September 2014 Newsletter Posted!
Sep. 1st, 2014 09:14 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dawn_felagund posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
silwritersguildAs of this month, our newsletter has been going strong for nine years. Nine years! It is one of the longest-running features of the SWG, and we've never missed an issue. Time has certainly flown.
So let's officially step into Year Ten with the September 2014 newsletter:
http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/news/september2014.php
We have lots of goodies this month!
First and foremost, the character biography this month is on Finarfin. This is one of Oshun's most meticulously researched, pulling in lots of information from the texts, as well as secondary sources. There is a notion in fandom that Finarfin is the most boring of the sons of Finwe. Oshun challenges that idea by looking at Finarfin's deeds in light of what they reveal about his character and Tolkien's larger themes, in particular the idea that the humble and seeming weak can triumph over the powerful and strong. The essay reviews Finarfin's history, considers the possible folktale origins of his story (from avanti_90's recent and thought-provoking essay on the archive, which you should also read if you have not already!), speculates about why we know so little about his life after the exile of the Noldor, and concludes with a reminder of his legacy in the legendarium. It is a very well-research and well-written piece, and it is worth the read!
We have some news from within our group this month. The Silmarillion (re)reading continues over on LiveJournal with two new chapters ("Of Beren and Luthien" and "Of the Fifth Battle") scheduled for this month. Ellyn has also kindly translated our Terms of Service into Italian, so that is now available. We also introduce a new challenge this month: Traditions, which asks writers to include an example of an oral tradition in their story, whether a song, poem, story, urban legend, or something else entirely. In honor of the many students traipsing back to school this month, we also revisit our Exchange Student challenge, which asks you to send a Modern-earth or Middle-earth student to live with another culture and see what they learn.
If you're looking for something to read, we had several stories added and updated last month. Check out the story list to catch up with what you missed. We also have a collection of articles and other resources in our Around the World and Web section.
Many thanks go out to Oshun, Russandol, Rhapsody, and Angelica for their newsletter contributions this month! I hope everyone enjoys the new edition.
So let's officially step into Year Ten with the September 2014 newsletter:
http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/news/september2014.php
We have lots of goodies this month!
First and foremost, the character biography this month is on Finarfin. This is one of Oshun's most meticulously researched, pulling in lots of information from the texts, as well as secondary sources. There is a notion in fandom that Finarfin is the most boring of the sons of Finwe. Oshun challenges that idea by looking at Finarfin's deeds in light of what they reveal about his character and Tolkien's larger themes, in particular the idea that the humble and seeming weak can triumph over the powerful and strong. The essay reviews Finarfin's history, considers the possible folktale origins of his story (from avanti_90's recent and thought-provoking essay on the archive, which you should also read if you have not already!), speculates about why we know so little about his life after the exile of the Noldor, and concludes with a reminder of his legacy in the legendarium. It is a very well-research and well-written piece, and it is worth the read!
We have some news from within our group this month. The Silmarillion (re)reading continues over on LiveJournal with two new chapters ("Of Beren and Luthien" and "Of the Fifth Battle") scheduled for this month. Ellyn has also kindly translated our Terms of Service into Italian, so that is now available. We also introduce a new challenge this month: Traditions, which asks writers to include an example of an oral tradition in their story, whether a song, poem, story, urban legend, or something else entirely. In honor of the many students traipsing back to school this month, we also revisit our Exchange Student challenge, which asks you to send a Modern-earth or Middle-earth student to live with another culture and see what they learn.
If you're looking for something to read, we had several stories added and updated last month. Check out the story list to catch up with what you missed. We also have a collection of articles and other resources in our Around the World and Web section.
Many thanks go out to Oshun, Russandol, Rhapsody, and Angelica for their newsletter contributions this month! I hope everyone enjoys the new edition.
no subject
Date: 2014-09-03 07:03 am (UTC)The Traditions challenge would seem to fit another plot bunny I've been mulling over--but I'm unlikely to get it written in September. Also, it sounds as if one's meant to quote that example of oral tradition--but I don't think I really want to compose the text of a Sindarin healing song, even if the song is an important plot element!
(Sorry for rambling!)
no subject
Date: 2014-09-04 01:10 am (UTC)You're right that the Exchange Student challenge is pretty specific as to PoV. (That one was actually suggested by a member some years ago.) Nonetheless, I'm glad that it inspired something, even if it doesn't precisely fit the challenge! :)
Traditions doesn't require you to include the words to the oral text, so you're good to go there! Also, our challenges never expire and we introduce new challenges only every three months, so you've got plenty of time to finish it.