WHO IS 'TOLKIENBRITTA'?
I'm Britta (just like the water filter!): a Tolkien collector, enthusiast, and aspiring scholar. I first ventured into Middle-earth via The Hobbit, which I read when I was eleven years old. Immediately after, I went on to read The Lord of the Rings and then The Silmarillion (and everything else Tolkien had written!).
I decided the best way to connect with other fans (and eventually get into serious Tolkien scholarship) was to start blogging; in 2011, I created this blog and focused on a segment I called "365 Days of Middle-earth", wherein I posted about a different person, place, event, or object each day. Not long after I started that project, I became a reporter for the Middle-earth News, a Tolkien fansite which covers related literature, film, and gaming news.
ARTICLES, PODCASTS, AND PUBLICATIONS
ARTICLES
- "What the Hobbit Trilogy Brings" - an article I wrote for Sci-Fi Talk
- News articles I have written for the Middle-earth News
- I have contributed a few articles to WARSTEEDS
PODCASTS
- Episode 10 of the Aldasaga podcast (Tolkien & Old Norse Influences)
- Legendarium's "Girl Power" podcast, focusing on girl gamers
- Warriors of the Westfold's "The Bacon-Rich Lands of LOTRO" episode
- Middle-earth News' 2013 "Hobbit Day Special" podcast
- Quest Gaming Network's "The White Council" YouTube Show – Episode 5: "Rangers of the North", Episode 6: "The Music of the Ainur and Discord of Melkor", and Episode 9: "The Shire"
- The Yet-Unnamed LOTRO Show – Episode 5: "Brittamower is Back!"
PUBLICATIONS
- My review of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" was published in the Spring 2013 issue (#54) of Mallorn, the journal of the Tolkien Society
OTHER
- I am the founder and one of three moderators of the TolkienCollectors Instagram account
- I also help manage the Middle-earth News Facebook and Instagram pages
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Where are you from?
A: I hail from "the Shire" – aka the beautiful state of New Hampshire.
Q: How did you get into Tolkien?
A: I was a huge fan of Brian Jacques' Redwall series when I was in the 5th grade, and my interest in that prompted my mother to recommend The Hobbit. My Uncle loaned me his copy of the book (and The Lord of the Rings immediately after), and from that moment on I was hooked on Middle-earth.
Q: What is your favourite Tolkien book?
A: It's hard to narrow it down to just one book, but I always find myself going back to The Silmarillion and The Hobbit. Story-wise, "The Tale of Beren and Lúthien" is my favourite.
Q: What is your opinion on the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films?
A: I enjoyed the Lord of the Rings, but didn't care much for the Hobbit films. I felt that too much unnecessary material was added, thus taking away from the original story and turning it into more of an extended telling of "The Quest of Erebor." (You can read my full reviews of each Hobbit film here.)
Q: How do you fund your collection?
A: I have a steady job and very generous friends and family; when I go out, I get very lucky when it comes to finding good deals. Additionally, with a lot of mom-and-pop stores, buying in bulk or remaining a loyal customer helps keep prices down. I very rarely shop at chain book or toy stores anymore.
Q: Are any of your books/collectibles for sale?
A: I hail from "the Shire" – aka the beautiful state of New Hampshire.
Q: How did you get into Tolkien?
A: I was a huge fan of Brian Jacques' Redwall series when I was in the 5th grade, and my interest in that prompted my mother to recommend The Hobbit. My Uncle loaned me his copy of the book (and The Lord of the Rings immediately after), and from that moment on I was hooked on Middle-earth.
Q: What is your favourite Tolkien book?
A: It's hard to narrow it down to just one book, but I always find myself going back to The Silmarillion and The Hobbit. Story-wise, "The Tale of Beren and Lúthien" is my favourite.
Q: What is your opinion on the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films?
A: I enjoyed the Lord of the Rings, but didn't care much for the Hobbit films. I felt that too much unnecessary material was added, thus taking away from the original story and turning it into more of an extended telling of "The Quest of Erebor." (You can read my full reviews of each Hobbit film here.)
Q: How do you fund your collection?
A: I have a steady job and very generous friends and family; when I go out, I get very lucky when it comes to finding good deals. Additionally, with a lot of mom-and-pop stores, buying in bulk or remaining a loyal customer helps keep prices down. I very rarely shop at chain book or toy stores anymore.
Q: Are any of your books/collectibles for sale?
A: Currently, no. I do have a stash of duplicate books I've set
aside with the intention of opening an online shop, but I'm still a ways
off from doing so. However, I may at some point post what I have in the
event someone is interested in a trade.
Q: Do you have any Tolkien tattoos? Will you get any?
A: I currently have a horse of Rohan sigil on my left shoulder blade and Théoden's sword Herugrim on my left calf. I want a partial Tolkien-themed sleeve (and some other things), but I still haven't figured out exactly what to get so it will probably be awhile before I get anything else.
Q: Do you have any Tolkien tattoos? Will you get any?
A: I currently have a horse of Rohan sigil on my left shoulder blade and Théoden's sword Herugrim on my left calf. I want a partial Tolkien-themed sleeve (and some other things), but I still haven't figured out exactly what to get so it will probably be awhile before I get anything else.
LET'S CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Just wanted to say thanks for all the tweets and for this site and for promoting LOTRO etc. You remind me of me when my age was more like yours :D I actually created my own undergrad major in Historical Linguistics out of my love for Tolkien's languages. Have you ever made your own language and/or alphabet?
ReplyDeleteBe well,
J
Thanks for the kind words, Jay! What an exciting undergrad major :) While I, too, love languages, I've actually never given too much thought to inventing my own. But that would certainly be an interesting challenge!
DeleteAll the best!
Britta
Hello, Britta
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if you could give me a list of books on scholarly work of Tolkien's Middle-Earth; guide books written by various people; reliable I would much prefer if there are any. From my comment on your The Hobbit Companion, I have already Day's Bestiary. I didn't buy it personally, but was a gift. I wonder if you can suggest others. I'll take it from a scholar herself. I hope you receive this. If you can, e-mail me: jkzmo@yahoo.ca or reply here, whichever is convenient for you. Thank you!
,Eef
Hello Britta,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy your blog! Where can I read more?
Mfg
Thank you!
DeleteThere will be more to come on this blog; in the meantime, I post regularly on Twitter and Tumblr (username for both is "tolkienbritta"). Hope that helps!
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteJust stumbled across your site whilst looking up Lotro 6th anniversary information...Wow, you are a happening girl, keep it up :)
DeleteThis young lady is so amazing!!! To think, Britta, that your career is only just beginning and that I have no doubt that your works will touch many lives and change them in a positive way as your life was changed by that of Prof Tolkien and so many other writers. Keep up the fantastic work and the honor is all mine in having the privilege of getting to know you and call you a dear friend. God bless always, Marcelo
ReplyDeleteWow you are so beautiful!! I really love your eyes!! Live well, bless.
ReplyDeleteHi Britta, just sent you an email. I'm in NH as well and just came across your Twitter feed, and now your blog page. Been a pleasure to follow you and read your blog. Take care.
ReplyDeleteDear Britta,
ReplyDeleteI have been on a yearly search for Eowyn vrs the nazgul pewter diorama. If there is one available or you know where I can find one I would be very grateful.
Have a safe day and smile lots.
Clinton Burns
Rotturedeldrago@yahoo.com