B2MEM and my Fic Anniversary

[dreamflower]

Two years ago today, I posted my first fanfic, "When the King Comes Back (the Great Smials)". It was inspired by Lulleny's brilliant fic "The Prodigal Took", and she not only graciously read the story and encouraged me to post it, but she actually beta'd it for me as well. That was my first encounter with just how warm and welcoming other fic writers could be to shy newcomers, and I have never had cause to regret my first impression of hobbitwriters in general.

On March 20, 2004, I posted my very first story at Stories of Arda. I was so clueless about the process, that I accidentally posted a story I meant to be chapters as one long story, and managed somehow to post it two or three times in a row. Thank goodness Nilmandra and Rorrah were patient with me, and helped me correct my error. I am still not much more technically proficient, but SoA is such a user friendly site that I only now occasionally encounter formatting problems, which are usually my fault, anyway.

I was immediately welcomed into a warm and encouraging community of like-minded people, and soon learned the joys of giving and receiving feedback. In two years, I have posted over half a million words. A total of 191 stories: 8 of them stories of ten or more chapters, 20 of them drabbles, and a few of them poems or essays.

I have experienced the two most creatively fulfilling years of my life. In honor of this milestone, I’ve just posted the last story, my shire_kitchen Recipe Fic, to my anthology “Dreamflower’s Mathoms” which is now “Dreamflower’s Mathoms I”, and I have also written a poem, a double dribble, to honor Stories of Arda, called “For Arda”, and posted it in my “Dribs and Drabs”.

http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterview.asp?sid=4203&cid=18162

I would like to thank nilmandra, Rorrah, and everyone else at Stories of Arda for everything they have done and are continuing to do. I honestly cannot imagine my life without it now.

I would also like to thank the incomparable marigoldg, who encouraged me to participate in her monthly challenges. I was fortunate enough to meet her in RL, and count her now among my dearest friends.

In addition to learning how friendly and generous the hobbit-writing communities are when it comes to stories, I also learned how incredibly supportive they could be when RL disaster struck during Hurricane Katrina last year. Never have I been so touched by generosity, and I will challenge anyone who would try to tell me that internet friendships are not real ones!

So, finally, I would like to give great big hugs to everyone on my flist.

I love y'all, I really do.

Comments

[rhapsody11.livejournal.com]

Warm {{{hugs}}} to you. Like you I find the hobbit-writing communities a warm place to be. Yay on your fic anniversary, may many fics follow!

[dreamflower]

Thank you very much, dear! ((((hugs back))))

[slightlytookish]

191 stories, whee! You're very productive. I don't know how you find the time to write so much!

Happy anniversary! :)

[dreamflower]

I'm rather obsessive, I suspect. Being retired helps, of course.

And thank you very much!

[shirebound]

I will challenge anyone who would try to tell me that internet friendships are not real ones!

I've rarely encountered anything MORE real!

*anniversary hugs and love and hobbity appreciation for you*

[dreamflower]

Really, yes, the are, and it is amazing to me to discover how true that is.

((((squishy hugs back))))

[pipspebble.livejournal.com]

Oh, dear, we love you, too! And we love your stories! There is nothing like an honest to goodness pure-out fun Dreamflower story. Worrying over you and your loved ones during Katrina was yet another way that LJ unites people from all over the world. Whether we ever meet in RL or not, I'll always have a special place in my heart for my LJ buddies. I think I came on around the same time you did, and you're right, a more warm and welcoming group I could never imagine. Big hugs right back, and now on with Dreamflower Year the Third!

[dreamflower]

Thank you, Pipspebble! It's been the most fun and amazing two years of my life!

(((hugs)))

[surgicalsteel.livejournal.com]

*hugs you* Wow, you've been productive!

And I'm so glad to be counted among your friends.

[dreamflower]

(((hugs back)))

Well, I'm retired; and I had a few weeks last year with nothing to do *but* write--no power, no phone, no TV--I wrote tons by hand at that time.

And I am very glad to have you (and Serinde) among mine!

[elandulin.livejournal.com]

I'm WAY new here and still feeling pretty shy, but happy anniversary and thank YOU for passing on the warmth of hospitality that was offered to you! I'm often head-down for weeks, but when I do come up for air, I so appreciate the comments--and also the stories--that come from LJ. I was particularly charmed the other day to pick my head up and find the air filled with the scents of hobbit-baking! Lovely story--very fragrant and heart-warming--and I'm going to make those gingersnaps one of these days! Thanks for including me on your list. :)

[dreamflower]

Oh, goodness, my dear! When I think of all the delight your marvelous story is giving me, how could I possibly *not* include you!

Hobbits are so hospitable--I guess that's why we hobbit-writers try to emulate them.

((((hugs))))

[coneygoil.livejournal.com]

Congradulations on being at SoA for two years! Goodness, Barbara, I wish I had your stamina for writing. I applaud you! You're right, the hobbit-writers are so friendly and open. It's wonderful to know some of them, and I'm glad to have met you! *hugs much*

[dreamflower]

(((hugs back)))

I'm sorry you missed out on the War again, dear! Now we *still* have to find time to get together!

[lily-the-hobbit.livejournal.com]

Unbelievable how time flies! Congrats on two years of writing and posting. May many years follow! *hugs*

[dreamflower]

Oh, I certainly hope so! There is still so much I want to know about our hobbits!

[topaztook.livejournal.com]

Thank *you* for sharing your lovely work and your generous personality with the fandom. And..wow, has it been two years already? My, how time flies when you’re reading good fic.

[dreamflower]

*grin* Thank you!

My, how time flies when you’re reading good fic.

Ain't it the truth! 8-D

[maidenform.livejournal.com]

*hugs back*

You've only been writing fanfic for two years? That's kind of surprising. I would think you've been doing it longer.

For Arda is a gorgeous poem. Your imagery sparkles. You shoudl write more poetry.

[dreamflower]

Yes, it seems longer in a way, to me, as well, for I've been absorbed by JRRT for so much longer--nearly 40 years.

Thank you for the compliment. I like to write poetry with structure.

[gamgeefest.livejournal.com]

Two years? Doesn't seem that long. I must have found SoA right around the same time you started posting, because "When the King Comes Back" was the first thing I read over there, from a non-FFN writer anyway. Congrats on a productive two-years and on such wonderful stories!

[dreamflower]

Thank you! I've been enjoying myself immensely. As far as creativity goes, this has been the best two years of my life.

And I'm so glad that you have enjoyed my stories, and let me know, and have shared your own wonderful stories with me!

[budgielover.livejournal.com]

Happy (2nd) Anniversary! Think of all the pleasure you have brought to people these past two years with your fiction. I often think I have touched more people with fanfiction than I ever did in a highly responsible, demanding career. In our own little way, we have (and are) making the world a better place.

[dreamflower]

Oh, I know! It's amazing to me, how people I have never met count me a friend, and have told me that my stories have moved them or helped them in some way! And I feel the same about a great many other authors, such as yourself!

[periantari.livejournal.com]

A total of 191 stories: 8 of them stories of ten or more chapters, 20 of them drabbles, and a few of them poems or essays.
That is so impressive. Wow two years and that really is so many~
bless your talented heart and i look forward to more of your stories. :)
::hugsyou::

::hobbits come to toast you::

[dreamflower]

I've been told I'm prolific; I suppose I am, but the bunnies just won't leave me alone!! And just when I think I've whittled them down to a manageable number, I get more of them sicced on me, LOL!

[i-o-r-h-a-e-l.livejournal.com]

I'm so happy for you. And it was such a number! :)

[dreamflower]

I'm just hoping that I can maintain this--it's such an exhilirating ride!

[lilybaggins.livejournal.com]

Woot! Happy anniversary!

[dreamflower]

Thank you, dear!!