The Heart of Tolkien

I have lived a Tolkien-free life. Though I’ve heard great things, I’ve never had much interest in his works. I’ve known of his work for decades and maintained my disinterest through the popular era when his works came to life in cinema. Much like the book and movie craze of Rowling’s works, I could never quite buy into these made-up worlds.

This morning, I picked up The Fellowship of the Ring. I just finished Marcus Borg’s Convictions and was looking through my bookshelf for something to take its place. I do not consider myself a fantasy or fiction reader. I am drawn to “say what you're saying” nonfiction works. But not long ago, I stepped outside of my normal genre and read The Alchemist and enjoyed my time with this text. I believe this time softened the barrier that stood between Tolkien and me.

I opened the massive text that began with several notes about edits to the text and series, which I learned was actually a single novel consisting of six books. These first few pages already have me appreciating this novel and its author even more. As I said, I’m a fan of nonfiction. And one of my favorite writers is Steven Pressfield. He has written several fiction and non-fiction books. You won’t be surprised to learn I’ve read all of his non-fiction, none of his fiction. But what I love about Pressfield’s nonfiction is that he discusses the artist’s way in very pragmatic terms. Do the Work. Turning Pro. The War of Art. Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t. And now, Put Your Ass Where Your Heart Wants to Be. In the most simple of terms, you might say the job of the artist is to show up and keep showing up.

As I read through the notes about Tolkien’s edits, I was further impressed. I already knew he was a special author. These notes reminded me that as an artist, he really did sit down and do the work. He really really did turn pro. He was really in the war of art. The exception to Pressfield’s wisdom as it applies to Tolkien is that people really did want to read his sh*t. And this most recent book, of putting your ass where your heart wants to be applies perfectly to Tolkien. I can’t even imagine the hours and hours over years and years he spent on his craft and his story.

I am a writer. A writer who fully recognizes that I help create the spectrum of writers as an outlier on the opposite end of the Tolkiens of our world. And I am okay with my place. I am simply grateful to even be on the spectrum. I am grateful because this is where my heart wants to be. Reading. Writing. Learning. Sharing. Participating in life and creation of works that require time and patience and persistence.

I’ve long lived my Tolkien-free life. But today I caught just a small glimpse and a great appreciation of his heart. And I’m going to open my heart to his heart. And his novel. Thanks for waiting for me. I’m ready to get started.