Am I the only person in this forum....

Discussion in 'Setting Development' started by NaughtyNick, Sep 1, 2011.

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  1. J.P.Clyde

    J.P.Clyde Prince of Melancholy Contributor

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    And myself, I want to surpass Edgar Allan Poe. Surpassing Stephen King will be the easy job.
     
  2. Fullmetal Xeno

    Fullmetal Xeno Protector of Literature Contributor

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    How is surpassing Stephen King an easy job?
     
  3. J.P.Clyde

    J.P.Clyde Prince of Melancholy Contributor

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    He isn't a good writer. That's why.
     
  4. Fullmetal Xeno

    Fullmetal Xeno Protector of Literature Contributor

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    How is he not a good writer?
     
  5. J.P.Clyde

    J.P.Clyde Prince of Melancholy Contributor

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    I've read enough of his novel to know he is very formulaic. And his stories follow the same pattern over and over again. I can guess several times how his story is going to end and the man sells his name not the books.

    Have you ever seen his book and compared it to others?

    Usually Stephen King is larger than the title of his book, or usually in a color that is more exposed than the title of the book. Compared to let's say the author who wrote Wicked, where the title of the book was bigger than the authors name.

    Stephen King sells his name. He lives off of his name. Not off of good writing.
     
  6. Steerpike

    Steerpike Felis amatus Contributor

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    Depends on what is meant by 'surpass.' There may be any number of writers who are more proficient technically. Surpassing his success won't be easy.
     
  7. J.P.Clyde

    J.P.Clyde Prince of Melancholy Contributor

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    I meant the writing itself. Maybe not the success. But the man is a complete tool.
     
  8. Fullmetal Xeno

    Fullmetal Xeno Protector of Literature Contributor

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  9. Steerpike

    Steerpike Felis amatus Contributor

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    I liked some of his early work. I am a fan of horror but he is not one of my favorites.
     
  10. J.P.Clyde

    J.P.Clyde Prince of Melancholy Contributor

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    Trust me you cannot find the title of Stephen King's before you find his name. I think you have a naive outlook on people's motivations.

    @Steerpike: His earlier work is all right. Better than his newer stuff.
     
  11. minstrel

    minstrel Leader of the Insquirrelgency Supporter Contributor

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    I'm not a fan of King. I haven't read much of him, because he hasn't really impressed me, either with his technique or with his imagination.

    I'm going to say this here, because it's a very active thread: I'm not really sure that horror works well in the novel format. Personally, I find King's horror stuff dreary (I abandoned The Stand after 300 pages ... ugh.). But I think Edgar Allan Poe's horror short stories work extremely well. And even though I think H.P. Lovecraft is a terrible writer, I think his shorter work is his best.

    Get in, terrify the reader, and get out. That's the horror short story, and I think it works. Is it possible that horror is best suited to short stories? Does the form suit the genre?
     
  12. J.P.Clyde

    J.P.Clyde Prince of Melancholy Contributor

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    Not always. I write horror novels. But a lot of them are psychological horrors that explore philosophical bounds and moral bounds of good and evil. I find man the most frightening beast of them all.
     
  13. Fullmetal Xeno

    Fullmetal Xeno Protector of Literature Contributor

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    Ive never read any of Lovecraft's novels, but i heard he had some cool ideas. I guess it's just how he wrote it that made him a terrible writer.
     
  14. Yoshiko

    Yoshiko Contributor Contributor

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    It's quite common; there are even some people who won't stray outside their select few authors unless specifically recommended a book. On the other hand, there are also many people who won't take a chance with a book despite how good the blurb/reviews because they have read other novels by the author and disliked them. With many people a familiar name is what attracts or repels them when they see it on the shelf. There are three authors I'll read absolutely anything by because I love their style, characterisation and the recurring themes present in their work.
     
  15. J.P.Clyde

    J.P.Clyde Prince of Melancholy Contributor

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    Where as for me, I always just read the first chapter. If it's good I'll buy it. If it isn't then I won't.

    I don't have an author I standby.
     
  16. Fullmetal Xeno

    Fullmetal Xeno Protector of Literature Contributor

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    I have a few Authors i would buy off of no matter what. Such as Suzanne Collins and Darren Shan :)
     
  17. J.P.Clyde

    J.P.Clyde Prince of Melancholy Contributor

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    Doesn't that mean then, that you have heard of people buying books because of the Authors?
     
  18. Fullmetal Xeno

    Fullmetal Xeno Protector of Literature Contributor

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    No, i actually read the books. I know both of their styles very well. I enjoy both of their works. I buy because their writing is good. I actually buy the book for the book. Not because thier name is on it. I always read first before i buy though. Even with these authors.
     
  19. J.P.Clyde

    J.P.Clyde Prince of Melancholy Contributor

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    What you just said doesn't add up to:

    Either you buy for the book or you buy for the author?

    But you still have heard of people buying only for the author.
     
  20. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

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    This thread is no longer on topic. The original discussion strikes me as a troll to begin with - posted to get a reaction. Which is certainly did.

    I allowed it to run its course anyway. Which it has.
     
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