George has updated!!

[Funky Cthulu]

Originally Posted by Commonmind

SNIPPED
Any one of us that feels the need to take stabs at either writer, should first consider that our preferences and tastes do not decide the skill of a writer we do not like.

Dude, no one here said that our preferences define reality for everyone else. We're expressing our opinions - you can call that 'taking a stab' if you wish, at hard working writers, but that is what readers everywhere do when they discuss books. As it happens, I don't find Jordan's work engaging or well written - that's not a personal dig at him, but I won't water things down because the writer is ill. Did anyone here launch a personal attack on GRRM or RJ by discussing whether they liked their books?
Personally, I find it pretentious when people show up and adopt a holier than thou attitude to tell the other posters how they should write their posts.

[Commonmind]

If you're only awaiting ADWD I envy you. Though ADWD is the book I'm anticipating most, I've got about a dozen series on the shelf that require new installments. I'm as anxious as an under-sexed Italian being given a live, hands-on tour of Victoria's Secret spring line. Look, I'm so stir-crazy I'm making bad analogies, and it isn't even late enough to blame it on the time.

And don't abstain from the boards, trust me. Before you know what's happening you'll be grabbing every Tom-Dick-and-Jane you can get your hands on and shaking them profusely, for no good reason. You'll have collected a series of assault-and-battery charges before you realize the hostility stems from not being able to rub elbows with all of us: the only individuals that understand, and are willing to share your pain with you. We're the collective group therapy for fellow Martin addicts; without us you'll just be a nervous piss-pot without anyone to commiserate with.

[Commonmind]

Originally Posted by Funky Cthulu

Dude, no one here said that our preferences define reality for everyone else. We're expressing our opinions - you can call that 'taking a stab' if you wish, at hard working writers, but that is what readers everywhere do when they discuss books. As it happens, I don't find Jordan's work engaging or well written - that's not a personal dig at him, but I won't water things down because the writer is ill. Did anyone here launch a personal attack on GRRM or RJ by discussing whether they liked their books?
Personally, I find it pretentious when people show up and adopt a holier than thou attitude to tell the other posters how they should write their posts.

I never adopted a holier-than-though attitude toward anyone. I said belittling an author based on your personal preference was pretentious, and it is. If you don't like a particular piece of literature, that does not allow you the right to state that the author of that work lacks talent or writing ability. A writer is not suddenly incapable of writing a viable story based on whether or not you enjoyed said story. Having an opinion is one thing, having an opinion and expressing that opinion tactfully is another.

An opinion - "I didn't like his work, I prefered this person's work instead."

Taking a stab - "Hah, that guy's writing sucks!"

[Aegon the Unworthy]

Umm....Im gonna step away from this discussion. Everything I said was tongue-in-cheek. I understand you guys who dislike Jordan (Funky, Boaz, Arya, McNeal etc....even add TK just because) have no comprehension of his superior mastery of the english language (see? thats a joke as well). But Im stepping from this fingerpointing....thats not my style unless we're discussing politics.

Oh and as always, Boaz eats lead, sips paint thinner and licks asbestos covered walls.

[pyan]

Originally Posted by Aegon the Unworthy

Oh and as always, Boaz eats lead, sips paint thinner and licks asbestos covered walls.

Not all at the same time, surely - you'd lose the delicate flavour of the asbestos!

Everyone puts out a duff book at times - and I think it's more likely later on in a career, because of the temptation to not go that extra mile because you know it's going to sell like hot cakes anyway, and you've the fan-base already.
How many times do you read the comment "Oh I really liked the earlier books, but he/she's gone off a bit now!" or something similar? From Jordan to Rowling - it's probably one of the commonest comments.

Originally Posted by CM

Debasing Jordan is fruitless. He's a successful writer, with an avid fan-base

I agree - and it doesn't matter a tinker's damn what I think or say, because no-one is going to make a decision on whether to read WoT based on what my opinion is - it's just an opinion, and if I can't express it here, of all places, then we all might as well go home!

So to speak!

[Aegon the Unworthy]

My father told me once when I was a young lad and got into a fight at school over whether or not Spiderman was jewish.....

"Son, others are gonna disagree with ya in life. You just gotta respect their right to be wrong."

Pretty much sums up my way of thinking.

[pyan]

Exactly! I long ago worked out that you aren't ever going to change an opinion, especially of something as personal as literary preference, by any sort of argument - and you run a real risk of permanently alienating the person you're arguing with.

[TK-421]

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....Huh?....did I miss something?

Oh, just some of the same old complaints.

And, Oi vei, Aegon! (Actually, I've never read Jordan and can give 2 s#$% about some wheel of time thing.)

[AryaUnderfoot]

Sorry, but nothing is going to stop me from taking pot-shots at Jordan. You may ask what the point is, or insist that until I understand every element of the author's life and efforts, I won't be able to fully comprehend his/her work or base any opinions on it. I suppose that the same could be said for the rave reviews we all give Martin for his work. Perhaps because we don't know everything there is to know about his trials and tribulations, we're not giving him his due. Who cares? The point of this dicussion board is to discuss books and writers. If we can't do that without being chastised, then there's no point in logging on.

Personally, the only reason I keep coming back to this is because you people are the only ones who truly understand what it's like to pick up a book and become completely immersed in it. And that goes for Jordan's work, too. I was immersed and tore through the first three. Then again, I had just graduated from college, was living at home in a small town with my parents, and didn't have a job at the time... I will thank Jordan for his fourth and following books for getting me out of the house and onto the job search with the fervor I needed.

[Commonmind]

No one is chastising anyone for having an opinion, or for discussing an author's work. Maybe I didn't make my point clear. As mature readers, why is it that we cannot discuss those works intelligently, without the need of resorting to subtle insults or "pot-shots?" Is it wrong of me to assume we can have an opinionated discussion without belittling the author? I'm sorry if it comes off as haughty or pretentious, but I never asked anyone to keep their opinions to themselves, I only suggested it be done tactfully, and without claiming an author is incapable of writing because a particular book they've written didn't cater to your tastes. Where's the fault in that?

My "opinion" is that we should be able to discuss literature without making cracks. Other's feel their opinion allows them this right. Since we're in agreement that everyone is entitled to an opinion, we can just agree to disagree and get back on-topic.

[MOUNTAIN THAT READS]

You are all killing me!!!!!!! I logged on late in the evening for the first time today and saw there were a many many new posts on the the "George has Updated!!:" link. I of course remember GRRM stating he would not update again until he could say the book was done. So naturally when I saw over a full page of discussion I could only assume ADWD was finished. The computer crashed as I was trying to get to page two. And I had a blissfull 5 minutes as I waited for my work computer to reboot (government piece of......nevermind) I was anticipating wonderful discussion on dates of releases and other timelines, I was even considering doing a victory jig. But alas the computer rebooted and my happiness turned to ash with a discussion of RJ who on a normal day I would be more than happy to trash tactfully or otherwise, but now I just feel too depressed to give 100%. Bunch of teases!!!!

[Commonmind]

lol

Have I ever told you that your user-name makes me giddy?

[Aegon the Unworthy]

As I go back and read theres only one irksome comment been made so far. And I have to assume the poster of that one was just unawre that Robert Jordan is terminally ill.

Now to make comments.....

MTR....thank you. I can now scratch off number 3 of my list of things to do today.

1) Scratch any body part
2) Think of something new for Boaz to consume
3) Vex the Mountain That Reads
4) Make up sitcom about Lobster like alien that lands on earth.....in french
5) Tell others what to do

TK-Just a random harmless dig. Go back to sleep

Boaz-Youve broken down book 1 in the Wot of series quite admirably. Do the same with two and three (and prove a modicum of improper "emulation")and I will utter the following phrase to 3 random people I meet...."Boaz is the boss of me". Everything past book 5 is bordering into the realm of the tedious and I would not even begin to defend those.

Terry Brooks Shannara series is not defensible. Even the later books in the series are merely formulaic copies of his first book....which in turn was a formulaic copy. I liken it to the movie "Multiplicity" with Michael Keaton and Andie McDowell....a man clones himself and its slightly flawed....then his clone gets cloned and becomes a raving loon. That is the Shanarra series in a nutshell. After you copy a copy of a copy ad infinitum it does not eventually become original. It just wants pizza.

I think Im done. Now respond to my comments while I finish writing "La Langouste". And check off 4 and 5.

Oh and as always, Boaz drinks various secretions of galapagos turtles.

[TK-421]

Originally Posted by Aegon the Unworthy

while I finish writing "La Langouste".

HA! HA! C'est très drôle, Aegon. J'attend avec anticipation votre nouvelle série délicieuse...

[Boaz]

Reptilian secretions? No, I have to draw the line somewhere.

Now who's stir crazy?