There comes a time in every project when I grow genuinely concerned that if I don’t tell my story fast enough, someone else will tell it first. It doesn’t matter how bizarre my story is, how far-fetched, how uniquely me it is, I know that at some point I will encounter this insecurity.
The truth of the matter is, it’s not possible. And today, I’m going to prove it to you.
JRR Tolkien was grading exam papers when he was inspired by a blank sheet of paper. He grabbed it and scratched out the words running through his head:
Professor Tolkien had no idea what a hobbit was, but he was determined to find out. As a result of Tolkien’s curiosity and dedication to his fictional creature, we have one of the greatest literary works of all time: The Lord of the Rings.
But, what if that sentence ran through your head?
No, seriously. Stick with me for a sec. What if you were helping a neighbor carry groceries into the house, and there, upon the ground, you spotted a stick of chalk? What if you scooped it up–after gently setting aside the neighbor’s eggs, of course–and scribbled those same words furiously on the pavement?
Would this mysterious word hobbit capture you? Would it demand you puzzle out its story?
For today’s exercise, let’s say it does. Let’s say that simple, silly sentence flies like a nazgul through your brain and you simply must work out what it means.
Your job
In the comments section:
1. Create a hobbit. Your hobbit shouldn’t be anything like Frodo or Sam. In fact, put the entire Lord of the Rings epic out of your mind. Your hobbit is yours and yours alone. Describe it to us. Maybe give it a name.
2. Answer the question: Why does it live in the ground? Does the hobbit like its living arrangements? Do all hobbits live in a hole in the ground?
Today, we’re just breathing life into a fantastical creature and its living place. Over the next few Fridays we’re going to revisit these hobbits. They’re going to help us prove that even stolen sentences lead to unknown adventures. Adventures that are as different as the writers who pen them.
REMEMBER! When you participate in our writing exercises you can enter to win an opportunity to ask Jill, Steph and me a question for one of our upcoming writing panels. Once you leave your response to the writing prompt in the comments section, use the Rafflecopter below to enter. Next week, Rafflecopter will select one winner and we’ll contact you for your question via email. Happy writing, friends!