Few literary legacies are as impressive as that of JRR Tolkien’s. We got the lowdown on the epic Lord of the Rings series from a highly creative and beloved writer, poet and professor.

Originally published in 1954, The Lord of the Rings set the framework upon which all epic/quest fantasy since has been built. Through the urgings of the enigmatic wizard Gandalf, young hobbit Frodo Baggins embarks on an urgent, incredibly treacherous journey to destroy the One Ring. This ring — created and then lost by the Dark Lord, Sauron, centuries earlier — is a weapon of evil, one that Sauron desperately wants returned to him. With the power of the ring once again his own, the Dark Lord will unleash his wrath upon all of Middle-earth. The only way to prevent this horrible fate from becoming reality is to return the Ring to Mordor, the only place it can be destroyed. Unfortunately for our heroes, Mordor is also Sauron’s lair. The Lord of the Rings trilogy is essential reading not only for fans of fantasy but for lovers of classic literature as well…

Young Adult Mag: You had some unique early life experiences…Are there any in particular that have shaped your writing?

J.R.R. Tolkien: Isn’t everyone’s experience unique? I would say losing my father at a young age sent me on a quest for meaning. I would also say being bit by a spider when I was a young boy set my mind going about suspense, odd crawlers and darkness.

YA: What are some books that were influential to you?

JRRT: I love to read in general so there are many, however Lang’s Fairy Books and George MacDonald’s works were important.

YA: How did you start writing?

JRRT: I always had an active imagination, but it wasn’t until I returned home from The Great War and started working at the Oxford English Dictionary in etymology that I began writing earnestly. I was reading a lot, which sparked my imagination. I moved from there to Oxford as a translator and professor, a post that helped me learn about the mechanics of writing. Finally I felt brave enough to explore my own ideas.

YA: How do you feel about the film adaptations of your work?

JRRT: I love that the stories resonate. The effects are greater than I could have imagined.

YA: What advice would you give to others in writing or in general?

JRRT: Don’t be greedy. If you have the means to, retire early. Dream. Eat well. Listen to music. Laugh often.

YA: Who do you most identify with in your work?

JRRT: 
If I said that it would spoil the mystery, now wouldn’t it?