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Brandon Sanderson / Re: Funny pic that sums up the Wheel of Time
« on: July 26, 2010, 02:40:04 AM »We're missing the folding of arms under breasts.
Also missing the 20 page long essays on furniture.
ROFL too true on the furniture bit
News:
"Magic is what makes fantasy fantastic," someone says, "you can't apply rules to them or else it loses wonder!" I respond, "Sure, but if you want to write them you will certainly want to know how they work." Writing is all about execution, and I find applying some basic laws of physics to magic systems make them more understandable and realistic. Here, I'm going to outline my basic method for developing a magic system.
Column by Chaos2651
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ROFL too true on the furniture bit
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Writing Group / Re: Creative Ways to Kill a Character
« on: July 20, 2010, 08:52:33 PM »
I'm with ErikHolmes... I just can't not contribute...
Have a swinging axe wired to the Dow Jones Index... When the market falls, the axe falls, if the market rises, the axe stays stationary... The way the US Stock Markets plummet on the smallest things your character would be dead in no time...
have your character become a slave who is put to work basically walking on a water wheel on land to turn it. After doing this for several months 16+ hours a day, with little food & water, your character becomes exhausted and slips being drug under the wheel and cut into pieces...
Your character is tied to a table. A stack of bricks is placed covering the body from head to toe, not putting too much weight on your character... Then a fire is built on the bricks and he is burnt to death by way of the heat transferred through the bricks onto his body...
the overused but ever amusing, step into a street and get hit by a bus out of nowhere....
Trampled by a horse causing a coma and subsequent death
lose control on a motorcycle going down a hill, hitting the barrier and being thrown over a overpass onto jagged rocks 15 feet below on the side of another road...
being caught in the undertow of a river/ocean and tiring before you can get out and drowning...
catching ghonnasyphlaherpalaids and dieing a very slow and painful death with seeping flesh wounds...
I think I'll stop before my morbid side shows too much more...
Have a swinging axe wired to the Dow Jones Index... When the market falls, the axe falls, if the market rises, the axe stays stationary... The way the US Stock Markets plummet on the smallest things your character would be dead in no time...
have your character become a slave who is put to work basically walking on a water wheel on land to turn it. After doing this for several months 16+ hours a day, with little food & water, your character becomes exhausted and slips being drug under the wheel and cut into pieces...
Your character is tied to a table. A stack of bricks is placed covering the body from head to toe, not putting too much weight on your character... Then a fire is built on the bricks and he is burnt to death by way of the heat transferred through the bricks onto his body...
the overused but ever amusing, step into a street and get hit by a bus out of nowhere....
Trampled by a horse causing a coma and subsequent death
lose control on a motorcycle going down a hill, hitting the barrier and being thrown over a overpass onto jagged rocks 15 feet below on the side of another road...
being caught in the undertow of a river/ocean and tiring before you can get out and drowning...
catching ghonnasyphlaherpalaids and dieing a very slow and painful death with seeping flesh wounds...
I think I'll stop before my morbid side shows too much more...
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Brandon Sanderson / Re: Awakening: Immoral Practice?
« on: July 20, 2010, 08:29:57 PM »
I tend to write what I think, as well as speak what I think. It gets me into trouble at times, but I figure that if people don't like me for who I really am because I hide my opinions, then they really don't like me... they like who they think I am. 
... and sorry to all if I'm a bit long winded. I try to give the short version of my thoughts...
... and sorry to all if I'm a bit long winded. I try to give the short version of my thoughts...
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Brandon Sanderson / Re: Awakening: Immoral Practice?
« on: July 18, 2010, 05:58:58 PM »
sorry, my statement wasn't too clear.
I meant don't judge the person because you don't agree with their choices, judge weather or not you think the choice was correct, but not the person. Everyone makes bad decisions, and if we judge the person based on their choices, we do them a disservice by not knowing them as an entire person.
some examples:
Some people find Homosexuality and prostitution to be immoral (I am one of these people). I don't judge people who choose this lifestyle and have many friends who have. I feel that the people are good people; however I don't agree with their choice of lifestyle. I understand that it is their god given choice to live the way they wish, and mine to live the way I chose. Their choices don't necessarily make them a bad person, even if I don't agree with them.
On the other hand, I find murder and child abuse to be immoral as well. Someone who can take away the life of a person, either completely or who this person may have become had they not been abused is evil. Their actions in these cases tell us what kind of person they are. Even still, in these cases, I have seen interviews with brothers, sisters, children and spouses of some of the worst serial killers, and they can say they didn't know the bad side of these people, and that the choices they made were wrong, but that they loved these people, and that they thought they were very charming, and good people.
Pretty much what I was trying to say was don't judge the person because you don't agree with their choices, judge the person based on who they are as a person. We all make bad choices, but we are not all bad people.
I meant don't judge the person because you don't agree with their choices, judge weather or not you think the choice was correct, but not the person. Everyone makes bad decisions, and if we judge the person based on their choices, we do them a disservice by not knowing them as an entire person.
some examples:
Some people find Homosexuality and prostitution to be immoral (I am one of these people). I don't judge people who choose this lifestyle and have many friends who have. I feel that the people are good people; however I don't agree with their choice of lifestyle. I understand that it is their god given choice to live the way they wish, and mine to live the way I chose. Their choices don't necessarily make them a bad person, even if I don't agree with them.
On the other hand, I find murder and child abuse to be immoral as well. Someone who can take away the life of a person, either completely or who this person may have become had they not been abused is evil. Their actions in these cases tell us what kind of person they are. Even still, in these cases, I have seen interviews with brothers, sisters, children and spouses of some of the worst serial killers, and they can say they didn't know the bad side of these people, and that the choices they made were wrong, but that they loved these people, and that they thought they were very charming, and good people.
Pretty much what I was trying to say was don't judge the person because you don't agree with their choices, judge the person based on who they are as a person. We all make bad choices, but we are not all bad people.
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Brandon Sanderson / Re: Awakening: Immoral Practice?
« on: July 17, 2010, 04:29:48 AM »
I think this debate comes down to a couple of things.
1. From whose view do you look at this from as there are many.
The religion of Idris sees awakening, as well as the giving/selling/buying/acquiring of breath as immoral. This comes somewhat from their history, that they were exiled from their ancestral home by awakeners. They have blocked out of their religious memories where they came from and who they are descended from. Their religion holds that any way other than theirs is wrong, and that nothing can be gained from the giving/selling/buying/acquiring of breath.
Viveanna seems devout in the religion of Idris; however she has been groomed much like a child in any faith that their way is the only right way. She is forced into a situation that is not of her choosing in being given the breath, and as she progresses, she learns about other religions and who she is as a person. Who is to say her decision to use breath as an awakener is right or wrong other than her. She weighs both sides of the coin so to say, and when it comes down to life or death, she finds out what truly she believes. Yes, she could have learned how to give breath to drabs or those perceived in need, but who is to say that the drab/beggar/perceived begger won't turn right around and sell it. Much like the beggar on the corner. If you give him money, he mayuse it to feed himself and/or his family. He may go buy beer or cigarettes or drugs. You never really know. If you in turn offer him food, you have a better indication of what his intentions are.
Siri who has felt like an outcast in her society when confronted with a similar situation to her sister, chooses to embrace her new life. Again she knows the teachings of her religion, and finds that perhaps there is truth in more than just one religion. She finds that she really never knew the other side of the story. She may judge quickly and in some cases incorrectly, but when she takes the time, she makes her own decisions, and if she chooses the wrong decision, she learns from it. She is compassionate, sometimes to a fault in being blind to the truth, but again she will admit she was wrong as well.
With those like Jewel who gave their breath for their gods, in her mind she sacrificed something that she didn't consider important to help her family. Her family was blessed, she feels as a result of her decision. It's similar to one of my mom's friends, who as a child was beaten regularity by her father. She went to a christian church, gave offerings, and prayed that God would stop the beatings. When she was a teenager, she said that she felt a man put his hands on her shoulder one night and tell her that the beatings would stop as she prayed. As she looked down she saw feet with nail holes through them. The next day her father left and never came back. No matter what might happen later in life, she will always believe her religion caused the miracle. Nothing anyone can say can change her mind, and if I had that experience I would be able to say nothing and no one could change mine.
2. The situation in which the breath is acquired.
Those who actively seek people willing to sell breath, create an underground market to sell breath illegally. Brandon wasn't specific in what regulations and safety nets were in place for those who sold their breath, but he mentioned that those who gave their breath to the gods were reimbursed fairly for their breath. The experience Jewel tells Viveanna supports this. Now, if a thug lord is prostituting the breaths of the people who look to him for protection, and they are not benefiting from the selling of their breath, then yes, I feel the issue is immoral, as one gains from something that he perceives is his but actually belongs to another, and the person it is taken from does not benefit from the loss.
Pretty much what I take from this, is that it depends on the perspective you are looking at the situation from, and the complete situation as to how the breath was acquired. There is always more than what you see at first, and the more you know, the better you are able to decide for yourself weather or not you think the choice is right or wrong, and even then, you need to be aware that the choice is not always yours to make. Choice is what makes us human. We may or may not agree with the choices of others, but it is their right to make their own choices, and we can't judge a person because we don't agree with their choice.
1. From whose view do you look at this from as there are many.
The religion of Idris sees awakening, as well as the giving/selling/buying/acquiring of breath as immoral. This comes somewhat from their history, that they were exiled from their ancestral home by awakeners. They have blocked out of their religious memories where they came from and who they are descended from. Their religion holds that any way other than theirs is wrong, and that nothing can be gained from the giving/selling/buying/acquiring of breath.
Viveanna seems devout in the religion of Idris; however she has been groomed much like a child in any faith that their way is the only right way. She is forced into a situation that is not of her choosing in being given the breath, and as she progresses, she learns about other religions and who she is as a person. Who is to say her decision to use breath as an awakener is right or wrong other than her. She weighs both sides of the coin so to say, and when it comes down to life or death, she finds out what truly she believes. Yes, she could have learned how to give breath to drabs or those perceived in need, but who is to say that the drab/beggar/perceived begger won't turn right around and sell it. Much like the beggar on the corner. If you give him money, he mayuse it to feed himself and/or his family. He may go buy beer or cigarettes or drugs. You never really know. If you in turn offer him food, you have a better indication of what his intentions are.
Siri who has felt like an outcast in her society when confronted with a similar situation to her sister, chooses to embrace her new life. Again she knows the teachings of her religion, and finds that perhaps there is truth in more than just one religion. She finds that she really never knew the other side of the story. She may judge quickly and in some cases incorrectly, but when she takes the time, she makes her own decisions, and if she chooses the wrong decision, she learns from it. She is compassionate, sometimes to a fault in being blind to the truth, but again she will admit she was wrong as well.
With those like Jewel who gave their breath for their gods, in her mind she sacrificed something that she didn't consider important to help her family. Her family was blessed, she feels as a result of her decision. It's similar to one of my mom's friends, who as a child was beaten regularity by her father. She went to a christian church, gave offerings, and prayed that God would stop the beatings. When she was a teenager, she said that she felt a man put his hands on her shoulder one night and tell her that the beatings would stop as she prayed. As she looked down she saw feet with nail holes through them. The next day her father left and never came back. No matter what might happen later in life, she will always believe her religion caused the miracle. Nothing anyone can say can change her mind, and if I had that experience I would be able to say nothing and no one could change mine.
2. The situation in which the breath is acquired.
Those who actively seek people willing to sell breath, create an underground market to sell breath illegally. Brandon wasn't specific in what regulations and safety nets were in place for those who sold their breath, but he mentioned that those who gave their breath to the gods were reimbursed fairly for their breath. The experience Jewel tells Viveanna supports this. Now, if a thug lord is prostituting the breaths of the people who look to him for protection, and they are not benefiting from the selling of their breath, then yes, I feel the issue is immoral, as one gains from something that he perceives is his but actually belongs to another, and the person it is taken from does not benefit from the loss.
Pretty much what I take from this, is that it depends on the perspective you are looking at the situation from, and the complete situation as to how the breath was acquired. There is always more than what you see at first, and the more you know, the better you are able to decide for yourself weather or not you think the choice is right or wrong, and even then, you need to be aware that the choice is not always yours to make. Choice is what makes us human. We may or may not agree with the choices of others, but it is their right to make their own choices, and we can't judge a person because we don't agree with their choice.
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Brandon Sanderson / Re: How did you find out about Brandon Sanderson?
« on: July 15, 2010, 07:44:56 PM »
New Poster but Old Brandon Fan (Kinda) 
I found out about Brandon when one of my co-workers came in and said.. Hey Have you heard that RJ Died?
I was in shock... However long after it was when they announced that Brandon would complete the series my coworker came back in.. Have you ever heard of this Brandon Sanderson guy?? I told him I hadn't. He said that it was announced that Brandon would finish the WoT books, and since he hadn't heard of him, and I read like 80+ books a year, that he had wondered if I had.
It was then and there that I decided I had to determine if Brandon really was the right choice to finish RJ's books, because in my mind if he wasn't I would write off WoT.
I went over to B&N and bought Elantris which was the only Sanderson book in stock, and read it. I loved it and knew that Brandon was the right choice for the job.
Over time I bought the Mistborn books and read them, loved them. Got the WoT Book for my birthday (Yes I had to wait like 3 weeks for it cause hubby wanted to get it for my bday present) and thought Brandon did an awesome job. He stayed true to RJ's characters and visions, and any changes to characters felt to me like a normal progression that would be expected with the journey the characters had taken.
I held off on buying and Warbreaker due to the fact that my hubby bought me 22 books for Christmas this last year. I would have finished them in May if it hadn't been that I needed to take a me break in March...
I finished the 22 books on Friday July 9th and bought Warbreaker on the same day at lunch. Read it in 3 days and loved it. (Like I couldn't at this point). Brandon has now made a very short list of Authors I'll buy without reading the first chapter of the book since I know he is guaranteed not to disappoint.
Taking some time off reading now so I can work on my own writings, but my next book will be bought August 31st where I'll get at least a 30 second opportunity to meet Brandon (Fingers crossed).
I found out about Brandon when one of my co-workers came in and said.. Hey Have you heard that RJ Died?
I was in shock... However long after it was when they announced that Brandon would complete the series my coworker came back in.. Have you ever heard of this Brandon Sanderson guy?? I told him I hadn't. He said that it was announced that Brandon would finish the WoT books, and since he hadn't heard of him, and I read like 80+ books a year, that he had wondered if I had. It was then and there that I decided I had to determine if Brandon really was the right choice to finish RJ's books, because in my mind if he wasn't I would write off WoT.
I went over to B&N and bought Elantris which was the only Sanderson book in stock, and read it. I loved it and knew that Brandon was the right choice for the job.
Over time I bought the Mistborn books and read them, loved them. Got the WoT Book for my birthday (Yes I had to wait like 3 weeks for it cause hubby wanted to get it for my bday present) and thought Brandon did an awesome job. He stayed true to RJ's characters and visions, and any changes to characters felt to me like a normal progression that would be expected with the journey the characters had taken.
I held off on buying and Warbreaker due to the fact that my hubby bought me 22 books for Christmas this last year. I would have finished them in May if it hadn't been that I needed to take a me break in March...
I finished the 22 books on Friday July 9th and bought Warbreaker on the same day at lunch. Read it in 3 days and loved it. (Like I couldn't at this point). Brandon has now made a very short list of Authors I'll buy without reading the first chapter of the book since I know he is guaranteed not to disappoint.
Taking some time off reading now so I can work on my own writings, but my next book will be bought August 31st where I'll get at least a 30 second opportunity to meet Brandon (Fingers crossed).
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