I just sent a pm saying the exact same thing as Orald, but for the record, I'll back him up here as well. I think it is ridiculous to call yourself a Tolkien fan, if you've not read Tolkien.
And closer to the intended topic, my writing efforts have often been sidelined because I can't get Tolkien's plots or themes out of my head. But I think that is largely because Tolkien uses many of the universal themes and plots in his work. As far as fantasy goes, Tolkien is like the Scrabble Dictionary. It's hard to find something good that isn't in there. I've given up on original fantasy for the moment (burnout), and am concentrating on a fanfic that may be done in several hundred years.
Sophia
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The seasons fall like silver swords, the years rush ever onward; and soon I sail, to leave this world, these lands where I have wander'd. O Elbereth! O Queen who dwells beyond the Western Seas, spare me yet a little time 'ere white ships come for me!
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