One hundred years ago today, Christopher Tolkien was born to Edith and John Ronald Reuel (JRR) Tolkien. He was the third of four children and the youngest son.
Christopher was deeply involved in his father’s work, editing it and drawing the maps used in the Lord of the Rings (LOTR) books. At one point, his dad invited him to join the famous writer’s group The Inklings. Here’s an interesting website.
Christopher was integrally involved in Tolkien family affairs his entire life. After his mother, Edith, passed away in 1971 and his father in 1973, he led the Tolkien estate, weathering the LOTR film processes and managing the immense financial and legal implications. He passed away in 2020.
By the way, just like about 99% of authors who see their work put into film and are disappointed, he was not a big fan of the LOTR films.
There has never been a successful book author anywhere who didn’t have a support system to encourage, challenge, and help with the work. While there are significant periods when writing is a solitary task, the overall life of an author is filled with people who stand with them. It’s why books have an acknowledgments or dedication page.
There is no one way to be successful as an author. If you self-publish, you are the de facto CEO of your publishing company, with all the duties, responsibilities, and ups and downs accompanying being in charge. But you still need more people than just the CEO.
Every author needs to take these actions in relation to other people to be successful:
- Gain the support of family and friends. If someone close wants to help, let them. Ask for help. Pay them if you can.
- Maintain close personal friendships to keep grounded.
- Take part in a writers group—small or large. Authors need to be around those doing the same thing they are.
- Think of ways to help other authors, making introductions and recommending other authors’ books. This also helps to keep the author emotionally and spiritually grounded.
- Go to conferences (both writers and those related to their topic) to continually grow. Stop doing this, and your skills and professional edge will wither away.
- Maintain professional relationships to keep being challenged. This includes subscribing to blogs, podcasts, newsletters, journals, or anything that will push the author.
- Be active in your church. (Work in the early primary Sunday school to make certain you stay humble.)
- Read other writers’ material.
- Write regularly. It’s a job. You don’t go to work only when you feel like it.
- Look for opportunities to contribute words to your church, school, community, profession, etc. (Do this for free.)
- Look for any opportunities to monetize your work in commercial channels.
- Write unique and encouraging notes to friends.
- Write the best condolence note your closest friend has ever read.
Every one of the above actions will help keep your life in balance.
Finally, don’t be in a hurry. Worthwhile things take time. Maybe a hundred years from now, someone will write about how you helped someone else be successful and encourage them to do the same for someone else.
And so on and so on.
