[Luthien_ Tinuviel]

Yay! Replies to my thread! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] And so many so soon! Thank you, all of you. Your posts were quite interesting.

I have taken on new challenges and *aspirations* in my writing because of seeing, through Tolkien, aspects of writing I might never have thought to include; i.e. languages, poetry, etc.

Yes, these things are quite good in writing. I am not at the moment attempting to create my own language, because even though I enjoy and am good at learning languages, I do not feel that I have the understanding and experience in linguistics necessary to create a language of my own (at least not now). The poetry I don't really have either (not yet, anyway) but I belive that it adds a good touch.

People who write fantasy are attracted to Tolkien's work because it is fantasy. Perhaps some people wrote fantasy before they read Tolkien, not the other way around.

This only sort of applies in my case. I tend to write fantasy or mock history, leaning more towards the mock historic side. My best tale so far has no fantastic elements, but rather a history filled with tales of fantastic and heroic nature, some of which are my other stories.

But I do love writing, and it's been my ambition since I was about 9 to get my work published. And although I have always wanted to be a writer Tolkien influenced me to write fantasy. I think to create your own world is so amazing, and to let other people share it is better still.

I believe most of us aspire to be published one day, I know I certainly have that as one of my goals. For one's tales to be appreciated by others-that would be truly wonderful.

I've also observed that those who are able to highly appreciate Tolkien's writing (that is, people who don't say "Tolkien's books are stooopid) happen to have, er, above average intelligence (or higher) - and therefore, the capacity to come up with great writing themselves.

I find that is often the case. I belive that many different people and types of people can appreciate Tolkien's work, but I think that those who truly appreciate it for what it is are those who are inclined to be intelligent and emotional (like myself).

"Someone who aims for the stars, and only reaches the moon, as at least gone further than one who has never tried..."

Lovely quote, by the way.

The histories, really, are grace notes in the symphony, and should be read as such--at least the first time around. Only later does one go back and realize that the grace notes are a tune to themselves.

Very nice way of putting that. It's very true in regards to Tolkien. I wish my own work was or is like that, at least in some way.

Fairy tales and Robin Hood and King Arthur and any mythologies and Science Fiction have all but consumed me.

All of these are some of my favorites. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

But Tolkien has inspired me to try languages, deep history, song, the significance of my fantasy world and many other things I would have otherwise completely overlooked.

I have a rather interesting element in most of my stories: all are set in different time periods, but they have a link-they all involve the history of a certain realm called Bedevere. This link is not yet very far developed, but I guess I'll get there eventually. I write in a rather odd way: things just come to me, when I'm have my "writer's fever". I then go back and sort things out (sometimes), or else wait until the answers come to me (most of the time).

I write because I enjoy it. I love to write, plain and simple. I think I've been inspired by Tolkien to add depth and emotion, and write as it comes to me. But I still don't know why I like to write-it might have something to do with my equal passion for reading. If that is the case, does reading necessarily make one a writer? I read Tolkien before I developed any real stories of my own, so I wonder-did LOTR inspire me to write? My whole Bedevere thing actually began with a writing assignment in fifth grade, but is the urge to create something good, deep, and lasting something I got from Tolkien?

I try to work my own wonderings, thoughts and emotions into the characters of my stories. In this way I figure it is self-expression, and I do it for my own sake and for the sake of the tale, not for anyone else's benefit. I think that makes a truly wonderful story and author-to write for its own sake, and not really worry about what other people think. A tale written to please others might be skewed from its original purpose. But those are just my thoughts on the matter, and I seem to be ranting. Sorry this is so long, it must be a pain to read. I look forward to hearing other's thoughts on these matters, though. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[ September 02, 2003: Message edited by: Luthien_ Tinuviel ]