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I'm curious to hear who Tom and DomA consider a "very good writer"? VTHokie Send a noteboard - 24/02/2011 05:49:13 PM
I am not questioning that RJ is not a "very good writer." I agree with Tom's description that RJ is more entertaining. A good analagy is when someone, I forget who, compared entertaining literature to entertaining movies. The movies that make the most money are for the most part not the most artistic, but they are damn entertaining for 2 hours.

The same goes for music. Ke$ha and Katy Perry may not be the best musicians, but they make music that is catchy and sells millions of ITunes.

Anyways, I am curious to get opinions of people who know a lot more about writing than I do on who they think are very good MODERN writers.

Who is the best writer out of big name authors out there? Are there any, or are they just entertainers as well?

Where would you rank some of the more big name "classic" writers like Dickens, Steinbeck, etc?

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Can someone explain to me how Jordan is not a particularly good writer? newyorkersedai - 21/02/2011 05:41:31 PM 3371 Views
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 1772 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 1395 Views
What do you think about the Southern Gothic authors? Ghavrel - 23/02/2011 08:08:26 AM 1261 Views
Re: What do you think about the Southern Gothic authors? Lo'oris - 23/02/2011 10:51:57 AM 1352 Views
Oh, it really depends. Ghavrel - 23/02/2011 05:39:07 PM 1134 Views
thanks, I'll have a look *NM* Lo'oris - 23/02/2011 05:40:50 PM 856 Views
For the same reason that most people think they have above average intelligence. RabidWombat - 21/02/2011 11:13:34 PM 1751 Views
Thank you. Nargs - 21/02/2011 11:43:08 PM 1457 Views
Re: For the same reason that most people think they have above average intelligence. *NM* Gerbeaud - 22/02/2011 02:39:20 PM 953 Views
Re: For the same reason that most people think they have above average intelligence. Gerbeaud - 22/02/2011 02:41:37 PM 1213 Views
Well Said! Evil_Monkey - 22/02/2011 02:42:22 PM 1405 Views
That's possibly the best explanation of literary criticism I've ever seen. The Count - 23/02/2011 02:47:12 AM 1345 Views
I can take a shot at that, since nobody else seems willing to. Ghavrel - 22/02/2011 07:29:20 AM 1789 Views
Do you enjoy reading Robert Jordan's ... Nargs - 22/02/2011 04:31:28 PM 1497 Views
Not particularly. Ghavrel - 22/02/2011 10:22:00 PM 1601 Views
Agreed. Tom - 22/02/2011 10:37:08 PM 1326 Views
Re: I can take a shot at that, since nobody else seems willing to. Lo'oris - 22/02/2011 11:23:38 PM 1432 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 1334 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 1371 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 1334 Views
Amen *NM* Nargs - 22/02/2011 04:32:50 PM 836 Views
Re: Can someone explain to me how Jordan is not a particularly good writer? DomA - 22/02/2011 06:27:11 PM 2203 Views
Brain overload! This is really well thought out. RabidWombat - 23/02/2011 10:22:37 PM 1379 Views
thank you for the insight into the outside view lol Onarishma - 24/02/2011 04:34:57 PM 1419 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 1690 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 1437 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 1400 Views
adam roberts reviews uglycat - 23/02/2011 03:53:49 AM 1423 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 806 Views
Oh GAWD!... not another pointer to Robert Adam's incoherant muckraking HyogaRott - 24/02/2011 07:47:35 PM 1263 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 1605 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 1551 Views
The Necronomicon isn't actually a book, you know. *NM* Ghavrel - 22/02/2011 11:28:29 PM 764 Views
There are nine, actually... Lo'oris - 23/02/2011 12:04:55 AM 1561 Views
Lovecraft's Necronomicon was fictitious. If you want to count fanfiction, fine. *NM* Ghavrel - 23/02/2011 12:38:07 AM 830 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 812 Views
I hope I am misunderstanding you. Stephen - 23/02/2011 10:57:47 PM 1247 Views
Re: I hope I am misunderstanding you. Lo'oris - 24/02/2011 10:41:09 AM 1388 Views
If the core of the story is all that matters, why read a book Stephen - 24/02/2011 10:32:01 PM 1341 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 1208 Views
So wait, style is good? Stephen - 25/02/2011 12:32:07 AM 1591 Views
Re: So wait, style is good? Lo'oris - 25/02/2011 08:53:55 AM 1217 Views
I'm not trolling Stephen - 25/02/2011 11:57:18 PM 1232 Views
That depends... DomA - 23/02/2011 03:00:35 AM 1488 Views
I didn't say aesthetics was the primary criterion. I named three criteria. Tom - 23/02/2011 05:39:03 AM 1349 Views
the "do you like it" is the most important criterion RabidWombat - 23/02/2011 10:45:17 PM 1340 Views
Re: the "do you like it" is the most important criterion DomA - 24/02/2011 01:53:59 AM 1317 Views
Thumbs up - IMHO, all discussion can end here Nargs - 28/02/2011 05:45:34 PM 1456 Views
Not for quality of writing. Tom - 24/02/2011 05:17:52 PM 1287 Views
Those who can do, the rest are critics. *NM* HyogaRott - 24/02/2011 07:55:50 PM 825 Views
I object, sir! People don't read WoT for the way it's told? newyorkersedai - 24/02/2011 12:58:58 AM 1393 Views
If you don't mind me asking... Fanatic-Templar - 24/02/2011 01:05:12 AM 1177 Views
Re: If you don't mind me asking... DomA - 24/02/2011 02:19:17 AM 1274 Views
I still don't get it. Fanatic-Templar - 24/02/2011 08:27:50 AM 1181 Views
Re: If you don't mind me asking... Lo'oris - 24/02/2011 11:29:14 PM 1235 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 1182 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 1329 Views
I'm sure you have a wonderful job awaiting in fast food service. Tom - 25/02/2011 01:57:15 AM 1369 Views
Re: I'm sure you have a wonderful job awaiting in fast food service. Lo'oris - 25/02/2011 08:56:06 AM 1282 Views
Jack @$$ snobbery at its best. WOW *NM* Nargs - 28/02/2011 05:48:43 PM 846 Views
... Fanatic-Templar - 25/02/2011 01:07:22 AM 1222 Views
Maybe you should have used better prose? fionwe1987 - 25/02/2011 01:23:17 AM 1067 Views
It is not a serious question. Tom - 25/02/2011 01:53:59 AM 1236 Views
How so? fionwe1987 - 25/02/2011 02:59:05 AM 1356 Views
I have every right to use that tone. Tom - 25/02/2011 03:08:14 PM 1307 Views
Is that so? Fanatic-Templar - 25/02/2011 05:58:31 AM 1335 Views
I'm not fixated with Jordan. Tom - 25/02/2011 03:13:56 PM 1314 Views
Then why do you keep trying to qualify the passage in relation to him? Fanatic-Templar - 25/02/2011 06:29:31 PM 1359 Views
You're conflating two things. Tom - 25/02/2011 07:32:59 PM 1371 Views
All right, now we're getting somewhere. Fanatic-Templar - 26/02/2011 12:40:57 AM 1283 Views
you raise very good questions... *NM* Nargs - 26/02/2011 09:21:13 AM 759 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 1091 Views
Thank you, and I agree with all your explanations. *NM* Fanatic-Templar - 26/02/2011 07:28:09 PM 767 Views
Glad to hear that. Tom - 27/02/2011 03:42:33 AM 1177 Views
No problem, these things happen on the internet. *NM* Fanatic-Templar - 27/02/2011 04:36:57 AM 823 Views
No, it is a serious question, just one that can never be seriously answered. HyogaRott - 25/02/2011 03:28:48 PM 1244 Views
Your opinion isn't as valid as anyone else's if that's your opinion. Tom - 25/02/2011 04:44:57 PM 1405 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 1797 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 1169 Views
Ah yes, the wonderful "dissmiss the person who disagrees with me by insulting him tactic" HyogaRott - 28/02/2011 02:30:35 PM 1175 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 1207 Views
Jack @$$ snobbery at its best. WOW *NM* Nargs - 28/02/2011 05:51:48 PM 679 Views
double post. oh my! *NM* Nargs - 28/02/2011 05:52:17 PM 719 Views
Just makes you right twice *NM* HyogaRott - 28/02/2011 09:42:19 PM 820 Views
Re: ... Lo'oris - 25/02/2011 08:59:37 AM 1265 Views
And part 2, on the analysis of writing. newyorkersedai - 24/02/2011 01:16:20 AM 1293 Views
Florid desciption is usually not a good thing. Tom - 24/02/2011 05:30:30 PM 1247 Views
Re: I find this whole thing elitist and more than a bit silly GarethBryne - 23/02/2011 06:45:05 AM 1403 Views
Why do you think mind-expanding literature is restricted to the classics? Ghavrel - 23/02/2011 08:03:59 AM 1201 Views
Re: Why do you think mind-expanding literature is restricted to the classics? GarethBryne - 23/02/2011 09:25:10 AM 1403 Views
Of course people read for pleasure. Ghavrel - 23/02/2011 09:04:24 PM 1193 Views
Ok... Nargs - 24/02/2011 08:59:27 AM 1211 Views
"Yeah well, that's, like, just your opinion, man." Good argument. Ghavrel - 24/02/2011 03:43:24 PM 1288 Views
*NM* Tom - 24/02/2011 05:37:02 PM 724 Views
I find your above average tastes and intelligence uninspiring. Nargs - 24/02/2011 08:42:03 PM 1155 Views
I'm curious to hear who Tom and DomA consider a "very good writer"? VTHokie - 24/02/2011 05:49:13 PM 1284 Views
Among living writers? Tom - 24/02/2011 08:16:08 PM 1343 Views
No Rushdie? fionwe1987 - 24/02/2011 09:22:46 PM 1228 Views
I was considering mentioning Rushdie. Tom - 24/02/2011 09:32:20 PM 1189 Views
My list would be similar... DomA - 26/02/2011 07:24:11 AM 1443 Views
That was a very good list. Tom - 26/02/2011 03:07:31 PM 1309 Views
Re: That was a very good list. DomA - 27/02/2011 04:51:43 AM 1354 Views
Once I finish Hugo I'm probably going to read Druon. Tom - 27/02/2011 02:30:03 PM 1157 Views
Oh, and another question Tom - 27/02/2011 05:28:47 PM 1104 Views
Re: Oh, and another question DomA - 01/03/2011 03:42:02 AM 1297 Views
One final question, if you'll indulge me... Tom - 01/03/2011 06:43:23 PM 1163 Views
Well, until I have time to return to your previous post but... DomA - 01/03/2011 07:45:13 PM 1334 Views
I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' Iain83 - 27/02/2011 11:14:30 AM 1472 Views
You like Solzhenitsyn but not other Russian writers? Tom - 27/02/2011 02:43:46 PM 1299 Views
Re: You like Solzhenitsyn but not other Russian writers? Iain83 - 02/03/2011 11:47:19 PM 1470 Views
Re: I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' DomA - 28/02/2011 11:51:49 PM 1412 Views
Re: I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' Iain83 - 03/03/2011 12:01:30 AM 1397 Views
Link to DomA Post from up above: Nargs - 03/03/2011 12:20:11 AM 1553 Views
Re: I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' DomA - 03/03/2011 02:17:06 PM 1268 Views
He's a great storyteller, but his prose is somewhat uninspiring. *NM* Marshall - 27/02/2011 07:28:00 PM 845 Views
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