| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Simon Says |
Posted - 04 Feb 2004 : 23:44:15
This is my attempt to begin a healthy dialogue about Forgotten Realms novels. We shall see how far it prevails, or remains true to this, its honorable roots.
They say “Critics are only people who can’t write but, wishing they could, live vicariously through the works of others, often heaping harsh criticism on works they themselves would have no hope of ever duplicating if they tried.”
This is probably true in many respects, and with many critics. Me, however ... I just like telling people what to read, see, and hear.
I like telling people what to do. It’s a fault. :)
In a feeble attempt to deflect what may be a dearth of bile and hateful responses, I would like to say, first and foremost, I am a Dungeons & Dragons fan to the utter core. Better, I am a Forgotten Realms fan, and have been following the series—--and its novels—--since the “Old Gray Box”.
I want nothing short of the best for Faerun; it is my home away from home, and when it sings to me its sweet song, I sing with it. And when it stinks to high heaven, I die just a little bit.
So it is with middling joy and tepid sorrow that I can safely declare I have yet to find utter perfection or utter garbage. Most Forgotten Realms books find a happy middle ground with me. I enjoy them—--but I always see something I would have changed, written in, or edited. Likely most of you share this middle ground with me.
If so, this is the thread for you. I am not here to blast authors; I humbly ask the trolls of this world to keep away, and for people not to post unless they have something substantial to add. “Simon Sux!” may be amusing, but it is hardly an insightful—--or groundbreaking—--comment.
It is my hope that other authors will get involved in the conversations. Not just the subjects of the varied critiques, but others as well. I am fully aware that negative comments regarding WotC books are oftentimes looked upon as an attack against all the authors. A quick marshalling of forces would often commence, with all authors taking the side of the attacked writer (correctly perceived or no), closing ranks against the daring interloper. Even those authors who might agree with a critique or comment are more likely to remain silent rather than say anything, and I understand this professional courtesy. I do. I do not ask you to compromise yourselves.
I ask, and hope, my comments (and the reasonable comments of others) will be taken and digested before reaction is given. Undoubtedly an author or two will be put off by my comments, seeing them as hubris, or as the uneducated view of an outsider who cannot possibly know the business.
And they may be right: I am no professional writer, nor am I a paid editor. I am just a teacher. I do what I do. And I am not always right; I am as willing to be shown the wrong of things as anyone. I will take all replies with a grain of salt, no matter how bad the wound, no matter how much salt is poured in. I am a married man—--my ego has fallen to the status of “safely nonexistent”.
:D
I imagine I will learn as much from these discussions as anyone. There’s always room to learn. Always.
It is with love that I do this. But feel free to lambaste me in advance.
In this thread, I welcome discussion regarding critiques, and critics, as a whole. My next thread will be a critique of Thomas M. Reid’s “The Sapphire Crescent”. With all my critiques, spoilers abound. Now go buy “The Sapphire Crescent” and join me in a day or so!
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| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 11 Feb 2004 : 18:35:09
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Hmm...that's a little different to what I'd actually heard about Odom and Threat from the Sea. From where did you originally learn this Rad...?
The stinker is that I cant remember where it was, Sage but I definately remember hearing the report after I finished the trilogy and went ranting about where the big RSE was?! 
What was it that you heard? |
| Demonwise |
Posted - 11 Feb 2004 : 14:55:29
Heh  ! Might be so, but still I think I would much rather prefer that those claws stayed in their.. sockets? |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 11 Feb 2004 : 14:49:12
quote:
Originally posted by Demonwise
Oh, if you had! *Shakes fist!*
Aliisza, then, I know, I just wanted to point out.. That she was succubi.. Without using her name!
And well, better not make that gal mad.. She'll be all over you-- with claws bared!
Never fear on intentionally revealing spoilers without a warning. I'm evil, but not that evil. All over you with claws bared? Isn't that foreplay for her? |
| Demonwise |
Posted - 11 Feb 2004 : 14:45:27
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by Demonwise
I just love the succubi gal, and her interaction with Pharaun (Hot! )
Aliisza, come on Demonwise, you have to remember a lady's name. Especially since said lady is about to.....well, nevermind, I wouldn't want to ruin Extinction for you.
Oh, if you had! *Shakes fist!*
Aliisza, then, I know, I just wanted to point out.. That she was succubi.. Without using her name!
And well, better not make that gal mad.. She'll be all over you-- with claws bared! |
| The Sage |
Posted - 11 Feb 2004 : 12:53:52
Hmm...that's a little different to what I'd actually heard about Odom and Threat from the Sea. From where did you originally learn this Rad...?
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| Lord Rad |
Posted - 11 Feb 2004 : 10:20:12
quote:
Originally posted by Hoondatha
When I read the book I was disappointed. I knew of the great saga that was going on all over the Sea, and somehow I wasn't getting that. I especially missed the shalarin, who had a miniscule part in the book and a huge part in the war.
I felt the same way, Hoondatha. Although I later found out that Mel Odem was instructed by WotC to play the grand finale right down.... Threat from the Sea was originally going to be one hell of a Realms-Shattering Event but they decided to tone it down at the last minute....IIRC. |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 11 Feb 2004 : 06:15:12
quote:
Originally posted by Demonwise
I just love the succubi gal, and her interaction with Pharaun (Hot! )
Aliisza, come on Demonwise, you have to remember a lady's name. Especially since said lady is about to.....well, nevermind, I wouldn't want to ruin Extinction for you. |
| Simon Says |
Posted - 11 Feb 2004 : 01:49:58
I think the wise Demon' is wiser than he knows. Good reasoning!
I especially like what Demonwise said about writing about "how the character looks while doing something", and I believe this is as important as it is effective. Describing a character's girth, for instance, is not nearly as effective on its own as it might be when reacted to ("She paled as he moved to sit upon her lap, dreading the effect his girth might have on her physical well-being") or interacting with ("Lord Everyfellow tried to squeeze past Erec and the bar, the nobleman's considerable midsection slowing the his progress measurably").
I'm not saying "He was a corpulant fellow" is wrong ... it's just not as entertaining when left on its own.
And while a "smattering here - smattering there" of description might be effective on occasion, I think it's important to note that a reader's mental image of a character is generally solidified within the first few pages - if not the first few paragraphs.
Great discussion! I'm pleased! (---and is that not why you are all here? To please *me*...?)
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| Demonwise |
Posted - 11 Feb 2004 : 00:11:52
Me and Insurrection:
Good Points:
-I just love the succubi gal, and her interaction with Pharaun (Hot! )
-I just loooove how the characters are build, focusing more on feelings than looks.
-I just loooooooove how I got to make my own pictures of the character, and how I could just feel that they were right beside me (not that a drow in your room is generally a comfortable feeling... but you know what i mean, right? :D)
Bad points:
-Well, it did not have another hundred pages.
-Well condemnation is still hardcover in denmark, and my pouch is flat.
-Well... Eh.. [Insert Critique here]
...........
Progressing to the less-is-most topic.
As an aspiring writer myself I think that this topic is more than interesting. Might be that million copies selling authors don't learn from readers, but I certainly get alot of information I find useful. That said, I still hold my own points of views.
I think that the issue about description is mostly about how you do it. If I use a page to describe the protaganist, I will not do it as information after information. I much rather like to span the description over ten pages and do it with short mentions of how the character looks when doing something. Mind you, I do not force this upon myself; rather, I have just taught myself to do so.
I might give the reader the information that our betrusted hero wears 'an outfit more fitting for a king's court'. This way, I let the viewer determine if this outfit is colorful, silky clothes or a fine vestment with in-build cape.
And I would make the remark doing an action. I would let him feel that his clothes was not fit for crawling in the muddy dirt. I would let his long dark hair whirl around his face as he ran. I think that these casual remarks, unintended or not, gives the readers a view of the character that they themselves can form and shape to their liking.
But then again, I am only an aspiring writer, among a court of wise men.
((Yeah I do know there were alot of I's in this text. But what's an I.. A man to do?)) |
| Hoondatha |
Posted - 10 Feb 2004 : 23:35:35
With so many authors around, I'm almost afraid to post negative things, but hey, here we go anyway.
I've found that sometimes reading all of the source materials that novels are (to a greater or lesser extent, depending on the novel) drawn from. I'm thinking specifically of The Sea Devil's Eye, which had the unenviable task of chronicalling the entire war in Seros. After reading the first two books I saw the Sea of Fallen Stars accessory and got it.
Disregarding the spoiler warnings I read all about the war from a game design standpoint. I saw the large strategies play out across the Sea and became very comfortable with the new race called shalarin (partly through being able to learn their history).
When I read the book I was disappointed. I knew of the great saga that was going on all over the Sea, and somehow I wasn't getting that. I especially missed the shalarin, who had a miniscule part in the book and a huge part in the war.
This is not to say that there weren't things I really enjoyed. In fact, I liked most of the book. I think my problem with it was that I knew the potential of the story, and since I knew that, I felt let down by what I wanted to see and didn't.
OK, so this is sorta long and rambling, but the point is that sometimes knowing all the information detracts from a novel. If I hadn't read the accessory I probably would still feel the shalarin were robbed, but many of my other problems wouldn't exist, since I wouldn't know until later what I was missing. |
| Josh Davids |
Posted - 10 Feb 2004 : 21:27:55
Thank you, as I get time to go to the mall, and some money I will definitely check him out.
I am pretty happy with the way I describe stuff, it is flowery in the way I describe storms, battles or monsters and I am just trying to get the right amount of descriptive words. Not too many and not too little. Though I have found not everyone likes this style but it is something I do like.
As for the reading, oh yeah I have read hundreds of books in the last 12 years or so, almost all of the realms and dragonlance, terry brooks, david eddings etc. I have had three big influences on my writing style from the various authors I have read. Richard A. Knack with the Legend of Huma really influenced my character design and story design, Ed Greenwood as well there are a lot of his influences in one of my character Dian Aker you can see Torm and Rathan in him as well as a little Shandril, and Salvatore as well the way I craft fight scenes and action and some character building. Spine of the World is still my all time favotire of his, as many would like to beat me with a nerf bat for that but he nailed down someone that went through hell and back with Wulfgar, not too many people I have seen do that yet.
I also got to add this anyone who can create their own world has my deepest respect what Ed Greenwood has done it just amazing. since I saw that contest that wizards held for the setting, the end of it anyways it got me interested in creating my own. Started and for the last 2 years been working on and off it. so far just around 150 pages a material( amd I am no where near being close to being done) and there are some days my brain has gone poof and the creativity is just not there I used it all up the week before. Seeing what Ed Greenwood has made is just amazing I can only hope to accomplish a tenth of that. The one thing I found hardest to create is a religious system, and getting the geography just right, as well as societies (government structures and the people that live under them and their regional influence).
I got to agree with the hardcore gamer thing, I didn’t pick up the FRCS till just a few months before GenCon 2002 happened. Before then all I read about the realms was the novels and had a pretty good understanding from just the books. You hit the one thing I missed upon in my post each book contains a description of the setting. I just can’t get enough of the realms and do wish to write in it one day even if it is just as a short story for the half-orc fighter or the magic dead ex purple dragon knight, till then I dream and keep trying to perfect the writing and keep trying to expand on the mythos in my world(that is the other thing I found hard to do right, creating an entire brand new mythology).
Thanks for the tip about Roger Zelazny, as soon as I get a chance to pick up his book I will.
Sincerely, Josh
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| Ius |
Posted - 10 Feb 2004 : 15:17:47
quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
Ius, I think it's great if a reader, by virtue of having read Bob and Elaine's takes on Menzo, is able to enjoy Dissolution all the more. But there's a difference between what enhances a reader's enjoyment and what's necessary to his enjoyment. If my novel had no entertainment value for readers visiting Menzo (or the FR themselves) for the first time, I would feel that the writing was seriously flawed.
I don´t think I expressed myself very good; what I meant was that in "Dissolution" there was a little something for everybody both people new to menzo and those who have read all the books.
In the other example I gave I am sure that "the Summoning" is an excellent book, it was just that when I read it I had the feeling of reading number three or four out of a series and not having read the prequels. There are a lot of good stuff in it too, its just that it includes about half of Fearun and since I have not read all the books, though I have read many, I did not get a distinctive feel for the characters and places. In short; I think that, for me, it was an example of just such flawed writing that you mention. |
| Richard Lee Byers |
Posted - 10 Feb 2004 : 14:09:33
Ius, I think it's great if a reader, by virtue of having read Bob and Elaine's takes on Menzo, is able to enjoy Dissolution all the more. But there's a difference between what enhances a reader's enjoyment and what's necessary to his enjoyment. If my novel had no entertainment value for readers visiting Menzo (or the FR themselves) for the first time, I would feel that the writing was seriously flawed. |
| Ius |
Posted - 10 Feb 2004 : 12:34:50
quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
Josh, other FR writers may feel differently, but my approach is to assume that the reader has never encountered the Realms in any form before picking up my story. Which means I try to describe or explain everything that needs to be described or explained for anyone to appreciate the tale. I want the book or short story to work for anybody who think it looks interesting enough to pick up. If I ever did a story that could only please the hardcore FR fan with a shelf full of gaming references, I would consider that a dismal failure of a story.
I think this approach is good for the long-term viability of FR fiction as a whole. Inevitably, over time, some readers are going to lose interest. We need to attract new ones to replace them. Otherwise, the books will stop being profitable, and WotC will stop publishing them.
With regard to the short-and-sweet school of describing, I mentioned Roger Zelazny. He wasn't a shared-world author. He created his own universes, and did so very vividly and convincingly. If you haven't done it already, you might find it interesting to read his work and look at how he did it.
Which is not by any means to imply that you have to do it the same way. There's definitely more than one valid approach to creating fiction. There are lots of them. But studying how a variety of good writers achieve their effects can put more tools in your own toolbox.
Their is some truth to both sides, as a reader I think it is an extra icentive to read a FR novel that in some ways interact with the other books I have read. The obvious example here is seeing Menzoberansan through the eyes of both Mr Buyers and Mr Salvatore.
Here I can benefit from all the additional info I have when reading the book.
One example when, for me, the writer took too much for granted was the novel "The Summoning" by Troy Denning. Although well written in parts, the novel included a lot of races, places and history that I had no idea even existed. Since very little background info was given I felt a bit like walking through the novel on a DoD minatures encounter map.
Later on, after scanning the FRCS for details, I could appreciate it a bit more but I was still left with a bad impression. Needless to say I never followed up on the sequels(perhaps I should?). |
| Richard Lee Byers |
Posted - 10 Feb 2004 : 02:46:53
Josh, other FR writers may feel differently, but my approach is to assume that the reader has never encountered the Realms in any form before picking up my story. Which means I try to describe or explain everything that needs to be described or explained for anyone to appreciate the tale. I want the book or short story to work for anybody who think it looks interesting enough to pick up. If I ever did a story that could only please the hardcore FR fan with a shelf full of gaming references, I would consider that a dismal failure of a story.
I think this approach is good for the long-term viability of FR fiction as a whole. Inevitably, over time, some readers are going to lose interest. We need to attract new ones to replace them. Otherwise, the books will stop being profitable, and WotC will stop publishing them.
With regard to the short-and-sweet school of describing, I mentioned Roger Zelazny. He wasn't a shared-world author. He created his own universes, and did so very vividly and convincingly. If you haven't done it already, you might find it interesting to read his work and look at how he did it.
Which is not by any means to imply that you have to do it the same way. There's definitely more than one valid approach to creating fiction. There are lots of them. But studying how a variety of good writers achieve their effects can put more tools in your own toolbox. |
| Josh Davids |
Posted - 09 Feb 2004 : 21:12:19
Just wanted to chime in because this is one thing that interests me, description that is. I as a writer have been trying to find that perfect balance between just the right amount of description and detail. I don’t subscribe to the less is more, I tend to be a bit poetic as one person described it with my description, turns some people off hooks others, but I am still trying to find that balance and get it right before I do become published.
However I got to tackle this world building thing, not everyone who wants to create a world wants to be Tolkien in fact I have never read a Tolkien novel in my life and only recently seen two of the movies, that is it. I feel that if you don’t give out descriptions or build a world around the characters it makes it just another sword story, there are only some many fantasy stories that can be written. What makes each and every single story unique is the setting in which they are placed in, the world is just as important as the story being told. After all how many times can a story be told about a teenager wanting to rebel against the establishment, he feels he doesn’t fit in? that is if you just tell a story without building the world, then you add into that drow society, the underdark and the surface world and you got the start of Drizzt, really really simplifying it but you get the point right?
Do people go overboard, yeah I have seen it in the past that is why it is so hard to come upon this balance of the right amount of description. Personally I will describe a town once when a person is first introduced into it, when the characters are seen for the first time. Then in the town if they happen to go down narrow alleys I describe that, houses they might enter, landmarks etc. but I make it a point not to redescribe it the next two chapters down. Same goes with a character I will describe what a person might see on first glance, clothing, weapons seen, the way they move or stand. Then later on if they remove clothing and something new is revealed I will describe that as well, one such character he wears plain clothing a light gray heavy weave cloak, same material for a long sleeved shirt and pants. Hidden under his long billowing clothing are a network of scars from a time when he was tortured to near death, an actually intricate pattern carved into him. I won’t describe that at first, I will leave it till the clothes are removed it adds a bit of mystery to the character, and opens up questions about the characters past, how he got those scars etc. but then I won’t describe him for the rest of the book till I need to again, say if the story progresses ten years many characters will age, have new scars, new aliments etc so they will need a new description to update what they look like.
Remember one thing the very first novels were building up the world for the reader it is taken for granted that it has an entire set of game books devoted to the series but even then the authors have to detail what a city looks like etc. some of the places done up in books had just a paragraph in the game material giving a very brief description the author in the book then brought that to life.
When someone builds a world they have to create everything from scratch many don’t have monster manuals with drawings of what a creature looks like, or a campaign setting that describes Waterdeep. They have to sit there and describe the monsters, magic if there is any, setting type, cultures, governments and everything that the characters will interact with and it is a delicate balance to get the right amount of description to get the feeling of a city but not too much to bore the reader into unconsciousness.
Personally I don’t want to be the next Tolkien however I do want to say with pride I created something totally from scratch, that everything in the pages is my own inspiration, and a place where I can tell the stories I want to tell. I think that is why a lot create their own worlds there are stories they want to tell that have nothing to do with a shared world as great as the Realms. And I don’t want to mean any disrespect to the realms authors, I think they know what I mean by this paragraph even if I couldn’t word it just right. Personally I would like to write in the realms but the setting holds too many limitations for me, I don’t have 100% freedom to create the story I want to. Can’t raze down waterdeep without someone in the game department having a melt down, then stalking me and beating me senseless with a nerf foam sword, but in the world I create I can burn down one of the major cities without worrying about such things. There is a certain amount of restriction you have when writing in a preformed world but it also has certain benefits, like not having to worry about creating power groups, entire cities, religion, geography, races etc. because the world is premade the writers actually have that luxury to sit down and focus not on the world building but the story itself.
Don’t’ worry didn’t take any offense to what you said, I understand what you mean but also just wanted to add my two little cents to the topic.
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| Simon Says |
Posted - 09 Feb 2004 : 21:01:27
Let me take up for Daron for just a moment. I think I know what he meant, and it WASN'T a slam on Mr. Salvatore. But anyone who came from the old WotC "Forgotten Realms Novels" message board knows Mr. Salvatore's work is the most widely discussed - period.
And yes, there is a perception that a lot of people bag on Mr. Salvatore for no good reason other than what seems to be his popularity. I believe that is what Daron was referring to.
On to other things ...
I noticed Lisa Smedman was mentioned. While I enjoyed the Sembia series (likely more than any FR series yet), I was disappointed by Ms. Smedman's novel, "Heirs of Prophesy". I was actually going to compare and contrast that novel with my "The Sapphire Crescent" critique, but ended up not having the time.
So I'll comment on this, briefly: "Heirs of Prophesy" had the exact opposite effect "The Sapphire Crescent" had on me---I loved the prologue, but felt ultimately let down by the book.
I don't have it with me, but I remember Ms. Smedman began with a wonderfully descriptive and startling prologue, focusing on the opening scene (I remember her intricate concentration on a hand most of all) that had me in goosebumps. As far as descriptives go, Ms. Smedman is wonderful; her writing plays out across the page as if shot from a movie camera - with an additional camera tucked inside the protagonist's head. I like that.
And so maybe it was just the overall story, but I felt as if it was something I'd read before. The obligatory "old wise woman from the wild", the dream scene that may/may not be real ... Additionally, even though this great war seemed to be looming ... I never really felt it. It just didn't resonate, didn't make me feel as if anything disasterous loomed. Add the "dual deity worship" (which seems to have bothered most of the book's critics) ... It didn't feel real.
I finished the book and said, "Hm, well, alright." I did not find it filled with any real substance.
Of course, I am willing to hear comments of an opposing view. Perhaps we need to create a Lisa Smedman thread.
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| Daron |
Posted - 09 Feb 2004 : 18:28:15
quote:
Bookwyrm is right. Presuming general reader attitudes on particular authors is dangerous. I've never had a problem with Mr Salvatore's work, and practically everyone I know hasn't either.
I would sincerely like to apologize for any that found my presumtion offensive in some way. However I feel that I was somewhat misunderstood. I didn't mean to imply that the majority of people felt that way (for if they did would Mr. Salvatore be on the bestseller lists?), but that the only people you seem to hear from on most boards are the vocal minority that delight in repeating the same disparaging remarks about his works over and over. Anyone from the old Wizards boards knows exactly of what I speak.
Again, I am truly sorry for any presumptions made.
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| Richard Lee Byers |
Posted - 09 Feb 2004 : 17:01:51
Thanks for the compliment, Ius. I appreciate it. |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 09 Feb 2004 : 14:45:59
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
So talk......oh...only Rad is good enough. Candlekeep clicks.....a sad day when you start seeing those form.
Im sure The Sage didnt mean it that way........ maybe you and he should head over to the Extinction scroll and discuss what you have read! 
And you know full well that youre highly valued here Sirius.... you always came up with the goods with new FR releases mentioned over at WotC  |
| The Sage |
Posted - 09 Feb 2004 : 13:34:50
That's part of the problem Rad. I found Extinction so well written that I can't talk about my thoughts without mentioning certain parts of the book...
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| Lord Rad |
Posted - 09 Feb 2004 : 13:30:27
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Rad, I hope you intend on talking about your thoughts on Extinction here, at least once you finish the book. I only just finished it yesterday, and have itching with the need for someone else to talk to about it.
Im going as fast as I can, Sage. Ive been waiting for this novel for a long time, and am quite anxious to see how Lisa Smedman pulls it off, I quite enjoyed Heirs of Prophecy but there were points that I thought werent quite right (one being the previously discussed dual-deity worship)... that said, chapter 3 at the moment and quite enjoying it
Nuff said, ill post more in the correct thread soon. Why not head over there yourself Sage and give a brief overview of your thoughts? No spoilers though |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 09 Feb 2004 : 13:28:34
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Rad, I hope you intend on talking about your thoughts on Extinction here, at least once you finish the book. I only just finished it yesterday, and have itching with the need for someone else to talk to about it.
So talk......oh...only Rad is good enough. Candlekeep clicks.....a sad day when you start seeing those form.
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| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 09 Feb 2004 : 13:25:27
quote:
Originally posted by Rad
hehehe Not so much of an egg timer, but more to do with checking my bosses appointment calendar and knowing he has a meeting at that time
Isn't it great with the "big kids" have their meetings? So much idle time to have then.....
and I find it so appropriate that you began a novel about drow behind your boss' back.  |
| The Sage |
Posted - 09 Feb 2004 : 13:22:50
quote:
Originally posted by Rad
quote:
Originally posted by Ius
By the way, I think that the "Dissolution" book was the best fantasy read in a long time. Since I live in Sweden it takes up to six months extra before we get our hands on books published in the US, so I have not read the sequels, I just hope they are as good as the first book.
You wont have any worries there Ius! Insurrection and Condemnation are just as amazing as Dissolution!! Im about to start reading Extinction too in about 30 minutes ::drool::
Rad, I hope you intend on talking about your thoughts on Extinction here, at least once you finish the book. I only just finished it yesterday, and have itching with the need for someone else to talk to about it.
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| Lord Rad |
Posted - 09 Feb 2004 : 13:21:38
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by Rad
Im about to start reading Extinction too in about 30 minutes ::drool::
What do you have an egg timer set to let you know when it's okay to start reading about the drow?
hehehe Not so much of an egg timer, but more to do with checking my bosses appointment calendar and knowing he has a meeting at that time |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 09 Feb 2004 : 12:53:54
quote:
Originally posted by BobSalvatore
I disagree, if you're implying that readers should serve the role of editors. Your "voice" will get you some readers and cost you others. Obviously you're not ignoring the readers, but neither are you catering to the viewpoints of a few just because they happen to be louder than others.
Or just happen to be online...as I'm sure not every fan of you or another author visits your forum, this forum, or any messageboard. Moreover, I don't want any author listening to myself or another fan when it comes to writing their character. Besides never being able to please everyone, it would take away some of the joy in reading if the author did things exactly the way I expected or wanted events to unfold.
My favorite Realms character has a great deal of appeal because I can never figure out what exactly the author is going to do next with the character. I like that. |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 09 Feb 2004 : 12:47:40
quote:
Originally posted by Rad
Im about to start reading Extinction too in about 30 minutes ::drool::
What do you have an egg timer set to let you know when it's okay to start reading about the drow? |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 09 Feb 2004 : 11:59:31
quote:
Originally posted by Ius
By the way, I think that the "Dissolution" book was the best fantasy read in a long time. Since I live in Sweden it takes up to six months extra before we get our hands on books published in the US, so I have not read the sequels, I just hope they are as good as the first book.
You wont have any worries there Ius! Insurrection and Condemnation are just as amazing as Dissolution!! Im about to start reading Extinction too in about 30 minutes ::drool:: |
| Ius |
Posted - 09 Feb 2004 : 11:51:24
By the way, I think that the "Dissolution" book was the best fantasy read in a long time. Since I live in Sweden it takes up to six months extra before we get our hands on books published in the US, so I have not read the sequels, I just hope they are as good as the first book.
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