Silmarillion Writers' Guild

Greetings unto the people of Arda!

This past week has been one of great excitement as we build up to the Final Battle. Our heroes have taken on all manner of tasks, from seeking ancient texts to visiting the long-lost island of Númenor to recovering legendary weapons and treasures. In the process, we have attained a considerable collection of stories spanning all the ages of Arda, and we hope that you will join us to hear a few of them. For those of you interested in undertaking your own creative challenges this month but who cannot participate in our quest, I also include those challenges undertaken by our participants at the end.

Enjoy the stories!

Ornisso the Unappreciated
Tavernkeeper and Loremaster of Fingolfin

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B2MeM 2010--Week One Challenge Responses

Armageddon Will Not Be Televized by Dwimordene.
B2MEM2010 entries. First up: Halbarad arrives... he's not sure where.
1. No Man's Land
http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/b2mem2010/viewstory.php?sid=12

Each Familiar Bough by Peregrin Ionad.
Celeborn makes his way across the sea.
http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/b2mem2010/viewstory.php?sid=25

Eight Months Till November by Celeritas.
Music lessons take on a new meaning to the Heir of Buck Hill.
http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/b2mem2010/viewstory.php?sid=13

Hunger by May.
Maedhros and his brother, Maglor, are all that are left of the oath takers, and then there is only one.
http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/b2mem2010/viewstory.php?sid=22

A Lie in the Making by Leianora.
Maeglin's thoughts during his cousin's wedding.
http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/b2mem2010/viewstory.php?sid=23

Like Dwarves in a Tree by Vilwarin.
It is said that words are mightier than the sword - especially when you are part of a proverb.
Being stuck in a tree has a more permanent result than Gandalf's company expected. Some humour at the expense of the Dwarves.
http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/b2mem2010/viewstory.php?sid=11

Loyalty Above All by Zhie.
Ecthelion loves Glorfindel; Glorfindel loves Aredhel; Aredhel's niece loves Tuor... well, at least one thing worked out right. Confessions and conversations between Lords of Gondolin in the communal baths.
http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/b2mem2010/viewstory.php?sid=24

Managing by Perkyandproud.
Glorfindel reflects on the beauty wrought from fear.
http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/b2mem2010/viewstory.php?sid=19

Old Horses by Crantz and Snacky
A Lord of the Rings AU, in which Theoden is not killed in battle, but lives on for many good years, and in which Eowyn comes home to visit him, towards the end of those years.
http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/b2mem2010/viewstory.php?sid=26

On a Fence Near the Pond by Pearl Took.
Pearl Took is supposed to meet a special someone, but her day isn't going as she hoped. Will she be able to save her special day?
http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/b2mem2010/viewstory.php?sid=18

Pearl's Garden by Rhyselle.
Young Pearl Took finds being stuck in bed in the height of summer very trying, until her mother finds a way to bring the garden to the 10-year-old hobbit lass.
http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/b2mem2010/viewstory.php?sid=10

Pillow Talk by Lyra.
Fëanor can't keep some heretical thoughts concerning certain customs of the Eldar to himself. His newly-wedded wife is less than amused... at first. Rated Teens because, well, it is Nerdanel and Fëanor's wedding night. Accordingly there is some talk of sex, though nothing graphic.
http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/b2mem2010/viewstory.php?sid=8

Rebuffed by MithLuin.
The only thing worse than a defeat is the humiliation of having to report your failure.
http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/b2mem2010/viewstory.php?sid=16

Regrets Thought at the Party by Larner.
A drabble of thoughts considered at the Party.
http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/b2mem2010/viewstory.php?sid=21

The Singer by Independence1776.
Late one night, Janelle encounters a mysterious singer. Double drabble.
http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/b2mem2010/viewstory.php?sid=15

Sometimes I Wish... by Celeritas.
A set of not-so-serious attempts to fulfill the B2MEM 2010 prompts, in an effort of the author's to maintain contact with her OC hobbits and the Fourth Age Shire they live in. This "Alternate History" account presupposes happier, AU conditions borrowed from Dreamflower's "Eucatastrophe" universe, in which the Three Rings retained their power at the One Ring's destruction and Frodo (and indeed anyone living in Aman) is allowed to return to Middle-earth after having been healed.
1. The Birthday Party
http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/b2mem2010/viewstory.php?sid=14

Tempering the Madness by Alassante.
Celebrimbor attempts to reason with his father.
http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/b2mem2010/viewstory.php?sid=20

Temptation by Isabeau.
Disappointed in love, the Prince of Dol Amroth turns to the one who has never failed him. A gap-filler for Captain My Captain. What happened at home the night Hethlin refused Imrahil.
http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/b2mem2010/viewstory.php?sid=7

The Tree of Love by Mirach.
Galadriel told Arwen to meet her at Cerin Amroth... but someone unexpected comes instead.
http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/b2mem2010/viewstory.php?sid=9

Unravelling by Elleth.
The Doomsman of the Valar sees many things. Elwing's life is one of them.
http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/b2mem2010/viewstory.php?sid=17

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B2MeM 2010--Unlocked Challenges for Week One

They say music soothes the savage beast. Or does it? Write a story surrounding the idea of music and music-making as something that does not calm and soothe but, rather, energizes or antagonizes.
Write a story, poem, or create an artwork from the point of view of a character who is drunk or otherwise under the influence.

Write a story, poem, or create an artwork from the point of view of a character who is drunk or otherwise under the influence.

Create a story, poem, or artwork that responds to the following quote: "The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad." -- Salvador Dali

Show us a character having or coming to terms in the aftermath of a near-death experience.

Groupthink is a social phenomenon in which, during high-pressure situations, people abandon creative thought to go with the will of the group. Create a poem, story, or artwork in which groupthink endangers a group of characters.

Utopia can be defined either as a place of ideal perfection in laws, government and social conditions or as an impractical scheme for social improvement. Write a story, poem or create an artwork about a place or society that can be defined as utopia.

Given the oft-spoken phrase "One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter," create a work of fiction, poetry, or artwork in which a character occupies the gray area between heroism and despotism.

Look out a window. Write down four observations (e.g., the time of day, the weather, the scenery, types of activity). Set a story, poem, or artwork in a place that shares those observations. (You may replace your observations with those more appropriate to the text, such as replacing "lots of horse-drawn wagons" for "lots of cars.")

Create a story, poem, or artwork in which a character is stuck in a location for an extended period of time. How does she or he cope with it?

Unrequited love is a popular theme in both Tolkien canon and fanon. Write a story, poem, or create an artwork about unrequited love.

En garde! This challenge is all about weapons and weaponry. Write a story about a character's chosen weapon, or learning how to use a weapon. Is the character a skilled fighter, or is learning to wield a weapon a bit of a struggle for him or her?

Choose a location in Arda and write down five defining traits of that place. Now create a story, poem, or artwork in which you show how that location influenced the lives of the people in and around it.

A character loses something seemingly mundane that possesses great personal importance or value. What does he or she do to recover it?

A character is supposed to meet a friend at an appointed time and place. Upon arriving, his or her friend is nowhere in sight, and instead the character meets someone entirely unexpected.

Choose a favorite novel, short story, or poem. Write down the first line from it. Begin a story or poem using that line (or create an artwork that could be inspired by a scene beginning with that line). If the line has names or places that do not appear in your story, you may substitute something more appropriate.

Do you often regret what you've done? Write a story, poem or create an artwork where characters express regret or lack of it for their past actions.

Different cultures deal with their elders in very different ways. Write a story, poem or create an artwork where a society's view of old age is shown.

Begin a story with a character on his or her way to deliver an unpleasant message to someone. From here, show us what transpired to bring the character to this moment. (You may or may not show the actual delivery of the message.)

Write a story, poem or create an artwork that disproves this statement: "Good breeding consists of concealing how much we think of ourselves and how little we think of the other person." -- Mark Twain

Create a story, poem, or artwork that responds to the following quote: "Of course it's happening inside your head, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?" -- Albus Dumbledore

What are defining traits in a friend? Intelligence? Good humor? Integrity? Write a story, poem or create an artwork where a new friendship is built or old friends meet after a long time.

J.R.R. Tolkien often wrote about feasts and festivals, from the attested festivals in pre-Darkening Aman to Bilbo's eleventy-first birthday party. Write a story, poem, or create an artwork involving a feast, festival, or party.

A character disembarks from a boat or ship in an unfamiliar place. Begin a story, poem, or artwork at this moment.

Show a scene in which a character or characters acquire a meal.

Sigmund Freud put forth the theory that our psyche is controlled by the Id, the Ego, and the Super-ego and that our minds are constantly in flux between these three powers. What is your character's greatest goals? What great good do they long to do? How do they deal with their current reality? And what primal urges and forces may be causing temptations for your character? Show a conflict between two or more of these drives and desires.

Create a story, poem, or artwork that responds to the following quote: "God is a comedian playing to an audience too afraid to laugh." -- Voltaire