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Dol Guldur  by Arnakhor 2 Review(s)
LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 15 on 10/19/2018
I heartily agree that start-to-finish is the best way to read a tale!

A few years ago, when I was reading and posting regularly, I sometimes found "new" stories to add to my reading list by sampling the last-posted chapter of the most recently posted story at SoA. A kind of "lucky dipping", I suppose.

It stems from a technique for choosing educational literature for children (we were followers of Charlotte Mason's "living books" educational philosophy). If we were considering a nonfiction book for reading aloud together, I'd turn to a random page in the middle and read. If it pulled me in and I found it interesting, it went on our reading list. If I found it dull, I'd turn to another random page and start reading, and if this page, too, was dull, it wasn't likely to spur a child's interest. We found the technique quite effective.

So if a story can pull me in, jumping into the middle with only a passing understanding of the characters and plot, it's a keeper.

Author Reply: I agree with the technique. I use it at Barnes and Noble. I read a page of each. If I get drawn in smoothly its a winner. If it feels like work to get through, back on the shelf. I volunteer tutor inner city kids in 2nd grade. When the books that are supplied get dull, I have the kids make up a story. Then I write and illustrate it on Publisher and bring it back for them to read. It's fun for them and makes them authors.

Glad you enjoyed my sample of my book. It's a full length book set at a specific time, place, and event in Tolkien's chronology. The characters, many mentioned in his genealogies, are brought to life. The feel of the times, the details of the lands, etc is what I wanted to bring to life as well.

I hope you enjoy the book. As you go through it, let me know what you think or if you have any questions.

DADGADReviewed Chapter: 15 on 10/18/2018
Goodness, this is a really well written and extremely tense story! I'm a bit concerned for Drianna, all by herself at this point. And poor Radagast, worrying about his avian friends...

Author Reply: It is no walk in the park. The tension builds towards the climax at the end, which makes it hopefully a bit of a page turner and creates anticipation by the reader for the next chapter. Drianna is tough and capable. She has more to contribute though the perils will be significant for her and the others. Radagast has done his part, though his anxiety is genuine as he cannot now control events to come and his heart is bound to the creatures he has enlisted as allies. Thank you so much for reading and commenting. I hope you read it to the end and I look forward to any more comments you may have.

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