What should I call my biography? I think I’m gonna make a poll.
Prisoner of Innocence? (One of my characters wrote their autobiography and called it that.)
I think you need to come up with your thesis before you can start thinking about titles.
I need a thesis? I’m starting to think this might be difficult.
Yes, and it should be a novel thesis, saying something new about Tolkien that others have not said before. Some new take on his personal story, beliefs, etc. that sets the new work apart from the old, adding to the scholarly discourse rather than simply restating facts and ideas that have already been trodden.
The thesis - which can be developed after one has started doing research - is the framework around which a biography (or any work of nonfiction) is built; it is a critical foundation that needs to be established before getting too in the weeds with writing. The title (or subtitle if you use one) can and should be evocative of the thesis, which is why it isn’t the best place to start.
One additional suggestion that needs to be started as early as possible - every time you find a fact, anecdote, or idea you want to include, write it down AND include the citation. The citations don’t have to be fully in Blue Book/Chicago/APA/MLA form at the early stages, but you should include enough information (work name, author(s) names, page number, edition, etc.) so that when it is time to include your citations you (a) know what information came from where and (b) don’t have to re-find your information since you already have enough to easily pincite.
Sources are incredibly important, both for allowing the reader to confirm the validity of the information presented and to avoid plagiarism issues. Start citing early, start citing often, and you won’t be kicking yourself down the road.
What if instead of a straight biography you wrote a book about Tolkien’s influence on D&D and other RPGs?
That would be interesting… but what would I call it?
That guy with the Welsh name was right. Think of your thesis, then the title will spring naturally from it.
You’ll also want to know what tone you want to set - biographies can range from very academic to more generally accessible, and the title is the first hint as to the tone. Even at a glance, you can tell that Tolkien the Worldbuilder; Tolkien, A Tabletop Gamer’s Perspective, The Rolls Go Ever On and On, and A Comparative Analysis of Tolkien’s Impact on Roleplay Gaming are all extremely different biographies, each different in both thesis and tone.
Figure out your facts first, use the facts to build a thesis, use the thesis to set the tone, then let the trifecta of facts-thesis-tone dictate your title.
What if instead of a straight biography you wrote a book about Tolkien’s influence on D&D and other RPGs?
That would be interesting… but what would I call it?
That guy with the Welsh name was right. Think of your thesis, then the title will spring naturally from it.
You’ll also want to know what tone you want to set - biographies can range from very academic to more generally accessible, and the title is the first hint as to the tone. Even at a glance, you can tell that Tolkien the Worldbuilder; Tolkien, A Tabletop Gamer’s Perspective, The Rolls Go Ever On and On, and A Comparative Analysis of Tolkien’s Impact on Roleplay Gaming are all extremely different biographies, each different in both thesis and tone.
Figure out your facts first, use the facts to build a thesis, use the thesis to set the tone, then let the trifecta of facts-thesis-tone dictate your title.
My brain hurts, but okay.
Which part? Happy to clarify if there was any confusion.
To try and state more simply, every written work has a tone of voice, and every worthwhile work of nonfiction (and frankly most worthwhile works of fiction) have a thesis. Your title is the first thing people read - it should set the stage for how you want your readers to feel and think as they read.
Thank you.
Prisoner of Innocence? (One of my characters wrote their autobiography and called it that.)
I think you need to come up with your thesis before you can start thinking about titles.
Yes, and it should be a novel thesis, saying something new about Tolkien that others have not said before. Some new take on his personal story, beliefs, etc. that sets the new work apart from the old, adding to the scholarly discourse rather than simply restating facts and ideas that have already been trodden.
The thesis - which can be developed after one has started doing research - is the framework around which a biography (or any work of nonfiction) is built; it is a critical foundation that needs to be established before getting too in the weeds with writing. The title (or subtitle if you use one) can and should be evocative of the thesis, which is why it isn’t the best place to start.
Ohhhh. You meant a biography of Tolkien. Nvm lol.
One additional suggestion that needs to be started as early as possible - every time you find a fact, anecdote, or idea you want to include, write it down AND include the citation. The citations don’t have to be fully in Blue Book/Chicago/APA/MLA form at the early stages, but you should include enough information (work name, author(s) names, page number, edition, etc.) so that when it is time to include your citations you (a) know what information came from where and (b) don’t have to re-find your information since you already have enough to easily pincite.
Sources are incredibly important, both for allowing the reader to confirm the validity of the information presented and to avoid plagiarism issues. Start citing early, start citing often, and you won’t be kicking yourself down the road.
A biography of Tolkien? Wow!
I'm the Valar (leader and creator) of The Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit/Anything Tolkien Cult!
Member of the Cult of Cats, High Elf of the Elven Guild, and Sauce Priest & Sauce Smith of the Supreme Court of Sauce.
If you want some casual roleplay/adventures in Middle Earth, check out The Wild's Edge Tavern, a LotR/Middle Earth tavern!
JOIN TIAMAT'S CONGA LINE!
Extended Sig
A new biography of Tolkien would be cool.
What if instead of a straight biography you wrote a book about Tolkien’s influence on D&D and other RPGs?
That guy with the Welsh name was right. Think of your thesis, then the title will spring naturally from it.
You’ll also want to know what tone you want to set - biographies can range from very academic to more generally accessible, and the title is the first hint as to the tone. Even at a glance, you can tell that Tolkien the Worldbuilder; Tolkien, A Tabletop Gamer’s Perspective, The Rolls Go Ever On and On, and A Comparative Analysis of Tolkien’s Impact on Roleplay Gaming are all extremely different biographies, each different in both thesis and tone.
Figure out your facts first, use the facts to build a thesis, use the thesis to set the tone, then let the trifecta of facts-thesis-tone dictate your title.
Which part? Happy to clarify if there was any confusion.
To try and state more simply, every written work has a tone of voice, and every worthwhile work of nonfiction (and frankly most worthwhile works of fiction) have a thesis. Your title is the first thing people read - it should set the stage for how you want your readers to feel and think as they read.
Oh guess I should point out that Pallghost is back and has all previous Maiar powers, etc for those who don’t know.
I'm the Valar (leader and creator) of The Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit/Anything Tolkien Cult!
Member of the Cult of Cats, High Elf of the Elven Guild, and Sauce Priest & Sauce Smith of the Supreme Court of Sauce.
If you want some casual roleplay/adventures in Middle Earth, check out The Wild's Edge Tavern, a LotR/Middle Earth tavern!
JOIN TIAMAT'S CONGA LINE!
Extended Sig
Thanks
Hi everyone! I'm working up the will to finalize my signature, so... I guess this will be the signature for now
Anyway… What were we talking about? I can barely keep up anymore lol.
I'm the Valar (leader and creator) of The Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit/Anything Tolkien Cult!
Member of the Cult of Cats, High Elf of the Elven Guild, and Sauce Priest & Sauce Smith of the Supreme Court of Sauce.
If you want some casual roleplay/adventures in Middle Earth, check out The Wild's Edge Tavern, a LotR/Middle Earth tavern!
JOIN TIAMAT'S CONGA LINE!
Extended Sig
I will post, just got to finish sports
Hi everyone! I'm working up the will to finalize my signature, so... I guess this will be the signature for now
So... Favorite numenorean monarch?
Hi everyone! I'm working up the will to finalize my signature, so... I guess this will be the signature for now
I’d appreciate it if pallghost would give me some advice on my biography.
Call me Blond. James Blond.
Your autobiography?
Hi everyone! I'm working up the will to finalize my signature, so... I guess this will be the signature for now
No, biography. About Tolkien.
Call me Blond. James Blond.