Happy birthday to one of Middle-earth News’ finest! Our own Oloriel Berry celebrates her “coming of age” as she turns 33 years old today. She mostly works behind-the-scenes these days and plays the vital role as our News Editor extraordinaire. Middle-earth News would not be able to function nearly as efficiently without her and we are honored to call her one of our own. She is truly an irreplaceable part of our team.
So who exactly is Oloriel Berry? I was able to speak to the intriguing woman at the heart of the mystery to find out.
Our woman of mystery, modeling a sweater she knit herself.
Middle-earth News: When did you first discover Tolkien’s works and the world of Middle-earth? Did anyone in particular influence you to seek it out?
Oloriel Berry: I first read The Lord of the Rings the summer before my junior year of college, not long before the first movie came out. I had seen the first book at the store, with some generic cover art and the words “Soon to be a major motion picture”, which piqued my interest. I had recently read my first fantasy series (Dragonlance) thanks to my then-boyfriend now-husband, so he’s the first person I could credit with influencing my decision in a way. I also had taken British Literature on a whim my sophomore year and was captivated by the Anglo-Saxons – Dream of the Rood, The Wanderer, and Beowulf – as well as Marie de France, and some medieval stuff, too. So by fate (if fate you call it) you could say I was primed for an otherworldly adventure when Tolkien first crossed my path.
ME News: How did you become involved with Middle-earth News?
Oloriel: I just now realized how long ago this was! Wow. I saw a tweet from The Tolkien Professor years ago about how Middle-earth News was looking for volunteers. My interest in Tolkien had really grown and was looking for a way to contribute more to the fandom. Since I was already a writer, it seemed like the right fit. I still remember my first Skype with Arwen as she showed me around WordPress, how I was so nervous and excited. I started off as a reporter, but now I mostly do copyediting, which I like just as much, if not more, than writing.
ME News: If you could hang out with any Middle-earth character (or characters if you can’t choose just one!) for a day, who would it be and why? What would you guys do?
Oloriel: That’s easy: Faramir. I adore (book) Faramir – I think because he has so many of the qualities I find lacking in myself – patience, true wisdom, and perseverance, for instance. I mean, the man is a veritable carnival of virtues. I find him inspiring. I would just want to eat delicious, fantasy-book food, and walk, and hopefully he would give me life advice (or at least send me home with leftovers).
When not lending her talents to Middle-earth News, Oloriel finds time to knit some very beautiful items.
ME News: When not involved with events related to the realm of Middle-earth, what can we find you doing?
Oloriel: Are you kidding? I’m so deep in the fandom, everything I do relates to Middle-earth! I love to knit and have been doing so for over a decade. I can even spin a little yarn! I have an 18-month-old son who I simultaneously seek to escape and am totally obsessed with. (He has been the recipient of much of my knitwear, as he’s too young to be embarrassed by knit pants.) So I spend a lot of time looking at bugs in the backyard and running around the playground. I’m also what some people would call an “environmentalist” but since “environment” just refers to any surroundings, I’ll take a page out of Wendell Berry’s book and say I’m a passionate lover of my homeplace, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, and I try to be an active supporter of my local economy and of the health of our land.
ME News: When your son becomes old enough to partake in the Middle-earth fandom, what do you wish for him to gain from the experience? Are there any particular life lessons you would like for him to take away from these tales?
Oloriel: Sometimes I fear that he’ll end up not being a nerd and I won’t be able to share any of this with him. But! If I’m fortunate enough to have a son who enjoys these books as much as I do, I hope he finds in them the same things I do – creative inspiration, dedication to the land one lives on, spiritual insight, a love of words, an appreciation for everyday magic, and a firm belief in the existence of Tom Bombadil.
Oloriel is a passionate lover of her homeplace of Pittsburgh, PA and it’s environment.
ME News: Now it’s time for a “favorites” round. Favorite Middle-earth film?
Oloriel: The Two Towers, hands-down. I love Rohan! I love its theme, I love the visuals, and I want Eowyn’s dresses. I could move into Meduseld next week and never look back.
ME News: Favorite Tolkien book?
Oloriel: Can I pick The Lord of the Rings as a whole? That’s my first choice, but I will try to be unconventional and pick Tree and Leaf. When I was younger I had a lot of angst about my seemingly weird obsession with Middle-earth, and fantasy in general. It felt far removed from my daily life and I wondered what the use of fantasy even was. Tree and Leaf helped me flesh out a lot of sentiments that I was only beginning to feel at that time.
ME News: Favorite character from the films versus favorite character from the books?
Oloriel: As I said above, Faramir is my favorite book character, though he could never be my movie favorite, of course; it’s too far a departure from the books. I’m going to try to be different again and say that I really like what Peter Jackson has done with Thranduil. I thought I would really hate him at first, but, aside from all the joy he’s given me as an internet meme, I think he’s the very picture of the medieval fairy king, like in Sir Orfeo. In him, I think, Jackson really strikes a balance between the fairytale elements of The Hobbit and the seriousness of tone he’s going for to match The Lord of the Rings films.
ME News: Favorite Middle-earth location?
Oloriel: I think Rohan is beautiful, but I think if I had to live somewhere, it would probably be The Shire, purely for beauty’s sake.
ME News: Favorite Middle-earth race?
Oloriel: I mean if I could BE any race, I’d want to of course be an elf, because I am a proper American and want to be beautiful, smart, and immortal – you know, all the things that matter. But at heart, I think, I am probably a hobbit. I like to work with my hands, eat, and have parties.
You can follow Oloriel on Facebook | Instagram | Google + | Pinterest
The Middle-earth News staff each had something to say about our beloved Editor in honor of her birthday!
Alice, Staff Reporter
Oloriel is a very patient woman. She has helped me several times to improve my english, so she isn’t “just” a News Editor, she’s my teacher. Oloriel likes Autumn, fairy tales and her Doll Divine alter ego is a grumpy Elf, how could I not love her? Also she said she liked my hair, once. Seriously, she’s a super mommy and great friend and I can’t wait until she purchases a smartphone to stalk her with my geeky ramblings.
Amanda, Staff Reporter
No matter how hard I try, I will never be as witty as Oloriel. It’s a quality that I deeply admire along with her quick humor. While you may not always see her name under article titles, it is more likely than not that she had something to do with the final version published for your viewing pleasure. To our reporters who are not native English-speakers, she is a godsend. To our reporters who are native English-speakers, she is still a godsend (particularly when it comes to punctuation). She is an amazing mommy and brings life to every staff meeting! Congratulations on another successful revolution around the sun, my friend!
Anastasia, Contributor
I admire Oloriel, really. I don’t even know how she manages to raise a child and still do so much work. It’s always fun working with her, due to her very tactical sense of humor and even her remarks sound simply like friendly suggestions. That being said, she’s very determined too. Just you try missing out on editing something, and you’ll see. But thanks to her, I have learned a great deal on that account. Happy b-day Oloriel, may your kid bring joy to you every single day.
Arwen, Director
I pretty much live off of Oloriel’s sarcastic wit. That, and her freakin’ awesome ability to cure my comma fears (commas are the stuff of nightmares, I’m telling you). You know you’re going to have an entertaining staff meeting whenever she’s able to join in. I am so glad she is part of Middle-earth News and more than honored to call her friend. Oloriel, you ROCK. Here’s wishing you the happiest of birthdays!
Evie, Staff Reporter
Oloriel is quick and clever. Her dry quips always make me laugh and if I was ever in a debate then I’d want Oloriel on my side. She’s great at analysing an issue and picking out the pertinent points. As our Editor I trust her completely to know what is right and to have the skill to tell us in a way that makes us happily agree! Oloriel is a really genuine person who amazes me with her empathy. Here’s wishing her a super day today!
Lily, Assistant Director
Every time I want to be cool and witty, I try to channel Oloriel. If I can manage to make a really bad pun, I know Oloriel would approve. I’m lucky to have known her since the beginning of my journey with Middle-earth News, and I count her as a great friend. Her passion for social and environmental issues challenges me to evaluate my habits, and she is always there with with entertaining commentary and a dose of realism just when it is needed. The team simply wouldn’t be complete without her!
Maria, Staff Reporter
Oloriel is our amazing Editor that manages to fix all my spelling and grammar errors so people can actually understand what I write. But in all seriousness, Oloriel is kind and helped me to improve my English. All this while raising a tiny human. Her level of kindness and patience is admirable and enviable.
Happy Birthday to the best Editor on this side of Middle-earth!
Myla, Contributor
Oloriel gets me and my…*cough* walnut humor! I don’t know where I would be without her words of wisdom and editing skills. Seriously, I consider her to be the voice of reason within our team. That may make her roll her eyes or laugh, but it’s true! She always makes me laugh and our staff meetings are always more fun with her around. Happy birthday, Oloriel! You’re an amazing person, mommy, knitter, role model and friend. Congratulations on your “coming of age!”
Valdis, Staff Reporter
Oloriel portrays herself as grumpy, but she is in actuality wickedly funny. I couldn’t hope to count the times I’ve nearly fallen out of my chair laughing while reading one of her messages, even in the short few months I’ve had the pleasure to know her. I would hate to run afoul of that razor-sharp and lightening-quick wit of hers, though! So I will remain at your service, Oloriel! By the way, if you really want to be grumpy, I’ll be happy to pass along a few tips. I’ve had many years of practice at that craft. Happy birthday to you!
The Middle-earth News Team is pleased to wish Oloriel a very Happy Birthday!
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