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I think it has more to do with limitations imposed by how the story was organized and edited. RugbyPlayingAshaman Send a noteboard - 22/02/2011 07:50:18 PM
I think Darius_Sedai and DomA did a great job highlighting the most frequent critiques delivered against the series. I just wanted to follow up and say that ultimately, I think it has less to do with him being a bad writer, and more to do with the sheer fact that certain themes and details didn't clarify themselves until well after the series progressed - unlike most authors and series with limited installments (one, two or three book trilogies, for example), "The Wheel of Time" was released in such a way that there was no opportunity to go back and re-do or touch up prior scenes before they became part of the final version. For example, I read "The Shadow Rising" well before I read "The Eye of the World", and to me, there is a huge difference in quality of writing and originality; the latter felt like a derivative piece of fanfiction, while the former is easily one of my favorite books in the series and alternative fiction, in general.

This series to me feels as if it had been born from great ideas, but ultimately the weight of all the characters and story lines drag it down from being as well-executed as it could be. For me, the key word is execution. It's a great series, but for one this large, an editorial and creative team might have been needed to keep the universe coherent and tightly woven.

That doesn't make Robert Jordan a bad writer; it makes him an ambitious writer. I don't think he was entirely successful in delivering the potential the early part of the series held, but neither do I think he was a failure - I think most fans have lists of books, characters and storylines in the series that were boring, lacking in believability or just plain sloppy, so it's not really possible to claim he succeeded on all fronts.
"Those who think they have no time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness."
Another sci fi/fantasy author, Robert Adams reads/critiques the series
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Can someone explain to me how Jordan is not a particularly good writer? - 21/02/2011 05:41:31 PM 3297 Views
I personally see it as more of RJ being a fantastic story teller, but not a well structured writer. - 21/02/2011 06:44:21 PM 1682 Views
Re: I personally see it as more of RJ being a fantastic story teller, but not a well structured - 22/02/2011 10:59:25 PM 1305 Views
What do you think about the Southern Gothic authors? - 23/02/2011 08:08:26 AM 1187 Views
Re: What do you think about the Southern Gothic authors? - 23/02/2011 10:51:57 AM 1276 Views
Oh, it really depends. - 23/02/2011 05:39:07 PM 1017 Views
thanks, I'll have a look *NM* - 23/02/2011 05:40:50 PM 813 Views
For the same reason that most people think they have above average intelligence. - 21/02/2011 11:13:34 PM 1642 Views
Thank you. - 21/02/2011 11:43:08 PM 1389 Views
Well Said! - 22/02/2011 02:42:22 PM 1302 Views
I can take a shot at that, since nobody else seems willing to. - 22/02/2011 07:29:20 AM 1706 Views
Do you enjoy reading Robert Jordan's ... - 22/02/2011 04:31:28 PM 1377 Views
Not particularly. - 22/02/2011 10:22:00 PM 1498 Views
Agreed. - 22/02/2011 10:37:08 PM 1255 Views
As far as I'm concerned, the only way to gauge whether an author is good or not is ... - 22/02/2011 03:58:17 PM 1231 Views
Amen *NM* - 22/02/2011 04:32:50 PM 799 Views
Re: Can someone explain to me how Jordan is not a particularly good writer? - 22/02/2011 06:27:11 PM 2095 Views
Brain overload! This is really well thought out. - 23/02/2011 10:22:37 PM 1283 Views
thank you for the insight into the outside view lol - 24/02/2011 04:34:57 PM 1340 Views
I think it has more to do with limitations imposed by how the story was organized and edited. - 22/02/2011 07:50:18 PM 1604 Views
adam roberts reviews - 23/02/2011 03:53:49 AM 1311 Views
Oh GAWD!... not another pointer to Robert Adam's incoherant muckraking - 24/02/2011 07:47:35 PM 1164 Views
I think DomA answered the question best, but the "do you like it" argument is weak. - 22/02/2011 10:32:51 PM 1476 Views
Re: I think DomA answered the question best, but the "do you like it" argument is weak. - 22/02/2011 11:16:24 PM 1417 Views
The Necronomicon isn't actually a book, you know. *NM* - 22/02/2011 11:28:29 PM 716 Views
There are nine, actually... - 23/02/2011 12:04:55 AM 1480 Views
I hope I am misunderstanding you. - 23/02/2011 10:57:47 PM 1167 Views
Re: I hope I am misunderstanding you. - 24/02/2011 10:41:09 AM 1298 Views
If the core of the story is all that matters, why read a book - 24/02/2011 10:32:01 PM 1260 Views
Re: If the core of the story is all that matters, why read a book - 24/02/2011 11:23:42 PM 1094 Views
So wait, style is good? - 25/02/2011 12:32:07 AM 1486 Views
Re: So wait, style is good? - 25/02/2011 08:53:55 AM 1140 Views
I'm not trolling - 25/02/2011 11:57:18 PM 1164 Views
That depends... - 23/02/2011 03:00:35 AM 1386 Views
the "do you like it" is the most important criterion - 23/02/2011 10:45:17 PM 1247 Views
Re: the "do you like it" is the most important criterion - 24/02/2011 01:53:59 AM 1239 Views
Thumbs up - IMHO, all discussion can end here - 28/02/2011 05:45:34 PM 1371 Views
Not for quality of writing. - 24/02/2011 05:17:52 PM 1194 Views
Those who can do, the rest are critics. *NM* - 24/02/2011 07:55:50 PM 773 Views
I object, sir! People don't read WoT for the way it's told? - 24/02/2011 12:58:58 AM 1306 Views
If you don't mind me asking... - 24/02/2011 01:05:12 AM 1066 Views
Re: If you don't mind me asking... - 24/02/2011 02:19:17 AM 1197 Views
I still don't get it. - 24/02/2011 08:27:50 AM 1089 Views
Re: If you don't mind me asking... - 24/02/2011 11:29:14 PM 1134 Views
I don't mind that you ask, but I'm not going to engage in a defense of literature. - 24/02/2011 05:35:27 PM 1083 Views
Re: I don't mind that you ask, but I'm not going to engage in a defense of literature. - 24/02/2011 11:26:55 PM 1237 Views
I'm sure you have a wonderful job awaiting in fast food service. - 25/02/2011 01:57:15 AM 1287 Views
Re: I'm sure you have a wonderful job awaiting in fast food service. - 25/02/2011 08:56:06 AM 1189 Views
Jack @$$ snobbery at its best. WOW *NM* - 28/02/2011 05:48:43 PM 808 Views
... - 25/02/2011 01:07:22 AM 1145 Views
Maybe you should have used better prose? - 25/02/2011 01:23:17 AM 983 Views
It is not a serious question. - 25/02/2011 01:53:59 AM 1127 Views
How so? - 25/02/2011 02:59:05 AM 1264 Views
I have every right to use that tone. - 25/02/2011 03:08:14 PM 1221 Views
Is that so? - 25/02/2011 05:58:31 AM 1213 Views
I'm not fixated with Jordan. - 25/02/2011 03:13:56 PM 1227 Views
Then why do you keep trying to qualify the passage in relation to him? - 25/02/2011 06:29:31 PM 1276 Views
You're conflating two things. - 25/02/2011 07:32:59 PM 1248 Views
All right, now we're getting somewhere. - 26/02/2011 12:40:57 AM 1176 Views
you raise very good questions... *NM* - 26/02/2011 09:21:13 AM 712 Views
Okay, here you go. I am giving you the benefit of the doubt as to your sincerity. - 26/02/2011 03:20:44 PM 997 Views
Thank you, and I agree with all your explanations. *NM* - 26/02/2011 07:28:09 PM 729 Views
Glad to hear that. - 27/02/2011 03:42:33 AM 1084 Views
No problem, these things happen on the internet. *NM* - 27/02/2011 04:36:57 AM 786 Views
No, it is a serious question, just one that can never be seriously answered. - 25/02/2011 03:28:48 PM 1150 Views
Your opinion isn't as valid as anyone else's if that's your opinion. - 25/02/2011 04:44:57 PM 1311 Views
Jack @$$ snobbery at its best. WOW *NM* - 28/02/2011 05:51:48 PM 636 Views
double post. oh my! *NM* - 28/02/2011 05:52:17 PM 665 Views
Just makes you right twice *NM* - 28/02/2011 09:42:19 PM 766 Views
Re: ... - 25/02/2011 08:59:37 AM 1190 Views
And part 2, on the analysis of writing. - 24/02/2011 01:16:20 AM 1205 Views
Florid desciption is usually not a good thing. - 24/02/2011 05:30:30 PM 1160 Views
Re: I find this whole thing elitist and more than a bit silly - 23/02/2011 06:45:05 AM 1302 Views
Why do you think mind-expanding literature is restricted to the classics? - 23/02/2011 08:03:59 AM 1130 Views
Re: Why do you think mind-expanding literature is restricted to the classics? - 23/02/2011 09:25:10 AM 1317 Views
Of course people read for pleasure. - 23/02/2011 09:04:24 PM 1087 Views
Ok... - 24/02/2011 08:59:27 AM 1129 Views
"Yeah well, that's, like, just your opinion, man." Good argument. - 24/02/2011 03:43:24 PM 1200 Views
*NM* - 24/02/2011 05:37:02 PM 680 Views
I find your above average tastes and intelligence uninspiring. - 24/02/2011 08:42:03 PM 1068 Views
I'm curious to hear who Tom and DomA consider a "very good writer"? - 24/02/2011 05:49:13 PM 1187 Views
Among living writers? - 24/02/2011 08:16:08 PM 1250 Views
No Rushdie? - 24/02/2011 09:22:46 PM 1145 Views
I was considering mentioning Rushdie. - 24/02/2011 09:32:20 PM 1086 Views
My list would be similar... - 26/02/2011 07:24:11 AM 1355 Views
That was a very good list. - 26/02/2011 03:07:31 PM 1200 Views
Re: That was a very good list. - 27/02/2011 04:51:43 AM 1256 Views
Once I finish Hugo I'm probably going to read Druon. - 27/02/2011 02:30:03 PM 1038 Views
Oh, and another question - 27/02/2011 05:28:47 PM 1011 Views
Re: Oh, and another question - 01/03/2011 03:42:02 AM 1197 Views
One final question, if you'll indulge me... - 01/03/2011 06:43:23 PM 1075 Views
Well, until I have time to return to your previous post but... - 01/03/2011 07:45:13 PM 1223 Views
I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' - 27/02/2011 11:14:30 AM 1301 Views
You like Solzhenitsyn but not other Russian writers? - 27/02/2011 02:43:46 PM 1209 Views
Re: You like Solzhenitsyn but not other Russian writers? - 02/03/2011 11:47:19 PM 1313 Views
Re: I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' - 28/02/2011 11:51:49 PM 1326 Views
Re: I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' - 03/03/2011 12:01:30 AM 1232 Views
Link to DomA Post from up above: - 03/03/2011 12:20:11 AM 1471 Views
He's a great storyteller, but his prose is somewhat uninspiring. *NM* - 27/02/2011 07:28:00 PM 804 Views

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