Next week, Max and I are going to drive up to the Chicago area to meet Brandon Sanderson. Aside from being a damn fine author, he seems to be a pretty decent guy, too. I'm looking forward to having my Mistborn set signed to add to my collection of signed books.
It occurs to me that it could be considered pretty odd to drive two and a half hours to stand in line to meet an author for two minutes, and get a few signed books. Of course, for a bibliophile, it may not seem very far at all.
So, say that one of your favorite authors will be in a shop, and you find out about it. How far is too far to go meet him/her? How close is close enough?
None / near my neighborhood. I think I've only been to one book event and it was for Aisha Tyler. :blush:
If it's to stand in line and get something signed as a fan, I don't think I'd even walk across the room to do so. It's just not my thing.
But if owning signed books is something you enjoy, and if hanging out with other fans and briefly chatting with an admired author is an experience you appreciate then driving two and half hours to do so seems sensible enough to me.
Please give Mr. Sanderson my regards and please ask him not to take so long with the next book in this Stormlight series.
Tell him not to pull a Jordan too!
About 30 feet.
I didn't travel all that far to meet some authors (maybe five miles), but I did do so in a fierce snowstorm. Right after a friend of mine and I arrived at the bookstore, the city police shut down the streets and told everyone to stay where they were.
So, sitting around this table at the Borders in Briarwood were myself, my friend, the guy who owned the bookstore (and who had sent his employees home already), some guy I didn't know, Poul and Karen Anderson, Gordon Dickson, Joe Haldeman, and Roger Zelazny. The Andersons had a massive thermos full of Irish coffee (and shared freely) and Gordy Dickson had a big bottle of whiskey, so we survived the blizzard pretty well. All told, it was about four hours before the emergency was lifted, and it was maybe the best four hours I ever spent. Those guys (and gal) were some kinda storytellers.
Quote from: grumbler on September 25, 2013, 11:50:38 AM
So, sitting around this table at the Borders in Briarwood were myself, my friend, the guy who owned the bookstore (and who had sent his employees home already), some guy I didn't know, Poul and Karen Anderson, Gordon Dickson, Joe Haldeman, and Roger Zelazny. The Andersons had a massive thermos full of Irish coffee (and shared freely) and Gordy Dickson had a big bottle of whiskey, so we survived the blizzard pretty well. All told, it was about four hours before the emergency was lifted, and it was maybe the best four hours I ever spent. Those guys (and gal) were some kinda storytellers.
:worthy:
I wouldn't. I hate standing in line.
Quote from: grumbler on September 25, 2013, 11:50:38 AM
I didn't travel all that far to meet some authors (maybe five miles), but I did do so in a fierce snowstorm. Right after a friend of mine and I arrived at the bookstore, the city police shut down the streets and told everyone to stay where they were.
So, sitting around this table at the Borders in Briarwood were myself, my friend, the guy who owned the bookstore (and who had sent his employees home already), some guy I didn't know, Poul and Karen Anderson, Gordon Dickson, Joe Haldeman, and Roger Zelazny. The Andersons had a massive thermos full of Irish coffee (and shared freely) and Gordy Dickson had a big bottle of whiskey, so we survived the blizzard pretty well. All told, it was about four hours before the emergency was lifted, and it was maybe the best four hours I ever spent. Those guys (and gal) were some kinda storytellers.
Now THAT is awesome :cheers:
Quote from: grumbler on September 25, 2013, 11:50:38 AM
I didn't travel all that far to meet some authors (maybe five miles), but I did do so in a fierce snowstorm. Right after a friend of mine and I arrived at the bookstore, the city police shut down the streets and told everyone to stay where they were.
So, sitting around this table at the Borders in Briarwood were myself, my friend, the guy who owned the bookstore (and who had sent his employees home already), some guy I didn't know, Poul and Karen Anderson, Gordon Dickson, Joe Haldeman, and Roger Zelazny. The Andersons had a massive thermos full of Irish coffee (and shared freely) and Gordy Dickson had a big bottle of whiskey, so we survived the blizzard pretty well. All told, it was about four hours before the emergency was lifted, and it was maybe the best four hours I ever spent. Those guys (and gal) were some kinda storytellers.
Wow. That sounds like an amazing night. :wub:
I would cross a room.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 25, 2013, 12:07:03 PM
I would cross a room.
I'd cross a room if there was nobody else in line and I had a suitable version of the book to be signed, like a hardcover and not some ratty old paperback.
Quote from: merithyn on September 25, 2013, 11:17:30 AM
So, say that one of your favorite authors will be in a shop, and you find out about it. How far is too far to go meet him/her? How close is close enough?
Depends. Has his corpse been carted there or is he a zombie?
Quote from: The Brain on September 25, 2013, 12:24:27 PM
Quote from: merithyn on September 25, 2013, 11:17:30 AM
So, say that one of your favorite authors will be in a shop, and you find out about it. How far is too far to go meet him/her? How close is close enough?
Depends. Has his corpse been carted there or is he a zombie?
And it's because of people like you that I specified "one of" your favorite authors. :P
Pshaw. Authors travel to meet me. :)
Quote from: merithyn on September 25, 2013, 12:26:22 PM
Quote from: The Brain on September 25, 2013, 12:24:27 PM
Quote from: merithyn on September 25, 2013, 11:17:30 AM
So, say that one of your favorite authors will be in a shop, and you find out about it. How far is too far to go meet him/her? How close is close enough?
Depends. Has his corpse been carted there or is he a zombie?
And it's because of people like you that I specified "one of" your favorite authors. :P
I prefer my authors like I prefer my lawyers.
Quote from: The Brain on September 25, 2013, 12:33:45 PM
I prefer my authors like I prefer my lawyers.
Always knew you were a Grisham fan.
It's not something I'd do myself, unless and author I likes was appearing at my local library or bookshop.
But a while back I did attend a symposium, were a couple of authors I liked were part of the panel. The discussion was the attraction, though it was nice to chat with my favourite author afterwards.
I once went from Detroit to Ann Arbor to hear George RR Martin talk. I've never read his books, but my friends really, really liked them; as did the entire University of Michigan apparently. The bookstore was packed. I went to a different part of the store so one of his fan could have my space. So I've traveled 45 miles not to meet an author.
Quote from: Savonarola on September 25, 2013, 04:09:35 PM
The bookstore was packed.
Of course it was if it contained George R. R. Martin. :)
Can't say I've ever been jazzed enough to go and meet an author. Waved at Tom Clancy once, but that was in traffic.
Quote from: Caliga on September 25, 2013, 04:10:36 PM
Quote from: Savonarola on September 25, 2013, 04:09:35 PM
The bookstore was packed.
Of course it was if it contained George R. R. Martin. :)
:lol:
Seriously though, it was Border's flagship store. It was the largest and the best big box bookstore that I've ever been to.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 25, 2013, 04:11:08 PM
Can't say I've ever been jazzed enough to go and meet an author.
This
Quote from: merithyn on September 25, 2013, 11:17:30 AM
Next week, Max and I are going to drive up to the Chicago area to meet Brandon Sanderson. Aside from being a damn fine author, he seems to be a pretty decent guy, too. I'm looking forward to having my Mistborn set signed to add to my collection of signed books.
:o So jealous!
Quote from: crazy canuck on September 25, 2013, 11:23:57 AM
Please give Mr. Sanderson my regards and please ask him not to take so long with the next book in this Stormlight series.
The only reason it took this long was he had to finish The Wheel of Time. He wrote a 3 books for that with a total of a million words in four years. Now that that is no longer an issue, expect a new back every 18 months.
I've gone to lectures by people people who wrote books. Does that count? Also, hasn't Jake written something? I would probably drive 30 or 40 miles to meet Jake.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 25, 2013, 04:11:08 PM
Can't say I've ever been jazzed enough to go and meet an author. Waved at Tom Clancy once, but that was in traffic.
Tom had his assistant wave back .
Quote from: derspiess on September 26, 2013, 08:40:37 AM
Quote from: garbon on September 25, 2013, 12:51:24 PM
Quote from: derspiess on September 25, 2013, 12:50:09 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on September 25, 2013, 11:52:37 AM
Quote from: derspiess on September 25, 2013, 11:40:33 AM
About 30 feet.
How far do you travel to buy a book :hmm:
Between 0 and 10 feet, usually.
Does your wife make books in your home?
There's a cool site called amazon.com. Try Prime-- you'll never want to give it up.
That's how I got my copies of
Natural Harvest.
Quote from: derspiess on September 26, 2013, 08:40:37 AM
Quote from: garbon on September 25, 2013, 12:51:24 PM
Quote from: derspiess on September 25, 2013, 12:50:09 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on September 25, 2013, 11:52:37 AM
Quote from: derspiess on September 25, 2013, 11:40:33 AM
About 30 feet.
How far do you travel to buy a book :hmm:
Between 0 and 10 feet, usually.
Does your wife make books in your home?
There's a cool site called amazon.com. Try Prime-- you'll never want to give it up.
I don't know why I would want to use amazon to buy physical books. :unsure:
I can't think of any public figure I would travel any distance to see. I might pop in if I were in the neighborhood, but then probably not, truth be told.
Quote from: garbon on September 26, 2013, 08:47:17 AM
I don't know why I would want to use amazon to buy physical books. :unsure:
They tend to have pretty good prices and it saves me a trip to the bookstore, wherever the closest one is these days.
Quote from: derspiess on September 26, 2013, 08:57:25 AM
Quote from: garbon on September 26, 2013, 08:47:17 AM
I don't know why I would want to use amazon to buy physical books. :unsure:
They tend to have pretty good prices and it saves me a trip to the bookstore, wherever the closest one is these days.
I thought the point of brick & mortar bookstores was to check (or alternatively if you are Seeds, perv) out people, not buy books. :unsure:
And why would I need to do that?
I don't know why one would need to go to a bookstore.
Okay.
Yeah, we hadn't been discussing needs. :)
Quote from: garbon on September 26, 2013, 09:22:07 AM
I don't know why one would need to go to a bookstore.
Because that's where the books are?
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 26, 2013, 11:55:45 AM
Quote from: garbon on September 26, 2013, 09:22:07 AM
I don't know why one would need to go to a bookstore.
Because that's where the books are?
I think you mean one location that books might be found and an inconvenient one given that they often won't have what you want stocked on the shelf.
Quote from: garbon on September 26, 2013, 12:13:50 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 26, 2013, 11:55:45 AM
Quote from: garbon on September 26, 2013, 09:22:07 AM
I don't know why one would need to go to a bookstore.
Because that's where the books are?
I think you mean one location that books might be found and an inconvenient one given that they often won't have what you want stocked on the shelf.
You can always ask your Customer Service Representative at the Help counter to special order the item you would like, and you will be contacted when it arrives.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 26, 2013, 12:17:07 PM
Quote from: garbon on September 26, 2013, 12:13:50 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 26, 2013, 11:55:45 AM
Quote from: garbon on September 26, 2013, 09:22:07 AM
I don't know why one would need to go to a bookstore.
Because that's where the books are?
I think you mean one location that books might be found and an inconvenient one given that they often won't have what you want stocked on the shelf.
You can always ask your Customer Service Representative at the Help counter to special order the item you would like, and you will be contacted when it arrives.
Or I could just do what d does and click order and even have the next day if I desired.
Also, I don't trust the employees at the help desk as I was one.
It's people like you who are destroying this economy.
Quote from: garbon on September 26, 2013, 09:22:07 AM
I don't know why one would need to go to a bookstore.
Personally I enjoy browsing the physical books; I often come across things I wouldn't otherwise have considered.
Quote from: Jacob on September 26, 2013, 12:46:41 PM
Quote from: garbon on September 26, 2013, 09:22:07 AM
I don't know why one would need to go to a bookstore.
Personally I enjoy browsing the physical books; I often come across things I wouldn't otherwise have considered.
Exactly.
For me looking for books online is a pale imitation of the experience of walking through a bookstore and looking at what they have on offer. I will often find books that I would never have thought to order or look for online. Plus I enjoy leafing through a number of books to decide which ones I will purchase on that trip.
I am happy to report that I have passed on the love of this simple pleasure to my boys.
Quote from: Jacob on September 26, 2013, 12:46:41 PM
Quote from: garbon on September 26, 2013, 09:22:07 AM
I don't know why one would need to go to a bookstore.
Personally I enjoy browsing the physical books; I often come across things I wouldn't otherwise have considered.
I never have that experience at a generic B&N type establishment. I did/do have that experience at used bookstores in SF.
Quote from: Jacob on September 25, 2013, 11:22:09 AM
If it's to stand in line and get something signed as a fan, I don't think I'd even walk across the room to do so. It's just not my thing.
Roughly this. I'd maybe go to something with the author of a non-fiction work, or to a poetry reading, or to a lecture. But I don't think I'd be bothered in another case - the author's dead.
The irony is I do trawl sites and catalogues for rare books - some signed - that I might buy if I ever have money :blush:
QuoteI never have that experience at a generic B&N type establishment. I did/do have that experience at used bookstores in SF.
Waterstones is still generally pretty good for it, so's Foyles. Also there are some types of books - cookbooks for example - that I really, really like to see and browse before I buy.
I hope bookshops survive because I was recently in town and wanted to impulse buy a DVD and realised there weren't any shops selling them :weep:
I acquired Steelheart yesterday. I finished it this afternoon. (I'm home sick today.) VERY good book. Already looking forward to the sequel, and the movie (which is in the planning).
Oh, garbon. I went online and reserved the book at B&N, then Max went and picked it up for me. If I hadn't been sick, I'd have gone in and wandered aimlessly for an hour or so before picking up the book. As it is, Max got it for me, instead. I shop for books online, but I generally go in to pick them up rather than having them delivered to me so I can see what else is worth getting.
Went to go meet Brandon Sanderson last night. He's delightfully geeky, and it was a lot of fun listening to him speak. He seems like a really down-to-earth, regular guy who happens to tell really cool stories.
He let me know about some podcasts that he's done to help new writers called Writing Excuses (http://www.writingexcuses.com/) that I plan to spend my work days listening to. He also gave me some suggestions on how to get over the whole "perfection" thing when writing my first drafts that I'm going to give a shot.
Max got to ask him some questions about one of his big epic novels, too.
Brandon signed three of our books, which will now go into my collection. I am: happy. :)
Quote from: merithyn on September 26, 2013, 03:10:38 PM
Oh, garbon. I went online and reserved the book at B&N, then Max went and picked it up for me. If I hadn't been sick, I'd have gone in and wandered aimlessly for an hour or so before picking up the book. As it is, Max got it for me, instead. I shop for books online, but I generally go in to pick them up rather than having them delivered to me so I can see what else is worth getting.
I generally find little worth purchasing at B&N establishments. -_-
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 25, 2013, 04:11:08 PM
Can't say I've ever been jazzed enough to go and meet an author. Waved at Tom Clancy once, but that was in traffic.
Looks like you won't be doing that again.
:lol:
Quote from: merithyn on October 02, 2013, 10:32:53 AM
He let me know about some podcasts that he's done to help new writers called Writing Excuses (http://www.writingexcuses.com/) that I plan to spend my work days listening to. He also gave me some suggestions on how to get over the whole "perfection" thing when writing my first drafts that I'm going to give a shot.
And by "some," Sanderson means "about a month's worth of straight listening" (seriously, it's like 8 years of weekly podcasts).
Quote from: ulmont on October 02, 2013, 10:42:04 AM
Quote from: merithyn on October 02, 2013, 10:32:53 AM
He let me know about some podcasts that he's done to help new writers called Writing Excuses (http://www.writingexcuses.com/) that I plan to spend my work days listening to. He also gave me some suggestions on how to get over the whole "perfection" thing when writing my first drafts that I'm going to give a shot.
And by "some," Sanderson means "about a month's worth of straight listening" (seriously, it's like 8 years of weekly podcasts).
Luckily, I have nothing but time at work. :)
Quote from: Razgovory on October 02, 2013, 10:35:44 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 25, 2013, 04:11:08 PM
Can't say I've ever been jazzed enough to go and meet an author. Waved at Tom Clancy once, but that was in traffic.
Looks like you won't be doing that again.
Wave at the funeral procession?
Most of them wind up in London at some point, so I've never travelled more than an hour. Douglas Adams was without a doubt the best value at signings. I did meet Terry Pratchett when I was in Manchester, but I was living there as a student at the time.
I didn't go to nearly enough when I lived in Chicago. My only real regret from living there.
Quote from: merithyn on October 02, 2013, 10:43:39 AM
Quote from: ulmont on October 02, 2013, 10:42:04 AM
Quote from: merithyn on October 02, 2013, 10:32:53 AM
He let me know about some podcasts that he's done to help new writers called Writing Excuses (http://www.writingexcuses.com/) that I plan to spend my work days listening to. He also gave me some suggestions on how to get over the whole "perfection" thing when writing my first drafts that I'm going to give a shot.
And by "some," Sanderson means "about a month's worth of straight listening" (seriously, it's like 8 years of weekly podcasts).
Luckily, I have nothing but time at work. :)
They look perfectly timed for my commute. :)
Quote from: Razgovory on October 02, 2013, 10:35:44 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 25, 2013, 04:11:08 PM
Can't say I've ever been jazzed enough to go and meet an author. Waved at Tom Clancy once, but that was in traffic.
Looks like you won't be doing that again.
:lol: Oh, he's got one more car ride left.
Quote from: merithyn on October 02, 2013, 10:32:53 AM
Max got to ask him some questions about one of his big epic novels, too.
Did you pass on my regards and my request that he not take so long with his next book?
I'm seeing a couple of my favorite historical-fiction authors at the end of the month, at a gig sponsored by the Public Library here: Christian Cameron and C.C. Humphreys. Particularly Cameron, who wrote Killer of Men among many others.
http://www.amazon.com/Killer-Men-Long-Christian-Cameron/dp/0752883933/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380745838&sr=8-1&keywords=killer+of+men
Quote from: garbon on October 02, 2013, 10:51:10 AM
Quote from: merithyn on October 02, 2013, 10:43:39 AM
Quote from: ulmont on October 02, 2013, 10:42:04 AM
Quote from: merithyn on October 02, 2013, 10:32:53 AM
He let me know about some podcasts that he's done to help new writers called Writing Excuses (http://www.writingexcuses.com/) that I plan to spend my work days listening to. He also gave me some suggestions on how to get over the whole "perfection" thing when writing my first drafts that I'm going to give a shot.
And by "some," Sanderson means "about a month's worth of straight listening" (seriously, it's like 8 years of weekly podcasts).
Luckily, I have nothing but time at work. :)
They look perfectly timed for my commute. :)
One thing that would be nice if is they also have podcasts arranged not by date but by theme. I was downloaded some more and I noticed that 11, 12 and 12 are all about submitting to editors. I don't think I need that advice at this time. -_-
Quote from: Malthus on October 02, 2013, 03:32:22 PM
I'm seeing a couple of my favorite historical-fiction authors at the end of the month, at a gig sponsored by the Public Library here: Christian Cameron and C.C. Humphreys. Particularly Cameron, who wrote Killer of Men among many others.
http://www.amazon.com/Killer-Men-Long-Christian-Cameron/dp/0752883933/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380745838&sr=8-1&keywords=killer+of+men
Have fun. :)
Though I'd think you'd have an in to meet whomever you chose in the literary field. :hmm:
Quote from: Malthus on October 02, 2013, 03:32:22 PM
I'm seeing a couple of my favorite historical-fiction authors at the end of the month, at a gig sponsored by the Public Library here: Christian Cameron and C.C. Humphreys. Particularly Cameron, who wrote Killer of Men among many others.
http://www.amazon.com/Killer-Men-Long-Christian-Cameron/dp/0752883933/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380745838&sr=8-1&keywords=killer+of+men
Cool.
How long is the series?
Quote from: Jacob on October 03, 2013, 01:29:35 PM
Quote from: Malthus on October 02, 2013, 03:32:22 PM
I'm seeing a couple of my favorite historical-fiction authors at the end of the month, at a gig sponsored by the Public Library here: Christian Cameron and C.C. Humphreys. Particularly Cameron, who wrote Killer of Men among many others.
http://www.amazon.com/Killer-Men-Long-Christian-Cameron/dp/0752883933/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380745838&sr=8-1&keywords=killer+of+men
Cool.
How long is the series?
So far, there are three: Killer of Men, Marathon and Poseidon's Spear.
There's another due out in December: The Great King.
Not sure how long it is intended to be. So far, all are good, in different ways.
Quote from: crazy canuck on October 02, 2013, 03:23:26 PM
Quote from: merithyn on October 02, 2013, 10:32:53 AM
Max got to ask him some questions about one of his big epic novels, too.
Did you pass on my regards and my request that he not take so long with his next book?
bump :mad:
I told him he could take as long as he wants. No rush.
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on October 03, 2013, 03:21:56 PM
I told him he could take as long as he wants. No rush.
Thankfully you were talking to your cat.
Quote from: crazy canuck on October 03, 2013, 03:20:45 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on October 02, 2013, 03:23:26 PM
Quote from: merithyn on October 02, 2013, 10:32:53 AM
Max got to ask him some questions about one of his big epic novels, too.
Did you pass on my regards and my request that he not take so long with his next book?
bump :mad:
I think Sanderson said that the next book will be out in March, but I could be confusing that with another one all together. He's working on something like four projects at the moment.
No, we did not pass on anyone's regards. As it was, I hogged most of the time, and then had to - shame-facedly - get back in line so that Max had time to ask him his own questions.
Quote from: crazy canuck on October 03, 2013, 03:22:39 PM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on October 03, 2013, 03:21:56 PM
I told him he could take as long as he wants. No rush.
Thankfully you were talking to your cat.
She doesn't appreciate being referred to as "him".
Quote from: merithyn on October 03, 2013, 03:23:20 PM
I hogged most of the time, and then had to - shame-facedly - get back in line so that Max had time to ask him his own questions.
:lol:
Sanderson's coming to Seattle in a couple of weeks. Maybe I'll check it out. :hmm:
Quote from: Kleves on October 03, 2013, 05:02:53 PM
Sanderson's coming to Seattle in a couple of weeks. Maybe I'll check it out. :hmm:
He's fun. I think you'll like him. :)
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FTozUUPo.jpg&hash=ccd4ff8929d530e30437ba12418c3cced0e83ffe)
Suck it Raz
http://www.thehugoawards.org/
QuoteBEST NOVELLA
The Emperor's Soul, Brandon Sanderson (Tachyon Publications)
The issue with Sanderson is that he's really irregular. The Mistborn Series is wonderful, imo. Worth reading over and over again. I just read his new book, Steelheart, and it was cute. Nothing phenomenal, but worth the read. I couldn't through the first 50 pages of Elantris.
I'd walk a thousand miles for pearls of wisdom from John Norman.
Quote from: merithyn on October 07, 2013, 08:58:36 AM
The issue with Sanderson is that he's really irregular. The Mistborn Series is wonderful, imo. Worth reading over and over again. I just read his new book, Steelheart, and it was cute. Nothing phenomenal, but worth the read. I couldn't through the first 50 pages of Elantris.
Steelheart's YA isn't it though?
Elantris was his first book, definitely rough. If you read his stuff in order you can see the steady improvement.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on October 07, 2013, 09:26:13 AM
Quote from: merithyn on October 07, 2013, 08:58:36 AM
The issue with Sanderson is that he's really irregular. The Mistborn Series is wonderful, imo. Worth reading over and over again. I just read his new book, Steelheart, and it was cute. Nothing phenomenal, but worth the read. I couldn't through the first 50 pages of Elantris.
Steelheart's YA isn't it though?
Elantris was his first book, definitely rough. If you read his stuff in order you can see the steady improvement.
I disagree. His first book, Elantris, sucked. His second book, Mistborn, was incredible. The Way of Kings (one of the first books he started writing, though it wasn't published until he finished the WoT stuff) is okay. I'm about 50 pages in and I want to keep reading it, but it's not blowing my socks off.
It isn't that he's getting better. It's that he's irregular. Some books he does very well; others he doesn't.
Honestly, I think most people love him because he made the WoT series worth reading again, and people are grateful for that. :P
Quote from: merithyn on October 07, 2013, 09:40:07 AM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on October 07, 2013, 09:26:13 AM
Quote from: merithyn on October 07, 2013, 08:58:36 AM
The issue with Sanderson is that he's really irregular. The Mistborn Series is wonderful, imo. Worth reading over and over again. I just read his new book, Steelheart, and it was cute. Nothing phenomenal, but worth the read. I couldn't through the first 50 pages of Elantris.
Steelheart's YA isn't it though?
Elantris was his first book, definitely rough. If you read his stuff in order you can see the steady improvement.
I disagree. His first book, Elantris, sucked. His second book, Mistborn, was incredible. The Way of Kings (one of the first books he started writing, though it wasn't published until he finished the WoT stuff) is okay. I'm about 50 pages in and I want to keep reading it, but it's not blowing my socks off.
It isn't that he's getting better. It's that he's irregular. Some books he does very well; others he doesn't.
Honestly, I think most people love him because he made the WoT series worth reading again, and people are grateful for that. :P
The Way of Kings is by far the best novel that's he's written, blows Mistborn out of the water. Don't judge it until you've finished it.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on October 07, 2013, 10:44:50 AM
The Way of Kings is by far the best novel that's he's written, blows Mistborn out of the water. Don't judge it until you've finished it.
If I don't care what happens 50 pages in, it's not "the best novel that he's written", nor does it "blow Mistborn out of the water". I started Mistborn and didn't put it down until I finished the series. I've read the first chapter of The Way of Kings twice now, and I'm pushing myself to read past Chapter 3.
Quote from: merithyn on October 07, 2013, 09:40:07 AM
Honestly, I think most people love him because he made the WoT series worth reading again, and people are grateful for that. :P
My impression is that for the bulk of his fans, him completing WoT was kind of cool but kind of annoying as it kept him from his real writing.
Well, given that I'm not much of a fan of WoT, either, I was only guessing.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on October 07, 2013, 10:44:50 AM
The Way of Kings is by far the best novel that's he's written, blows Mistborn out of the water. Don't judge it until you've finished it.
Think about it for a moment. The prelude is a battle, the prologue is a fight, the first chapter is a battle, the second chapter is a guy in a cage.
If you don't care about battles, there's not much there until the third chapter.
Quote from: Maximus on October 07, 2013, 11:34:44 AM
Quote from: merithyn on October 07, 2013, 09:40:07 AM
Honestly, I think most people love him because he made the WoT series worth reading again, and people are grateful for that. :P
My impression is that for the bulk of his fans, him completing WoT was kind of cool but kind of annoying as it kept him from his real writing.
:yes:
All the authors i like are dead.
Quote from: katmai on October 07, 2013, 12:33:08 PM
All the authors i like are dead.
:o
OK. Here's what you do. Go wash up, and burn the clothes. Ditch the machete in a storm drain or something. How long did your spree take? A week? I'm sure the population of Languish can help you with an alibi, faking a Languish meet with some backdated FU Jaron pics shouldn't be too hard. You'll be fine, don't panic! We'll get through this. OK, big guy?
Quote from: Maximus on October 07, 2013, 11:39:56 AM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on October 07, 2013, 10:44:50 AM
The Way of Kings is by far the best novel that's he's written, blows Mistborn out of the water. Don't judge it until you've finished it.
Think about it for a moment. The prelude is a battle, the prologue is a fight, the first chapter is a battle, the second chapter is a guy in a cage.
If you don't care about battles, there's not much there until the third chapter.
The prelude, though taking place in the aftermath of a battle really is not about the battle at all. It's all about the cosmology of the setting.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on October 07, 2013, 08:22:26 PM
The prelude, though taking place in the aftermath of a battle really is not about the battle at all. It's all about the cosmology of the setting.
Here, lemme lay it out for you, Tim. It's not all that for everyone. No, really. It's not. The first few chapters suck unless you're a war/battle junkie. Very little character development. No real idea of what's going on other than people want to kill each other, or die, or not go to hell. BFD.
I'm sorry that I don't find Sanderson to be a godlike writer. He's okay. Sometimes he's brilliant, but most of the time, not so much. It's okay if you think differently.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on October 07, 2013, 08:22:26 PMThe prelude, though taking place in the aftermath of a battle really is not about the battle at all. It's all about the cosmology of the setting.
Well, when you put it like that :P
Quote from: Sheilbh on October 07, 2013, 09:34:56 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on October 07, 2013, 08:22:26 PMThe prelude, though taking place in the aftermath of a battle really is not about the battle at all. It's all about the cosmology of the setting.
Well, when you put it like that :P
It's a guy talking about a battle he just went through, deciding that he doesn't want to go through hell again, and a bunch of other guys agreeing with him, and not going back. You learn next to nothing about the actual story, the guys who won't go back, what it all means. Nothing. Just... they won't go back and this could be bad. Dunno if it will, but it could be.
Dun-dun-DUN!!!
Quote from: merithyn on October 07, 2013, 09:29:36 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on October 07, 2013, 08:22:26 PM
The prelude, though taking place in the aftermath of a battle really is not about the battle at all. It's all about the cosmology of the setting.
Here, lemme lay it out for you, Tim. It's not all that for everyone. No, really. It's not. The first few chapters suck unless you're a war/battle junkie. Very little character development. No real idea of what's going on other than people want to kill each other, or die, or not go to hell. BFD.
I'm sorry that I don't find Sanderson to be a godlike writer. He's okay. Sometimes he's brilliant, but most of the time, not so much. It's okay if you think differently.
I never said he was god like, I just said Way of Kings was a much better book than Mistborn, which it is. There's much more character development of Kaladin in WoK then Vin gets in the whole Mistborn trilogy.
There's one battle in the first few chapters, saying the prelude was about a battle is like saying the biblical chapters on the trial and crucifixion were about the Roman legal system in Palestine, it misses the whole point.
QuoteHOUSEPLANTS OF GOR
The spider plant cringed as its owner brought forth the watering can. "I am a spider plant!" it cried indignantly. "How dare you water me before my time! Guards!" it called. "Guards!"
Borin, its owner, placed the watering can on the table and looked at it. "You will be watered," he said.
"You do not dare to water me!" laughed the plant.
"You will be watered," said Borin.
"Do not water me!" wept the plant.
"You will be watered," said Borin.
I watched this exchange. Truly, I believed the plant would be watered. It was plant, and on Gor it had no rights. Perhaps on Earth, in its permissive society, which distorts the true roles of all beings, which forces both plant and waterer to go unh appy and constrained, which forbids the fulfillment of owner and houseplant, such might not happen. Perhaps there, it would not be watered. But it was on Gor now, and would undoubtedly feel its true place, that of houseplant. It was plant. It would be watered at will. Such is the way with plants.
Borin picked up the watering can, and muchly watered the plant. The plant cried out. "No, Master! Do not water me!" The master continued to water the plant. "Please, Master," begged the plant, "do not water me!" The master continued to water the plant. It was plant. It could be watered at will.
The plant sobbed muchly as Borin laid down the watering can. It was not pleased. Too, it was wet. But this did not matter. It was plant.
"You have been well watered," said Borin.
"Yes," said the plant, "I have been well watered." Of course, it could be watered by its master at will.
"I have watered you well," said Borin.
"Yes, master," said the plant. "You have watered your plant well. I am plant, and as such I should be watered by my master."
The cactus plant next to the spider plant shuddered. It attempted to cover its small form with its small arms and small needles. "I am plant," it said wonderingly. "I am of Earth, but for the first time, I feel myself truly plantlike. On Earth, I w as able to control my watering. I often scorned those who would water me. But they were weak, and did not see my scorn for what it was, the weak attempt of a small plant to protect itself. Not one of the weak Earth waterers would dare to water a plant if it did not wish it. But on Gor," it shuddered, "on Gor it is different. Here, those who wish to water will water their plants as they wish. But strangely, I feel myself most plantlike when I am at the mercy of a strong Gorean master, who may water m e as he pleases."
"I will now water you," said Borin, the cactus's Gorean master.
The cactus did not resist being watered. Perhaps it was realizing that such watering was its master's to control. Too, perhaps it knew that this master was far superior to those of Earth, who would not water it if it did not wish to be watered.
The cactus's watering had been finished. The spider plant looked at it.
"I have been well watered," it said.
"I, too, have been well watered," said the cactus.
"My master has watered me well," said the spider plant.
"My master, too, has watered me well," said the cactus.
"I am to be placed in a hanging basket on the porch," said the spider plant.
"I, too, am to be placed in a hnaging basket on the porch," said the cactus.
"I wish you well," said the spider plant.
"I, too, wish you well," said the cactus.
"Tal," said the spider plant.
"Tal, too," said the cactus.
I did not think that the spider plant would object to being watered by its master again. For it realized that it was plant, and that here, unlike on Earth, it was likely to be owned and watered by many masters.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on October 07, 2013, 09:42:35 PM
I never said he was god like, I just said Way of Kings was a much better book than Mistborn, which it is. There's much more character development of Kaladin in WoK then Vin gets in the whole Mistborn trilogy.
There's one battle in the first few chapters, saying the prelude was about a battle is like saying the biblical chapters on the trial and crucifixion were about the Roman legal system in Palestine, it misses the whole point.
Yeah, well, if you can't get past Chapter Two, it doesn't really matter if it's ultimately a better book, does it?
As for the prelude, if you don't know anything about the story or the characters or anything else about the book, it's about a fight that just ended and some guys who don't want to fight anymore. That's it. End of story. If I can't get past Chapter Two, THAT'S what the Prelude is.
It may be the most amazing book on the planet, but I'll never know because I don't care to read it since the beginning sucks ass. :)
You've become much more negative on the subject in the space of a page, I hope I haven't turned you off from trying to finish it. :unsure:
Quote from: jimmy olsen on October 07, 2013, 10:01:17 PM
You've become much more negative on the subject in the space of a page, I hope I haven't turned you off from trying to finish it. :unsure:
The Way of Kings may get better, but I don't really see a point if you keep saying how amazing the book is - and how I should get that from the first few chapters - and I think otherwise. Why bother reading more? If it's all the same stuff, I'd be wasting my time.
Quote from: merithyn on October 07, 2013, 10:10:26 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on October 07, 2013, 10:01:17 PM
You've become much more negative on the subject in the space of a page, I hope I haven't turned you off from trying to finish it. :unsure:
The Way of Kings may get better, but I don't really see a point if you keep saying how amazing the book is - and how I should get that from the first few chapters - and I think otherwise. Why bother reading more? If it's all the same stuff, I'd be wasting my time.
It's not all the same stuff, nor do I think the beginning of the book is amazing with the exception of the prelude. Like all Sanderson books, WoK starts slowly, picks up steam in the middle and ends in a avalanche of plot developments and surprising reveals.
Now one of the main plot threads does deal with a war, so if you just don't like any stories set in a war zone, then maybe you should give it up. But the point of the battle scenes and the war in general is not the violence itself, though I think that those scenes are well written. It's about a how men deal psychologically with that violence. The themes being explored are hopelessness, faith and honor. Should a man act with honor, should he try to help others even when there is not only no hope of reward or even survival, but when one is often punished for attempting it.
There are other major plot threads out there as well, involving magic, scholarly mystery and court intrigue. So the book isn't just about a war. You see a much broader slice of the world than the Shattered Plains where the fighting is being waged.
In the end though, this is the first book in what Sanderson envisions as his grand cycle. It's his answer to Lord of the Rings, A Song of Fire & Ice, Wheel of Time, Malazan Book of the Fallen, etc. It's going to be an epic story involving dark gods, and I imagine lots of warfare, so if that's not your thing then this series might not be for you.
However, that's just my take. I'm sure there are lots of different interpretations of this book. If you know anyone personally who has read it, ask them about it and make your own judgement.
Now I want a houseplant so that I can live the Gorean life.
Sometimes I water my cats. They do not approve.
They will be watered.
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on October 08, 2013, 07:54:16 AM
Sometimes I water my cats. They do not approve.
Do you like when they water on you?
Quote from: garbon on October 08, 2013, 08:22:24 AM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on October 08, 2013, 07:54:16 AM
Sometimes I water my cats. They do not approve.
Do you like when they water on you?
They're not resourceful enough to access the faucets.
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on October 08, 2013, 08:44:10 AM
Quote from: garbon on October 08, 2013, 08:22:24 AM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on October 08, 2013, 07:54:16 AM
Sometimes I water my cats. They do not approve.
Do you like when they water on you?
They're not resourceful enough to access the faucets.
I wasn't thinking that sort of water...:shifty:
Yeah, well I don't pee on them either.
Well, this is one strange thread diversion. :hmm:
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on October 08, 2013, 08:55:43 AM
Yeah, well I don't pee on them either.
Pisses them off something fierce. From what I understand.
Quote from: Malthus on October 08, 2013, 10:19:09 AM
Well, this is one strange thread diversion. :hmm:
You will be watered.
Quote from: Ed Anger on October 08, 2013, 03:40:04 PM
Quote from: Malthus on October 08, 2013, 10:19:09 AM
Well, this is one strange thread diversion. :hmm:
You will be watered.
He is from earth, and thus too weak to water. He'll either be watered, or follow Kipling's advice:
"When you're wounded and left on Afghanistan's plains,
And the women come out to water what remains,
Jest roll to your rifle and water your brains
An' go to your Gawd like a Gorian. "