Talks with Tolkien artists: batwinged-squirrel

I have alraedy interviewed several great artists from the Tolkien fandom - both digital and traditional, with various styles and approaches. But until now, I have not interviewed a writer yet. And so today, I'm amending this, and bringing you a talk with -batwinged-squirrel, a poet who certainly wouldn't get lost in Elrond's Hall of Fire. I know that reading requires more effort than looking at pictures, but I assure you, it's worth to click on any of the following thumbnails (unless literature and poetry is not your cup of tea at all... in that case, feel no pressure). I will make an exception and keep one of the thumbnails that's already mentioned below in the answer to question 10,  as "Beren and Lúthien" is in my opinion an amazing creation, and worth reading whole in its impressive length.


1. Hello! For the beginning, could you tell us something about yourself?

I'm batwinged-squirrel, but you can call me Squirrel. I'm known mainly as Ireth elsewhere on the internet. I've been a Tolkien enthusiast for about fourteen years now, and a writer for a lot longer than that. I started writing poetry and short stories when I was six, and never really stopped.

2. When did you read Tolkien's books for the first time, and what impression did they leave in you?

I read The Hobbit as a kid, but I didn't get into Lord of the Rings until after the movies came out. I bought Fellowship of the Ring and loved it, and a friend of mine got me the whole trilogy as a Christmas gift. I devoured it pretty quickly, and then the Silmarillion not long after. Even though I saw the movies first, and while I do love them, I'm still very much a "book purist".

I've always been amazed at the amount of detail Tolkien put into his world, considering it started out solely as a place to use his fictional languages. I've heard some people call his writing flowery and purple, but I think it's wonderful for immersing the reader in his world. It's that level and depth of detail that's always stuck out to me, along with the themes of love and friendship.

3. How extensive is your knowledge of Middle-earth? Do you consider yourself Tolkien expert?

I know quite a bit about Middle-earth, and others have called me the "resident Tolkien expert" on some writing forums I frequent, but I wouldn't boast about knowing everything. There are a lot of books I haven't read, like the History of Middle-Earth and Laws and Customs of the Eldar. I haven't yet gotten through Unfinished Tales either. But I've read The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings and the Silmarillion many times over. I've even tried teaching myself Sindarin and Quenya, mainly for poetry purposes.

4. When the movies came out, many of the inner pictures of characters and scenes in the mind of the readers have been replaced by actors and settings from the movie. Did it happen to you as well? Did you try to prevent it?

Not really. Since I saw the movies before I read the books, those images were in my head from the beginning. The books haven't really changed that. I think Jackson and WETA did a really good job of interpreting them, though. (Mostly, anyway. The bird poo on Radagast's hair in The Hobbit was a bit much.)

5. Now, could you tell us something about you and writing? Are you a professional writer, or is it just your hobby? When did you start doing it, and who or what influenced your style?

I've written poetry and prose alike from a very young age (including a LOT of fanfic like what's in my gallery on dA), but I didn't start getting serious about trying to get published until I was in my teens. My first stories, from about 6-7 years old, were fanfics based on a dog named Wishbone, from the kids' series of the same name; I collaborated on them with my older sister (known here as Riowolf and SherlockianHound ). I haven't been published yet, but I'm inching closer to finishing a YA novel and hopefully getting there soon. I also have two other novels in varying states of progress.

My style is influenced/inspired by a lot of different things. My YA novel was heavily inspired by O.R. Melling's The Chronicles of Faerie, from which I took the basic premise of the first book, turned it inside out and ran away with it. Of my others, one is an epic fantasy that has its roots in a LOTR-based RPG, and meshes Celtic and Norse mythology. The third is a historical fantasy centered around vampires in 14th century Scotland. (There's an old blurb for it somewhere in my gallery, and a poem or two loosely based on it.) I have my mother to thank for the vampire story; she gave me a name and a nationality for the main character, and it blossomed from there.

7. As a writer, how do you feel about the position of fanfiction in current literature?

As a writer of fanfiction myself, I might be a bit biased. I've taken a lot of enjoyment from it, and put a lot of effort into my stories, some more than others. Threads of Fate took me thirteen months to complete. I don't feel that effort was "wasted" just because I can't legally publish it for money. Same goes for my other stories and my poetry. I had a lot of fun writing it, and I'm glad people have such an interest in reading it. I think that's the most important part, the mutual enjoyment. If people want to write but are daunted by the idea of creating an entirely new world, I say let them work with a world they already know and love.


8. Do you think that writers and fanfiction writers and poets get enough attention on deviantart? If not, could the situation be improved?

I don't know about "enough attention", but it seems to me they do get less attention than visual artists. I'd like to see more literature being recognized.

9. Do you have some writing tips and tricks you would like to share with others?

I find it helps to get into a comfortable zone before trying to write. Usually for me, that means some music that fits the mood of the scene I'm trying to write, a nice hot mug of tea, and no distractions. Writing on a schedule is also helpful, as is setting daily, weekly or even monthly goals. Engaging in writing groups helps with accountability if you slip, and encourages you to keep going.

10. Could you give us a link or thumbnail from your gallery of
- a Tolkien themed piece you are most proud of?


- a piece from other fandom or original story/poem you are most proud of?



- any other story or poem you would like to share with us and why?


This is just something silly I came up with one day, after listening to far too many Disney songs, and reading blogger Mark Oshiro's complaint about there being no talking horses in Tolkien's canon.

11. What key people in your life, (on or off of dA) have been inspirations to you, or has supported you, as a writer? You can also tell us why, if you want.

My mom has always been supportive of my writing, even to the point of offering ideas for new stories. Korli-Kitty and I talk regularly about our respective original pieces, and it's my roleplaying with her that formed the basis for one of my original novels – the aforesaid Celtic/Norse myth blend.

12. Is there some artist(s) at dA you know, who doesn't have as much attention as they would deserve? If yes, could you give us some thumbnails from their gallery?


13. Is there something else you would like to tell to the fans of Tolkien and your writing?

Firstly, thank you to everyone who enjoys my writing! I know I haven't posted anything new in a while, but I hope you keep rereading my work, and maybe find new artists to follow by looking through my favorites.

Thanks again to MirachRavaia for conducting this interview. I'm honored to be part of it.

Thank you very much for taking the time to answer my questions!


Previous talks: with Gold-Seven fav.me/d6aprnx
                            with steamey fav.me/d6bx1lc
                            with ekukanova fav.me/d6dzooz
                            with Tulikoura fav.me/d6gqc7f
                            with AbePapakhian fav.me/d6l0qap
                            with kimberly80 fav.me/d6nt0jo
                            with jankolas fav.me/d6o41tp
                            with jgilronan fav.me/d720ty2
                            with ebe-kastein fav.me/d7432vw
                            with MatsumotoSensei fav.me/d76jc7r
                            with TurnerMohan fav.me/d78r8wr
                            with ullakko fav.me/d79rfcc