#outside resources

[tomtefairytaleblog]

Updated my Outside Resources page to include the Mythos Podcast by Nicole Schmidt. Really recommend it if you want to listen to some nice bits of folklore; Schmidt has a very calming voice and retells the stories very vividly.

[halleyscomet1]

“In the end, we’ll all spend eternity in the same way- with empty eye sockets and only the worms as our chambermaids”

~ Milo Rossi

[heartbreakerwgst-blog]

The Abortion Diary

The Abortion Diary is a podcast created by Melissa Madera in an attempt to break the silence surrounding abortion.  The podcast gives those who have received abortions the chance to share their experiences in a space free from the stigma or judgment towards abortion that one might be confronted with in the outside world.  This effort allows both for people to tell their abortion stories and for others to listen and learn from the lives of others.

Link to The Abortion Diary website: http://theabortiondiary.com

[askmiddlearth]

Hello! Love your blog! I've been thinking of delving into some of the HoM-e, and wanted to ask you something. I'm wondering how much new material there is and in which volumes it's in? It's hard enough for me to remember the actual canon events, without confusing myself with alternate versions of the events. And I'm not as interested in how Tolkien created the world of Arda. As of right now, I'm just looking for new stories and info. What do you recommend?

This is a little tricky, because there’s very little purely new information in the Histories of Middle Earth. Most of it is at least introduced as part of an “alternate” version, or is just a vastly more detailed version of a story only briefly described in the main published versions.

That being said, these are the volumes that I think would be best for you, because they contain the highest percentage of new information (or at least information that feels new):

Volume 2: The Book of Lost Tales Part 2

“The Fall of Gondolin” Okay, so I’m biased because I’m a huge Gondolin fan, but whatever this story is awesome. While the Silmarillion summarizes the fall of Gondolin in a couple pages, the version in the Book of Lost Tales is so much more detailed - so much more detailed - that it feels like a whole different story. And because this is a matter of adding details rather than changing them, very little of it contradicts the Silmarillion.

Volume 10: Morgoth’s Ring

“Laws and Customs Among the Eldar” This essay was basically Tolkien’s introductory guide to elvish culture, so it’s a must-read for the elvish fans out there. It covers topics such as gender roles, childhood, and the afterlife. Included is a more detailed version of the death of Miriel and Finwe’s marriage to Indis.

“Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth” You should like this one. While Andreth is mentioned briefly in The Silmarillion, basically the entirety of this section is found nowhere else in Tolkien’s writings. The bulk of the section is a philosophical discussion/debate between Andreth and Finrod. Included is an appendix that basically gives the First Age folklore about the awakening of men, and their early relationship with Morgoth. Seriously interesting stuff.

“Myths Transformed” This is actually a collection of shorter essays and writings that Tolkien did on a variety of more philosophical topics. He talks about the origin of orcs, Morgoth and Sauron’s motivations, as well as some more world-building topics (such as the sun and the stars.)

Volume 11: The War of the Jewels

“Quendi and Eldar” and “The Cuivienyarna” Most of this section is a collection of Tolkien’s notes and writings about elvish linguistics - mostly the different names that they had for themselves and each other. Don’t be fooled, though! Even if you’re not so interested in the language, Tolkien has this habit of hiding really fascinating details and anecdotes in with his linguistic essays. In this case, i think the jewel of the piece is one of the appendices, The Cuivienyarna. This is an elvish folktale/fairy tail about the awakening of the elves, and how they were divided into the three main groups.

Volume 12: The Peoples of Middle Earth

“The Shibboleth of Feanor” Remember what I just said about linguistic essays? Well, this piece starts out as a discussion about the use of the sounds “þ” and “s” among the Noldor but turns in to the greatest source of information we have about the children and grandchildren of Finwe. While it’s all basically happening within the structure of the story we already know from The Silmarillion, this version offers more detail and “behind the scenes” information without actually contradicting the published version.

“Of Dwarves and Men” This, again, is technically a linguistic essay exploring the affects of Khuzdul on mannish languages. But a good chunk of the essay is devoted to describing the historical relationship between dwarves and men (particularly in the late First Age/early Second Age, a time period we know very little about anyway.)

“Last Writings” This is a collection of very short pieces (only a couple pages each) that offers some very interesting information about a few more minor characters. Here we learn about why Cirdan’s stayed in Middle Earth all this time, and how exactly it is that Glorfindel died in The Silmarillion, but still appeared in Fellowship of the Ring, and a few other interesting tidbits.

“The New Shadow” So, this sequel to Lord of the Rings was actually abandoned by Tolkien very early on (we’ve only got about 6 pages of it), so whether you consider it new information or an alternate version is kind of up to you. 

There’s still “new” information in the other volumes, of course. But if you don’t want to wade your way through old drafts and Christopher Tolkien’s tireless commentary on his father’s writing process, then these four volumes are your best bet. Also, just in case you haven’t already, you should absolutely check out The Unfinished Tales, since the vast majority of that book falls under your guidelines for new information.

Good luck, and I hope this helps!

[askmiddlearth]

I would to start reading the volumes of The History of Middle Earth. Does it focus mainly on the Silmarillion and what does include material that the Silmarillion doesn't? Thanks!

Certain volumes of the series focus on the Silmarillion, but not all of them. Here’s a very very basic outline of what you’ll find in each book:

(Vol. 1 and 2) Tolkien’s earliest writings about Middle Earth and the earliest versions of The Silmarillion;

(Vol. 3) early versions of the Children of Hurin and the Lay of Beren and Luthien;

(Vol. 4) maps, chronologies, and early histories of Valinor and Beleriand;

(Vol. 5) elvish languages and early versions of the Fall of Numenor;

(Vol. 6) early writings in The Lord of the Rings, from the Shire to Balin’s tomb;

(Vol. 7) early writings in The Lord of the Rings, from Rivendell to Rohan;

(Vol. 8) early writings in The Lord of the Rings, from Helm’s Deep to the Black Gate;

(Vol. 9) early versions of the fall of Sauron and the drowning of Numenor;

(Vol. 10) elvish culture, early writings about orcs and evil stuff, and the debate between Finrod and Andreth about the differences between elves and men;

(Vol. 11) the origins of eagles and Ents, the sundering of the elves, and later Silmarillion revisions;

(Vol. 12) essays of the races of Middle Earth, the Numenorean colonizing of Middle Earth, and the incomplete (abandoned) sequel to LOTR.

There’s also a sort of unofficial 13th volume which serves as an index for the first 12.

So, if you’re looking specifically for information on the Silmarillion, you’ll want to check out volumes 1-5 and 9-12.

[askmiddlearth]

Have you heard of the Lord Of The Rings Project? It's like you but available anytime.

The LotR Project is awesome. They’ve collected some of the most fascinating statistical data on Middle Earth, and all of their projects are simply beautiful. For those of you who haven’t checked this website out yet, here are some important links:

The main page - which is also a family tree of all Tolkien’s characters (yeah, you heard me right)

List of Contents - links to the many projects on the website (makes navigation much easier)

Interactive maps! One for Beleriand and one for Middle Earth.

A whole bunch of useful demographic statistics 

Two of their most beautiful infographics, which some day I will buy and hang on my wall: Timeline of the One Ring and Timeline of the Elves

And, yes, as long as you have an internet connection, this website is available.

[resourcesforacesurvivors]

Resources for bi ace survivors

biresourcecenter has named March Bi Health Awareness Month, with a special emphasis this year on mental health in the bi community.

I know first-hand how tough it can be to get support if you’re bi-ish and ace-ish and a survivor.  You might have to deal with therapists who have no idea how to deal with your bi identity, let alone your ace identity.  You might have to deal with doctors who are confused by your sexual history or the genders of your past partners or all of the above.  You might have trouble finding bi resources that are ace-competent or ace resources that are bi-competent.  You might feel pressured into aligning yourself with one community over the other depending on whether your experiences fit into the dominant narrative of sexual violence against bi folks/ace folks, or you might feel alienated from both communities because you feel that your experiences don’t “count.”

Since this month is Bi Health Awareness Month (and this week is focusing on resources), I decided to take this opportunity to share with all of you some ace-friendly bi resources for all of you who are romantically attracted to two or more genders (whatever label you use) and for those of you who are somewhere on the asexual spectrum on top of being sexually attracted to two or more genders.

biwomensupport (BWSN) is basically the bi equivalent of this blog, focusing specifically on bi women and non-binary folks.  They reblog a lot of resources and give excellent advice.  They also have very helpful static lists of emergency resources, general resources, and self-care and recovery resources.  They are ace-competent, so if you’re in their target demographic and ever want advice from another person, you should drop by their blog.

biwoc (BiWoC) is a blog specifically for bi women of color.  Like BWSN, they’re open to both women and non-binary folks.  Although they have a different focus than BWSN (specifically focused on bi WoC and not focused on issues of sexual violence), they do reblog a fair amount of stuff on self-care.  I’m involved with the offline group, and both the offline group and the blog are ace-competent.  If you’re a bi ace woman of color, it can often be even more difficult to get support, so a resource like this is invaluable.

biresourcecenter (BRC) is the center with which BiWoC is affiliated and is ace-competent.  They have a broader focus than BWSN and BiWoC, and have their own website off tumblr with more information on the group.  Check out their #bihealthmonth tag for more resources.

Feel free to reblog this post and add more ace-competent bi resources that bi ace survivors might find helpful!

[askmiddlearth]

Where can I read The New Shadow (online)?

Well, you can read it in The Histories of Middle Earth, volume 12 (“The Peoples of Middle Earth”). It’s one of my favorite volumes of the series, so I’d highly recommend it. You can buy it on Amazon, or you might be able to find it in a library. (Or if you can find it online, more power to you I guess.)