Timewaster's Guide Archive

Which ones have you read and do you like the choices? We can skip Gathering Storm. Everyone here knows about these.

I read Spin by Robert Charles Wilson and it was GREAT. I want to read Julian Comstock when I get a chance. Alot of people here also seen to like Ian Banks and Joe Abercrombie.

I think the Windup Girl was nominated for a Hugo.

http://www.sfsite.com/columns/best10b.htm

http://grrm.livejournal.com/


Notice only 10 episodes? HBO usually does 12. Probably 10 due to the cost of the show. Rome got cancelled after 2 seasons because it was too expensive. I would think it would air Spring/Summer 2011. HBO doesn't rush new shows and only airs 1-2 shows at a time. ]

I think this is good news for all of fantasy. If they do a good job, it could lead to more fantasy books being made into TV shows and movies.

What are some other good forums for writers?

I just read his latest update about Towers of Midnight. Anyone know the following.

1. is he exclusively working with Harriet and Team Jordan on this or is his other editor at TOR Moshe Feder editing the book also?
2. When he says 82% done, I am assuming he has sent what he has done to his editors and they got back to him or do writers write the whole book and then send it to the editors?
3. by done this summer, does that mean done, done. Such as all editing, copy editing, etc... ?
4. does copy editing go on why you are 80% done with a book or is that the last thing you do when you are done writing?
5. by final version of Way of Kings. Is that final version before all editing (including copy editing) or final and done version ready to go on sale?
6. what interior artwork for Way of Kings? Does he mean maps and pictures for new pages? Doesn't an artist do this? Or does brandon sketch them out first?

Does anyone else here like historical fiction? I like ancient and midievil historical fiction. One thing I find interesting about it is that I like to compare medievil historical fiction to fantasy. Fantasy authors tend to gloss over alot of things in their book. Part because most don't do alot of research and I think in part because fantasy readers really don't want a real medievil world.

For example, people rarely bathed and were filthy. They typically had teeth rotting out of their head by 25. Most people did not have enough to eat and were malnurished. Virtually all fantasy worlds have people who are far too wealthy (ie even having enough food to eat) than they are and everyone seems to have their teeth.

I don't really mind. It is entertainment and I don't think their audience is interested. Anyway here are some really good historical novels and authors:

The Pillars of the Earth (Ridley Scott filmed this for a mini-series. out this year) and World without End by Ken Follett. These are brilliant historical novels that take place in the middle ages. Many people who read Pillars say it is the best book they ever read. It is the kind of history book fantasy authors should read. World without End is not as good, but still great.

Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome: This 7 book series is about the late republic's crash into empire. Yes, Caesar is in it. However, it starts before he is born. There is a Julius Caesar in the first book and it is his grand father. It ends with Octavian defeating Mark Anthony and taking over the empire. There is an INCREDIBLE amount of research in this book.

WARNING: Takes a long time to get into the flow. There are vast numbers of characters and Romans are not too creative with names (romans tend to use the same names over and over again) and she uses latin terms alot, so you have to go to the glossary. So give it a good 300 pages in The First Man in Rome. It is worth it...

Steven Saylor: He writes mystery novels that take place in the same period as McCullough. You see alot of the same events but from a different angle. His best book is Roma. He is the only author I know of to write about early rome. He has a series of Vignettes that go from the founding of Rome up to Mark Antony. Alot of the early history is sort of "this is how it might have happened" since the early history is more legend than real history. There is not alot of data on early rome. The city was burned by Gauls in its early history and most history before that was destroyed. This includes the history of the kings.

Lyndsey Davis: She also writes Roman mystery novels. Her novels take place in the late 1st Century AD and after the empire was created. She does not focus as much on actual historical events. You see more of the seedy side of Rome. Alot of women will like this because they have a very strong female character (love interest of the Roman detective). She is fairly anachronistic and if you know Roman history, not really believable... but very entertaining.

She also has a new book about the English Civil War (1600s) that I wan to read.

Mary Kay Penman: Writes about the middle ages in england. Some may not find her as entertaining. Her research is incredibly accurate. She does, however, use speech patterns common to the age and it does take time to get used to it. If you like George RR Martin, read "The Sunne in Splendour". As many people known Ice and Fire is basically England during the War of the Roses. This book takes place during the war of the roses.

Cersei is the french queen
Plus its easy to pick out the Starks (Yorks) and the Lannisters(Lancasters). Really cool to read. I wonder if GRRM read this when researching his book?

If you want ONE historical book to read, READ THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH. It is remarkable. I mean stunning.

How many drafts are common before a book is published? I read that brandon usually makes 7-8 drafts, but Wheel of Time was 17. Michael Stackpole wrote that he never does more than 3.

I would think books are typically (but not always) of higher quality of you do more drafts. I would also think that books that are expected to sell less copies will have less drafts. In part because the author has to eat and the book needs to be published and in part because the publisher does not want its editors spending as much time on the books.

Also, do smaller publishers work with less drafts than big ones?

Anyone have any information on this? Each draft is a considerable amount of time for an editor.

Started listening to this and I really like it. I like how it is short and gets to the point quickly.

Anyway, how did this get started? What is the rationale for doing it? Is it mainly advertising for the authors to get their name out more?