466
Rants and Stuff / Re: These Stupid Titles VI
« on: November 01, 2008, 05:29:51 PM »
Dance Dance.
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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467
Rants and Stuff / Re: These Stupid Titles VI
« on: November 01, 2008, 07:53:38 AM »
We can't stop here, it's Bat Country!
468
Rants and Stuff / Re: These Stupid Titles VI
« on: October 31, 2008, 05:13:08 PM »
....So there I was, naked in a refrigerator....
469
Rants and Stuff / Re: These Stupid Titles VI
« on: October 31, 2008, 06:21:07 AM »
Exactly....oops blew my cover again.
470
Books / Re: What are you reading, part 3
« on: October 31, 2008, 06:18:11 AM »Other than reading the originals, Dashiell Hammett is great, try Jim Butcher. The Dresden Files are good Noir/Urban Fantasy.
Own all Dresden =). After Halloween you will have to look at my old avatar. Will look into Hammett though, thanks.
471
Books / Re: What are you reading, part 3
« on: October 30, 2008, 06:12:56 AM »
I just finished Dan's vampire book, and Phantom by Terry Goodkind. Phantom was extremely hard to get through. In the end it felt like a chore. I am really curious how everything will play out. especially since I am this far in, I don't think I can just let it go. I think I would be enjoying everything more if there weren't so many books in the series. I phrase it that way because then themes wouldn't need to be repeated so much. Would feel more like actual Leit Motif instead of harping. And majorly, events put into play in this book would feel more connected to the beginning of the series instead of feeling like the author forgot to explain important things and hoped we all wouldn't notice too much.
Will either start Mistborn, Academ's Fury, or The Confessor next. Not sure what I am in the mood to jump into right now. Anyone have any good suggestions for Noir?
Will either start Mistborn, Academ's Fury, or The Confessor next. Not sure what I am in the mood to jump into right now. Anyone have any good suggestions for Noir?
472
Dan Wells / Re: Blacker Darkness (Dan's vampire humor novel)
« on: October 29, 2008, 03:18:29 PM »
Thank so much for sharing that with us. It was really enjoyable. Some parts really made me laugh. It definitely came across as a story crafted with care for the story itself. It kind of felt like Mary and John hijacked your story for a bit there. But she was definitely interesting enough that I was still curious where she was going. Overall it just makes me anticipate the serial killer story even more.
473
Rants and Stuff / Re: These Stupid Titles VI
« on: October 29, 2008, 02:31:43 PM »
There are no footprints *waves hand*.
474
Brandon Sanderson / Re: Warbreaker Hardcover Release Date
« on: October 28, 2008, 10:19:59 PM »
We have this book, I am still catching up on Mistborn which the new one just came out, the end of the wheel of time is nearing vaguely, Dan's book is coming out soon, both series of Jim Butcher's are releasing over the next 6 months or so, not to mention whatever it is I am catching up on.
475
Brandon Sanderson / Re: Warbreaker Hardcover Release Date
« on: October 27, 2008, 11:22:24 PM »
Too many good books coming out to read.....I need like some sort of time stasis chamber.
476
Books / Re: review: Furies of Calderon
« on: October 27, 2008, 11:20:41 PM »
I can no longer find any links to the original forum where this all started. From what I am able tell, Jim himself doesn't even remember where it is. It is lost in the abyss somewhere. I will retell the best I can from memory.
About three years ago, Jim was heavily involved in a writing/geek forum. His identity was masked, so nobody knew that it was him they were talking to. There was an extremely controversial thread started up around the time we are talking about. I don't believe he started the discussion, but he definitely became the main voice for his side of the discussion.
The whole thread was based on a single premise; is good writing an entity in and of itself. Specifically, can a bad writer bring a great story to ruin? And conversely, can a good writer turn a horrible story into a classic? Jim argued that it was the talents of the writer that shaped the story. The story was not an independent party that somehow could resist or foil attempts to hinder it.
His main opposition was rather vehement about his views, and so they decided to test the argument. Jim's opponent proposed that he would give him the worst story idea he could come up with and see if Jim could craft a good story from it. Jim's only rebuttal was that he wanted two ideas and he would combine them.
Those two ideas were Pokemon, and the Missing Roman Legion.
About three years ago, Jim was heavily involved in a writing/geek forum. His identity was masked, so nobody knew that it was him they were talking to. There was an extremely controversial thread started up around the time we are talking about. I don't believe he started the discussion, but he definitely became the main voice for his side of the discussion.
The whole thread was based on a single premise; is good writing an entity in and of itself. Specifically, can a bad writer bring a great story to ruin? And conversely, can a good writer turn a horrible story into a classic? Jim argued that it was the talents of the writer that shaped the story. The story was not an independent party that somehow could resist or foil attempts to hinder it.
His main opposition was rather vehement about his views, and so they decided to test the argument. Jim's opponent proposed that he would give him the worst story idea he could come up with and see if Jim could craft a good story from it. Jim's only rebuttal was that he wanted two ideas and he would combine them.
Those two ideas were Pokemon, and the Missing Roman Legion.
477
Suggestions Box / Re: Holiday Names
« on: October 27, 2008, 08:47:57 PM »
I was looking for an interesting picture of an actual Paper Shredder and wandered by this and thought it was too beautiful. Usually if I can make myself laugh, I call it a win. Thanks for the kudos =).
478
Suggestions Box / Re: Holiday Names
« on: October 27, 2008, 08:01:08 PM »
I am an all or nothing kind of person. So when I go crazy, everyone knows beyond a shadow of a doubt =).
479
Books / Re: review: Furies of Calderon
« on: October 27, 2008, 07:56:14 PM »
That was a very nice review Nessa. I think it gave us a really good view of the book. When I had read through it, the first half seemed impossible to get past. The story overall felt clunky, a lot of the characters were very hard to care about, and a lot of the tension felt too cursory. Once I got to the halfway point, I finally felt drawn into the story. I was intrigued at what was actually going on and all the complexities become very endearing to me. I liked how he ended just the current story, but left his overarcing story still unfinished.
I am really exited to continue reading the series. I have high hoped for it, and It is really nice to see people progress both in skill and their careers. His other series, The Dresden Files, definitely improved dramatically once he started writing this series. I think he got a much better idea of how to bring us into deeper contact with the characters and how to make us feel there is actually more that is going on.
The last thing I want to metion is the reason I started reading Furies. I was intrigued why he started writing it. It was so bizarre a situation I couldn't help but be curious how it would unravel. I am not sure if people know the story or are interested. I can find links and briefly explain if others want, but I don't want to start getting into this everyone here already knows the story or isn't interested.
I am really exited to continue reading the series. I have high hoped for it, and It is really nice to see people progress both in skill and their careers. His other series, The Dresden Files, definitely improved dramatically once he started writing this series. I think he got a much better idea of how to bring us into deeper contact with the characters and how to make us feel there is actually more that is going on.
The last thing I want to metion is the reason I started reading Furies. I was intrigued why he started writing it. It was so bizarre a situation I couldn't help but be curious how it would unravel. I am not sure if people know the story or are interested. I can find links and briefly explain if others want, but I don't want to start getting into this everyone here already knows the story or isn't interested.
480
Suggestions Box / Re: Holiday Names
« on: October 27, 2008, 07:18:51 PM »
The only thing I could come up for mind was too silly, and I couldn't find a good representative picture. If I can locate or make something interesting I will change it.