Erik Patterson (writing instructor; author of the Prompts for Writers series) and Don Marshall (LOTR expert; author of Pocket Portraits: J.R.R. Tolkien) explore what fantasy writers can learn from Tolkien's approach to world-building. As Marshall shares lesser-known details from Middle-earth, Patterson turns the discussion into creative writing prompts, guiding attendees through brief writing exercises inspired by mythic histories, ancient kingdoms, and legendary conflicts. This interactive workshop combines craft discussion and hands-on writing to demonstrate how Tolkien's lore can inspire entirely new fantasy worlds.
