[Cúdae]

There are many undeniably Tolkien-influenced fantasy novels out there. I've read some that are so close to Tolkien in facts that it is sickening. But then, there are the fantasy novels that are influenced by Tolkien, but not just Tolkien and don't copy Tolkien. For example (I'll use myself so I don't insult anyone) I have written the story of a battle in the universe I am creating. I read Tolkien, so obviously something in the battle is going to mirror something of Tolkien's many battles. But I have also read The Once and Future King, so something from that is going to mirrored. When everything is said and done, I am going to mirror every single battle scene I have ever read in one way or another. On another point, someone who writes a love story is going to, in some way, mirror every love story they have ever read. The same goes for writing style. I have read mostly older books and therefore, my writing style is an older style. Others have read mostly newer books and therefore their writing style is probably going to be more modern sounding. This, though, is just my opinion and I will argue it to the death of me! Why? Because I think it to be true. Look at Tolkien, he mirrored every single bit of mythology and folklore he ever read, heard, or vaguely knew about. Not all of it is obvious, but it is there. In this way, I believe that someone can make something seem entirely orginal. If one chooses to mirror elements from every story, every poem, every epic adventure novel, every play, every musical, every history lesson, every last memory that their grnadmother shared, I believe that they can write something imaginative and original--without being original at all.