KathyG · 6 June 2024 · Chapter 1: You Have To Be Kidding
Hey, if I were to dream about Elrond, he'd look like Hugo Weaving! =)
Don't Panic! by Boz4PM
Reviews (156)
KathyG · 22 July 2021 · Chapter 1: You Have To Be Kidding
Wake up right out in the middle of nowhere in just your pajamas and your bare feet??? That WOULD be a nightmare! [shudders]
KathyG · 21 February 2021 · Chapter 3: The Horror of Bree
One thing is clear--your depiction of your modern-day O.C. is very realistic! I would not want to be in Penny's shoes (or should I say pajamas?=)) for a million dollars! Or whatever currency was called in Middle-earth. Not likely they had paper money as we do! =) At any rate, you set out to avoid making Penny a Mary Sue, and you did an excellent job. I was reading the reviews for this chapter, and I came across the comments that one of your reviewers made about Penny not being a Mary Sue, so I just had to add my own two-cents' worth. Well, Dreamflower and I have long been in the process of developing and posting our own "falling-into-Middle-earth" story; we started posting it back in the summer of 2018. And hopefully, we're succeeding in keeping our O.C.s from becoming Mary Sues! We're trying, anyway. It's posted here on SoA and several other Web sites. Hey, Penny, if you're still interested in Tolkien fanfiction, and if you still frequent Stories of Arda, I'd love it if you stopped by and read our story! If nothing else, you could tell us if we're being successful in our aim. It's set in LOTR, and yes, our characters become extra walkers, but we've given our story a different feel and some different twists from the average such story, as you'll discover if you pay ours a visit. Just come by my story page, and you'll find it; it's right at the top of my list of stories. It's titled "An Unexpected Adventure".
mystarlight · 4 August 2018 · Chapter 27: The Final Curtain
Wonderful chapter!!!! Thank you for sharing
mystarlight · 2 August 2018 · Chapter 2: Bunny Stew
Poor Penny. Regarding bunny I fully support her. Thank you!!!
mystarlight · 2 August 2018 · Chapter 1: You Have To Be Kidding
I started to read your story and really LOVE it. Thank you for writing and sharing.
ana · 16 February 2011 · Chapter 27: The Final Curtain
I absolutely loved this. When I started I thought it would be a funny, cracky story (Off with Mary Sue's head, indeed) but then I couldn't stop reading it and here I am, crying about it. It's really amazing how you managed to make me be so moved again by the events that have otherwise long stopped saddening me. After all I've known what happened for years, I never cared for Halbarad in particular one way or the other, I wasn't expecting to cry about the death of a minor character. You have a great talent.
Daynawayna · 30 May 2010 · Chapter 27: The Final Curtain
Just finished this story for the 2nd time and it's still as amazing and enthralling as the first read through. Your attention to detail is esquisite and the character study of Penny is brilliant. All of the canon characters deal and react pretty much as one might expect them to and I'm once again left in utter awe and astonishment at the epic breadth and width the span of this story takes. Your research shows and I love it. I know I've accused you of this in several past reviews, but I SWEAR you're telling this from first hand experience! LOL :) It's such an incredible piece of work and I can't wait to get started on ONP. Thank you once again for answering this challenge all those years ago and I look forward to seeing more "Moments of Panic", if Life will actually let you put fingers to keyboard and write them out. I so love this story. Thank you so much for writing it. :) Dayna
beriani · 14 January 2010 · Chapter 1: You Have To Be Kidding
Dear Boz4PM I have read all your stories . They are amazing. You have really captured th world of Tolkien. Most girls fall in Arda usually end up on Lotr sues or Deleterius, but your stories belongs on a list of how a well written fanficiton is supposed to look like. Maybe we can use it as a how to guide for newbees on ff net. The sequel got a little boring in the middle, but overall your story can rightfully be described as a masterpiece. beriani
Independence1776 · 15 June 2009 · Chapter 27: The Final Curtain
Every time I read this, I want to cry at the ending. I cannot imagine how Penny coped, even with all the support she had. To know so much, to have to hide it while learning how to survive, I think I would have holed up my room and never come out. It's a wonderfully written, compelling story.
Independence1776 · 5 June 2009 · Chapter 12: All Hell Breaks Loose
I told you I'd get around to reviewing eventually! :P I absolutely adore this story. The realism and research you put into it truly make it stand above many other fics. Her reactions are believable (though I'd be more in shock about meeting Elrond because he's my second-favorite character). And I love how you build up to Penny's realization about where she is, finally driving it home by meeting Elladan. One of my favorite parts of this "series" is when she does and *doesn't* tell how much Sindarin she knows. It never fails to make me laugh. Wonderful, wonderful story.
Josie · 27 May 2007 · Chapter 27: The Final Curtain
OMG! I just loved this story! You conveyed Penny's turmoil and confusion so brilliantly you had me it tears. Fantastic work!
Aranel of the Golden Flower · 7 November 2006 · Chapter 17: Beauties and Nincompoops
I have to say I think that marmite is BEAUTIFUL!! this story is pretty good too!!
Author's reply
Ah, another Marmite fiend? Good, good. :D Glad you're enjoying the story so far. :) Thanks for reading and taking time out to review.
Ivy · 31 July 2006 · Chapter 27: The Final Curtain
AAAAH! Excellent ending...I actually assumed for most of the story that they would fall in love and that we'd have a kiss at the end...but this makes it even harder. EXCELLENT story. I am going to read the sequel now :) Ciao, Ivy
Author's reply
So glad you have enjoyed it all - hope you like the sequel just as much. I look forward to reading your comments and responses to it. :)
Ivy · 31 July 2006 · Chapter 22: A Friend In Need
Hey, thanks very much for the very kind review! I like the conclusion Penny came to in this chapter...how very true about the elves having to give up every human they met, and you presented it well. To tell the truth, I just got lazy about that story and couldn't think how to present chapter 2 so I didn't :) I'm working on it...slowly...haha. There's 2 things I noticed in this chapter: 1. Halbarad refers to her as "Penny" instead of "Pen-ii", as well as later when we see her from his POV...it's his narrative style, so shouldn't both be "Pen-ii"? 2. You wrote "effect" instead of "affect" (near the end somewhere). I very much liked this chapter. Poor Penny indeed. :) ~Ivy
Author's reply
Thanks for the typos/mistakes - and for the two 'might/may' errors you spotted earlier. I shall try and remember to correct those tonight if I get a moment. :)
Ivy · 31 July 2006 · Chapter 18: Sense and Sensibilities
Ha--that should be PATHETIC Man Fancier. ;)
Author's reply
I take it you are a PEF, then? ;) Or perhaps a PHF? Thanks for reading, Ivy - I've just been catching up with all your comments so far. I'm glad you're enjoying it so far and hope you continue to do so. If you have any questions, then your best bet would probably be to track me down on my LJ (user name is 'boz4pm), and I can answer them there. As for Gandalf being able to translate, then as I think I explained in the footnotes (you have to realise this fic was written two years ago), Gandalf is already capable of 'telepathic' communication with others (Elrond, Celeborn & Galadriel at least). Added to which he is a Maia - a demi-god - so it was a not unreasonable authorial bit of poetic licence to say he would be able to 'tune in' to her after he had had a little time to get used to her. If Galadriel can read people's thoughts, without needing a connection with them, then Gandalf should be able to do so much more easily if he so chooses. Galadriel is a powerful Noldo, but Gandalf is still a Maia and thus more powerful and more capable, even if he keeps it under wraps. As for him having 'more important things to do' - not really. They have a couple of months before they will leave. While they are off finding news of the Nazgul nothing is happening. She is an enigma, and potentially a dangerous one at that, so he will want to learn as much about her as possible and keep an eye on her - in a friendly way, of course. ;)
Ivy · 31 July 2006 · Chapter 16: The Mirror Cracked From Side to Side
I have returned. Hahaha... Hmm. This is interesting...I was actually thinking that periods (forgive the pun) of major stress and a sudden, complete change in nutrition can make periods go away for a while, but that's pretty extreme. Speaking of the Latrine of Doom...do not EVER go in a public bathroom in Pike's Market in Seattle. I swear, it was worse than what you described (and your description was pretty vivid). I'm not joking or exaggerating. I was terrified to set my purse down, so I ended up hanging it around my neck. Gah. LMAO! Poor Erestor...I love it. I'm still a bit...not set...with Gandalf being the "interpreter"--wouldn't he have other things to do?--but whatever. :) And I very much like Mireth. Nice. ~Ivy
Ivy · 30 July 2006 · Chapter 12: All Hell Breaks Loose
I am a bit confused as to how Gandalf could get such specific senses from what she said...? She'd basically have to do a different expression/tone of voice with each sentence for him to be able to "translate" all of that...but I guess it was necessary for this chapter. I don't know. I still think it's a great story. And I love the part about the "my love", "my lover", etc. part, haha. Very nice. ~Ivy~
Ivy · 30 July 2006 · Chapter 11: The Proverbial Hits the Fan
Wow. Great explanation...and very IC reactions. Nice.
Ivy · 30 July 2006 · Chapter 10: Calm Before The Storm
"Where was she! She had not got drunk again and ended up at Brian the Computer Nerd’s flat again, had she! God, she hoped not! That had been a SERIOUSLY bad mistake the first time around. She would not be that stupid, would she?" HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA That's awesome...I love it. Less Mary-Sue-ish this time; more like the Penny I know and love, haha :) You know, the language-barrier bit really is brilliant... Wonderful job again with the unfamiliar faces (since of course they wouldn't look exactly like the movie actors...) Ciao, Ivy :)
Ivy · 30 July 2006 · Chapter 9: Curiouser and Curiouser
Hmm...as much as I liked this chapter, I think it was a bit Mary-Sue-ish...even if she could be excused for her temporary state, she was very defiant of authority, and the whole tears thing... Just an observation. Overall, I do not think she is at ALL a Mary-Sue. I really like the bit about them smirking and Elrond trying to remain aloof/Aragorn snorting into his cup. LMAO! Nice work again...I'd just make sure that she's not overstepping the bounds, if you get my meaning :) Ciao! Ivy P.S. Again...if you have time, check out my stories? I would be beyond honored. http://www.fanfiction.net/~folk and http://www.freewebs.com/folklights (my website) Thanks very much!
Ivy · 30 July 2006 · Chapter 8: Reality Bites
"There was no way on earth she could hallucinate something like him. He was beyond imagination." Yes, you're right...I didn't really think of the LOTR movie elves as being *that* beautiful, though they certainly had rather otherworldly features...and I love Elladan's personality. Though the whole thing with the elves and combs seems a *tad* cliché...but hey, whatever. :) I really loved this chapter. It had just the right amount of psychology and action in it, though I do admit I wish Penny would act a bit less hysterical and try to seem under control...you know? I guess it's part of the character, though (and of course OCs are easy targets for self-projection. I'm one of those calm-in-a-crisis people...Penny seems to be...ish. haha), and the important part is that you've been consistent with it. Nice work. Ciao! Ivy
Ivy · 30 July 2006 · Chapter 7: That Old River in Egypt
You're really very good at writing psychology, you know that? This is excellent...her thinking that she is insane rather than thinking that she's actually in Middle-Earth. You've really made me feel for both of these characters, and seeing as how I don't remember much about Halbarad, it's basically 2 OCs to me...that's a huge accomplishment (at least from my perspective), since I have trouble liking even one OC (well, *cough*, at least those I haven't written, lol. JK, haha). Once again..."may" is incorrect. But I said that already, haha. (It's a common grammatical error..."may" is generally only used in asking permission/granting permission--ability=can, as you know--and "might" is for the possibility of something happening.) Just...wow. That's really all I can say. I'm off to read the next bit! May I assume this is...Legolas? I don't know...I assumed Aragorn, but you did say something about a beautiful voice, and I think of elves automatically when I read that... Ciao! Ivy :)
Ivy · 30 July 2006 · Chapter 4: Clear As Mud
Bloody BRILLIANT. Ah, I can't decide if I'm inspired or terrified to try continuing my story, lol. I was wondering when she was going to let fall some names and have him stare at her in shock...your portrayal here is very good. By the way, what is WETA? I know it's something to do with authenticity, but I can't remember... Nice job. I'm sorry it's not a longer review, but it's all I can really say, because there is nothing to criticize, lol...oh, except make sure that you use "might" instead of "may" in "he suspected he may never discover it". Otherwise, the grammar/spelling/etc. is great. Ciao! Ivy :) http://www.fanfiction.net/~folk
Ivy · 30 July 2006 · Chapter 1: You Have To Be Kidding
Oh my GOD...this is absolutely amazing. I started one of these fics, but due to my other project (Harry Potter), I haven't actually done more than one chapter... ANYWAY. About your story...I'm not normally a fan of OCs, but I really like Penny thus far. Very, very good job. The descriptions are amazing...the scene with her walking to the hills is a bit rushed, and I think it's because the sentences are so short, which is easily fixed (if you want to; it's your call). Detail is wonderful... Overall, this is one of the best fanfics I have ever read (and I do *not* say that lightly). I'd be honored if you'd take a look at my work...www.fanfiction.net/~folk, fanfiction.net username folk (go "search") if the link doesn't show up. I'm also on www.freewebs.com/folklights Excellent job! Ciao, Ivy :)