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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
 Posted - 22 Jan 2005 : 17:59:58
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That's a good suggestion, Sirius. New and upcoming projects are listed on the home page of my website, www.elainecunningham.com, and I keep an online writing journal entitled Elven Bard. (www.elvenbard.blogspot.com)
Before someone asks, the blog title is NOT self-referential, but named for the main character in my upcoming Everquest novel. Still keeping that tenuous grip on reality, thank you very much.  |
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SirUrza
Master of Realmslore
USA
1283 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jan 2005 : 21:38:50
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Then just call me bitter for wanting to see good characters continued. New characters should come from new authors IMHO.
Wizards wanting certain established authors to create new characters but not making others to do the same just makes them look like they're looking for another Realms cashcow character.
I won't even get into the pychology of not continuing character so that they can detach the read from the character after the trilogy is done and not have about supporting said character in the game products which could lead to negative feedback if the stats are poorly designed.
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"Evil prevails when good men fail to act."
The original and unapologetic Arilyn, Aribeth, Seoni Fanboy. |
Edited by - SirUrza on 22 Jan 2005 21:39:36 |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jan 2005 : 22:00:29
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quote:
Originally posted by SirUrza
New characters should come from new authors IMHO.
I won't go that far. Many writers no doubt enjoy introducing new characters to readers.
quote:
Wizards wanting certain established authors to create new characters but not making others to do the same just makes them look like they're looking for another Realms cashcow character.
I've heard this theory expressed before that WOTC was introducing many new writers and new characters because they were looking for the next Drizzt. I have no idea on the validity of such statements.
What's interesting is we have heard that WOTC's novel department wants new characters these days apparently over old. Yet, not everyone feels the same way. Take a look at the following from Elaine Cunningham's blog
quote:
This week I had an email exchange with the editor of DRAGON magazine about the possibility of writing a tie-in story to support the upcoming Waterdeep novel. He was interested, and he expressed a preference for established characters. So it appears that I'll be writing a short story focusing on Elaith, as well as a 5000-word article on the restored bard college in Waterdeep. Like the novel Evermeet, this will be narrated by Danilo Thann.
So, the Dragon editor wants established characters, but the novel department wants new characters. To each his/her own it would seem. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2005 : 02:22:15
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quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by SirUrza
New characters should come from new authors IMHO.
I won't go that far. Many writers no doubt enjoy introducing new characters to readers.
I'm not going to agree with this statement, either. It's very limiting to authors. Under this philosophy, Elaine couldn't have introduced us to Liriel, Fyodor, Matteo and Tzigone. And what about Ed? No Glarasteer Rhauligan, no Caladnei, no new Chosen of Mystra -- ever. And what about the favored author of so many Drizzt fans? With your idea, the Cleric Quintet never could have been written, and we might not have ever even met Jarlaxle...
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by SirUrza
Wizards wanting certain established authors to create new characters but not making others to do the same just makes them look like they're looking for another Realms cashcow character.
I've heard this theory expressed before that WOTC was introducing many new writers and new characters because they were looking for the next Drizzt. I have no idea on the validity of such statements.
While I'm sure that WotC would love to have another Drizzt, I doubt that's their only intent. By constantly giving us new authors, we are also getting a constant influx of new ideas and characters. Some pan out -- Drizzt Do'Urden, Arilyn Moonblade, Erevis Cale. Some don't -- Mari Al'Marien, Wynter the centaur, Pinch...
Further, keeping up with new characters prevents what happened with Dragginglance. Look at that setting -- if Weis and Hickman weren't writing, nothing new happened. Everyone kept going sideways and backwards -- "let's explore the past of this character, totally ignoring continuity while doing so!" (Example: in the beginning of the Chronicles, Raistlin is getting tired after tossing off a 1st or 2nd level spell. In one of the short stories in the first Tales trilogy, it's before the Chronicles, yet he tosses off about four polymorph spells, no prob.) Or they would explore some other aspect of the past, like the Elven Nations books. The world became totally static, because no one was doing anything new.
So, constantly giving us new authors, and let both old and new authors play with new characters as they desire, is a good thing for the Realms. |
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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SirUrza
Master of Realmslore
USA
1283 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2005 : 03:19:41
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I'm not saying new characters are a bad thing. But Wizards is turning away old characters that authors want to write about and readers want to read about.
If Elaine (or Ed or anyone else) has an idea for new characters and a new storyline I don't think that's bad, that's great. But tuning out old characters while OTHER people MUST write about certain characters or are fixed in their own little world of character is just wrong.
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"Evil prevails when good men fail to act."
The original and unapologetic Arilyn, Aribeth, Seoni Fanboy. |
Edited by - SirUrza on 23 Jan 2005 03:21:41 |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2005 : 04:40:23
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quote:
Originally posted by SirUrza
If Elaine (or Ed or anyone else) has an idea for new characters and a new storyline I don't think that's bad, that's great. But tuning out old characters while OTHER people MUST write about certain characters or are fixed in their own little world of character is just wrong.
Who are the "OTHER people" that "MUST write about certain characters or are fixed in their own little world of character?" |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2005 : 06:45:25
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quote:
Originally posted by SirUrza
I'm not saying new characters are a bad thing. But Wizards is turning away old characters that authors want to write about and readers want to read about.
If Elaine (or Ed or anyone else) has an idea for new characters and a new storyline I don't think that's bad, that's great. But tuning out old characters while OTHER people MUST write about certain characters or are fixed in their own little world of character is just wrong.
But, as I say, Wizards is trying to keep things fresh. Keep in mind that part of their recent strategy has been to ignore us old fans and focus on trying to draw in new ones... Cranking out more tales of characters that are already established is not the best idea, because it forces new fans to either seek out old material or forever wonder who or what that reference is about...
"Ah," you're about to say, "What about Drizzt?"
Drizzt Do'Urden is a special case. No other character has drawn in more money for TSR/WotC, so for him they make an exception. They're basically holding on tightly to the proven money-maker, while trying to draw in more money with fresh faces -- one of whom may prove to be another cashcow.
As for what the fans want... WotC has not demonstrated a willingness to listen to us up until now. I doubt that will change any time soon. I don't blame the creators and writers, I blame the bean counters and number crunchers who actually run things. They need to start having the creators run the show, not be support staff for the higher-ups and finance department. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2005 : 15:25:11
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I can understand why the DRAGON editor preferred familiar characters. That helps create "brand identification" in a forum that covers a lot of RPG worlds, settings, and systems. People who've read my stuff are more likely to pick up a magazine that revisits an established character than go out of their way to read a story about some guy they've never heard about. Also, Elaith Craulnober probably has a highly profile than any character with whom I'm associated. He appears in several FR game products, the MMO Neverwinter Nights, Ed Greenwood's novel Silver Fire, and several of my books and short stories. If my email is any indication, he is more frequently employed as an NPC in Realms-based campaigns than any of my other characters. All of these are good arguments for a short story in gaming magazine.
The book editors, however, have different considerations. For one thing, they don't have to sell the setting. They need to balance the line. They're committed to bringing in new authors. They have to deal with changes to the rules and the setting. Let's face it--it's a lot easier to start fresh with new characters than try to retrofit a character or storyline to blend the one and the new. Also, the older characters are getting ... older. As one reader observed on a message board forum, "Danilo must be in his early thirties now, so what sort of adventures could he possibly have?" An older antihero would be far more palatable, but given Danilo's persona, he might be looking a bit long in the tooth to some readers. |
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SirUrza
Master of Realmslore
USA
1283 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2005 : 16:21:11
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
But, as I say, Wizards is trying to keep things fresh. Keep in mind that part of their recent strategy has been to ignore us old fans and focus on trying to draw in new ones... Cranking out more tales of characters that are already established is not the best idea, because it forces new fans to either seek out old material or forever wonder who or what that reference is about...
Then maybe Wizards should let the old novels fall out of print permanantly instead of reprinting them huh?
quote:
"Ah," you're about to say, "What about Drizzt?" Drizzt Do'Urden is a special case. No other character has drawn in more money for TSR/WotC, so for him they make an exception. They're basically holding on tightly to the proven money-maker, while trying to draw in more money with fresh faces -- one of whom may prove to be another cashcow.
I was subtly implying what about Drizzt and company.
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As for what the fans want... WotC has not demonstrated a willingness to listen to us up until now. I doubt that will change any time soon. I don't blame the creators and writers, I blame the bean counters and number crunchers who actually run things. They need to start having the creators run the show, not be support staff for the higher-ups and finance department.
I'm not blaming the writers. I'm just whining and being my usual anti-Wizards self. (And yes, I'm do have a pro-Wizards self, they just haven't done anything to justify letting it out of the cage.) :) |
"Evil prevails when good men fail to act."
The original and unapologetic Arilyn, Aribeth, Seoni Fanboy. |
Edited by - SirUrza on 23 Jan 2005 16:34:15 |
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SirUrza
Master of Realmslore
USA
1283 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2005 : 16:27:05
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quote:
Originally posted by ElaineCunningham
As one reader observed on a message board forum, "Danilo must be in his early thirties now, so what sort of adventures could he possibly have?" An older antihero would be far more palatable, but given Danilo's persona, he might be looking a bit long in the tooth to some readers.
Bah, 30 isn't THAT old, especially if they're active and not couch potatoes. Besides, Arilyn's still young, Danilo doesn't have a choice in what advantures he gets dragged into, and there's plenty of political plots in Waterdeep that don't involved running all over the Realms to deal with while Arilyn is doing the running. :)
As for converting old characters, unlike certain low level 1st edition dragon slaying characters, Arilyn and Danilo haven't done anything that wouldn't fight into a 7-12 character level range, especially since Arilyn's sword is a major artifact no matter how you cut it. |
"Evil prevails when good men fail to act."
The original and unapologetic Arilyn, Aribeth, Seoni Fanboy. |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2005 : 19:35:18
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quote:
Originally posted by ElaineCunningham
Also, Elaith Craulnober probably has a highly profile than any character with whom I'm associated. He appears in several FR game products, the MMO Neverwinter Nights, Ed Greenwood's novel Silver Fire, and several of my books and short stories. If my email is any indication, he is more frequently employed as an NPC in Realms-based campaigns than any of my other characters. All of these are good arguments for a short story in gaming magazine.
He's quite famous and popular. Or would it be infmaous? Hmmm....
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As one reader observed on a message board forum, "Danilo must be in his early thirties now, so what sort of adventures could he possibly have?"
I did not need to hear such a comment before coffee. Oy!  |
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Just looking at O-Loves FR novel releases
