pdr said:
I've gone about creating an entirely new world, but wouldn't it have been so much easier to simply create another age of Arda, something tween the world as it was then, and as it's shaped now.
Yes, but to some readers a writer who takes myths and pinches bits of one and then another, mixing them up to make a story, or who follows in the footsteps of the groundbreaking, original first writer and uses their characters or world, is not a 'real' writer. 'Real' writers creates original fiction, those that follow are merely hacks without originality who copy. Thus Tolkein is the great original. Those who follow using his world and characters are 'hacks'.
Many of my last class of graduates held this view and didn't read fantasy because they thought most of it was not fiction, i.e. not original. I made them read some and they spoke highly of C.J. Cherryh and Patricia McKillip as being 'original' and therefore true fiction writers. I won't repeat what they said about the others.
Stick to creating, Nateskate. You'll get more readers!
I've got my own standards, but I also realize there are "market standards", primarily what will sell, and there are "peer standards", what will get you respect in the world of writers.
I'm constantly making music analogies. Everyone rips everyone else off. Those who create from scratch have still borrowed something somewhere along the line. Market standards are every pop band who tries to be the next Rolling Stones, or the next U2. You here it. Peer Standards are much higher. There are guitarists who are so proficient most of the world just won't get them. They play for their peers, people who understand music enough to get them.
People who create entirely new concepts may not be marketable, and may be resigned to cult status, because the industry rewards cloning. So, you end up with "Britney" types, or "Ricky Martin" types, or "Boy Band" types. They sell until people get sick to the point of puking.
The "NTS" or "Next Tolkien Syndrome" is really a misnomer. It would take a really creative mind to actually write a book worthy of being mentioned in the same breath, because anything less would absolutely stink like dead fish.
The question isn't whether it could be done, it can, or should be done, that's a matter of opinion. The question is the cost to the writer, because I believe the argument that you are stealing and not being creative, is overstated. It's a type of "Peer Pressure".
In my mind, the secret to actually doing that, is to not take his story, but use it as a platform to create something completely different. You don't have Elves, or even Dwarves, perhaps not even hobbits. If you believe in a "transitional" progression of life in the world of Arda to today, at best you might refer to Aragorn and Gandalf in backstory, as a secret revelation to Gandalf, a secret conversation between Gandalf and Aragorn, perhaps someone leaks a message from the west.
I've already got a brilliant idea, but it will probably never see the light of day, because I can make it completely unrelated, and again, that is more because of the combinations of Peer and Market pressures, rather than artistic integrity. What conversation did Gandalf have with Illuvatar before he came back at the turn of the tide? (Wouldn't you like to know?)
What secret conversation did Gandalf have with Aragorn about what he saw in the dark places, while he was passing through Shadow, an evil yet unknown to the world, one that would emerge in his children's childrens generation. How he pleaded with Illuvatar to allow him to stay to confront it, but was told his work was finished, and it was now someone else's responcibility. You lay a foundation that brings you to the "Lost age of Arda"
As for sticking to "Creating", it's a message I heard well, and as of now, I have a monster creation, with all new beings, explanations of the forming of races, new terms and concepts. "No dragons" exist in my universe, although they are referred to as mere legend, but you don't need dragons for fire. There are no Dwarves or Elves. The explanation of the forming of the super races is a story within the story. But the outcome is less noble than Elves, in that it produced an ugly arrogance, and disdain for the common breed.
I spent a great amount of time trying to capture the essense of evil without redemption, but in a race from another realm. And I wanted them to appear absolutely so evil, they hate each other, and all that holds them together is they hate their enemy more. What did I get? Comic relief, which was a surprise. In their bickering and undermining of each other, unfortunately, they became somewhat sympathetic figures, because they lived in a universe where strength was all that mattered, because everyone is a victim or victimizer, or I should say they are always both, except those who are most powerful. There is no such thing as respect in their ranks, only feigned respect.
I never intended for the story to be funny, except in some of the romantic bantering, which I like. For a Dark Fantasy, I have a feeling some of the fan favorites will unfortunately be the most evil beings. One is portrayed as a somewhat ADHD kid who is so self-absorbed in feeling sorry for himself at one point, he continually gets lost. He can't focus and complain at the same time, but his nature is such that he can't stop himself from complaining. Even I started feeling bad for him, knowing his tyrannical superiors were going to let him have it. Yet, when you see this same creature with his underlings, he is just as much of a tyrant.
