Are You Writing Serious Fantasy? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Maikadilwen · 05-03-2002, 03:55 AM

I've heard many people say they're afraid of copying Tolkien, but what about Tolkien's OWN copying? Through his books, there are many similarities to Shakespeare and just reading LOTR, you'll find a lot of "Arthurian" things (the way I see it).

Gandalf = Merlin

Narsil/Andúril = Excalibur - the sword of kings that was broken and reforged.

Isildur = Uther Pendragon - Failed being a good king and was killed.

Aragorn = Arthur - The one true king. The only wielder of the great sword.

And I could go on but I haven't got the time for it now. But the thing is, that you can't really write anything today, without partially "copying" something that has already been made. And I really don't think it matters that much, as long as it's not too obvious. Write whatever comes to your mind, even if it reminds you of something else. You can always change it afterwards. It's called "inspiration". [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

05-03-2002, 03:55 AM	#1
Maikadilwen Summoner of Lost Souls Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: At home, with my Strongbow Posts: 521	I've heard many people say they're afraid of copying Tolkien, but what about Tolkien's OWN copying? Through his books, there are many similarities to Shakespeare and just reading LOTR, you'll find a lot of "Arthurian" things (the way I see it). Gandalf = Merlin Narsil/Andúril = Excalibur - the sword of kings that was broken and reforged. Isildur = Uther Pendragon - Failed being a good king and was killed. Aragorn = Arthur - The one true king. The only wielder of the great sword. And I could go on but I haven't got the time for it now. But the thing is, that you can't really write anything today, without partially "copying" something that has already been made. And I really don't think it matters that much, as long as it's not too obvious. Write whatever comes to your mind, even if it reminds you of something else. You can always change it afterwards. It's called "inspiration". [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] __________________ -"Death borders upon our birth, and our cradle stands in the grave. Our birth is nothing but our death begun."