How Tolkien Influences My Writing

I do believe that stories you read in your childhood can influence what we enjoy reading later in life. And if you are a writer, it would make sense that this would also shape your writing to some degree. While I have not read any Tolkien, I used to love all the classical fairy tales. Our two children, ages 4 & 6, are now enjoying those same old classics :)

Thanks for this article, I agree with everything you said! I was given a 25th anniversary edition of the Hobbit and the LOTR trilogy, four really nice hardbacks, as an 18th birthday gift from my parents. I didn't actually read them back then. It wasn't until seeing the Peter Jackson movies that I got around to reading them. 

 I've since read quite alot from other authors but find Tolkien's style the most satisfying of all. I am also lucky enough to live in a part of England that is very shire-like! My son has inherited my love of Tolkien's writing and the books and films are a constant source of shared moments, from talking about favorite scenes and characters to finding countless opportunities to use quotes from the movies in everyday life! (making a nice lunch is perfect for 'we've had nuttin but maggoty bread fer free stinkin days!) 

Ok..ok ..that does seem a little nerdy and weird. But yep, safe to say that we are huge fans and hope that our own writing can encapsulate the great qualities you highlighted Terri, without us being pale clone-writers.

I'm pretty new to the whole fantasy genre. I was turned on to it by my boyfriend. Maybe you can give me some advice? Tolkien, to me, is very hard to read. Is there any kind of advanced summary or companion reference book I can read along with Tolkien's works to better understand what's happening as I advance from chapter to chapter? 

Tolkien has been an influence on a lot of writers. Do you have some of your work published anywhere? Oddly for a girl like me on  a fantasy site, one of my bigger influences was Stephen King. Like Tolkien, he is a master at 'rich settings.' I love how he can give an entire historical background of the town his stories happen in without ever really interrupting the fabric and flow of the story.

It’s amazing how Tolkien’s timeless fantasy works have led to father the fantasy genres even till this day. I love how you can easily adapt his techniques into modern writing, even in academic narrative essays during my school days!

John Tolkien's son has finally done an interview, after 40 years of silence ... (very long post, but bloody gripping!)

http://www.worldcrunch.com/culture-society/my-father-039-s-quot-eviscerated-quot-work-son-of-hobbit-scribe-j.r.r.-tolkien-finally-speaks-out/hobbit-silmarillion-lord-of-rings/c3s10299/#.UOyOKeRyGqK

Tolkien’s writing style inspired me to start my own fantasy series, particularly after I embarked on LOtRs. I was really glad when Christopher continued his Dad’s unfinished works, and maintained the life in the fantasy genre. I think the best lesson that I could take away from Tolkien is the ability to create memorable journeys that capture the hearts of my readers. Well, I hope to master this art of writing as I continue on my series.

My favorite feature of Tolkien’s works is the way he handles the atmospheric settings in his stories. Extremely vivid, yet not too complicated, allowing the perfect amount of room for his readers’ imaginations to blend in. I’ve never encountered any other author’s writings which are just as flawless as his masterpiece. Definitely a true work of honor.

I probably wouldn't be writing today if I hadn't read LotR, but since I'm so ancient, I didn't read Tolkien until I was 29!  I always made up imaginary worlds as a child, but I just thought after you grew up, you quit doing that sort of childish stuff.  Then I discovered that this marvelously erudite linguistic scholar did it his whole life, and I was hooked!  Nowadays I write more science-fictiony stuff, but it was Tolkien that got me started. 

Tolkien was a big influence on me, however I haven't read the books since middle school.  I'm 24.  Since Tolkien I've read Terry Brooks, Joe Abercrombie,  "some" Robert Jordan.  None of them are as good as Tolkien but I will be one of the few who defends Terry Brooks.  

Uh, this post has put the smell of Middle-Earth back into my nose.  The sounds of wargs and goblins in my ears.  I do believe I will have to read them again.  Thanks for the post.  I love reading about what influences others.

It makes me sad... I'm using a losely based form of his Sindarin Elvish language for the Elven race in my book... I'm learning from the Grey Company. I fear this will stop me from publishing it... is this a rational fear...?

If you've ever written a fantasy where you've created another language, used elves, dwarves, goblins, sorcerer's, a company of individual's, objects of significance, and oh yea...pointy hats, then you've been influenced by Tolkien. I certainly have...since I was eight years old.

try not to copy, be tru to yourselves play up to his writings by all means but he is the true master of wizardry,

A little, yes. My book is good old typical fantasy, with elves, dwarves and the like, but I think my writing style is more basic than Tolkien's. I'd never presume to be at his standard. Like Shawn though, I long to write an epic tale. Thanks to self-publishing, I can be less restricted about the size of my first book. Good thing, I'd never fit my whole story into 80-100'000 words. ;-)

Yes, Tolkien has influenced my writing. He set the standard for elves, dwarves, even wizards. I know I need to start of small but there is that part of me that wants to write the epic age spanning tale. Which I am working on ;)

Thanks so much for having me here today!