What inspiration do you get from Tolkien? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Aaron · 11-25-2006, 05:19 PM

Question; How do the works of JRR Tolkien inspire you?
Please discuss.

littlemanpoet · 11-25-2006, 08:33 PM

It inspired me to write mythic fantasy.

This is in part because most of the fantasy I read besides Tolkien just is lacking in those qualities I seek. So I try to write them myself. My hope is to succeed in the attempt.

Aaron · 11-26-2006, 06:25 AM

Tolkien inspired me to write too, recently I finished my first novella and it's all because of how riveted I was by the world he created. Everything was so vivid, the memories from that tale I'll carry for the rest of my life because no other book has filled me with the same ammount of emotions.
I mean, I'll never forget the first time I read The Grey Havens or The Breaking of The Fellowship, they really helped me in the persuit of my own creative voice.

Rikae · 11-26-2006, 09:54 AM

Well, I've been painting and drawing Middle Earth for 19 years. I'm still just learning, but maybe someday I'll turn out something worthy. Right now I have four oil paintings in progress, two of which are Middle-Earth inspired (one inspired by Gollum and another by the Grey Havens).

Aaron · 11-26-2006, 10:17 AM

Paintings? Sounds good, y'know I've been thinking of doing some Middle Earth pictures too. Can you send them to the Barrrowdowns so that they get used on the theme pages?

Thinlómien · 11-27-2006, 03:22 AM

Writing, roleplaying and drawing.

Also, Tolkien inspired me to do a "Lord of the Rings" exercise book to one of my friends when I was about 7 years old. I'm very sad I don't have it anymore.

Tolkien, or Tom Bombadil, inspired me to make yellow boots from paper colored with crayons when I was around 6-7.

Furthermore, I got a mad idea, that one day, I will make a LotR movie not leaving a single line out. (Not a real movie, but a home video with my friends...)

Legate of Amon Lanc · 11-27-2006, 06:18 AM

Professor Tolkien's work meant a beautiful fantastic world, an inspiration for creative writing of dozens of novels never finished (the Unfinished Tales - lol), maybe from current point of view the most important for me is inspiration for roleplaying ultimately ending with wonderful Middle-Earth roleplaying setting...

ninja91 · 11-27-2006, 11:08 AM

Not only did it inspire me to write my own fantasy, but it drew me into the whole genre. Now I am into D&D, Forgotten Realms, and before I was not. So it opened up a whole new, great world for me.

Folwren · 11-27-2006, 05:33 PM

I am another writer. I wrote before reading Tolkien, but it was after Tolkien that I began to create my own worlds.

I also draw a lot of hobbits. I have drawn several randitions of the Grey Havens and have completed one painting of it. Not to mention so many other things it inspired me to draw and attempt to paint. . .

It inspired me to sew. I've made a number of cloaks and even sold a few! Without that experience in cloaks, I wouldn't be making dresses and skirts now. Someday, the inspiration directly from LotR will come back and I'll make my little brother (or maybe myself) an entire hobbit costume, vest and all.

It inspired me to read faster than my little sister so I would have first right to the books that we were both reading at the same time.

That was only temporary, though. She speed reads.

And that's all for now.

-- Folwren

Aaron · 11-29-2006, 03:48 PM

On the topic of inspiration gathered from Tolkien one of my scripts is being considered by the BBC, it's a historical epic about Richard III. I'm hoping it gets made!

shieldmaiden4xsword · 11-29-2006, 03:54 PM

well, it has a lot of wisdom in it. I write alot about it....

Aaron · 12-01-2006, 07:33 AM

What? As in essays or creative writing?

Rikae · 12-01-2006, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron

On the topic of inspiration gathered from Tolkien one of my scripts is being considered by the BBC, it's a historical epic about Richard III. I'm hoping it gets made!

Congrats, and good luck!

Aaron · 12-01-2006, 12:43 PM

Thank you very much my friend. I'm really quite psyched up about it, the Battle of Bosworth should be a mighty affair if it is ever put onto celluoid.Not as good as LOTR mind you but still pretty decent

shieldmaiden4xsword · 12-01-2006, 12:46 PM

yes, essays, mostly. And i love the poetry!!! kinda inspired me to write my own.

Aaron · 12-02-2006, 06:12 AM

Me too! Yeah, I won a few poetry competitions back in the day, it's so fulfilling to see that others apreciate your work too.

Holbytlass · 12-02-2006, 06:51 AM

Tolkien's work for me reaffirms the inspired notion that a person of less significance can make a difference. To keep trying in what I feel is right.

I naturally gravitate to more simple/rural living and Tolkien's descriptive writing inspires me to make my home a more pleasing and welcoming place to be.

Like Folwren, I sew a bit more and love to make cloaks, too.

shieldmaiden4xsword · 12-02-2006, 06:29 PM

it makes me aware of the times i live in, that there's always a spiritual battle going on between good and evil.

Lalwendë · 12-03-2006, 09:34 AM

I've done all the usual stuff like writing, drawing Boromir's death scene (I wonder how many of us have done that?), vandalising my school books and coat by adding the emblem of the White Tree to them. I've made a cloak, a shield and a humungous beech staff made of fallen wood from one of my favourite woodlands (I whittled the wood while sitting on the banks of a moorland stream which turns into the magical Derwent downstream, a blessed river to the old Britons round there, apparently).

My next project, if I move house, will be to create a Hobbit garden. I want to have a shed with a fake round door and a green roof (I currently have a seaside garden with pots on the shed roof). I'll have lavender hedges and willow fences, and a fine vegetable patch with a secret bench where I can go for a smoke and a sulk, hidden behind the raspberry canes.

Legate of Amon Lanc · 12-04-2006, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

My next project, if I move house, will be to create a Hobbit garden. I want to have a shed with a fake round door and a green roof (I currently have a seaside garden with pots on the shed roof). I'll have lavender hedges and willow fences, and a fine vegetable patch with a secret bench where I can go for a smoke and a sulk, hidden behind the raspberry canes.

Wow! That's cool! I'll come and visit you

I always wanted to live in Orthanc, or at least replica of Orthanc... but... you know

Lalwendë · 12-04-2006, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

Wow! That's cool! I'll come and visit you

I always wanted to live in Orthanc, or at least replica of Orthanc... but... you know

You sometimes get old water towers and lighthouses for sale in the UK. One of those could make a great little Orthanc if converted!

I think most of my gardening exploits are in some ways inspired by Tolkien as I always start feeling very virtuous and industrious and Hobbitish when I get the shed open and start potting things up. Just the few minutes spent in inspecting the plants on the daily rounds makes you feel like Sam, especially if you're growing edible crops. Though I only managed two tomatoes on my novice growing season this year. It's very pleasant to spend time with growing things who ask for little more than water and good light.

The other slightly odd inspiration I get is when I go out for a walk and end up walking further than I'd intended. I start to get this sense of determination and adventure as if I'm off on my own quest and then get to a point where I actually don't want to stop...just keep on to the next mountain kind of thing (or turn in the path at any rate).

Aaron · 12-04-2006, 04:01 PM

I'm making a maquette at the moment, not too easy.

Boromir_bg · 01-01-2007, 03:50 PM

LotR is one of the greatest sources to never lose hope in yourself.

Liriodendron · 01-01-2007, 08:44 PM

When I think of LoTRs....it inspires me to make things as beautiful as I want, and not be embarrassed....beauty works!

shieldmaiden4xsword · 01-05-2007, 03:44 PM

it makes me think of how someday all the shadows will fade..... and the King will return.

11-25-2006, 05:19 PM	#1
Aaron Haunting Spirit Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: England Posts: 96	What inspiration do you get from Tolkien? Question; How do the works of JRR Tolkien inspire you? Please discuss. __________________ Remember, stranger, passing by: As you are now, so once was I. As I am now, so you shall be. Prepare thyself to follow me.

11-26-2006, 06:25 AM	#3
Aaron Haunting Spirit Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: England Posts: 96	Tolkien inspired me to write too, recently I finished my first novella and it's all because of how riveted I was by the world he created. Everything was so vivid, the memories from that tale I'll carry for the rest of my life because no other book has filled me with the same ammount of emotions. I mean, I'll never forget the first time I read The Grey Havens or The Breaking of The Fellowship, they really helped me in the persuit of my own creative voice. __________________ Remember, stranger, passing by: As you are now, so once was I. As I am now, so you shall be. Prepare thyself to follow me. Last edited by Aaron; 11-26-2006 at 07:13 AM.

11-26-2006, 10:17 AM	#5
Aaron Haunting Spirit Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: England Posts: 96	Paintings? Sounds good, y'know I've been thinking of doing some Middle Earth pictures too. Can you send them to the Barrrowdowns so that they get used on the theme pages? __________________ Remember, stranger, passing by: As you are now, so once was I. As I am now, so you shall be. Prepare thyself to follow me.

11-27-2006, 03:22 AM	#6
Thinlómien Shady She-Penguin Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In a far land beyond the Sea Posts: 8,093	Writing, roleplaying and drawing. Also, Tolkien inspired me to do a "Lord of the Rings" exercise book to one of my friends when I was about 7 years old. I'm very sad I don't have it anymore. Tolkien, or Tom Bombadil, inspired me to make yellow boots from paper colored with crayons when I was around 6-7. Furthermore, I got a mad idea, that one day, I will make a LotR movie not leaving a single line out. (Not a real movie, but a home video with my friends...) __________________ Like the stars chase the sun, over the glowing hill I will conquer Blood is running deep, some things never sleep Double Fenris

11-27-2006, 06:18 AM	#7
Legate of Amon Lanc A Voice That Gainsayeth Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: In that far land beyond the Sea Posts: 7,431	Professor Tolkien's work meant a beautiful fantastic world, an inspiration for creative writing of dozens of novels never finished (the Unfinished Tales - lol), maybe from current point of view the most important for me is inspiration for roleplaying ultimately ending with wonderful Middle-Earth roleplaying setting... __________________ "Should the story say 'he ate bread,' the dramatic producer can only show 'a piece of bread' according to his taste or fancy, but the hearer of the story will think of bread in general and picture it in some form of his own." -On Fairy-Stories

11-25-2006, 08:33 PM	#2
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,066	It inspired me to write mythic fantasy. This is in part because most of the fantasy I read besides Tolkien just is lacking in those qualities I seek. So I try to write them myself. My hope is to succeed in the attempt.

11-26-2006, 09:54 AM	#4
Rikae Mellifluous Maia Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: A glade open to the stars, deep in Nan Elmoth Posts: 3,489	Well, I've been painting and drawing Middle Earth for 19 years. I'm still just learning, but maybe someday I'll turn out something worthy. Right now I have four oil paintings in progress, two of which are Middle-Earth inspired (one inspired by Gollum and another by the Grey Havens).

11-27-2006, 05:33 PM	#9
Folwren Messenger of Hope Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a tiny, insignificant little town in one of the many States. Posts: 5,076	I am another writer. I wrote before reading Tolkien, but it was after Tolkien that I began to create my own worlds. I also draw a lot of hobbits. I have drawn several randitions of the Grey Havens and have completed one painting of it. Not to mention so many other things it inspired me to draw and attempt to paint. . . It inspired me to sew. I've made a number of cloaks and even sold a few! Without that experience in cloaks, I wouldn't be making dresses and skirts now. Someday, the inspiration directly from LotR will come back and I'll make my little brother (or maybe myself) an entire hobbit costume, vest and all. It inspired me to read faster than my little sister so I would have first right to the books that we were both reading at the same time. That was only temporary, though. She speed reads. And that's all for now. -- Folwren __________________ A young man who wishes to remain a sound atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. - C.S. Lewis

11-29-2006, 03:48 PM	#10
Aaron Haunting Spirit Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: England Posts: 96	On the topic of inspiration gathered from Tolkien one of my scripts is being considered by the BBC, it's a historical epic about Richard III. I'm hoping it gets made! __________________ Remember, stranger, passing by: As you are now, so once was I. As I am now, so you shall be. Prepare thyself to follow me.

11-29-2006, 03:54 PM	#11
shieldmaiden4xsword Wight Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: where people stick out their tongues at their youth pastor.... Posts: 183	well, it has a lot of wisdom in it. I write alot about it.... __________________ Sometimes the peril is not in what is around us, what enemies or trials that may come, but what is in our own hearts.

12-01-2006, 07:33 AM	#12
Aaron Haunting Spirit Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: England Posts: 96	What? As in essays or creative writing? __________________ Remember, stranger, passing by: As you are now, so once was I. As I am now, so you shall be. Prepare thyself to follow me.

12-01-2006, 12:43 PM	#14
Aaron Haunting Spirit Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: England Posts: 96	Thank you very much my friend. I'm really quite psyched up about it, the Battle of Bosworth should be a mighty affair if it is ever put onto celluoid.Not as good as LOTR mind you but still pretty decent __________________ Remember, stranger, passing by: As you are now, so once was I. As I am now, so you shall be. Prepare thyself to follow me.

12-01-2006, 12:46 PM	#15
shieldmaiden4xsword Wight Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: where people stick out their tongues at their youth pastor.... Posts: 183	yes, essays, mostly. And i love the poetry!!! kinda inspired me to write my own. __________________ Sometimes the peril is not in what is around us, what enemies or trials that may come, but what is in our own hearts.

12-02-2006, 06:12 AM	#16
Aaron Haunting Spirit Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: England Posts: 96	Me too! Yeah, I won a few poetry competitions back in the day, it's so fulfilling to see that others apreciate your work too. __________________ Remember, stranger, passing by: As you are now, so once was I. As I am now, so you shall be. Prepare thyself to follow me.

12-02-2006, 06:51 AM	#17
Holbytlass Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2003 Location: The Party Tree Posts: 1,042	Tolkien's work for me reaffirms the inspired notion that a person of less significance can make a difference. To keep trying in what I feel is right. I naturally gravitate to more simple/rural living and Tolkien's descriptive writing inspires me to make my home a more pleasing and welcoming place to be. Like Folwren, I sew a bit more and love to make cloaks, too. __________________ Holby is an actual flesh-and-blood person, right? Not, say a sock-puppet of Nilp’s, by any chance? ~Nerwen, WWCIII

12-02-2006, 06:29 PM	#18
shieldmaiden4xsword Wight Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: where people stick out their tongues at their youth pastor.... Posts: 183	it makes me aware of the times i live in, that there's always a spiritual battle going on between good and evil. __________________ Sometimes the peril is not in what is around us, what enemies or trials that may come, but what is in our own hearts.

12-03-2006, 09:34 AM	#19
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	I've done all the usual stuff like writing, drawing Boromir's death scene (I wonder how many of us have done that?), vandalising my school books and coat by adding the emblem of the White Tree to them. I've made a cloak, a shield and a humungous beech staff made of fallen wood from one of my favourite woodlands (I whittled the wood while sitting on the banks of a moorland stream which turns into the magical Derwent downstream, a blessed river to the old Britons round there, apparently). My next project, if I move house, will be to create a Hobbit garden. I want to have a shed with a fake round door and a green roof (I currently have a seaside garden with pots on the shed roof). I'll have lavender hedges and willow fences, and a fine vegetable patch with a secret bench where I can go for a smoke and a sulk, hidden behind the raspberry canes. __________________ Gordon's alive!

12-04-2006, 04:01 PM	#22
Aaron Haunting Spirit Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: England Posts: 96	I'm making a maquette at the moment, not too easy. __________________ Remember, stranger, passing by: As you are now, so once was I. As I am now, so you shall be. Prepare thyself to follow me.

01-01-2007, 03:50 PM	#23
Boromir_bg Pile O'Bones Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 16	LotR is one of the greatest sources to never lose hope in yourself. __________________ The Pride of Gondor!

01-01-2007, 08:44 PM	#24
Liriodendron Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 527	When I think of LoTRs....it inspires me to make things as beautiful as I want, and not be embarrassed....beauty works! __________________ http://www.lizmargason.com

01-05-2007, 03:44 PM	#25
shieldmaiden4xsword Wight Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: where people stick out their tongues at their youth pastor.... Posts: 183	it makes me think of how someday all the shadows will fade..... and the King will return. __________________ Sometimes the peril is not in what is around us, what enemies or trials that may come, but what is in our own hearts.