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Messages - Jason R. Peters

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1
Both of these are colloquial usages that reflect how people actually talk, which changes over time. Neither one bothers me.

Aren't you obligated to say that, since Mr. Sanderson uses both?  :o

I don't mind either in dialog, but in prose the "wrong" one is irritating.

Or should I say:

It weren't nothing but a thang when folks is conversin' and whatnot, but I 'spect more bettar words frum teh textperts in there prose. They better learnt!

2
the end of book 9 is epic in several senses.

That's makes me feel a glimmer of hope.  I'm just reading New Spring in between finishing The Path of Daggers and starting Winter's Heart.  Thank you for the hope.  I, unlike most of you here, actually liked The Path of Daggers.  I thought there was some really great stuff here, though it could definitely have had some stuff cut out.  I agree with all of you guys on perrin and Faile.  I like Perrin in books 1-4, but then he just got so whipped it wasn't even funny.  I would have much preferred more scenes from Maighidin (Morgase) and Tallanvor to portray life in his camp.  I like their PoV much better.  Also Elayne continues to grate on me.  But besides those facts and a few more I still really like The Path of Daggers, especially when there was the battle with the Seanchan I though that was amazing.  I'm looking forwards to reading book9 now.  Though book 10 sounds like it's going to be one of the books that you have to get through.  Kind like how the second half of book 6 was for me.

For me, book 6 was where things began to slow. I found book 7 atrocious, but like you, there was much in book 8 that I enjoyed, including some points you mentioned.

Book 9 was enjoyable, very enjoyable, but too long.

I'm in book 10 now and everyone is right...it's terrible. REALLY terrible.

But if memory serves, Book 11 was significantly better, and in my opinion books 12 & 13 were significantly higher quality than anything else in the series except for books 2 and 4 (which they match, except with a more epic scope).

3
Like most writers, I'm usually the local grammarian, but this one has me stumped.

It seems that older fiction almost always contains the phrase, "He had better _____" as a colloquialism, in the context of, "He should ________."

Examples:

"He had better learn.'
"You had better try harder."
"She had better listen."

But in recent fiction, I am finding this form more common:

"He better learn."
"You better try harder."
"She better listen."

Because I'm accustomed to the former, the latter sounds something like nails on a chalkboard to me, but I can't identify why it's "wrong", at least any more so than the other version.

I am tempted to argue that "better" needs the helping verb "have", but "better" is not a verb.

I mean, compound voices like present perfect simple qualify as helping/auxiliary verbs: "He has played football." But this is two verbs. Some of the online articles (taken with grains of salt) claim that "he had better" is the correct/complete form, and "he better" is incorrect. But I haven't found any offered reasoning behind this.

In my Wheel of Time reread, I'm finding both forms. I have also seen both forms in Sanderson fiction and most modern writers.

It drives me crazy, though arguably sometimes it is intended to mimic grammatically incorrect speaking; however, the characters' other phrases are not noticeably ungrammatical, with the exception of sentence fragments (which in modern fiction are practically unavoidable, especially in dialog).

What do you say? Which is correct, and why? Does the "wrong" version bother anyone as much as it bothers me?

4
Brandon Sanderson / Re: I'm very keen to see the Mistborn video game.
« on: July 12, 2011, 11:32:45 PM »
I think something similiar to the Bioshock series would work best (in terms of player-environment interactions).

At the very least, you'd probably want to take a few cues from it, especially for iron & steel.

If that makes any sense at all...

That makes sense. I would enjoy something along the lines of a plot-based action-oriented game in the style of The Force Unleashed, which would allow you to do interesting things with the environment with Mistborn powers.

That's one reason why I can't see this working as an MMO. I mean, if you're the reverse of a Coinshot (I forget the term), and there are no Coinshots in a particular fight, well, your powers are rather limited.

Traditional fantasy games won't work for Mistborn either, it isn't as if one person can call upon ice and fire and death and healing...the magic users are severely limited.

* Jason casts Coppercloud.
* Jason casts Coppercloud.
* Jason casts Coppercloud.

* Jason rerolls as a Coinshot.

5
Brandon Sanderson / Re: I'm very keen to see the Mistborn video game.
« on: July 07, 2011, 12:38:41 PM »
As an avid gamer and an avid reader, I can honestly say:

I have yet to see a game based on a book that I thought was any good.

It always sounds very cool in concept and then doesn't deliver any of the experiences of the book. These is a particular problem with the concept behind MMOs:

EVERYONE wants to be a hero. EVERYONE wants to be Gandalf or Kelsier or Vin.

Well, when there's thousands of people trying to be that hero, none of them stands out.

And in single player games, they just seem to cheapen plot for the sake of puzzles or platforming or other repetitive play which in no way delivers the mysticism of the stories.

6
Brandon Sanderson / Re: Dalinar as a possible radiant? *Spoilers*
« on: June 30, 2011, 04:45:06 PM »
I can buy #3 if it is mentioned twice with nearly identical terminology. I agree with Ulysses Sword about quotes 1 & 2.

7
Amen.  I've just begun reading Book 10.  The Prologue has me bored to tears.  A couple of interesting viewpoints would have been a way better choice than that smorgasbord.  Glimmers of the Pattern is trying to tell a story of 100 different people at once, and as a result, you fail to care about any. 

Just started the prologue myself...made it to Gawyn's perspective.

I'm finding it more interesting after having read books 12-13 and I actually know who Rodel Ituralde is. (In fact, I did a double-take to see him mentioned as early as book 5.) I know why he matters. It made me interested in his plotline. Furthermore, Graendal's politics in Book 9 affect him, too. It feels like plot progression this time.

But the first time I read it, my reaction was:  "Uchthk. Another character to care about? I'm exhausted."

This corroborates my theory that Jordan's style works far better for rereading than just reading. There's too much you don't know or can't connect. Knowing that Corlan Dashiva was Forsaken made every chapter with Rand's private four Asha'aman more interesting.

I gave dad-in-law books 1-3 last Christmas, and I was surprised it wasn't obvious who "Selene" was in book 2. I also inquired whether he realized Rand had "channeling sickness" when he and Mat are on the road together, explaining that Jordan's infodump from Moiraine to Nynaeve is intended as a hint to what Rand is really going through. None of this is obvious on a first read, even the most blatant of double identities.

By book ten when Lanfear has had no less than six identities, it gets a little hard to keep up with.

Other plot threads are similar...Gawyn's has payoff in books 12-13, but in I remember being annoyed by most of his appearances everywhere else. The Borderlander armies and their meeting with Egwene makes a lot more sense when you consider the conclusion of that thread when Rand meets them, and it also gives more meaning to the times they are repeatedly mentioned (starting with rumors of Tenobia disappearing). But when any of these points are first mentioned, the reader wonders why he he should care.

It fits with the "one big book" comment above, but now I remember why I was so angry when these books first came out. To wait two-three years only to see a bunch of new characters introduced...yikes.

8
Video Games / Re: Starcraft II
« on: June 29, 2011, 05:20:36 PM »
SC2 is one of my all-time favorite games.

Furthermore, I would love to challenge my fellow forum-goers.

My username is Lomerell.

9
Brandon Sanderson / Re: Dalinar as a possible radiant? *Spoilers*
« on: June 29, 2011, 04:39:51 PM »
No, I wasn't on this forum then. I would be pretty impressed to see such predictions pan out as described. But I would also challenge how many other theories were proposed at the time? Sure, one or six start to emerge as more plausible as more people clamor to refine it.

An educated reader can make almost any theory sound plausible, even if it was not the athor's intent. Ever read the essay which demonstrates that Fight Club was about Calvin and Hobbes? Or any of the more plausible theories from the WMG (Wild Mass Guess) section of tvtropes?

Everyone invovled will remember the correct theory with vigor once it has been proven, regardless how many erroneous theories were proposed alongside. Or how many erroneous details were accidentally attached to the correct theory, though they were part of a different puzzle.

Dalinar-as-Radiant may well prove to be true (likely), this text may even point to it (I have my doubts). I'm just reserving judgment because the passage quoted doesn't prove anything conclusively to me-as-reader without something more substantial.

10
That's encouraging because...I just finished Book 9.

And the end of Book 9 really makes me want to turn the page.

11
Brandon Sanderson / Re: Recommend a book
« on: June 29, 2011, 02:58:32 PM »
The Neverending Story (the movie) covers only one half of the original novel. When Bastien and the Childlike Empress are holding a single shining grain which is all that remains of Fantastica (must confess, Fantasia is a better name), that's barely halfway through the novel.

It isn't even just the time-framing of the films which horrifies. Even the first movie (which is better than the others, and that ain't saying much) outright discarded most of the concepts from the book.

The whole book is about Bastion's ability to love, and this is completely absent from the first movie.

Even the fantasy elements which made the book so memorable were thrown out. This is not a complaint that Gimli's beard was 3 shades redder in the original LOTR, these are major, damaging changes. Just for example's sake, the Southern Oracle was a moving voice that only speaks and hears in verse, was basically changed to a giant statue. What? Gorgommon, Yor, and Dame Eyola were very important characters in Bastion's development as character, and Gmork was one of the most fascinating villains in fiction because he told Atreyu the truth.

All the power and majesty of those events, such as Bastion creating bioluminescant jungle from pure thought, GONE. Bastion going from cowardly and weak to handsom, strong and brave, and the CONSEQUENCES thereof were incredible.

 When I was a kid, I liked the movie, and I still think it makes a decent kids movie -- nothing on par with Holes or Toy Story, though, but in fact the book was one of the most powerful I've ever read.

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Brandon Sanderson / Re: Recommend a book
« on: June 29, 2011, 02:14:36 AM »
Honestly, I can't recommend any in fantasy. I had forsworn all fantasy series until I encountered Sanderson, and I was extremely pleased that he defied so many cliches of the genre. It is only thanks to him that I am reading fantasy again, and even so...the only fantasy I'm reading is Sanderson.

Ergo I will recommend books of other genres:

In non-fiction, I thoroughly enjoyed three of Malcolm Gladwell's books: Tipping Point, Blink and Outliers. Those are actual page-turners in non-fiction.

In science fiction, my favorite of all time (yes, including Herbert, Asimov, Heinlein, other greats) was the Hyperion & Endymion tetrology by Dan Simmons. I can't say I'm a fan of Simmons' other work, but these four blew my mind. (The first isn't all that impressive until you reread it in context of its sequel, unless you treat it up front as a short story collection, in which case it's damn good.)

I really enjoyed HOLES by Lewis Sachar, though it is marketed as a children's book, it's just a really good book that's easy to read.

I also enjoyed FIGHT CLUB, though the author says the movie was actually better, for anyone who is looking for things to read, FIGHT CLUB is great.

A must-read for every person on earth is The Neverending Story by Michael Ende. I have read that book at least 50 times. (And please forget everything you think you know about it from the movie. The movie did not include such minor plot points as Bastion and Atreyu at war with each other over the Ivory Tower -- forgive the spoiler, but I'm hoping it works as a hook.)


13
Brandon Sanderson / Re: Dalinar as a possible radiant? *Spoilers*
« on: June 29, 2011, 02:07:52 AM »
1.When he is knocked in the air his shardplate seems to correct itself so he lands right side up
2. Adolin notes that he moves faster in shardplate than should be possible, making other shardbearers look like children by comparison
3. When he catches the greatshell claw, Adolin notices that his shardplate "almost glows"

I may just be dense, but I thought this was all just good description for the power and majesty of shardplates/blades, not an indication of Dalinar's personal innate ability.

For instance, it becomes clear pretty early that Kaladin has some magic "luck"...I'll grant that Dalinar's arc could simply be much longer, but I would expect hints to be more obvious than this.

None of this is to say that Dalinar won't become a radiant, I just didn't think this points to it.

The trouble with the description just being "the power and majesty of shardplates/blades" is that they are given from Adolin's and Dalinar's points of view.  Both of them have extensive experience with both plate and blade, and they have a pretty good idea what the rules are supposed to be.  They appreciate the power, but it's almost mundane to them; it's part of their life. 

I don't disagree. I'm only going to add that even if something is mundane to a character, it's part of the author's job to make it seem exciting to the reader. The mage who casts spells daily still seems full of majesty and awe the first time the reader sees him do it. The sci-fi soldier is not impressed by his combat armor and tactical visor, but the narrator nonetheless gives an impressive play-by-play of their capabilities.

Quote
In addition, we haven't really seen Dalinar's arc start in earnest yet.  Oh, we've seen some of it, but this book was focused on Kaladin and his powers.  There's another nine books in the series, after all.  This kind of foreshadowing is perfectly appropriate for this point in the longer story.

It's not proof that Dalinar is a radiant, but I consider the possibility to be fairly likely given what little we have seen.

Nothing to disagree with here. I just don't find these descriptions to be evidence, reason being I actually think Sanderson would foreshadow more obviously than these subtle theories of fans. All through Mistborn, there were puzzles to solve, but you knew what the puzzles were. Often, you even knew which pieces were missing. This is one reason I like Sanderson's work so much, his reveals don't seem like "gotcha"s. They just seem like, "Why didn't I KNOW that?"

This seems awfully subtle for that style of writing.

Dalinar may well be a Radiant regardless whether this text was intended to imply it.

14
<I>Even books 10-11 were decent.</i>

I think you mean 11 is decent.  10 is considered the worst in the series so much that's it's more fact than opinion.

I was prepared to disagree with you (out of hopeful optimism that a horrific book wasn't still ahead of me), but I caught wind of the Amazon.com reviews of book ten. OUCH.

The top-rated five-star review is actually a tongue-in-cheek criticism.

I'm 93% through book 9. Crud.

15
Rants and Stuff / Re: TOO MUCH NEGATIVE FEEDBACK!
« on: June 29, 2011, 01:56:20 AM »
"Fardawg101 CM
@spencerpanger I have a problem in letting things go when there is a complete misunderstanding. That is why I started the thread.

Often, in my younger days, I had a problem letting things go when I had decided THE WHOLE WORLD IS WRONG AND JASON IS RIGHT. I've grown up since then (I'd like to think), but back then I would conclude that

1. I couldn't possibly be wrong
2. Since I couldn't possibly be wrong, anyone who disagreed with me must be wrong
3. If they continued to be wrong after I explained why they were wrong, they must be "misunderstanding" me

Only a consistent effort to correct these "misunderstandings" would result in everyone agreeing with me and seeing the error of their ways.

Fardawg's Tolkien thread had all of these elements. He repeatedly refused olive branches of "we mostly agree, but we're using different terminology", or "in your context, you're right, but what we're saying isn't untrue", etc.

It just doesn't seem like he possesses the maturity and discipline to respectfully disagree with people in a forum like this. His comment to Peter ("How many bestsellers have YOU written?") among others was blatantly uncalled for. He even insulted Peter for pointing to elements of his text which indicated anger/passion and lack of calm. Fardawg seemed to believe that angry and insulting words would lose sting ("just joking") if you interspersed lots of smiley faces.

All that said, people can sometimes mature given the opportunity. I say give Fardawg the opportunity to treat this as a life lesson, that you can't walk all over people's opinions and insult their viewpoints -- particularly not a forum dedicated to a respectful exchange of ideas. An apology to all concerned is a great idea, not because I feel Fardawg did anything wrong to me, but because sincere contrition would be a necessary first step to have any meaningful interaction with this forum.

But no more missteps tolerated. (And if the stated penalty for sock-puppets is immediate permanent ban, I say make it so. I don't know whether the policy states levels of tolerance or not...I suspect from Peter's response it is moderator's option.)

I have a great deal of respect for Peter for even asking our opinions, and admitting his desire to banhammer while offering Fardawg an out through the voices of other forum-goers.

To be perfectly honest, I don't want Fardawg back...he did not seem to be positively contributing (the opposite), but I have faith in second chances. Or to be more accurate, I want to have faith in second chances.


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