P. Pherson’s Comments (group member since Nov 27, 2024)

P. Pherson’s comments from the Fantasy group.

I've written such before, but did not publish it. I don't think I ever will. But if you were interested...

Well...that's cause they've not spent time with a dragon.

I dont know, all vampires do is lay around all day, and then at night, they a hanging from the roof of the cave acting all batty.... I much prefer a fairy.

Well....I would love an epic romantasy, with some wine, a dragon (me), and a lovely elf...so Francis is winning by me.

Though...if I was on my own, I suppose epic fantasy, lemonade, a dragon, and fairy or an elf or a mermaid, or an angel, or a giene--any would be good.

Does Nymph count?

I mean...has to be Dragons. What could be cooler? :) All those other ones have their place, but Dragons kind of rule the roost. Sorry, pesky vampires and werewolfs, but you'll just get burnt.

I did not think you were serious ;)

Many think Sanderson did a better job than Jordan on the last books of the series. I found Jordan hard to read. But, I feel for him. Imagine spending your whole life writing a series and then to die before its finished. I'd not want to go to my grave like that.

But...I think Martin will not finish Game of Thrones. When I see him in interviews, I don't see that his heart is really in it.

Sanderson gets a lot of credit for his magic systems, and those are not a focus of mine. Martin is trying to show a fantasy story without a dark lord, and a lot of black and white issues. I think he would put me in the category of those he was trying to write differently from.

I think stylistically, Martin shares a harshness about the world that I also portray, but he would not appreciate some of my religious themes. I don't think I'd be a good match.

Really...he has to do it.

But...Im a nobody ;) I wont be holding my breath waiting to get asked.

Well...I am not sure I can help. I don't read fast enough to be current on anything. I am not sure if anything I've read recently might meet the criteria. I might suggest my own books ;) but the whole series is not out yet.

Well...would it be literary if it was not old?

Does not, to some degree, it earn the title literary because it has stood the test of time, and won some agreement on the resonance of its themes to a type of timelessness?

I am not sure that can occur in a newish book. It needs time to go settle itself in.

Contemporary stuff, may reach for literary status, but anything riding the current waves of public sentiment may just as well disappear when the next thing comes along....

It would be hard to tell.


I think Sword of Kaigen may win some longevity as a stand alone book.

Well...Kull, if you enjoyed Conan for one. Red Sonja as well.

The Epic of Gilgamesh.
The Authurian Lengends.
The Illiad and Oddysey
Beowulf
Watership Down
The Wizard of Oz
Narnia
the Aeneid
Tolkien (of course)
Faust
The Mabinogion


Some others that are in the Barbarian type fiction:
Cormac Mac Art
Brak
Gor
Tarzan
Solomon Kane
John Carter
Death Stalker
Kane

The Silmarillion was a very hard book for me to get through. Read it again? That's too much for me.

Sanderson says he wont do it.

Personally, i think Martin will not finish the series. He does not seem to have the love for it that would drive him to it, and given his age and weight, I suspect its a big ask.

But if he needs someone, im available ;).

1. The Sword of Kaigon
2. Mom's Lasagna
3. Pakksenarion
4. Gilgamesh

I like both those names. They are fun to say.

Well...I'm still reading the Sword of Kaigon, so that one ;)

I am hoping to finish and get back to book 3 of the deed of Pakksenarion. I am more looking forward to this.

Good Question. I am not even sure which books were this year and which the year before. I think I will go with the Epic of Gilgamesh. I found it fascinating for reasons that speaks across the ages. Not really for its engaging characters and elegant prose.

That, and of course my own book ;)

Thanks Sophie. Here's to a successful 2025!

I think Kull is the better character, actually. But....I am not sure others will agree with me on that.

I think By this axe I rule, is Howards best story.

I have to take that back, there may be complete Conan novels, I meant to say, Howard only has one effort at a novel, and it was incomplete. Other authors may have written him. I tend to go to the source, so that would be Howard.

Howdy Brad, Welcome here. I used to like pro football, but could never get into college. Never give up the fitness ;) It will mater more and more as you get older.

I hope you've read more than just Conan. He actually only has one 'novel', and it was incomplete.

As a fantasy writer, the rule is kind of, I get to make the world and the rules, but once made, I break them at my peril. Breaking the established rules of the story cause it to lose credibility, and ultimately reader trust. So...if you do it, there better be a good story reason for it. Otherwise....be ready for 2 stars ;)