Today we’re going to talk a little bit about Grendel, some dragons, a vampire, and how awesome it is to be sort of getting an academic lecture from Tolkien.

Tolkien first, I think.

I recently finished reading his translation of Beowulf, and though I have read this poem several times now, I never cease to enjoy it. It’s pretty much THE Anglo-Saxon epic poem. While I wish Tolkien had maintained the alliteration that Anglo-Saxon poetry makes such beautiful use of, I found myself appreciated how closely he stuck instead to the meaning and spirit of the original words. Too often, modern translators change the fundamental meaning of the words to either suit their readers, or to satisfy the personal vision that they have for the work. And that has always left me disappointed. Now, I certainly am not fluent, and mostly unable to read Anglo-Saxon, but the little I do know allowed me to see enough to understand Tolkien’s mastery of it. This translation should have been published ages ago, so that students can have the benefit of not only his interpretation, but also his commentary. (Of course, I was lucky enough to also read Seamus Heaney’s remarkable work.)

The commentary is compiled from a series of Tolkien’s lectures, and reads as such. I’ve found myself longing to drag out my pen and notebook as I read. It feels like being in school again, in the best possible way. With the added bonus of their being no term paper to follow. One can simply enjoy the lesson for what it is. Tolkien readers in my age group will never get to attend a lecture of his, so this is indeed a gift.

For those who need a refresher: Beowulf tells the story of a hero who must face three monsters–Grendel, Grendel’s Mother, and a Dragon. Each battle shows a different side to the hero, and offers up a lesson, the final one being the notion of the tragic waste of human life for the sake of material goods. Personally, I always feel like the dragon at the end rather inspired Smaug, and the bit where Bilbo steals from him and invokes his wrath.

Speaking of monster stories, today the newest installment in Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles is at last being released. Prince Lestat features everyone’s favorite bad boy vampire, in what can be considered a sequel to Queen of the Damned. I spent a good portion of my teenage years reading of Lestat’s adventures, and I am eager to once more take up the narrative. Of course, budget constraints will probably force me to wait for the paperback!

Also released today is George R. R. Martin’s The World of Ice & Fire: The Untold History of Westeros and The Game of Thrones. Let there be no illusions between us, dear reader: I have been salivating over the release of this book. Since I am waiting for the next installment in the ASOIAF series, I and pretty much everyone else on the internet, have been forming theories as to what will happen next. I’ve also been wishing that I knew more of what happened before King Robert came to Winterfell and everything began to spiral out of control. Perhaps by learning what came before, we will have a better idea of what might be to come.

Also, I really want to know if R+L=J. Because I for one think it really, really does. Those who have also read the books will know about this particular conspiracy.

Just in time for Halloween, it looks as if we have indeed been given some treats!

And on that note, A Happiest of Halloweens to all my readers.

Author: Neil Gaiman

Publisher: William Morrow, New York

Once more we return to another work by my favorite living author. This time, it’s Fragile Things, a collection of short stories that have something for everyone, from Sherlock fans to those who love a good Gothic ghost story. And most of them have a delightful twist.

I’ll provide you with a list of what I think are the best ones, but first I’m going to quote the penultimate passage of Gaiman’s introduction to this collection, because as usual he hits the literary nail on its head:

“Stories, like people and butterflies and songbirds’ eggs and human hearts and dreams, are also fragile things, made up of nothing stronger or more lasting than twenty-six letters and a handful of punctuation marks. Or are they words on the air, composed of sounds and ideas–abstract, invisible, gone once they’ve been spoken–and what could be more frail than that? But some stories, small, simple ones about setting out on adventures or people doing wonders, tales of miracles and monsters, have outlasted all the people who told them, and some of them have outlasted the lands in which they were created.”

While he is quick to reassure his readers that he doesn’t think these stories qualify, I must disagree. These stories, really most of Gaiman’s work, should be around for a long, long time to come. What makes his stories so great is that while there are lots of fantastical elements, at the heart of them is most often an ordinary person who finds themselves caught up in extraordinary circumstances. And, along the way, we come to see that this regular individual was extraordinary all along. That’s why I love his work, and hope that we will be gifted with many, many more of his stories.

Now, for a quick recap of some of my favorites from this collection, which I encourage my readers to explore for themselves so that they can make up a list of their own.

“A Study In Emerald”: Sherlock fans will instantly think of “A Study in Scarlet.” This is a similar tale, with a twist that I for one didn’t see coming until it was right upon me. I’ve heard fans call this one fan fiction, and they would be right! Personally, I think this is excellent proof that fan fiction has just as much literary merit as the mainstream stuff.

“Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Secret House of the Night of Dread Desire”: A Gothic tale where the real world is something straight out of Wuthering Heights. It’s also rather funny.

“Keepsakes and Treasures”: Where we are introduced to Smith, charmer and sociopath. And his employer Mr. Alice. They’re both repugnant, but make you want to keep reading.

“Goliath”: A story written when Gaiman read the script for The Matrix. I rather prefer this to Keanu doing whatever it was that he did in those films.

“The Day the Saucers Came”: All I could think was, no matter situation you find yourself in, there is always That Guy. Well, this is what happens to That Guy when the saucers show up.

“Sunbird”: The dangers of eating the wrong thing. Read it. You’ll love it.

“The Monarch of the Glen”: An American Gods novella, where we join up with Shadow for an adventure in Scotland. Smith makes another appearance, and there is a delightful cameo with a singing Wednesday. And there’s some Beowulf stuff.

Next time: Oh hey, it’s more Beowulf stuff! This time, we examine Tolkien’s treatment of the epic.

We’re all scared of the things we don’t know about.

That’s natural. If you don’t know what’s coming your way, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that you’re going to feel apprehensive.

But sometimes we need to do things that scare us.

Because, in retrospect, they might turn out to be what is best for us.

Yesterday, I finally finished editing my book.

Oh, yeah, I wrote a book.

It’s taken me the better part of two years, but I’m finally, mostly, satisfied with it (no work is ever really finished). I’m drafting query letters as soon as this post goes up, and then I’m sending my work out into the world.

I’m terrified.

What if no one likes it? What if I’ve been kidding myself all these years, and I’m actually really awful at the only thing I thought I was any good at? What if I’ll be stuck like this for the rest of my life, putting my work and my self on the line and never ever hearing that sweet, elusive “yes?”

For the past three years, I’ve heard the word “no” so many times that it’s the only answer I’ve come to expect. And for quite some time, I let that get to me.

I didn’t write a word for months.

And until that point, I hadn’t stopped writing since I was fourteen years old and A Tale of Two Cities was the first book that ever made me cry and light the creative fire within me that I never thought would ever stop burning.

Well, it did. For a little while, anyway. I took no joy in anything. All I wanted to do was sleep and cry about how awful my job was and how no one would ever give me a chance to work in my field of choice.

And then one day I told that depressing little voice in my head to shut up and stop moping. It wouldn’t–it couldn’t–be like this forever.

So I picked up my pen again and got to work.

It hasn’t been easy. Some days it’s like pulling teeth to come up with anything that seems even remotely worth setting down on the page. And then other days it’s so good I lose track of how many hours I’ve been at it and how many ink stains I’ve yet again gotten all over my fingers. I’ve managed to work through several drafts of my book, and I even found the motivation to write a couple of short stories and a fan fiction or two (I’m not saying which fandoms, but for once I will toot my own horn and tell you that yes, my stories were pretty good, and fairly well received).

Sometimes, I feel like I’m the only person who hasn’t given up on my dream. Sure, I’ve had just as many doubts as other people who have expressed them. But if I’m anything, I’m stubborn. Oh boy, am I stubborn. And I’m not letting anything stop me anymore.

So yes, I’m afraid that all I’m going to get in return for my efforts, for putting myself out there, is a fat stack of rejection letters.

Or, worse, no reply at all.

But you know something?

I’m going for it anyway.

Because if you don’t try the things that scare you, if you don’t take that first step, nothing, not even something scary, will ever happen to you.

And that’s the most frightening thought of all.

Wise Words from Across Space and Time

Authors: Cavan Scott and Mark Wright

Publisher: Harper Design, New York

Anyone who watches “Doctor Who” will not be wondering why I chose it for one of this year’s Halloween Blogs. However, for those who need a crash course:

This show is scary.

Really, really scary.

Between Weeping Angels, things that lurk out of the corner of your eye, “ghosts” that turn out to be Cybermen, and creepy things that sneak into your room at night, just to name a few, I have been plenty scared while watching this show.

But the brilliant thing about “Doctor Who” is that it’s also funny, moving, and inspirational. You could pretty much call it “Humanism: The Show,” and that would still be an accurate title. It’s all about never getting bored with the wonders all around you, and finding wonders out in the universe too. The Doctor has a zest for life and a thirst for knowledge that is infectious.

So, I picked up this book in particular because I wanted to gather some of my favorite quotes. These are a pretty wide representation of what the Doctor and his many friends are all about, and I encourage those who have never viewed the program to give it a go. And I’m not recommending any episode in particular, because really you can start anywhere. In fact, choose one at random; you’ll be better off if you start from scratch and piece things together. That’s how I started, and how I began to love this sprawling story of the mad man who flew off into the stars with his blue box.

And now, The Quotable Doctor Who:

Adelaide Brooke: State your name, rank, and intention.

The Doctor: The Doctor. Doctor. Fun. (The Waters of Mars)

Madge: Are you the new caretaker?

The Doctor: Usually called the Doctor. Or the caretaker or Get Off This Planet. Though strictly speaking, that probably isn’t a name. (The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe)

“Great men are forged in fire. It is the privilege of lesser men to light the flame, whatever the cost.” –The War Doctor (The Day of the Doctor)

“He saves planets, rescues civilizations, defeats terrible creatures. And runs a lot. Seriously, there’s an outrageous amount of running involved.” –Donna Noble (The Doctor’s Daughter)

“There is so much, so much to see, Amy. Because it goes so fast. I’m not running away from things, I am running to them before they flare and fade forever.”–The Doctor (The Power of Three)

“I am old and always will be the optimist. The hoper of far-flung hopes and dreamer of improbable dreams.”–The Doctor (The Almost People)

Shakespeare: How can a man so young have eyes so old?

The Doctor: I do a lot of reading. (The Shakespeare Code)

“The way I see it, every life is a pile of good things and bad things. Hey. The good things don’t always soften the bad things, but vice versa, the bad things don’t necessarily spoil the good things or make them unimportant.” –The Doctor (Vincent and the Doctor)

“I think it does us good to be reminded the universe isn’t entirely peopled with nasty creatures out for themselves.” –The Doctor (Castrovalva)

“As we learn about each other, so we learn about ourselves.” –The Doctor (The Edge of Destruction)

“Mankind doesn’t need warfare and bloodshed to prove itself. Everyday life can provide honor and valor, and let’s hope that from now on this, this country can find its heroes in smaller places.”– John Smith (Human Nature)

“Courage isn’t just a matter of not being frightened, you know… It’s being afraid and doing what you have to do anyway.” –The Doctor (Planet of the Daleks)

“The very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in common. They don’t alter their views to fit the facts. They alter the facts to fit their views. Which can be uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the facts that needs altering.” –The Doctor (The Face of Evil)

“You know when sometimes you meet someone so beautiful and then you actually talk to them, and five minutes later they’re as dull as a brick? Then there’s other people, and you meet them and you think, not bad, they’re OK. And then you get to know them, and their face just sort of becomes them, like their personality is written all over it. And they just turn into something so beautiful.” –Amy Pond (The Girl Who Waited)

“Better a broken heart than no heart at all.” –The Doctor (A Christmas Carol)

“He saved my life. Bloke-wise, that’s up there with flossing.”–Rose Tyler (The Doctor Dances)

“There is no indignity in being afraid to die. But there is a terrible shame in being afraid to live.”–Alydon (The Daleks)

“I can’t stand burnt toast. I loathe bus stations. Terrible places, full of lost luggage and lost souls.”–The Doctor (Ghost Light)

“Happiness is nothing unless it exists side by side with sadness.”–The Doctor (The Happiness Patrol)

“One only harms that which one fears.”–Monarch (Four to Doomsday)

“Sad really, isn’t it? People spend all their time making nice things, and other people come along and break them.”–The Doctor (The Enemy of the World)

“One man’s law is another man’s crime.”–The Doctor (The Edge of Destruction)

“Bad laws were made to be broken.”–The Doctor (The Macra Terror)

“You’re happy to believe in something that’s invisible, but if it’s staring you in the face, nope, can’t see it. There’s a scientific explanation for that. You’re thick.”–The Doctor (World War Three)

“There’s always something to look at if you open your eyes.”–The Doctor (Kinda)

“It seems to me there’s so much more to the world than the average eye is allowed to see. I believe, if you look hard, there are more wonders in this universe than you could ever have dreamed of.”–Vincent Van Gogh (Vincent and the Doctor)

“All the elements in your body were forged many, many millions of years ago, in the heart of a faraway star that exploded and died. That explosion scattered those elements across the desolations of deep space. After so, so many millions of years, these elements came together to form new stars and new planets. And on and on it went. The elements came together and burst apart, forming shoes and ships and sealing wax, and cabbages and kings. Until, eventually, they came together to make you. You are unique in the universe.”–The Doctor (The Rings of Akhaten)

“Observe humanity. For all their faults they have such courage.”–Dalek Sec (Evolution of the Daleks)

“Time is not the boss of me.”–The Doctor (The Time of the Angels)

“That’s why I keep traveling. To be proved wrong.”–The Doctor (The Satan Pit)

“A straight line may be the shortest distance between two points, but it is by no means the most interesting.”–The Doctor (The Time Warrior)

“It is the province of knowledge to speak, and the privilege of wisdom to listen.”–The Doctor (The Two Doctors)

“Better to go hungry than starve for beauty.”–Cameca (The Aztecs)

“Good looks are no substitute for a sound character.”–The Doctor (The Pirate Planet)

“Long acquaintance is no guarantee for honesty.”–The Doctor (The Daleks’ Master Plan)

“Nothing’s just rubbish if you have an enquiring mind.”–The Doctor (The Invasion of Time)

“Don’t be cool, guys. Cool is not cool.”–The Doctor (The Time of the Doctor)

“Rash action is worse than no action at all.”–The Doctor (The Edge of Destruction)

“Don’t just be obedient. Always make up your own mind.”–The Doctor (The Macra Terror)

“We’re all just stories in the end.”–The Doctor (The Big Bang)

“Everything has got end some time, otherwise nothing would ever get started.”–The Doctor ( A Christmas Carol)

“You want weapons? We’re in a library. Books! Best weapons in the world. This room’s the greatest arsenal we could have.”–The Doctor (Tooth and Claw)

“If you want to know what’s going on, work in the kitchens.”–The Doctor (Rise of the Cybermen)

“Christmas Eve on a rooftop. Saw a chimney, my whole brain just went, what the hell.”–The Doctor (A Christmas Carol)

“On every world, wherever people are, in the deepest part of the winter, at the exact mid-point, everybody stops and turns and hugs, as if to say, well done. Well done, everyone. We’re halfway out of the dark.”–Kazran Sardick (A Christmas Carol)

“Oh, smell that air. Grass and lemonade. And a little bit of mint. A hint of mint. Must be the 1920s.”–The Doctor (The Unicorn and the Wasp)

“I was on board another ship once. They said that was unsinkable. I ended up clinging to an iceberg. It wasn’t half cold.”–The Doctor (The End of the World)

“I can’t tell the future, I just work there.”–The Doctor (The Bells of Saint John)

“Time will tell. It always does.”–The Doctor (Remembrance of the Daleks)

“You must travel with understanding as well as hope.”–The Doctor (The Ark)

“No one knows how they’re going to be remembered. All we can do is hope for the best.”–The Doctor (The Unicorn and the Wasp)

“Day I know everything? Might as well stop.”–The Doctor (The Satan Pit)

“My journey is the same as yours, the same as anyone’s. It’s taken me so many years, so many lifetimes, but at last I know where I’m going. Where I’ve always been going. Home, the long way round.”–The Doctor (The Day of the Doctor)

“We all change, when you think about it. We’re all different people all through our lives. And that’s OK, that’s good–you’ve gotta keep moving, so long as you remember all the people that you used to be.”–The Doctor (The Time of the Doctor)

My best friend and I recently had lunch with horror writer H.P. Lovecraft.

No, really.

Last month, I was surprised to learn that he is buried in Swan Point Cemetery in Providence, Rhode Island. Before that, I only knew that he was the author whose work caused me to lose a good deal of sleep during that one college semester where I took a seminar on Victorian Ghost Stories.

They are far scarier than you think, and I encourage you all to look some of them up. And then call me because we both won’t be sleeping at night and should really have someone to talk to.

Swan Point itself is far from scary. It’s just as picturesque as it appears on its website. The afternoon I spent there was chilly, and the skies were overcast, but there is no getting away from the loveliness of the wooded walks, and the soft sounds of the river, just behind where Lovecraft is buried.

For some reason, I always picture well known historical figures as having massive monuments wherever they are buried, despite large amounts of evidence to the contrary. The same goes for Lovecraft. His stone is small and unassuming. Except for the Mardi Gras beads someone had placed there before our visit. Not sure what the significance of the gesture was, but to each his own!

We took our lunch nearby, and we most certainly did not take any photographs. Because they’re not allowed, okay? So, you know, I cannot publicly condone any rule breaking.