Your Feedback … My Response

(It’s the return of the Stick Figures! – and yes, that’s me hard at work typing these responses – see the tongue sticking out? Intense!)

Many thanks to all of you who – in some way or other – commented to this post: Who am I?

There were some very interesting questions, as well as intriguing Middle-earth topics I shall be dealing with in the near future.

In the meantime, I’ve gathered people’s query’s from WordPress and Twitter and gave my best (and honest) response to each 😉

Okay let’s begin …

Myla asked an tantalizing question on a topic that is very close to my heart:

I saw that you are an aspiring author. How about a post expanding on what you are most interested in publishing?

A month or two back, I actually wrote a post about what I could possibly write in a book. It was (conveniently) titled: I dream of writing a book.

It’s a constant internal debate with myself and the conclusion is that – as much as I’d love to write a fantasy novel and create a world with characters and their own stories – I would feel more comfortable (and confident) with some sort of semi-autobiographical, non-fiction, mish-mash book – but I’m still unclear about it; maybe one day … maybe … 😀

***

Meanwhile, Sourcerer has asked several great questions …

1. I came over to ask when is your actual anniversary?

This blog began a year ago on July 8th … woohoo! Let the celebrations begin 🙂

2. How did you first encounter Tolkien’s work, and what made you fall in love with it?

I believe I’m one of those that form part of the new wave of fans, post-The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

Indeed, it was thanks to the films that I began to love reading, fantasy, and Middle-earth. What attracted me the most, was the story – the quest and the journey to fulfill it in such a beautiful (and dangerous) world that is so different from our own.

If interested, I wrote a four-part article on my first experiences of viewing (and reading) about Middle-earth: Discovering Middle-earth 😉

3. What do you regard as your best Tolkien post from the last year?

As with any other blogger, I’d say “loads”!

But there’s always one particular post that I keep recalling and feel rather proud to have written: The Tale of the Dagor Dagorath.

Which is ironic, considering that it’s not – strictly speaking – something that I’ve written myself.

As I had said in the article, all I did was collect all of Tolkien’s drafts and notes on the subject, and combine them into a single narrative. But it was such an entertaining and invigorating project, that it has aspired me to try another similar venture.

Indeed, the project Concluding ‘The Fall of Arthur‘ is largely inspired by it.

Again, I’ve loved all posts but the Dagor Dagorath article was quite an extraordinary endeavour.

As an honourable mention, I can’t forget the three-part article: Memorable Confrontations in Film and Literature.

4. Who’s your favorite character from LOTR (book version) and why?

This was something I’ve often asked myself during the past few years; and I always found it hard to give a specific answer.

There are too many fantastic characters!

Yet, year after year – whenever I get to re-read The Lord of the Rings (just finished my 7th re-read now, as a matter of fact) – my admiration grows stronger towards Samwise Gamgee.

Ever since seeing The Return of the King (and then reading his character arc in the books), I’ve always considered him the primary hero of the story.

His journey is, in many ways, similar to that of Bilbo’s in The Hobbit; and it’s rather wonderful to see this plain, nature-loving, individual who – although has been “tested in battle” – remains the same, and yet evolves to a more mature and resilient character.

***

Cat wanted to know:

What is your favorite (non-Tolkien related) book? and: Who is your favorite author (besides Tolkien)?

It’s not often I re-read a book several times (unless they’re Tolkien); but I never tire myself of going through C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters.

It’s such a cleverly-written work and has got some beautiful and intriguing concepts on life.

The book is not an easy read (Lewis’ writings are rather complex, but deep and thought-provoking), however, it contains a balance of wittiness, humour and philosophical reasoning.

As with some of his other books, The Screwtape Letters is a much more sarcastic and hilarious (but also, meaningful) piece of work, that I never get bored re-reading! 😀

This might sound odd, but as much as I love C.S. Lewis’ book – and he’s an author I admire and respect – I’d still rank Charles Dickens as a good second (after Tolkien) – as a favourite author.

Dickens is one of those timeless writers whose works never fail to convey the intended morale of the story – no matter who reads it, where or when.

His writing is witty, charming, delightful; his descriptions are creepy, sarcastic, ironic, beautiful; and his characters are so vivid and realistic, that they bring to life that very special quality of the Victorian Era.

***

Finally, bdsprinkle proposed:

Why don’t you analyze the TV series Sherlock?! Best show ever…

A statement I couldn’t agree with more! 🙂 And as I have stated, I am seriously considering creating a secondary blog dedicated entirely to this series. So who knows, time will tell 😉

And that’s it! I hope you’ll find something interesting in these remarks.

If you’d like to ask any more questions, leave a comment below and I’ll work my way through providing an answer 🙂

Until next time 😉

(Copyright to all images and illustrations belong to the respective owners, artists and studios)