Must-read fanfic for 'Lord of the Rings,' 'Scandal,' 'BtVS'
This month's fan fiction column is taking a peek at fandoms that may not seem connected at first glance — but, then again, when did I say there would be rhythm or reason hereabouts? : ) So today's post has one foot in fantasy with a special focus on fan fiction writers inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. The big toe is poking at contemporary drama with a look at fanfic from ABC's Scandal. And finally, I wanted to share two of my favorite classic "high-heat" fanfics from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer universe.
Because Tolkien is not one of the fandoms I have read, I sought an "expert" in the fan fiction worlds of Lord of the Rings (LOTR) and The Silmarillion.
Uvatha the Horseman is a member of a local writer's group I belong to, and she is a devotee of LOTR fanfic and a writer of 26 stories so far in The Silmarillion fandom. She reads mostly LOTR fan fiction but also some Harry Potter.
She calls her recs non-typical LOTR fanfic with much of the "typical" focusing on Legolas. There are also some stories slashing the Elves ("Glorfindel and Erestor explore their relationship"). Uvatha questions whether they are "realistic" since "elves are pretty much asexual, otherwise with their near-immortality, they'd have a population problem."
I imagine this might be a hotly contested debate in the fandom.
Fandom: J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion
Downfallen by Pandeminum_213
A recommendation by Uvatha, she calls Pandeminum_213's works psychological dramas in the literary style of Edgar Allan Poe. One of her favorites, Downfallen is a story about crossing the point of no return between good and evil.
Elegy for Númenor, Volume 1: Journey to Umbar by elfscribe
This story in The Silmarillion Writers' Guild archive is a novel-length work (with an appendix — glossary of characters and terms) where "even the non-erotic parts are erotic."
Fandom: Lord of the Rings (LOTR)
Sauron's Blog by Lord Sauron
According to Uvatha, the blog by Lord Sauron is hysterically funny, and pretty much true to cannon. Written in modern, slangy language: "Melkor was a boss, big brother, and best friend all rolled into one," I found it delightful, fun and a madcap read.
Fandom: Scandal
ABC's Scandal has a large fandom and fan fiction writers. And, yes, I am a big fan of the show! But I reached out to author pal Xio Axelrod to get the goods on her recommendations from this fandom.
(A reminder: I will reveal the identity of the fan fiction author only with the author's written permission or if it's already public knowledge.)
Denny: What drives the Scandal fan fiction community? Is it the relationship aka Olitz?
Xio: I would say that most of the Scandal fan fiction I've seen has been Olitz, i.e. Olivia and Fitz. Some writers pair her with Jake (Olake), and some even pair her with Mellie (Mellitz). There's something for everyone. But, yes, it's about the relationships.
Denny: Tell me about your Scandal-inspired story.
Xio: I was inspired by the show and the fandom, but in particular by the relationship between the actors/cast and the fans. So, I thought "what if" you met the right person at the wrong time? What if that happened while you were in the public eye? How would you handle it? And so Starstruck was born. It's a story about second chances and following your heart in the age of cameraphones, Twitter and TMZ.
More fanfic recs for Scandal
Fine Dining by Tumblr blogger BelieveTheBlonde
It's a short one-shot, but I remember being struck by the quality of the writing. The author is very adept at saying a lot with a few words. And it's hot.
I Only See You by BellaDameNoir
The premise: Fitz moves into Olivia's neighborhood on Catalina Island. No presidents, no fixers, just romance. And it's hot.
In Your Eyes by Argentina Sugar
In this story, the author rewrites an episode, changing the trajectory of a storyline and retelling the events after Fitz has been shot. The plot provides a different and satisfying ending.
Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
I promised, so today I am recommending two of my favorites from the BtVS fandom. Both stories are love stories, one featuring Spike/Buffy and the other, Spike/Angel.
Journeys by Mary
One of the best season six fanfics ever to explore what might have been if Spike/Buffy fell in love. It is rated NC-17 for obvious reasons.
His Body a Boat by Romany
To this day, I read this series of "drabbles" and weep. Only 1,200 words!
Until next month, enjoy!
Denny S. Bryce won 2015 WRW Marlene Award in historical romance and the 2014 RWA Golden Heart in romantic suspense. Her website is www.dennysbryce.com. You can also follow her on Twitter (@dennysbryce) or connect with her on Facebook