Celebrating One Year of Blogging!

It’s been exactly one year since I wrote my first post for this blog (‘The Journey Begins!’).

Back then I was uncertain how things would develop and I certainly couldn’t see myself still writing about Tolkien 12 months later.

When I first started the blog, I had many things to say about Tolkien and the cinematic vision of Middle-earth – however, I always thought that eventually I would run out of subjects!

One year on, not only have I written down a substantial amount of ideas whizzing in my head, but every day I come up with new concepts and issues related to this remarkable author.

Indeed, there’s is yet a long road to venture before this blog starts running on fumes – not to mention, we’re less than half way through to seeing The Battle of the Five Armies in cinemas! 😀

So whilst using this post as both a celebration and a thank you note to all followers, here are some fun (and admittedly geeky) statistics gathered over the past 12 months.

Total Number of followers so far: 597 (thank you!)

Total Number of Hits: 157,000+

Number of posts posted: 132 (including this one)

Total words written: 111,000+

Total pages written: 288 (hmm, I seem to have the beginnings of a book … or a trilogy 🙂 )

Pending posts/Working Progress: 12

Finally, this blog wouldn’t be the same without other dedicated bloggers who – time and time again – like, comment, share and link to A Tolkienist’s Perspective. Naming all of them would be pretty impossible, but I’ve highlighted just a few who have always supported this blog and have fantastic blogs of their own.

They’re definitely worth following, trust me!

Leather Library is THE source for anything Tolkien, philosophical discussions, in-depth book reviews, mind-blowing essays and anything related to the art of pipe-smoke (if you’re into that sort of thing).

Interested in Fantasy, Horror, Comics and anything along those lines? Then you’re better off following Sourcerer, Part-Time Monster and Therefore I Geek.

Any general fans, fan girls or fanatics of Richard Armitage out there? Then I want to be a pin-up and Me+Artmiage are the blogs for you.

Head over to The Valinor Journal – a recently launched blog that promises to become one of the best online references for Middle-earth articles.

Film Reviews? Marc’s blog at Story Punch will give you the answers you seek.

Photography as a hobby? The Lady Butterfly has an extensive amount of mesmerizing photographs on her blog.

Wargaming is your passion? Want to paint, but don’t know how? The daggerandbrush blog is the way to go.

Looking for Middle-earth artwork? Jenny’s Sketchbook has an astounding collection of self-drawn illustrations from Tolkien’s stories.

Book reviews? Head over to Untamed Shrews and Book Marauder.

Poetry is your passion? Press the ‘Follow’ button at The Starlit Forest.

Love animation, illustrations, storyboarding, etc? John Brito’s blog offers a fascinating insight into his work at I create worlds.

Not just a fan of Tolkien? A Pilgrim to Narnia is an astonishing blog with a wealth of information, especially on C.S. Lewis.

Anything related to TV series and awesome stuff in general? The folks over at The Collective have all the answers you need.

Other wonderful and inspiring blogs:
– Ramblings of an autistic wordsmith
– Linnet Moss
– Le Vanity Victorienne
– Sweating to Mordor
– Dewey Decimals Butley
– Interesting Literature
– My Modern Quill
– Lit Chic

– and many, many more …

I’m terrified that I’ve left out many others (I know I have) and to be honest, I was seriously considering not mentioning any blogs.

However, I couldn’t possibly leave out many good-hearted and generous people who spend their time going through my posts, commenting and liking.

To all of you others whom I’ve missed out by mistake, my sincere apologies; but deepest thanks.

To all those unnamed visitors that visit this blog on a daily basis, I say: May you be blessed!

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So one year has gone by, another has just started … I guess “I feel I’m quite ready for another adventure!”