She wanted me to edit her story, but included very few details about the actual story itself, so I emailed back and asked for more information. She returned with this rather long email (with an excerpt of the story) that was, quite frankly, a disaster. The story (apparently movie-verse) was a wreck, not even close to resembling something that might be a twisted version of canon, the main character was a blatant Mary Sue, and the facts were all jumbled. It was clear that this author (who shall remain nameless) had no idea what she was doing. It was her first story - so I could not expect anything different.
And so I responded, giving her a lot of advice and trying to steer her in the general direction of "the light". I encouraged her to read the books, watch the movies some more, do some research and really dig her hands into the fandom. I gave her a bunch of good stories to read and I sent her on her merry way.
I don't know why, but I am suddenly, about twelve hours later, deeply involved in helping this girl take her first steps into the fandom. I really want her to succeed. She's obviously on the right path, having sought the aid of a beta before she even began to write her first story (beyond a chapter or so) and she's got some raw talent. I could see it in her writing. She just needs guidance and help from a more seasoned veteran of the site. One such as me, I suppose, and I am more than willing to give it to her. I don't know why I am so attached to her already. I think it is because she reminds me so much of me when I first began to write stories.
I want her to succeed and write, I want her to reply to me in a few months' time having begun writing something truly wonderful. I have absolutely no right to tell her what she can and cannot write, but I can encourage her to write something which she will remain proud of.
I am proud of my own story, which still hovers around chapter 12. It is the last crucial chapter I must write, and there are a few scenes which I still haven't figured out what they need to be yet. I know it will pretty much end with the Battle of Five Armies, and I know that it will make use of several shorter scenes about Legolas' general idiocy, but I need this chapter to be a bit more optimistic about his behavior than the last few. There has to be a light at the end of the tunnel, or, rather, story. At least before it gets bad again.
What I want for this is to be something I am proud of, just like I want the new author to be proud of what she writes.
Well, I am going to finish my outline and then I am going to go to bed so I can wake up early and write a lot. Of my essay, unfortunately, not my story. I will get to the story later this week when my fingers are not so preoccupied with classwork. Luckily, it is the last week of classes, so hey. Plenty of time during the summer to write, yes?
I just had to get this off of my chest. Plus I haven't updated this yet this week and I felt obligated.
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