Are you writing it on Engish (it isn't your native, right?). Always thought of writing something, but I don't think that my English is or will ever be as good as to be a 'successful' fantasy writer.
Books Fantasy Reads
- Thread starter Alock1
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Yep, English.
Is it hard writing a book in a non-native language?
My writing skills in my native language are awful. To the point I almost failed my exams in it!
It's all English out here from the time you're a little kid. School, Uni, Work...All written means of communication are in English from an early age. It's the only compulsory language for us. The rest are optional.
You could probably do with reading Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs and Steel and Collapse, which detail the rise and fall of civilisations respectively. Very good for getting an overview of how human society develops over time, and what kind of influences you should look to build into your world's history. I find that the concepts taught by those books, along with a good map, means it's pretty easy to get a good overview of what kind of world history you're going for.
Another good idea is to look for situations in the real world that interest you, like the fall of the Roman Empire (Foundation was based on that) or the rise of the Han Dynasty (Grace of Kings), or the War of the Roses (A Song of Ice and Fire). From that starting point, you can spread in both directions in time. Combining different moments in history can also be interesting, as long as you can get it to make sense!
Great information, thanks! Not even at the stages of making a map or anything like that yet, just the barebones of a plot and some characters is all, but I'd love to get to that stage if possible. I'll have a look at some of those books.
Thanks mate! Excel is a great idea, hadn't thought of that. At the moment everything I have is jotted down on a few pages of an A5 notepad. A massive problem with mine at the moment is that, like you, I can't help myself copying bits from other series. When I read Mistborn I suddenly had this epiphany, there was going to be this big caste system and certain people in the lower class where going to have special powers etc... Then a day afterwards I realised that's literally exactly the same plot
I think I'll just start that Excel document or something and right all my ideas for stuff in different tabs, then after a while out it all together and see what I can come up with from it.
No probs! We did the map thing at the same time as working out the characters and plot, found it easier to develop history while doing the map at the same time since it gives you something more concrete, and because a lot of the geography influences where civilisation is likely to appear. But then again, we plan to write multiple series in the same world, so you might not need the depth of worldbuilding for most things.
Spreadsheets are definitely really useful, we've been using google docs spreadsheets since that means we can access and edit them anywhere. Also use Zim to make a private wiki of the worldbuilding on our pc, which makes it easier to organise that side of things.
Interesting comment @akash02 on magic systems - I think that even if it's going to be vague from the reader's point of view, you should really have some logic behind the scenes (unless the magic isn't used to solve plot problems in which case I guess it doesn't matter too much). With a well defined magic system I think you'd be less likely to have deus ex machina, and if you keep it consistent then there shouldn't be any plot holes at all. I think Sanderson's first law puts it pretty succinctly:
We take part in a monthly writing contest on a fantasy forum, if any of you are interested (in taking part or just reading/voting/whatever) then I can send you a link? It's a really good forum too, great community there.
No probs! We did the map thing at the same time as working out the characters and plot, found it easier to develop history while doing the map at the same time since it gives you something more concrete, and because a lot of the geography influences where civilisation is likely to appear. But then again, we plan to write multiple series in the same world, so you might not need the depth of worldbuilding for most things.
Spreadsheets are definitely really useful, we've been using google docs spreadsheets since that means we can access and edit them anywhere. Also use Zim to make a private wiki of the worldbuilding on our pc, which makes it easier to organise that side of things.
Interesting comment @akash02 on magic systems - I think that even if it's going to be vague from the reader's point of view, you should really have some logic behind the scenes (unless the magic isn't used to solve plot problems in which case I guess it doesn't matter too much). With a well defined magic system I think you'd be less likely to have deus ex machina, and if you keep it consistent then there shouldn't be any plot holes at all. I think Sanderson's first law puts it pretty succinctly:
You're writing the books with someone else? How does that work?
Yeah, my missus and I write together. Someone asked about that on the fantasy forum recently, I said:
I think we're a bit of an unusual situation really, I doubt most co-writing works the way ours does.
We both have almost identical speech patterns, agree on pretty much everything, have similar interests and so on, which apparently makes it it's practically impossible for people to tell which of us they're talking to on IM or when reading notes, so I think that carries over into the writing. Perhaps it's a side-effect of being together for so long and working together on so many different things...
We develop ideas together by just talking things through, often while walking dogs together or stuff like that, and it works brilliantly for both of us. Since there's two of us it makes it a lot easier to spot flaws at that stage and make sure everything's logical and all that, and we can evolve everything really quickly.
Once we've got enough to go on, one of us writes a quick first draft. If there's a bit that doesn't feel right or isn't flowing properly while writing the other person gives advice, then after it's done we do a series of edits together.
Generally it means that we have little to change after our first drafts (both of the two recent stories were almost completely unchanged after the first draft, just a couple of details here and there), so the whole thing doesn't take all that long.
That's more focused on the short stories, but it's more or less the same process for the bigger projects.
Cheers! Very interesting, I must say.
No probs! It works for us, so it's all good lol. I've seen a lot of writers say they talk through their ideas with their spouse, and several whose spouse does the first edit for them, the only really unusual bit is the bit in the middle it seems!
Thanks mate! Excel is a great idea, hadn't thought of that. At the moment everything I have is jotted down on a few pages of an A5 notepad. A massive problem with mine at the moment is that, like you, I can't help myself copying bits from other series. When I read Mistborn I suddenly had this epiphany, there was going to be this big caste system and certain people in the lower class where going to have special powers etc... Then a day afterwards I realised that's literally exactly the same plot
I think I'll just start that Excel document or something and right all my ideas for stuff in different tabs, then after a while out it all together and see what I can come up with from it.
I'd strongly recommend making a map of some sort. Pretty much every guide I've seen or anyone I've spoken to usually suggests that as the first step. And it really helps.
Interesting comment @akash02 on magic systems - I think that even if it's going to be vague from the reader's point of view, you should really have some logic behind the scenes (unless the magic isn't used to solve plot problems in which case I guess it doesn't matter too much). With a well defined magic system I think you'd be less likely to have deus ex machina, and if you keep it consistent then there shouldn't be any plot holes at all. I think Sanderson's first law puts it pretty succinctly:
We take part in a monthly writing contest on a fantasy forum, if any of you are interested (in taking part or just reading/voting/whatever) then I can send you a link? It's a really good forum too, great community there.
I think if you're deciding on a well defined magic then you're consigning yourself to spending a lot of time on that part of the story just to ensure you've not tripped up somewhere with your logic. And I'm too lazy for that! When you're going for something more vague, it's more a question of defining limits to what you can or cannot do and nothing beyond that. Sanderson did a very good job aside from the fact those neat strips of metals in alcohol solutions were way too readily available and their sources not every well explained. But I think a lot of authors do slip up.
I haven't written anything for a while but a link would be appreciated all the same.
Yeah if you have limits then that's a system to me, just a loose one. It's when there are no limits at all that you start to have problems!
Will send you a pm with the link.
Thanks guys. Will be sketching out a rough plan at some point, if for no other reason than to see how well these ideas I have look when properly laid out on paper!
@Raptori @Waldner @akash02
Will you story have 'The Chosen One' clishe, or you will go with something more complex and less good vs evil (Abercrombie, Martin, Kay etc). I think that less good vs evil, grim, dark and low on magic is the current trend for fantasy books.
On the other hand, I think that good vs evil with the chosen one who is strong on magic (WoT, Mistborn etc) is mroe easy to write (of course, assuming that you're not planning a 10+ books in the serie).
If I also may ask, how old are you and for how long you have been working on these projects?
Will you story have 'The Chosen One' clishe, or you will go with something more complex and less good vs evil (Abercrombie, Martin, Kay etc). I think that less good vs evil, grim, dark and low on magic is the current trend for fantasy books.
On the other hand, I think that good vs evil with the chosen one who is strong on magic (WoT, Mistborn etc) is mroe easy to write (of course, assuming that you're not planning a 10+ books in the serie).
If I also may ask, how old are you and for how long you have been working on these projects?
No chosen one cliche, no good vs evil, but ours will definitely not be grim/dark, and magic will be fairly prominent. Basically, the tone of Liveships hits the spot for me, hopefully we can create something that has the same feel to it. Ketty Jay too actually, though preferably a little deeper and more serious. Hard to really tell though, since that's something we'll probably develop over time...
We're 26 (well, I am, the missus will be in a few months). We've been building the world for about a year, though we didn't have much time to spend on it - we made an online game which took up most of our time. Started focusing more on the writing since the start of this year, using that short story contest to practice and working up some ideas for the characters and stories we want to tell. So far we've written about 10k words, the first draft of the first chapter is in the critique section of that fantasy forum I mentioned.
Awesome!No chosen one cliche, no good vs evil, but ours will definitely not be grim/dark, and magic will be fairly prominent. Basically, the tone of Liveships hits the spot for me, hopefully we can create something that has the same feel to it. Ketty Jay too actually, though preferably a little deeper and more serious. Hard to really tell though, since that's something we'll probably develop over time...
We're 26 (well, I am, the missus will be in a few months). We've been building the world for about a year, though we didn't have much time to spend on it - we made an online game which took up most of our time. Started focusing more on the writing since the start of this year, using that short story contest to practice and working up some ideas for the characters and stories we want to tell. So far we've written about 10k words, the first draft of the first chapter is in the critique section of that fantasy forum I mentioned.
Bolded part, Video game or something else?
Browser-based multiplayer game. Not what you'd probably think of immediately by that description though... it's a remake of a facebook app-game (sort of, loads of improvements to the interface and stuff like that) from years ago that was really popular, called My Heroes Ability. We released it as a beta, so no real promotion, and got around 100 daily active users. Unfortunately the performance is limited a lot by the server since the game's made using older techniques (php/ajax), which mean it can't really handle too many people playing at once. We can't really afford to invest in one that would allow us to use more up to date techniques (node/websockets), so we've had to leave it be for now. :/
Good vs Evil-ish.
Unlike Raptori, I'm not into this very seriously. And I don't think I quite have the flow or grasp of the language to write for anything more than a bit of personal fun. It's very satisfying to make stuff up!
We take part in a monthly writing contest on a fantasy forum, if any of you are interested (in taking part or just reading/voting/whatever) then I can send you a link? It's a really good forum too, great community there.
Put the link here? Or PM me if you can.
Always wanted to try my hand at fantasy short stories and would love to read what others have written.
Btw, unless you have very big confidence on yourself, don't think tht you'll get rich from this. Even succesful authors like Mark Lawrence cam't leave their jobs and live only by writing. In fact there was a good article in Lawrence's blog when he explains this. The poor fecker for every paperbook he sells in England, gets around 16 pence/20 cents. Multiply it by 600k books he has sold over the years and it is slightly higher than 100k. Probably a bit more than that considering that he gets more for ebooks, but still, I doubt he has earned more than 200k over the years.
And then again, 600k books is great even for succesful authors. Hobb and Erikson have only a million despite being in business for 20 years. The likes of Abraham or Bakker probably have less than half a million sold books. Anthony Ryan even less.
So, if you want money write some kiddies shit (see Eragon) or some vampire shit (see Twilight).
Tolkien (well his familty), Rowling, Martin, Jordan (or his widow), Brooks, Goodkind and to a degree Rothfuss/Sanderson earn good money but the majority of them aren't doing well.
And then again, 600k books is great even for succesful authors. Hobb and Erikson have only a million despite being in business for 20 years. The likes of Abraham or Bakker probably have less than half a million sold books. Anthony Ryan even less.
So, if you want money write some kiddies shit (see Eragon) or some vampire shit (see Twilight).
Tolkien (well his familty), Rowling, Martin, Jordan (or his widow), Brooks, Goodkind and to a degree Rothfuss/Sanderson earn good money but the majority of them aren't doing well.
Btw, if anyone wants I can search a bit and find and post that article from Lawrence.
@Raptori , put the link here.
@Raptori , put the link here.
@Revan @Edgar Allan Pillow Here's the link, wasn't sure if it'd be ok to post it here, but I guess someone can remove it if it's not. I'm Raptori on there as well. The writing contest runs each month in its own sub-forum, seems to be getting more popular as time goes on too. Aside from that it's a nice place to hang out, loads of interesting people there.
It depends what you mean by rich, really. Chances are even if you're right at the top you won't be a millionaire, but I'd be happy earning a living wage by writing. There are few things that I enjoy more, so I'll be doing it regardless. £25-50 grand a year from selling books would be a dream.
It depends what you mean by rich, really. Chances are even if you're right at the top you won't be a millionaire, but I'd be happy earning a living wage by writing. There are few things that I enjoy more, so I'll be doing it regardless. £25-50 grand a year from selling books would be a dream.
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Just finished The Name of the Wind, really enjoyed it. Would probably give it 8 or 9 out of 10 (4 stars on goodreads).
Jesus you powered your way through that!
It happens...
Seriously, it's like a disease. I want to take my time and really enjoy a book, but once I'm into it it just disappears - and if I try to pace myself I don't enjoy it at all. I'll have probably finished the second one in a couple of days...
Finished The Wise Man's Fear. Still good, but I'd only give it something like 7/10. In a few places I wasn't really finding it particularly interesting, and some of the decisions were really irritating, plus there was no real sense of anything at the end. Even though it was a decent story, it had no real impact on me and just petered out and ended with a whimper. That was also true of the first book, but it was more noticeable in the second because of the extra length and because I'd have expected a bit more conflict to start to creep into it.
These two books actually remind me a lot of The Grace of Kings, but with an unoriginal setting, less interesting characters, and a more winding and much less gripping plot. If you like Kingkiller then you'll probably like GoK too - it has the same strengths but without the major weaknesses.
These two books actually remind me a lot of The Grace of Kings, but with an unoriginal setting, less interesting characters, and a more winding and much less gripping plot. If you like Kingkiller then you'll probably like GoK too - it has the same strengths but without the major weaknesses.
Currently reading the abercrombie first law trilogy following recommendations in this thread. Very impressed. An easy reading style and i like the way that each character chapter is stylised as a reflection of them. Halfway through book 2 and the pacing is great.
I think glokta and logen are the strongest characters so far. I want my own practical!
I think glokta and logen are the strongest characters so far. I want my own practical!
Just started reading Golden Fool instead of Foos Errand by accident just spoiled the bloody first book!
just spoiled the bloody first book!How did Revan get banned? Is he gone forever or just a temp?
Requested study ban.
You Fool!Just started reading Golden Fool instead of Foos Errand by accident
Has anyone read Raven series by James Barclay?
I absolutely loved The Fourth Realm trilogy (The Traveller/ The Dark River/ The Golden City) by John Twelve Hawks, well worth a read.
I finished The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu. I disliked what happened between the 40% and 65% but the last third was better though the name of the serie was too much of a spoiler since
. Really too much of a far from the characters story for me, so it was hard to really care about them and probably hard to really dislike them. I don't think I will read the second book, but I will probably try to see if he will do other books and I will read his other short stories.
Going to read the Red Knight by Miles Cameron next.
it was really likely telling us who will win, the contrary would have been a really misleading name.
Going to read the Red Knight by Miles Cameron next.
Just bought the whole Wheel of Time second hand, someone nearby was selling a full set of hardcovers for 25€, couldn't pass it up at that price. Haven't ever read them, so I guess I've got a lot of reading to do... apparently WoT is 3.3 million words in total.
Still a better reading than transfer news. Really nice buy.
Just bought the whole Wheel of Time second hand, someone nearby was selling a full set of hardcovers for 25€, couldn't pass it up at that price. Haven't ever read them, so I guess I've got a lot of reading to do... apparently WoT is 3.3 million words in total.
3.3m is probably for the Jordan books alone. Once you add in the Sanderson books you'd get a count closer to 4m I reckon...