Apologies for not being clear: I'm only referring to WoT. Haven't read any of his other work... - Edit 1
Before modification by Shannow at 30/09/2012 06:56:31 PM
If a guy can have so many obvious deficiencies in his writing - that all of us can spot so easily - and which most of us here could improve on if we had to write these scenes, then how is it that he is clearly a successful fantasy novelist with books that are selling well in the market?
I'm sure many of us dream of being authors, but probably feel that we don't have the requisite skill to make it and therefore don't bother going through all the effort of thinking up a concept, plot, characters and world, nevermind penning it down as a novel.
When I see the almost amateurish mistakes made by a novelist who IS selling his work successfully, and here I mean the poor characterisation, the inconsistent tone of dialogue, the lack of consistent POINT OF VIEW even - ranging from omniscient to first person and back in the SAME scene - then I cannot help but feel that even I could do better than this.
And my first language is not even English.
So the burning question is: What is it that makes a successful novelist then, if it is not top notch writing skill? Is it merely persistance and a blind belief in your ability?
You know how detailed of a world RJ created. Can you imagine being asked to finish the last book, based on notes and various pieces of writing? As arrogant as you sound, I'm sure you think you would be up for the task. Do you really think the writings of the great Shannow wouldn't be just as nitpicked? You would have users on this site questioning your knowledge of the books and your writing style. Maybe not in your own bloated ego, but rest assured, you would be buried in critisism.
My intention here was not to have a go at Sanderson's work in general, as I haven't read anything else by him. I can only judge him on his writing in the WoT series.
And on that I can only be honest and say it seems poorly done.
If his other work is far better, then clearly WoT is not a true reflection of his skill.
In which case the WoT stuff must have been a rushed job or something, thus not living up to his normal standards.