If You Could Have Your Way With An Author...

[Greg]

If you could have your way with any author, what would you do?

Now, before we let our minds get off into other directions, I want to make it clear that by having your way I mean you can tell them what to write.

What are fantasy elements you'd like to see your favorite authors write about?


My top 3 would be:

Politics: I like fantasy books with some kind of political intrigue going on behind the scenes.

Money: I like series where the main characters are actually concerned about money, and may even struggle with it.

Combat: I do like a good battle, or 5. Fight scenes and battle scenes that don't take up a HUGE chapter or several are best for me.

So what would you want your favorite author to write in their next book?

[Michelle]

I'd probably just tell them to write a continuation of a series they ended. I'd leave the rest up to them :)

[Greg]

Michelle E. wrote: "I'd probably just tell them to write a continuation of a series they ended. I'd leave the rest up to them :)"

I think that's a pretty good idea, but what if you could dictate how that series continued.

I'd personally like Stephen King to write a book solely about Blain the Mono, dealing with his early life, childhood, first loves, awkward moments, and trips to camp. I just don't think he'd be too accommodating, however.

The Drawing of the Three by

[Femmy]

I would love to see Robin Hobb adapt Jin Yong's trilogy of wuxia novels into fantasy. Both wuxia and fantasy novels often involve adventure, chivalry, swordmanship, romance, intrigues, etc. I think Jin Yong's trilogy is the best in the wuxia genre, with grand plots, unique characters, and complex relationships. And I think one of Hobb's strength is exploring characters and the relationships between them. It would be a perfect match.

[J.W.]

if I could REALLY have my way........
resurrect Robert E. Howard ... and have him pick up where he left off .....

but I can think of a current author or two .. that I would like to see keeping their books shorter with a lot less point of view changes

[Martha]

I'd like Sarah Monette to write more with the characters from Melusine and Jaida and Danielle write more of their series.

[Greg]

Make Tolkien write more. Just more. What happens after the war of the ring? More tales from before. More of everything.

[Michelle]

I second that as well :)

[K.A.]

I'd lock Scott Lynch in a cell until he finishes the Locke Lamora series...

[Greg]

K.A. wrote: "I'd lock Scott Lynch in a cell until he finishes the Locke Lamora series..."

Ha, I think we've all got a few authors like that.

[Sandra]

I'm getting a charge out of these posts! LOL

[Hudson]

K.A. wrote: "I'd lock Scott Lynch in a cell until he finishes the Locke Lamora series..."

Perhaps we can put George RR Martin in that cell too.

[[deleted user]]

Hudson wrote: "K.A. wrote: "I'd lock Scott Lynch in a cell until he finishes the Locke Lamora series..."

Perhaps we can put George RR Martin in that cell too."

I strongly suspect even this will not speed up his writings.

[Brenda ╰☆╮]

First, we need to organize a seance to contact Tolkien.

Might be fun!

[Joseph]

I want Michael Reaves to write another The Shattered World book. Underappreciated masterpiece. Then I'd resurrect M.A.R. Barker so that he could write more Tekumel novels (Man of Gold et al.).

[Kevin]

We need to put George R.R. Martin and James Patterson both in a cell and tell the both of them to come out with a book once a year. The two of them have the opposite problem with Martin writing too slow, and Patterson, not even writing most of his books anymore.

[Helen, I·ᴍ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ]

Oh, great minds think alike. My first thought was to chain Martin to a computer and getting the end of a series. In fact, while I'm risking prison, Janny Wurts, Rothfuss, you are in my sights.

[K.A.]

I guess I have to release Scott Lynch, as the third book is apparently out.

[Steven]

I would resurrect Sterling E. Lanier, Gary Gygax, and Joel Rosenberg and ask them to create an anthology that exists in the same world, but from their own unique perspectives.

[Elise]

You people are so cruel to authors :P I think I might resurrect Andre Norton so I could see an end to The Halfblood Chronicles or have Mercedes Lackey finish it her own way.

[Dana]

George R.R. Martin & Tolkien together writing a trilogy. tTolkin would have to brand Martin's backend a few times.

[[deleted user]]

Dana wrote: "George R.R. Martin & Tolkien together writing a trilogy. tTolkin would have to brand Martin's backend a few times."

And so we came to Rule 34 of the internet...

[Devan]

I would definitely have to put Patrick Rothfuss in the naughty spot. Making us wait this long for each book is so cruel! :)

[Helen, I·ᴍ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ]

I want to hit the 'Like' button for the last few comments! What is rule 34?

[Brenda ╰☆╮]

LOL
Every time I read this topic...
I must have a quirky smile.

;)
Heehee..

[Janny]

Helen wrote: "Oh, great minds think alike. My first thought was to chain Martin to a computer and getting the end of a series. In fact, while I'm risking prison, Janny Wurts, Rothfuss, you are in my sights."

Oh, relief from the nightmare! Chained to a computer I'd survive with bliss, if it meant not having to cook; but getting locked in with big Name Wind-y authors with BEARDS? O-o, That's Stark Misery in a jail cell. Watch it. I'd hack the draft of the unfinished last chapters to duck that Crows Feast of Fear...!!!

[Martha]

Devan wrote: "I would definitely have to put Patrick Rothfuss in the naughty spot. Making us wait this long for each book is so cruel! :)"

But SO worth it!! I'm willing to wait a bit for quality like this - no typos, no misspellings, no grammatical errors and nobody switching gender in the middle AND great characterization, plot and description. Yeah, totally willing to wait.

[Kevin]

Helen wrote: "I want to hit the 'Like' button for the last few comments! What is rule 34?"

Rule 34 by Charles Stross

[Charles]

Janny wrote: "Helen wrote: "Oh, great minds think alike. My first thought was to chain Martin to a computer and getting the end of a series. In fact, while I'm risking prison, Janny Wurts, Rothfuss, you are in m..."

Glad to see that your rapier wit (no pun) has not suffered since I last heard from you. I am sure that the grand conclusion of WoL&S will be totally worth the wait.

[Helen, I·ᴍ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ]

Janny wrote: "Helen wrote: "Oh, great minds think alike. My first thought was to chain Martin to a computer and getting the end of a series. In fact, while I'm risking prison, Janny Wurts, Rothfuss, you are in m..."

Wow, imagine that as a story, authors found chained to computer, concluding books all confused, just what was Kvothe doing with Lysaer? Lol.

Cheers Kevin, it looks good.

[[deleted user]]

I would make Eric Van lustbader finish his pearl saga series.

[Jeremy]

I would like to see more authors write about the villains in their books....whether they be short stories or a full length novel, focusing on a particular villain and possibly explaining why they turned out the way they did.....I loved R.A. Salvatore's books where he set Drizzt aside and Jarlaxle and Entreri were the main characters....

[[deleted user]]

I would take a bunch of authors (dead and alive) and ask them to do something along the lines of Thieves' World, where they collaborate to create one world. Each could do a short story or novella, and then they could perhaps all contribute ideas to make one series. Imagine Sanderson's magic and world building with Tolkien's prose.

It would probably take them forever to agree on a plot and characters though.

[Steven]

Ross wrote: "I would take a bunch of authors (dead and alive) and ask them to do something along the lines of Thieves' World, where they collaborate to create one world. Each could do a short stor..."

Ross, great idea! I loved the Thieves' World from back in the day. Same world and locations, but each author writes events from a different character's perspective. I'd buy that for a dollar!

[Janny]

Ross wrote: "I would take a bunch of authors (dead and alive) and ask them to do something along the lines of Thieves' World, where they collaborate to create one world. Each could do a short stor..."

There are many anthologies out there that are 'shared world' universes - some fantasy, some SF, and one I saw kickstarted very recently.

A few that come to mind were done from Elfquest, one SF one titled The Fleet, and a whole lot more - there was a period where the Thieves World collaboratives spawned a whole slew of these works. A little research should turn them up.

Closer up, The Golden Key was actually written by three different fantasy authors, all working in the same world, under a very specific magic system - again a shared world. I don't see it recommended much, don't let that put you off. The installment by Jennifer Roberson alone is worth the price of admission, and there is enough gritty politics to satisfy today's audience, I should think.

[[deleted user]]

Janny wrote:"There are many anthologies out there that are 'shared world' universes - some fantasy, some SF, and one I saw kickstarted very recently."

Do you remember the title of the started recently?

Thanks for telling me that there are such series around and for the recommendation of The Golden Key. I will definitely try to get hold of it somewhere.

[Janny]

Ross wrote: "Janny wrote:"There are many anthologies out there that are 'shared world' universes - some fantasy, some SF, and one I saw kickstarted very recently."

Do you remember the title of the started rece..."

I don't, but I do recall Julie Czerneda was one of the contributors. She's active on Facebook, and perhaps, a listing of her works there or on a book catalogueing site will bring up the title. It was a kickstarter project and if I recall rightly, had a sort of South American/Aztec looking style to the cover, though it was fantasy themed. The contributing authors were mixed, male and female.

[Janny]

Ross wrote: "Janny wrote:"There are many anthologies out there that are 'shared world' universes - some fantasy, some SF, and one I saw kickstarted very recently."

Do you remember the title of the started rece..."

Found it - Tales of the Emerald Serpent

[Lee]

Jeremy wrote: "I would like to see more authors write about the villains in their books....whether they be short stories or a full length novel, focusing on a particular villain and possibly explaining why they t..."

Those are my favorite Forgotten Realms books. I wish Salvatore had kept Jarlaxle and Artemis going longer. Such a fun pairing.

[Jeremy]

Nienna wrote: "Those are my favorite Forgotten Realms books. I wish Salvatore had kept Jarlaxle and Artemis going longer. Such a fun pairing."

I agree...that Sellswords Trilogy was my fav of his series, along with the short stories that came before that.

[[deleted user]]

Janny wrote:"Found it - Tales of the Emerald Serpent"

Thanks!

[Christopher]

Rothfuss and Martin in a cell, on bread and water, until they finish their blasted series. Yes.

I would have Robert Jordan resurrected and then forced to edit his series down into about three books. Also on bread and water until finished.

[Greg]

Christopher wrote: "Rothfuss and Martin in a cell, on bread and water, until they finish their blasted series. Yes.

I would have Robert Jordan resurrected and then forced to edit his series down into about three book..."

Hm, maybe we could get the Fantasy Guild of America on this?

[Lee]

I'm finishing up the Mistborn trilogy (as a reread) and it just struck me how much I would love to read about the events before the book begins. The Lord Ruler and how he came into power. And Kell and his wife and how they were caught.
I would also love to read about the events before Martin's Game of Thrones. But first he has to finish them. ;)

[Kevin]

Christopher wrote: "Rothfuss and Martin in a cell, on bread and water, until they finish their blasted series. Yes.

I would have Robert Jordan resurrected and then forced to edit his series down into about three book..."

Three books sounds harsh, I would have done six books because I think I heard or read somewhere the series was suppose to be sixth books originally.

[Lee]

I had to stop WoT. It was too long and getting too confusing to read. Too many characters. And way too many minor characters I didn't even care about. I do want to know how it all ended and I do plan on reading them straight thru at some point. But I'm not looking forward to it. They should've been edited. Big time. And I usually don't say that.

[Katja]

I would convince James Clemens to publish the last book of the Godslayer Chronicles. I realy loved this series, but after 7 years I have little hope.

[Harry]

Make Mark C. Perry finish the Morigu series.

Resurrect Paul Edwin Zimmer because he was awesome. I think he was the original "Most interesting man in the world". Ha!

Of course let Tolkien write more. Who wouldn't want that.

Bring Zelazny back to the land of the living to write more Amber books. Or anything really.

But, mostly I think to just stick our favorite authors in a time bubble to speed their work up. Because, can they really write swiftly enough to satisfy us?

[L.G.]

I'd love to see Tolkien finish his writing. Alternatively, I'd love to see him right something in science fiction. His brand of poetic writing would be great to see in something involving space.

I'd like to see G. R. R. Martin write something that was all sunshines, rainbows, and cuddly kittens because I want to know if he could.

[Katey]

K.A. wrote: "I'd lock Scott Lynch in a cell until he finishes the Locke Lamora series..."

Love this idea. Would also ask Abercrombie to write more about Sand Dan Glokta.