Most of his books feel like first drafts to me. And not only me, I think.
It's funny, but there's only one other writer of SF/F that has that "almost" label with me: China MiƩville. Very different in style and most everything else, but there's also that sense of his writing lacking that je ne sais quoi element to make it outstanding.
I think your points are quite accurate, and you highlight exactly *why* Sanderson's works are often "almost" novels. Works written with Sanderson's speed will, by necessity, be lacking the finished and polished appearance of a carefully written novel. Of course, taking one's time doesn't ensure that a book is good - A Misery of Words Dance with Dragons is proof enough of that - but Sanderson's works would almost certainly be improved as a result.
I still find him a fun writer, but I think he does have the ability to be a much better writer because he has interesting ideas that, if improved from a stylistic standpoint, could make really good books. As it is, they're "almost" good.
I still find him a fun writer, but I think he does have the ability to be a much better writer because he has interesting ideas that, if improved from a stylistic standpoint, could make really good books. As it is, they're "almost" good.
It's funny, but there's only one other writer of SF/F that has that "almost" label with me: China MiƩville. Very different in style and most everything else, but there's also that sense of his writing lacking that je ne sais quoi element to make it outstanding.
Brandon Sanderson, The Emperor's Soul
18/11/2012 08:43:13 PM
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Sounds like my kind of Sanderson book!
19/11/2012 01:48:56 AM
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De gustibus...
19/11/2012 02:28:10 AM
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The more Brandon's career evolves...
19/11/2012 04:35:26 AM
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Speed kills
19/11/2012 04:38:27 PM
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I agree with both of you
19/11/2012 05:27:30 PM
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You wouldn't put Erikson in that category?
20/11/2012 06:03:05 AM
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Although there are uneven moments, I think his work accomplishes a shade more than the other two
20/11/2012 06:11:34 AM
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Re: Although there are uneven moments, I think his work accomplishes a shade more than the other two
20/11/2012 03:12:45 PM
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Re: Speed kills
19/11/2012 08:59:14 PM
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With Martin it's what I call "Robert Jordan Syndrome"
20/11/2012 02:31:22 AM
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Re: With Martin it's what I call "Robert Jordan Syndrome"
20/11/2012 04:12:03 PM
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I don't think it's very accurate to call Dance with Dragons a "CoT".
20/11/2012 07:53:59 PM
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Re: I don't think it's very accurate to call Dance with Dragons a "CoT".
20/11/2012 11:56:55 PM
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I just want to throw out there - I really appreciate this analysis, DomA. Interesting tidbits.
22/11/2012 01:31:17 AM
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