Hi Ya!

I am Leslie, and currently divide my time between living in Hollywood, California, and staying with much loved friends in England.

I have loved LoTR for over 35 years, and have read the Book through a couple of hundred times at least, and my favourite parts many more times than that,
so I know it with great familiarity. The lessons I learn in that tale are ones I try to live by - and I use the present tense because no matter how many times I read it, I understand something new or picture something just a bit differently. It has greatly enriched my life, and I am delighted that I can return that gift in helping other writers who also love the story, through fanfiction.

I loved that the film at last brought long imagined images of faces and places to life! I enjoy the film's different telling of the tale as well as I enjoy the Book, and can also enjoy fanfic that combines the Book and the film in a well written way.

In the Book Universe my favourites are Merry and Sam, but in the film and fanfic Universe it is Merry and Pippin, no question! And I am also more fond of Boromir and Legolas both in the film, and especially in fanfic, than I am of their Book characters.

My wonderful job in the LoTR fanfic world is to plant bunnies, do a review or critique now and then, answer all sorts of LoTR questions or if I can't, direct you to someone who can, recommend stories, and most importantly to act as a support person to various writers whose work I admire. Such as Llinos, Baylor, and Kookaburra, all fantastic writers to my mind. Helping them is my sneaky way to get to play with their stories!

I do sort of what a beta does, but to a far greater extreme - how much I contribute depends upon the author and the particular story or series chapter we are working on together. I might do as little as check the spelling, grammer, continuity, characterisations, canon (if applicable), or I may go so far as to actually be allowed to write a paragraph or two of my own, add additional material, and fiddle with the plot. But, however much I may have collaborated on any story, it is such a thrill to read the reviews and know that people are enjoying reading them, and knowing that every story is an addition to the Professor's mythology, and that I had a part in contributing to that.

Enjoy reading, and enjoy creativity!

L