Wheel of Time Messageboard: As far as I'm concerned, the only way to gauge whether an author is good or not is ... by Velveti

I personally see it as more of RJ being a fantastic story teller, but not a well structured writer. darius_sedai - 21/02/2011 06:44:21 PM 1503 Views

Re: I personally see it as more of RJ being a fantastic story teller, but not a well structured Lo'oris - 22/02/2011 10:59:25 PM 1156 Views

What do you think about the Southern Gothic authors? Ghavrel - 23/02/2011 08:08:26 AM 1015 Views

Re: What do you think about the Southern Gothic authors? Lo'oris - 23/02/2011 10:51:57 AM 1115 Views

Oh, it really depends. Ghavrel - 23/02/2011 05:39:07 PM 878 Views

thanks, I'll have a look

*NM* Lo'oris - 23/02/2011 05:40:50 PM 732 Views

For the same reason that most people think they have above average intelligence. RabidWombat - 21/02/2011 11:13:34 PM 1492 Views

Thank you. Nargs - 21/02/2011 11:43:08 PM 1227 Views

Re: For the same reason that most people think they have above average intelligence. *NM* Gerbeaud - 22/02/2011 02:39:20 PM 834 Views

Re: For the same reason that most people think they have above average intelligence. Gerbeaud - 22/02/2011 02:41:37 PM 958 Views

Well Said! Evil_Monkey - 22/02/2011 02:42:22 PM 1151 Views

That's possibly the best explanation of literary criticism I've ever seen. The Count - 23/02/2011 02:47:12 AM 1073 Views

I can take a shot at that, since nobody else seems willing to.

Ghavrel - 22/02/2011 07:29:20 AM 1519 Views

Do you enjoy reading Robert Jordan's ... Nargs - 22/02/2011 04:31:28 PM 1182 Views

Not particularly. Ghavrel - 22/02/2011 10:22:00 PM 1306 Views

Agreed. Tom - 22/02/2011 10:37:08 PM 1077 Views

Re: I can take a shot at that, since nobody else seems willing to.

Lo'oris - 22/02/2011 11:23:38 PM 1175 Views

That has very little to do with anything unless you can provide a real-world analogy to a channeler. Ghavrel - 22/02/2011 11:30:52 PM 1084 Views

Re: That has very little to do with anything unless you can provide a real-world analogy to a Lo'oris - 23/02/2011 12:02:24 AM 1130 Views

As far as I'm concerned, the only way to gauge whether an author is good or not is ... Velveti - 22/02/2011 03:58:17 PM 1060 Views

Amen *NM* Nargs - 22/02/2011 04:32:50 PM 719 Views

Re: Can someone explain to me how Jordan is not a particularly good writer? DomA - 22/02/2011 06:27:11 PM 1931 Views

Brain overload! This is really well thought out. RabidWombat - 23/02/2011 10:22:37 PM 1123 Views

thank you for the insight into the outside view lol Onarishma - 24/02/2011 04:34:57 PM 1182 Views

I think it has more to do with limitations imposed by how the story was organized and edited. RugbyPlayingAshaman - 22/02/2011 07:50:18 PM 1431 Views

That's interesting, and I have a weird agree/disagree here; also, that Adam Roberts sucks newyorkersedai - 23/02/2011 02:15:12 AM 1185 Views

Re: That's interesting, and I have a weird agree/disagree here; also, that Adam Roberts sucks Lo'oris - 23/02/2011 11:02:14 AM 1158 Views

adam roberts reviews uglycat - 23/02/2011 03:53:49 AM 1154 Views

And I suspect those who prefer the BS books are those who largely read WoT for the story. *NM* Ghavrel - 23/02/2011 08:06:16 AM 687 Views

Oh GAWD!... not another pointer to Robert Adam's incoherant muckraking HyogaRott - 24/02/2011 07:47:35 PM 1004 Views

I think DomA answered the question best, but the "do you like it" argument is weak. Tom - 22/02/2011 10:32:51 PM 1301 Views

Re: I think DomA answered the question best, but the "do you like it" argument is weak. Lo'oris - 22/02/2011 11:16:24 PM 1242 Views

The Necronomicon isn't actually a book, you know.

*NM* Ghavrel - 22/02/2011 11:28:29 PM 635 Views

There are nine, actually... Lo'oris - 23/02/2011 12:04:55 AM 1299 Views

Lovecraft's Necronomicon was fictitious. If you want to count fanfiction, fine. *NM* Ghavrel - 23/02/2011 12:38:07 AM 707 Views

Based on how poorly worded that response was, I'm not sure what to think of it. *NM* Tom - 23/02/2011 12:13:00 AM 685 Views

I hope I am misunderstanding you. Stephen - 23/02/2011 10:57:47 PM 1000 Views

Re: I hope I am misunderstanding you. Lo'oris - 24/02/2011 10:41:09 AM 1147 Views

If the core of the story is all that matters, why read a book Stephen - 24/02/2011 10:32:01 PM 1075 Views

Re: If the core of the story is all that matters, why read a book Lo'oris - 24/02/2011 11:23:42 PM 933 Views

So wait, style is good? Stephen - 25/02/2011 12:32:07 AM 1339 Views

Re: So wait, style is good? Lo'oris - 25/02/2011 08:53:55 AM 970 Views

I'm not trolling Stephen - 25/02/2011 11:57:18 PM 1016 Views

That depends... DomA - 23/02/2011 03:00:35 AM 1209 Views

I didn't say aesthetics was the primary criterion. I named three criteria. Tom - 23/02/2011 05:39:03 AM 1096 Views

the "do you like it" is the most important criterion RabidWombat - 23/02/2011 10:45:17 PM 1084 Views

Re: the "do you like it" is the most important criterion DomA - 24/02/2011 01:53:59 AM 1078 Views

Thumbs up - IMHO, all discussion can end here Nargs - 28/02/2011 05:45:34 PM 1225 Views

Not for quality of writing. Tom - 24/02/2011 05:17:52 PM 1011 Views

Those who can do, the rest are critics. *NM* HyogaRott - 24/02/2011 07:55:50 PM 699 Views

I object, sir! People don't read WoT for the way it's told? newyorkersedai - 24/02/2011 12:58:58 AM 1118 Views

If you don't mind me asking... Fanatic-Templar - 24/02/2011 01:05:12 AM 914 Views

Re: If you don't mind me asking... DomA - 24/02/2011 02:19:17 AM 1026 Views

I still don't get it. Fanatic-Templar - 24/02/2011 08:27:50 AM 916 Views

Re: If you don't mind me asking... Lo'oris - 24/02/2011 11:29:14 PM 972 Views

I don't mind that you ask, but I'm not going to engage in a defense of literature. Tom - 24/02/2011 05:35:27 PM 904 Views

Re: I don't mind that you ask, but I'm not going to engage in a defense of literature. Lo'oris - 24/02/2011 11:26:55 PM 1069 Views

I'm sure you have a wonderful job awaiting in fast food service. Tom - 25/02/2011 01:57:15 AM 1133 Views

Re: I'm sure you have a wonderful job awaiting in fast food service. Lo'oris - 25/02/2011 08:56:06 AM 1034 Views

Jack @$$ snobbery at its best. WOW *NM* Nargs - 28/02/2011 05:48:43 PM 731 Views

... Fanatic-Templar - 25/02/2011 01:07:22 AM 968 Views

Maybe you should have used better prose?

fionwe1987 - 25/02/2011 01:23:17 AM 831 Views

It is not a serious question. Tom - 25/02/2011 01:53:59 AM 979 Views

How so? fionwe1987 - 25/02/2011 02:59:05 AM 1097 Views

I have every right to use that tone. Tom - 25/02/2011 03:08:14 PM 1053 Views

Is that so? Fanatic-Templar - 25/02/2011 05:58:31 AM 1046 Views

I'm not fixated with Jordan. Tom - 25/02/2011 03:13:56 PM 1056 Views

Then why do you keep trying to qualify the passage in relation to him? Fanatic-Templar - 25/02/2011 06:29:31 PM 1104 Views

You're conflating two things. Tom - 25/02/2011 07:32:59 PM 1084 Views

All right, now we're getting somewhere. Fanatic-Templar - 26/02/2011 12:40:57 AM 986 Views

you raise very good questions... *NM* Nargs - 26/02/2011 09:21:13 AM 640 Views

Okay, here you go. I am giving you the benefit of the doubt as to your sincerity. Tom - 26/02/2011 03:20:44 PM 841 Views

Thank you, and I agree with all your explanations. *NM* Fanatic-Templar - 26/02/2011 07:28:09 PM 656 Views

Glad to hear that. Tom - 27/02/2011 03:42:33 AM 922 Views

No problem, these things happen on the internet. *NM* Fanatic-Templar - 27/02/2011 04:36:57 AM 716 Views

No, it is a serious question, just one that can never be seriously answered. HyogaRott - 25/02/2011 03:28:48 PM 999 Views

Your opinion isn't as valid as anyone else's if that's your opinion. Tom - 25/02/2011 04:44:57 PM 1148 Views

Re: Your opinion isn't as valid as anyone else's if that's your opinion. HyogaRott - 25/02/2011 06:05:18 PM 1549 Views

I'm not wasting my time proving something to an internet moron and troll like you. Tom - 25/02/2011 07:36:19 PM 924 Views

Ah yes, the wonderful "dissmiss the person who disagrees with me by insulting him tactic" HyogaRott - 28/02/2011 02:30:35 PM 931 Views

Re: Your opinion isn't as valid as anyone else's if that's your opinion. Lo'oris - 26/02/2011 11:06:26 AM 967 Views

Jack @$$ snobbery at its best. WOW *NM* Nargs - 28/02/2011 05:51:48 PM 567 Views

double post. oh my! *NM* Nargs - 28/02/2011 05:52:17 PM 606 Views

Just makes you right twice

*NM* HyogaRott - 28/02/2011 09:42:19 PM 697 Views

Re: ... Lo'oris - 25/02/2011 08:59:37 AM 1028 Views

And part 2, on the analysis of writing. newyorkersedai - 24/02/2011 01:16:20 AM 1050 Views

Florid desciption is usually not a good thing. Tom - 24/02/2011 05:30:30 PM 995 Views

Re: I find this whole thing elitist and more than a bit silly GarethBryne - 23/02/2011 06:45:05 AM 1132 Views

Why do you think mind-expanding literature is restricted to the classics? Ghavrel - 23/02/2011 08:03:59 AM 967 Views

Re: Why do you think mind-expanding literature is restricted to the classics? GarethBryne - 23/02/2011 09:25:10 AM 1130 Views

Of course people read for pleasure. Ghavrel - 23/02/2011 09:04:24 PM 929 Views

Ok... Nargs - 24/02/2011 08:59:27 AM 968 Views

"Yeah well, that's, like, just your opinion, man." Good argument. Ghavrel - 24/02/2011 03:43:24 PM 1042 Views

*NM* Tom - 24/02/2011 05:37:02 PM 595 Views

I find your above average tastes and intelligence uninspiring. Nargs - 24/02/2011 08:42:03 PM 905 Views

I'm curious to hear who Tom and DomA consider a "very good writer"? VTHokie - 24/02/2011 05:49:13 PM 1054 Views

Among living writers? Tom - 24/02/2011 08:16:08 PM 1090 Views

No Rushdie? fionwe1987 - 24/02/2011 09:22:46 PM 979 Views

I was considering mentioning Rushdie. Tom - 24/02/2011 09:32:20 PM 935 Views

My list would be similar... DomA - 26/02/2011 07:24:11 AM 1198 Views

That was a very good list. Tom - 26/02/2011 03:07:31 PM 1021 Views

Re: That was a very good list. DomA - 27/02/2011 04:51:43 AM 1078 Views

Once I finish Hugo I'm probably going to read Druon. Tom - 27/02/2011 02:30:03 PM 869 Views

Oh, and another question Tom - 27/02/2011 05:28:47 PM 865 Views

Re: Oh, and another question DomA - 01/03/2011 03:42:02 AM 1037 Views

One final question, if you'll indulge me... Tom - 01/03/2011 06:43:23 PM 927 Views

Well, until I have time to return to your previous post but... DomA - 01/03/2011 07:45:13 PM 1063 Views

I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' Iain83 - 27/02/2011 11:14:30 AM 1138 Views

You like Solzhenitsyn but not other Russian writers? Tom - 27/02/2011 02:43:46 PM 1050 Views

Re: You like Solzhenitsyn but not other Russian writers? Iain83 - 02/03/2011 11:47:19 PM 1123 Views

Re: I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' DomA - 28/02/2011 11:51:49 PM 1172 Views

Re: I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' Iain83 - 03/03/2011 12:01:30 AM 1066 Views

Link to DomA Post from up above: Nargs - 03/03/2011 12:20:11 AM 1290 Views

Re: I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' DomA - 03/03/2011 02:17:06 PM 1013 Views

He's a great storyteller, but his prose is somewhat uninspiring. *NM* Marshall - 27/02/2011 07:28:00 PM 724 Views

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