Comments on: Magical systems, generally http://rwday.wordpress.com/2007/10/28/magical-systems-generally/ Sun, 27 Jul 2008 09:38:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU By: rwday http://rwday.wordpress.com/2007/10/28/magical-systems-generally/#comment-32 rwday Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:34:10 +0000 http://rwday.wordpress.com/2007/10/28/magical-systems-generally/#comment-32 <i>. Better leave one masterpiece for my literary legacy than an endless series of forgettable books.</i> I agree. A year or so ago I got into a discussion with an e-book author on one of those romance writers lists where that subject came up. I used the example of Harper Lee, who wrote only one book of great impact. E-book Author thought I was nuts. She was just thrilled with her string of forgettable books because they were making money. I have no objection to money (obviously!) but if I have to choose between cash and literary impact, it's no choice at all. . Better leave one masterpiece for my literary legacy than an endless series of forgettable books.

I agree. A year or so ago I got into a discussion with an e-book author on one of those romance writers lists where that subject came up. I used the example of Harper Lee, who wrote only one book of great impact. E-book Author thought I was nuts. She was just thrilled with her string of forgettable books because they were making money. I have no objection to money (obviously!) but if I have to choose between cash and literary impact, it’s no choice at all.

]]> By: Hayden http://rwday.wordpress.com/2007/10/28/magical-systems-generally/#comment-31 Hayden Wed, 31 Oct 2007 18:10:58 +0000 http://rwday.wordpress.com/2007/10/28/magical-systems-generally/#comment-31 <i>Jonathan Strange, I think, has to be one of the richest and most well-conceived books I’ve read in ages. It’s one of the few books set in the first part of the 19th century that actually reads like it was written in the period.</i> Isn't it? If I were given a choice, I'd rather put out a book as thorough, clever, and wonderfully written as <i>Jonathan Strange</i> once in my life without anything else following. Better leave one masterpiece for my literary legacy than an endless series of forgettable books. Jonathan Strange, I think, has to be one of the richest and most well-conceived books I’ve read in ages. It’s one of the few books set in the first part of the 19th century that actually reads like it was written in the period.

Isn’t it? If I were given a choice, I’d rather put out a book as thorough, clever, and wonderfully written as Jonathan Strange once in my life without anything else following. Better leave one masterpiece for my literary legacy than an endless series of forgettable books.

]]> By: rwday http://rwday.wordpress.com/2007/10/28/magical-systems-generally/#comment-30 rwday Tue, 30 Oct 2007 17:51:08 +0000 http://rwday.wordpress.com/2007/10/28/magical-systems-generally/#comment-30 I suppose I'll find a place for them, or else give up eventually and stick them in a file. Short stories can be fun, but they're certainly not going to put my kids through college. <i>Jonathan Strange</i>, I think, has to be one of the richest and most well-conceived books I've read in ages. It's one of the few books set in the first part of the 19th century that actually reads like it was written in the period. I suppose I’ll find a place for them, or else give up eventually and stick them in a file. Short stories can be fun, but they’re certainly not going to put my kids through college.

Jonathan Strange, I think, has to be one of the richest and most well-conceived books I’ve read in ages. It’s one of the few books set in the first part of the 19th century that actually reads like it was written in the period.

]]> By: haydenthorne http://rwday.wordpress.com/2007/10/28/magical-systems-generally/#comment-29 haydenthorne Tue, 30 Oct 2007 03:12:15 +0000 http://rwday.wordpress.com/2007/10/28/magical-systems-generally/#comment-29 <i>The thing about magic in my world is that it’s largely considered part of the past - like in Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, there was once a time, an almost mythical past, when magic existed, but that time has passed. Of course, that’s just the perception of most of the common people, which doesn’t necessarily reflect reality - magic is still there, it’s just kept quiet.</i> I've always thought that to be a fantastic angle to use when it comes to breathing new life into the genre of magical-reality/historical-fantasy/whatsitsname. Consigning magic to the past gives it a more mythical status as well as a more mysterious and much richer tradition. Reading <i>Jonathan Strange</i> grounds that home again and again, and Clark's footnotes are to die for. Sorry to hear about the rejections. I can commiserate, most definitely. I'm no longer writing new short stories and have a folder of unsold ones waiting to be sent out when the right call comes my way. Good luck with future submissions! I'm sure you'll find your babies some homes someday. The thing about magic in my world is that it’s largely considered part of the past - like in Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, there was once a time, an almost mythical past, when magic existed, but that time has passed. Of course, that’s just the perception of most of the common people, which doesn’t necessarily reflect reality - magic is still there, it’s just kept quiet.

I’ve always thought that to be a fantastic angle to use when it comes to breathing new life into the genre of magical-reality/historical-fantasy/whatsitsname. Consigning magic to the past gives it a more mythical status as well as a more mysterious and much richer tradition. Reading Jonathan Strange grounds that home again and again, and Clark’s footnotes are to die for.

Sorry to hear about the rejections. I can commiserate, most definitely. I’m no longer writing new short stories and have a folder of unsold ones waiting to be sent out when the right call comes my way. Good luck with future submissions! I’m sure you’ll find your babies some homes someday.

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