David C. Downing's Blog, page 6

In an early draft of THE HOBBIT, Gandalf was called "Bladorthin." It just shows...

In an early draft of THE HOBBIT, Gandalf was called "Bladorthin." It just shows the value of revising!

We see their point. Also "The Crack of Doom" is a bit suspect, as that phrase co...

We see their point. Also "The Crack of Doom" is a bit suspect, as that phrase comes from Shakespeare, an author not widely known in Hobbiton or even Rivendell.

The new trailer for the second installment of The Hobbit. We trust that no drago...

The new trailer for the second installment of The Hobbit. We trust that no dragons were harmed in the making of this film.


The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - Official Teaser Trailer [HD]
https://www.facebook.com/TheHobbitMovie http://www.thehobbit.com/ In theaters December 13th. The second in a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular ...

LOOKING FOR THE KING author David C. Downing is in England doing research for a...

LOOKING FOR THE KING author David C. Downing is in England doing research for a sequel to his Inklings novel. This week he visited Wayland's Smithy, an ancient barrow in the Berkshire Downs that Tolkien visited often in his lifetime, sometimes taking his whole family along. This ancient tomb is the legendary home of Wayland, a Germanic god famed for his metalcraft. Visit the Berkshire Downs on foggy day and see if this site doesn't make you think of the Barrow Downs. But keep an eye out for the treacherous Barrow Wight! (not pictured here. The Barrow Wight doesn't need a windbreaker.)

From a poster series on alternative movie titles.

From a poster series on alternative movie titles.

We posted this Tolkien quotation last month. But it seems worth reflecting upon...

We posted this Tolkien quotation last month. But it seems worth reflecting upon again in the light of this week's tragic events in Boston.

They may not have building codes in Hobbiton, but they do in Britain! I wonder i...

They may not have building codes in Hobbiton, but they do in Britain! I wonder if the local mayor is named Mr. Wormtongue?


This Couple May Lose Their 'Hobbit' Home
www.huffingtonpost.com
Like any expecting parents, Charlie Hague and Megan Williams of the United Kingdom, wanted to give their son a home he could call his own. But after building their "Lord of the Rings" hobbit-style house, the couple is now struggling to save the structure from being torn down by their local governmen...

From a letter to a longterm correspondent a few months before his passing in Nov...

From a letter to a longterm correspondent a few months before his passing in November 1963.

Wisdom from JRRT pre-GPS.

Wisdom from JRRT pre-GPS.

For some winsome paintings and drawings from Middle Earth and Narnia, see Jef Mu...

For some winsome paintings and drawings from Middle Earth and Narnia, see Jef Murray's Facebook page.