Active Users:781 Time:01/02/2026 07:18:08 AM
I'm tired of mindless readers Cannoli Send a noteboard - 06/09/2009 01:54:14 AM
Anyone else ever get tired of the action occurring offstage and being forced to learn about it through character monologues after the fact?


No. Not if the really important thing is happening in the part that is shown. You're the kind of reader who would be pissing and moaning about the waste of time/space/pages spent on nothing happening if we got treated to Nynaeve & Cadsuane interrogating Semirhage futilely. The IMPORTANT thing is that Rand is not letting them use useful methods, and what this means for him and his character! What is the point of useless dialogue between Semirhage & Cadsuane with no relevance to the plot or exposition value?

It's been happening over the last several books more and more often. The most egregious example was Rand's meeting with Logain. It's the lazy way to tell a story. Rather than write the action as it happens, just let a character remember it.


Rand's meeting with Logain WAS the action, and it WAS the important parts, NOT the by-the-book meeting with Logain. Are you SERIOUSLY complaining that RJ did not show all the logistical details of moving around armies and Asha'man? The only detail of significance that Logain reported on, which might have been an actual scene, is Taim's reaction, and Logain told us all we need to know. The friction between Rand and Logain is much more important. We know all we need to about the relationship between Logain and Taim and Rand's & Taim's has not changed. RJ was not going to write a Logain-Taim confrontation with hints as to Taim's Shadow connections, so you would have been just as frustrated had that scene been in there.

I was disappointed in the chapter, not because of the writing, nor do I think it is Sanderson's fault, but it was another 6500 words with nothing happening.


1. Does each chapter REQUIRE "something" to happen? MUST there be a fight, One Power revelation or sex scene for every chapter?

2. What chapter are you talking about? I read, and was under the impression we were discussing, The Gathering Storm, Chapter 1 (Tears From Steel), where we see Rand is further along the path of psycho-hood, losing control regarding LTT, and still unable in spite of his estrangment from his humanity to order or even permit interrogation of one of the most obviously evil Forsaken merely because she happens to be a woman. We see more clearly than ever how he is looking at the worst in every situation, expecting the worst reactions or results to everything, deliberately eradicating his own humanity and even further increasingly obsessive. As an example of the last, he contemplates opposing Ituralde to further his truce with the Seanchan, and possibly throwing Murandy to the wolves as well, overlooking that the proposed truce was merely a means to an end.

Why not tell the story of the escape, or Rand's healing, or present some of the questioning scenes?


Because...and I am going to go out on a long limb here and make a vary tenuous leap of logic...they DON'T HAPPEN IN THE FIRST CHAPTER. Just a guess.
Cannoli
"Sometimes unhinged, sometimes unfair, always entertaining"
- The Crownless

“Tolerance is the virtue of the man without convictions.” GK Chesteron
Deus Vult!
Reply to message
Your thoughts on TGS - Chapter 1 - 05/09/2009 05:23:47 PM 6156 Views
For all of those whining about it not sounding like RJ: - 05/09/2009 05:47:07 PM 2033 Views
Agreed. If anything, it's a tribute to RJ - 05/09/2009 06:17:36 PM 1899 Views
You're forgetting one thing. - 06/09/2009 12:13:03 AM 2046 Views
And if he were to off Egwene? What would your opinion be? *NM* - 07/09/2009 05:38:36 AM 1065 Views
He dislikes Sanderson's prose. Plot content is irrelevant here. *NM* - 08/09/2009 06:44:42 PM 1094 Views
Who cares? That would have been RJs decision anyway. - 09/09/2009 06:15:16 AM 1657 Views
not impressed - 05/09/2009 06:24:02 PM 2004 Views
all recap, no meat - 14/09/2009 12:33:35 PM 1670 Views
Pretty good. - 05/09/2009 07:35:41 PM 45415 Views
Re: Pretty good. - 05/09/2009 09:13:44 PM 2005 Views
Re: Pretty good. - 06/09/2009 01:19:22 AM 2237 Views
Re: Pretty good. - 06/09/2009 08:08:38 AM 1881 Views
Re: Pretty good. - 13/09/2009 01:22:22 PM 1600 Views
I found it well-written, but rather uninteresting story-wise *NM* - 05/09/2009 08:04:15 PM 1133 Views
because there should totaly be massive plot development in the first chapter - 05/09/2009 08:29:18 PM 1775 Views
I'm tired of passive story telling. - 05/09/2009 08:57:13 PM 1741 Views
On the other hand... - 05/09/2009 08:58:21 PM 1818 Views
Re: I'm tired of passive story telling. - 05/09/2009 10:42:57 PM 1672 Views
Which escape? - 05/09/2009 11:10:01 PM 1686 Views
I'm tired of mindless readers - 06/09/2009 01:54:14 AM 1819 Views
Re: I'm tired of mindless readers - 06/09/2009 04:01:56 AM 1969 Views
Your best yet Dom! *NM* - 06/09/2009 02:04:40 PM 1031 Views
Re: I'm tired of mindless readers - 07/09/2009 04:39:36 AM 1675 Views
Re: I'm tired of mindless readers - 07/09/2009 10:42:29 PM 1660 Views
I was over critical. - 06/09/2009 04:56:48 AM 1613 Views
It's been happening since Book IV btw. - 16/09/2009 05:30:52 PM 1450 Views
A few things that drew my attention... (this is long and rambling...spoilers) - 05/09/2009 09:34:44 PM 1933 Views
I think Lews Therin's comments to Rand were the most hugely significant part of the chapter. - 06/09/2009 01:15:05 AM 1650 Views
I don't really agree... - 06/09/2009 03:50:08 AM 1620 Views
Re: A few things that drew my attention... (this is long and rambling...spoilers) - 06/09/2009 02:52:47 AM 2334 Views
Re: A few things that drew my attention... (this is long and rambling...spoilers) - 06/09/2009 07:08:08 AM 1608 Views
Just answer one question... - 06/09/2009 07:53:12 AM 2128 Views
Re: A few things that drew my attention... (this is long and rambling...spoilers) - 06/09/2009 10:31:20 AM 2184 Views
Re: A few things that drew my attention... (this is long and rambling...spoilers) - 08/09/2009 10:19:13 PM 1659 Views
If I may make a few somewhat irrelevant interjections... - 09/09/2009 04:44:45 AM 1575 Views
Re: If I may make a few somewhat irrelevant interjections... - 14/09/2009 04:46:29 PM 1726 Views
Re: A few things that drew my attention... (this is long and rambling...spoilers) - 10/09/2009 06:20:56 AM 1922 Views
On Egwene... - 10/09/2009 04:33:58 PM 1639 Views
Nynaeve - 08/09/2009 05:43:43 AM 1761 Views
Re: Nynaeve - 08/09/2009 08:06:20 AM 1555 Views
Re: A few things that drew my attention... (this is long and rambling...spoilers) - 07/09/2009 04:41:47 AM 1731 Views
Answers, short, long and longer. - 07/09/2009 11:27:53 PM 1666 Views
I think you missed some things. (spoilers) - 16/09/2009 05:21:43 PM 1431 Views
People who still have their wotmania SNs draw mine.... - 21/09/2009 05:25:15 PM 1485 Views
Good post, but I have an alternative explanation for the saidin barrier - 28/09/2009 12:53:41 AM 1445 Views
First thought...a typo! ner vous = nervous. *NM* - 05/09/2009 09:55:28 PM 1070 Views
I loved it! - 05/09/2009 10:52:17 PM 1698 Views
I didn't like the opening sequence. - 05/09/2009 10:58:17 PM 1736 Views
Robert Jordon vs Brandon Sanderson - 06/09/2009 12:02:13 AM 1691 Views
Re: Robert Jordon vs Brandon Sanderson - 06/09/2009 12:44:11 AM 1710 Views
Re: Robert Jordon vs Brandon Sanderson - 07/09/2009 09:08:21 AM 1637 Views
This is what RJ said. - 06/09/2009 12:47:26 AM 1650 Views
Re: This is what RJ said. - 06/09/2009 01:24:36 AM 1788 Views
Re: Robert Jordon vs Brandon Sanderson - 06/09/2009 05:12:25 PM 1510 Views
Re: Robert Jordon vs Brandon Sanderson - 06/09/2009 07:20:45 PM 1524 Views
Re: Robert Jordon vs Brandon Sanderson - 07/09/2009 04:05:09 AM 1541 Views
Re: Robert Jordon vs Brandon Sanderson - 07/09/2009 09:33:25 AM 1542 Views
I found it...interesting --spoilers-- - 06/09/2009 01:33:11 AM 1845 Views
Re: I found it...interesting --spoilers-- - 06/09/2009 01:42:07 AM 1710 Views
Re: I found it...interesting --spoilers-- - 06/09/2009 02:54:17 PM 1751 Views
I'm excited. (Here be spoilers) - 06/09/2009 03:29:59 AM 1628 Views
six questions and nine statements - 06/09/2009 04:47:52 AM 1691 Views
Re: Your thoughts on TGS - Chapter 1 - 06/09/2009 04:51:04 AM 1639 Views
Re: Your thoughts on TGS - Chapter 1 - 06/09/2009 07:30:53 AM 1701 Views
I liked it - 06/09/2009 07:58:09 AM 1633 Views
Some questions... - 06/09/2009 08:04:30 AM 1647 Views
Re: Some questions... - 06/09/2009 08:11:08 AM 1724 Views
Re: Some questions... - 06/09/2009 08:53:20 AM 1631 Views
Re: I liked it - 06/09/2009 09:55:41 PM 1652 Views
Theory: Rand and Egwene. What is up? - 06/09/2009 07:59:58 AM 2547 Views
Also - 06/09/2009 08:24:45 AM 1656 Views
A simpler answer - 06/09/2009 03:04:04 PM 1724 Views
Really? - 06/09/2009 03:38:59 PM 1571 Views
are we already at the location of the book cover? - 06/09/2009 11:49:06 AM 1610 Views
Re: are we already at the location of the book cover? - 06/09/2009 02:43:24 PM 1608 Views
I still think it's Aviendha - 07/09/2009 05:14:50 AM 1464 Views
Omniscient narrator not neutral enough, for one... - 06/09/2009 04:17:51 PM 1812 Views
Yip - 06/09/2009 04:29:40 PM 1735 Views
Yes... - 06/09/2009 04:39:00 PM 1595 Views
I totally agree...the narration was the biggest put-off for me - 09/09/2009 09:51:52 PM 1459 Views
Two Things - 07/09/2009 12:25:31 AM 1658 Views
Moiraine - 07/09/2009 01:19:08 AM 1731 Views
The Moiraine thing is dumb - 09/09/2009 09:53:51 PM 1623 Views
She fell through the doorway with Lanfear - 09/09/2009 10:18:55 PM 1558 Views
uh - 09/09/2009 10:57:17 PM 1585 Views
Timeline? - 07/09/2009 05:10:16 AM 1636 Views
Re: Timeline? - 07/09/2009 05:52:50 PM 1584 Views
So what chapter symbol is it going to have? *NM* - 07/09/2009 08:09:54 AM 949 Views
the dragon in COT chap 23 ornaments *NM* - 07/09/2009 01:28:58 PM 949 Views
The Seanchan are up to something - 07/09/2009 10:26:23 AM 1632 Views
Red stone doorway. - 07/09/2009 03:27:22 PM 1500 Views
The whole thing was explained by Rand in KoD. So no, not new. - 07/09/2009 06:35:01 PM 1511 Views
No - 07/09/2009 07:57:57 PM 1506 Views
Questions, Comments Thoughts and Theories about tGS - 07/09/2009 09:09:05 PM 1697 Views
My thoughts are that the main page is being crowded by too many duplicate threads - 07/09/2009 10:23:41 PM 1636 Views
Hrm... - 08/09/2009 05:28:19 AM 1695 Views
Enjoyed it - 08/09/2009 01:35:03 AM 1609 Views
Ready for More - 08/09/2009 04:25:19 PM 1633 Views
... - 08/09/2009 07:24:46 PM 1563 Views
Not sure what I expected, but not this... - 09/09/2009 04:07:10 PM 1649 Views
I know why Rand is mad at Egwene...read inside to find out - 11/09/2009 03:15:00 AM 1692 Views
It's his increasing paranoia and dehumanization. - 15/09/2009 03:03:53 AM 1601 Views
Re: Your thoughts on TGS - Chapter 1 - 16/09/2009 06:20:14 AM 1393 Views
Semirhage isn't scaring anyone - 28/09/2009 02:32:34 PM 1905 Views
Indeed... - 28/09/2009 03:36:55 PM 1517 Views
Will the Chosen pass that edict down or just not act themselves? - 28/09/2009 10:29:53 PM 1494 Views

Reply to Message