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elaen32
Gondor
Jun 2 2013, 5:17pm
Post #1 of 36
(1631 views)
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IT’S HAPPENING! THE TORN AMATEUR SYMPOSIUM!
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We are pleased to present the TORN Amateur Symposium or TAS for short. Thank you to everybody who contributed thoughts on this to the thread in the Reading Room over the past two weeks. Our committee of 3, (Brethil, DanielLB and me, elaen32) have been looking at these and putting a plan together. So, what is this all about? This is an opportunity for us to share our written ideas on Tolkien-related subjects, in a more detailed way than the usual posts on the boards.
Some general categories to consider writing topics within are: Flora/Fauna of Middle Earth; Art, Literature and Philosophy; Natural Science, Geology and Weather; and Peoples and Cultures of Middle Earth. These are some suggestions, based on how we plan on organizing the works for discussion - the ideas are limitless though!
Below is our proposed schedule for the first TAS-
Submission and deadline dates:
Sunday 3rd June- Introductory thread
That’s this one!
Sunday 9th June - Call for submissions thread
This is the first reminder thread. Don’t panic yet! All you have to do is express interest in writing an essay for TAS. Either respond to this thread or PM elaen32, Brethil or DanielLB. And of course, get those thinking caps on!
Sunday 30th June - Final reminder thread
This is the last reminder thread and not the closing date. Between this thread and the first reminder thread, we will confirm with you your proposed topic and possible title (via PM). These will all be included in this thread. People are welcome to express interest all the way up until the closing date.
Sunday 14th July – Submission closes thread
By this date, all submissions will have been sent to us (see “How to submit work”). Another summary of all the entries will also be posted.
Saturday 20th July – Anything after this date will, unfortunately, not be accepted.
The week period between this allows us to check all submissions, order all essays in to appropriate sessions, and allow for last minute editing. If you are unable to submit before then, not to worry, there is always the next TAS (October/November time).
Sunday 21st July - First TAS threads
All those hours of hard work from everyone will be presented on this date!
Sunday 4th August - Feedback thread
As part of the symposium structure, we are always interested in ideas on what can (or should) be done, and what may or may not have worked. Feel free to tell us what you thought about the structure of the symposium, and any problems you experienced through this process. We will also tell you about the next TAS and provisional dates.
Some Guidelines for the TORn Amateur Symposium: The Very First TAS
We're not looking for flawlessly polished, professionally cited work. This is for fun and enjoyment, and to share our common love of the JRR Tolkien universe: thus the title! We would like to see your original ideas, which tie in somehow to the works of Tolkien; they can be written from an academic, opinion or real-world perspective. Citations and references, although not required, may be helpful at times to readers, and feel free to use them as appropriate to support your writing. Your piece can be as short as you like, even presented as a poster, but we'd like to limit each submission to 2,000 words. Each piece, after review, will be posted on the appointed date, in a category - themed thread identified with the TAS acronym. Discussion of the work is most heartily encouraged, keeping in mind both the "by the fans, for the fans" nature of the creations, as well as the dual spirit of fun and inquiry which we would like to promote in this Symposium series. We expect to have a Symposium 3-4 times annually. So if you miss a date, don't worry overmuch; you can always submit at the next round.
How To Submit:
It starts with an idea (doesn't it always!) You can describe your idea in the Call for Submissions thread when you see it posted in the Reading Room. Feel free to PM Elaen, DanielLB or Brethil with any questions or concerns that you may have.
Once all the proposed ideas are reviewed (to check for potential overlaps) you will get an actual Submission Date, via PM; this is the date you can forward, also via PM, your finished work to one of the above members. Of course earlier submission is fine, feel free to submit your piece when you feel it is ready. And if Real Life interferes, just let us know - expressing interest isn't a commitment, and if you need to, you can post in the next Symposium - or just read along with us!
We will do a quick look-over of the piece for any potential editing concerns (like those troublesome, sneak-attack typos) and to make certain that all pieces comply with TORn's ToS guidelines. (We can't post anything in that may be in violation, but if questions arise we will contact the author to resolve any issues.)
At last, on the announced day of the Symposium, all finished pieces will be posted, for display and discussion.
We have great regard for the creativity of our members, and very much look forward to reading your thoughts, TORn brethren!
Happy scribbling!
Elaen, Brethil & Daniel
"Beneath the roof of sleeping leaves the dreams of trees unfold"
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elaen32
Gondor
Jun 2 2013, 9:25pm
Post #3 of 36
(1128 views)
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That sounds very interesting- look forward to reading. The closing date is 14th July, but you can submit before if you want to. Look forward to hearing from you
"Beneath the roof of sleeping leaves the dreams of trees unfold"
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DanielLB
Immortal
Jun 3 2013, 7:03am
Post #4 of 36
(978 views)
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Really looking forward to seeing what essays everyone comes up with.
As for me, I'll be writing about the rapid loss of forest in (southern) Eriador, and *attempt* to explain it through climate change.
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Elizabeth
Half-elven
Jun 3 2013, 7:29am
Post #5 of 36
(994 views)
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...of doing something on sentient animals in Tolkien. Michael Drout wrote a piece on this for the Encyclopedia, and I did a series on Horses some years ago.
Lots of good material in the "Law and Arda" discussion, as well.
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elaen32
Gondor
Jun 3 2013, 8:30am
Post #6 of 36
(965 views)
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Looking forward to reading this. It should hopefully give some background and perspective to the discussions on the Hobbit board about the sentience and ability to speak of animals such as wargs, dragons, ravens & thrushes etc!
I am hoping to write something on the concept of healing in Arda
"Beneath the roof of sleeping leaves the dreams of trees unfold"
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Aragalen the Green
Gondor
Jun 3 2013, 2:54pm
Post #8 of 36
(976 views)
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I would very much like to write on the flora of Middle-earth, the similarities and differences with "our" earth's flora. Is this too general, and is anyone else writing about this?
Thanks!! I'm really looking forward to this!
Edit: As an ethnobotanist, I think I'd like to include ethnobotany of the plants of Middle-earth; how plants were used by people for food, tools, clothing, shelter, etc.
'"Never laugh at live dragons, Bilbo you fool!" he said to himself, and it became a favourite saying of his later, and passed into a proverb.'
(This post was edited by Aragalen the Green on Jun 3 2013, 2:56pm)
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Aragalen the Green
Gondor
Jun 3 2013, 3:01pm
Post #10 of 36
(962 views)
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I do have to say though, I may post my essay before June 14th, as I'll be out of contact with internet from June 14th-July 20th (I'll be in a remote area of Alaska working on an archaeological project).
'"Never laugh at live dragons, Bilbo you fool!" he said to himself, and it became a favourite saying of his later, and passed into a proverb.'
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Brethil
Half-elven
Jun 3 2013, 5:40pm
Post #11 of 36
(956 views)
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Ooooh! THAT sounds exciting!!!
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I do have to say though, I may post my essay before June 14th, as I'll be out of contact with internet from June 14th-July 20th (I'll be in a remote area of Alaska working on an archaeological project).
Wow, how great Argalen - an Alaska expedition sounds fantastic! (Native American site?) That's totally fine, send it in to us as soon as you feel its good to go!
Manwe, when asked a simple "Yes" or "No" question, contemplated, and responded "the middle one."
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elaen32
Gondor
Jun 3 2013, 9:38pm
Post #12 of 36
(929 views)
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as does your Alaskan trip! As Brethil says, even if there are overlaps, I think that adds to the interest because everybody will have their own angle. Nothing on flora per se been proposed yet. Re the ethnobotany side of it, I will be making brief mention of herbs used in healing in my piece, but that will be relatively limited. Look forward to reading your work. Have a great time in Alaska!
"Beneath the roof of sleeping leaves the dreams of trees unfold"
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Aragalen the Green
Gondor
Jun 3 2013, 10:56pm
Post #13 of 36
(930 views)
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And if it turns out to be what we hope, a very very old site (~10,000+ years old) and would be of major significance to the archaeology of and migration into North America :) Note the "if" however, sometimes things don't work out to be what we hope, but the preliminary evidence is very strong.
'"Never laugh at live dragons, Bilbo you fool!" he said to himself, and it became a favourite saying of his later, and passed into a proverb.'
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Brethil
Half-elven
Jun 3 2013, 11:06pm
Post #14 of 36
(935 views)
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And if it turns out to be what we hope, a very very old site (~10,000+ years old) and would be of major significance to the archaeology of and migration into North America :) Note the "if" however, sometimes things don't work out to be what we hope, but the preliminary evidence is very strong.
I hope it turns out to be what you hope for - in which case a very important site! Would LOVE to hear more about it when you get back.  (added: watch for the bears! They aren't all like Beorn...!  Actually, bears are the only animal that scare me.)
Manwe, when asked a simple "Yes" or "No" question, contemplated, and responded "the middle one."
(This post was edited by Brethil on Jun 3 2013, 11:09pm)
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telain
Rohan
Jun 5 2013, 1:34am
Post #15 of 36
(907 views)
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Your site sounds fascinating (I've always been interested in archaeology -- currently the use of GIS and archaeology). I hope all goes well and I'm sure everyone here will be thinking pleasant thoughts for you!
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dormouse
Half-elven
Jun 7 2013, 3:41pm
Post #16 of 36
(892 views)
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How about something on the sentient landscapes of Middle Earth....
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.... the stones of Hollin that remember the elves, cruel Caradhras and so on? It's an idea I've often played with.
Thing is, I can't absolutely promise to get it done this time because of other deadlines. But if you like the idea you can take this as a statement of intent, and I will if I can.
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Maciliel
Valinor
Jun 7 2013, 3:47pm
Post #17 of 36
(889 views)
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question to those who are organizing
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how does the symposium differ from composing a thoughtful post of 500-2000 words?
i'm not trying to be funny or a troublemaker... i'm honestly asking how the symposium approach is different from just posting one's thoughts....
lovely idea (and, as i've indicated on other threads, i think i'd be interested in doing the biosphere of arda).
cheers ---
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aka. fili orc-enshield
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the scene, as i understand it, is exceptionally well-written. fili (in sort of a callback to the scene with the eagles), calls out "thorRIIIIIIN!!!" just as he sees the pale orc veer in for the kill. he picks up the severed arm of an orc which is lying on the ground, swings it up in desperation, effectively blocking the pale orc's blow. and thus, forever after, fili is known as "fili orc-enshield."
this earns him deep respect from his hard-to-please uncle. as well as a hug. kili wipes his boots on the pale orc's glory box. -- maciliel telpemairo
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Brethil
Half-elven
Jun 7 2013, 3:48pm
Post #18 of 36
(874 views)
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.... the stones of Hollin that remember the elves, cruel Caradhras and so on? It's an idea I've often played with.
Thing is, I can't absolutely promise to get it done this time because of other deadlines. But if you like the idea you can take this as a statement of intent, and I will if I can.
See how you progress, and if you aren't quite ready there will be another Symposium coming in the Fall - so no worries!
Keep us posted, excited to hear your ideas! Sentience plays a great sort of sub-narrator role in the works...
Manwe, when asked a simple "Yes" or "No" question, contemplated, and responded "the middle one."
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telain
Rohan
Jun 7 2013, 3:50pm
Post #19 of 36
(870 views)
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I can 't wait to read it; I am always a fan of anything landscape-y and geographical...
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Brethil
Half-elven
Jun 7 2013, 5:41pm
Post #22 of 36
(857 views)
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I'd bet you could write something about Idril... //
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I just wish I could think of something to submit. I guess I could compare my Writer's Lack of Inspiration to Bilbo's inability to finish the Red Book.
Manwe, when asked a simple "Yes" or "No" question, contemplated, and responded "the middle one."
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Elizabeth
Half-elven
Jun 7 2013, 6:08pm
Post #23 of 36
(852 views)
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Perhaps you can explain "living stone"
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...that Middle Earth seems so full of.
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CuriousG
Half-elven
Jun 7 2013, 6:12pm
Post #24 of 36
(847 views)
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Well, only how much I'm in love with her, but not sure that fits the guidelines. :) //
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Maciliel
Valinor
Jun 7 2013, 6:50pm
Post #25 of 36
(842 views)
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'
your essay could be called "why idril celebrindal is the greatest character in middle earth."
then we could put your essay and malickfan's essay in a cage together. two essays go in. only one comes out.
ooooooo! then we could do a post on the arena board: essay vs. essay.
cheers --
.
aka. fili orc-enshield
+++++++++++++++++++
the scene, as i understand it, is exceptionally well-written. fili (in sort of a callback to the scene with the eagles), calls out "thorRIIIIIIN!!!" just as he sees the pale orc veer in for the kill. he picks up the severed arm of an orc which is lying on the ground, swings it up in desperation, effectively blocking the pale orc's blow. and thus, forever after, fili is known as "fili orc-enshield."
this earns him deep respect from his hard-to-please uncle. as well as a hug. kili wipes his boots on the pale orc's glory box. -- maciliel telpemairo
(This post was edited by Maciliel on Jun 7 2013, 6:51pm)
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= Forum has no new posts. Forum needs no new posts.
Oh, Daniel, we've seen that one SO many times before
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