'Let me tell you a story...'

I've kinda always wanted to start a fanfic or even an original story like that. It's a little cliché but I like that. Well don't be surprised if I ever do...but I digress.

My ponder for today is - What makes you want to write a Lord of the Rings/Hobbit/Silmarillion etc etc (let's face it we could go on) fanfic?

Is it for the joy of it? Is it because you've fallen for a bunch of characters, and darn it they deserve happily ever afters too! Is it to be popular? Is it to be recognised? Is it to showcase your elite level fandom knowledge? Is it a springboard for a career in writing? Or, is it simply because you want to be part of something?

The answer to these questions, is of course, that there is no correct answer. All are legitimate reasons for wanting to write and publish fanfiction. There is no right or wrong way to begin, no better reason than the other. It's simply about being brave, isn't it?

I don't know one single writer of LotR Fanfiction, or for that matter any fiction, that doesn't debate their worth. With so many prolific writers, and epic stories worthy of a place on the bestseller lists of the world, it's nothing short of a miracle that anyone takes the risk. But eventually a band of brave young writers attempt it. Generally stemming from an infatuation with a certain type of character(s).

Now, here is were I put my mother hen hat on and peck relentlessly at something that bothers me. It is something that I have noticed, over my many (emphasis on many) years reading and writing LotR fanfiction.

Bullies!

Let me define 'bully'.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as;

"a person who uses strength or influence to harm or intimidate those who are weaker."

Before I get a backlash about - criticism is not bullying, it's a fair opinion - I will endeavour to clarify what I mean. Constructive, positive, helpful, and guiding criticism is always well received. Opinions are another matter, and for the most part, just belong to that individual who holds them. Which has no baring on anyone else. Basically, you can have an opinion, but nobody has to care about it. Oh yes, by all means respect that it is their right to express an opinion (for you also have that right), but that doesn't mean that you have to agree or even accept their views on your life/writing/choice of story.

For example; if Peter Jackson had of listened to the opinions of the fandom population, and accepted it, we would never have had those Oscar winning movies. Or, if Tolkien had of caved under the opinions of his writing peers, I'd reckon we would never have had The Silmarillion or *gasp* the Hobbit! Can you imagine a world without that?

No, no, don't even try, it's too painful!

So, my point - as I'm sure you may be wondering what exactly it is - is this;

Why do members of our fanfiction fellowship of fans, neglect to exercise these rights carefully?

Do you know that I have been appalled, astounded, and actually heartbroken by some attitudes. Maybe I'm too sensitive, or biased towards this, but honestly I don't believe I am. I've been through some heavy introspective stuff in my time, and I guess I see no harm in how people choose to express themselves, as long as it doesn't put themselves or anyone else in danger.

How a child, young person, or adult decides to write LotR FanFiction is hardly a matter up for debate and rigorous testing...is it? I mean, if by your opinion, you don't agree with or like what they write, is it not then harmful and dangerous to form and publicly announce a biased view of their little story? Certainly, in modern society it would be deemed unsafe to verbalise an opinion that is aggressively unsympathetic or intolerant to something that you personally do not like.

I leave it there because I think people are sick and tired of the intolerance debate. It's safe to say that tolerance is all something we need to work on, at some level, in regards to something in our lives.

However, back to the subject at hand...bullies. Yes, bullies! I'm not even kidding when I say this is something I see - regrettably - every month in this fandom.  Why on earth would we have such staunch and bitter attitudes in a fandom, whose founder actively discouraged such behaviours?

Well, I simply don't know the answer to that. I wish I did, but then I think we would be treading deeper issues than just mean fellow fans.

Now I'm not saying you are supposed to actively read and neutrally comment on each fanfiction you come across...heck no! We all have our favourites, and each of our tastes differ vastly. That is great! In fact if we were all the same, and wrote in exactly the same way, life would be utterly boring. There is nothing I love more than reading something really alternative, that breaks the rules, and boldly inserts new ideas or flies in the face of old taboos. But, I also love well thought through works, were you can tell the writer has worked really hard to nail down their timelines/canon characters/Tolkien lore.

There are some things I don't like, but I know those who love what I loathe so therefore it really doesn't matter what I think...at least not to them anyway.

This brings me all to my last point...fans are people too!

In this modern age it's very easy to say just what we think about just about everybody, without having to reveal who we are. This is never more abused than in this fandom. I have witnessed it many times, and each time it just makes me grind my teeth in irritation.

I have witnessed the demise of many young teenage fanfic writers, just because of really well articulated hate messages. These are usually expressed in ways that imply these kids should give up and go home...they are never going to meet the standards of the fellowship of the fandom, and nobody wants them. Man that is rough...so rough.

I'm a young woman in my twenties, and even I have been subjected to the above intolerance. I can take it, because I've been there a hundred times before. I actually find it comedic, that insignificant me can gain such an adverse reaction from someone I never met! Honestly, I'm flattered that someone takes time out of their busy life to tell me how much they dislike me...hey at least you were thinking of me! But also, I tolerate the cyber bullies because I have a solid base of fellow fans who will laugh it off with me. They'll give me a shake and jovially remind me I have a chapter to finish. The sad thing is, there are young people who are new to the fandom, and get attacked for just trying to write a fic?

Let me highlight this in another way...

I'm an adult, I live a very normal adult life, and do all my boring adult things. If a fourteen year old excitedly shares his/her Legolas fanfic with me, I will be excited with them. But let's say I found it not to my tastes...do I start hashing through their hard work and telling them how worthless they are. No, I surely would not! I'm not head editor at Harper Collins, who the heck am I to be so tactless and blunt? I'm not even their teacher! No I would most likely tell them to keep going, and share some Tolkien trivia - which they may or may not care to use. Either way I never refused them entry to the fandom. I respected them as a fellow fan.

See, here is the thing - that young person is probably getting enough heat from their parents/teachers/peers. They do not need me, or anyone else ruining their one place to relax and escape. The person behind the screen is real, and we do not know what harm a drawling negative commentary on their beloved fanfiction is going to cause them.

In short I feel that we, as a fandom, can exercise good will and encouragement better. It's good to remember we all started off as someone that knew nothing, but by various encounters we grew our knowledge on Tolkien. This is why I suggested we try to remember our first time in the previous chapter. It's good to reflect and remember how it all began. Tolkien was an intellectual yes, but he was also a wise man, and the key to wisdom is to first admit you know nothing.

I will leave you with this.

"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." JRR Tolkien

Do not hoard your knowledge, or your grievances against others in the fandom. I speak also to myself, and I'm not pointing fingers. Do not break the hearts and spirits of your fellow fans, just to prove that they are not as wise or knowledgable or long lived as you. Dragon Sickness is a destructive thing, and sometimes we are infected with it against our fellow fans...just as Thorin was. Let's take a leaf from his book, shake it off, and be of good cheer.

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A/N Thank you everyone for responding so warmly. It's just lovely to come together as fans. And lilarin for being an inspiring example of a fellow fan that is both guiding and encouraging for the betterment of the writer.

Again everyone feel free to share your responses to the ponder? Why do you write fanfic? Have you also come across 'bullies' or others of that ilk? (I'm obsessively determined to get Thranduil quotes into as many entries as possible lol).