Quick housekeeping note

I'm planning to get the last two Fellowship chapters up next week, then starting TTT on the 12th.

Looking forward to it :) and hope you're all having a lovely Saturday. Happy New Year! 🎉

Quick FYI

Hi friends! I've missed chatting the last few days and so sorry as you're probably all wondering what's up, so just wanted to quickly touch base.

In short, some heavy life things happened recently (don't worry, we're all well here) so I've been processing some roller coaster emotions, and I also had some commitments on my other blog that I'd scheduled to work on quite a while ago, plus as you all know we're on (I think) the longest chapter of the entire trilogy, so yeah, it kind of turned into the perfect storm as far as keeping up with my posting schedule. I've been thinking about all you lovely LOTR friends often though and I'm very very much hoping to get the next chapter up asap. I can't wait to keep catching up on comments and our further discussion.

Hope all is well with you this evening and Happy Thanksgiving! 🧡

LOTR Read-Along: Foreword & Prologue (Concerning Hobbits, Pipe-weed & The Finding of the Ring)

Our long-awaited read-along has arrived. (Yay!) I'm so glad each one of you is here and welcome!

I've been giving some thought to the pace and how often I'll post -- trying to balance between keeping things moving along and also a manageable speed so hopefully everyone can keep up and we don't lose anyone along the way (also leaving breathing space for periodic catch up sessions, etc). And of course, making allowance for Life and all of us possibly reading other books at the same time. 

At the moment I'm thinking of doing two chapters a week, hopefully posted on Mondays and Fridays (maybe an occasional Tues/Th), so you can have the week and then the weekend to read them and comment etc. (And as we go along definitely feel free to let me know how the pacing's working on your end.)

For each chapter I'll write up any short thoughts I have + any favorite quotes and possibly a thought question or two, then you can comment in response to those or with any of your own thoughts, questions, or explanations. And I know this may be slightly different than general blog etiquette (and I can't remember what I did before with Persuasion), but what do you all think of an open forum style in the comments, where anyone can reply to anyone else's comments? (Of course, keeping everything very courteous and civil -- I'll still be presiding moderator. ;P) I feel like it could open it up to some good discussion. What think ye all?

Again, audio books are absolutely allowed (that's mostly how I'll be doing it ;)), so whatever works out best for you. Along with that, I also have a couple print editions and when actually working on posts will probably end up going back and forth between them so may or may not post page numbers with any quotes. 

Also, I'm trying to keep it fresh and just to the chapter we're reading, but I may get carried away with a connection from later in the story somewhere (and the comments section may very well go on rabbit trails anywhere), but due to the ubiquity of the movies etc. I am assuming most people have a nodding acquaintance with the story as a whole, so I won't be giving spoiler alerts. Let me know if that's an issue for any one. 

Whew! Ok, I think that's it for the general details. Let's begin!

Reading the foreword and prologue aren't required to participate (they're a bit slower reading than the book itself), but they are charming and you may find them of interest and/or helpful. Some names and historical details are illuminating to piece together, and if you're not familiar with The Hobbit, the prologue here gives a tidy summary of those events. I don't usually read forewords, but (as well as being history itself now) this one is valuable I think in capturing some of Tolkien's creative process and what he was getting at (i.e. a few things to keep in mind as we proceed through the story).

Quotes:

• I do like this section from the foreword: "...in that time I changed my house, my chair, and my college, and the days though less dark were no less laborious. Then when the 'end' had at last been reached the whole story had to be revised, and indeed largely re-written backwards. And it had to be typed, and re-typed: by me; the cost of professional typing by the ten-fingered was beyond my means."

• I also like how he speaks of "plodding on" etc. during the creative process. As a writer, it's encouraging to know even for Tolkien it wasn't all glamorous and the plot wasn't all spelled out from the beginning.

• From the prologue: "Hobbits are an unobtrusive but very ancient people, more numerous formerly than they are today; for they love peace and quiet and good tilled earth... in the days of Bilbo, and of Frodo his heir, they suddenly became, by no wish of their own, both important and renowned, and troubled the counsels of the Wise and the Great."
  

For thought:

• Do you consider forewords and prologues to be indispensable or do you hurry over them as fast as possible to get into the story proper?

And I talked about pacing above, but since this is our intro post, I may very well put up the first chapter tomorrow or Wednesday, so let me know your thoughts on that. :) 

(Last but not least, we're going on an adventure together, y'all! Hip hip hurray!)

Read The Lord of the Rings with me!

Hi y'all! *heartily waving in case anyone is still out there and noticing what happens in this sleepy little corner of the internet*

I'm waking everything up over here and... what do you think of the current look? Does it make you eager to read Tolkien?

I wanted to reread it myself -- not overthinking the whole thing (which is my default tendency), but just jumping in to read it afresh and expecting surprises. That being so, I thought it'd be warm and hospitable and pleasant to open it up for anyone else who'd like to do the same. What say you?

So. Read LOTR twenty times? You're welcome. Never read it before? Welcome and hop on the ride!

The whole idea is to keep everything very relaxed, fun, and enjoyable -- and Very Manageable. I'll write up short thoughts, highlight some favorite lines from each chapter, and possibly a thought question or two if any good ones occur to me, and you can pitch in with your thoughts etc -- 'iffen you feel so inclined.

I won't be stating page numbers, so feel free to read from any edition you like. The only specification is that it must be unabridged (are there even abridged editions?). I feel funny even saying that, but there must be, so we'll just throw that out there. Unabridged.

ALSO, and I feel very much like a fish out of water saying this, but I'm trying to take the advice of Sarah Mackenzie from Read Aloud Revival and she says listening on audio ABSOLUTELY COUNTS. In fact, with LOTR I think it actually works rather spectacularly well, as the whole thing's meant to be a bard recounted type legend anyway. As a for instance, I was nervous committing to the whole idea of hosting a read-along (much as I wanted to) because I wasn't sure I could keep it going steadily, but listening on audio has revolutionized everything. So far it's making it WAY easier to fit into The Rest of Life -- and what's more, it's making it fun again. (So no guilt trip here! ;))

Final details: I only put it on one button (as I'd already made the others before thinking of it and then thought they were too pretty to mess up :P) but the plan is to start Sept 28th. Spread the word and I'd love to hear if you'd like to join in!

Farewell till the 28th of next month! :) (But feel free to leave any questions or comments, I'll get them -- and be sure to grab a button. Thank you!)

Good Story Link-up and Giveaway!

First, if you’re one of those entirely splendid people who follow all three of my blogs (and will consequently be getting this not once…not twice…but thrice on your dashboard!), be forewarned. :) I know some of you (also entirely splendid) story loving folks have happened to discover and/or follow one or other of my blogs—and I wanted to be sure the word was thoroughly out. ;) Thank you all for your patience!

And now to our news! I’ve recently started a monthly link-up, Inkling Explorations, for any and ALL story lovers! As part of the grand launch, I’m also hosting a giveaway and you can follow the link here for full details.

I hope all is well and can't wait to see you over there!

Persuasion Wrap-Up & Giveaway Winners!

Thank you again to everyone for all your enthusiastic participation!!! :) Following are all our wrap-up details.

Additional Persuasion posts/links:

(And I know a few more of you posted as well so, if you did and would like your link up, leave it here in a comment and I’ll add it!)

Hamlette's character sketch of Anne Elliot on Literary Adventures

Hamlette’s post on Persuasion at The Edge of the Precipice

Heidi's post on Wentworth and Anne on Literary Adventures

Susanna’s Review of Persuasion at The Misadventures of a Globetrotter in Training

And thank you to everyone who entered the give-away! Our two winners are:

Robert for Miniatures and Morals

Susanna for the printable collection of Jane Austen silhouettes

Congratulations! (I'll be contacting the two winners directly. Also, I need to hear back from you by Saturday, March 14th, or I will need to draw another winner. :))

With other things I have going on the writing front, it may be a while before I host another read-along here, but when I do I’d be delighted to have you all along! Meanwhile, if you run across the blog here and would like to read through Persuasion (as I know some of you might already like to! ;)) feel free to leave your thoughts on the chapters as you go along. I’m always available for comments and would love to discuss it with you anytime! :)

And (also in the meantime) if you’d like to visit more, do see come see me at: 

My author blog

or my “everything else” place: Along the Brandywine!

I'd love to have you!

Here are links to all of our Persuasion chapters:

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24

Thanks again so much for joining me! Till our next read-along!

"Persuasion" Giveaway!

And now for our splendid celebratory giveaway! Each winner is eligible for one prize and the two winners will be drawn on Friday the 6th. (And note: if you've been participating in the read-along, but aren't quite finished, do still feel free to enter! :))

And now for our grand prizes!

1 - Ashley (of Printable Wisdom Design) has most generously

offered her ENTIRE printable silhouette collection to one happy winner!

(Click here to see all five pictures: Jane Austen Silhouette Collection)

and

2 - Yours truly is contributing a paperback copy of one of the best books ever written on Jane Austen! :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Also, if you've written anything up for Persuasion on your own blog during the read-along leave your link/s here in a comment and I'll post them in our final link-up at the end of the week! 

~ Do have fun everyone and thanks so much for participating! ~

Details for Persuasion Read-Along

So our Persuasion read-along is scheduled to begin in less than a week! And here are a few more details... 

#1: I'm thinking we'll try to do about three chapters a week, in which case we might be finished around the end of February. (If that sounds like way too much let me know, but also, if you get behind, don't worry...there's no stringent test at the end!)

#2: Since it's a classic, I'll be assuming the story's already familiar to everyone at some level (either through one of the films or from previous reading), so there may be occasional future references/spoilers.

#3: In case you're interested, here's a link to a book review I did for Persuasion last summer. And (I know it's not everyone's cup of tea), but here's one for my review of the '07 film as well (if you scroll to the bottom of it there are a few more general notes on the story itself).

Do enjoy and looking forward to seeing you all on Monday!