February 2013 Challenge: Fanon-busters

[lotrcom-mods.livejournal.com]

"Fanon is any element that is widely accepted among fans, but has little or no basis in canon." ~Fanlore wiki

The Tolkien fandom and fan fiction have existed for decades and, in that time, have accumulated their share of fanons. From much-beloved (but noncanonical) pairings, to aspects of a character's appearance, to traits and historical events of a specific group or family, we all regularly encounter and most of us use fanons in our own writing and art. For February's "February Fanon-buster" challenge, select a much-loved or much-loathed fanon and write a story that does the opposite of that fanon. Your element will be three random words to be included in the story.
The February challenge stories will be due Friday, February 14th and will be revealed on Sunday, February 16th. Please tag your story "fanon buster" and " '14 february". Please remember to use the following header template (also found on the community profile page), and to put the name of your story and your name in the subject line:
<b>Author:</b> <b>Title:</b> <b>Rating:</b> <b>Theme:</b> <b>Elements:</b> <b>Author's Notes:</b> <b>Summary:</b> <b>Word Count:</b> <lj-cut>
To request your elements, please leave a comment to this post. If you have not participated before, please leave an email address so that I can send you your elements. Or you can email the mods at aelfwina@gmail.com or virginia_lee_redcat@yahoo.com.
I hope we'll have lots of participants for our November challenge!

Comments

[lin4gondor.livejournal.com]

I really should not take this on, as I was intending to get caught up with my other writing projects this month -- but I already have an idea for this one that won't be dissuaded, just from reading the description of the challenge! So I guess I'm in. ;-)

Please give me my element of 3 random words!

[dawn_felagund]

They should be fluttering through cyberspace on their way to you now! :)

[lin4gondor.livejournal.com]

They arrived -- thanks!

[engarian.livejournal.com]

Well, there are a few directions I can go with this, depending on the elements I get. Throw some at me :-)

- Erulisse (one L)

[dawn_felagund]

I just sent your three random words! :)

[shirebound]

I'm not sure I understand this one. Can you give me an example of an anti-fanon plotline?

[dawn_felagund]

One example I can think of off the top of my head is the fanon (I'm not sure how prevalent it is anymore) that Thranduil was an abusive alcholic. So a story for this challenge would develop his character opposite those lines.

Or, to take something more plot-centric, a common fanon in the Silm fandom is that Maedhros, upon invading Sirion, threatened to kill wee!Elrond and Elros but was stopped by Maglor. A story for this challenge would consider a different turn of events.

I hope that helps. (I know I am hopelessly Elf-centric! :)

[shirebound]

That helps, thanks. I wasn't familiar with the term 'fanon' before this, although now I can think of lots of examples!

[dreamflower]

Here's an example of one I wrote a couple of years back as an exchange fic for labourslamp

First Night Out of Bree in which I take on a couple of beloved fanons, including a movie-verse one.

[shirebound]

*grins* That's a perfect example, thank you!

[mrowe.livejournal.com]

It might help to kick the Muse into shape.

Please send me some words:-)

[dawn_felagund]

I just sent them! May the muses smile upon you ... :)

[mrowe.livejournal.com]

Thank you, they're sitting in my mailbox

[blslarner.livejournal.com]

Now, this should be an interesting exercise! Let's try it.

[dawn_felagund]

I just sent you your three words. :)

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

I'd like to try please if my Muses oblige.

[dawn_felagund]

May the Muses cooperate! :) I just sent you your element.

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

Many thanks.It has arrived safely.

[zdenka]

I'd like an element, if I may.

[dreamflower]

On its way!

[zdenka]

Received, thank you!