The Imagination of J.R.R. Tolkien

I went to Borders again last weekend, and I found a book on J.R.R. Tolkien's world building. As though that wasn't enough, my family and I also watched the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy during the Labor Day weekend. All this Lord of the Rings inundation firmly implanted this knowledge inside me: Tolkien is a storytelling master!

J.R.R. Tolkien is my idea of the greatest storyteller. Not only did he create the most glorious and epic tale of heroic deeds and ultimate sacrifice, he was also nit-picky regarding the details of his world. Did you know that there's a chapter in The Two Towers where Samwise Gamgee is cooking his "conies", and Tolkien had to take a break from writing because he had to make sure the moon that was appearing in that chapter was the same as the moon that was appearing in a different chapter but on the same timeline? You've got to admire that kind of dedication.

I love his language, too. I love the way he wrote the Elvish languages of Quenya and Sindarin, and used Old English for his Rohirrim. Even the Nùmenòreans had a language all their own. Don't you just adore that kind of passion, that drives you to really make your world rooted in people's imagination?

I know there are some people that think his kind of language, his style, his dedication to description and culture is over-the-top. Some people get bored with that in-depth grounding. But me, I share a little bit of that passion. You have an actual world, not just a cardboard cutout.

His kind of writing is something I aspire to.

However, along with that kind of inspiring writing, I also want to write like Diana Wynne Jones. You will never meet two very different fantasy writers. He's so epic, and she's so... funny!!

Last, I wanted to let you know that Ruth Schiffman is hosting a giveaway over at her blog, Out on a Limb. Come on down and participate! There are some lovely books being given away. You will have fun joining in on the giveaway. I promise!

God bless.

Dream

I dreamt I stood upon a wave, 

A foaming wave upon the sea,

And all the waters of the world

Lay within the waves before me.

Within the waves I saw the gleams 

Of rainbow colours shining clear.

The gleam of ocean, sea and stream,

Of river, waterfall and mere.

I dreamt I stood upon a star,

A star of fire, white as snow,

And all the lights of all the stars

About me wrapped their blinding glow.

I gazed and saw the stars alight

With matchless light surpassing thought,

All shining scarlet, gold and white,

And flamed with green, and silver-shot.

I dreamt I saw a beaming Face,

The veiled Face of God our Lord.

His Countenance like lightning flashed

As fair and awful as a sword.

And in His Visage I perceived

All the glory of creation,

And in wonder of His loveliness

I bowed and knelt in adoration

Katrina DeLallo, 2010

Six-Sentence Saturday 09/03/2011

Due to hectic schedules and crazy events of last week, I did not do a six-sentence Saturday last Saturday. So, here's my current list:

1.) If you have never heard of Josh Groban or listened to his music, do so now, for not only is he talented and lyrical, he is a comedian, too - I saw him in Concert last week on the 24th of August, and he is just the most amazing singer EVER!

2.) If you have never done the Lord of the Rings Experience (i.e., watching all three movies in three nights) you are missing out on the greatest depiction of storytelling.

3.) I'm re-reading The Hobbit in anticipation of the upcoming movie release, though I'm not quite sure WHEN that release is going to be.

4.) My hair is driving me bonkers today... don't you hate it when you can't get your bangs to curl correctly, and you end up going around with this Pantene-product "fling" to your head in order to get the hair out of your eyes?

5.) I can't believe it's already September - summer, where did you go?!!

6.) Why can't I write like Diana Wynne Jones?

Enjoy! See you next week. God bless.