Kevin's Watch

Robin Hobb.

Im not saying SRD is a bad writer because I think all writers are great but SDR is the the grestest writer ever. The question is probably more what League SRD is in...
Before you all have ago at me about me being stupid and such, I went into three libraries and ask for SRD and his books and they all answered "who?" and "Thomas what?". I also asked a lot of people about SRD and they did not have a clue who he was.

I don't understand what you just said at all. Can you please rephrase it?

It sounds like you are saying two things at once. SRD is the greatest of all time & no one knows who he is.

Yup, that's what he's saying, alright. I have not had a similar experience, but I buy my books from bookstores, not borrow then from libraries.

All writers are great but SRD is not the grestest. He is good but not the best.

Queeaqueg wrote:All writers are great but SRD is not the grestest. He is good but not the best.

I disagree ... not all writers are "great". Far from it, there is a huge amount of utter garbage out there on the shelves (and always will be).

I'd like to ask, who then do you feel is the "best" author?

Well people who have books on the selves must be doing something right..

I like Oscar Wilde, I have a big book on all the letters he wrote to people.

Queeaqueg wrote:Well people who have books on the selves must be doing something right..

I like Oscar Wilde, I have a big book on all the letters he wrote to people.

The logic in your statement is severely flawed, friend. That type of linear thinking is not my cup-o-tea. Suggesting that all published writers are great, is like suggesting that a Ford Pinto and a Ferrari F355 Berlinetta are both equally great cars, based on the fact that they were both produced and for sale. It's simply ridiculous, no?

Anyway ... do you feel Oscar Wilde is the "best" author? I'm not sure what you mean by that last part ... please be more detailed in your responses, I'd hate to misunderstand what exactly you are trying to say.

His letters he wrote were really good.

No, im syaing that you must be good to write something or make a car. Can you make a car and get it on the market? The people that make cars must be doing something because they see some people driving them and buying them. They might not be the best cars but people are driving them. Same we books in some way.

I do see your point, Queeaqueg. An author might not be good when compared to other authors, but getting published is an achievement, and they should be given a due measure of respect for that at least.

I was using the Ferrari vs. Pinto comparison, because the Pinto became a lteral death-trap of a vehicle, whereas the Ferrari is a work of automobile art.

There's a difference there ... both are cars, but one is far superior to the other.

I'm sure many of us can agree that we have come across authors who, for what ever reason, just shouldn't have had their work published ... and in the days of self-publishing, anyone with a bank account can get his/her "story" out to the people ... having a book published does not automatically make you a great writer, or even one deserving of respect.

In your opinion you think that they should not be published but some people in this world might like it can think they are great. Lets take music for example, I think that Slipknot are the worst band ever but that is my opinion. Others might think they are great. Plus they manage to make it into the music business and people got they CDs, so they must be ok to make it that far.

Again ... your line of thinking is skewed here. Record companies decide who to give recording contracts, because they (in their infinite ass-backwards wisdom) feel the product will sell and make them money. Even in the music industry, bands can put out their own CD's ... that doesn't make them great (or even good for that matter), or worthy of inclusion with other artists of quality whose work is considered great.

Just because it gets put on a shelf in some store, doesn't make the creator (artist/author/whatever) great by virtue of being on said shelf ... it simply makes their creation an item for sale.

Greatness is a standard, not a situation.

To get that close is great. Making it in the music, book, film, TV or any other big industry is not an easy, well not as easy as TV says it is. People who do this must have something special or otherwise they would pick any tom, dick or harry off the street and say "hay, want a music deal". Maybe some bands don't live up to the legends like Bob Marley or Led Zeppelin but I don't see you getting up on stage and proving that these small bands are not great.

Queeaqueg wrote:To get that close is great. Making it in the music, book, film, TV or any other big industry is not an easy, well not as easy as TV says it is.

"Making it" in the entertainment industry doesn't bestow greatness simply by virtue of inclusion.

Queeaqueg wrote:People who do this must have something special or otherwise they would pick any tom, dick or harry off the street and say "hay, want a music deal".

Oh, but they do friend, they most certainly do ... because it's the bands themselves who foot the bill, and there is absolutely zero financial risk on the side of the record company, other than their time. All production costs, touring, merchandising expenses come out of the bands profits. It's standard industry procedure ... the record execs/A&R guys are like pimps who stroll the streets looking for girls (or in this case, bands) to make them some money. It's sad, really ... that music is now a commodity.

Anyway ... we're getting off the subject. You are suggesting that anyone who gets a book published is great. I vehemently disagree ... what more is there to say? You don't understand my arguments, and I don't understand yours.

It's a horrible cliche, but we'll simply have to "agree to disagree" ...

I need to point out Qeeaqueg, that you still haven't posted any of your favourite fantasy/sci-fi authors ... I'd still like to know which authors you think are the cream of the crop.

I have aleady said Oscar Wilde. George Orwell and Philip Pullman.

I was looking for sci-fi and fantasy authors ... simply because the majority of SRD's work is in those genres, and given the title of this thread ...

Hell, I'm a great writer, but since no one on this green earth has read my work, this is simply a matter of opinion, as are any answers to this post by any member of the Watch.....


I feel that Melanie Rawn and George Martin are in the same league as SRD, yet the writing styles for these three are as disparate as say, the comparison of apples to oranges to carrots. All of them are good in thier own way (nutritionally), but each leaves a seperate and distinct impact.
Which i think is the real question; what authors have had similar impact in your life as SRD?

And if thats the question, my answer remains the same, but add Mark Twain.

-B

Yay Philip Pullman!

danlo wrote:Keep going with Earth after halfway it starts to kick serious ass.

Wow, you were right! I'm really glad I stuck with it, can't wait to see how it ends.