HASA is an ad-free, fee-free Web site, run for the enjoyment of quality JRRT fanfiction. Our Secret Admirer will match every dollar donated, even small donations quickly add up. For February, we need $45, or nine $5 donations.
We hope you have been enjoying the new layout and features. Our hosting costs are $150 US per month. This pays for the dedicated server HASA needs to provide the features and fun visitors love - stories, comments, forums, alerts, challenges and more.
If you haven't donated yet to help support HASA, please consider doing so; any support will be greatly appreciated. Thanks also to anyone to donated to help Haiti; those links on my earlier news article should still be active.
If you're a little short on spare change at the moment, donate some time. There's an archive full of stories just waiting for comments, authors who would dearly love an email complimenting them on their work, challenges that need entries, playlists that need to be created, and forums begging for discussions. If you are a reviewer, check out a story today. If you aren't a reviewr, no better time than now to sign up.
And if you are an author, please consider donating a new story!
Thanks for visiting HASA!
Julie
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Something Different
Ang says "Let's help Haiti". She'll take care of the rest of site hosting for this month, and encourages HASA visitors to give to the charity/relief organization of their choice. Below is a list of links to sites where donations can be made. Some links go to pages the aggregate other links, while some go directly to organizations. There is also a link to a site where you can verify the reputation of these organizations. Thank you!
Interaction.org - page of relief organizations. Many different organizations, some religious, some secular, with a lot of options. All are reputable.
Los Angeles Times page of organizations
Clinton Foundation Haiti page - has a list of organizations accepting donations. Bill is the UN special envoy for Haiti.
Global Giving - has some local Haitian organizations for those who don't want to give to the big anonymous organizations.
Doctors Without Borders - is reputable and already working in Haiti.
Partners in Health - same as DWB. Has been in Haiti 20 years.
ShelterBox - this organization packs and delivers boxes filled with essential relief gear.
Charity Navigator - site for checking out the reputability of an organization. Not just the Haitian relief effort.
Cash is needed most of all to purchase immediate supplies: food, water, portable shelter, medical supplies.
Julie
Thursday, January 14, 2010
HASA Reviewed Stories January 2010
8 reviewed stories since the December bulletin, and 8 stories are currently in review.
Welcome to the January reviews bulletin.
Reviews are an important part of the site: there are the authors who sit waiting with baited breath and fraying nerves, and there are our intrepid reviewers to think of. So before looking at the stories: Thank you all for your work, authors and reviewers alike!
Stories in review
As I type this, there are 8 stories waiting for reviewers (remember to log in before you follow the link).
Of course, member participation is crucial for reviews. The more people are involved in reviewing, the more opinions are represented. Just as importantly, having more people involved means that stories pass through review more quickly - which is good for everyone.
If you are an active reviewer, why not go and check out a story?
Becoming a reviewer
If you're not an active reviewer, but think you can spare a bit of time... – even if you just review one or two stories in a month, every review is welcome. If you are logged in, you can sign up here if you've been a member of HASA for thirty days or more.
Put one in, take one out
By submitting a story for review, you are asking nine other members to read and evaluate it. So why not do for the other authors who have a story in review what you'd like other reviewers to do for you: check out one of the stories already in review and give it a read. Put more simply: put one in, take one out...
Reviewed story spotlight
These stories have passed through review since the previous bulletin. Congratulations to all authors; well done!
What's For Dinner? by Nieriel Raina
Rating: General
Genre: Humour
Era: Era: 3rd Age - Post-Ring War
Summary: UFS: Gimli always knew that wood-elves were strange, but just how strange, he never fathomed. Can he make it through the feast without insulting the Elvenking and his people? Or will the outlandish customs of the elves be too much for a stout dwarf like Gimli?
Don't Say Goodbye by Nieriel Raina
Rating: General
Genre: Drama
Era: 4th Age
Summary: Undying Friendship Series: "I do not abandon you. Ever will I be in your heart, as you are in mine. But I must meet my fate. You know this. You know it is the right path for me…" Elladan must come to terms with his brother's choice for the future.
When You Believe by Adonnen Estenniel
Rating: General
Genre: General
Era: 3rd Age - Ring War
Summary: On the eve of battle, one soldier has misgivings as to whether or not the fight is worth his life. But through wise words spoken by an old man, he learns the truth about courage. Takes place before the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.
Hearts In Stone by Raksha
Rating: General
Genre: Drama
Era: 4th Age
Summary: When the love story ends, and the beloved is laid to rest, how does the lover face a lonelier world? Faramir wrestles with grief in this Fourth Age story.
All That Is Gold by Jael
Rating: General
Genre: Drama
Era: 3rd Age - The Stewards
Summary: Early autumn of the year 3018, Third Age. Legolas and Thranduil share a decanter of wine and some long-kept secrets. Drama; Angst. Rated PG-13
The Prince and the Shepherdess by Nieriel Raina
Rating: General
Genre: Romance
Era: 4th Age
Summary: Undying Friendship Series. Elrohir discovers that sailing West alone does not bring healing. He must find purpose in a new life, and finds healing and peace in an unlikely place and the arms of an unlikely maiden. Elrohir/OFC
Questioning by Larner
Rating: General
Genre: Drama
Era: 3rd Age - Ring War
Summary: After Aragorn finally caught Gollum in the Dead Marshes and left him in the care of Thranduil of Mirkwood, Gandalf came to question him.... Written in dialogue format.
The Names of Flowers by losselen
Rating: General
Genre: Drama
Era: 4th Age
Summary: My try at an old favorite story-- the death of Arwen in Lorien.
Welcome to the January reviews bulletin.
Reviews are an important part of the site: there are the authors who sit waiting with baited breath and fraying nerves, and there are our intrepid reviewers to think of. So before looking at the stories: Thank you all for your work, authors and reviewers alike!
Stories in review
As I type this, there are 8 stories waiting for reviewers (remember to log in before you follow the link).
Of course, member participation is crucial for reviews. The more people are involved in reviewing, the more opinions are represented. Just as importantly, having more people involved means that stories pass through review more quickly - which is good for everyone.
If you are an active reviewer, why not go and check out a story?
Becoming a reviewer
If you're not an active reviewer, but think you can spare a bit of time... – even if you just review one or two stories in a month, every review is welcome. If you are logged in, you can sign up here if you've been a member of HASA for thirty days or more.
Put one in, take one out
By submitting a story for review, you are asking nine other members to read and evaluate it. So why not do for the other authors who have a story in review what you'd like other reviewers to do for you: check out one of the stories already in review and give it a read. Put more simply: put one in, take one out...
Reviewed story spotlight
These stories have passed through review since the previous bulletin. Congratulations to all authors; well done!
What's For Dinner? by Nieriel Raina
Rating: General
Genre: Humour
Era: Era: 3rd Age - Post-Ring War
Summary: UFS: Gimli always knew that wood-elves were strange, but just how strange, he never fathomed. Can he make it through the feast without insulting the Elvenking and his people? Or will the outlandish customs of the elves be too much for a stout dwarf like Gimli?
Don't Say Goodbye by Nieriel Raina
Rating: General
Genre: Drama
Era: 4th Age
Summary: Undying Friendship Series: "I do not abandon you. Ever will I be in your heart, as you are in mine. But I must meet my fate. You know this. You know it is the right path for me…" Elladan must come to terms with his brother's choice for the future.
When You Believe by Adonnen Estenniel
Rating: General
Genre: General
Era: 3rd Age - Ring War
Summary: On the eve of battle, one soldier has misgivings as to whether or not the fight is worth his life. But through wise words spoken by an old man, he learns the truth about courage. Takes place before the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.
Hearts In Stone by Raksha
Rating: General
Genre: Drama
Era: 4th Age
Summary: When the love story ends, and the beloved is laid to rest, how does the lover face a lonelier world? Faramir wrestles with grief in this Fourth Age story.
All That Is Gold by Jael
Rating: General
Genre: Drama
Era: 3rd Age - The Stewards
Summary: Early autumn of the year 3018, Third Age. Legolas and Thranduil share a decanter of wine and some long-kept secrets. Drama; Angst. Rated PG-13
The Prince and the Shepherdess by Nieriel Raina
Rating: General
Genre: Romance
Era: 4th Age
Summary: Undying Friendship Series. Elrohir discovers that sailing West alone does not bring healing. He must find purpose in a new life, and finds healing and peace in an unlikely place and the arms of an unlikely maiden. Elrohir/OFC
Questioning by Larner
Rating: General
Genre: Drama
Era: 3rd Age - Ring War
Summary: After Aragorn finally caught Gollum in the Dead Marshes and left him in the care of Thranduil of Mirkwood, Gandalf came to question him.... Written in dialogue format.
The Names of Flowers by losselen
Rating: General
Genre: Drama
Era: 4th Age
Summary: My try at an old favorite story-- the death of Arwen in Lorien.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Challenges in January
Check out challenges!
You have through today to write up a birthday present story for one of our December birthday babies. Even if you just have an idea and not a full story ready, you can enter it as a placeholder. If you need a reminder on who had a birthday in December, go to the Event Calendar in About and do a search for December 2009 birthdays. There are currently 35 birthday girls and boys. NOTE: You have to be a logged in to search for other member's birthdays.
We have several people asking for presents, and several stories have already been written. Check out the January 2010 discussion thread for the latest news. There are 35 member birthdays in the calendar, so plenty of members who would love a little recognition of their special day.
HASA has a new kind of challenge - the treasure hunt. All HASA pages now have a little treasure tucked away on them. The treasures are obscure entires in the Research Library, and different treasures appear in different areas of the web site. The challenge is to take the Challenges treasure for a story focus and then use one or more of the other treasures to write a story. See the challenge itself for more detailed instructions.
Who is going to come up with the most interesting combination of treasures?
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
HASA news - January 2010
Of course the news of this month for HASA is the launch of the newly made-over site last month. If you haven’t done any exploring yet, jump in!
Also, congratulations to all authors who won or placed in the MEFAs, and applause to the many people volunteering their time to make the awards a success.
Birthday Cards
If it’s your birthday in January, and you would like a drabble about your favourite character or topic? You can request it here.
At the moment there are two requests:
Imhiriel (Jan. 3) would like drabbles focusing on diplomacy (between allies or enemies, successful or not, any age, race, place) and Princess of Gondor (Jan. 11) would like something (romantic!) focusing on Aragorn and Arwen.
Not sure what the birthday cards are about? Have a look at stories written for previous requests.
Reviews
You’ll find a list of stories in review at the top of the members home page. If you are an active reviewer, log in to see the 5 new stories that are waiting for reviewers.
Or, if you are not yet a reviewer, why not sign up to become one? Reviewing is not nearly as daunting as it may seem, and you're eligible if you've been a member of HASA for thirty days or more.
Member participation is crucial for reviews. The more people are involved in the review process, the more opinions will be represented. Just as importantly, having more people involved means that stories pass through review more quickly - which is good for everyone.
By submitting a story for review, you are asking nine other members to read and evaluate it. So why not do unto other authors in reviews as you'd like other reviewers to do unto you: check out one of the stories already in review and give it a read. Put more simply: put one in, take one out
Challenges and Nuzgûl
In honor of the new site, here is a new challenge!
1. Locate the Treasure link hidden on the Challenges home page. That is your story focus.
2. Select a Treasure from any other publicly viewable section of the web site. The public sections besides Challenges are: HASA Home, Stories, Playlists, Forums, Resources, and About.
3. Write a story of any type or length using those two treasures. Drabbles, poetry, vignettes, short stories, longer than that - all are welcome.
4. Link to the two treasures in the story.
5. If you can make use of more than one treasure in crafting your tale, go for it! Just be sure to link.
The challenge runs through January and will close on Sunday, February 7, 2010.
Have fun exploring and writing!
If you have an idea that you'd like at least five people take on, grab that nuzgûl by the scruff of the neck (mind the teeth!) and see if you can get four others to make it a Challenge. Prospective Challenges can be found here
Click here for the Challenges homepage, to enter Challenges, suggest new ideas, and wander through old Challenges (and perhaps be bitten anew?).
December Stories
All of us writers love feedback. It is the lembas and miruvor that sustains us as we write our story, and leaving a few words about a story you read is always a nice thing to do, whether the story is new or old.
Every fifteen minutes HASA highlights a story chosen at random from the Reviewed and General stories in the archive. Read the currently featured story on our front page.
Many talented writers are publishing every day. In December:
--- 16 Reviewed Stories were published or updated.
--- 38 General Stories were published or updated.
--- 4 Beta Stories were published or updated.
(Please note, you need to be logged in to view beta stories.)
Thank you for reading at HASA. Enjoy!
~Nath
Also, congratulations to all authors who won or placed in the MEFAs, and applause to the many people volunteering their time to make the awards a success.
Birthday Cards
If it’s your birthday in January, and you would like a drabble about your favourite character or topic? You can request it here.
At the moment there are two requests:
Imhiriel (Jan. 3) would like drabbles focusing on diplomacy (between allies or enemies, successful or not, any age, race, place) and Princess of Gondor (Jan. 11) would like something (romantic!) focusing on Aragorn and Arwen.
Not sure what the birthday cards are about? Have a look at stories written for previous requests.
Reviews
You’ll find a list of stories in review at the top of the members home page. If you are an active reviewer, log in to see the 5 new stories that are waiting for reviewers.
Or, if you are not yet a reviewer, why not sign up to become one? Reviewing is not nearly as daunting as it may seem, and you're eligible if you've been a member of HASA for thirty days or more.
Member participation is crucial for reviews. The more people are involved in the review process, the more opinions will be represented. Just as importantly, having more people involved means that stories pass through review more quickly - which is good for everyone.
By submitting a story for review, you are asking nine other members to read and evaluate it. So why not do unto other authors in reviews as you'd like other reviewers to do unto you: check out one of the stories already in review and give it a read. Put more simply: put one in, take one out
Challenges and Nuzgûl
In honor of the new site, here is a new challenge!
1. Locate the Treasure link hidden on the Challenges home page. That is your story focus.
2. Select a Treasure from any other publicly viewable section of the web site. The public sections besides Challenges are: HASA Home, Stories, Playlists, Forums, Resources, and About.
3. Write a story of any type or length using those two treasures. Drabbles, poetry, vignettes, short stories, longer than that - all are welcome.
4. Link to the two treasures in the story.
5. If you can make use of more than one treasure in crafting your tale, go for it! Just be sure to link.
The challenge runs through January and will close on Sunday, February 7, 2010.
Have fun exploring and writing!
If you have an idea that you'd like at least five people take on, grab that nuzgûl by the scruff of the neck (mind the teeth!) and see if you can get four others to make it a Challenge. Prospective Challenges can be found here
Click here for the Challenges homepage, to enter Challenges, suggest new ideas, and wander through old Challenges (and perhaps be bitten anew?).
December Stories
All of us writers love feedback. It is the lembas and miruvor that sustains us as we write our story, and leaving a few words about a story you read is always a nice thing to do, whether the story is new or old.
Every fifteen minutes HASA highlights a story chosen at random from the Reviewed and General stories in the archive. Read the currently featured story on our front page.
Many talented writers are publishing every day. In December:
--- 16 Reviewed Stories were published or updated.
--- 38 General Stories were published or updated.
--- 4 Beta Stories were published or updated.
(Please note, you need to be logged in to view beta stories.)
Thank you for reading at HASA. Enjoy!
~Nath
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)