But only one of them was any good. This leads into a core argument over writing speeds.
Werthead Send a noteboard - 13/12/2009 06:55:59 PM
This is actually a germane point as it leads into the 'take your time and release it when you are happy' argument versus the 'finish and release it ASAP' argument. RJ tore through CROSSROADS OF TWILIGHT, knew it wasn't working, released anyway so as not to disappoint the fans and was effectively damned for it, and disappointed most of the fans anyway. He probably should have scrapped the book when he realised it wasn't working and started again from scratch, but chose not to as that would have meant a 4-5 year wait between volumes. The result is one of the worst-reviewed SF&F novels in history (possibly unfairly, mainly due to comparisons with the series at its best). If he'd scrapped it and combined KoD and CoT into one volume, it would have probably improved both books.
Another comparison is Scott Lych's RED SEAS UNDER RED SKIES, with Lynch apparently under pressure to release the second book fast to capitalise on the success of the first, and the result is a much sloppier and less-well-received novel than THE LIES OF LOCKE LAMORA, and in addition to his personal problems (the latest of which was a bout of swine flu), that may have resulted on the writing of the third novel being much slower and far more painstaking. The same for Rothfuss as well. But obviously taking your time is also not going to necessarily result in a great book either.
As I replied to fionwe, again, there is no magic formula to writing books and how best to do it, but certainly the issues with WHEEL OF TIME's more static novels and the lack of rewriting and editing have impacted other authors' writing decisions (several authors, not Martin, have actually said that they now go to great lengths to ensure they don't fall into the same trap that Jordan did).
Another comparison is Scott Lych's RED SEAS UNDER RED SKIES, with Lynch apparently under pressure to release the second book fast to capitalise on the success of the first, and the result is a much sloppier and less-well-received novel than THE LIES OF LOCKE LAMORA, and in addition to his personal problems (the latest of which was a bout of swine flu), that may have resulted on the writing of the third novel being much slower and far more painstaking. The same for Rothfuss as well. But obviously taking your time is also not going to necessarily result in a great book either.
As I replied to fionwe, again, there is no magic formula to writing books and how best to do it, but certainly the issues with WHEEL OF TIME's more static novels and the lack of rewriting and editing have impacted other authors' writing decisions (several authors, not Martin, have actually said that they now go to great lengths to ensure they don't fall into the same trap that Jordan did).
This message last edited by Werthead on 13/12/2009 at 06:56:29 PM
I was 21 when A Feast for Crows came out
- 10/12/2009 04:04:55 AM
1065 Views
And The Eye of the World was published before I was born. Quit complaining. 
*NM*
- 10/12/2009 04:18:20 AM
372 Views
*NM*
- 10/12/2009 04:18:20 AM
372 Views
If he decides today that he doesn't want to write another book in his life, then he has every right
- 10/12/2009 05:35:43 AM
913 Views
We've all heard Neil "You think he's God" Gaiman's stupid thoughts. Many of us disagree. *NM*
- 10/12/2009 03:55:17 PM
306 Views
Also, most of the fans complain more because we hear more about stupid knight figurines
- 11/12/2009 07:52:57 PM
782 Views
I agree completely.
- 11/12/2009 10:53:48 PM
730 Views
What was he making his money from before 2007?
- 15/12/2009 06:51:28 PM
778 Views
I wish Martin was still 21. Maybe he'd live to finish the series.
- 16/12/2009 04:44:27 AM
683 Views
Re: I wish Martin was still 21. Maybe he'd live to finish the series.
- 16/12/2009 04:45:09 AM
703 Views
Indeed, and you have a right to do so. But not everyone has seen them, and I still agree with him. *NM*
- 12/12/2009 06:58:14 PM
294 Views
*NM*
And I will be 100000000004 years old when ADWD makes it to the printing press. *NM*
- 10/12/2009 11:05:44 AM
269 Views
I was 21 when ASoS came out.
- 11/12/2009 08:24:52 PM
737 Views
Of course, two books followed that one in the Wheel of Time.
- 13/12/2009 04:53:17 AM
708 Views
That's not what I meant.
- 13/12/2009 05:37:07 AM
674 Views
It just seems a particularly bizarre comparison as several books have been published since then.
- 13/12/2009 06:55:16 AM
652 Views
- 13/12/2009 06:55:16 AM
652 Views
But only one of them was any good. This leads into a core argument over writing speeds.
- 13/12/2009 06:55:59 PM
605 Views
It also hinges on the fact that his upcoming book will be fantastic.
- 13/12/2009 07:50:57 PM
723 Views
No, it doesn't. That will either justify or further condemn the wait.
- 13/12/2009 08:52:35 PM
707 Views
Poor choice of comparison...
- 13/12/2009 08:20:14 AM
766 Views
That's a very coloured view.
- 13/12/2009 06:47:16 PM
788 Views
I was 13 when Gene Wolfe's Soldier of the Mist came out
- 14/12/2009 02:32:45 AM
759 Views
You'd kill for some Latro action figures though, would't you? 
*NM*
- 14/12/2009 05:30:46 PM
261 Views
*NM*
- 14/12/2009 05:30:46 PM
261 Views
*NM*
If Martin was 21, maybe he'd have enough time to finish the series. *NM*
- 16/12/2009 04:46:32 AM
283 Views