Details and FAQ for submitting your Hobbit inspired work

[Chris]

Raid a dragon’s treasure hoard and present half of your take to librarian Chris at the Lackman library . . .

An exercise in creativity, in one of three different ways:

1) If you've read the book or seen the trailer, you know that the characters often turn to song to entertain and inform each other. Many who have read the book have been inspired to create their own songs in imitation and/or tribute. Now you can join the list.

2) Perhaps the most famous chapter in The Hobbit is "Riddles in the Dark," in which Bilbo and Gollum exchange riddles as a contest. This is part of a long tradition, and with a quick bit of research you can find many more (for instance). But can you do more than just find; can you create?

3) Tolkien created more than 100 sketches, drawings, paintings and maps to go with the book as he was writing it and many, many others have been inspired to create their own images of the book. What do you see when you read it?

So, in sum: Following the example set by the book, write the lyrics to an epic song, create a series of riddles, and/or create a drawing inspired by your experience reading The Hobbit. Entries deemed worthy to entertain a dragon will be entered in a drawing to win a copy of The Annotated Hobbit.

Entries can be submitted on this discussion thread. Let us know what questions you have.

[Elliott]

I've written a song for option number one.

The winter lasted an eternity, I swear
The air was bitter, the sun all but disappeared
And the rain turned to slush in the cold.

I tried to fight the darker side of me
As it said, "Things can only get worse
you know, you'll never be okay."

I lost myself in the blizzards and the fog
The icicles and the nightmares
The short days and the endless nights
All the things that add up to:
Intangible darkness and damage beyond repair.

But summer is on the way, oh hallelujah
The air is warmer, the sun is brighter
And I can feel the rain again.

I hold on to the brighter side of me
As it says, "Things are looking up
you know, you're going to be okay."

I'm ready for the humidity and starlight
The dandelions and the musty books
The long days and the fleeting nights
All the things that add up to:
Tangible magic and a glimpse of freedom.

Summer is on the way, darling
And I'm ready to live, oh I'm ready.