HASA Announcement - Stories + Forum Posts

Hey guys,

Due to a mix-up on my part, last week's announcement wasn't posted. Ergo, this week you get all the features that would have been posted last week as well as this week.

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BIRTHDAY DRABBLES

No members had birthdays last week or this week. If you're in the drabbling mood, you can still write a drabble for this month's sole birthday baby:

Beruthiel [June 7] requested "a scene between Pippin and Faramir, before Pippin leaves for the battle at the Black Gate."

The following drabble has been written in the following week:

For Want Of... by Larner for Beruthiel

If you have a birthday in June and would like a drabble about your favorite character or topic, you can request it here.

The thread to request drabbles for next month isn't up, but it should be before too much longer. Keep an eye out for it!

---

Last week's focus:

RECENTLY UPDATED 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 is always a nice thing to do, whether the story is new or old.

Every fifteen minutes HASA hilights a story chosen at random from the Reviewed and General stories in the archive. The current story is

Drink a Cup by SheBit
A drinking song sung by the men of Gondor in remembrance of those who fought against Sauron over Mordor.

Why not go here and check out the currently featured story?

Many talented writers are publishing every day. Check out these stories just added to HASA:

Reviewed Stories
My Shing Stars by Oshun
And now for something controversial: Elrond stands on the deck of the ship carrying him to Aman writing notes in a journal.

The Green Flash by DrummerWench
Written as 2007 holiday gift for Dawn Felagund to following prompt: "Fingon and Turgon, younger, in Valinor. You hint about their relationship--or lack thereof--a lot, and I find myself thinking on this when reading your stories. So I'd like to see a scene between them. It doesn't have to be serious or even revealing; just a hint of what there was between the two brothers in Aman."

~*~

General Stories
Prince of Horses, Lord of Stone by Elen Kortirion
Prince Theodred is prevented from travelling to the Fords of Isen by a strange message, and is sent to Parth Galen to rescue Boromir... 'where the quest balances on a knife-edge'... and the changes this entails, when Theodred eventually fights at the Pelennor and Boromir at the sieges of Lothlorien and Dol Guldur. (Adult, WIP)

With Hope and Without Hope by docmon
One decision made differently - the Three Hunters run through that second night of their chase after the Orcs rather than rest - and everything changes. Well, not everything. They're merely captured by the Orcs like Merry and Pippin. Not in the plan. (WIP)

~*~

Beta Stories
(Please note, you need to be logged in to view these stories.)

A Woman of Valor by Red's Head
The Return of the King told through the eyes of a Haradrim woman, a tale of her escape from enthrallment to the redemption of her spirit. (WIP)

Orcs in Hobbiton by The Lauderdale
AU. Two years after Sauron won the war, his Orcs have come to a Shire under Saruman's dominion. The hobbits that are its proper inhabitants are caught in the middle. Told in drabbles and double-drabbles. (AU)

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This week's focus:

FORUMS

One of the best ways to get involved at HASA is through our forums. People are discussing research questions and stories as well as having fannish squees regularly there.

Some useful forum links:

"On Our Minds" displays the ten most recent posts in forums open to all HASA members. It's a good way to catch up on what you've missed, though the page can move quickly when lots of forums are active at once.

If you've been out of touch for longer than a few days you might want to use the "One Month of Posts" page. This page has just what it sounds like: a list of forums that have been posted to in the last month, beginning with the most recently updated.

Workshops are specialized writing communities. They allow you to share stories you aren't ready to post to the whole site, and many have interesting forums attached to them. Explore workshops to find a group of members interested in similar topics. (You must be logged in to see this link.

Now, here are some of the most recently-updated threads in HASA forum. Don't be shy. If any interest you, why not jump in?

HASA Birthday Card Forums
Subject: Re: June 2008 Birthdays

Prospective Challenges
Subject: Re: Challenge Proposal: Tiny AUs

MEFAs – The Middle-earth Fanfiction Awards
Subject: MEFA 2008: A Reminder for Nominated Authors

Here's hoping this week finds you having many interesting discussion about all things Tolkien. Because, really, you were trying to cut back on sleep anyway, right?

Until next time,
Marta

PS- Do you have something in particular you would like included in next week's announcement? If so, please contact me here.

HASA Announcement - Recent Resources Additions

BIRTHDAY DRABBLES

The following members have birthday this week. If you're in the drabbling mood, why not write them 100 words as a birthday card?

Beruthiel requested "a scene between Pippin and Faramir, before Pippin leaves for the battle at the Black Gate."

The following drabbles have been written in the previous week:

"At the Sign of the Prancing Pony" by Nath for Dwim
"Inevitable" by Gwynnyd for Dwim

If you have a birthday in June and would like a drabble about your favorite character or topic, you can request it here.

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This week's focus:

RESOURCES.

The HASA Research Library is a very useful resource for writers as well as for online discussions on book canon. You can find entries on characters, settings, events, and items, containing cited quotes about the item you are trying to find more information on. This portion of the site is available to both members and non-members at http://www.henneth-annun.net/resources/index.cfm.

Would you like to get involved with Resources? If you like researching and want to help develop this section of HASA you can contact the Resources & Research Library through the contact form at http://www.henneth-annun.net/about/contact.cfm.

What's new in Resources:

Timeline Events:
Tidings of Sauron's passing reach Minas Tirith. (25 March, 3019 T.A./1419 S.R.)
Elven Smiths of Eregion begin to Forge Rings of Power (1500 S.A.)

Character Biographies:
Nahar
The Tooks

Places
Straight Road
Sirion

Things:
Thains of the Shire
Laurelin

Good luck researching your story! If you enjoy this section of the site please feel free to thank the researchers, listed at the bottom of every entry.

And always remember, grasshopper: the path of wisdom leads through proper citations. *grins*

Marta

PS- Do you have something in particular you would like included in next week's announcement? If so, please contact me here.

HASA Announcements - Bday Drabbles, Funding Update, Challenges

HASA FUNDING UPDATE

No website is truly free. HASA does not display ads or charge for memberships, but there are still costs associated with running the website. The website depends on member donations to pay its monthly hosting fee of $150.00.

Currently available funding: $220.78
To provide funding through: June 2008

If anyone would like to make a donation, you may do so here.

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BIRTHDAY CARDS

No birthday drabbles have been requested for June. Get those requests in so we can write you something!

The following drabbles have been written in the following week:

--- "Least Expected" by Imhiriel for Dwimordene
--- "The Stitch in Time" by Dwimordene for Nath
--- "(untitled double drabble)" by Aiwendiel for Dwimordene
--- "Cerin Amroth" by Elena Tiriel for Nath
--- "Winnowing" by Gwynnyd for Dwimordene
--- "The Least of Rings" by Marta for Dwimordene

--- "A New Road or a Secret Gate" by Marta for Dwimordene
--- "Inevitable" by Gwynnyd for Dwimordene
--- "At the Sign of the Prancing Pony" by Nath for Dwimordene

If you have a birthday in June and would like a drabble about your favorite character or topic, you can request it here.

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This Week's Focus:

CHALLENGES

Unfortunately, there are no ongoing challenges right now, except the ongoing birthday drabble challenge. Why not select a new one? If we get five people interested we can get another challenge going.

Suggest challenges at the Prospective Challenges forum.

You can also peruse the Nuzgul Hutch (for ideas that have never been challenges) here, or the Oliphaunt Pen (where you can enter pieces for past challenges) here.

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Happy writing!

Fangedly yours,
>:-E Marta

PS- Do you have something in particular you would like included in next week's announcement? If so, please contact me here.

HASA Announcement - Recently-Updated Forums

BIRTHDAY DRABBLES

The following members have birthday this week. If you're in the drabbling mood, why not write them 100 words as a birthday card?

Dwim [May 25] requested any AU drabble or "fics dealing with political situations.

The following drabbles have been written in the following week:

--- "Mercy" by illereyn for Dwimordene
--- "Our Lily" by thelauderdale for Dwimordene
--- "Narn i Hîn Elrond" by Jay of Lasgalen for RiverOtter, Nath, and Dwimordene
--- "(untitled)" by maya_ar for Dwimordene
--- "Land Stroke" by Elena Tiriel for Dwimordene
--- "Least Expected" by Imhiriel for Dwimordene

If you have a birthday in May and would like a drabble about your favorite character or topic, you can request it here.

The thread to request drabbles for next month is not up yet, but should be soon. If you have a birthday in June, be on the lookout for it.

---

This week's focus:

FORUMS

One of the best ways to get involved at HASA is through our forums. People are discussing research questions and stories as well as having fannish squees regularly there.

Some useful forum links:

"On Our Minds" displays the ten most recent posts in forums open to all HASA members. It's a good way to catch up on what you've missed, though the page can move quickly when lots of forums are active at once.

If you've been out of touch for longer than a few days you might want to use the "One Month of Posts" page. This page has just what it sounds like: a list of forums that have been posted to in the last month, beginning with the most recently updated.

Workshops are specialized writing communities. They allow you to share stories you aren't ready to post to the whole site, and many have interesting forums attached to them. Explore workshops to find a group of members interested in similar topics. (You must be logged in to see this link.)

Now, here are some of the most recently-updated threads in HASA forum. Don't be shy. If any interest you, why not jump in?

May 2008 Birthdays (in HASA Birthday Card Forum)

Question About Avari Elves – Physical Appearance (in Research Questions)

Science in Middle-earth (in Prospective Challenges)

Here's hoping this week finds you having many interesting discussion about all things Tolkien. Because, really, you were trying to cut back on sleep anyway, right?

Until next time,
Marta

PS- Do you have something in particular you would like included in next week's announcement? If so, please contact me here.

HASA Announcement (May 19-26) - Recently Updated Stories

BIRTHDAY DRABBLES

The following members have birthday this week. If you're in the drabbling mood, why not write them 100 words as a birthday card?

Nath (May 18) requested, "I would like anything related to 'time', any characters and any rating, though my current favourites are the Northern Dúnedain."

Dwimordene (May 25) requested, "I realize that it can be tough to write an AU in only 100 words, but give for my birthday, I'd like to see you give it a shot. Choose your time, your incident, and your desired divergence. Alternately, if the AU idea is just too big to be reducible to 100 words, I have to teach a socio-political philosophy course next term. So fics dealing with political situations would be welcome. (Especially if they have to do with the Kin-strife in Gondor.)"

The following drabbles have been written in the following week:

at http://henneth-annun.net/forums/messages.cfm?confId=0&forumId=482&messageId=51739
--- "Mercy" by Illereyn for Dwimordene
--- "Our Lily" by thelauderdale for Dwimordene

Also, Larner wrote a belated longer story for RiverOtter, "Embassy to a New Age".

If you have a birthday in May and would like a drabble about your favorite character or topic, you can request it here.

---

This week's focus:

RECENTLY UPDATED 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 is always a nice thing to do, whether the story is new or old.

Every fifteen minutes HASA hilights a story chosen at random from the Reviewed and General stories in the archive. The current story is

Sam I am by Vistula the Dunadan
Sam and Frodo meet for the first time when Frodo comes to live with his cousin Bilbo in the Shire. Also includes Hamfast Gamgee.

Why not go to http://www.henneth-annun.net/ and check out the currently featured story?

Many talented writers are publishing every day. Check out these stories just added to HASA:

Reviewed Stories
Seeking the Sun by lindahoyland
While most of Minas Tirith celebrates the end of the Ring War, one war-wrecked soul is filled with anger toward the new King. With grateful thanks to Raksha.

Full Brothers in Blood by Oshun
Written as 2007 holiday gift for Dawn Felagund to following prompt: "Fingon and Turgon, younger, in Valinor. You hint about their relationship--or lack thereof--a lot, and I find myself thinking on this when reading your stories. So I'd like to see a scene between them. It doesn't have to be serious or even revealing; just a hint of what there was between the two brothers in Aman."

~*~

General Stories
An Elf By Any Other Name by Marta
...or, A Short Speculative History of a Certain Elven Emissary. An attempt to construct a history for the emissary sent by Cirdan to the Council of Havens from the hints sprinkled through canon, that also functions as a case history in how to characterize minor characters.

Opus of Tales Untold by Tinni
What happened to Maglor? Does Elured and Elurin live? Did the sons of Elrond choose the doom of man or the fate of the eldar? Find out in the Opus of the tales untold!

~*~

Beta Stories
(Please note, you need to be logged in to view these stories.)

Orcs in Hobbiton by The Lauderdale
AU. Two years after Sauron won the war, his Orcs have come to a Shire under Saruman's dominion. The hobbits that are its proper inhabitants are caught in the middle. Told in drabbles and double-drabbles. (WIP)

Ways Round, Ways Through by Larner
Not all who have been maimed in war acquiesce to remaining on the sidelines afterwards.

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And now for your mid-month nuzgul. Because the only way to get stories to read is for someone to write them, and that requires our fangy little friends.

Wanderers Speak
Write a story about a character overcome with wanderlust. Write about rangers trying to settle down or elves exploring in the early days. Maybe a hobbit has itchy feet? Or a dwarf leaves to search out new metals and discovers he loves to travel. Write about what is just over the horizon and the character who yearns to see it.

If you don't feel the tickle of little fangs in your ankle yet, there are many more potential stories just waiting to be written. Read all of HASA's many story prompts in our Nuzgul hutch.

Do you have a suggestion you'd like to see added to the hutch? Submit it using the "Submit a Story Suggestion" form.

Happy reviewing!
Marta
PS- Do you have something in particular you would like included in next week's announcement? If so, please contact me here.

HASA Announcement (May 11-18)

BIRTHDAY DRABBLES

The following members have birthday this week. If you're in the drabbling mood, why not write them 100 words as a birthday card?

RiverOtter (May 6) requested, "I would like to see the Fourth Age of Middle Earth. Any place, any character is fine."

Nath (May 18) requested, "I would like anything related to 'time', any characters and any rating, though my current favourites are the Northern Dúnedain."

The following drabbles have been written in the following week:

http://www.henneth-annun.net/forums/messages.cfm?confId=0&forumId=482&messageId=51652
--- Ties of Love by Imhiriel for Ainaechoiriel

http://www.henneth-annun.net/forums/messages.cfm?confId=0&forumId=482&messageId=51739
--- (Untitled) by thelauderdale for Dwimordene
--- Seeds Under Stone by Raksha the Demon for RiverOtter
--- The King's Time by Larner for Nath
--- A Treasure Retrieved by Larner for Dwimordene
--- Amends by Nath for Dwimordene
--- Prisoner of Time by Raksha the Demon for both Nath and Dwimordene

If you have a birthday in May and would like a drabble about your favorite character or topic, you can request it here.

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REVIEWS

There are several stories in HASA Review, a few of which have been there for quite a long time. All members who joined HASA at least thirty days ago, you can become a reviewer. To look at the available stories, log in to HASA and visit here.

To whet your appetite, here are the summaries of three stories currently available in Review.

"An adventurous Elwë (Thingol) and a lonely Nowê (Cirdan) form a friendship before the First Age. Slash"

"Short AU: Forgetting every impossibility, the Three Hunters overtake the Orcs and contrive a plan to save the two captives."

"This is one Orc's story of his time working the Mordor convoys. Not all of them saw battle, after all.."

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This week's focus:

RESOURCES

The HASA Research Library is a very useful resource for writers as well as for online discussions on book canon. You can find entries on characters, settings, events, and items, containing cited quotes about the item you are trying to find more information on. This portion of the site is available to both members and non-members here.

Would you like to get involved with Resources? If you like researching and want to help develop this section of HASA you can contact the Resources & Research Library through the contact form here.

What's new in Resources:

Timeline Events:
Narsil reforged and renamed Andúril.
Merry and Pippin captured in the Orc-raid at Parth Galen.

Character Biographies
Denethor II
Will Whitfoot

Places
Withywindle
Cerin Amroth

Things
Palantíri
Old Man Willow

Good luck researching your story! If you enjoy this section of the site please feel free to thank the researchers, listed at the bottom of every entry.

And always remember, grasshopper: the path of wisdom leads through proper citations. *grins*

Marta

PS- Do you have something in particular you would like included in next week's announcement? If so, please contact me here.

HASA Announcement - Challenges

Hey guys,

Sorry, this is a day late. But better late than never, right? >:-E

HASA FUNDING UPDATE

No website is truly free. HASA does not display ads or charge for memberships, but there are still costs associated with running the website. The website depends on member donations to pay its monthly hosting fee of $150.00.

Currently available funding: $154.12
To provide funding through: June 2008

If anyone would like to make a donation, you may do so here.

---

BIRTHDAY CARDS

The following members have birthday this week. If you're in the drabbling mood, why not write them 100 words as a birthday card?

Nath requested, "I would like anything related to 'time', any characters and any rating, though my current favourites are the Northern Dúnedain."

And Dwim requested, "I realize that it can be tough to write an AU in only 100 words, but give for my birthday, I'd like to see you give it a shot. Choose your time, your incident, and your desired divergence."

(She also said, "Alternately, if the AU idea is just too big to be reducible to 100 words, I have to teach a socio-political philosophy course next term. So fics dealing with political situations would be welcome. (Especially if they have to do with the Kin-strife in Gondor.)")

The following drabbles have been written in the following week:

--- "Forty" by Nath for Fliewatuet
--- "Half a Life" by meckinock for Fliewatuet
--- "His Birthday Wish" by Larner for Fliewatuet
--- "Messengers from the West" by Jay of Lasgalen for Fliewatuet
--- "New Daughter" by Larner for Ainaechoiriel

All here.

If you have a birthday in May and would like a drabble about your favorite character or topic, you can request it here

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There are currently no challenges so there is no Challenges bulletin this month. However, you can change that! There are some porspective challenges. Sign up for one, and we'll get some challenges rolling:

Science in Middle-earth, proposed by littlehobbitlost
She says, among other things, "If you landed in Middle Earth say during the War of the Ring (or your favourite age Gondolin? Hollin?) and survived through to see Aragorn become king-how would you like to contribute to society? With 21st Century knowledge how would you contribute?"

I also proposed a Minority Rulez! challenge

I said, among other things, "Why don't we have a challenge of our own in honor of the fact that a woman or minority might soon be the U.S. president? Write me a story, poem, drabble, or essay about the challenges a woman or ethnic minority might have faced in Middle-earth? "

---

Happy writing!

Fangedly yours,
>:-E Marta

PS- Do you have something in particular you would like included in next week's announcement? If so, please contact me here.

HASA Announcement - Forums

HASA ANNOUNCEMENTS – April 27-May 4

BIRTHDAY DRABBLES

The following members have birthday this week. If you're in the drabbling mood, why not write them 100 words as a birthday card?

fliewatuet (April 29) asked, "Since my all-time favourite character is Aragorn, I would like to read how he dealt with that age (or the Dúnedain equivalent of 40). This can be anything from a birthday party to mid-life crisis. Though I wouldn't mind reading about your favourite character either :-)"

The following drabbles have been written in the following week:

"Deliverance" by Imhiriel for Elena Tiriel

The May thread isn't up yet, but should be sometime this week – be on the look-out for it.

If you have a birthday in April and would like a drabble about your favorite character or topic, you can request it here.

The May thread isn't up yet, but should be sometime this week – be on the look-out for it.

---

This week's focus:

FORUMS

One of the best ways to get involved at HASA is through our forums. People are discussing research questions and stories as well as having fannish squees regularly there.

Some useful forum links:

"On Our Minds" displays the ten most recent posts in forums open to all HASA members. It's a good way to catch up on what you've missed, though the page can move quickly when lots of forums are active at once.

If you've been out of touch for longer than a few days you might want to use the "One Month of Posts" page. This page has just what it sounds like: a list of forums that have been posted to in the last month, beginning with the most recently updated.

Workshops are specialized writing communities. They allow you to share stories you aren't ready to post to the whole site, and many have interesting forums attached to them. Explore workshops to find a group of members interested in similar topics. (You must be logged in to see this link.)

Now, here are some of the most recently-updated threads in HASA forum. Don't be shy. If any interest you, why not jump in?

Prospective Challenges
Subject: Science in Middle Earth

HASA Birthday Cards Forum
Subject: Deliverance

Prospective Challenges
Subject: Minority Rulez!

Here's hoping this week finds you having many interesting discussion about all things Tolkien. Because, really, you were trying to cut back on sleep anyway, right?

Until next time,
Marta

PS- Do you have something in particular you would like included in next week's announcement? If so, please contact me here.

HASA Announcement - Recently-Updated Stories

BIRTHDAY DRABBLES

The following members have birthdays coming up. If you're in the drabbling mood, why not write them 100 words as a birthday card?

Fliewatuet (April 29) requested, "Since my all-time favorite character is Aragorn, I would like to read how he dealt with that age (or the Dúnedain equivalent of 40)."

The following drabbles have been written in the following week:

"Paranoia is Sweet Revenge" by Vistula for Larner

If you have a birthday in [month] and would like a drabble about your favorite character or topic, you can request it at

---

This week's focus:

RECENTLY UPDATED 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 is always a nice thing to do, whether the story is new or old.

Every fifteen minutes HASA hilights a story chosen at random from the Reviewed and General stories in the archive. The current story is

Weary beyond Joy or Sorrow by Imhiriel
"When Aragorn 'could labour no more, he cast his cloak about him, and slipped out of the City, and went to his tent just ere dawn...' (RotK, The Houses of Healing) - but what awaited him there? Drabble."

Why not go to http://www.henneth-annun.net/ and check out the currently featured story?

Many talented writers are publishing every day. Check out these stories just added to HASA:

Reviewed Stories

Lothiriel's Journey by Lady Bluejay
A light-hearted look at how Lothiriel and Eomer could have met. Contains some fun sexual innuendos and humour.

Final Choice by Meril
Nimloth's last moments in Menegroth.

---

General Stories
Leather by Marta
Sometimes, a sensation as simple as touch can have a powerful affect. Boromir/Theodred.

A Cat in King Elessar's Court by Agape4Gondor
A royal descendant of Beruthiel's cats spends time with us, reminiscing about life in Minas Tirith once a certain Hobbit arrives. Drama/humor. (WIP)

---

Beta Stories
(Please note, you need to be logged in to view these stories.)

Never shall the sun that morrow see by Peregrin Ionad.
"Find the King's son" the call came, cutting through the sound of the upon the rocks, echoing off the surrounding mountains. Please beware this story is very AU. (WIP)

Untold Tales of the Mark: The Banishment of Eomer by Katzilla
A very dark AU take of what Eomer's banishment could have been like... angsty as you would expect from me. (WIP)

---

And now for your mid-month nuzgul. Because the only way to get stories to read is for someone to write them, and that requires our fangy little friends.

Minority Rulez!

"So, there was recently a minority_rules challenge over at LJ that was inspired by the fact that the Democratic nominee in the U.S. presidential election would likely be a woman or an ethnic minority. I missed the sign-up for that challenge, but it got me thinking about the many women and racial minorities who are in places of authority in Middle-earth. There are obvious canonical women rulers like Eowyn and Galadriel, and less obvious ones like Gollum's grandmother who is described as a matriarch.

"And then there's possibility for original ones, situations where the younger men would likely be away, for instance at Dunharrow or in the Angle, or after the destruction of Laketown when so many of the men rode north.

"That's not even touching the problems faced by the ethnic "other." A Sindarin Celeborn in Valinor would have likely faced problems, as would Eowyn in Gondor. And let's not even talk about the ways Eol was misunderstood in Gondolin.... I'm sure there are other possibilities, too.

"So why don't we have a challenge of our own in honor of the fact that a woman or minority might soon be the U.S. president? Write me a story, poem, drabble, or essay about the challenges a woman or ethnic minority might have faced in Middle-earth? "

If you don't feel the tickle of little fangs in your ankle yet, there are many more potential stories just waiting to be written. Read all of HASA's many story prompts in our Nuzgul hutch.

Do you have a suggestion you'd like to see added to the hutch? Submit it using the "Submit a Story Suggestion" form.

Happy reviewing!
Marta
PS- Do you have something in particular you would like included in next week's announcement? If so, please contact me here.

HASA Announcement - Funding Update, Challenges, Drabbles, & Resources

Hey guys,

There was a slight confusion between Arandil (the other volunteer who helps post announcements) and myself; we each thought the other was posting the weekly HASA Announcements. Sorry about that! Here's the highlights of what would have been posted the last two weeks, and I'll post the normal Sunday announcement starting this Sunday.

HASA FUNDING UPDATE

No website is truly free. HASA does not display ads or charge for memberships, but there are still costs associated with running the website. The website depends on member donations to pay its monthly hosting fee of $150.00.

Currently available funding: 285.50
To provide funding through: May 2008

Ang asked me to pass on the following message about the First Quarter funding drive:

"Since December 25th, when the drive started, site members and the public have donated $345. HASA's Secret Admirer has donated her original $200 pledge, and then has gone on to match every donated dollar for a total of $345. After Amazon and Pay Pal fees are deducted, this gives HASA $682.05 in new donations. Added to our base amount before the drive began, $203.45, HASA has a 2008 donation total of $885.50.

All three Quarter 1 hosting payments have been made, for a total of $450 in hosting costs. This leaves HASA with $435.50 for Quarter 2 hosting costs, only $15 short of all expenses through June."

[Please note, this amount of $435.50 was before the payment was made for the April hosting fees. 285.50+150.00 = 435.50]

If anyone would like to make a donation, you may do so here.

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BIRTHDAY CARDS

The following members have requested a birthday drabble. If you're in the drabbling mood, why not write them 100 words as a birthday card?

RS (April 4th) requested: "My favorite character is Aragorn. I would love to see a relaxed and fun Aragorn... or Aragorn on vacation! Or maybe Aragorn and Arwen in an argument (there's no such thing as a perfect couple!)."

Ainaechoiriel (April 7th) requested: "In light of our now-started adoption process of a little girl from Russia[...], I request adoption stories. Please, not all Aragorn and Frodo[...] Anyway, orphans that needed care. And there were likely adults who chose to take them in. Let's meet some of them and find what's in their hearts. Interracial or intercultural is a plus.

Larner (April 13) requested: "Following a perceived insult of some kind, Frodo has determined to play a prank on his friend Aragorn. It can be anywhere along the road. [...] One of the others may warn Aragorn of his peril, and that he's in danger of retaliation by a master of retaliatory pranks."

Fliewatuet (April 29) requested, to mark her 40th birthday: "Since my all-time favourite character is Aragorn, I would like to read how he dealt with that age (or the Dunedain equivalent of 40). This can be anything from a birthday party to mid-life crisis. Though I wouldn't mind reading about your favourite character either."

The following drabbles have been written so far this month:

--- Symbols of Love by Larner for RS
--- Paranoia is Sweet Revenge by Vistula the Dunadan for Larner

If you have a birthday in April and would like a drabble about your favorite character or topic, you can request it here.

---

CHALLENGES

There are no challenges currently open. Why not propose a challenge at the Prospective Challenges Forum? If five people are interested, we can get a challenge going. Or, if you're looking for something to write, check out the Nuzgul Hutch. (You'll need to be logged in for that last link.)

---

This week's focus:

RESOURCES.

The HASA Research Library is a very useful resource for writers as well as for online discussions on book canon. You can find entries on characters, settings, events, and items, containing cited quotes about the item you are trying to find more information on. This portion of the site is available to both members and non-members here.

Would you like to get involved with Resources? If you like researching and want to help develop this section of HASA you can contact the Resources & Research Library through the contact form here.

What's new in Resources:

Timeline Events:
--- Reinforcements arrive from the Outlands for the Siege of Minas Tirith (March 9, 3019 T.A.)
--- Elvensmiths of Eregion begin to forge Rings of Power (c. 1500 S.A.)

Character Biographies
--- The Brandybucks
--- Herb-master of the Houses of Healing

Places
--- Straight Road
--- Imloth Melui

Things
--- Palantiri
--- athelas

Good luck researching your story! If you enjoy this section of the site please feel free to thank the researchers, listed at the bottom of every entry.

And always remember, grasshopper: the path of wisdom leads through proper citations. *grins*

Marta

PS- Do you have something in particular you would like included in next week's announcement? If so, please email me.

Forums

NOTE: Please be sure you are logged in when clicking on the links.

BIRTHDAY DRABBLES

The following members have birthday this month. If you're in the drabbling mood, why not write them 100 words as a birthday card?

RS (April, 4th) requested: my favorite character is Aragorn. I would love to see a relaxed and fun Aragorn...or Aragorn on vacation! Or maybe Aragorn and Arwen in an argument (there's no such thing as a perfect couple!).

Ainaechoiriel (April, 7th) requested: ...in light of our now-started adoption process of a little girl from Russia[...], I request adoption stories. Please, not all Aragorn and Frodo[...] Anyway, orphans that needed care. And there were likely adults who chose to take them in. Let's meet some of them and find what's in their hearts. Interracial or intercultural is a plus.

Larner (April, 13) requested: Following a perceived insult of some kind, Frodo has determined to play a prank on his friend Aragorn. It can be anywhere along the road [...] One of the others may try to warn Aragorn of his peril, and that he's in danger of retaliation by a master of retaliatory pranks.

If you have a birthday in April and would like a drabble about your favorite character or topic, you can request it here.

---

This week's focus:

FORUMS

One of the best ways to get involved at HASA is through our forums. People are discussing research questions and stories as well as having fannish squees regularly there.

Some useful forum links:

On Our Minds
"On Our Minds" displays the ten most recent posts in forums open to all HASA members. It's a good way to catch up on what you've missed, though the page can move quickly when lots of forums are active at once.

One Month of Posts
If you've been out of touch for longer than a few days you might want to use the "One Month of Posts" page. This page has just what it sounds like: a list of forums that have been posted to in the last month, beginning with the most recently updated.

Workshops
Workshops are specialized writing communities. They allow you to share stories you aren't ready to post to the whole site, and many have interesting forums attached to them. Explore workshops to find a group of members interested in similar topics. (You must be logged in to see this link).

Here's hoping this week finds you having many interesting discussion about all things Tolkien. Because, really, you were trying to cut back on sleep anyway, right?

Hugs and Cookies,
Arandil

PS: Do you have something in particular you would like included in next week's announcement? If so, please email HASANews.

Story Updates + Mid-Month Nuzgul

NOTE: Please be sure you are logged in when clicking on the links.

MARCH IS TALE OF YEARS MONTH

Resource volunteers are pleased to announce that March is Tale of Years month! Each day, many of the events that occurred on that day in the Tale of Years will be featured on the HASA Welcome Page. Be sure to stop by and see what events from the Research Library are highlighted each day!

---

BIRTHDAY DRABBLES

The following members have a birthday this month. If you're in the drabbling mood, why not write them 100 words as a birthday card?

Elena Tiriel (March, 14) requested, "I'd love a drabble about any character, event, place, or object from Tolkien's world that especially fascinates you... the (Middle-earth) sky's the limit!"

Vistula the Dunadan (March, 20) requested, " ...having spent the past nine months settling into a new - long anticipated - home, I'd love a drabble centered around a new home, or new place to live. And if you could slip my dear Samwise in it somehow, that'd be even sweeter."

Obsidianj (March, 24) requested, " I would like a drabble about either Aragorn or Boromir and if it would be possible to have both in one drabble that would make my day."


The following drabbles have been written in the past week:

The King’s Colors by Dwimordene for Obsidianj

Home Is Where The Heart Is by Larner for Jay (and Mothers everwhere)

If you have a birthday in March and would like a drabble about your favorite character or topic, you can request it here.

---

This week's focus:

RECENTLY UPDATED 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 is always a nice thing to do, whether the story is new or old.

Every fifteen minutes HASA hilights a story chosen at random from the Reviewed and General stories in the archive. The current story is:

Essecarmë by Dawn Felagund
Curufin, the fifth son of Fëanor, is said to have been his favorite. Why did Maedhros get passed over for this honor? This story looks at Eldarin naming traditions and the family dramas they create.

Why not go to http://www.henneth-annun.net/ and check out the currently featured story?


Many talented writers are publishing every day. Check out these stories just added to HASA:

Reviewed Stories

Upon the Pebbled Shore by Peregrin Ionad
Upon the pebbled shores of the sea stand two brothers, but as the tide begins to turn the sound of the gulls will choose their futures. This is for my brother, who didn't get the ending he wanted.

Pierced by Nieriel Raina
Elrond receives a most grievous wound shortly after Celebrían’s departure from Middle-earth.

~*~

General Stories

The Adventures of Scaldo and Dwarf by Kitt Otter
Scaldo Chubb is a hobbit who wants nothing more than to eat for the rest of his days, until one horrible day when a rude traveler of no name drags him off into the unknown. At the mercy of an insane dwarf, Scaldo must face unseen enemies, hungry water, and even uncooked meals…

A Cat In King Elessar's Court by Agape4Gondor
A royal descendant of Berúthiel's cats spends time with us, reminiscing about life in Minas Tirith once a certain Hobbit arrives. Drama/humor.

~*~

Beta Stories
(Please note, you need to be logged in to view these stories.)

The Romantic and the Balrog by Lady Donalwen
Based loosely on the fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast, it tells the story of a bookish woman and the scary Balrog that lived in the nearby castle.

Leönalta by fremmet
A sad tale of how Legolas and Elladan became bonded mates.

---

And now for your mid-month nuzgul. Because the only way to get stories to read is for someone to write them, and that requires our fangy little friends.

Modern girl goes to Middle-earth...
...and takes up with Sauron! What would be the consequences of introducing gunpowder, artillery, modern military tactics, etc. - all on the side of evil? Points for introspection - don't just make her an ostracised [expletive] who wants revenge on the pretty people who ignore her, give her a valid reason for joining the dark side. Double points for tackling and/or overcoming the language barrier (contrary to popular belief, English was NOT spoken in ME!).

If you don't feel the tickle of little fangs in your ankle yet, there are many more potential stories just waiting to be written. Read all of HASA's many story prompts in our Nuzgul hutch @ http://www.henneth-annun.net/members/challenge/nuzgul.cfm.

Do you have a suggestion you'd like to see added to the hutch? Submit it using the “Submit a Story Suggestion” form at http://www.henneth-annun.net/members/challenge/suggest.cfm.

Hugs and Cookies,
Arandil

PS: Do you have something in particular you would like included in next week's announcement? If so, please email HASANews.

Resources

NOTE: Please be sure you are logged in when clicking on the links.

MARCH IS TALE OF YEARS MONTH

Resource volunteers are pleased to announce that March is Tale of Years month! Each day, many of the events that occurred on that day in the Tale of Years will be featured on the HASA Welcome Page. Be sure to stop by and see what events from the Research Library are highlighted each day!

---

BIRTHDAY DRABBLES

The following members have a birthday this month. If you're in the drabbling mood, why not write them 100 words as a birthday card?

Elena Tiriel (March, 14) requested, "I'd love a drabble about any character, event, place, or object from Tolkien's world that especially fascinates you... the (Middle-earth) sky's the limit!"

Vistula the Dunadan (March, 20) requested, " ...having spent the past nine months settling into a new - long anticipated - home, I'd love a drabble centered around a new home, or new place to live. And if you could slip my dear Samwise in it somehow, that'd be even sweeter."

Obsidianj (March, 24) requested, " I would like a drabble about either Aragorn or Boromir and if it would be possible to have both in one drabble that would make my day."

The following drabbles have been written in the following week:

Epiphany by Larner for Elena Tiriel
Star-Songs of the Eorlingas by Tanaqui for Elena Tiriel
The Legend of the Grey Riders by Jay of Lasgalen for Elena Tiriel
New Quarters by Larner for Vistula

If you have a birthday in March and would like a drabble about your favorite character or topic, you can request it here.

---

This week's focus:

RESOURCES

The HASA Research Library is a very useful resource for writers as well as for online discussions on book canon. You can find entries on characters, settings, events, and items, containing cited quotes about the item you are trying to find more information on. This portion of the site is available to both members and non-members at http://www.henneth-annun.net/resources/index.cfm.

Would you like to get involved with Resources? If you like researching and want to help develop this section of HASA you can contact the Resources & Research Library through the contact form at http://www.henneth-annun.net/about/contact.cfm.

What's new in Resources:

Timeline Events
Corsairs attack the South Road to Minas Tirith
Fëanor improves the written alphabet of Rúmil

Character Biographies
Rúmil of Tirion
Nahar
Lothíriel

Places
Ringló
Mounds of Mundburg

Things
Tengwar
Ainulindalë
Aldudénië

And always remember, grasshopper: the path of wisdom leads through proper citations. *grins*

Good luck researching your story! If you enjoy this section of the site please feel free to thank the researchers, listed at the bottom of every entry.

Until next time,
Hugs and Cookies,
Arandil

PS: Do you have something in particular you would like included in next week's announcement? If so, please email HASA News.

Challenges

NOTE: Please be sure you are logged in when clicking on the links.

HASA FUNDING UPDATE

No website is truly free. HASA does not display ads or charge for memberships, but there are still costs associated with running the website. The website depends on member donations to pay its monthly hosting fee of $150.00.

If anyone would like to make a donation, you may do so here.

---

MARCH IS TALE OF YEARS MONTH

Resource volunteers are pleased to announce that March is Tale of Years month! Each day, many of the events that occurred on that day in the Tale of Years will be featured on the HASA Welcome Page. Be sure to stop by and see what events from the Research Library are highlighted each day!

---

BIRTHDAY DRABBLES

There are no members asking for birthday drabbles for March. If you are a
March baby, go and request your drabble!

DRABBLE SUGGESTION: Jay of Lasgalen suggested:

It's not my birthday, but today (March 2nd) is Mother's Day here in the UK. How about drabbles with any mother and child of your choice?

---

This Week's Focus:

CHALLENGES

X takes the Ring - AU challenge – Closes March 25, 2008

This challenge states: I have seen a few stories over the years where for instance Galadriel takes the Ring when Frodo offers it to her. But what would happen if others were to take it, for any reason, good or evil? Aragorn? Boromir, Gandalf, or Pippin perhaps? Or Sam abandons Frodo at Cirith Ungol and goes on alone to try to destroy the Ring...

It wouldn't have to be a member of the Fellowship; maybe Barliman Butterbur finds a golden ring in the room the Hobbits used… or Bilbo loses it on one of his walking trips in the Shire…

These could be anything, serious, funny, dark; from drabbles to multi-chapter AUs, and anything in between.


Entries for this challenge include:
Answering the Call by docmon
A Lesser Treason by Jay of Lasgalen
Dark Elf by Jay of Lasgalen
Old Man Willow by Nath

If you don’t have a story written yet, you can enter the challenge with a placeholder and submit your story when it is ready.

Nuzgul Hutch

If you’re brave enough… venture into the Nuzgul hutch.

Oliphaunt Pen

Or, if none of those little buggers nip at your heel, it’s not too late to adopt an Oliphaunt. Just because its challenge is closed, doesn’t mean it doesn’t need a little love.

---

Happy writing!

Hugs and Cookies,
Arandil

PS: Do you have something in particular you would like included in next week's announcement? If so, please email HASA News.

New Forum Posts

NOTE: Please be sure you are logged in when clicking on the links.

BIRTHDAY DRABBLES

There are no members asking for birthday drabbles for February. Quick! If you are a
February baby, go and request your drabble! There is still a week left!

February Birthday Drabble Requests

And if you have a birthday coming up in March, be sure to go and request it at Birthday Drabble Forum

---

This week's focus:

FORUMS

One of the best ways to get involved at HASA is through our forums. People are discussing research questions and stories as well as having fannish squees regularly there.
Some useful forum links:

On Our Minds
"On Our Minds" displays the ten most recent posts in forums open to all HASA members. It's a good way to catch up on what you've missed, though the page can move quickly when lots of forums are active at once.

One Month of Posts
If you've been out of touch for longer than a few days you might want to use the "One Month of Posts" page. This page has just what it sounds like: a list of forums that have been posted to in the last month, beginning with the most recently updated.

Workshops
Workshops are specialized writing communities. They allow you to share stories you aren't ready to post to the whole site, and many have interesting forums attached to them. Explore workshops to find a group of members interested in similar topics. (You must be logged in to see this link).

Now, here are some of the most recently-updated threads in HASA forum. Don't be shy. If any interest you, why not jump in?

From Afar Discussion
Subject: What did Boromir do…

Research Questions
Subject: Getting Faramir Drunk

Gandalf’s Apprentice, pro and con
Subject: The Scarred Man, new chapter in The Sword of Elendil

Here's hoping this week finds you having many interesting discussion about all things Tolkien. Because, really, you were trying to cut back on sleep anyway, right?

Hugs and Cookies,
Arandil

PS- Do you have something in particular you would like included in next week's announcement? If so, please email HASANews(AT)henneth-annun(DOT)net.

Recently-Updated Stories

BIRTHDAY DRABBLES

No requests have come in yet from February drabbles. If you have a birthday or other special occasion you'd like a drabble for, you can request it here.

---

This week's focus:

RECENTLY UPDATED 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 is always a nice thing to do, whether the story is new or old.

Every fifteen minutes HASA hilights a story chosen at random from the Reviewed and General stories in the archive. The current story is

Night Course in Pet Care by Werecat
A story inspired from this tantalising question: were fell beasts house-trained? Set in Carn Dum, it sheds light to an unknown side of the Witch-king and his, well, household. Introducing Fuinraw, the Chieftain of the Cats of Angmar.

Why not go to http://www.henneth-annun.net/ and check out the currently featured story?

Many talented writers are publishing every day. Check out these stories just added to HASA:

Reviewed Stories

Feanorian Fates by Alassante
A poem and a series of drabbles based on the series of events beginning with the creating of the Silmarils and including the kinslayings.

Stolen by Meril
A dark AU about Galadriel. (Adult)

~*~

General Stories

A Cat in King Elessar's Court by agape4gondor
A royal descendant of Beruthiel's cats spends time with us, reminiscing about life in Minas Tirith once a certain Hobbit arrives. (WIP)

A Light in the Darkness by Wildbearies
Haldir wakes after Helm's Deep suffering terrible injuries. As he slowly recovers, he recalls years before and the adventures (and misadventures) of his younger days. Definitely NC-17 for M/M Slash and sexual situations. Definitely AU, non-canon, angst. (WIP) (Adult)

~*~

Beta Stories
(Please note, you need to be logged in to view these stories.)

Blessed Day by AngelQueen
S.R. 1463-Faramir Took marries Goldilocks, daughter of Samwise.

Accursed Dawn by AngelQueen
A princess of Númenor finds what she needs in the darkness, but the dawn always comes. (Adult)

---

And now for your mid-month nuzgul. Because the only way to get stories to read is for someone to write them, and that requires our fangy little friends.

Death
We know that Arwen has become mortal. But what does she think about it? Does she discuss it with anyone? Write a story where Arwen discusses the thought of dying with one other person. Anyone you like - it doesn't have to be Aragorn or Elrond.

If you don't feel the tickle of little fangs in your ankle yet, there are many more potential stories just waiting to be written. Read all of HASA's many story prompts in our Nuzgul hutch.


Do you have a suggestion you'd like to see added to the hutch? Submit it using the "Submit a Story Suggestion" form.

Happy reviewing!
Marta
PS- Do you have something in particular you would like included in next week's announcement? If so, please email me.

Resources and Challenges and

BIRTHDAY DRABBLES

No members have yet requested a birthday drabble for February. If you have a February birthday, please request it here.

The following drabbles have been written in the last two weeks:

--- "A Final Toast" by Ignoble Bard for Jay of Lasgalen

Read this drabble here.

---

HASA FUNDING UPDATE

No website is truly free. HASA does not display ads or charge for memberships, but there are still costs associated with running the website. The website depends on member donations to pay its monthly hosting fee of $150.00.

Currently available funding: $389.67
To provide funding through: April 2008

If anyone would like to make a donation, you may do so here.

---

FEBRUARY 2008 CHALLENGES BULLETIN

I wasn't able to post the monthly challenges bulletin last week, but it is up at the website. You can view it here.

(you'll need to be logged in to see it.)

---

This week's focus:

RESOURCES

The HASA Research Library is a very useful resource for writers as well as for online discussions on book canon. You can find entries on characters, settings, events, and items, containing cited quotes about the item you are trying to find more information on. This portion of the site is available to both members and non-members here.

Would you like to get involved with Resources? If you like researching and want to help develop this section of HASA you can contact the Resources & Research Library through the contact form here.

What's new in Resources:

Timeline Events:
Elessar and Arwen visit the Hobbits at Brandywine Bridge
Elessar and Arwen dwell in Arnor awhile

Character Biographies
Morwen of Lossarnach
Gleowine

Places
Barrowfield
Rath Dinen

Things
Marshals of the Mark
Grey Company

Good luck researching your story! If you enjoy this section of the site please feel free to thank the researchers, listed at the bottom of every entry.

And always remember, grasshopper: the path of wisdom leads through proper citations. *grins*

Marta

PS- Do you have something in particular you would like included in next week's announcement? If so, please email me.

BIRTHDAY CARD FORUMS

No members have requested birthday drabbles for this week, and no new drabbles have been written this week. HOWEVER - the thread to request birthday drabbles for February is up. If you have a February birthday, please put your request up here.

---

This week's focus:

FORUMS

One of the best ways to get involved at HASA is through our forums. People are discussing research questions and stories as well as having fannish squees regularly there.

Some useful forum links:

"On Our Minds" displays the ten most recent posts in forums open to all HASA members. It's a good way to catch up on what you've missed, though the page can move quickly when lots of forums are active at once.

If you've been out of touch for longer than a few days you might want to use the "One Month of Posts" page. This page has just what it sounds like: a list of forums that have been posted to in the last month, beginning with the most recently updated.

Workshops are specialized writing communities. They allow you to share stories you aren't ready to post to the whole site, and many have interesting forums attached to them. Explore workshops to find a group of members interested in similar topics. (You must be logged in to see this link.)

Now, here are some of the most recently-updated threads in HASA forum. Don't be shy. If any interest you, why not jump in?

HASA Birthday Cards Forum
Subject: February 2008 Birthdays

The Heart is Highland
Subject: Trading Pledges

Imhiriel's Imaginings
Subject: The Heart of a Knight

Here's hoping this week finds you having many interesting discussion about all things Tolkien. Because, really, you were trying to cut back on sleep anyway, right?

Until next time,
Marta

PS- Do you have something in particular you would like included in next week's announcement? If so, please email me.

Recently-Updated Stories

BIRTHDAY DRABBLES

No drabble requests for this week! But it's not too late to write a drabble for one of the earlier requests this month. Those requests are:

The following members have birthday this week. If you're in the drabbling mood, why not write them 100 words as a birthday card?

January 3 – Imhiriel: I'd like to get drabbles from the PoV of something that normally has no voice - a tree, a building, an heirloom, a landscape, a constellation etc. - time or place don't matter, but the more unusual the PoV, the better.

January 7 - Jay of Lasgalen: As most people know, my favourites are Elladan and Elrohir - but I'd like a drabble about one of the twins, alone. I'll leave you to decide why, and where the other might be.

You can post a drabble for either of these requests here.

Also, February babies, start thinking about what you'd like for your drabbles. It will be time to request a birthday drabble soon.

There was one drabble written this week:

Reflection by Ignoble Bard for Imhiriel

Feel free to read it, and leave IgnobleBard a review.

---

This week's focus:

RECENTLY UPDATED 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 is always a nice thing to do, whether the story is new or old.

Every fifteen minutes HASA hilights a story chosen at random from the Reviewed and General stories in the archive. The current story is

Ai Elbereth by Tehta
A Glorfindel/Ecthelion PWP, full of dodgy humour, neurosis, and blasphemy. (Adult)

Why not go to http://www.henneth-annun.net/ and check out the currently featured story?

Many talented writers are publishing every day. Check out these stories just added to HASA:

Reviewed Stories
Coming Home to Crickhollow by Calanthe
Back in the Shire, Merry has to confront how much the experiences of their journey changed both Pippin and himself. (Adult)

Blue Book of Melleth: Different Skills by Elen Kortirion
A young Boromir has one of 'those' conversations with his 12 year-old brother.... telling him a few things not so much about the 'birds and bees'.... more about the preferences between 'snails and oysters'. (Adult)

~*~

General Stories
Outmatched by Tiana Luthien
Eomer & Faramir have a few matches on the training field. Set during Faramir's visit to Rohan at the end of ROTK.

Journeys by Aria
One of our favourite minstrels goes wandering in the south during the Fourth Age, and finds something strangely familiar. A story of hope unlooked for. (WIP)

~*~

Beta Stories
(Please note, you need to be logged in to view these stories.)

Beyond the Storm Clouds by Windfola
First steps towards an exploration of the childhood of Aragorn at Rivendell from the age of ten. (WIP)

The Tenant From Staddle by Larner
When Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee was ennobled on the Field of Cormallen, Gondor and Arnor granted them lands held in the King's name for their maintenance in keeping with the customs of the lands. And now a farmer formerly from Staddle learns he must have permission from the Lord Iorhael in order to remain where he has begun excavating a new smial and setting up a farm for himself and his family.

---

And now for your mid-month nuzgul. Because the only way to get stories to read is for someone to write them, and that requires our fangy little friends.

Wanderers Speak

Write a story about a character overcome with wanderlust. Write about rangers trying to settle down or elves exploring in the early days. Maybe a hobbit has itchy feet? Or a dwarf leaves to search out new metals and discovers he loves to travel. Write about what is just over the horizon and the character who yearns to see it.

If you don't feel the tickle of little fangs in your ankle yet, there are many more potential stories just waiting to be written. Read all of HASA's many story prompts in our Nuzgul hutch @ http://www.henneth-annun.net/members/challenge/nuzgul.cfm.

Do you have a suggestion you'd like to see added to the hutch? Submit it using the "Submit a Story Suggestion" form.

Happy reviewing!
Marta
PS- Do you have something in particular you would like included in next week's announcement? If so, please email HASANews(at)henneth-annun(dot)net.

Calling all Reviewers!

There are currently twenty stories awaiting reviewers, with five more about to be released. If you've been a member of HASA for thirty days you're welcome to become a reviewer. Here are just a few of the summaries for stories currently available:

--- "As he leads Tuor to Gondolin, Voronwe learns of love, of fate, of fear... and most importantly, of hope. Contains mild slash, but is ultimately true to canon."
--- "Bad weather blues, past shadows and the hope of light; old traditions become new ones on a rainy night in Emyn Arnen."
--- "When 9-year-old Samwise Gamgee's older sisters develop a crush on a certain newcomer, guess whose help they enlist?"

To review these or any of the other many stories, log in to HASA and go to http://henneth-annun.net/members/review/index.cfm.

---

Birthday Drabbles

No members have requested birthday drabbles for this week. If you have a birthday in the upcoming week and would like a drabble, you can request one at http://henneth-annun.net/forums/messages.cfm?confId=0&forumId=482&messageId=51422.

The following drabbles have been written in the last week.

"Renewal" by Elena Tiriel for Imhiriel

---

The Remembrances Challenge closes tomorrow, January 14. One more entry or placeholder, and it will be a successful challenge. So if you'd like to write about your favorite character looking back at something that happened in the past, join in!

So far, the following members have written stories:

A Wind from the West by Aiwendil
Gandalf reflects on his relationship with Saruman on the afternoon of November 3, 3019.

The Remembrance of Trees by Imhiriel
Moments in the lives of the White Trees and their ancestors. Drabble series.

A Different Road by Nath
Ten years after the destruction of the One Ring, the Steward of Gondor looks back and remembers the war. AU, darkish.

(You must be logged in for these links to work.)

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This week's focus:

RESOURCES

The HASA Research Library is a very useful resource for writers as well as for online discussions on book canon. You can find entries on characters, settings, events, and items, containing cited quotes about the item you are trying to find more information on. This portion of the site is available to both members and non-members here.

Would you like to get involved with Resources? If you like researching and want to help develop this section of HASA you can contact the Resources & Research Library through the contact form.

What's new in Resources:

Timeline Events:
Celebrimbor forges the three Elven Rings of Power.
Rivendell established.

Character Biographies
Estelmo
Azaghal

Places
Minas Tirith (Gondor)
Minas Tirith (Beleriand)

Things
Elven sheath for Anduril
Three Elven Rings of Power

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Good luck researching your story! If you enjoy this section of the site please feel free to thank the researchers, listed at the bottom of every entry.

And always remember, grasshopper: the path of wisdom leads through proper citations. *grins*

Marta

PS- Do you have something in particular you would like included in next week's announcement? If so, please email HASANews(at)henneth-annun(dot)net.

Hey guys,

A day late and a dollar short :-), but here is your weekly HASA update.

HASA FUNDING UPDATE

No website is truly free. HASA does not display ads or charge for memberships, but there are still costs associated with running the website. The website depends on member donations to pay its monthly hosting fee of $150.00.

Currently available funding: $193.45
To provide funding through: February

If anyone would like to make a donation, you may do so here.

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BIRTHDAY CARDS

The following members have birthday this week. If you're in the drabbling mood, why not write them 100 words as a birthday card?

Jay of Lasgalen requested, "As most people know, my favourites are Elladan and Elrohir - but I'd like a drabble about one of the twins, alone. I'll leave you to decide why, and where the other might be."

The following drabbles and ficlets have been written this week:

--- "I Stand No Longer Alone" by Larner for Imhiriel
--- several additions to "Fell and Fair" by Elena Tiriel for Jay of Lasgalen
--- "Forged in Fire" by Jay of Lasgalen for Imhiriel
--- "Renewal" by Elena Tiriel for Imhiriel

Read all of these drabbles here.

If you have a birthday in January and would like a drabble about your favorite character or topic, you can request it here.

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QUICKIE CHALLENGE

The quickie challenge "Remembrances" has another week to run. Write a story, poem, drabble, etc. about any character looking back on something happening in the past. This is in honor of New Year's Eve last week.

The following story has been entered:

--- Solstice by Vilwarin

Get these nuzgul while they're hot! And when you write that story you know is already weaseling its way into your brain, be sure to tell us all about it here.

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This Week's Focus:

CHALLENGES

Birthdays!
3th - Imhiriel: I'd like to get drabbles from the PoV of something that normally has no voice - a tree, a building, an heirloom, a landscape, a constellation etc. - time or place don't matter, but the more unusual the PoV, the better.

7th - Jay of Lasgalen: As most people know, my favourites are Elladan and Elrohir - but I'd like a drabble about one of the twins, alone. I'll leave you to decide why, and where the other might be.

Post your request at the Birthday Card Forum.

Please create your story and add it to the birthday card workshop. This lets others put drabbles they write in an easily accessible location. Enter your story in the challenge for JANUARY drabbles. All birthday stories will also now be listed in a master playlist. There are instructions on how to do all this at the top of each thread in the Birthday Cards Forum; if you need help with the workshop, just ask the Workshop Manager, Gwynnyd.

New Challenges
Remembrances January 14 2008
Write a story, poem, or drabble about any character (original or canonical) looking back on a past event. A short-term challenge for New Year's Eve, 2007.
(Note, you must be logged in to HASA to visit this link.)

Make a suggestion in the prospective Challenges thread. When five people accept, you have created a new Challenge

Old Challenges
X takes the Ring - AU Challenge March 25 2008
I have seen a few stories over the years where for instance Galadriel takes the Ring when Frodo offers it to her. But what would happen if others were to take it, for any reason, good or evil? Aragorn? Boromir, Gandalf, or Pippin perhaps? Or Sam abandons Frodo at Cirith Ungol and goes on alone to try to destroy the Ring...

It wouldn't have to be a member of the Fellowship; maybe Barliman Butterbur finds a golden ring in the room the Hobbits used, or Bilbo loses it on one of his walking trips in the Shire.

These could be anything, serious, funny, dark; from drabbles to multi-chapter AUs, and anything in between.

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Happy writing!

Fangedly yours,
>:-E Marta

PS- Do you have something in particular you would like included in next week's announcement? If so, please email me.

HASA Announcement: New Quickie Challenge

BIRTHDAY DRABBLES

The thread for January Birthday drabbles is up. If you have a January birthday and haven't done so already, post your request here.

Imhiriel has a birthday this upcoming week. She requested,"I'd like to get drabbles from the PoV of something that normally has no voice - a tree, a building, an heirloom, a landscape, a constellation etc. - time or place don't matter, but the more unusual the PoV, the better."

The following drabbles were posted this week:

--- "Waiting" by Vilwarin for Imhiriel
--- "The Kindly Airs" by Dwimordene for Imhiriel

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FUNDING UPDATE

HASA is currently only funded through the end of January. If you would like to donate money toward future months' site fees, you can do so here.

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QUICKIE CHALLENGE

This Sunday is the fifth Sunday of December, which means it's time for another quickie challenge. In honor of New Year's Eve, this challenge focuses on remembrances. Write a story, drabble, or poem about a character remembering a past event. When you post the story, make sure you enter it in the challenge here and comment in the forum here.

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REVIEWS

There are currently nine stories in review. If you have been a member of HASA for thirty days, you are welcome (and encouraged!) to become a reviewer. Here are three sample summaries to pique your interest:

----- "As he leads Tuor to Gondolin, Voronwë learns of love, of fate, of fear... and most importantly, of hope. Contains mild slash, but is ultimately true to canon."

----- "What is seen of the Ringbearer from four different points of view."

----- "The War of the Ring is over, but memories remain. A vignette about life, death, and a date's irony."

HASA members, to see if there's a story you'd be interested in reviewing, check it out. (You'll need to be logged in.)

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And that's it! Have a good week.

Marta
(HASA Admin.)

PS - If you have an announcement you'd like included for next week, please email me.

New Forum Posts

BIRTHDAY DRABBLES

There haven't been any birthday requests for December yet. If you have a December birthday, you still have some time to make a request:

Birthday Drabble Forum

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This week's focus:

FORUMS

One of the best ways to get involved at HASA is through our forums.
People are discussing research questions and stories as well as having fannish squees regularly there.

Some useful forum links:


"On Our Minds" displays the ten most recent posts in forums open to all HASA members. It's a good way to catch up on what you've missed, though the page can move quickly when lots of forums are active at once.

If you've been out of touch for longer than a few days you might want to use the "One Month of Posts" page. This page has just what it sounds like: a list of forums that have been posted to in the last month, beginning with the most recently updated.

Workshops are specialized writing communities. They allow you to share stories you aren't ready to post to the whole site, and many have interesting forums attached to them. Explore workshops to find a group of members interested in similar topics. (You must be logged in to see this link.)

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Here's hoping this week finds you having many interesting discussion about all things Tolkien. Because, really, you were trying to cut back on sleep anyway, right?

Until next time,
Arandil

PS- Do you have something in particular you would like included in next week's announcement? If so, please email
HASANews(AT)henneth-annun(DOT)net.