View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
Alia
Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Posts: 246
|
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 5:40 am Post subject: |
|
|
Wulfa_Coldheart wrote: | It got me thinking... should authors re-visit their work and re-write it? |
Well, in my country there is at least one writer who has re-written two or three of his novels, one of them at least three times. And fans hate him for that, because it is really difficult to keep track of those earlier and later versions, published by different publishers.
Sometimes some re-writing is necessary for a pretty prosaic reason - imagine you have published your novel, book one of a series, in one publishing house, and they have the rights for it. And then, for one reason or another, you want to change your publisher and you need to publish book one once more. So you have to change it. Those changes may make it a better novel, but still most fans hate it - they need to buy once more something that they have already paid for, in order to keep track of changes. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Malop
Joined: 14 Aug 2005 Posts: 205 Location: United Kingdom
|
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 9:08 am Post subject: |
|
|
Didn't Feist "revisit" Magician by adding extra stuff and tidying some bits up?
I think there is some justification for a well established author to revisit their first few books as they will have been quite heavily driven by the editorial process, a lot more so than their later books.
But the tweaks shouldn't be so major that a reader has to go and buy the book again, just enough to make the first time reader enjoy it more. _________________ Member and President of the Will Begman Appreciation Society.
Fantasycon 2005 Walsall Attendee
Fantasycon 2006-2009 Nottingham Attendee
Fantasycon 2010 Nottingham (stopped over for lunch)
Fantasycon 2011 Brighton (Is that in France?) |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Grace
Joined: 28 May 2006 Posts: 302 Location: Bristol
|
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 12:33 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Wulfa_Coldheart wrote: |
At home I'm about to start reading Hunters Moon by David Devereux. Devereux is a "magic user" and paranormal investigator so as you can guess the book is kinda like a UK Harry Dresden. Not sure if it is any good, only picked it up as Joe Abercrombie mentioned it on his sit and Gollancz published it. |
I've read both of these, but I have to say I think The Dresden Files are better. It's probably because Devereux's main character is, as he says, a total barsteward. Sometimes that's amusing, but here it wasn't. _________________ Taking off is optional, landing is mandatory. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Tk421
Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 275 Location: United Kingdom
|
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 7:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
NicciM wrote: | I just started reading Cabal by Clive Barker...
I'll let you all know how that turns out. lol |
Cabal is not too bad. I remember reading it years ago when the movie version was released. _________________ "Right so we're going to steal a bomb that can be remote detonated, take it back to our base and then huddle around it? That sounds like a great plan." |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Max Power
Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 467 Location: United Kingdom
|
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 7:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Malop wrote: | Didn't Feist "revisit" Magician by adding extra stuff and tidying some bits up?
I think there is some justification for a well established author to revisit their first few books as they will have been quite heavily driven by the editorial process, a lot more so than their later books.
But the tweaks shouldn't be so major that a reader has to go and buy the book again, just enough to make the first time reader enjoy it more. |
He did tweak it - the copy I have has the tweaks in. He added more in Pug's 'awakening' as far as I understand, and a few more decsriptive bits here and there. I've not read the original, but his forweood says that he didn't change any plot lines, and the reason he did this is because he had to reduce his word count when it was first published. Seems to scan well to me. _________________ If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
NicciM
Joined: 09 Oct 2007 Posts: 27 Location: Toronto, Canada
|
Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 12:10 am Post subject: |
|
|
Tk421 wrote: | NicciM wrote: | I just started reading Cabal by Clive Barker...
I'll let you all know how that turns out. lol |
Cabal is not too bad. I remember reading it years ago when the movie version was released. |
Let us not speak of "nightbreed" in polite company.
lol _________________ :If I knew where I would end up I would never bother leaving: |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Deornoth
Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 446
|
Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 10:52 am Post subject: |
|
|
Just finished reading 'With the Light' (Keiko Tobe), a Manga book about a mother's struggle to raise her autistic son. I've never read any Manga before (but have seen some anime) so was surprised that there weren't any demonic monsters, or post apocalyptic motorbike chases, but the story is no less hard hitting for it. It's a really poignant and moving tale that will draw you in and have you rooting for your favourite character. I'd recommend it to anyone, full review Here.
I'm now finishing off 'Auralia's Colours' and am looking at reading 'In the Eye of Heaven' (David Keck) next. _________________ Graeme's Fantasy Book Review
Does exactly what it says on the tin! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Deornoth
Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 446
|
Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 12:43 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Finished reading 'Auralia's Colors' (Jeffrey Overstreet). Although the prose is overdone at times (and characterisation sacrificed for worldbuilding) I thought this was a magical read and it's gentle tone was a refreshing counterpoint to most of the fantasy that I'm reading right now. This is the start of a series where I just know I'll be there for the duration.
My full review is Here.
It's Halloween tomorrow and I've just got an ARC of the new Brian Keene book ('Dark Hollow'), good timing I think! _________________ Graeme's Fantasy Book Review
Does exactly what it says on the tin! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Deornoth
Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 446
|
Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 11:58 am Post subject: |
|
|
Just finished reading Brian Keene's 'Dark Hollow' (due for a Feb 2008) release. An author finds his home town invaded by the kind of pagan god that likes to make off with the town's women and, well... you know... (I couldn't find a lechy smiley so you'll have to make one up yourself ) This creature must be stopped but at what cost?
'Dark Hollow' is brimming with gore but is also a very scarey read at the same time (just right for Halloween). I'd recommend it to fans of Brian Keene or anyone who's after some good horror to read. My full review is Here.
I'm reading the new Star Wars book by Karen Traviss ('True Colours') right now but am also thinking of picking up David Keck's 'In the Eye of Heaven' or Charles de Lint's 'The Ivory and the Horn'. _________________ Graeme's Fantasy Book Review
Does exactly what it says on the tin! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
NicciM
Joined: 09 Oct 2007 Posts: 27 Location: Toronto, Canada
|
Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 8:57 pm Post subject: |
|
|
i love charles de lint _________________ :If I knew where I would end up I would never bother leaving: |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Deornoth
Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 446
|
Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 4:16 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I had a quick flick through 'The Ivory and the Horn' this morning and it's just been bumped up to the top of the list
I reckon this could be a good one _________________ Graeme's Fantasy Book Review
Does exactly what it says on the tin! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Max Power
Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 467 Location: United Kingdom
|
Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 9:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Am about 100 pages into The Queen of Sinister by Mark Chadbourn. Not as in-depth and detailed as The Age of Misrul trilogy, but a good read in its own right. Very atmospheric. _________________ If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Grace
Joined: 28 May 2006 Posts: 302 Location: Bristol
|
Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 10:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Read the whole of Snakehead - Anthony Horowitz today. It's the seventh in his Alex Rider series and, though aimed at young teens, I still love these. This latest addition didn't disappoint, and is a darker book than the others. _________________ Taking off is optional, landing is mandatory. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Drizzt
Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 1081 Location: Easington, UK
|
Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 12:12 am Post subject: |
|
|
I Am Legend, R Matheson. Seeing as the movie's out soon I thought I'd best revisit the book. _________________ Pagan Music |
|
Back to top |
|
|
sir robin
Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Posts: 160 Location: United Kingdom. Corby northants
|
Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 3:41 pm Post subject: |
|
|
finshed the Troy series.
Good if a little slow burning at times. One Character i thought really good was Gershom in them. Was pleasently surprised who he was in the end
Now i'm reading 'Tourniquet' _________________ I phoned a psyhic hotline and they told me they see a large phonebill in my future |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|