J.R.R. Tolkien discussion

I wrote this editorial on Tolkien for my blog about my love of his writing. I called it "J.R.R. Tolkien: The Crazy & Magical Grandfather." Here is the link: http://sdsouthard.com/2012/11/07/j-r-...

I hope you enjoy the piece.

-Scott

I really enjoyed reading your piece online. It was lovely to glimpse another person's thoughts and experiences on Tolkien, his works and the films by Peter Jackson. I too remember when my mother read to me as a child and when she first read 'The Lord of the Rings' to me ~ i confess, i didn't understand much of it and found it quite 'wordy' and lengthy (more action in a hurry - no patience!). I suppose he is a Grandfather figure to many people for he has nutured our love for reading, for dreaming and expanded our imaginations to such an extent...well, it is mindblowing. He continues to inspire me in every way and as a budding writer, and as i re-watch the films for the 111th time or recite Bilbo's last song whilst in the bath, i try not to contemplate on what it would have been like without JRR Tolkien or his works ~ unthinkable!

Thanks for posting the above link x

Lucinda wrote: "I really enjoyed reading your piece online. It was lovely to glimpse another person's thoughts and experiences on Tolkien, his works and the films by Peter Jackson. I too remember when my mother re..."

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.

Anne Marie wrote: "Scott wrote: "I wrote this editorial on Tolkien for my blog about my love of his writing. I called it "J.R.R. Tolkien: The Crazy & Magical Grandfather." Here is the link: http://sdsouthard.com/2012..."

Thanks! Cheers!

Very nice editorial indeed. I read the LOTR books when I was in college. And I greatly enjoyed the films. I also loved the first Hobbit film and am eagerly looking forward to the next installment.

I loved your essay on your love of Tolkien. It took me back to when I first discovered Middle Earth. I had almost forgotten the wondering fox! Nice reference for a LOTR fan. I did an essay on the use of maps in Tolkien's world, especially the Hobbit. I have a synopsis of it on my blog http://writingwithwolves.wordpress.co.... I would appreciate what your thoughts on it might be and if you are interested I can post the full essay as well. Thank you for the great old memories. I have the thought that it is time to read through the books again. It has been almost a year, it is time.

Thanks, Scott. After all these years, I constantly think of not just the "magical Grandfather" but also the ceaseless scholar and etymologist. His theories of mythology and history play a very large part in my own workl. I'm still unable to lay down any of his writing (evenfor the third or fourth reading) and continue to acquire Tolkien books to this day -- the last one being a beautiful, bound collection of maps of Middle Earth:

Great piece. Tolkien is my inspiration and the first author who got me into fantasy. For me, his works are perfect and I'm mesmerized how he managed to create something so epic as The Silmarillion and yet fit it all in a few hundred pages. I tried reading Game of Thrones but I just got bored by endless waffle. The good thing with Tolkien is every sentence he writes has purpose and contributes to the story.

Sometimes I get the feeling as if he writes it from being there by experience, its good enough to be able to put yourself there in Middle Earth with him.

That's the reason that Tolkien will always be my strongest influence, because of his honesty and his morality and his ability to always ask questions for the reader to determine the right answer to. He also gave me reason to look for truth and history in every mythology and cultural folk tradition. Those are the things we share in common no matter our languages, cultures and spiritual beliefs.