Originally Posted by Ravenclaw Swordsman

Actually, LOTR created the mindset that other fantasy is based from. Though the detail gives life to the story, it is over-the-top and I found myself saying one of two things...either "get on with it!" or "what does this have to do with anything?" And with my stories at least (not like they're worth anything, clearly ), I try to avoid both.

Originally Posted by Tom

But why does every novel have to be built up the same way? Besides, if the details are too much, well there's always the film, right?

Originally Posted by Ravenclaw Swordsman

They don't have to be built up the same way, but since LOTR was so amazing, people like following that formula of quasi-medieval with good-guy underdogs versus an evil overlord and his legions of terror.