Essay Winners and all essays posted

[Grond]

I am pleased to announce that the essay winners are as follows:

1st - Gate7ole
2nd - Mithlond
3rd - Eledhwen

I am also posting each essay beginning with the three winners and then the other five are in no specific order.

I need each of the winners to PM me their home address so that I may mail your winning book to you.

[Grond]

Why I Love Tolkien by gate7ole

Trying to recall my first experiences with Tolkien’s work, strong emotions are mixed with my memory and the returned images have little historical accuracy. The only sure is that this fateful day when I was introduced in Middle-Earth changed my whole perspective of the world.

It was due to a friend’s advice that I first caught a Tolkien book in my hands. To be honest I was never a great book lover. But Tolkien is not just about reading him. It’s about living him. Making my first steps in Hobbit and the trilogy of the LOTR, I got involved in an enchanting world, where drakes, elves and dwarves ruled. I was devouring the pages and was progressively transferring to Middle Earth. But the huge impact came with the reading of Silmarillion. Never before had I been so attached with invented characters. Suddenly, I was more interested in Gondolin’s future and Earendil’s voyages than the news of my city. The sadly brief time that took me to read this magnificent mythology couldn’t saturate my wild imagination that repeatedly invented new stories, battles and characters. Since then, ME and its history have become an obsession and the continuous search for books, sites and references to it is an everyday activity.

So, why has Middle-Earth and its history haunted our minds? It certainly owes much to Tolkien’s unique use of language to describe places, characters and events. But the greatest power of his work lies elsewhere. He has offered us a mythology, a complete account of events and tales of a world in which we would be proud to live. And this mythology is covered with many great ideals, great deeds that exemplify our eager minds, give us some life lessons and show that a better place to live can exist.

Someone might argue that it is after all a bunch of tales and cannot offer the same completeness as the real history of the world. To this I profoundly disagree. The “history” given in Silmarillion contains all the aspects of human behavior. Allegorically every race can be replaced by a category of humans, so that the events described can be transferred in our world. Furthermore, I wish that Silmarillion were OUR history and not fiction. I would prefer to read about a nearly perfect race (Elves) with their faults and their moments of great valor, about a race of men filled with contradictions, about gods that intervene and aid their children, about wars of heroism against the thralldom or wars of pride. I would like to have my “War of Wrath” where our creator would help in the battle against evil. Finally I would prefer a world that is leading to a hopeful future. Instead of this, I read a history of wars by fool dictators and arrogant leaders, betrayals and cowardice in the place of heroism, a fading of human civilization. My choice is to abandon this history and adopt another one, which while not being perfect is at least optimistic.

The books of Tolkien do not excel only at the historical dignity. They provide, as already mentioned, a great variance of life lessons. The Fellowship of the Ring shows the greatest of them, the binding of a company with friendship against the common enemy. Sam is a great humanist because he manages to defy the ring’s calling and stay loyal to his master and friend. There is also the message that the size and physical abilities don’t restrain anyone from doing great deeds, only the lack of courage and persistence. Hope is another emotion highly esteemed in LOTR. People should never lose it as there lays the success of any effort. In Lotr (as in Hobbit too), we watch the coming of age of a naïve and timid person into a mature leader. At the Scouring of Shire, Pippin and Merry have become “men”. This is their reward after passing through all those perils. Then the adventurous spirit hidden in my heart joyed and I wanted to travel far away with my saddlebag only, go through woods and bare lands. As Bilbo said to Gandalf, “I want to leave, I want to see mountains again”. These days that the urban climate suffocates us, it is a way to travel into our minds away, far from the responsibilities and the anxieties of modern life, travel to Erebor and kill dragons. And this is the last message of Tolkien’s scripts, the great ecological sense of responsibility towards the nature. It is not odd that technology is absent in Middle-Earth. Besides who needs it when there’s magic.

This essay may have been a little sentimental, but there is no way that these emotions can be constrained. To all us Tolkien fans, Middle Earth is not a fiction, it’s a world somewhere out there, where elves sing unconcernedly, men built towers, dwarves mine and hobbits eat six meals a day.

[Gothmog]

My congratulations to the very worthy winners of the competition and to all the entrants for the work in the writing of the essays.

Well done all.

[Grond]

Why I love Tolkien by Mithlond

JRR Tolkien.
Philologist. Professor. Master story teller.
Little did I know that a man who wrote a book over 50 years ago could change the way I looked at life.

Before reading Tolkien's works, i was a very different person. Then one day in ’97 a good of friend of mine introduced me to a book called The Lord of the Rings written by a man named JRR Tolkien.

I was changed.

Never before had I been so drawn into a fantasy world so beautiful. So captivating. So real. I had read many fantasy books before but none had drawn me in as much as this book had, I found myself reading chapter after chapter until I had finished the first book in two days, which was an incredible feat for me as I could usually only read a chapter or two a day of any book before getting tired of reading.

Upon finishing the three books, I realised that Tolkien had opened my eyes to a great many things, most of all he taught me to enjoy the simpler things in life. The beauty of the country side, fresh air and going on adventures, very different to the modern life of staying in doors and watching the Television, playing computer games etc.

He teaches us to preserve the past, or else it will be lost forever. And that friendship and fellowship play a vital role in all of our lives, we need our friends to help us through troubled times, to help us progress in the wide world, to live on, and let our memories live on.

After having read The Lord of the Rings, i quickly picked up The Hobbit, The Silmarillion and The Unfinished Tales, reading them many times over. I later went on to buy the Letters of JRR Tolkien and then the more complex twelve volume History of Middle-earth, which I am still currently reading through.

I continue to read the works of Tolkien now to better understand the world he created, learning about everything I can from within Middle-earth, Numenor and Valinor. Of the histories of the elves, dwarves and men. Of the great events that transpired during the first, second and third ages of the world. So much knowledge to be gained, all which came from the mind of one great man.

JRR Tolkien has been such an inspirational person in my life. He triggered my love for writing my own stories of fantastical lands and characters. He rekindled my love for drawing and painting, especially places from Middle-earth, places I had conjured up in my mind like Rivendell, Lothlorien and the Shire. All these things that I love, and I owe it all to Tolkien. There was, is or will be no other person on this earth that could inspire me as much as he has. There is no much I have to thank him for.

Thank you ever so much, Professor Tolkien.

[Grond]

WHY I LOVE TOLKIEN by Eledhwen

I was first bought a copy of Lord of the Rings when I was about twelve years old. I looked inside and never read it. I can;t remember why not, maybe I started to read the preface, all about the printing problems with each edition; I don’t know.

A series of life incidents convinced me between the ages of 15 and 27 that there was no God. I then became convinced that there was indeed a God, and I gave my life over to him. The Christian and Autobiographical writings of CS Lewis introduced me to Tolkien the person, but still I had only read about his writings. I had read the whole Bible at least four times before I read any of Tolkien’s work.

This happened when Peter Jackson’s film was first mentioned in the press. I knew the order of Tolkien’s works, and decided to read The Hobbit before watching Fellowship of the Ring. The characters in The Hobbit were well defined for a children’s book; as I read it, I was imagining what JRRT might have changed if he had written for adults. This affected me to the extent that I have written an adult screenplay for The Hobbit, just for me to read!

For someone who hadn;t read the Lord of the Rings, the film was captivating; I could appreciate it without criticising its inaccuracy. It also moved me because of the great love the fellowship had for one another, especially Sam and Frodo. I couldn’t wait for the next film, so I bought the 3-book paperback edition and read it in a week.

If the film had moved me, the books filled my vision. I closed it with a sense of something lost; a world which has changed so much that there is nothing beloved to hold on to. I saw a painting of a place called Blists Hill in the Black Country, made during the Industrial Revolution. It looked much like Saruman’s spoiled Isengard. That time was the end of the World of Tolkien and the beginning of the World of Today.

Also, I cannot divorce Tolkien’s writings from my Christian walk. Tolkien’s faith is woven into his work like colours into tartan cloth, in spite of his deliberately removing all religious references from LotR. I got to thinking: do I know anyone who would go with me where Sam went with Frodo? I didn’t like the answer. Where is the great unconditional love that Tolkien’s work describes? Yes, it’s in Jesus, but is it in His church? I’m setting the rest of my life to find it and to learn how to express it.

The rich history Tolkien created for Middle Earth in The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales give a reality to the stories that you can almost walk into. If anything, Tolkien’s work has spoiled all the rest for me, because no other author has created such a rich platform as this for their flagship work.

Another effect of my encounter with Tolkien’s works is that I spend far too much time on The Tolkien Forum. I’m sure my latest written work would have been finished much sooner but for the Forum. I can’t discuss this work with any of my face-to-face associates, as they just don’t understand my enthusiasm.

[Grond]

Why I love Tolkien & how his writings have changed my life?

( … or the thoughts of a grown-up child… )

The mind of a child, they say, is like an open book where all the pages are blank and a skillful master of the human soul can easily fill in those “pages”, for the “ink” lays swiftly and the “reader” is ever hungry for more …
For this is the BOOK of LIFE itself !

A child grows up learning the lessons of life with awe and trust in every word written on these “pages”. Knowledge comes first through tales and ancient legends about valiant knights who fight fierce dragons and monsters to save kingdoms and beautiful princesses from the forces of the “DARK”; stories about brave men and women who bring justice and peace to lands devastated by ruthless servants of the EVIL; stories about great friendships, loyalty and courage, teaching us from our earliest years what is “right” and what is “wrong”; stories about journeys to far-away lands – blissful realms of creatures of the “light” or dark and wasted lands where “horror” dwells…
These stories we call the lore of a nation, and for the peoples in the different parts of the world they vary because of different national traditions, customs, languages and specific ways of life.

Yet, there are a few who teach us the lessons of life, irrespectively of any national bonds. They reveal the truths about the world we share and they do it with great wisdom, patience and love and one can not but wholeheartedly believe them and learn from them. They create a UNIVERSAL lore, which stands out of national borders, out of narrow personal views and believes, OUT OF TIME!

For they are the GRAND MASTERS!

J.R.R.Tolkien is one of these Grand Masters! His works are written on the pages of The Book of Life – the book where every turned page teaches a new truth and grants wisdom and peace for the soul, and understanding and love for the others; the book that takes the spirit high when it has been crushed under the heavy burdens of the everyday life’s battle.
One reads about Tolkien’s fairy world and starts living in it. Lost faith in good returns with new strength, disappointment from betrayed friendships vanishes, disbelief in the power of love and loyalty revives… For the soul is filled with the magical tune of the Music of the Ainur and one feels proud to be the Child of Illuvatar, and our world becomes a better place, and we get to love again, and a new force within is born, and one opens his mind and feels new strength to go on creating, loving, forgiving…… LIVING!

There is a song that says:
The Road goes ever on and on;
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say…..

…..And there comes a day, when a grown-up child, like me, looks back at the roads passed
and sees wisdom achieved.
And then he looks at the roads that lay ahead
and he believes that wherever a new road leads him, he will only learn and never lose,

as long as he has the

BOOK OF LIFE

with him…

[Grond]

Confusticated desires not to have her essay published so I have deleted it.

[Grond]

Why I Love Tolkien by Nenya Evenstar

How did it all start? How did my wonderful love for Tolkien’s works begin? It all started when I was very young, when I would sit next to my Dad as he read The Hobbit to himself and look at the only picture in the book: the cover. I remember being very intrigued by the yellow cover with a picture of a huge eagle and (as I termed it) “all the little people”. This was my beginning and introduction to the best and most enriching books that I have ever read. I can remember how excited I was to finally pick up The Hobbit and read it, and then to continue on in my new acquaintance with hobbits, wizards, elves, and dwarves by reading The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

I then proceeded to read The Silmarillion through, but ended my delvings of Middle Earth with that book after only reading it twice as it did not interest me like the others. However, I loved the other books and kept reading them over and over again until the covers were torn in half and taped up with packaging tape, the pages were falling out, and the books wouldn’t fit into their case. I would read through the books, take a break for a while, and then pick them up again after reading other literature, but I would always come back and proclaim that they were the best books ever written. For me then it was just the best story I had ever read and nothing more.

When I learned that a live action film was being made of The Lord of the Rings, I was quite excited. I can remember being a little disappointed the first time I saw the movie. But, being a Tolkien fan, I went to see it again. This time I fell head-over-heals in love with every aspect of the movie. I did not care that it was not completely accurate for there was something embedded deep within the heart of the movie that I had never before sensed while reading the books. I do not know why I had never sensed this before, but I see it now, and I have the movie to thank for this awakening in my mind to some aspects in the books which I had not really thought about before. I saw for the first time the sacrifice, commitment, love, passion, and ultimate goodness of the characters. I saw how they would stop at nothing, absolutely nothing, to accomplish the goal they had set out to do, how they rid themselves completely of all comforts and hope forgetting about themselves to do a work which would ultimately help others. I cannot even begin to describe the flood of passions which the movie awoke inside of me. I have now gone back to the books and have seen these same principles which I see so vividly in the movie written down even more potently than the movie could bring across. I feel as though I’ve been opened to a totally new world.

I am and have always been a Christian. I know that Tolkien did not write his works to be an allegory of any kind, but I do know that I find encouragement from reading his books for my beliefs and for my walk through life. I cannot even begin to describe adequately how I feel about these books and their story now that this passion has been awoken inside of me. I have gone over the pages again and again and have seen many things which we here on earth would be wise to emulate. A theme which rings so clearly throughout the books of Tolkien which I have read is the theme of people sacrificing and putting others before themselves. Take Frodo, for example. He leaves all that he has ever loved to face danger, toil, starvation, pain, and fear simply to save the inhabitants of The Shire. Frodo ultimately sacrifices everything. In the end, he can find no rest in Middle Earth even though he wishes to, for he had sacrificed his very happiness in the life he had known for the lives and happiness of others. On a larger scale, the elves face the sorrow of leaving Middle Earth and of watching all that they have worked so hard to accomplish and preserve gradually dwindle and fade away. Galadriel has the opportunity to grasp power and become the ruler of Middle Earth, albeit an evil one, and alter this fate, but she chooses to sacrifice her work and her life as she has known it for the safety of others. This is ultimate sacrifice and unselfishness on the part of the heroes, and I draw so much encouragement from it. They are fighting evil, joining together to rid the world of this looming shadow which threatens their security and lives, but ultimately in all the choices which they make they sacrifice their own lives and time. How much more should we, the peoples of this world, sacrifice our precious lives and time so as to help others? I do not mean just in times of war and strife, but in times of peace as well and in our own private lives.

I look at these books and see a parallel between how I should live and how those who fought so bravely for Middle Earth lived. They were utterly selfless, thinking always of others and the lives of those who would come after them rather than their own comfort and pleasure. How much more should we each in our daily lives, instead of concentrating on ourselves, be compassionate and touched by poverty, by the problems and hurts of others, and by the vileness of society. I have been so touched by this amazing sacrificing spirit which prevails throughout Tolkien’s Middle Earth, and I feel that the peoples of today could learn so much from this attitude. Should not we, too, seek to think of others before ourselves?

[Grond]

Why I Love Tolkien by Sting

In the beginning of my reading days, simple stories would do. No tales of granduere, no tales of doom, yet one day, I came across an old, weathered series of books called by “Lord of the Rings.”

I never knew how much my life could change when I entered the Land of Middle Earth. The quests, the adventures were only a subplot in this tale of virtue. A hobbit’s quest, a return of a great King, the destruction by the most wretched of creatures all contributed to my passion, my thirst for more began.

After completing the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and the Hobbit a number of times, I joined thetolkienforum, which whetted my appetite for more. I was thrilled when I heard that more books had been published, and though they were based on the Elves, a species which I had most detested, I desired to feast on their depth. What a pleasure it has been since, though I have not come close to finishing all the books available to any avid Tolkien reader.

My favorite Tolkien character would probably be Gimli. He was strong willed, yet even through this, he was able to reform. He was not stubborn, instead he wanted things done how he felt was right. Who can truthfully blame him for hating the Elves? He not only had been born into a society in which the Elves were considered traitors, and not worth associating with, he had also been shunned by them himself in one way or another. He had heard tales of Gloin, and his inprisonment with the Elves of Mirkwood. How was he to love these wretched folk?

His act of humility was a stepping stone for the Elves to change their forsaken way. Long had they hated the Dwarves for a petty reason, started by they themselves! A simple fued over the lack of payment became a bitter end for a relationship.

This depth is one of the many things which has constantly attached itself to me from my reading of Tolkien’s masterpiece. The virtue of LOTR lives on through the Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, and the rest of the works of Tolkien, edited by his son, Christopher Tolkien, a master of his father’s lore.

Tolkien has been a breath of fresh air into my life. I had begun to quit searching for literature that could enrich my spirit, and still provide an essence of fantasy. An escape from the world, a haven. Middle Earth is where my thoughts go when life is too hard, yet through the deeds of Hurin, Turin, and others, bravery is revealed, and in this way my life is affected.

[Grond]

Why should I read Tolkien, when there is Kafka?

That’s a good question. Perhaps I should compare Tolkien to Kafka. Tolkien’s contents: Fantasy, magic, strange creatures, spiders, something called “orc”, Hobbits, Elves, magic rings. Kafka: I don’t now, I’ve never read Kafka. Why I’ve never read Kafka? Not only because there are no monsters, no wizards. No history, no languages to learn. Did Kafka invent a world of its own? No. Did he invent several languages for this world? No. And he didn’t invent different kinds of people. No Big People, no Elves, no Hobbits, no Dwarfs. Kafka must be quite boring.

But I won’t judge Kafka, I don’t know him. But I know something about Tolkien. Tolkien’s works aren’t interpretable. You cannot say: It’s his father’s fault, or that’s because he was influenced by religion. And Tolkien didn’t write parables. You are not supposed to learn from him. At least any teacher and Tolkien himself would say so. Nonetheless you can learn from both. I don’t know what you learn from Kafka. But I am sure you don’t learn anything about tolerance. About courage, friendship and faith. You might perhaps learn that there is a future for everyone, I am not sure. But what I can tell you from what I have heard, Kafka doesn’t tell you that there is good in every living being. (Vicious demons excluded.)

All this tells me that Kafka is not Tolkien. But I think we all knew this before. Now, let’s come to the question wether Tolkien or Kafka can influence your life. You spend time reading both, that’s for sure. You spend time thinking about them, you spend time watching tv or cinema adaptions of their writings. But do you spend time talking about Kafka, discussing Kafka and finding friends in discussions? As far as I know there is not one (!) forum that’s dedicated to the sole purpose of discussing Kafka. Now you could say that’s a pity. How could you ever try to learn everything about Kafka when you’re not able to discuss it with people from all over the world.

Additionally you might feel odd and alone when you spend too much time thinking over Kafka. And you don’t know a living soul who does the same.
This is an appeal to all friends of Kafka: Start a forum about your idol. Start discussing, find friends, odd guys like you who spend hours and hours reading, watching, discussing him and his works. You’ll find friends all over the world and you’re not strange any more, but part of a community.

And there is another point worth mentioning. That of the age. Does anyone younger than, lets say 25, read Kafka simply for pleasure and interest? I would say it is only a tiny percent of the polpulation. How is it with Tolkien? I began reading Tolkien when I was 13 simply because I had heard of him, didn’t know him, yet, and was curious. I got me the Lord of the Rings. Then The Hobbit. Later the Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales. And at last came the Books of Lost Tales. I simply couldn’t stop finding out more about this world called Arda, its continents, inhabitants, flora and fauna. Its magic, its history and its languages. What I found were God-like creatures, Elves, Dwarfs and Men. And a people called Hobbits. These are stories for children. In fact the Hobbits
was meant for children from the very beginning. Isn’t it amazing that even young children are able to read and understand parts of this work. Try and do so with Kafka! Ha! And Kafka cannot keep you as busy as Tolkien can. Even when you try and learn all his works by heart. There are the parables, the novels and some other trifles to learn. But there are no facts and figures about historical battles, there are no languages, no grammar, no voabularies. Not even one.

Well, what I wanted to say in these lines is this: I am totally indifferent about Kafka. He doesn’t mean anything to me. But I simply adore Tokien’s works. His peoples, his languages. The world he wrote about and that he took for real and that I am tempted to take for real. And this is the only cause why I began reading Tolkien, now cannot stop reading Tolkien and want to learn more about Tolkien. Because he makes me want to believe that his world is real.

[Lhunithiliel]

Well, the judges must have had hard times as to decide which three essays were best!

I congratulate the winners!
I also congratulate the rest of my guild-mates to have written wonderful essays!

Well, time for next contest? ;)

[Hirila]

It's amazing how much we all resemble another. In our love to Tolkien's works I mean. And our essays are also very much of the same quality. I wouldn't want to have been one of the judges! I guess it was a real hard job to decide which essays were best.
Personally I like Eledhwen's essay best. But each one is worth a price! If we ever start a Guild of Tolikenology RP or an Inn here we should start with having a party for our three winners.

Oh, I forgot soomething: Three cheers for the lucky winners: Gate7ole, Mithlond and Eledhwen. May your literary career blossom in the light of your first success. (But give us others a chance next time ;) okay?) :D

[gate7ole]

Hey, thanks a lot!!! I really didn’t expect it.
And of course my thanks to Grond, because without his generous offer there would be no contest and to the judges for their work.
I too congratulate all participants and especially the two other winners.

[Valinorean]

Truly excellent work from everyone who participated! What a pleasure to read such fresh prose on a topic dear to us all.

As these essays show, we all have our own reasons for loving these works, and in reading these essays (which alas, I joined the Guild too late to write), it took me back to my first encounter with ME. When I think about how many books I have read in my life, I am amazed that one author captured me so completely.

Thank you, Grond, for sharing this with the group, and congratulations to the winners.

Aren't we all winners, though? ;)

[Lhunithiliel]

Aren't we all winners, though?
Hey, Valinorean, my Valinor country-fellow, what nice words you've spoken!
But.... Wouldn't all who did not win say this? ;) :p

Kidding! :D

[Valinorean]

"Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all" is my motto!

Lots of loving and losing make it my motto. ;)

[Lhunithiliel]

I like the first moto better ! :p

[Nenya Evenstar]

Congratulations to the winners!!! Great job, guys. :D I haven't read the essays yet because of a tight time schedule, but I will do so as soon as I'm able. Thanks everyone for a great first competition!

[gate7ole]

There is a saying in my country which I will try to translate, though sayings lose much after translation:

The virtue of the loser gives honor to the winner.

Which means... whatever. Proverbs should be left unexplained

[LadyGaladriel]

I would just like to say that everyone who particpated did a superb job!!!

well done to the winner and runners up.

[Mithlond]

Thanks to the judges for the second placing in the contest, and congratulations to Gate7ole and Eledhwen in taking the other two placings.

Also a big thanks to all the others for their essays. They are wonderful to read and i guess we learn a little bit more about each other and our feelings towards Tolkien from reading them.

[Grond]

I forgot to mention who the judges were in this contest. Besides me there were four others who volunteered to help. They were:

1) Webmaster
2) Ancalagon
3) Gothmog
4) Maedhros

I would like to thank all of them for their help and input.

[Hirila]

Yes, of course, what would a contest be without judges. Thanks to all of them.
I suggest whoever lives near one of them should take him out for a pint, cup of tea, coke, whatever.

[Nenya Evenstar]

Many, many thanks to the judges! You're great guys! :)

[Gil-Galad]

Hey,Grond,when there will be a new essay topic?

[Grond]

Originally posted by Gil-Galad
Hey,Grond,when there will be a new essay topic? By the time I've paid for the books won in the contest and the postage to all the foreign countries... I'll have spent about....... Gad!! I don't even want to think about it. Give me a little time to rebuild my resources.

In the mean time, I think our great Webmaster will be having a forum wide contest in the near future where you will be able to win prizes much nicer than the ones won in this contest. :)

[Gil-Galad]

Oo it sounds quite interesting:) :rolleyes:

[Eledhwen]

I only just found out I got placed in this contest because I've been in Scotland without a computer (snow-capped mountains, lochs, castles, and evergreen forests backdropping the deciduous autumnal reds and golds were some small compensation). I have to say that gate7ole's essay is moving and very well written, and well deserves first place. Mithlond too - a deserving 2nd. Well done.

Thank you, Grond, for running the competition, and also the other 'masters' for helping out. The best reward is to read the entries. There are other great authors, but it seems to me that Tolkien has something else - his work changes people.

[Grond]

Okay. Now I have all the essay winner addresses and the books have arrived as well. The prizes will be mailed on Monday! Congrats to all and please post here when you recieve your prize. :)

[Lhunithiliel]

Originally posted by Grond
Okay. Now I have all the essay winner addresses and the books have arrived as well. The prizes will be mailed on Monday! Congrats to all and please post here when you recieve your prize. :)
*biting her nails with bitter jelousy*:D
-------------------------------------
But the above was NOT the reason for this post!

Guild-mates, I have an idea for which I seek council and permission from the mighty Guild-masters AND from all of you:
Essay-contests are OK, but why wait until a contest is annoinced, if you have written down your thoughts on a topic?
What would you say if we open a section.....or a thread....or....I now still don't know exactly what form.....but a PLACE WHERE EVERYBODY, who wishes, CAN POST HIS/HER ESSAYS ON DIFFERENT TOPICS?

Now, if the idea is accepted I PROMISE I'll think more of the organization and share my opinions with you to discuss it and find the best solution.
Please, say what you think about this.

[Nenya Evenstar]

I think it's a wonderful idea! It'd be challenging, educational, and fun. I'm fully supporting it. :)

[Lhunithiliel]

Thank you, Nenya!!!!
And the O T H E R S ?

[Grond]

I am opening a thread for your idea right now.

[Lhunithiliel]

Originally posted by Grond
I am opening a thread for your idea right now.
Now I see how the new thread was born ;) :D, Master!
I'm glad and I am doing my best to make things work!:)

[Gil-Galad]

But the thread should be only for topics about Tolkien ahd his works.And I also think that once a month our favourite Master(Grond of course)should chose an essay topic on which we should try writing something.I mean that if every of us write what he wants it will be such a chaos.So my suggestion is to write essays on different topics,but at the same time we should have a new topic every month,posted by Grond.I suppose he can best think of interesting topics,and also Lhun of course.