Editor questions- and a side question for Tolkien folks about Elves and horses

[thrihyrne]

I've realized that I get almost as giddy when someone I've beta'ed for posts a fic and lists me as a beta (usually myself and someone else; two sets of eyes are always better than one!) and writes that I was astute, perceptive, or something similar, as I do when I receive reviews for my own stories that laud the story and/or my wordcraft. I really love editing. I seem to be pretty good at it. It would be really cool to earn money for writing, especially writing gay erotica with plot. Or just plotty stuff with gay sex as part of it. But I still think I'd enjoy doing that on the side, at my own pace, and being paid to edit fiction. Especially reading good authors. I finished reading I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb and cried. I don't do that very often, and it wasn't because it was the most gorgeously written book in the world, nor the most innovative and heart-wrenching (I sobbed the last few pages of His Dark Materials); it was because I really felt for the main character, and I really admired Lamb's clean prose and the overarching story. I think I could be a helpful editor for writers, and would love to do that, but there don't seem to be degree programs in editing. Am I missing something? Do you have to simply get into it somehow, and then people get your name out there? Or do you pay your penance at a newspaper or magazine or something and then segue into fiction?


I'm writing on my Gimlific and need to find my copy of The Hobbit, but I have a question about Elves and horses: obviously they ride them, because Glorfindel (Elf Not Appearing In The Peter Jackson Films) shows up on one, and I think back in the First and Second Ages I'm sure they're on horses. Elrond's twin sons I assume ride when scouting out with Aragorn while the hobbits and Gimli hang out at the Last Homely House. But how about the Elves up in Mirkwood? I don't have the sense that they're keen equestrians. I'm speculating; I've not gone looking for any information. I'm just working on this most recent Gimlific and Legolas hops up merrily on Arod when Éomer offers him up, but I think Gimli might wonder how on earth Legolas knows how to ride, given that Gimli (to my mind) fought in the Battle of Five Armies and the Mirkwood Elves showed up on foot... I think. Thoughts?

Comments

[telperion1.livejournal.com]

Thevina, I just searched my etext of _The Hobbit_, and there's no mention of the Mirkwood elves reminding them. On the other hand the men of Laketown do have horses (Thorin&Co. are met by baggage horses and a pony for Bilbo, gratis the Mayor.) So the Elves would certainly have the opportunity to acquire them in trade even if they weren't native. Out of fairness I should say that Beorn forbids the dwarves to take his horses into Mirkwood, but I think that's more out of not wanting animals that are essentially pets to be in a land he rightly considers dangerous for those who don't know it.

That said... I would think that a horse wouldn't be much use in a forest as wild as Mirkwood, and if there are baddies wandering around you might not want something that could be spooked. Especially given that Nazgul are in southern Mirkwood and Frodo tells Gandalf that "all other animals [besides their mounts] are terrified when they draw near".

So there are mixed signals and I think you could go either way. My own opinion is that the elves had horses for when their travels took them beyond Mirkwood. If you need to go to the Iron Hills or Gondor or Lothlorien or wherever, it just doesn't make sense to go on foot. Also the fact that Legolas is described as a messenger when he arrives in Rivendell makes me think there's a whole group of people who are used to travelling outside of Mirkwood, even if just to Laketown. It doesn't make sense for those people to not to ride, since horses are available.

You want my opinion? At least some elves would probably know how to ride, but it wouldn't be the common mode of transportation inside Mirkwood itself.

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

That all makes good sense. I just figured that Gimli might ask Legolas where he learned his 'insta-affinity' of riding, and riding without bridle or saddle, especially since he's from Mirkwood. I had taken the liberty of Legolas saying he'd spent some of his youth in Rivendell, and that was where he learned his skills. :shrug: It could have happened, since JRRT is so vague about Legolas' background!! ;) I really do appreciate your commentary; thank you so very much.

[telperion1.livejournal.com]

Ooh, someone out there doesn't mind my meandering mind. Glad to be of service. Yes, what you're describing seems reasonable enough to me. ANd like I said there's enough contradicting canon suggestions to make either possibility plausible.

*love* the icon, btw...

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

Yes, what you're describing seems reasonable enough to me.

Good to hear that! Now I'm getting into slightly stickier ground to reference one of my first fanfic 100 Gimli-centric vignettes, or maybe not. It might be too much for Gimli to bring up verbally; he may just think it.

Thanks about the icon! I made it, and it's one of my absolute faves, too. ;)

[telperion1.livejournal.com]

You made the icon? Is there any chance that I could use it? Would obviously credit you. And do feel free to say no - but it can't hurt to ask. :^D

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

You made the icon? Is there any chance that I could use it? Would obviously credit you.

Heck yeah! Go for it, if you credit me. ;) I realized there weren't as many Gimli icons, or Dwarves in general, so I made a few. I also got all into things as gifts about 18 months ago and made a slew of Éowyn-oriented icons. Frankly, I love your The Hobbit map icon, there. Yay!

[telperion1.livejournal.com]

Okay, and will obviously credit. :-) I do like to let people know about how makes the awesome icons I use, because I can't do it. In that vein, the map one is by the ever-talented juno_magic.

And having just looked through your icons, specifically the H/R ones, I'm reminded of what Sam said about Frodo: "I love him. He's like that, and sometimes it shines through, somehow. But I love him, whether or no." If you buy Harry/Ron, I think that slightly magical quality Harry has would be a big part of the attraction. Harry is special, and lifts Ron into a special place by association.