KathyG
· 12 February 2021
· Chapter 13: The Ultimate Friendship
I remember Scholastic Book Days! When I was in the 6th or 7th grade, I ordered a copy of Romeo and Juliet from them. It was a movie tie-in; it had a scene from the movie that starred Olivia Hussein as Juliet. That was back in the early 1970s.
Unlike many of you, I am a latecomer to Tolkien. I never thought that I would be interested in any fantasy novel that was set completely in another world. The only fantasy novels that really interested me were the ones in which people from our world traveled to fantasy worlds (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, etc.). Since The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings do not fit into that category, I was convinced that I would never be interested in reading them.
But then, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey came out in the theaters in December, 2012, and Wal-Mart began an all-out promotional campaign on its behalf. It sold both novels in the book section (The Hobbit was a movie tie-in); it sold the Lord of the Rings movies in the DVD section; it sold posters, Lego sets, you name it! Suffice it to say I could not help but be interested, so even though I didn't go to the cinema to watch the movie, I did put the 2 novels on my Christmas wish list; they were included among my presents on Christmas morning. But I was determined to also get a copy of C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia to read alongside them. I was able to get one in January, 2013, and then, while I was reading The Magician's Nephew and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, I was reading The Hobbit; as I continued to read the rest of the fantasy novels in The Chronicles, and after I had finished reading The Hobbit, I started reading The Lord of the Rings. Well, something happened to me that I never expected: I became a diehard Tolkien fan! After I had finished reading TLOTR, I could not simply put it back on the shelf and leave it there. I kept returning to it, reading and rereading sections in it that really interested me. And I started wanting my own copies of the Peter Jackson movies as well as my own copy of The Hobbit movie when it came out on DVD; eventually, I got them, and later on, the extended editions and the original animated versions. And I got copies of the rest of The Hobbit trilogy as they came out. Etc., etc, etc. =)
So, while I did not grow up on Tolkien, once I finally made his acquaintance, I fell in love with his works. I have purchased and read as many of his other works as I can get a hold of.
KathyG
· 7 October 2020
· Chapter 5: The Importance of Being Bilbo
Here's another plot bunny regarding Bilbo. We know he cared about his employees, and we know that he taught Sam his letters and told Sam stories about Elves. Since as an adult, Sam knew a poem about oliphaunts, I'm guessing that it was Bilbo who assigned him that lesson when he was a child. What brought about Bilbo's decision to teach Sam to read and write? What did Sam's lessons consist of? Did Bilbo wait until Frodo was living with him before he started to teach Sam, and did he give Sam his lessons separately? How did Bilbo relate to the rest of Sam's family?
Noleme
· 12 September 2016
· Chapter 17: How to Write a Good Summary for Your Fanfic
Very nicely written, good examples. If I were an author I'd use it as a summary guide. I have to agree with all you write, with maybe two buts - with the creative language and negative tags I'd argue it comes down to the author's reader scope. Simpler language might attract younger and less language proficient international readers. As for the negative tags, while I agree tags such as 'character bashing', 'implied slash' and 'OOC' are a turnoff for many readers, at the same time I'm very grateful for the author's honesty (probably they wisely wish to avoid flamers), as nothing annoys me more than when I start reading a story only to have it spoiled by the presence any of the above without any warnings.
Anyway, good read; always looking forward to your writings. N.
Author's reply
Vivid words do not have to be complicated; they can be quite simple. Some words just sound more exciting than others.
Warnings about character bashing and OOC are probably necessary, especially in some fandoms. It's usually best to use tags or drop-downs for most warnings, but in older archives, such things might need to be used in the summary.
Sometimes thing like that can also be put in a header for the story. Headers usually have a place for warnings.
Larner
· 6 September 2016
· Chapter 17: How to Write a Good Summary for Your Fanfic
Again, an excellent topic to get us thinking. I wish that I always wrote good summaries, but know that some are dead. Love the one from Fiondil!
Author's reply
We can't always get them perfect. I certainly have some that I think could use improvement. But some people don't even try!
DrummerWench
· 4 September 2016
· Chapter 17: How to Write a Good Summary for Your Fanfic
Thank you, Dreamflower, for a useful and interesting essay!
*sideyes own summaries pretty hard* Wow, do they tend to the dry, minimalist end of the spectrum! Maaaybe I should consider rewrites.
Though even when starting out, I never understood why people said, "I suck at summaries." Do you ... /not want/ people to read your stories?
Author's reply
Some of my own are a bit dry and minimalist--it's hard to hit it out of the park every time!
Exactly. I am quite sure (as fanficrants attests) that I am not the only person who simply never clicks on a story that has "I suck at summaries".
As to why, I put it down to the following things:
1. The fear that the summary really does suck, and the hope that pointing it out will make the reader less likely to point it out.
2. False modesty and the hopes that someone will click on the story out of pity.
3. A lame attempt at humor.
4. (And this the most pervasive, I believe) New writers see it in older writers' summaries, and incorrectly believe it is the "cool" thing to say. It's a desire to fit into the culture of what "everybody" (which is false, since NOT everybody does it) does.
KathyG
· 3 September 2016
· Chapter 4: Gandalf's Visits to the Shire
Is Dana's Annotated Tale of Years still available on the Internet? I should like to read it, if it is. I know it's no longer available on that URL you posted, more's the pity.
Author's reply
It is still available, but no longer at the original link. I will have to see if I can find the new link for you.
Author Reply: It is still available, but no longer at the original link. I will have to see if I can find the new link for you. It may take a little time.
KathyG
· 3 September 2016
· Chapter 2: Tolkien's Use of Expletives
You left out Sam's "glory and trumpet"! I'm pretty sure he spoke that phrase in just one place in The Lord of the Rings: when Frodo had mostly recovered from the effects of the Morgul knife wound.
KathyG
· 3 September 2016
· Chapter 14: Was Frodo Baggins One of The Wise?
Great! You restored this article to its entirety--thanks!
KathyG
· 2 September 2016
· Chapter 14: Was Frodo Baggins One of The Wise?
Dreamflower, are you ever going to restore this essay?
Author's reply
I thought I had done so already. I'm not quite sure what happened to it, but I will see about as soon as I can.
Author Reply: OK, dearie, I got it fixed now!
Larner
· 24 September 2015
· Chapter 16: Why I Believe The Last Goodbye is the Perfect Last Song
I've been away or distracted by other things for too long, and rejoice to be able at last to read and comment on this. How well you have tied the song to the film and the whole story of Middle Earth PJ and so many other artisans and artists have done for us, and how I grieve that it is unlikely they will take us further.
I do not know this song as I do "Into the West," but it still moves me each time I listen to it, and as I hear Pippin/Boyd's voice again foreshadowing both current partings and the distant hope of reunions one sweet day within the wonder of Eternity.
Thank you so!
Author's reply
"as I hear Pippin/Boyd's voice again foreshadowing both current partings and the distant hope of reunions one sweet day within the wonder of Eternity."
Beautifully put, and perfectly in tune with what I hoped to convey.
Andrea
· 6 September 2015
· Chapter 16: Why I Believe The Last Goodbye is the Perfect Last Song
Yes, a beautiful song and no-one else but Billy Boyd could have performed it that way!
Thank you for your interpretations. I liked them very much.
It's a farewell, for we may come together with friends to see it again; but a visit only and never the bright newness we experienced before.
That is very true! But we still have the memories of how it felt when it was brand-new. And that's something!
Author's reply
It's more than just something; the memories are special too.
KathyG
· 1 September 2015
· Chapter 16: Why I Believe The Last Goodbye is the Perfect Last Song
It is a truly lovely and poignant song.
Author's reply
It is, indeed!
Lindelea
· 31 August 2015
· Chapter 16: Why I Believe The Last Goodbye is the Perfect Last Song
Beautifully construed. Thank you for bringing out more meaning from that lovely song!
Author's reply
Thanks! That song deserves thoughtful analysis.
KathyG
· 11 January 2015
· Chapter 1: The Validity of Fanon in Hobbit Fanfiction
There seems to be another piece of fanon floating about--that Sam was born on April 6th!
Author's reply
That's not strictly fanon. It's actually quasi-canon, in that JRRT says in Appendix D of The Lord of the Rings: "... there grew up a custom of making holiday and dancing in the Party Field, when weather permitted, on April 6. Some said that it was old Sam Gardner's birthday, some that it was the day on which the Golden Tree first flowered in 1420, and some that it was the Elves' New Year."
In other words, it's almost canon, as JRRT says it might have been, but because he did not say definitively that it actually was, there's wiggle room.
I, for one, chose a different date for Sam's b'day since in my story "Chance Encounter" I needed it to be for the plot. But most people pick April 6 for Sam, and many online Wikis give the date as definitely April 6. (They are wrong--it is only speculation, not definite.)
BTW, I chose Feb. 14 for Merry, and April 1 for Merry. Only Bilbo and Frodo have their exact birthdates given among the hobbits, and the only other LotR character who has his exact birthdate given is Aragorn. His birthday is March 1.
rikki
· 3 October 2014
· Chapter 1: The Validity of Fanon in Hobbit Fanfiction
An interesting treatise concerning hobbits and what has been written about them. You have apparently done a lot of research (i.e., read the books numerous times) to have been able to quote some of the lesser known things about Merry and Pippin. In some ways, people have written stories about their favorite characters and added things to increase the drama or to expand the little bit that is known about the character. That is was not written doesn't mean that it didn't happen but there should be limits on what is determined about how a character has developed. Liked the memes that you used, they are definitely seen in a lot of stories.
Author's reply
I lost count of how many re-reads I've done of LotR in the last 40-some-odd years!
I like the depth that fanon adds to canon! Adding to the canonical story is great, but it should never take away from the original.
KathyG
· 8 June 2014
· Chapter 14: Was Frodo Baggins One of The Wise?
Was the once a lengthy article? If it was, it needs to be reposted, because two short paragraphs--the second of which seems to have b een cut short--is all that's left.
Larner
· 30 May 2014
· Chapter 9: The Shire Calendar: Election Years and Overlithe
I suspect that this will indeed prove helpful.
Author's reply
Good! I really thought that having worked it out myself, the info was too useful not to share!
Eruherdiriel
· 30 May 2014
· Chapter 9: The Shire Calendar: Election Years and Overlithe
I like this. I really appreciate how you've gathered all this information. It's a GINORMOUS time-saver.
~Eruherdiriel
Author's reply
Great! That was my hope: to save other people the time it took me to figure out. After all, why waste all that work just for myself?
Lindelea
· 30 May 2014
· Chapter 9: The Shire Calendar: Election Years and Overlithe
It's always so lovely when someone does the Math! I am incredibly number-challenged, as I think you might know. (Estella was 10 years too young for ever so long...)
Author's reply
Well, it does help to get the math right! Don't forget my Reggie is still a whole generation older than he's supposed to be! But this time around I double checked my math with a calculator. :D
Kaylee Arafinwiel
· 30 May 2014
· Chapter 9: The Shire Calendar: Election Years and Overlithe
O Dreamflower, thank you for this treasure! :) Once again you have provided me with useful information - something I actually needed a couple chapters ago with my new birthday mathom ficlet series, but luckily I did the math myself *big grin* The Muse doesn't often have a hobbitish bent, but when it does this is great! :D
Definitely putting this in my hobbit info folder along with the Shire Calendar and Hobbit Ages!!! :)
Kaylee
Author's reply
I certainly hope it's useful, since I figure why not share?
Antane
· 28 December 2013
· Chapter 15: The Classic Lord of the Rings Gapfiller:
Great article! Gapfillers are fun to read and write because of all the things that could have happened and if done well, did happen, but just weren't written about :)
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Exactly! Or, were written in another POV, or were written just in passing and not in detail--so many gaps to fill, so little time
KathyG
· 2 December 2013
· Chapter 14: Was Frodo Baggins One of The Wise?
Sam was a Ring-bearer, too, and he went over the Sea in the end. Could he have become one of the Wise, as well, do you think?
Author's reply
I think it quite possible, though probably not quite in the same way Frodo did.
Kitt Otter
· 29 November 2013
· Chapter 15: The Classic Lord of the Rings Gapfiller:
Some great advice, thank you!
Gapfillers are my favorite, for the same reasons that I love history novels and science research: yes, we know how it all ends, but the most interesting parts often are the How and Why.
Author's reply
Thank you! I love gapfillers myself, especially long plotty adventurous ones! That's what I hope to encourage with this look at some authors that I greatly admire and how they do what they do!
And of course the "How and Why" are just as fascinating as the "What"!
Definitely one who thinks they just have their young wait longer for the responsibilities of the coming of age- and they live longer simply because the altruistic, social and relaxed proclivities of hobbit society and their tendency to take care of each other contribute to longevity along with the resilience they have that exceeds that of humans against illness and injury. This chart is definitely useful for your work though!
Author's reply
It's one of those areas where folks have to agree to disagree. I've read many fine stories by writers who hold your opinion. And though I think there is some evidence in favor of my theory, barring a finding of a definitive statement from Tolkien himself, we'll never know who's truly right!
Definitely one who thinks they just have their young wait longer for the responsibilities of the coming of age- and they live longer simply because the altruistic, social and relaxed proclivities of hobbit society and their tendency to take care of each other contribute to longevity along with the resilience they have that exceeds that of humans against illness and injury. This chart is definitely useful for your work though!