What are you writing about now?

[Mad for Middle Earth]

Ent's current projects - hopefully to be completed in this order:

1. The Origin of the Ents and Trees - a bit of a lengthier work in verse from Eru to the Ents and speaking trees.
2. The Evil That Remains - another lengthy bit of verse dealing with the beginning of evil and its existence after Sauron's demise.
3. Peregrin Took: My Part Of The Road - LoTR and beyond from Pippin's Perspective. Book: The journey through Pippin's eyes - his view of events - and what happens to he and Meriadoc afterward, including their resignation from their positions in the Shire, and their adventurous journey to Gondor for their retirement. Will cover Merry's death, and is written by Pippin as he's nearing the end of his time.
4. The Characters of Tolkien - book: a look at many of the characters, their traits and purpose in the works, and benefits we can extract from looking at them closely.
5. The Fourth Age: Book 1 - Elessar: Architect of the Fourth Age - All the doings of Elasser Enthroned, the machinations of Men while he's there, the cleaning up of (some of) the evil that remains, and setting the stage for his demise and what comes after.
6. The Fourth Age: Book 2 - After Elessar: The Age of Man - Book. What happens after Aaragorn's death, FA 120. How does mankind do with their charge of handling M-e in "the age of man" ?? Of course, things start well before Elasser's death... do they go well, or ill? Many things needing to be dealt with by Aaragorn and the peoples will be handled, etc.

So that's it at this time.
Present encouragement needed: a continued nudge to get #1 above completed. It's been sitting since 7/2022... well started, thoughts listed... but no more stitching done to pull the fabric together.

Let Ent know how he can be of service to you as well.

Those all sound magical! Keep at it! Would definitely read these

 

[Kiredor]

If I may, I'm interested where you got your translation of these phrases :] I want to know how I can translate my own Quenya lines more accurately.
I noticed you used the polite "you", unless this is Sindarin, which I'm much less familiar with(since I've been mainly working with Quenya these past few months). The word "edan" implies Sindarin to me, but I'm not sure....

There are a few good resources :
1. The Silmarillion: contains some Elvish phrases, especially in Quenya (High Elvish) and Sindarin.
2. Tolkien Gateway: Has specific pages for Elvish languages, including lists of common phrases and their meanings.
3. Parf Edhellen: This is a dedicated Elvish dictionary website (https://www.elfdict.com/), it contains not just individual words but also complete phrases and translations in various Elvish languages.
4. Websites: RealElvish.net and various other Tolkien fan forums often have compiled lists of Elvish phrases, translations, and guides for learning the language.

You're right about 'Edan' being Sindarin, it refers to a Man or mortal human. Specifically, it is used to describe one of the Edain, the Men of the First Age who were friends and allies of the Elves.

 

[WatcherWraith]

There are a few good resources :
1. The Silmarillion: contains some Elvish phrases, especially in Quenya (High Elvish) and Sindarin.
2. Tolkien Gateway: Has specific pages for Elvish languages, including lists of common phrases and their meanings.
3. Parf Edhellen: This is a dedicated Elvish dictionary website (https://www.elfdict.com/), it contains not just individual words but also complete phrases and translations in various Elvish languages.
4. Websites: RealElvish.net and various other Tolkien fan forums often have compiled lists of Elvish phrases, translations, and guides for learning the language.

You're right about 'Edan' being Sindarin, it refers to a Man or mortal human. Specifically, it is used to describe one of the Edain, the Men of the First Age who were friends and allies of the Elves.

I use Parf Edhellen commonly, but I've no more than heard of RealElvish.net. I know a website recently introduced to me, I think it was called Ardalambion, has a list of languages from across Tolkien's Middle earth world, but I haven't looked into that yet.
I'll see what I can find in those two places and in Tolkien Gateway. Thanks for sharing :]

 

[Ent]

Those all sound magical! Keep at it! Would definitely read these

thank you. the list has definitely evolved since then, with other things added, titles refined a little, etc.
7 books on it, and the poetry/verse works are extended to 3.
Numbers 3, 5 and 6 noted above, have become a single "Trilogy" on the list of 7.

Just today I finalized my decision about whether Middle-earth: Its Moral and Religious Elements - What J.R.R. Tolkien’s Texts Unveil will not also be handled as a trilogy, but a shorter work of 3 sections. The key is to demonstrate in The Silmarillion, then The Hobbit, then LoTR, how he did what he did, with enough brevity to keep interest, yet enough depth to show how to see his methods - and let the readers take it from there in their own reading experience. Extending it to a Trilogy work would be too much depth and lose the reader, I feel. (Though the examples are legion, and it could easily be done as such.)

Anyway, I'm getting back to the writing... I can't seem to let them go.

 

[Ent]

Well, today I went to the bookstore - both physically, and online - and added substantial resources to improve and enhance my study of poetic form. Also got another book on editing.

Made some small change to the title of the book, adjusted a little of the prologue, and changed the entry into Chapter 1.
(Also made the decision on the book's form and extent of content as noted above.)

So indeed, it seems I'm 'off and running.'

Progress will be slow, but steady. I'll need to advance on several fronts at once... as follows.
1) - continuing the 'settling in' process.
2) - working on the study of poetry.
3) - advancing on Middle-earth Moral and Religious...
4) - advancing on my poetry in progress on the Ents that's been sitting. (a rather lengthy one, and it may change a bit as #2 progresses, but it won't/can't die, so I intend to keep dabbling with it as I learn.)

So please help me by continuing to ask me how things are going with my writing. Don't hesitate to be 'the clanging bell getting the most attention' on the matter.

To set things aside, easy it is to do.
To progress to the goal line, hard it may well be.
Yet to reach the goal, we must.

Thank you.

 

[WatcherWraith]

So please help me by continuing to ask me how things are going with my writing. Don't hesitate to be 'the clanging bell getting the most attention' on the matter.

To set things aside, easy it is to do.
To progress to the goal line, hard it may well be.
Yet to reach the goal, we must.

Thank you.

Will do! We'll be glad to hear more of your works anytime it's convenient :]

 

[Ent]

Dappled with Chapter 1 a little bit, and started on a beginner's poetry book.
Should help me figure out how words and poetry work. (First of 7 books I've loaded in for review/study.)

 

[WatcherWraith]

I wonder what standards that book uses...and what styles of poems it covers. How-To books for things like poems make me scratch my head, but I guess it's talking about more technical things like metre and stanza arrangement. Anyway I wish you the best with it!

 

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

My aunt got me this notebook(it's a Harry Potter merch) for my birthday a few years ago and it's been sitting in my shelves and catching dust. I'm using it now to write down my Lore for my novel. I think it suits the purpose very well, given that my novel contains necromancy.

*Skelton intensifies*

 

[Ent]

How-To books for things like poems make me scratch my head, but I guess it's talking about more technical things like metre and stanza arrangement. Anyway I wish you the best with it!

Yeah. It also talks about the different kinds of poetic form - ode, ballad, etc. Free verse, blank verse, open verse, etc. ad nauseum.
And gives examples of them from successful poets.
And speaks to the creativity process, and more.
Free verse, blank verse, open verse, etc. ad nauseum.

I've got a couple "how to" books covering the core of poetry from these various angles, some poetic books providing and discussing samples, and then have just added some from successful poets to study their poems themselves, and see what that says to me.

As one wise person said, "if you find one thing to take away from a book of lasting (or eternal) value, it has been worth the price."

then of course, there's 'the rest of the books' for which the price was...well...not of value. but such is the risk of life.

 

[Ent]

Well. Color me a dunderhead.
Spawn of Melkor, slave of Sauron, chained to my tunnel vision, just as were they.

Here I sit last night and again this morning, physically and mentally poking away on Chapter 1 of my Middle-earth: It's Moral and Religious Elements work some more, still a bit unscertain and unatisfied with the structure - the best way to present it.

So many characters, so many scenes and events, so much material to draw from to show how Tolkien demonstrated through it all his inclusion of his 'moral and religious elements.'

And yet... I don't want the book to just be another book about Tolkien's "religious issues or worldview" - it's totally not that, coming from a perspective, using a different magnifying glass, altogether.

Should I present choronologically? SIL, TH, then LoTR? Or by "Moral/Religious element" alphabetically, then in book order within each? Or, Element then 'most demonstrative text' regardless of book order? What is the best way to put it together, to be sure it holds some attraction for a reader?

Momentarily, I ponder my total "to do" book list.
And there it is - the key. One of the other books I really want to complete.

Tolkien's Characters: Why He included Them.

The book isn't to be structured around the Elements at all. it's all about how he demonstrates those elements - and he does it through his Characters. Who they are, what they say. What they do. What events they encounter, and how they handle them. They are Tolkien's primary DEMONSTRATION. (though scenes and events play into it as well, but are consistent with Character presentation. )

Tolkien's intent:
1. To read like a 'real, plausible history.'
2. To present real, believable characters so #1 rings true.
3. To deliberately, but not overtly, incorporate the 'moral and religious elements' he declares multiple times and in various ways, are a part of his work. In factu, "must be" a part of any mythology or fantasy work.

My solution? Combine the two books, handling them as one..! Present Tolkien's Characters in alphabetic order and on full display, showing how and why they're there, seem so real, and how they achieve his purposes.

This will also allow me to commission and incorporate the artwork I wanted to do for the Characters work initially, adding to the combined work's attractiveness.

My, oh my, how slow I've been to figure this out.

The prefatory material will need revision yet again, but the reasons are clear. The Appendices for the book are now obvious and though complex to build, more easily delivered than when using the other methods. The path ahead is plain.

(And, as noted before, I STILL can't wait to get to Lobelia Sackville-Baggins,.!!)

Nice to deal with 'two books grinding at me to get done' between teh covers of just one.

The chess pieces are on the board with objective determined, squares distinctly seen, strategy plotted, maneuvering planned, endgame deduced, and checkmate assured.

On we go... what a profitable night yesterday, and morning this morning..!

To abuse Darth Vader of Star Wars: "Before, I was but the writer. Now, I am the..." oh wait, I'm still but the writer.

I trust all of you continue to move forward as well?

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

My solution? Combine the two books, handling them as one..! Present Tolkien's Characters in alphabetic order and on full display, showing how and why they're there, seem so real, and how they achieve his purposes.

That seems like a great idea. 😲 It's not an immediately obvious solution, so I'm glad you've figured it out.

I trust all of you continue to move forward as well?

Slowly but surely. My fanfiction about Curufin's life will have 11 chapters, and I'm currently writing number 7. This chapter is by far the longest (over 9600 words so far), and will be a significant proportion of the work as a whole, since it covers Curufin's involvement in the Beren & Lúthien story.

 

[WatcherWraith]

My solution? Combine the two books, handling them as one..! Present Tolkien's Characters in alphabetic order and on full display, showing how and why they're there, seem so real, and how they achieve his purposes.

This will also allow me to commission and incorporate the artwork I wanted to do for the Characters work initially, adding to the combined work's attractiveness.

My, oh my, how slow I've been to figure this out.

I feel this ':]
That being said, I'm really glad you found a solution! It sounds like this will add more life to your work :]

I trust all of you continue to move forward as well?

I do as well. I have so many works going on at once, and my head is happily swimming between them. I hope to get some more done today.
Wishing you the best with your labors, Ent!

 

[Ent]

I have so many works going on at once, and my head is happily swimming between them.

And I feel this...!! I can't turn a corner at present, without another poem hitting me in the head...

I do hope I've a good number of years ahead of me yet, to deal with some of this stuff. it's all starting to come together, and is so much fun -
(Who knows, a poem or two may even sneak into my 'combined work' - yet another potential little 'attractive addition' as Tolkien's were to his.)

Some characters are great spots for art. (e.g. Lobelia..!!) others are great spots for a poem. (e.g. Boromir).
But an overabundance of either (or both combined) could well kill the effect.
Balance, balance, balance.

 

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

I trust all of you continue to move forward as well?

I wish. 🥲
These days, the only thing I can do without feeling guilty is drawing, because it doesn't distract me from my studies.

I reallyyyy need to figure out a schedule for myself because I can't go on for 3 months like this...

 

[Ashley]

I've been helping a friend of mine with one of her books for around a year now, and we've made some really good progress recently.

 

[Kiredor]

Well. Color me a dunderhead.
Spawn of Melkor, slave of Sauron, chained to my tunnel vision, just as were they.

Here I sit last night and again this morning, physically and mentally poking away on Chapter 1 of my Middle-earth: It's Moral and Religious Elements work some more, still a bit unscertain and unatisfied with the structure - the best way to present it.

So many characters, so many scenes and events, so much material to draw from to show how Tolkien demonstrated through it all his inclusion of his 'moral and religious elements.'

And yet... I don't want the book to just be another book about Tolkien's "religious issues or worldview" - it's totally not that, coming from a perspective, using a different magnifying glass, altogether.

Should I present choronologically? SIL, TH, then LoTR? Or by "Moral/Religious element" alphabetically, then in book order within each? Or, Element then 'most demonstrative text' regardless of book order? What is the best way to put it together, to be sure it holds some attraction for a reader?

Momentarily, I ponder my total "to do" book list.
And there it is - the key. One of the other books I really want to complete.

Tolkien's Characters: Why He included Them.

The book isn't to be structured around the Elements at all. it's all about how he demonstrates those elements - and he does it through his Characters. Who they are, what they say. What they do. What events they encounter, and how they handle them. They are Tolkien's primary DEMONSTRATION. (though scenes and events play into it as well, but are consistent with Character presentation. )

Tolkien's intent:
1. To read like a 'real, plausible history.'
2. To present real, believable characters so #1 rings true.
3. To deliberately, but not overtly, incorporate the 'moral and religious elements' he declares multiple times and in various ways, are a part of his work. In factu, "must be" a part of any mythology or fantasy work.

My solution? Combine the two books, handling them as one..! Present Tolkien's Characters in alphabetic order and on full display, showing how and why they're there, seem so real, and how they achieve his purposes.

This will also allow me to commission and incorporate the artwork I wanted to do for the Characters work initially, adding to the combined work's attractiveness.

My, oh my, how slow I've been to figure this out.

The prefatory material will need revision yet again, but the reasons are clear. The Appendices for the book are now obvious and though complex to build, more easily delivered than when using the other methods. The path ahead is plain.

(And, as noted before, I STILL can't wait to get to Lobelia Sackville-Baggins,.!!)

Nice to deal with 'two books grinding at me to get done' between teh covers of just one.

The chess pieces are on the board with objective determined, squares distinctly seen, strategy plotted, maneuvering planned, endgame deduced, and checkmate assured.

On we go... what a profitable night yesterday, and morning this morning..!

To abuse Darth Vader of Star Wars: "Before, I was but the writer. Now, I am the..." oh wait, I'm still but the writer.

I trust all of you continue to move forward as well?

Hi Ent - for what it's worth here is my take... If I were tackling this project, I’d lean towards organising by moral and religious themes rather than strictly following a chronological path. Tolkien’s works are so interconnected, especially regarding the ethical and spiritual threads running through them, that focusing on those core elements could offer a deeper, more cohesive analysis.
By organising around themes, you can illustrate how certain values—like hope, sacrifice, free will, and redemption—are embodied differently across The Silmarillion, The Hobbit, and The Lord of the Rings. This allows you to bring out the consistency of Tolkien's worldview across his entire legendarium while giving you the flexibility to jump between texts to support each theme best.
It would also create a more engaging and layered experience for readers, who could follow a journey not just through your writing of Tolkien’s stories, but through his underlying moral vision, showing how it evolved and was nuanced across different narratives.
That said, you could still introduce elements of chronology within each theme, giving readers context on how his ideas developed over time. This might balance the best of both worlds.

As I said, it's just my take on how I would approach something as enormous as the task you have set yourself (TBH - I wouldn't dare, I'm not that clever). Wishing the very best of luck with it. I will continue writing my insecure single fanfic story. All the best!

 

[Ent]

Thank you for your thoughtful input @Kiredor.

It seems to me at this point, the 'choice' before me really is:

1. Do I develop a more "research related" type book if you will, based on the theme of the Elements themselves, and how he delivered them to us - attractive to a certain (type of) audience
or;
2. A possibly more "readable" one to a larger audience, based on the characters, and the scenes and events they're involved in - a bit of a lighter approach, yet still detailed enough, but reaching those whose interest may be more attracted by a "character study" approach than a 'moral/religious element' one.

In case 1, the Table of Contents provides the "list of elements" of course.
.... Appendix A will list all the characters used alphabetically, citing where they are found within each element. Appendix B will cover each Work, listing the characters extracted from within that work, and where each is located.

In case 2, the Table of Contents provides the "Characters".
.... Appendix A will list all the elements alphabetically, citing the characters employed to demonstrate the elements, and where they are located within each character. Appendix B will cite the Works, and the elements extracted from each with their location.

The root question:
Am I going to write a "study and research tool" as cleverly and readably as possible? (Elements)

Or am I going to write an "Introduction to Tolkien's Intents and Methods," for a (probably) broader readership, to help folks see better how Tolkien used his language to do what he did, opening them up to 'looking deeper' into his works..

My concern: given the market is fairly 'glutted' with authors all trying to present Tolkien's 'moral/religious approach to his work' (though in a very different way, applying their own perspectives, assumptions and speculations, rather than letting Tolkien's perspective and actual work do the demonstrating), will the very subject / purpose itself attract a reduced audience.

My tendency most recently is to feel the "Character" approach presents a 'double draw'.

And, as I continue to think about it, I wonder of the "Character" approach, and handling the application to the Elements in a more 'introductory' manner with a bit less extensive amount of 'proof texts' if you will... the Character approach may end up being a "Volume 1" - with a "Volume 2" (or just a 2nd book) going more extensively into an analysis and application of Tolkien's words, phrases, methods, and manner of delivery and demonstration.

'Tis a "sticky wicket."

Here's another thought: My remaining lifespan may be short. If the 'Character' approach sets a beginning, and some aspiring author out there wants to move the work along more deeply, I could pass my thoughts along for their use in completing a more extensive treatment. (Of course, they'll be equipped to handle it all on their own, as well - and I'm just as likely to have some author write a book 'refuting my premise' rather than continue along the same line.)

Sigh..
What a world, what a world.

(There - you've all received far more of my thinking than you needed, or wanted. But I am still MORE THAN OPEN to others sharing their thoughts about my thoughts about my thinking about the things needing to be thunk about here.)

Addition: (and I do hope what I wrote above is at least somewhat understandable. I'm not taking time to edit it I fear... moving on for now. Any questions, feel free to ask.)

 

[Ent]

For the moment, I'll proceed with the above as though I'm doing both works - starting with the "Characters" book. I do feel it may appeal to more readers, and provide a 'feed' into the potentially more research oriented "Elements" work.

You'll recall, given the nature of my works and the extensive quotes necessary, I've had question as to whether I would need publisher and/or estate 'permission' to move forward with and publish them.

Today, through one particular fellow involved in collection of Tolkien's letters (including and beyond the published books) I was provided the contact lanes and means needed to settle the question.

I'll be preparing the presentations as I finalize re-write of the Introductions and a couple chapters as demonstrations for them of the direction the works will be taking.

It will start with the Tolkien Archivist at the Bodleian, who reviews things and presents them to the Estate for consideration - and of course, HarperCollins - and a seeking of some advice from Kent State.

Whoever would have thought the very study and involvement I delayed for over 5 decades, would ultimately become 'my life's work' at the end of days..!

Life is ever full of surprises, circumstances, decisions, and choices.

We'll see where this part of it goes.

"To The Work"

 

[david_wendelken]

From a marketing standpoint, a book that explains "what makes <insert character name> tick?" might sell better than one that has an overt religious theme.
In addition, it fits how Tolkien used religion in the background rather than the foreground.