Author Q&A

Author/Story Q&A

So I have read a few of these in some completed fanfics and I think you guys deserve some answers to those frequently asked questions! So, let's jump right in.

***These are answered in no particular order just as I have received and processed them***

1) Will there be a LegolasXOC story or a continuation of Genesis?

answer: Presently, no. I do not intend on writing a love story into 'To Live Again' for Legolas. I kinda sorta feel that he has such a massive role to play in the shaping of Arda that this would be his focus. Will I continue Genesis? Most likely yes...I did actually consider melding Genesis into 'To Live Again' BUT it seemed too disruptive to the root of the story.

2) Do you plan on writing another story?

answer: I highly doubt I will ever stop writing stories or fanfic. I am currently writing another trilogy of stories based on pre-celtic literature and a lot of my own fascination with biblical stories and other spiritual texts. In terms of fanfic - if I do write a fanfic within the next year it will be a Glorfindel based story and it will take place in the 'To Live Again' world.

3) I would love to know if Clara ever had that dress made and what Thranduil's reaction would have been?

answer: Ahahahaha, yes I think everyone (and I mean everyone) wants to know about THAT dress! Hmm, perhaps that is something Clara can tell you herself?

4) My only request is for more stories to keep me going in your world of elves?

answer: Yes! Of course, I completely agree. My stories (original included) all centre around the elves or the variations of elves akin to Tolkien's race. I can't promise I will post a new story soon but I can promise further updates on Ghosts and In Her Hands.

4) What inspired you to write this epic piece of work? I started writing for the fun of it, was that the same for you?

answer: Really LONG answer for this question...I shall attempt to rein it in. Okay so basically I have been writing most of my life, and writing Tolkien fanfiction since I was about twelve or thirteen. I had posted a few of my early works on FF . net and got some reasonably positive feedback and I was only really writing on/off for the fun of it. However, a few years ago I went through a series of traumatic events, two of which would be characterised as abuse, during a period in which I was diagnosed with a painful chronic illness. I became extremely withdrawn, angry, and disconnected from my peers. I was lost and unable to form relationships or even trust people. My mother knew I was a huge Tolkien fan and she was pretty aware that my obsession was with the ElvenKing and Greenwood, and that I had been vibrating with happiness ever since I heard it got the green light for filming years ago. So she had booked us into the local cinema on the opening premier night for the Desolation of Smaug - the ElvenKing's debut hehe. BUT...I was involved in a minor car accident earlier in the day before the movie...yeah, you couldn't write this shit if you tried. Anyway I eventually got to see DoS *yay* and I remember sitting there, shoving popcorn into my gob like a deranged hamster, when we FINALLY got to Mirkwood...AND THAT SCENE HAPPENED.

Do you remember? Thranduil loses his cool with Thorin and exposes the horror of his soul to this ignorant moron. I literally started crying, no lie, I just lost it there and then. It was probably not Peter Jackson's or Lee Pace's intention to make a twenty something start blubbering in the middle of a packed cinema, but as a person with a hidden illness coupled with horrific emotional scars that have left their mark on me, I was greatly impacted. I left the movie in shock, and was sitting in TGIFriday's a few weeks later, having another episode where I struggled to come out of myself.

I was watching everyone run around and all these happy couples and friends interacting lovingly with one another and I wanted to scream...that was stolen from me...and no one was going to come save me from suffocating 'cause no one would ever know. And that is when the movie scene returned to me and I started thinking to myself of all the hidden similarities and how there was a dark and painful story in there.

I imagined some trauma that left Thranduil so crippled, and then mid slurp through my cola I got pretty pissed off - 'why do people like me and him not get happy endings?' So I scribbled down some loose plots and settled myself that I was going to have to really push the limits of canon to get this story to work. I also wanted a time frame largely unexplored and the trauma not to be centred around the cliche death of his wife (nothing wrong with that I wrote it myself). I had read a really a good Girl-In-Middle Earth story that was pretty alternative and was intrigued by the idea...and then that's when I just thought, "screw it let's just go the whole way and break every rule."

I wrote a few pages until I settled on Clara's character - inspired by just one of those ignorant, young, naive, people that were littered about the restaurant that night, because it just would have taken one of those ordinary, ignorant, guys that night to give me a half smile and I would not have felt so broken. Alas, it wasn't meant to be and don't get me wrong that's not how its supposed to work but that's how easy it is to make someone feel like they have something to keep living for, and that they are not worthless.

In terms of the other characters; Legolas was inspired by my childhood, and Oropher is a lot like the person I was before the illness and the trauma. Ollie and Aradan are simply just creations of positivity and the positive influences in my life. Not even going to lie - Glorfindel is literally inspired by Tom Hiddleston, he did this amazing inspirational interview once (it was like an hour long) and the depth in that guy was astonishing. I literally fell in love with him, hahaha, and yes I know he is like mister sex symbol nowadays but isn't Glorfindel in middle earth?! XD XD XD Anyway, that is how 'To Live Again' was born, and no, contrary to popular belief this never started as a self insert as you can now see.

Phew - long answer - *facepalm* apologies!

5) are you going to release a few chapter samples of the new original story?

answer - Hmmm, I did debate that but probably not, but I suppose it may depend on the direction of publication. Can't promise anything unfortunately.

6) Has Clara ever told the epics of our land to the children? I'm talking Star Wars, Harry Potter, and some of our beloved classics? And, does Aradan ever throw his arm at people when they ask for a hand?

answer - Okay first answer does Clara ever tell the epics. Hmmm, Clara is more of a Star Trek fan and probably more than once tried to explain the meaning behind 'live long and prosper' to Ollie, and I am pretty sure Tinuben found it fantastic, because he is the nerdiest nerd in middle earth. Glorfindel was actually a big fan of Clara's Marvel stories, specifically Thor - he thinks Loki had a valid point. In terms of the kids, yeah well she tells Legolas all about her Irish mythology, but Celairiel is a big fan of the Little Mermaid and Pocahontas. She definitely told all the children the Disney classics - except for Tauriel, she got the story of 'Brave' just cause she is a redhead.

And...

Does Aradan ever throw his arm at people what they ask for a hand? WHY YES HE DOES...actually it has turned into his and Thranduil's bro game. Aradan waits until Thranduil is about ready to produce steam from his ears with all those stressy King jobs, so that when he asks for "a hand" - in that usual condescending, demanding, grumpy, Thandy manner - Aradan casually tosses his mithril hand at his friend and waits the obligatory thirty seconds for Thranduil to lose his cool. Clara thinks it is hilarious - it completely cracks her up.

7) @ ISTARIEL - *in response to your review and sequel suggestions*

answer - Well, first off I am more than chuffed that my story could help you through such difficult times, because it means that I did something right and I am honoured. In terms of sequels and little one-shots maybe? I might just do that from time to time. Okay, I absolutely promise to write a little wine-tasting holiday with a certain dress...how does that sound? As I say, there will be a sequel heavily involving Glorfindel which will tie up the story as a whole i.e. including the events of the Lord of the Rings and into the fourth age, which will show the final goodbye of Clara and Thranduil from Middle Earth. However, I probably won't be able to work on that until next summer due to current deadlines. Until then you always have 'In Her Hands' and 'Ghosts' and of course I shall follow through on the above promise.

8) What happens to Clara's Children?

answer - Ah, well those are whole other stories that I couldn't do justice cramming into an answer - just keep reading :)

9) Who will Legolas like/love in the future? Do you ship Tauriel with Legolas? Or Kili with Tauriel? Or none of them?

answer - GOOD question - I don't actually foresee Legolas liking/loving anyone. At least not in his years of "humanitarian" efforts and hard fought battles in pursuit of Arda's freedom. I think his love is for all innocent people and for him to fall in love with one soul would be just too selfish for him to consider. Not only would he cause them great pain at his many dangerous absences, but he would also put them before his duty, and I don't think he could be happy living like that. I could, perhaps, see him meeting a special someone when he sails West. I think only then would his heart be a rest, and at least peaceful enough to enjoy a union with an elleth - maybe even Gimli plays matchmaker knowing he is getting old and wanting his chum to be happy and fulfilled when he passes on. It's a nice idea to think that Gimli would have a hand in it don't you think?

I don't ship Tauriel with Legolas at all lol. I like Tauriel, she was a strong feminine influence in the movie, and it's nice to see a Silvan elf at the forefront, but was her part necessary? Meh, maybe if they had of built on the "loved lost" theme between Thranduil and Legolas over the death of the Queen. I don't mind Tauriel and Kili, but I think his demise is nothing in comparison to the heartbreak Thranduil suffered - Tauriel never lay with Kili, she didn't share all of her herself with him, nor did she build a life or bring a child into the world by him, so his loss - though painful at the time - cannot be comparable to the bleeding wounds of an elf who lost their mate. Such a loss usually kills an elf, which means that the whole reason Thranduil hangs on to life is for the immense amount of love he holds for his son and people - a sacrificing kind of love. I think the end scene with his gentle "because it was real" statement is touching and ultimately paternal, but not comparable. I think if he could he would follow up with "at least you'll heal, and at least your heart still belongs to you." You know what I mean? It's like a Dad telling his daughter she'll survive her first terrible heartbreak because he knows, though the love was real and very much important, it's not the end of the world because at least her heart is young enough and naive enough to love again.

10) you ever thought of Clara meeting Thorin's company? If so, what was it like?

answer - ABSOLUTELY! Hehehehe! Clara meeting Thorin and Co is inevitable, although I doubt her reactions would be massively different from Thranduil's. I imagine Thorin Would be equally as rude to her as Thranduil...in fact...I imagine it would be Thorin's ignorance towards Clara that gets him dragged before the throne in the first place. Although I imagine she'd try and talk Thranduil down later, give him a massage, tell him to consider the bigger picture...probably inadvertently distract him...and 'lo the dwarves escaped.

11) What is Clara's favorite piece of jewelry? And favorite dress? (Does she prefer dress or undressed? XD)

answer - Aw, I love this question. Clara's favourite piece of jewellery is her charm bracelet given to her by Oropher. It has Legolas' heart stone and Lassiel's pearl. I actually wrote a scene which ended on the cutting room floor, in which there is a small stone salvaged from her broken and stolen necklace, which she gives back to Thranduil, He blesses it and returns it to her, telling her to keep it close, because it is a testament to their survival - so she carries it on her charm bracelet. Which she never takes off. Hm, her favourite dress or undress lol? I think she likes to wear Thranduil?  oooh I'm bad, i'll take that seriously, hehe.

I think any girls favourite dress is their wedding dress and Clara is no different. That gown is so full of her artistic imagination and Gilron's immense talent - besides she officially wed her future King in that dress, it's a life changing piece of fabric. Although, on a personal note, she steals a burgundy robe belonging to Thranduil. She lets him wear it once in awhile and then sneaks off with it, allegedly she says it's because it's warm and comfy, but truthfully she loves the smell of him and when he's away she likes the reminder of him close-by.

12). What is Clara's favorite physical feature of Thranduil? Vice versa. And why?

answer - Clara's favourite 'physical' feature of Thranduil? Gosh I think she could give you a list! But his eyes are probably the most interesting part of him - elven eyes tend to be so. Those silvery-blue depths of his are very complicated and layered but Clara's learned to read him by those eyes and I think that's what makes her his greatest companion. He doesn't have to speak for her to know how to react. However, if you remember, Thranduil has a scar that runs below his naval from his pelvis and up over his hip - Clara kisses it way back in Rivendell. In my mind it's a small scar that he doesn't have to try and hide because it's in quite an intimate place, and Clara assimilates that as a form of trust and acceptance in him. He lets her see the depth of his insecurity and she loves him and finds him desirable anyway.

It's harder to pinpoint a precise physical thing that Thranduil loves about Clara, because he is so deeply enamoured with her spirit that she's just perfect to him - flaws and all. Elves are beautiful so they don't measure beauty how we do; it's kind of a given that they are stunning to look at it. However Clara is not androgynous like most of the other elleth. She's kept her mortal size and shape. She's curvier, softer, rounder, and feminine. Things that would be common in mortal woman but a rarity to elven women. So the flaws that Clara sees - like the tummy pouch, her wide hips, and bigger chest that she struggles to squeeze into clothes - Thranduil is more than desiring of these flaws. He's never held an elleth so feminine, he's used to warrior ellith, just as strong and athletic as he is. Clara isn't physically strong, she's soft to touch, she's rounded and weak - in terms of, if Thranduil wanted to overpower her he could. Yet, that softer femininity is so disarming that he's putty in her hands. When it comes to the physicality of their love she holds the power even though she is the weaker physically, because there is a great deal of comfort to be found in something as inviting and warm as a gentle and loving spirit where there is no threat of overpowering or overbearing strength...he's just happy to be completely ensnared by that and who could blame him?  Although on a tender note, Thranduil totally adores Clara's messy, wild, hair and he is devastated when they shear it off, because it's so very defining of who she is which is why he makes a concerted effort to compliment and make a fuss of her cropped hair - so Clara never feels insecure because he knows very well what that feels like.

13) What is your favorite Thranduil fan fiction?

answer - Favourite Thranduil fanfictions? To be honest I stopped reading a lot of Thranduil fanfictions because I found that some of the readers, and even authors, began running down other fanfic writers and Thranduil stories which I find absolutely deplorable. More than once I'd be reading a story only to find the author launch into a tirade about "that GiME Thranduil fic that has lots of reviews" and then hiss and spit about it being terrible and unfair that their story wasn't as popular. Also, I'd go to drop a review and find the same ramblings on a review thread. Now, I'm maybe being presumptuous that those people were talking about me and my story, but the remarks were pointed enough. The sad thing is I was maybe really enjoying their story, having a lot of fun, and thinking how great this writer was...and then I see that hate plastered all over their beautiful work. The saddest part is that anyone that knows me on FFN, and beyond, knows how out of the way I'll go to promote and encourage other writers. Even before the success of "To Live Again" I've been an avid reader and supporter of everything greenwood and Silvan inspired in all its forms. So, these people, who don't know me or my story or even bothered to get past the M rating - which btw children - sex isn't smut. Sex is a beautiful and loving act between husband and wife and Tolkien was very expressive about how much sex played as a vital role in an elven couples bonding and creating of elflings. The love scenes I create for this story are intended as realistic interpretations of that love, and how healing and important that is in a healthy relationship between two very traumatised elves. It is a form of love - not sweaty teenage kicks - honestly, don't be so childish! RANT over hehe. So, yes, I was extremely put off by the height of immaturity surrounding a quite popular and diverse genre and admittedly retracted from actively reading new stories. However I make no secret of the stories I have enjoyed; Kingsfoil by Raider-K, Second Chance by Rousdower, To Be Willing by DeLacus, The Weight of the Crown by Lintelomiel...and many more that have now been removed from FFN or I have found on other websites.

14) Everyone who asked about the original works and rewrite.

answer - 'To Live Again' will remain known as 'To Live Again' but I am currently separating the story out into a trilogy.  I recently submitted the draft of the new and improved "original" book into the Writer's Conference I attended in America and it won the Fantasy Category.  Absolutely honoured and I have my beautiful certificate framed and hung in my office.

As for the original young adult fantasy that I am working on presently - well, it's not really titled yet due to my original title idea apparently being a hugely successful zombie game XD I had titled the first book "The Last of Us" without knowing this was a game...much embarrassed, so THAT I've a working title of 'Tempest.' Of course I will let you all know if and when to expect these books on shelves, and you can follow me on Wattpad CJ_Callahan for official updates OR my instagram CJofmiddleearth, twitter @ CJ_Campbell and my official website: www.cjcampbellofficial.com

And that is it folks...for a little while at least. I hope you enjoyed all the answers just as much as I enjoyed reacting to the questions. It was a lot of fun and thank you all for giving me so many questions! I shall promise to work on a little something for you all, a surprise chapter perhaps? I'll never be that far away, so always expect a return of Clara and Thranduil.

Lots of Love and kindest blessings

CJ xoxo