Allee's Odds and Ends by Allee
Linda Hoyland · 12 November 2007 · Chapter 8: Timing
Very well written,you crammed lots of angst and excitement into a few words.
Author's reply
Thanks, Linda. I'm glad I got some angst and excitement in there. I love reading angst but writing it is *not* my forte! LOL. Allee
Agape4Gondor · 30 October 2007 · Chapter 8: Timing
Oh my goodness! This was absolutely precious. As the wildfires have just finally been mostly taken care of - finding this tale of fire and its fury was interesting. But I loved the flame of Aragorn's fingertips - the first sentence immediately captured me. And from thereon - it was brilliant. But most of all - I loved the last lines! You rock!
Author's reply
Thanks so much, Agape! This vignette was written for the prompt, "Fire." I had *no* idea what I wanted to write about, so I just began with the first thing that popped in my mind: flames coming from Aragorn's fingertips. I just kept going and wrote the whole thing in about 10 minutes until I got to the last line and realized that I was really, really stuck. It took me about 5 minutes to get that one line alone, which I guess really isn't that long, but it felt like an eternity compared to how little time it took for the rest of it. Besides, I usually write last lines first (weird, I know). Anyway, I'm glad you liked it! I rock? Really? Whoo-hoo! *g* Allee
Agape4Gondor · 30 October 2007 · Chapter 1: Signs of Life
I love how you began this - almost as if the work was mundane and boring - when it was beyond painful. I don't know how you did it, but the moment was horrid! Especially this line - 'boys too young for such work but who had been recruited out of necessity, nonetheless.' I think it is revealed in this statement - 'they would have been preferable to the overwhelming stillness of death' - there was an eeriness about the whole scene AND their actions. As I finished it - and there was the sign of hope - I was too reminded of other RW scenes where hope did not come. Yikes - sorry - but you write eeriness well.
Author's reply
Hi Agape, Thanks for the feedback. I'm glad the beginning came off as mundane. I wanted to get across that feeling of numbness and shock that comes when things are too horrific for emotion to be allowed to surface. LOL--Do I really write eeriness well? I take that as a compliment! *g* Thanks again, Allee
harrowcat · 30 October 2007 · Chapter 8: Timing
If the situation were not so dire I would grin at this.
Author's reply
Hi harrowcat, Oh, go on--grin! ;-) Thanks for the comments! Allee
Larner · 29 October 2007 · Chapter 8: Timing
Ah, to break the tension! Wonderful save there!
Author's reply
Hi Larner, I just couldn't deal with any more tension. LOL. Thanks for the comments. Allee
Agape4Gondor · 27 August 2007 · Chapter 7: Come the Morn
Hmmmm. A very hard night for all. The end question is, indeed, the one of most import, I think.
Author's reply
A horrible night, indeed. I can't imagine the sense of impending doom, but Aragorn (and others) must have found some way to hold onto hope. Still, Aragorn had to have realized that things were looking pretty bleak and that most of the men (and boys) he was fighting with wouldn't see the dawn. Thanks for your comments, Agape. Allee
Agape4Gondor · 27 August 2007 · Chapter 6: A New Appreciation
Delightful, absolutely delightful.
Author's reply
Ah, pure silliness on my behalf, but these two make it so easy! Thanks, Agape. Allee
Agape4Gondor · 27 August 2007 · Chapter 5: The Rabid Midwife
ROTFL - I know too many women who would join Arwen in cheering the meat cleaver wielding woman! Nice job.
Author's reply
Glad it amused you, Agape. It's fortunate for Aragorn that Arwen is apparently the forgiving sort--they do go on to have more children, after all! This one was so much fun to write. Allee
Larner · 27 August 2007 · Chapter 7: Come the Morn
A question indeed! And love the ritual he seeks to distract himself with.
Author's reply
I think that a person's rituals say a lot about what sort he or she is, so I wanted Aragorn's ritual to be one that focuses on his concern for others not fear for himself. We all need distractions from time to time, and I don't think that Aragorn would have been any exception. Thanks for the comments, Larner. Allee
Agape4Gondor · 26 August 2007 · Chapter 4: The King's Prayer
Allee! I loved this... incredible insight - Gondor reeled from the ravages of the war - all aspects of it. The task had to be beyond daunting... worse than having to face a Balrog! Great job writing this and making Aragorn's pain our own... and vice versa!
Author's reply
Thanks so much, Agape! Yes, poor Gondor; poor Aragorn. I can't imagine how Aragorn must have felt facing the task ahead. As you said, it had to have seemed more daunting than facing a Balrog. And Aragorn is certainly the sort of king who would not take the pain of his subjects lightly. Their collective grief, no doubt, weighed heavily on him. Again, thank you for your comments, and I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Allee
Vicki_Turner · 19 July 2007 · Chapter 6: A New Appreciation
This made me chuckle... Good job! ~ Vicki
Author's reply
Thanks, Vicki! Glad it brought a laugh. I seem to alternate between writing something serious and something lighthearted. I guess it keeps me somewhat balanced. Allee
Raksha The Demon · 18 July 2007 · Chapter 5: The Rabid Midwife
Snookums? Snugglebear! She was that sweet to him and this is the thanks she gets - no wonder Arwen's a bit peeved. -snork!-
Author's reply
LOL. Yes, no more Snookums or Snugglebear for Elessar! At least not for awhile . . . . As I've told several readers, I never dreamed that I'd write Snookums or Snugglebear into a fic, but I sure had fun doing so. Thanks for reading and sharing your comments! Allee
Larner · 18 July 2007 · Chapter 6: A New Appreciation
Face it, Legolas, it was a bad idea! Heh! The weed and the vegetable enjoying the flowers together!
Author's reply
Yes, I think you're right, Larner. Legolas really needs to rethink his approach the next time. Allee
Larner · 18 July 2007 · Chapter 5: The Rabid Midwife
SNUGGLEBEAR???!!! I can appreciate her sentiments; but the thought of calling the High King of the West "Snugglebear" just seems so--so--middle class! You have me giggling on this one.
Author's reply
LOL. I never thought I'd write snugglebear into a fic! Agreed: so middle class--that's what made it so fun to throw it in there (along with "snookums," of course). I have never before written a pardoy (let alone a parody of one of my own vignettes); I have to admit, writing it was enjoyable. Weird, but enjoyable. Allee
Linda Hoyland · 18 July 2007 · Chapter 6: A New Appreciation
This was most enjoyable and made me smile. I love nature like Legolas but see no more point in gardening than Gimi,so have a lovely weed garden !
Author's reply
Thanks, Linda. I'm more of a patio garden sort of person myself. That's about as far as my nature-loving side goes. Legolas would have a fit with me! Allee
Linda Hoyland · 17 July 2007 · Chapter 5: The Rabid Midwife
Just hilarious !In my version of Arwen giving birth, she told Ioreth she planned to kill him !I could not stop smiling at this. May I suggest you post the chapter headings on top of each chapter?
Author's reply
Thanks,Linda. This vignette is *so* different from anything that I would normally write, but I had fun doing it. Thank you for the suggestion on the chapter headings; layout issues are not my forte, so I appreciate those helpful tips! I'm off to post those headings now . . . Allee
Agape4Gondor · 15 July 2007 · Chapter 3: Cry of Life
Very nice - I like how the two stories meld and compliment each other - though reading the first was not necessary to enjoy the second! Very nice indeed!
Author's reply
Thank you, Agape. I'm glad you enjoyed this it. This vignette actually inspired an interesting (and humorous) conversation in one of the Yahoo groups to which I belong. Would Aragorn really have kept out of the birthing chamber? Who knows? Personally, I think yes, but I seemed to be outnumbered there. In any case, a parody of this vignette is running around in my head and may very well get written before too long. Allee
Larner · 13 July 2007 · Chapter 4: The King's Prayer
He certainly needed the time to grieve--for Halbarad, for Theoden, for those he'd known for most of the past sixty years and those he'd come to know only in the past few days. And it's good he's taking time to let that grief have its due. One quibble--a coronation is when the king receives his crown--to be wearing it OUT to receive it is not quite--right. Maybe you could make it his coronation feast?
Author's reply
Thanks Larner. I certainly think that Aragorn had plenty of losses to grieve, both recent losses and not so recent losses. Eek! Major logical glitch with the crown thing! I really want this scene to take place before his coronation, so I think we'll just remove the crown from his royal head for now. A million thank yous for pointing that out to me; I'm not sure why it didn't occur to me. Allee
RS · 12 July 2007 · Chapter 4: The King's Prayer
This was really a momentous event and you've captured it. The unsurety of it all....poor Aragorn. I know I've said this before and I am going to say it again...Beautiful! I am truly enjoying your vignettes. Please keep it up. More Please! RS
Author's reply
I can't imagine what it must have been like for Aragorn to be confronted with the reality that he was actually, officially about the become king. I'm glad you're enjoying these vignettes. Vignettes are my absolute favorite thing to write, although I'm a little bogged down in short stories in progress at the moment. But there will always be more vignettes (including the Tales of the Innkeeper vignettes; I've not forgotten the innkeeper--he's just on hiatus). Allee
RS · 12 July 2007 · Chapter 3: Cry of Life
BEAUTIFUL!
Author's reply
THANKS! ;) Allee
Larner · 11 July 2007 · Chapter 3: Cry of Life
Yes, one cry that is awaited eagerly by every expectant parent. Well done, and wonderful reference to the other work.
Author's reply
Thanks, Larner. Although I'm generally a big fan of silence, this situation is one in which a cry is most definitely appreciated! Allee
rs · 11 July 2007 · Chapter 2: A Most Important Task
Oh My Gosh! This is hilarious. I wish I could see this whole scene fold out in front of me. Beautiful! RS
Author's reply
Thanks! I originally posted this vignette separately, but I decided I'd better behave myself and collect my super-short stuff as a series (I have quite a few shorter vignettes to be posted but I haven't gotten very far yet, have I?!). Writing this one was an entertaining way to spend a few minutes and a very welcome change from the heavier stuff I usually write. Glad you enjoyed it! Allee
Larner · 11 July 2007 · Chapter 2: A Most Important Task
Aha! Moved here, is it? Still funny.
Author's reply
LOL--Yes, I decided I should be "legal" and start collecting some of my super-short stuff in one place (but, alas, I am so far behind on posting!). Glad it's still humorous! Thanks, Larner. Allee
Lady Bluejay · 10 July 2007 · Chapter 1: Signs of Life
Gruesome but good! LBJ
Author's reply
Thanks! I'm not usually a gruesome writer, but this one sure was. But I always throw in that hopeful ending. Allee
Nessa · 10 July 2007 · Chapter 1: Signs of Life
I love this one. I enjoyed the last one too. Looks like they could become chapters to a longer story.
Author's reply
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it (and the previous one). When I wrote the first one, Green No Longer, I had absolutely no intention of writing a sequel . . . but here it is nonetheless. So although I don't forsee their becoming chapters in a longer story, who knows? Allee