FEATURED ASSOCIATE
FIRST FEATURED: 07/11/06
ASSOCIATE SINCE: 2005
FOUNDER: David Pence
URL: www.thetolkienforum.com
FOUNDED IN: August 2001
MAIN INTERESTS: Tolkien discussion, RPG, general chat
The Tolkien Forum, as you might expect, is a gathering place on the internet for fans of the classic fantasy author and his books. But with nearly thirty forums for discussion of Tolkien's books, the movies, the world of Middle Earth, for RPG and for general discussion, The Tolkien Forum is a large and lively community. "If you are a fan of Tolkien's writings, you will find many intelligent and insightful brains to pick or toss a new idea at," says long-time member, YayGollum. "We have pretty much everything that you could want, plenty that you probably have never even thought of, and the open minds to make more for you, if you don't already see it."
Senior member HLGStrider describes the most popular offerings at The Tolkien Forum: "We are mainly a 'Tolkien' forum but we allow off topic discussions on just about any topic. Off topics are encouraged only in the specified bits, and while anything goes in 'Stuff and Bother', the main attractions seem to be the Green Dragon (where you can discuss literature and entertainment) and the Prancing Pony which is set aside for our members' own literary endeavors." HLGStrider also shared some candid thoughts about the fact that non-Tolkien discussions did not always find support from all the members: There has always been a little controversy about whether, as a Tolkien forum, we should 'encourage' non-Tolkien discussion at all, but I have always felt that if we are part of a 'community,' which is what I like to think this is, these discussions are going to spring up as our members form friendships and explore like interests and it is in the best interest of the forums to provide a place for these discussions."
Indeed, the value of the sense of community at The Tolkien Forum was echoed by more than one member. Active member, e.Blackstar explains why this online community is so appealing: "I like it more than some other forums I've frequented because it always seems more friendly. So many other sites tend to go 'clique-y' after awhile, and while everyone here has their own group of friends, I'd like to think that we're quite welcoming." YayGollum characterizes the variety of member personalities within this community as, "fiercely intelligent and full of appreciation for the things that merit some, creative in very many ways, which is a pretty ideal sort to hope for, honest, loyal, stubborn, helpful, way too generous, youthfully eager when new people arrive, hoping that they are the sort to stimulate the discussions even more, and very friendly, of course."
Member Noldor_returned has the following advice for new members: "If someone I know is thinking of joining, or a new member joins, I give a few helpful hints to make the start easier, such as follow the rules, participate actively and stick around if you reply to a thread or start one." It's the dedicated membership of The Tolkien Forum that make it a consistently rewarding place to visit.
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