The November Challenge

[dreamflower]

Finally: here's the announcement for the November Challenge: The theme for November will be Songs and Poetry! Now, don't panic! We are not asking you to write original songs or poems (unless you *want* to and your muse is so inclined) and we are not asking you to write what is commonly called "songfic" in which the story's "inspired" by a modern song.

No, we are asking you to follow in the footsteps of the good Professor, and to write a story in which one or more characters sing or recite poetry--as they did in his books.

You are free to use his own songs or poems, or you may adapt another song or poem to fit in with Middle-earth. Perhaps it will be a walking-song, or singing or telling poems around the campfire, or minstrels performing in the Hall of Fire or in the Court of a King, or perhaps a song honoring the occasion is sung at a wedding or a funeral. Maybe it's simply an evening out at the local inn. That's up to you.

The element will be your title. And while the titles we are using--in keeping with the theme--are lines from songs or poems, you are not obliged to actually use *those* songs or poems in your story, unless you want to.

Cathleen will be distributing the elements (titles) this time around. To ask for your element, either respond to this post, or email Cathleen at virginia_lee_redcat@yahoo.com. Remember if you have not participated in the challenge before, to give an email address so that she can send you your element.

Stories are due the weekend of November 14, and will be revealed on Monday November 17.

We hope you'll join us this time around!

Comments

[ansostuff.livejournal.com]

I`m glad the hobbits were good to you. I had a stern talk with an unusually bad-behaving Merry and likewise Frodo before sending them off. ;) They`d piled more snow on my balcony over the weekend and I want spring now so I told them to get rid of it. :)

Feel better soon! And have fune with the fics.

[ansostuff.livejournal.com]

Oh, and to answer your strawberry question: They come in season in July, if we are very lucky, late in June. They can already now be bought in the shops but that is imported berries from Belgium and they aren`t half as nice as the berries grown here. we dont have any EU restrictions to follow so our berries can be smaller and not filled so much with artificial "things" that get sprayed on them. (sorry for the lack of appropriate words there).

I`m very ready for spring now, it`s still lots of snow here, my street isn`t even completely bare yet.

[rhapsody11.livejournal.com]

From Belgium? I have them already growing in my own garden midway June! No spray! Just big, round and tasty strawberries! You're invited to gather them here ;) We always have too many strawberry beds for the
two of us..

[ansostuff.livejournal.com]

I`d love that! :)

[dreamflower]

Yes, well I thought strawberries were more a summer than a spring thing in your neck of the woods. They are already in season here, and you can go to places that let you pick your own. Blueberries, on the other hand don't come in until about May or June.

[ansostuff.livejournal.com]

i`d love some strawberries about now, lol. Y&e I think we are three-four months behind you when it comes to berries and such. We get blueberries in august/september. Berries are really an late summer/autumn thing here, except strawberries which we get mid-summer.

[danachan.livejournal.com]

Ack! I missed seeing you weren't seeing well. I'm sorry, and I do hope you're feeling better soon, my dear. And, as I'm sure you've been sent plenty of hobbits, I'll still send you more. You can't ever have too many.

*hugs*

[dreamflower]

No, there are never too many hobbits, thank you!

[slightlytookish]

Oh, I didn't realize you were sick yesterday! How did I miss that? I'm glad you're feeling better though. I think you should just relax today so you can *completely* get well. Don't worry about the housework - can't all those hobbits you were sent yesterday help with that? ;)

*hugs*

[dreamflower]

I did *nothing* at all, besides some story stuff. I *meant* to do just a little laundry, but I never got around to it--fell asleep in my recliner. I still feel crappy, but I hope I'll be over it soon.

[rhapsody11.livejournal.com]

Take it very easy, the house can wait a bit longer. There is a nasty bug going around.. so be careful. Maybe Bilbo is willing to send some befriended dwarfs who took care of his dishes in the Hobbit ;)

[dreamflower]

Now *there's* an idea. Makes me think of the stories of the brownies...*sigh*
This bug is just about as nasty a one as I have encountered in a long time. My DH is still sick as well, though he went to work today.

[grey-wonderer.livejournal.com]

I never feel like doing housework. If this is a sign of something then I have been ill for a very long time and my house will attest to that. LOL Seriously, hope you are better soon and that while you are resting the maid comes in to clean up so that you won't have to do so later on.

[dreamflower]

*chuckle* I wish!
My poor husband came home from work tonight still hacking and coughing himself, but he made supper (canned soup and hot dogs) and did a load of laundry. I have the world's best husband.

[lindelea1.livejournal.com]

Poor thing, I didn't know you were sick too! Lots of nasty bugs going round.

Belated get well wishes.

*hugs*

[dreamflower]

Thanks. (((hugs back)))
At least with virtual hugs I can't spread this nasty stuff around.