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I generally assess writers the same way that you do, Larry. Tom Send a noteboard - 23/05/2014 05:18:24 PM

However, when someone is very clearly writing for entertainment, rather than to create literature as an art form, I judge them by a much lower standard because they're writing pulp for the masses. At that point it's more like watching a summer blockbuster - did I enjoy it? Were the plot holes so big that it detracted from my ability to enjoy it? Were the characters believable? Did their motivations make sense? Did the dialogue make me cringe (or laugh)?

By that standard, I think Sanderson is okay most of the time. When he tries to be too descriptive he usually falls flat on his face, and his characters are sometimes too similar to one another and not very well developed. But generally, it's enjoyable.

Political correctness is the pettiest form of casuistry.

ἡ δὲ κἀκ τριῶν τρυπημάτων ἐργαζομένη ἐνεκάλει τῇ φύσει, δυσφορουμένη, ὅτι δὴ μὴ καὶ τοὺς τιτθοὺς αὐτῇ εὐρύτερον ἢ νῦν εἰσι τρυπώη, ὅπως καὶ ἄλλην ἐνταῦθα μίξιν ἐπιτεχνᾶσθαι δυνατὴ εἴη. – Procopius

Ummaka qinnassa nīk!

*MySmiley*
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Brandon Sanderson, Words of Radiance - 20/05/2014 01:05:59 AM 949 Views
I wonder if Sanderson should never have told people about his "Cosmere" - 20/05/2014 04:31:25 PM 600 Views
Well, it's relevant to this particular novel - 23/05/2014 05:02:47 PM 577 Views
I generally assess writers the same way that you do, Larry. - 23/05/2014 05:18:24 PM 605 Views
Actually, I think that might be why I continue to read him - 23/05/2014 10:31:29 PM 611 Views
Ugh. I hate that. "Creating Literature as an Art Form." vs. "Writing for Entertainment" - 24/05/2014 04:21:08 AM 595 Views
It also gives "entertainment" writers no incentive to improve their style. - 25/05/2014 04:33:23 PM 715 Views
I agree - 26/05/2014 05:05:18 AM 616 Views
It's like the recent X-men movie, Days of Future Past - 26/05/2014 05:40:27 AM 672 Views
Or conversely... - 26/05/2014 05:50:21 AM 580 Views
I agree. Low expectations are insidious - 26/05/2014 05:37:01 AM 539 Views
"But I assess writers more on their prose and dialogue than I do on their ideas/concepts" - 24/05/2014 07:51:15 PM 597 Views
Actually, as of two weeks from now, I am - 25/05/2014 05:22:04 AM 579 Views
Funny - Tolkien's prose is rather clunky to me. - 25/05/2014 06:37:27 PM 549 Views
I can understand that - 26/05/2014 05:00:21 AM 548 Views
You sir, are a snob, plain and simple. - 24/05/2014 07:49:02 PM 611 Views
Why would I try to defend myself against an ill-supported opinion? - 25/05/2014 05:16:35 AM 573 Views
Providing evidence takes too long..... - 25/05/2014 06:35:33 PM 558 Views
Ha! - 26/05/2014 05:01:07 AM 717 Views
Why would you defend yourself against a great compliment? *NM* - 26/05/2014 08:01:27 PM 240 Views
True, but... - 27/05/2014 03:18:41 AM 567 Views

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