The Softer Side of the Tolkien Purist Community
When writing fanfiction, you have to fit the events of your story in with the timeline that already exists. Think about the following questions:
1) When does your story happen? You may just have a general idea to start with � ten years before the quest of the Ring starts, for example, or five years after the One Ring is destroyed. What was happening at that time � what important events occurred around those years? What ages were your characters, and where would they be? Who might they run into, or who would be the bad guys?
2) Who does your story involve? Who are the protagonists and antagonists, and does it make sense for them to be doing what you have them doing? What are their motives � what are they after? Why do they do what they do � are they after power, riches, revenge? Do they have to fufill an oath, keep a promise? Do they act out of love, hatred, for their beliefs or their ethics?
3) What will the aftermath be � are you considering all the possible outcomes? What could go wrong? How will you end it � will all the strands of your tale be gathered up? You do not want to leave loose ends � a bad guy running round, or someone escaping without explanation.
Which brings us to the matter of �plot devices�. Do coincidences play a large part in your story? Are magic items or spells, or the involvement of the gods, necessary to get your plot where you want it to be? Do characters �just happen� to be in the neighbourhood, even if they usually live a months travel away? If the plot requires too many �leaps of faith�, then chances are you�re stretching credibility a bit too far. Simplify. Does that character need to be there? Research. Who else, or what else, might have been in the vicinity? Sew up those plot holes. Just because it�s fantasy, doesn�t mean it shouldn�t be believeable.
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