silwritersguild | Dec. 31st, 2007

Dear members and friends of SWG,

Every January, I like to look back at what we've accomplished during the last year at SWG and, every year, I have reason to be proud. Our group is not only home to many talented writers and artists and thoughtful researchers but is also a place to have fun and a community where members show tremendous support of each other. Having been in my share of online communities (as I am sure many of you have as well), I can attest to the fact that what we have in SWG is rare, and I am grateful every day to have gotten the chance to know all of you.

But this year, we have accomplished even more than usual. Looking back ten years from now, 2007 may well remain the most important year in the history of SWG. When I first dreamed up this group almost three years ago--wondering why there was no home for the Internet's myriad talented Silmarillion authors--I remember thinking that I would be happy if I got ten people interested in what I wanted to do with SWG; ten people to support, entertain, and learn from each other. My aims were not high and my goal was simple: I wanted a friendly place where Silmarillion fans could share their knowledge and creativity. The direction that the group took after that mattered little, so long as there was passion, fun, and friendship.

Three years ago, if I had known where the group would be today, I would not have believed it. My aim to find ten friendly people who wanted to chat and write about The Silmarillion has grown considerably. 2007 saw, most importantly, the introduction of our website and fiction archive, the only Silmarillion-only archive on the Web, to the best of my knowledge. In a little over six months, thirty-five authors have written more than 250 Silmarillion stories, and that number grows every day. But 2007 has brought us more than just the archive. In July, we celebrated the creativity inspired by the House of Fëanor with the Seven in '07 project, and in September, we honored the thirty-year anniversary of The Silmarillion by challenging our authors to come up with a fresh new story for our first writing contest.

Yes, 2007 will be a hard year to beat. But so long as we remain creative and curious, then every year will make SWG a fun and valuable place to be. (And the moderators are already working on their to-do list for 2008!) So while we might never unveil anything quite as exciting as the archive ever again, then I can't help but to look forward to many years yet with some of the most talented, thoughtful, and friendly people I know online, and I hope that all of you continue to join me.

My best wishes to all for a New Year full of joy and inspiration,

Dawn Felagund
Silmarillion Writers' Guild owner and moderator
DawnFelagund@gmail.com

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