Bookish Thoughts on Lord of the Rings – All My Rants and Theories

Here’s a compilation of the posts I’ve written about J.R.R. Tolkien‘s works over the years. Do I still agree with every theory I came up with in these posts? Well, feel free to ask me about any of the points below!

Lord of the Rings Posts

Tolkien’s “Take That!” to Shakespeare

Tolkien vs. Shakespeare. I love it when authors react to other authors in their work.

Just Do Something

Trying to apply Gandalf’s advice to Frodo to my own life.

I Read the Appendices

Tolkien is famous for adding a ton of extra background info about his stories an appendix to Lord of the Rings. The true fans read them.

Top 5 Literary Couples

Which couple from Lord of the Rings made my list?

Talking Down to Readers

Is Tolkien’s tone of voice in his stories condescending?

Breaking the 10 Simple Rules for Writing a Novel

Lord of the Rings doesn’t follow every rule for a novel.

Happy Endings vs. Sad Endings

Which do you prefer, and how would you describe the ending of Lord of the Rings?

Do You Need to be Younger than 40 to Write Great Novels?

Guess how old Tolkien was when he wrote Lord of the Rings.

Why Scathing Critiques are More Fun to Read

Tolkien got some harsh criticism! But it can be fun to read.

My Favourite Lord of the Rings Quote

Guess which one it is.

When You Identify With the Antagonist Instead

Which antagonist do I identify with in Lord of the Rings?

The Hobbit Posts

Why The Hobbit Shouldn’t Work as a Children’s Book (But Does)

Why The Hobbit is a bit weird, but it works.

General J.R.R. Tolkien Posts

Prolific Vs. Perfectionist – What is the Best Way to a Lasting Writing Career?

Tolkien is a great example of a perfectionist writer.

Getting It Right the First Time

Tolkien liked to revise and revise and revise…

Of Cellar Doors, and Naming Characters

Tolkien loved words, including the words “cellar door.”

Real-life Romance: The Scholarly Professor and Edith

The story of Tolkien’s romance.

Tolkien’s Take On True Love

More on what Tolkien thought about love.

Diana Wynne Jones, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien – What a Combination!

I love the thought that these writers all met each other.

A Thought from JRR Tolkien – Outside the Prison Walls of Reality

Is fantasy about escape?

Is Rebellion Necessary for True Art?

Is this act of escape, in itself, a rebellion against current realities?

Writing Reality – Or Escaping It

More about why I prefer escapist fiction.