by: Staci Stallings
Let’s start with this: I am not a Lord of the Rings fan. I apologize to those of you who love it, but I must confess that I am not among that number.
My children once had the movies on our television in the living room, and I didn’t leave my office the entire time. Even if it’s a good story, I can’t take the fighting and the noise of violence.
So my next confession probably won’t surprise you either: I have never read any of the books except for The Hobbit that I assigned my seventh grade English class back in the early 90’s because someone said they would like it. I don’t know if they liked it. I didn’t get much out of it though that could be because I was reading three other books for other classes as well as doing lesson plans and grading. (Yes, I was a crazy teacher!)
Suffice it to say, I am not well-grounded in Middle Earth though I do know the term and where it comes from.
That’s why it’s so weird to me that LOTR, which is what all the cool kids call it, keeps showing up in my life and in this set of books I’m writing. At first it was just a passing mention because Taylor, the main character, loves books and Greg’s sisters were showing her their book collections. Then Clara, Greg’s ex-girlfriend mentioned it later on in When You Sing a Love Song, and it became a bonding moment between her and her new boyfriend, Ryan.
Then, the craziest thing just happened this weekend in real life that is destined to be included in the new book. There is a whole thread in the books about how you need to try things and do different things to find the things that you love and that you’re good at. Taylor, my current protagonist, is embarking on a whole new way of being, and it’s great fun to watch. However, she very much feels untethered to the world she once knew and believed she was headed toward.
She has come to the conclusion that she wants no part of the future she thought she was building (because that’s what everyone told her she should want), but she doesn’t really have a grasp on what a new future might look like either. There are a lot of references to being in the goo—that spot when a caterpillar is not a caterpillar nor a butterfly. It’s in process. It’s just goo.
Being someone who was driven and goal-oriented, this is unsettling in the extreme for Taylor. And then this great line comes waltzing in my life as if to ask what took you so long to get here?
Now a little on just how circuitous a route this line took to get to me. My niece had come to stay with us last year, and she’s been doing a lot of growing up and becoming—just like Taylor. One of the things she dearly loves is Lord of the Rings. She even read the actual books although she is dyslexic. Over the Christmas break, she and her father watched the movies together, so she was telling me about all of it while she sat at my island and I did the dishes. (Hint to all the creative people out there: Never underestimate just where and how God might throw a lightning bolt in your direction.)
So she’s talking about the films and she says quite innocently enough, “Wandering doesn’t mean you’re lost.”
That hit me like a truck, and I was like, “What?”
She said, “It’s the Riddle of Strider. ‘Not all who wander are lost.’ It’s not even in the movie because….” (insert long, drawn out explanation that I only barely followed)
But to say I was intrigued is putting it mildly. That quote is exactly what Taylor needs to hear right now, and I know just how to weave it in.
The crazy thing is, people who read this book are going to think I’m a Middle Earth aficionado, and strangely, nothing could be further from the truth. Just like I’ve never danced ballet (like in Dance With Me) or fixed up an old house (The Long Way Home, Raising Attabury), fixed old cars (Little Drops of Sunshine), or been in a plane that crashed (Flight 259), or my favorite, been in a burning high rise (To Protect & Serve).
And yet somehow, on this strange, wandering path called writing, I’ve gotten to do all of that and more.
I can’t wait for Taylor to hear this line!
So, dear reader, what is your work in progress that you are excited to be starting the new year out with?
Take the Journey!
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A stay-at-home mom with a husband, three kids and a writing addiction on the side, Staci Stallings has numerous titles for readers to choose from. Not content to stay in one genre and write it to death, Staci’s stories run the gamut from young adult to adult, from motivational and inspirational to full-out Christian and back again. Every title is a new adventure! That’s what keeps Staci writing and you reading. Although she lives in Amarillo, Texas and her main career right now is her family, Staci touches the lives of people across the globe with her various Internet and writing endeavors.
My word/intention is Exploration 2021. Seems like my entire life was turned upside down last year and I was struggling with what a life I love would now be like. Stopped putting pressure on myself to know and decided to explore for a year, so I completely comprehend wandering without being lost. Who knows what will occur or where I will be guided, hopefully not into LOTR cause it never really spoke to me. Like you though I will need to be vigilant to recognise messages and opportunities. What a great post. Thanks.
I am waiting to see how God will use my new season of life. I have no idea how He’ll turn my mourning into joy, but I know He will, in His time and in His way.
I’m hoping to repair a couple of broken family relationships. Naturally that can’t happen with just me desiring it but I have been working on it. Time will tell….
Well, if you read one of the LOTR books, Staci, you did better than me. I didn’t read any. I heard all about them, but they certainly didn’t seem like something I would like. I did read all the tales of Narnia though, and found them quite delightful.
I’m a LOTR fan. I have read the books multiple times, and the movies are the only movies I’ve liked as well as the books they’ve been adapted from (not the Hobbit movies, but I digress). I’m rereading the Hobbit yet again right now.
My work in progress is revising and tightening #4 in my “Love is” — Her Heart’s Disappointment. It’s been harder than the previous three because it’s finally after the wedding, and it’s so important to me to get the message that the HEA in real-life is hard work.
I will definitely keep on working on what has been reinforced to me and of which I have always known “To not take anything or anyone for granted” and also to not complain especially about little things. Have a Great weekend and stay safe. I enjoyed reading your post. Your book sounds like a Great read!
I am also not a fan of LOTR. I did see the movies and didn’t care for the last two. I tried to read the first book, but all those unfamiliar worlds confused me. Fantasy and SciFi are definitely not my kind of reading.
I do like LOTR and THE HOBBIT – the books and the movies. There are a lot of positives to take from them.
I do enjoy both books & movies of LOTRs and The Hobbit & have the phrase “Not all Who Wander are Lost” on a favorite mug. My older sister introduced me & pushed me to finish The Hobbit as teenagers. I struggled w all the characters and world building at first. Reminds me to watch them again. :D
My work is process this year is checking out audiobooks. I received one as a birthday gift which forced me (didn’t wish to waste it) to check them out. I’m a “visual” learner & when I read, it’s like I am watching a really detailed movie. So I’m not sure audios can beat that. For now, I’m constantly hitting the “rewind” button as I tend to daydream. Perhaps there is a learning curve. And Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I do know some ppl Love it.
JOY – I want to trust the Lord and be joyful no matter what.
I don’t know that I have a work in progress, seems I’m always am progressing at some kind of “attitude change” within myself. Like for instance, being more patient with my husband and not just running my mouth off when I don’t agree with what he says or does. That’s a bad habit that I’m asking God to help me with. I don’t like that it causes tension between us because he’s the most patient & understanding person in my life.
I have to remember that I don’t “wrestle with flesh & blood (my husband) but principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places”. So in other words, it’s not my husband that I’m fighting (fussing) with, but it’s the enemy who wants to tear us apart by getting us to arguments. I need to learn to pray against those times when they come. It’s a work in progress for sure!
I love LOTR & the movies made from it! I once borrowed all the DVD’s from my library and did a binge watch. I also spot lots of spiritual things happening under the surface of the movie, like a deeper spiritual meaning to them (if that makes sense). Like an allegory is how I’d explain it, think of a “Hinds Feet in High Places” kind of story. :-)
I am overwhelmed with family issues. Each of my parents are having issues. I am an only child trying to balance their needs, the house, my husband, and myself. We all have health issues. I have taken over finances for my Mom who is in a rehab center at this time. She is pending surgery on January 22. It was postponed from January 6.
My word is Intentional.
Interesting, Dianne! I wish you much inspiration on your exploration!
Trudy, I understand that sentiment! Mourning to joy is in great need right now!
God bless!
Deb,
Every repaired relationship takes willingness, God, time and a whole lot of love and listening. God bless you for being willing and letting God guide!
Peace,
Staci
Sandra,
I’m not sure I “read” The Hobbit. If I did, I didn’t know what was going on! HAHAHAH!
I never read Narnia either. Watched the movies though.
Staci
Lila,
Boy, is THAT the truth! HEA in real life IS work!
Glad you liked LOTR. I have several young friends around me who love them. Just not my jam. :D
Staci
Alicia,
I so agree with ‘don’t take anyone or anything for granted.” May you have a wonderful week as well.
Staci
Merrillee,
It’s funny because I really liked the first six Star Wars but after that “Meh.” I liked the first Narnia movie but after that, I never went back. It’s like some fantasy or scifi I like to a point but I can’t say I’m a rabid fan. I do know people who are though, and I figure God didn’t give everything on earth for me, so… :D
Staci
Denise,
Being intentional about life is so very important. I think a few years ago, my word was intentional and the next year it was flexible. Growing and learning is so important!
Staci
Wow, Debra! It sounds like you have a full plate of taking care of physical needs. My prayers for you and your family during this turbulent time!
Staci
Trixi,
That’s what I’ve heard about the books and movies. That’s how they tried to get me to watch them. Alas, that didn’t work. But I think it’s great that there are people who get so much out of them.
As for you with husband, I tell my orbit of kids all the time that in the Bible it says “The two shall become one” it doesn’t say “the half and the quarter will get together and try to make a whole.” I think relationships and especially marriage require you to become a whole person who can love the other person…. not try to find someone to love you into wholeness. (Paradigm shift, I know!)
Staci
Natalya,
I LOVE that! I have a niece whose middle name is JOY and she just fully embraced that recently. It produced quite a difference in her!
God bless!
Mary,
That is so awesome! And it’s exactly what my kids who’ve tried to get me to watch/read them say.
God bless!
Penelope,
I teach Life Skills and one of the things we do is a learning styles quiz. You may not be an auditory learner. That doesn’t mean don’t try audiobooks, but if they don’t work for you, don’t beat yourself up too much! My son loves them. My daughter loves them when she’s driving but prefers reading when she’s not. I think it’s something that either really works for you or doesn’t.
It’s funny because my son is dyslexic, and when he first listened to a book on audiobook, he was fascinated because he could “see” what was going on while he listened. Before, he struggled so much with the words, that he couldn’t even understand what was happening. So it’s possible to get that “seeing” thing from audiobooks as well.
Peace,
Staci
Yes, as you said, I know I am a visual learner. In school, I always took copious notes. Then when I reviewed them before any tests, I could actually “see” the pages & flip through them in my head. I never remembered a thing my instructors said after any lectures. I relied entirely on my notes – and quickly developed my own “shorthand”.
I am somewhat dubious about the audiobooks. Watching any movie, I’m always thinking, “What did he just say? What was that? What???” I never catch lyrics in any songs, either – ever. But, I am to try, at least 1 or just cheap ones.
Yes, as you said, I am a visual learner. In school, I took copious notes. Then when I reviewed them before any tests, I could “see” the pages & flip through them in my head. But I never actually remembered a thing my instructors said after any lectures. I relied entirely on my notes – and quickly was forced to developed my own “shorthand”.
Watching any movie, I’m always thinking, “What did he just say? What was that? What???” I never catch lyrics in any songs, either – ever. But, I do aim to at least try.
Yes, as you said, I am a visual learner. In school, I took copious notes. Then when I reviewed them before any tests, I could “see” the pages & flip through them in my head. But I never actually remembered a thing my instructors said after any lectures. I relied entirely on my notes – and quickly was forced to developed my own “shorthand”.
Watching any movie, I’m always thinking, “What did he just say? What was that? What???” I never catch lyrics in any songs, either – ever. But, I do aim to at least try the audiobooks.
Thanks!
Penelope,
You are surely very visual, so the audiobooks might not work for you. The thing I have learned is to try things out and not get stuck on it if they don’t work. Just find the things that DO work for you.
Also, I’m a lot like you. I think I have a photographic memory, in fact. I could tell you what page something was on, where it was on the page, what the page looked like, which side of the book it was on, and if there were pictures or charts or something on the page. I never could understand why other kids couldn’t do that too. Oh, and in Western Civ in college, I highlighted all of my notes, color coding them– people were blue, terms were green, definitions were pink, etc. That way, I could remember not only WHERE it was on the page but I could take good pictures of all of it so I could “read through it” on the test in my mind.