whose POV you almost never see. That was chilling! These are amazing me.
Author's reply
Thank you, Elliska! See my answer to Sulriel -- I had a hard time channeling his voice, until I took drastic action... Considering the character, chilling is good... very, very good... ;-D
elliska · 28 March 2005 · Chapter 5: Alas, Poor Ufthak! (Ufthak, Shagrat, Orcs)
Oh Elena Tiriel, this was just sick! Sick! Still has me doing that maniacal laughter. Just warped. You can just see orcs doing exactly this.
Author's reply
*innocent look* Sick? Warped? Moi?
elliska · 28 March 2005 · Chapter 4: Earth and Sky (Legolas, Gimli)
I always loved that line that you quoted at the end because when I read Fellowship for the first time it stood out to me as a real change between them. I have always loved stories that explore that transformation. Again, well done 100 word moment. It's funny how little things like that, in real life, can make a difference in our views. Well captured here.
Author's reply
Thank you, Elliska! I really think that moment did create a turnaround in their relationship, from "this squat, sturdy stranger" to "my fellow warrior"... But it also saddens me that Legolas' prayer that Gimli be spared any further grief didn't come true... Gandalf fell from the bridge such a very short time later.
elliska · 28 March 2005 · Chapter 3: There and Back Again (Frodo, Bilbo, Balin, Gandalf)
Ok, maybe at work is not the best place to read these. This one actually has me crying. I can't write drabbles. Most of my single sentences have 100 words in them! :) It always amazes me how one well placed word (or line--the last one) that is well set up, can just make an impact like a truck. Great job. These are great.
Author's reply
Wow! "An impact like a truck"! *blush* Thank you so much! I always thought that it was sad that such a fine character ended like that, but it heartens me that the drabble gave you such an emotional response. Thank you, Elliska!
elliska · 28 March 2005 · Chapter 2: Ambush in Ithilien (Faramir, Rangers)
Oh I loved this one. The Battle of the Camp is very interesting to me right now. I love how you tied these two events together. Very clever and very poignant (sp?).
Author's reply
Thanks, Elliska! And I just knew that Faramir would know the history of that road, too... Much of my inspiration comes from being a Resources Volunteer on HASA; as I compile quotes for the resource library entries, I come across (numerous!) inspiring passages. If you are a HASA member, you can log on to henneth-annun.net, go to Resources, then do a search on "Battle of the Camp" and find an overview of all the entries I added about the Wars with the Wainriders, and also the North Road of Ithilien (just in case you want to, say, write a story but don't happen to have UT with you at the moment...)
elliska · 28 March 2005 · Chapter 1: A Long Tradition of Ancient Lore (Faramir, Denethor)
As a long time teacher--that is exactly the way it is done. Somehow I really enjoyed picturing young Faramir in this moment with his father. I like drabbles 'cause I can read them at work and get through the whole thing without interruption. But then they always make me want to see an elaboration on the theme. They're more like plot bunnies to me. And this one has a pit-bull-like grip on my ankle right now. Nice drabble.
Author's reply
Thank you, Elliska! That really helps to know -- I've never raised children, so I was just guessing about that technique -- but I figured that it would have worked on me! So, my drabble spawned an evil plot bunny that attacked you, huh? Bwahahahaha! Please be sure to let me know when you post the results... looking forward to seeing it!
Bodkin · 28 March 2005 · Chapter 7: Silver and Gold (Celeborn, Galadriel)
'glacial magnificence of towering Taniquetil; but I alone glimpse Orodruin's perilous fires concealed beneath' Wow. I love it! Celeborn and Galadriel as I like to see them - fire beneath cool dignity and control. To be savoured and re-read many times!
Author's reply
Thank you, Bodkin! You know, I never understood how much was hidden under Galadriel's serenity until I looked at her through Celeborn's eyes -- it was an amazing experience! "Savoured and re-read many times"... Oh, thank you so much for that, Bodkin!