106
Brandon Sanderson / Re: I am a newbie, be gentle.
« on: December 21, 2007, 06:59:16 PM »
Most impressive. I want some ninja monkeys.
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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107
Books / Re: Books you dislike or used to dislike?
« on: December 21, 2007, 02:38:16 AM »George RR Martin's Song of Ice and Fire.
Never before have I encountered such an inconsistent world in a major fantasy work.
Ancient language peppered with modern invective?
Characters killed for no reason then brought back with even less explication and absolutely no foreshadowing?
A religious system void of the concept of heaven or hell, and then characters tell each other to, "Go to hell"?
Takes a truly wonderful world and causes it to be unbelievable. I am not a fan.
Hallelujah!! Another person who isn't a Martin fan!! For a long time, I thought I was alone in the world. But I'm not!! It is such a happy feeling, I could just cry. *sniff*
*clears throat*
Anywho, I absolutely hated Animal Farm by George Orwell. Of all the books I had to read in high school, that one is my most hated book.
Also in this category:
Curse of the Mistwrath by Janny Wurts. Such a promising plot blown all to pieces.
Anything by Ed Greenwood. I'm sorry, he may have helped to create a brilliant and sprawling land of fantasy, but the man cannot write! Plus in all his books, the characters are the same. Different names, different builds, same personalities.
108
Brandon Sanderson / Re: I just wanted to thank you for helping - slight spoilers possibly
« on: December 21, 2007, 02:28:38 AM »
I actually liked Shaman's Crossing, but couldn't finish Forest Mage.
My favorites...
Terry Brooks: definately one of my favorite authors. His first book, Sword of Shannara is a rehash of Lord of the Rings, but his succeeding books of that world are definately worth reading the first. His series, Word and the Void, is perhaps is best to date: a dark, urban fantasy.
Greg Keyes: His series Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone is awesome!! It's set in a fantasy world that has a tie to our's. It is well written with engaging characters and a unique form of "magic". When I mention him to others, people always look at my like, "Who?"
My favorites...
Terry Brooks: definately one of my favorite authors. His first book, Sword of Shannara is a rehash of Lord of the Rings, but his succeeding books of that world are definately worth reading the first. His series, Word and the Void, is perhaps is best to date: a dark, urban fantasy.
Greg Keyes: His series Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone is awesome!! It's set in a fantasy world that has a tie to our's. It is well written with engaging characters and a unique form of "magic". When I mention him to others, people always look at my like, "Who?"
109
Rants and Stuff / Re: Happy Things 2006:Generation X [part deux]
« on: December 21, 2007, 02:05:20 AM »
One week to my vacation!! Wohoooo!!
110
Rants and Stuff / Re: Revenge of Grumpy Bear
« on: December 21, 2007, 02:03:37 AM »
The intarweb is a dangerous place....
Can't wait for the holidays to be over. I work retail, and I'm tired of being yelled out for not having something in stock. Honestly folks, believe it or not, it's really not my fault!
Can't wait for the holidays to be over. I work retail, and I'm tired of being yelled out for not having something in stock. Honestly folks, believe it or not, it's really not my fault!
111
Site News / Re: Happy Birthday
« on: December 21, 2007, 01:59:01 AM »
Happy belated birthday, Mr. EUOL, sir!
112
Brandon Sanderson / Re: Publication schedule...
« on: December 21, 2007, 01:57:25 AM »
Thanks for the info. I know I was wondering about that.
113
Brandon Sanderson / Re: I am a newbie, be gentle.
« on: December 21, 2007, 01:55:50 AM »
Ooooo...ninja monkeys...now that's cool!!! Do they do tricks?
114
Movies and TV / Re: The Hobbit!!!!!
« on: December 19, 2007, 08:05:44 PM »
I'm not sure what they would do as a second movie for the Hobbit. What story would they tell, unless the break the Hobbit in two.
Also, I'm not sure Peter Jackson is the right person for this movie. Granted, I am not a Hobbit fan, the overall tone of The Hobbit is far different than Lord of the Rings. It's more of a children story as opposed to a story for adults. I don't know if PJ has the ability to direct something like that. It's got to be more than just special effects and action scenes.
Also, I'm not sure Peter Jackson is the right person for this movie. Granted, I am not a Hobbit fan, the overall tone of The Hobbit is far different than Lord of the Rings. It's more of a children story as opposed to a story for adults. I don't know if PJ has the ability to direct something like that. It's got to be more than just special effects and action scenes.
115
Books / Re: What are you reading, part 3
« on: December 19, 2007, 07:38:04 PM »
Reading The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima. It's a young adult urban fantasy. Not too bad, actually. Kind of cliché in parts, but I like the theme and some of the dynamics. A recommendation for any.
116
Books / Re: What books did you grow up on?
« on: December 19, 2007, 07:33:47 PM »
I remember Indian in the Cupboard and its sequels. Those were good reads too.
I also remember reading the Ralph S. Mouse books by Beverly Cleary. I always wanted a mouse that could ride a motorcycle. Santa never brought me one.
I also remember reading the Ralph S. Mouse books by Beverly Cleary. I always wanted a mouse that could ride a motorcycle. Santa never brought me one.
117
Brandon Sanderson / Re: I am a newbie, be gentle.
« on: December 19, 2007, 07:29:22 PM »
Wow, you guys do floggings here? Those were banned in my last forum I joined. We also had a Sharp Newbie Stick with Pink Fuzzies. Now we just have a barbeque with the newbies. *evil smile*
118
Movies and TV / Re: Journeyman
« on: December 18, 2007, 07:56:48 PM »
That's too bad. I really liked Journeyman. Of course, I like time travel storylines.
119
Books / Re: Right spot for this? An open source...
« on: December 17, 2007, 09:23:28 PM »
I'm not aware of any specific book cataloging program for PC. Me, I use Microsoft Access to catalog my books. Not the best system out there, but it gets the job done.
120
Books / Re: Bookswim: Netflix for books
« on: December 17, 2007, 09:20:18 PM »
I'm glad I live in such a highly library populated area. There are 15 libraries in my county alone!! The ILL system is also pretty good, thank heavens. I just can't see spending that much.