Know the Novel: October 2025
Know the Novel: October 2025

Another blog post?! Le gasp!

I know, I know, try not to faint. But I did say I wanted to be back in here talking about writing stuff more often.

And what better way to jump back into blogging than with one of my favorite annual tags?

Know the Novel is a 3-part tag for writers, one for each of these last three months of the year. Each part features ten questions you can answer on your own blog, in your newsletter, on your social media, or just for yourself! The questions focus on different parts of your novel and how the writing is progressing.

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Jenelle Schmidt Comments
A few thoughts about time
A few thoughts about time

I know I’ve been quiet and borderline absent here on the blog for… oh… a couple of years now.

And I do apologize for that. Working on The Turrim Archive has taken a lot out of me. Not in a bad way. I’m not here to complain or tell you things have been hard. It’s more just… time.

Time is a rare commodity. And that’s something I notice and am more and more keenly aware of as each year flies by. Oftentimes, things get cut. And I have to find something to say “no” to. As a chronic “yesser” to anything that sounds remotely fun, this has been a hard, but good lesson for me to learn these past couple of years.

Have I learned how to say “no” to things that sound good and fun?

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PersonalJenelle Schmidt Comments
Most Epic Hero: Silmaril Awards 2025
Most Epic Hero: Silmaril Awards 2025

Sunlight sparkles on the lake that borders the Academy grounds. In the distance, a U-shaped building rises tall and proud where the students who have been helping me prepare generally reside. I glance around at the chairs and tables and decorations in satisfaction. My Wynn stands off to one side, proudly surveying the stage he designed that the other students helped him build.

Someone taps me on the shoulder and I turn to see Headmaster Friedzen standing behind me.

“The guests should be arriving soon,” he says. “I will man the gates.”

“Thank you so much for letting me host these here at your Academy,” I reply. “My back yard couldn’t quite handle this size crowd.”

He gives me a warm smile. “It’s really your Academy,” he reminds me gently. “It’s always a pleasure getting to be a part of our author’s story. And also, it’s far easier to host the heroes than those mischievous imps.” He makes a wry face.

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Silmarillion AwardsJenelle Schmidt Comments
2025 Silmaril Awards: Voting Begins
2025 Silmaril Awards: Voting Begins

Good mooooooorning, Neverland!

I mean, interweb-space… got a little carried away there.

The week of nominations is over and there are currently 123 epic heroes camping out in my back yard. We did not have enough space for them in the basement this year, but they heroically agreed to rough it for the duration of September, claiming—most of them—that they had endured far worse conditions on their various adventures.

Our top 5 finalists for Epic Hero are:

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Jenelle Schmidt Comments
10th Annual Silmaril Awards: Nominations Open for Epic Heroes
10th Annual Silmaril Awards: Nominations Open for Epic Heroes

Hear ye, hear ye! The 10th Annual Silmaril Awards is upon us!

10 years.

Wow.

That must needs mean we shouldst do something special to celebrate… no?

YES!

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Silmaril Awards, we are running not one, but TWO contests. Five winners will be chosen for each contest. You'll have the chance to win one of many fantasy-themed prizes. Here are the details!

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Jenelle Schmidt Comments