Writing Prompt - Modeling JRR Tolkien

Last week I did a writing activity based on a recommendation from the book So, You Want to Be A Writer by Vicki Hambleton and Cathleen Greenwood (the review is on its way!).  The suggestion/prompt was to "Use an Author as a Model" (p.67). It's pretty simple: "Try looking at the first few paragraphs of a favorite book. Choose three sentences and copy them, substituting new names and mostly new verbs, nouns, adjectives, and adverbs. Keep the basic sentence structure the same."

Last week I used J.K. Rowling as my model, using Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone as my jumping off point. This week I'm looking to the father of fantasy, JRR Tolkien using The Hobbit. Here are the first three sentences:

In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet, a dry bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.

It had a perfectly round door like a porthole, painted green, with a shiny yellow brass knob in the exact middle.

Below is my new version with all my changes in italics:

On a farm in the SouthEast there lived a boy. Not a two-legged, normal preteen boy, filled with the thoughts of video games and icky girls, nor yet, a weak crippled, broken boy with nothing in him to build up upon or dream of: he was a confident boy, and that equals strength.

He had an intensely piercing gaze, blue eyes, behind a long focused sniper scope in his steady arms.

Well... that turned dark, didn't it? What the heck is wrong with me? Anyway, let's just say he's going out hunting for food... that will make this boy less scary!

What do you think of this week's transformation?

Have you tried this prompt yet? If so, share your writing in the comments section? 

Book Love Heads Back to Middle Earth

LIKE The Carpe Diem's FB Page!

When One Book Just Isn't Enough
 
In last week's book love post we were introduced to Eric Storch, who first read The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien in the second grade and with it found his first ever book love. Chris, from The Carpe Diem blog had a similar experience, he says, "Like Eric, I was introduced to The Hobbit at a relatively young age, I think it was the fourth grade," (after both of these stories, I'm thinking my parents somehow failed me - I didn't read The Hobbit until I was in my twenties!), however, Chris was not completely enamored with this one book, "While I definitely enjoyed it, I can't say it was my first book love. It was a good story, but it left me wanting more." Well, young Chris was a smart cookie who set off to the school library on his quest for more, "In the fifth grade I turned to the Lord of the Rings and was immediately entranced."

What Is It About Middle Earth? 
 
If you have not yet taken the literary journey to Middle Earth like Chris has, Eric has or I have, you may wonder what all the fuss is about. Perhaps you are thinking, "I saw the movies. They were cool, there was action, drama and the book fans love it - there's no need for me to read the book. I have experienced this." I will ask you to reconsider. I will ask you to just think about some of these thoughts Chris shared about Middle Earth, The Lord of the Rings and the reading experience as a whole:

When I asked Chris what first drew him into his first book love, in general, as a book, he said

It was definitely the sense of being transported to a whole new world, and a complete world at that. No matter how deeply you wanted to delve into the lore and history that Tolkien  created, it was all so consistent and complete. I absolutely loved it, I was so into it. I think at that age I knew the history of Middle Earth better than the history of the real world.

When I asked Chris about his first impressions of Middle Earth, he said

I loved the completeness of it all. I loved the geography. I used to imagine what the landscapes in the maps [from Middle Earth atlases] would look like - the wilderness of Eriador, the soaring peaks of the Misty Mountains, the barren, poisonous environment of Mordor, the majestic and mighty River Anduin.

When I asked Chris if it was difficult to fall in book love again after reading The Lord of the Rings, he said

Definitely. I still read widely, but nothing was able to capture the scope and grandeur of Tolkien.

And when I asked Chris if he recommended The Lord of the Rings to others to read, he honestly replied

Again, definitely, but I think you really have to be interested in books with depth. It's not a casual read!

So there you have it. The secret to the joy of Tolkien's tale - it is not a casual read, but it is complete, grandiose and captivating. If you think you're up to it, pick up the book, you may not be able to put it down, for awhile (Chris begrudgingly confessed to reading LotR 32 times!).

Does Tolkien Approve of Peter Jackson?


For those who read the book and experienced Middle Earth as Tolkien intended it before Peter Jackson transformed New Zealand into Middle Earth and put that tale on the screen, the idea of capturing this  epic fantasy on film seemed a ridiculous pipe dream. Yet Chris, like many fans, gives Peter Jackson due credit for taking on the behemoth,"The standard was impossibly high. Getting it wrong would have destroyed a filmmaker's career. Yet Jackson managed it superbly. For the most part he was entirely faithful to the story. New Zealand was a perfect setting - the geography worked as Middle Earth... The casting was also really well done." But Chris has one sticking point, "The only part that irked me, somewhat, was Faramir's attempt to take Frodo and Sam back to Gondor... that wasn't in the book. But overall... Peter Jackson deserves every accolade he received."

In line with this reflection on the film, Chris raises an interesting question when I asked him what one thing he would ask Tolkien if he could, "I'd have to say - what does he think of Peter Jackson's representation of Middle Earth? ...I'd be fascinated to know if Peter Jackson's interpretation of Middle Earth was consistent with how Tolkien saw his world in his own mind." I was surprised I hadn't thought of this myself. This is usually the number one question I want to ask authors once their story has hit the screen.

Tolkien's (and Chris's) Greatest Lesson


While we may be unable to get Tolkien's answer to Chris's great question, that does not mean he is done sharing with us. Chris points out a fantastic life lesson to be garnered from Lord of the Rings that has little to do with fantasy, other worlds or fiction. It is, in fact, about how we should approach our life, "I think it really showed me that if you are passionate about something, there is no limit to what you can create. Tolkien clearly loved what he did, I think his life work is a great example to people that you can only be limited by your own imagination. Tolkien created whole languages just for the pure joy of it. If that's not loving life I don't know what is. So I'd say the primary lesson is: follow your passions and don't accept boundaries on what you can do and achieve."

(Just wondering... did I mention that the name of Chris's blog is The Carpe Diem?) 

Finding Love After Middle Earth

Although Chris said it was difficult to find book love after reading Lord of the Rings, it wasn't impossible. He found other authors that captured his interests such as

• Melanie Rawn's Dragon Prince series and Exile series
• The space opera of Alastair Reynolds
• Stephen King for his mastery of characterizations 

How To Connect With Chris (aka Buzz)

Here are some great ways to connect with Chris to see what he's up to right now:

• My blog is called the Carpe Diem ... site is www.thecarpediem.net  Having been through a marriage separation recently I'm in the process of some significant personal development and growth.  The blog is my chronicle of my journey and also a resource for people wanting to seize the day and learning to live in the present.  The site motto is "Because Life is Not a Dress Rehearsal".  I'm having a lot of fun with it but don't have many subscribers yet! 
• Twitter: @the_carpediem
•  FB Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Carpe-Diem/124943070952161 
• Reddit:  I edit a subreddit - unsurprisingly called Carpediem !

Click here if you are interested in participating in the First Book Loves Project.

The Two Towers (The Lord of the Rings Part Two) by J.R.R. Tolkien

The following post is taken directly from one of my hand-printed Reader's Journal. I will be sharing these reflections each week on the Rivera Runs Through It blog. The date at the end of each post is the date of the original writing, which is typically the date I completed the book. The reflections are short, but represent my initial reactions to a book, a brief summary of the book or the questions it raised for me at the time. I hope you enjoy this segment in my blog and feel free to comment on what you read here.

The Two Towers (The Lord of the Rings Part Two) by J.R.R. Tolkien

 

Once again I am left, on the edge of my seat, anxiously awaiting the continuation of the story. It was an excellent story, however the tale has not yet come to an end... The first Lord of the Rings movie comes out next week - I hope they remain true to the book!

Dated: 12/11/01

In your opinion, what was the best book to movie adaptation you have ever seen?

What do you think made it so successful?

The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings Part One) by J.R.R. Tolkien

The following post is taken directly from one of my hand-printed Reader's Journal. I will be sharing these reflections each week on the Rivera Runs Through It blog. The date at the end of each post is the date of the original writing, which is typically the date I completed the book. The reflections are short, but represent my initial reactions to a book, a brief summary of the book or the questions it raised for me at the time. I hope you enjoy this segment in my blog and feel free to comment on what you read here.

The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings Part One) by J.R.R. Tolkien

It was so wonderful to revisit Middle-Earth and all of its fantastic occupants. I find it amazing that Tolkien makes every facet of his world come to life. It is very easy to see how this trilogy has become a classic. I can't wait to continue the story to see how Frodo Baggins and the rest of the Company of the Ring complete their heroic mission! And, once again, I will be crossing my fingers since the movie (first of three) comes out this Christmas! 

Dated: 08/19/01

Are you a Tolkien fan?

What is your favorite Tolkien piece?

What is your opinion of the Lord of the Rings movies by Peter Jackson?