But only two of them were any good. This leads into a core argument over writing speeds. - Edit 1
Before modification by Werthead at 13/12/2009 06:56:29 PM
This is actually a germane point as it leads into the 'take your time and release it when you are happy' argument versus the 'finish and release it ASAP' argument. RJ tore through CROSSROADS OF TWILIGHT, knew it wasn't working, released anyway so as not to disappoint the fans and was effectively damned for it, and disappointed most of the fans anyway. He probably should have scrapped the book when he realised it wasn't working and started again from scratch, but chose not to as that would have meant a 4-5 year wait between volumes. The result is one of the worst-reviewed SF&F novels in history (possibly unfairly, mainly due to comparisons with the series at its best). If he'd scrapped it and combined KoD and CoT into one volume, it would have probably improved both books.
Another comparison is Scott Lych's RED SEAS UNDER RED SKIES, with Lynch apparently under pressure to release the second book fast to capitalise on the success of the first, and the result is a much sloppier and less-well-received novel than THE LIES OF LOCKE LAMORA, and in addition to his personal problems (the latest of which was a bout of swine flu), that may have resulted on the writing of the third novel being much slower and far more painstaking. The same for Rothfuss as well. But obviously taking your time is also not going to necessarily result in a great book either.
As I replied to fionwe, again, there is no magic formula to writing books and how best to do it, but certainly the issues with WHEEL OF TIME's more static novels and the lack of rewriting and editing have impacted other authors' writing decisions (several authors, not Martin, have actually said that they now go to great lengths to ensure they don't fall into the same trap that Jordan did).
Another comparison is Scott Lych's RED SEAS UNDER RED SKIES, with Lynch apparently under pressure to release the second book fast to capitalise on the success of the first, and the result is a much sloppier and less-well-received novel than THE LIES OF LOCKE LAMORA, and in addition to his personal problems (the latest of which was a bout of swine flu), that may have resulted on the writing of the third novel being much slower and far more painstaking. The same for Rothfuss as well. But obviously taking your time is also not going to necessarily result in a great book either.
As I replied to fionwe, again, there is no magic formula to writing books and how best to do it, but certainly the issues with WHEEL OF TIME's more static novels and the lack of rewriting and editing have impacted other authors' writing decisions (several authors, not Martin, have actually said that they now go to great lengths to ensure they don't fall into the same trap that Jordan did).