Peter Jackson

How Tolkien Influences My Writing

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gandalf-and-bearThis article is by Terri Rochenski.

My love affair with the fantasy genre started at an early age when someone bought me and my older brother The Chronicles of Narnia seven book gift set. I read them ‘til they fell apart.

Literally.

I can’t tell you how many times I checked the backs of every closet in our large farm house, totally expecting to find Mr. Tumnus. Oh, the disappointment of finding fantasy is just that—fantasy. Make Believe.

I was introduced to The Hobbit in middle school. The first time I watched the original cartoon released in 1977, I was hooked. I gobbled up the LotR series within the following month. While I may not have understood the underlying moral lessons at that age, re-reads through the years cemented Middle Earth as my favorite daydream land.

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In Defense of Peter Jackson

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Sir Peter Jackson

Since the announcement that The Hobbit will be a trilogy, the Internet has been abuzz.  The Tolkien fan base has been divided into two camps: those who are elated at the news, and those who believe that it’s a terrible idea.

Those who are apprehensive of the films becoming a trilogy have raised some valid concerns.  For this post, I’ve identified three of the most repeated concerns, and will show why they should be dismissed.

This is About Money

It’s a recent trend to take the final book in a series, and divide it into two films.  Famous examples of this are the finales of the Harry Potter series and the Twilight Saga.  Whether or not this is positive, one thing is for certain: the studio will make more money from two guaranteed hits, as opposed to just one.

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