tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post115646697012948686..comments2024-03-26T18:28:06.391-04:00Comments on Evil Editor: Old Beginnings 7Evil Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03879826770199639420noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-31292099382320582015-02-20T19:40:41.951-05:002015-02-20T19:40:41.951-05:00Well, number 5 is one of my favorite openings to a...Well, number 5 is one of my favorite openings to any book, but I think it is stronger with the contrast to the tone of the previous Potter books.Random Commentsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156952771659710732006-08-30T11:46:00.000-04:002006-08-30T11:46:00.000-04:00Anon 1:41I think you got the wrong idea. My questi...Anon 1:41<BR/><BR/>I think you got the wrong idea. My question had nothing to do with not "accepting" that others don't like the same books I do. I was genuinely curious as to what familiar places McKoala thought the plot was going after that opening.<BR/><BR/>As for liking, or not liking, McCaffrey (not McCafferty), her early work was good and innovative, but I haven't cared for anthing she's written since the early Pern novels.Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08504439129670380071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156850301046930312006-08-29T07:18:00.000-04:002006-08-29T07:18:00.000-04:00Still catching up after my weekend of debauchery (...Still catching up after my weekend of debauchery (I wish).<BR/><BR/>1. No. "Evil knocked softly on the door" leaves me cold. Also, the hivering and havering suggests a protagonist who is wimpy. Also, she needs help to figure out that a pub with a white horse painted on the sign is probably called the White Horse? Please...<BR/><BR/>2. Yet another rehash of Greek myth? No thanks.<BR/><BR/>3. No. Can't stand the protagonist.<BR/><BR/>4. I read this one when I was young. Reads a little over-written now, but has enough elements that make me curious that I probably would read it. Already I'd be asking questions that I'd want answered.<BR/><BR/>5. Maybe. It promises some interesting stuff, but the insistent tell tell tell is off-putting. If the writer didn't produce some evidence that they could "show" within the next few pages, I think I'd give up.nonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00415222406280230021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156835367567888542006-08-29T03:09:00.000-04:002006-08-29T03:09:00.000-04:001. I really didn't like the "evil knocked softly ...1. I really didn't like the "evil knocked softly on the door" sentence. However, I did like some of the sensory detail, but as I reread it looking for examples, I want to excise parts before quoting. This is a maybe. I'd have to read a paragraph from the middle of the book before deciding.<BR/><BR/>2. No. The author begins with an extraordinary looking character, which I find overused in fantasy (and romance). It's a big, blinking neon sign that this character is special, and it's a turn-off for me. That said, I particularly liked the descriptor "a [wandering] photo negative."<BR/><BR/>3. I'd keep reading, especially after the last two lines.<BR/><BR/>4. I read this as a young woman and loved it. My reaction now is tempered by more familiarity with the genre and some critical commentary on a later scene. Trying to look at this opening objectively, I'm not sure that I would continue reading nowadays.<BR/><BR/>5. I've read this as well. Even if I didn't know it was Rowling, the opening would have kept me reading.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156791170895821672006-08-28T14:52:00.000-04:002006-08-28T14:52:00.000-04:00gerri, how anyone can compare Robert Jordan to Geo...gerri, how anyone can compare Robert Jordan to George RR Martin is beyond me. The only similarity is the length of their projects. For authenticity of setting and character, I'll take GRRM any day. I struggled along with RJ for the first six books, then gave up. There's only so many times I can read what is essentially the same book.<BR/><BR/>Although I guess I'm a creature of some habit, since #4 is the one I'd most likely shell out money for--even with those 3 annoying "watch-wher"s in the first 3 paras. I might give #5 a chance--assuming this is a blind taste test--to grab me more in the next few paras, cause the hook is decent. And I am not entirely skeptical that #1 will pick up the pace soon, so I'd maybe give that a bit more of a read. But to spend my precious dollars based strictly on what's here? As I said, #4, maybe.<BR/><BR/>Of course, I just spent money based on the first pages sample on a website, and was regretting it by page 40, so waddayagonnado?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156688456606206592006-08-27T10:20:00.000-04:002006-08-27T10:20:00.000-04:00If you fanned the hand and said "pick one," it'd b...If you fanned the hand and said "pick one," it'd be #2, definitely, for the lliveliness and originality of the prose.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156625144957405502006-08-26T16:45:00.000-04:002006-08-26T16:45:00.000-04:00#4 and #5 definitely, but of course I have actuall...#4 and #5 definitely, but of course I have actually read those.<BR/><BR/>The other 3, unless the books came recommended, I would not keep reading.Kathleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00923975835078747456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156620734939392482006-08-26T15:32:00.000-04:002006-08-26T15:32:00.000-04:00McKoala - Maybe you should post it on your blog. H...McKoala - Maybe you should post it on <EM>your</EM> blog. Hehehe. Come to the dark side! Or you can leave me a comment. Any dissing of <EM>Life of Pi</EM> is always welcome on <A HREF="http://nogha.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow">Procrastination</A>.HawkOwlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08506953701159624542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156618935245082562006-08-26T15:02:00.000-04:002006-08-26T15:02:00.000-04:00Nice beginnings, I liked 4 of the 5:1. My mind wan...Nice beginnings, I liked 4 of the 5:<BR/>1. My mind wandered, so I probably would have put it down in a bookstore.<BR/>2. The voice intrigued me, although I thought the first paragraph was much stronger than the second one.<BR/>3. Very readable, final sentence of excerpt is good<BR/>4. Yes, strong opening, full of tension, although I recognized it so that may have prejudiced me in favor<BR/>5. Recognized it right away, too, so it's hard to be objective, but very atmospheric.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156614077913161502006-08-26T13:41:00.000-04:002006-08-26T13:41:00.000-04:00Beth,Okay, so it's one of your favourite books of ...Beth,<BR/><BR/>Okay, so it's one of your favourite books of all time, but some of us don't actually like McCafferty. Please just accept that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156598364494034412006-08-26T09:19:00.000-04:002006-08-26T09:19:00.000-04:00mckoala said...4. No. The topic rather than the wr...<I>mckoala said...4. No. The topic rather than the writing this time, though. Heard it all before.</I><BR/><BR/>I'm curious. If you don't mind answering, what is the topic that turned you off and where do you think this opening is heading that you find so familiar?Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08504439129670380071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156566498372964372006-08-26T00:28:00.000-04:002006-08-26T00:28:00.000-04:00Re. topics for discussion - the openings are great...Re. topics for discussion - the openings are great, long may they continue - but I would also like to know what you think though, oh evil greatness - if any of these crossed your desk today, would you take them on/not and why?<BR/><BR/>One thing that recurs in critiques (not always here as the pieces are short) is the importance of accuracy and logic - for example if the author has just said the a character has a glass in his left hand and a cigarette in his right, then suddenly he's also holding a hat, where did his third hand come from? It might be fun to see what kind of errors or accuracy and logic people have noticed in successful, published books. <BR/><BR/>I've found one in the 'Life of Pi' that I'm just longing to share!McKoalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01457446171624585099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156566061438765732006-08-26T00:21:00.000-04:002006-08-26T00:21:00.000-04:001. No. That first paragraph is all over the place....1. No. That first paragraph is all over the place. the second one is better, but it takes an awful long time to sort out the name of the inn - so, no. <BR/><BR/>2. Yes, yes! I think this is great writing, weird, but great.<BR/><BR/>3. No. Bland, boring writing. Awkward back story.<BR/><BR/>4. No. The topic rather than the writing this time, though. Heard it all before.<BR/><BR/>5. Yes, I wanna know what happened! I didn't even recognise this as HP until I read the comments (although I did think, hey another writer used the name Riddle!). I don't rate JKR hugely as a writer, although I love the stories, but I think this piece works really well, ominous and creepy.McKoalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01457446171624585099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156556527975268082006-08-25T21:42:00.000-04:002006-08-25T21:42:00.000-04:00Anon at 11:02huh?I'm an adult (as in widowed, and ...Anon at 11:02<BR/><BR/>huh?<BR/><BR/>I'm an adult (as in widowed, and having children out of elementary school) and I love the HP series!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156556034317664052006-08-25T21:33:00.000-04:002006-08-25T21:33:00.000-04:001. I like it and I would keep reading. I was a lit...1. I like it and I would keep reading. I was a little disappointed in the name "White Horse Inn"-found it to be cliche.<BR/><BR/>2. Loved it. Loved the imagery of singing as breath through a straw poked up among swamp water reeds. This alone did it for me. But then the hand, gripping the heart with just an implication fo a squeeze sealed the deal. WOW. <BR/><BR/>3. This was okay. Clean writing, a very masculine feel. I'd keep reading.<BR/><BR/>4. I read this book. Reviewing now, use of "watch-wher" 3 x without clarity is a bit irritating. But Lessa comes through strong and I'd (obviously) keep reading.<BR/><BR/>5. Read it (of course). Multiple times. Still like this beginning.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156547921550636872006-08-25T19:18:00.000-04:002006-08-25T19:18:00.000-04:00#1 - Probably. A little too melodramatic and that...#1 - Probably. A little too melodramatic and that last line is clunky. But it is somewhat intriguing, and gives the impression that something is about to happen.<BR/><BR/>#2 - Maybe, maybe not; depending on my mood. Sometimes I like this kind of thing. But that last sentence is kind of a turnoff.<BR/><BR/>#3 - Yes, definitely. I was starting to get bored in the first paragraph, but the second perked up my interest. Last sentence is great!<BR/><BR/>#4 - I might have read this 20 years ago, but now... Maybe. It has a nice suspenseful feel, but I'm afraid we'll get a clothing description soon.<BR/><BR/>#5 - Classic example of an opening that breaks rules - there's absolutely no action - and works anyway. It's well-written and compelling. I'd read on, I think (hard to judge this one objectively).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156545797458858902006-08-25T18:43:00.000-04:002006-08-25T18:43:00.000-04:00Funny how we can have such different reactions to ...Funny how we can have such different reactions to the same piece. I didn't notice any excessive adjectives in #4--most of the ones used pulled their own weight.Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08504439129670380071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156528795648861912006-08-25T13:59:00.000-04:002006-08-25T13:59:00.000-04:00This list illustrates the changing tastes and styl...This list illustrates the changing tastes and styles in writing over the last thirty years--the approximate time between examples 4 & 5. I had to laugh when anonymous1 said that McCaffery's opening was cliched. She was doing that kind of opening before the imitators crowded in on her heels. As for the adjective complaint of ashni, well, all I can say is that writing styles and tastes have changed dramatically over the last 30 years. Look at Tolkein. Think that his writing would sell in this day and age(if it were new and not a best-selling series and movie trilogy)? And that's only 60 years or so difference. <BR/><BR/>BTW, Whitemouse, this particular Pern novel happens to be the shortest one--and isn't a big fat fantasy novel. However, the books get longer from there on out. But they're fun, light reads, unlike ponderous Robert Jordan or Terry Goodkind or G. R. R. Martin.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156523958291217002006-08-25T12:39:00.000-04:002006-08-25T12:39:00.000-04:00I like fantasy, to the extent that it's probably t...I like fantasy, to the extent that it's probably the slight majority of what I read. However, I'm picky enough about it that friends have claimed I don't like the genre at all. Without checking the Openings page:<BR/><BR/>1. I would have put this down at the first sentence. Evil knocked on the door? Melodrama, anyone?<BR/><BR/>2. Greek gods in a modern setting, always fun. I would read on.<BR/><BR/>3. This one grabbed me, enough that I'm thinking about picking it up.<BR/><BR/>4. Boring, melodramatic, and illustrative of the reasons why some people develop adjective phobias.<BR/><BR/>5. Can't judge it out of context. I was certainly hooked by the start of the first book. I remember this quite vividly, because my graduate advisor was kind enough to hand it to me a week <I>before</I> the end of finals.<BR/><BR/>*Checks the openings page* Sure enough, I knew I didn't like those two authors.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156518260258560592006-08-25T11:04:00.000-04:002006-08-25T11:04:00.000-04:001.Pretty good. I like the description of the surro...1.Pretty good. I like the description of the surroundings; I could visualize it all very clearly. I'm not fond of this author's books (stopped reading them years ago), but he <I>can</I> write decently.<BR/><BR/>2. This doesn't appeal to me. Nothing wrong with the writing, but slightly repelled rather than drawn in. Purely subjective reaction.<BR/><BR/>3. This sounds like a thriller opening, except for that last line. I'd read on just to see where it's going.<BR/><BR/>4. Yes! A classic and one of my favorite sf novels. (Though EE--this book is not fantasy; it's science fiction. The planet was colonized by space travelers. The dragons are genetically engineered.)<BR/><BR/>5. Intriguing. Has an "English" (British) tone to it. (And it shames me to admit that I didn't at first recognize this opening, even though I read the book, albeit some years ago. OTOH, while I enjoy the books by this author, I'm not wild crazy about them like some folks.)Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08504439129670380071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156518153262493672006-08-25T11:02:00.000-04:002006-08-25T11:02:00.000-04:00I thought I might like HP but then I remembered I'...I thought I might like HP but then I remembered I'm an adult.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156517800210424222006-08-25T10:56:00.000-04:002006-08-25T10:56:00.000-04:00I've read all but #2, and I think I'll hunt that o...I've read all but #2, and I think I'll hunt that one up just so I could read a bit further and decide if I wanted to keep going.<BR/><BR/>#1 Got me curious enough to want to know more. Who are the women with her, what is the trouble visiting innocent people?<BR/><BR/>#2 The pov was interesting. I do get tired of only 3rd person ltd. I also disliked a lot of the description - what does "voice was a sweet breath through a straw" mean? Or "a high-yellow voice". That sounds like a racial reference, but I am not sure.<BR/><BR/>It was wierd, I wasn't sure I liked it, but I was curious and would have read a couple more paragraphs at least.<BR/><BR/>#3 Dimestore magic has a strong beginning and is a decent read. I like this opening a lot because you establish the character and set me up to expect something interesting. Not sure what yet, but I'm eager to discover it.<BR/><BR/>#4 We learn a lot about Lessa here, and McCaffrey makes me want to find out more. The contrast between Lessa's internal self and her external situation as a kitchen drudge intrigued me.<BR/><BR/>#5 Harry Potter. I really like these books. This beginning is good. It doesn't knock my socks off, but it introduces us to a mystery, and I would have been willing to read on, even if I hadn't read the previous HP books. I'm not sure that this beginning would have worked had the author not been well known, however.writtenwyrddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02280711822302493122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156516839942423332006-08-25T10:40:00.000-04:002006-08-25T10:40:00.000-04:00whitemouse, how is LotR like HP or Star Wars? The...whitemouse, how is LotR like HP or Star Wars? There's four books (or five, if you count <I>The Simarillion</I>) and that's all there's ever going to be. I haven't seen anyone cranking out expanded universe LotR novelizations lately, and if they are then they're not legal.<BR/><BR/>I think the example you were looking for was <I>Robert Jordan</I>.braunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00387344142594757730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156516670374513952006-08-25T10:37:00.000-04:002006-08-25T10:37:00.000-04:00I was excited when I saw that these were all fanta...I was excited when I saw that these were all fantasy openings but then felt disappointed - Terry Goodkind and Anne McCaffrey aren't the kind of thing I like to read*. I just started in on <I>Paladin of Souls</I>, where's that? Or how about some China Mieville in the house?<BR/><BR/>* Love that Harry Potter though! And if you don't, your soul is old and withered! ;)braunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00387344142594757730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156516450732410172006-08-25T10:34:00.000-04:002006-08-25T10:34:00.000-04:00#1 sounds like an ancient intro to Dead Like Me. #...#1 sounds like an ancient intro to Dead Like Me. <BR/>#2 sounds kind of boring. <BR/>#3 sounds like it could be The Fifth Element or something similar.<BR/>#4 and #5 I read a few times and will again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com