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FEATURED ASSOCIATE
FIRST FEATURED: 07/11/06
ASSOCIATE SINCE: 2005
FOUNDER: David Pence
URL: www.thetolkienforum.com
FOUNDED IN: August 2001
MAIN INTERESTS: Tolkien discussion, RPG, general chat
The Tolkien Forum, as you might expect, is a gathering place on the internet for fans of the classic fantasy author and his books. But with nearly thirty forums for discussion of Tolkien's books, the movies, the world of Middle Earth, for RPG and for general discussion, The Tolkien Forum is a large and lively community. "If you are a fan of Tolkien's writings, you will find many intelligent and insightful brains to pick or toss a new idea at," says long-time member, YayGollum. "We have pretty much everything that you could want, plenty that you probably have never even thought of, and the open minds to make more for you, if you don't already see it."
Senior member HLGStrider describes the most popular offerings at The Tolkien Forum: "We are mainly a 'Tolkien' forum but we allow off topic discussions on just about any topic. Off topics are encouraged only in the specified bits, and while anything goes in 'Stuff and Bother', the main attractions seem to be the Green Dragon (where you can discuss literature and entertainment) and the Prancing Pony which is set aside for our members' own literary endeavors." HLGStrider also shared some candid thoughts about the fact that non-Tolkien discussions did not always find support from all the members: There has always been a little controversy about whether, as a Tolkien forum, we should 'encourage' non-Tolkien discussion at all, but I have always felt that if we are part of a 'community,' which is what I like to think this is, these discussions are going to spring up as our members form friendships and explore like interests and it is in the best interest of the forums to provide a place for these discussions."
Indeed, the value of the sense of community at The Tolkien Forum was echoed by more than one member. Active member, e.Blackstar explains why this online community is so appealing: "I like it more than some other forums I've frequented because it always seems more friendly. So many other sites tend to go 'clique-y' after awhile, and while everyone here has their own group of friends, I'd like to think that we're quite welcoming." YayGollum characterizes the variety of member personalities within this community as, "fiercely intelligent and full of appreciation for the things that merit some, creative in very many ways, which is a pretty ideal sort to hope for, honest, loyal, stubborn, helpful, way too generous, youthfully eager when new people arrive, hoping that they are the sort to stimulate the discussions even more, and very friendly, of course."
Member Noldor_returned has the following advice for new members: "If someone I know is thinking of joining, or a new member joins, I give a few helpful hints to make the start easier, such as follow the rules, participate actively and stick around if you reply to a thread or start one." It's the dedicated membership of The Tolkien Forum that make it a consistently rewarding place to visit.
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For more information on how to become an associate of ARWZ Magazine, please visit our Associates Page. Also please check out the profiles of our other Featured Associates.
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Oh, dear, ARWZ has gone quiet...
06/06/2011
Author: Violanthe
Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 12:21 pm
Hi Nik... yes unfortunately the forums haven't been getting much attention lately. I also haven't been reading/watching much SFF lately and so the reviews aren't coming very fast either. Thanks for keeping tabs on us and... read more
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How happy is your ending?
12/28/2010
Author: Nik
Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 7:25 pm
I prefer upbeat endings providing they're the logical conclusion of the story's arc, not a 'deux ex machina' or equivalent , eg a 'with a leap, he was free'...
It's the little things, sometimes: Saving the galaxy is hard to keep... read more
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Story Cross-Pollination
09/07/2010
Author: mephisto
Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 12:27 pm
It depends how fgar into a story I am; the further in, the less I will be inclined to work on something else. If I am headed for the final climax, I won't want to work on or start anything else until I am done.
Mainly I... read more
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Structure
09/07/2010
Author: mephisto
Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 12:23 pm
Hmm ... I hadn't heard that about the events of a chapter making the events of the following chapter possible, but that is essentially how I operate. Let's see, I haveto admit that when I first start I don't have much... read more
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Character Development, on the page or off?
09/07/2010
Author: mephisto
Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 12:11 pm
It varies with how centrally the character's role is to the story. For important characters, I usually start out with a general concept of the type of person the character is. Sort of like archetypes; not in the sense of role... read more
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Talent or Practice?
09/07/2010
Author: mephisto
Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 11:32 am
That question is raised on just about any subject. In my leadership classes, the question is often posed as to whether leadership is an inborn trait or learned. My answer here is the same as my answer there. evryone has... read more
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Start with dialog?
09/07/2010
Author: mephisto
Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 11:01 am
Hi Vio,
You were always good at coming up with great questions.
In reference to Queen's "con" (or is it Qota for short?) the writing really shouldn't have anything that doesn't forward the story line. (And before you... read more
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Buy the Cover? (7/15)
07/15/2010
Author: Violanthe
Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 12:55 pm
Look at the following cover. Imagine that you have only the cover and the information it provides (including images, title and author name) to decide whether to buy this (or any) book.
Would you buy this book having looked... read more
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Favorite Setting
07/07/2010
Author: SKS
Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 3:09 pm
Do you prefer stories that take place... in a city? In a rural area? On a beach? In a small town? In a foreign country? etc. etc? read more
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Buy the Cover? (7/6)
07/06/2010
Author: Violanthe
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 4:01 pm
Look at the following cover. Imagine that you have only the cover and the information it provides (including images, title and author name) to decide whether to buy this (or any) book.
Would you buy this book having looked... read more
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The Price you Pay
06/23/2010
Author: Violanthe
Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 4:20 pm
How much is too much for a book or DVD? How much will you pay for your favorite author or show? read more
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Buy the Cover? (6/23)
06/23/2010
Author: Violanthe
Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 4:17 pm
Look at the following cover. Imagine that you have only the cover and the information it provides (including images, title and author name) to decide whether to buy this (or any) book.
Would you buy this book having looked... read more
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Do you go to your library?
06/22/2010
Author: SKS
Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 4:26 pm
Do you use your local library? How often? read more
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Buy the Cover? (6/22)
06/22/2010
Author: Violanthe
Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 4:23 pm
Look at the following cover. Imagine that you have only the cover and the information it provides (including images, title and author name) to decide whether to buy this (or any) book.
Would you buy this book having looked... read more
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Didn't sit well
06/17/2010
Author: Violanthe
Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 3:29 pm
Have you read or watched anything lately that just didn't sit well with you? Something that bothered you or kept you thinking? read more
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