Sam

[sophinisba]

I'm concerned that Sam is being neglected in my hobbit fics and suspect it's because I don't know how to write him or am scared to write him, and I need practice. Please to be commenting with prompts involving Sam, which I may or may not answer in comments or in new posts or, um, something. Also please share any thoughts or helpful hints about how he can be written well.

Comments

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

How about Sam babysitting with Marigold and Pippin for some reason, with a little help from Frodo?

[shirebound]

It took me a long time to be comfortable writing Sam, because the whole "working class/gentry divide" isn't something I can read or write with great comfort. Then I realized that I had to write in the way I *was* comfortable... meaning that, in my fics, Sam and Frodo have blurred the "class" line, and are friends. They both still know 'their place', but it's not such a sharp division of Master and Servant. I think you need to decide how you most enjoy reading and thinking about Sam -- his education level, intelligence, emotions, and how he sees himself (and others see him). Once you identify the Sam you feel most comfortable with, just write him that way! I think we need to enjoy our reading and writing, and not worry too much about "getting it wrong".

Don't know if that makes any sense! *hugs*

[lilybaggins.livejournal.com]

I don't often write Sam either very much, except as a minor supporting character. And so I only have one piece of advice: I see a number of writers dumb his speech down too much (in my opinion). For example, using "in'" instead of "ing" for his speech---it isn't that way in the books. Yes, he speaks with more idioms and "aint's" and slang than the other hobbits, but still, he's a bit of a cry from Ellie Mae Clampett, which is how I see him written sometimes. So... that's my two cents. :)

[blackbird-song.livejournal.com]

First the advice: Don't try to write his dialect if you don't know it inside and out. (I grew up in rural England and have certain areas very much in my ear.) If you attempt it, don't try to spell out the accent. Just use word order and an occasional contraction to indicate it. Keep his speech simple and straightforward, but not stupid. (i.e., follow lillybaggins's guidelines about not dumbing him down.) He is a hobbit who'd like to live up to his potential, not to be less than he can be.

Some points I bear in mind when I write him: Sam works from love. Love of family, of the Shire, of all things that live and grow (except maybe Shelob and the Orcs), and, of course, Frodo. (And I don't mean that in the slashy sense, much though I love it that way.) He wears his heart on his sleeve, but he's also guarded when he needs to be. His emotions are close to the surface in a lot of ways, and he is much slower to anger than movie!Sam. He is honest and forthright (except when conspiring against Frodo fro his own good), though shy at times, and is largely unaffected by the Ring because it has nothing he wants, and its evil cannot understand him. He's had harsh words from his Gaffer, whom I don't see as a bad person, but as one who has accepted more limitations than Sam and is comfortable with them in a way that Sam could never be. Sam is both intelligent and very strong, deep down, though many underestimate him at first blush.

A prompt: "Well, now, my Gaffer's the one to ask about them taters, Mr. Frodo. He knows more about root crops than anyone else in the Shire, begging your pardon."

Hope some of this helps, and thanks for letting me ramble about a favourite subject! :)

Catherine

[aprilkat.livejournal.com]

Well, for me Sam is so grounded and practical that he can both enjoy and yet anchor Frodo when his scholarly ways lead him off the beaten path (like forgetting to eat when he's writing). He sees his role in life as taking care of Frodo the way he takes care of all growing things, and he has the art of nurturing and growing. And although he is deliberate and full of common sense, he still has enough poetry in him to love elves and Gandalf's fireworks and the exquisiteness of Frodo.

How about something to do with Sam's hands - so work-roughened and yet so sensitive (to the feel of a plant - or even Frodo if you're so minded!).

[cookiefleck.livejournal.com]

Peeking into your journal to read the story. Very sweet, and very funny! I hope you write more Sam. Thank you!

[gloryunderhill.livejournal.com]

Here's a prompt then...all Sam, no other characters (*g* that way Frodo can't take over, he does that in my fics too!)

Prompt: Sam's thoughts and feelings his very first day taking over for his father as the official gardener of Bag End.