Reviews (16)

Author's reply

Thanks, Irene. Many of the people who supported me in the past seem to be missing from SoA as it is. But that's okay. I dropped out of sight, so I can't expect people to keep up with me. There is one long story here that I am following. It's quite good--"The Sell-Sword and the Prince." Check it out. Meantime, I promise to get back to "Mordor Vacationland," whether or not people feel like reviewing it. Thanks so much for your support. - Steff

Author's reply

Oh, thank you, Irene. You have been such a great support. (Steff blushes.) I've been coping with being unemployed the past year--writing resumes and cover letters, searching job databases, etc. The only writing I've done since last May was "Where was Imrahil?" and an article for a local eFanzine. I guess I needed to dry out, after being a technical writer for 30+ years. (I also was in a huge hula show, which required a lot of rehearsal time and commitment, but that's another story.) Now I consider myself retired and loving it, though I haven't claimed US Social Security yet. So I am more inclined to write fan fiction. Aragorn, Faramir, Imrahil, and Lady Gothmog are annoyed at me for leaving their latest chapter half written. Cross your fingers and I'll get the next one done. - Steff

Author's reply

Hi Dr.Ruth - Thanks for reading. Writing fan fiction is a lot more fun than sending out resumes and cover letters like every other poor slug who is unemployed. I actually have a quasi-serious overriding message for this tale but it's subtle and hopefully won't get in the way of the humor and the adventure to come. - Steff

Author's reply

Hi Ainu Laire - Thanks for reading this tale. I've read a number of fan fics that take place in Mordor, all of which involve evil, one-dimensional orcs who kidnap some human, usually Faramir or Legolas. Tolkien gave us a hint that some orcs aren't all brainless cannon fodder in the "Tower of Cirith Ungol" in ROTK. I also found Ugluk a ton of fun in both book and film. So I'm on a crusade to make the orcs more well rounded while keeping them basically nasty. - Steff

Author's reply

Hi Raksha - I'm glad that you enjoyed this chapter. Real life really stymied me for awhile. I have what I hope will be some interesting reveals in the next chapter. Stay tuned. Peace time levies great hardships on former warriors, on both sides of the Morgai. As you can see, the orcs are getting soft, too. Take care, Steff

Author's reply

Hi Linda! I've finally found my muse, somewhat, after getting laid off my job of 20+ years. This poor chapter has been hanging around for 2 months half finished. I'm glad you're enjoying my depiction of Aragorn. Ari is not quite ready to become a "throne potato" yet, but the demands of kingship threaten to soften his body against his will. Aragorn won't be a central figure in "Mordor Vacationland," though he most definitely is the one who get's the ball rolling in the next chapters, much like Thomas Jefferson. Yeah, I know you are a Brit and SOA has a great international readerhip. Still, I confess I had the third US president in mind when I started to design this story years ago. - Steff

Author's reply

Hi Utfrog - My sympathies. I'm waiting with wheezing breath for the grass season here in California. Love those roses, love their scent, but, just like some of the unfortunate orcs, they get me every Spring. I wish I could have introduced Cirrion, Faramir's cat in my story "Dead Steward's Gift," to really knock poor allergic Blallo off his feet. Alas, Cirri is at home in Emyn Arnen, most likely sprawled out on Eowyn's lap. Glad that you are enjoying "Mordor Vacationland." - Steff

Author's reply

Hi Irene - Forget Mordor, I wouldn't mind vacationing in Africa. It must have been so exciting. I've been up to my ears with real life right now but hope to continue with Mordor Vacationland soon. Thanks for keeping up with my musings. - Steff

Author's reply

Hi Raksha - I understand about "bloke", but I'm not sure what synonym I would substitute. I wanted to use "bloke" as an expression of Faramir's strong negative feelings. To me, the word "bloke" sounds tough and uncompromising, but that might be because I'm an American. I think the British and Australians have a more positive meaning for the term "bloke." I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Who will track the thieves to their lair? Do the thieves even have a lair? The mind boggles. Now that I put him in the story, that pesky elf seems to think he's needed as a tracker. - Steff

Author's reply

Hi Ithilien - I do know how the story ends, but it always takes more time to get from point A to point B in my fiction. I plan to keep my chapters short and succinct, concentrating on just one or two locations or characters. So I suspect this will take a long time to complete. Sigh. Yeah, there will be a lot of characters, which is a management problem. You've already met most of the protagonists, Lady Gothmog, Faramir, and Eowyn. The last protagonist is a book-only character. As far as the elf is concerned, he's a supporting character so far. I've never tried to write Legolas or any elf so I don't know how far I'll go with him. He does have a vested interest in keeping the new elf colony in Ithilien safe. Thanks for reading. - Steff

Author's reply

Hey, don't feel too sorry for the orcs. Most of them are depraved, amoral characters who would knife a Gondorian at any given opportunity. I wanted to make the point that orcs and other denizens of Mordor have less evil sides, illustrating Sam's speculation when discovering the fallen soldier in Ithilien. Of course, most of that speech was given by Faramir in the extended Two Towers film. So my Faramir continues wondering about the people who once were his enemies. - Steff

Author's reply

Wow, Bonnie, you are very perceptive. Lady Gothmog definitely has seen a leadership gap and is eager to fill it. Of course, her contingency is all those female orcs left high and dry and pregnant in Mordor, plus a much larger population of slaves that Aragorn freed. No doubt Lady G possesses a strong entrepenuriel spirit. Lesser female orcs would simply open up a beauty salon on the banks of Lake Nurnen! Thanks for reading. I hope to have another chapter up with in the next week or two. - Steff

Author's reply

Happy New year Linda!! A big reason I wanted to write this story was to explore orc culture and give a more well-rounded portrayal than the shallow, one-sided canon fodder depiction that orcs seem to get in 90 percent of the fanfics I've read. Tolkien gave his orcs a bit of character, especially in the scenes where they battle each other in Cirith Ungol. I also want to present orcs as having some redeeming qualities, if only good senses of humor. At the very least, you can pity them in their defeat. Without their leaders, they are like rudderless ships. But more on that later. Thanks for reading. Cross your fingers that i can find the steam and inspiration to continue this undertaking. - Steff

Author's reply

Hi Raksha - First off, have a Happy New Year. I've been wanting to write this story for at least two years and finally have a bit of time to start it off. I suspect that some of the members of Lady Gothmog's entourage will find the Morgul Vale literally unhealthful to them. The Lords of Gondor make their appearance in the next chapter. That's where we'll meet the main protagonists of the story, besides Lady G. I'm not going to say here who these people might be, but anyone who has read my previous stories, like yourself, could easily figure it out. - Steff

Author's reply

Wow, Soledad. Thanks for reviewing and being so fast in catching up with this newly evolving story. I'm especially thrilled to hear that you laughed at my arguing orcs. Their argument about closing the doors to the mine came upon me late last night and just "happened." It's my hope that "Mordor Vacationland" will have lots of adventure and suspense, but, as you can tell from the title, there might be some good laughs, too. I just can't help myself. Please keep reading and writing your wonderful stories, too. - Steff