With all the kerfluffle over Sanderson lately, I decided to start reading Deadhouse Gates . Hadn’t been reading more than 10 minutes and came across this great quote.
People of civilized countenance made much of exposing the soft underbellies of their psyche—effete and sensitive were the brands of finer breeding. It was easy for them, safe, and that was the whole point, after all: a statement of coddled opulence that burned the throats of the poor more than any ostentatious show of wealth.
So the reason that Erickson is so amazing is because he is an excellent writer. That is all.
Ps If any r/fantasy Sanderson fans can find anything close to this excellent prose, I will donate 20 dollars to Doctors Without Borders. And ten if they can’t just so I don’t feel like a dick.
I was confused about this post. Usually, when I start a kerfuffle, I’m aware of it… (I guess, from below, it’s about giving away books?)
In other news, Steven Erickson is quite awesome. I’m confused as to why there needs to be a post like this, however. I have never claimed my prose is like his. What I do is different from what he does.
Your challenge is like sauntering up to an archer, slapping $20 on the table, and daring him to hit the same target with a pistol instead of the bow. You are assuming that my writing is trying to do what Steven’s does. I happen to belong to a different school of thought. (Google Orwell’s windowpane prose, if you’re curious.)
That said, I very much enjoy Steven’s writing. Just as I play the trumpet, but quite enjoy listening to the violin. If you prefer one far over the other, then by all means, please read what you enjoy! But why draw a line in the sand like this and insist that for your preferred writer to be considered excellent, you must denigrate another?
Not denigrating Brandon, just pointing out that there is a difference. I honestly enjoy your writing and hope you don’t take this personally. That thread was one of the most vapid and stupid threads that I have seen on r/fantasy. This place is starting to feel like Enews instead of honest, inspired fantasy discussion and I felt like making a thread to circlejerk actual writing instead of another celebrity sighting.
EDIT: But seeing that you are here, how bout giving us what you consider your most inspired prose. I will not judge and will ask r/fantasy to do the same. I will then donate the money by tomorrow night.
Ah, I got it. Looking at it again, I was probably too touchy. I can read your post for what it is, now.
Erickson deserves more attention. The guy is amazing. And, truth be told, I find myself envious of what he can accomplish sometimes with both prose and characterization. Beyond that, the guy has guts. Starting books as he does—stories that feel like a punch to the face—takes some real dedication.
I do sometimes worry about getting over-saturated on reddit. I post here, and so people tend to be somewhat kind to me—but if I get talked up too much, a point comes where raised expectations can work against me.
Thanks for taking the time to reply.
Well thanks to reddit, your books are my holiday reads. I hope you live up to the hype. =p I’ll also have the first Malazan which I’ve started and, well, one doesn’t expect writing quite like that in most books. I’m mostly intrigued by yours as I hear there’s some pretty neat stuff and magic and all.
I hope you enjoy them. But, for goodness sake, don’t believe ALL of the hype. My goal has always been just this: to write nifty stories. I’m far from the best writer in fantasy right now. (In my opinion, that award would either go to Guy Kay or Terry Pratchett.) Like all writers, I do some things well, and other things not so well. I’m proud of the Mistborn Trilogy, however. I think I was able to do some things with the genre that I (at least) hadn’t seen before.
Not sure if you’re still reading this thread, but your post got me thinking.
Not sure why, but it certainly seems like it’s the way of the internet to list, rank, compare, and nerd out to the point of hyperbolic insult when it comes to your particular favorite thing. I agree with you when you say that you and Erikson are trying to accomplish different things, and comparing the two shouldn’t happen. You’re both fantasy authors, and are big parts of the new surge of fantasy popularity of the last 15-20 years, so I assume some of that just comes from being peers in the same field along with Martin, Abercrombie, etc. Add that in to the zeitgeist of the internet, which as I said above seems to be to compare everything, and I guess that’s what it stems from. (Seriously, who cares if XBox 360 or PS3 is more powerful? They both have great games, play them both!)
Sadly, I’ve even succumbed to this nasty tendency before. You get caught up in the discussions and arguments on places like reddit and before you know it you’re slinging mud with the rest of them. I’m a self confessed Malazan fanboy, but I’ve also read everything you’ve ever written, but in some comparison threads I’ve felt the need to weigh in unnecessarily. For that, I sincerely apologize. I’ve loved everything you’ve written, and I guarantee you that I’m a “first day purchase” person of yours for the rest of your career.
I’m not trying to confuse honest critiques with internet fanboyism, either. I’ve criticisms of everything I’ve ever read, and that’s okay. When weighing in on your books, I might discuss my dissatisfaction with your female characterizations in many cases, and that’s not meant to be an insult, just honest opinion. There are plenty of things about Erikson’s works that drive me nuts, but I love him, too…As there are about all authors. The problem is that, once again, when it comes to the internet, everything changes. Criticisms are taken to the nth degree, and instead of “I have a problem with this, it becomes “x author is the worst thing that’s ever happened to fantasy and I hope he dies in a fire.” It is, sadly, the anonymity of the internet combined with the usual member-waving that takes places in threads like this.
Critiques should be honest and free of aggrandizing, and you should be able to like one author and not denigrate another. Though I haven’t done this with you, I’ve been guilty of it in other places, and you’re right…It’s unnecessary. So, I apologize.
Thanks for reading, and keep up the great work. Looking forward to many, many more stories. :)
Just noting that I did see this, and appreciate the thoughtful reply. You have a nifty new tag in my RES… :)
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