Thank you!  I too have read Tolkien and Lewis as well.  Good answer and you've answered my question.

While I have taught reading, writing, and college success at the college level, literature has been more of a personal study for me, in college and independently throughout the years! My interest in folklore, mythology, religion, and psychology have also contributed in their way to my "reading" of the character Thranduil as he appears in Tolkien's "The Hobbit" and its derivative films by Peter Jackson. I also, like Tolkien, am a Catholic, so shared faith has given me a meaningful spiritual connection with his work as well! From what I can tell, development of a character is about imagining the life experiences, epiphanies, traumas, and beliefs that would influence a character's ways of thinking and behaving. How would they feel? How would they respond? What register of language would they use to express themselves? One of the greatest steps forward in developing characters can be to understand your own personality; then, you can understand how others might differ based on their temperaments and experiences. (Interesting theories and concepts that could be helpful consider are Myers-Briggs typologies, the classical four temperaments, trauma responses, growth vs. fixed mindsets, the Big Five, etc.)

I've been listening to your artistry for years and I also know that your a literary scholar  and teach English Literature at the college level.   So, aside from the fantastic music you present would you consider making some literature recommendations for those who would like to try their hand at creating music to enhance the character development as presented in many novels such as The Hobbit and LTR.  I've been working on a piece that honors Boudica, the Icenian Queen, wife of Prasutagus for several years and I am not satisfied with it as of yet.  Anyone who has listened to your ability to explore and present music from a variety of genre can only be in awe of your creativity and the adaptability of the mountain dulcimer.  If you consider doing this a private message might be a better place for this or on your website.  Either way, "inquiring minds" would find it helpful.

Thank you so much, Robin! It was a delight to create both the song and the accompanying visual presentation...

I am glad this song has become part of the soundtrack of your life!

You are very kind! Thank you so much for listening!

High praise, Cristian... This is truly music from my heart! Thank you very much!

très très beau !
voila de la vraie musique.
congratulations

Well, I am a true fan of yours, Jessica. You are an amazing musician. 

On my regular playlist in the Dulcimore Den!

Musically and visually, such lovely work, Jessica.  

Beautiful!

Lovely song, and your voice is beautiful!