It's Lit Time! with Dr. Tess

Tess R Martinus
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An English professor talks about stories

  1. 07/03/2024

    What is creative writing research?

    I'm back with a quick episode about a topic I'm passionate about--in fact, the topic I teach. If "creative writing research" sounds like an oxymoron to you, listen in to find out how research can provide inspiration and information to even the most fantastical creative work.

    14 min

  2. 10/24/2023

    What is a memorable character?

    My quick take on a few characteristics that make a fictional character unforgettable.

    14 min

  3. 08/09/2023

    Re-Reading Middle Earth: The Wrap-up, with Jordan Martinus

    Jordan joins me again for my last episode in this series. We make some general observations on The Return of the King, share thoughts on LOTR as a whole, and discuss what the trilogy has led to in pop culture and what we predict will be the future of the trilogy's popularity. In the episode, I showed my ignorance when I said I didn't know who Peter S. Beagle was. Turns out he was a perfect person to write a much-reprinted foreword to The Lord of the Rings. Here's his bio: https://beagleverse.com/about/ Also, if you're interested in The Conqueror, where Jordan and I have been doing our LOTR walking challenges, here's where you can get the app: https://www.theconqueror.events/get-the-app/

    36 min

  4. 07/19/2023

    The Two Towers: Part Two

    It's been a long time, but...well, I'm back. Join me as I wrap up my observations on The Two Towers in preparation for an upcoming mega-episode on The Return of the King and all things Tolkien.

    20 min

  5. 01/24/2023

    The Two Towers chs. 1-4

    Join me as I re-read The Two Towers! In this short episode, I talk about Aragorn's leadership crisis, Merry and Pippin's surprising intelligence, orcs' names and personalities, and more.

    16 min

  6. 12/23/2022

    Re-Reading Middle Earth: Fellowship of the Ring Wrap-Up

    Now that I've finished re-reading The Fellowship of the Ring, I pick up on some topics from my first Fellowship episode and identify some themes to watch for as we move on in the trilogy. I also talk about meeting the four hobbit actors at Steel City Con earlier this month!

    26 min

  7. 10/26/2022

    Re-Reading Middle Earth: The Fellowship of the Ring chapters 1-9

    My quick takes on Tom Bombadil, the strengths and weaknesses of Tolkien's prose, and dreaming about LOTR.

    15 min

  8. 09/07/2022

    Re-Reading Middle-Earth: The Hobbit

    Welcome to the first episode of a new series, in which I re-read J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-Earth saga and talk about how, if at all, my impressions have changed since I entered that world at age 13. Here, I discuss The Hobbit, focusing on Tolkien's descriptions of nature and the change of seasons, as well as Bilbo Baggins' peacemaking and self-reflection skills. And yes, I do a little bit of comparison between the book and the movies. I'd love to have you join me in my re-reading adventure! Next on the list is, of course, The Fellowship of the Ring.

    21 min
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An English professor talks about stories

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