Timewaster's Guide Archive

Hm. Okay, I've read fanfiction in the past, but it's been a few years and I don't make a habit of it. That said, I generally don't mind it.

I agree with Sigyn. I think fanfiction is alright as a stepping board; it can be easier to practice the mechanics of writing without worrying about developing characters and settings. Also, you could consider that some places write their fanfiction of a particular series as online (usually forum, sometimes MUDs) roleplay. Where they may use the world, but create their own characters. I don't mind that either. [For example, I'm pretty sure Dragonmount.com has made a world based on an alternative reality of WoT, where people make new characters.]

However, people that go overboard or who just can't let go of a series... really, I don't even want to know about the existance of some of the disgusting erotica fanfiction that gets written. Bleh.

EDIT: By the way, I'm generally more in support of fanfiction writing being something you write on your own or use to get feedback on your writing skills, rather than something you deliberately write and showoff like a lot of people do on websites. It's a delicate line between respecting the author and trying to move in on their territory.

I'm not sure how closely you read this thread anymore, but I wanted to point out a few things that I've noticed so far!

I'm at Chapter Twenty-Nine, haven't finished the book, but I'd like to comment on my initial impression. [Spoiler Warning to those who haven't read up to this point yet!]

- I really like how you foreshadowed the God King. In fact, I think he's gotten to be one of my favourite characters. Because of him (and her!), Siri's chapters are very interesting and I always look forward to them. (More on this in a bit.)

- I love the magic system. It can be a bit confusing at first, but I got into it quickly. I did notice that we jump right into it in the prologue, which is a bit of a contrast to the way readers are eased into the magic systems in both Elantris and Mistborn.

- I like Vivenna as a character, but her chapters have been rather slow to this point. I don't mind reading about her, but I find myself wanting to get through them to read more about Siri; I personally feel the action needs to pick up in her chapters without taking away the character development in there already. Or to clarify, her chapters need something to hook the reader as strongly as Siri's at this point. At the same time, I really like the juxtaposition between Vivenna and Siri - in the start, Siri feels so out of place and Vivenna comes across as very poised and perfect. Now, partway through the book, Siri is settling in rather well while Vivenna is feeling very out of place. It also makes me think that maybe Vivenna would have been much too stiff to actually be Susebron's wife in the same way Siri has adapted to it.

- I know you wanted to do something with living Gods; I've been interested in reading about them since Elantris. However, near the beginning where you first introduce Lightsong and the Returned, there needs to be something to make the reader feel like they're actual Gods, not just overly pampered nobles with magic powers. I didn't find myself quite convinced of their Divinity, even if they are intended to be more 'human' than most Gods. One way to do so would be to add in a bit more about their foretelling ability; perhaps an example or even a small event? I almost thought it was something the Priests had convinced Lightsong he could do and he was just dreaming like anyone else; at the same time, with the hints that I've been getting in the later chapters, perhaps it's just being set up for later? Either way, that was my initial impression of the Returned. I think it might be useful to present them as Divinity, then let the character's progression through the book slowly peel that away.

I've been reading the book for enjoyment, not to analyse it, but those were some of my impressions as a reader. To sum it up, I'm really loving the book so far; I downloaded the book at work and have been reading it when I get a *cough* spare second. Then I find myself almost wanting to stay at work late just to keep reading - I think about it when I get home! So I'm completely hooked.

We are going to get the chance to read it, right?

And congratulations!

Okay, I think I may have one. I sort-of-not-really feel like a jerk when I get on a high horse and preach a bit at close-minded people, but I'm going to keep doing it anyways. For example...

Y'know, it's okay when someone disagrees with you - in fact, if everyone in the world agreed on everything, we may have world peace, but it'd be incredibly boring too. Debates spice up life. (You should see my newsroom at work; suffice to say it can get noisy sometimes. And it's all friendly!)

Just because someone doesn't like the same thing as you doesn't imply they're dense, illiterate, or even have bad taste. They just have different tastes. A benefit to that is if you listen to what they have to say, sometimes you can learn something or find new meaning and affirmation in your own beliefs.

There! I feel better.

Brain diseases in general are really, really hard on both patient and family. I wish him all the best.

I'd like to see what they're going to do for The Hobbit - and I'm curious to know what the second movie will be about. I think the two books managed to transition themselves just fine, I don't see the need for another one.

Here's hoping they don't turn into just another cruddy moneymaking POS, like they did with the sequels to Pirates of the Carribean, the Matrix, etc. My apologies if anyone is a fan of the sequels of either of those movies, but I disliked the second sequels for both and have yet to see the third.

EDIT: As a final note, I'm a bigger fan of the books than I am the movies, despite having read the books second. They took out so much, which is understandable from a filmmaker's point of view, but was disappointing as a fan, even with the special edition versions.

My older sister was really into fantasy and would read to me when I was little and then lend them to me when I was older. She read me Howl's Moving Castle when I was five, and I gobbled up everything else by Diana Wynne Jones after that as well as Robin McKinley, Patricia McKillip, and Anne McCaffrey. I thought it was great because the last three were always together at the library.

I'm not much an anime kind of person, but my little sister is and she made me watch the English version of Howl's Moving Castle. It's become my favourite movie and I am sorely tempted to actually read the book; the trick is finding it in a small town.

And one of the few books that my mom bought for me was the Black Stallion. I ended up reading the whole series and I used to tape the show on television after I discovered it.

Am I the only one thinking of raiding the kids' section at the library after reading this thread?

Okay, that was pretty funny. I wish I'd have known you could do that. Oh the fun I could have had with my sister's WoW account...

I've felt like this one at times, particularly with my sweet tooth...
http://www.sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=2653