Timewaster's Guide Archive

Here it is.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/09/12/news_6132357.html

Wondered what ya'll think.  I found it fascinating, though I also couldn't help think they're blowing things a bit out of proportion.  Two deaths do not an epidemic make.  But maybe I just think that because I play WoW and don't think I have an addiction.

*wanders off to read the WoW forums for the third time today

edit: change title of thread to the correct name of the website referred to.

Hi all--saw this review on Amazon, and I'm still scratching my head.  I really didn't see the connection between Eddings and EUOL.  Now, maybe if EUOL goes on to write 24 versions of Elantris, doing a simple "find and replace" on the characters and place names, then I could see it, but even then . . .  Here's the review.

Shows promise, but badly flawed, September 4, 2005
Reviewer:      William Sugarman "nprfan1" (Great Neck, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)  
Brandon Sanderson has read some of David Eddings' series; the similarities are far too obvious to be ignored. But he doesn't have Eddings' style or flair - in fact, he's downright dull in spots.

And his first novel has one far more serious flaw - he doesn't explain the history or the culture behind his book. For example, it took me close to a hundred pages to find out what a Seon was, even though they're mentioned in the first few pages of the story.

Sanderson is definitely a good writer, but he needs more lessons in his craft.

Anyway--Just wondered what the rest of you thought on this.  Too bad we can't write up reviews of reviewers.

Okay--I wanted to throw this topic out there and see what all ya'll think.  Here's the deal.  I just got my MA in English from BYU in April.  I had planned on going on and getting my PhD--also in English--this September, in hopes of eventually becoming a professor.  Thing is, none of the NINE programs I applied to accepted me.  (I know--I suck.)  So then I planned on just waiting a year and reapplying.  Time goes by, and I start looking for interim jobs.  I had worked at BYU's library before, so I see if I can maybe swing a librarian job for a year.  In my research, I find out that librarians make more money than most professors--with MUCH less schooling and expense.  So now I'm about to apply to a Masters of Library Science program--from Florida State.  If things go according to plan (which they well might not), I'd be in the distance learning program in September, and be able to stay here in Utah.

So, what I'm wondering is what you all think of librarians.  Is there some aspect to this field I'm not thinking about?  Usually I don't like to rush into things, so I'd just like to hear what you all have to say.  Ideally I'd like to write full time--but who wouldn't?  My hope is that a job as a librarian would give me time to write--more time than a professor would have--while still putting food in my family's mouth and a roof over their heads.  I'm not sure what all your experiences are, but I just thought I'd throw this out there and see what came up.  Call it fishing.  Thanks for your time.