What If Fictional Writers Participated In NaNoWriMo?

Even if you’re not participating in National Novel Writing Month,  you’ve probably heard quite a bit about what happens on November 1st. Writers everywhere set out on a quest to write 50,000 words in thirty days, resulting in all sorts of adventures in typos, plot problems, and writing marathons with friends and fellow participants.

But what if fictional writers participated in the fun of NaNoWriMo?

What would they write?  Would they be a NaNo rebel? Who would they recruit to join them?

I’ve chosen three famous writers from fiction and imagined what their approach to the writing challenge might be:

Bilbo Baggins
Since his writing project is technically a memoir, There And Back Again would qualify our dear Mr. Baggins as a NaNo rebel. Though he would likely brainstorm his ideas with close friends, ultimately he would take on NaNo alone, choosing the comfortable solace of his study to finish his book in relative peace.

His NaNoWriMo antagonist: Distraction.

Jo March
Jo March would probably enjoy the good-natured competition brought on by NaNoWriMo. Her project would be a work of fiction—probably a spectacular adventure with a dash of mystery and romance. Jo would recruit her sisters and friends to act out scenes from her stories and help her through the tough spots of writer’s block, but her writing would mostly be done alone. 

Her NaNoWriMo antagonist: Editing.

John Watson:
Amidst the business of solving cases and caring for his patients, Watson might be up for the challenge of transcribing cases and adventures in a month. Like Bilbo, he would be something of a NaNo rebel since his project would focus on real-life events rather than fiction. He’d talk about his projects with close friends but would likely write alone. Sherlock, however, would try to find out what is being written about him when Watson isn’t around.

His NaNoWriMo antagonist: Time.

Which fictional writer do you think would participate in NaNoWriMo?

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A Long-Expected Party: Happy Hobbit Day!

"When Mr. Bilbo Baggins of Bag End announced that he would shortly be celebrating his eleventy-first birthday with a party of special magnificence, there was much talk and excitement in Hobbiton." 

(source)

In the Middle-earth calendar, September 22nd is a special day. For fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy masterpiece, Lord of the Rings, today is one of the most important days of the year. On this day, September 22nd, in Middle-earth, two heroes were born: Bilbo Baggins and Frodo Baggins. Of course, they were born on different years, Bilbo being seventy-eight years older than Frodo. 

"'You had better come and live here, Frodo my lad,'" said Bilbo one day, "'and then we can celebrate our birthday-parties comfortably together.'"

(source)

Back in 1978, the American Tolkien Society proclaimed September 22nd as the official Hobbit Day because of Bilbo and Frodo's births. In addition, the week containing Hobbit Day is considered Tolkien Week. 

The first Lord of the Rings book, The Fellowship of the Ring, begins on Bilbo and Frodo's birthday known as the Long Awaited Party, or the Long-Expected Party. It fell on the year when Bilbo turned eleventy-one and Frodo turned thirty-three, both being significant years for a hobbit's life. Eleventy-one is considered a "rather curious number, and a very respectable age for a hobbit." Thirty-three was the year a hobbit came of age.

(source)

Not only did this day start off the epic Middle-earth tale, but it has been the oldest celebration for Tolkienites (that's a fancy name for fans of Tolkien) to observe, even long before it was deemed an official celebration. 

Just like in the first chapter of Lord of the Rings, fans across the world celebrate such a day with great festivities, which incorporate traditions from other holidays such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Basically, there's food, dancing, presents, and fireworks! (Fireworks were such a big deal at Bilbo's eleventy-first birthday because they hadn't been seen in the Shire in a long time.) 

"Bilbo Baggins called it a party, but it was really a variety of entertainments rolled into one...there were songs, dances, music, games, and, of course, food and drink. There were three official meals... There were fireworks by Gandalf."

 (source)

In addition, this long-expected party also began the events of the rest of the epic. Bilbo departs from the Shire after his party and leaves Frodo Bag End and all his possessions, including the One Ring. This then sends Frodo off on his anti-quest and well, the rest is Middle-earth history.

"I am immensely fond of your all, and that eleventy-one years is too short a time to live among such excellent and admirable hobbits." 

It comes as no surprise why Hobbit Day should be celebrated by fans across the world. Hobbits are very vital to the anti-quest of the story; they're the reason the Ring is destroyed and the Dark Lord Sauron is defeated. Their stout hearts, strength of will, and turn of surprises keep the mission on track to the very end. Hobbits are also what started off Tolkien's first Middle-earth book, The Hobbit, when he penned the line: "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit." In which, he did not even know what a hobbit was at the time. And when he did finish and publish The Hobbit, publishers (and probably fans) demanded more hobbit stories; thus, Lord of the Rings was born.

Hobbits should be celebrated for their hard work and deep loyalties. And there's no better day than to appreciate hobbits, Tolkien, and the epic story that changed fantasy forever than September 22nd.

(source)

But how? How can you celebrate such an important day in the literary calendar?

Let me give you a few suggestions. 

• Just like Tolkien Reading Day, you can find some time to read a little bit of Tolkien's work. Maybe you can't read an entire novel or the entire series but immerse yourself in some Tolkien of words. 
• You can learn a little bit of Elvish--or at least how to write your name. Or listen to Tolkien read a poem in Elvish. 
• You can dress-up like a hobbit, or at least go barefoot for the day. 
• You can make lembas bread or other yummy hobbit recipes. 
• You can watch one (or all) of the movies, ranging from The Lord of the Rings Trilogy to The Hobbit trilogy. Or you can simply watch the long-expected party scene from the film here:

• You can have an impromptu party with your friends (just drag them into it, they'll love you if you give them food). 
• You can play games or try your feet at dancing
• You can (and should) shoot off fireworks.
• You can go on a quest. 
• You can learn your hobbit name
• You can listen to music from Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit

The possibilities of celebrating such a day are truly endless. Be creative, be fun. But remember why you're celebrating: this is a day to appreciate hobbits and why they're vital to the story Tolkien created and it's a day to celebrate Tolkien. So... 

Happy Hobbit Day! 

Happy Birthday, Bilbo and Frodo!

"May the wind under your wings bear you where the sun sails and the moon walks."

(source)

What are you going to do for Hobbit Day? What's your favorite thing about hobbits? 

All quotes are from Book I, Chapter I of The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien. 

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Why Is Bilbo Baggins So Popular?

Published in 1937, The Hobbit is a memorable tale of adventure, set in an enchanting world with fantastic elements of trolls, magic, and a fire-breathing dragon. However, it is also more than just a memorable tale of adventure. It is the story of a hobbit whose adventure changes his life. And this hobbit is one of literature’s most well-known and beloved characters.

In celebration of The Hobbit’s seventy-eighth anniversary later this month, here are a few reasons why I think Bilbo Baggins is such a beloved character:

We can connect with him.

Bilbo is a character with whom many readers can easily relate. On the one hand, he is very fond of home and its many comforts. On the other, he longs for a grand adventure (though only a little because adventures make one late for dinner).

When adventure knocks on his door, he doesn’t immediately agree, with good reason. Aside from the lack of familiar luxuries and prompt meals, there’s the risk of death:

And even while on his adventure, Bilbo still wishes for the many comforts of home (included but not limited to pocket handkerchiefs and second breakfasts).

As readers, we can relate with his desire to see things which are new and exciting; we can also understand his hesitancy and fear at leaving behind what is safe and comfortable. And when he is nearly overcome with homesickness, we can sympathize with him.

He isn’t a typical hero.

At first glance, Bilbo might not inspire thoughts of a hero who would go on a fantastic adventure, especially one which involves the slaying of a dragon. He has no experience with fighting, hasn’t seen much of the world outside of the Shire, and doesn’t seem particularly brave, especially when compared with his traveling companions.

And, really, the success of the quest relies on whether or not Bilbo is a successful Burglar.

Even though he has no experience fighting, he learns how to defend himself and his companions not just with a sword but with his quick thinking and cleverness. And though he is often frightened on his journey, he still finds ways to overcome his fear.

He has a kind heart.

One of Bilbo’s most endearing traits is his kindness and concern for his friends. There are many moments on his journey where he could turn around and start homeward, but he chooses to stay. In many of those cases, he risks his life for those of his companions, and not just because of his contract but because he genuinely cares for them.

Even when he’s questioning their decision-making skills.

His sense of curiosity and wonder.

Ever since he was a young hobbit, stories of fantastic adventures and great deeds fascinated Bilbo. In part, this curiosity is what motivates him to join Thorin’s quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain.

Over the course of the journey, Bilbo’s curiosity is often replaced with wonder at the world around him. There are incredibly dangerous and wild lands and creatures but also magical ones. Even after his return to Bag End, his wonder and curiosity lead him to plan another adventure and to continue seeking after knowledge concerning other places and people in Middle-earth.

We, like Bilbo, are often fascinated by the imaginative world of Middle-earth and the beings that inhabit it. Also, we see in Bilbo the curiosity and wonder with which we often view our own world.

Why do you think Bilbo Baggins is such a favorite character for so many people?

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