J.R. R. Tolkien and the Tolkien Society
One of my biggest literary influences comes from J.R. R. Tolkien. I first read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings when I was in about 5th grade. Then again in 7th grade. Twice during high school. Once during college. I found a copy of the Remington poster of the LOTR covers at that time--took it to my college dorm room--and eventually my parents drove it out to Tucson for me to clear out their attic. The poster (although J.R.R.T himself didn't care for Remington's work) has held a special place in my living room ever since. I even have a copy in my office at school!
When I finally had a chance to visit Oxford, where J.R.R. Tolkien taught at Merton College, I was thrilled! As I walked along the canals of the city, I kept thinking, where did Bilbo come to him? And Gollum? And Gandalf? And Frodo and all the rest?
I didn't find any easy answers, but when I found out about the Tolkien Society, I eagerly joined. Better yet, I got to attend Oxonmoot 17, the celebration of Tolkien's work put on by the Tolkien Society in Oxford, England. Not only did I find a warm group of Tolkien fans--ha, I thought I was alone!--but I heard swell talks and stayed up late played Cards Against Humanity (someone had crafted a special Tolkien version). With Joel C's help, I performed a skit I had written, "The Trouble with Creativity." The scene is a fictional depiction of what might have happened if Bilbo had gotten on Tolkien's case about his work habits!
In August 2019 I had the chance to attend the big international Tolkien Society event in Birmingham, UK. It was terrific! I heard scholars including Tom Shippey and Wayne Hammond and saw the artwork of Ted Nasmith and Alan Lee (designer for the Peter Jackson movies). But the conference was pure fun as well. On open mic night, I sang a song, "The Biggest Little Fan." You can hear it here!
One of my biggest literary influences comes from J.R. R. Tolkien. I first read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings when I was in about 5th grade. Then again in 7th grade. Twice during high school. Once during college. I found a copy of the Remington poster of the LOTR covers at that time--took it to my college dorm room--and eventually my parents drove it out to Tucson for me to clear out their attic. The poster (although J.R.R.T himself didn't care for Remington's work) has held a special place in my living room ever since. I even have a copy in my office at school!
When I finally had a chance to visit Oxford, where J.R.R. Tolkien taught at Merton College, I was thrilled! As I walked along the canals of the city, I kept thinking, where did Bilbo come to him? And Gollum? And Gandalf? And Frodo and all the rest?
I didn't find any easy answers, but when I found out about the Tolkien Society, I eagerly joined. Better yet, I got to attend Oxonmoot 17, the celebration of Tolkien's work put on by the Tolkien Society in Oxford, England. Not only did I find a warm group of Tolkien fans--ha, I thought I was alone!--but I heard swell talks and stayed up late played Cards Against Humanity (someone had crafted a special Tolkien version). With Joel C's help, I performed a skit I had written, "The Trouble with Creativity." The scene is a fictional depiction of what might have happened if Bilbo had gotten on Tolkien's case about his work habits!
In August 2019 I had the chance to attend the big international Tolkien Society event in Birmingham, UK. It was terrific! I heard scholars including Tom Shippey and Wayne Hammond and saw the artwork of Ted Nasmith and Alan Lee (designer for the Peter Jackson movies). But the conference was pure fun as well. On open mic night, I sang a song, "The Biggest Little Fan." You can hear it here!
But better yet, Mike Percival asked me to recreate "The Trouble with Creativity" for this larger audience. I was delighted to do so! But due to an audio glitch, I didn't get a good recording. Instead you can hear a recording below made with the help of my colleague Alan Kohler a week after the event, after I had returned to work in Tucson, Arizona.
So I might be back at the University of Arizona getting ready to teach first-year composition, but there is a good reason behind my choice to ask the students to trace the hero's journey in one of their essays!
So I might be back at the University of Arizona getting ready to teach first-year composition, but there is a good reason behind my choice to ask the students to trace the hero's journey in one of their essays!