Tyson

I'm still convinced the boon was to forget his wife. If it was the curse, what would be the point of all the mystery? Sanderson is using Shshshsh and Dalinar's memory lapse to hide an important plot point. A twist in the tale. Why would he go through the trouble to erase the name and memory of just a regular woman, albiet the Blackthorn's wife. Dalinar knows his curse, he says this. But not once in his chapters does he let the reader assume that the curse was forgetting his wife. As a frequent writer myself, I can 110% tell you that Brandon has made a considerable effort not to let this happen. It would be easy for a writer to let Dalinar think about forgetting his wife and associate it with the nightwatchers curse. Sanderson has kept the two lines of thought seperate. For that thread of the story to progress it is only logical to assume that Dalinar asked to forget his wife. Why is another question. Betrayal? Heartbreak? To hide another plot?

I once started writing an epic fantasy where the world was split by an immense desert sea. A nomadic race travelled between oasis' riding inside enourmas tortoises, carving doors and windows inside the shells and using the beasts like living caravans to shelter from the unbearable sun. I just thought it would be a cool way to live. Tortoises live and grow forver, so imagine a young tortoise with a shell the size of a minivan ranging to an ancient one with a shell the size of a large house. In war they would be used like tanks. Just wading through a battle lines carrying warriors like a trojan horse. __ Another idea I had was to write a vampire story with a twist. Vampire aren't parasites, rather symbiotes. They were created as a method of humans living forever. Humans age (born young get old), vampires rejuvinate (created old, grow young). They feed on the invested time of humans body, reversing the affects of aging for the benefit of both symbiote and host. Memory of their purpose faded as human society grows. As kingdoms rise and fall, ages pass and Vampires become misunderstood and feared. Men now hunt them. As the vampire population dwindles, humans age and die. If Vampires are hunted to extinction, eternal youth is lost forever. I think the race needs a better name than vampire though.

Yllish knots. Well maybe not exactly that the knots are magic, but a form of magic where writing something down and reading it, makes it real. A form of shaping. Denna breifly mentions this type of magic but if I recall correctly, Kvothe dismisses it and the subject moves on. The Kingkiller Chronicles as a whole has a loose theme about the importance, power and danager of story's and trading such story's. The Chandrian try and erase records of story's that are not to their liking. We have several huge passages that tell the same story but a different version of events. Telhu and Encanis, Jax and the moon, Lanre, Iax, Amyr and Alephi. There a so many versions, each storyteller claiming theirs is the correct version. Wild theory: I'm fairly certain thats one magic anyway. The other i'm not sure on. A fair bet would be some form of music.

Ivory is a tiny little man with a moustache, tuxedo, bow tie, top hat, monocole and cane. A pocket sized victorian gentleman, made out of black ink...oh and a high class British accent. Yet in the book, i'm sure he is only described as having a suit and long coat. My mind must have added the rest.

Maybe she mistakingly sentenced an innocent to a harsh sentence (life or death penalty) and turned to God after realising her mistake. Looking for someway to repent or something. That could also be the reason why she teamed up with Doc and co. early after Calamity, to try and help people. She has worked hard at being a good person, even though she is an Epic. I need to give it a re-read to be honest. I feel like I missed some stuff.

This is an important point that people pass over too quickly. The Chronicler had already produced litertary works long before Kvothe attended the university, "Mating Habits of the Common Dracus", but also mentions he has heard of Kvothe lengendary exploits at the university when The Chronicler was there. Suggesting that The Chronicler has been present at the university both before and after Kvothe's attendance. The Chronicler's age and appearance are not heavily described. He is portrayed as being rather plain and ordinary. The Chronicler can Name iron. Strange for a writer wouldn't you say? This suggests that he has studied either under Elodin or the previous Master Namer. The Chronicler is on speaking terms with the mysterious Skarpi. Bast, in a moment of utter incompetence, leaks Kvothe's whereabouts to the world for the usual misguided fae reasoning. But out of all the people to find the Waystone Inn first, out of all Kvothe's enemies (Chandrian, Pennitent King, various Fae judging from the attack of the skin dancer, presumably bounty hunters as Kvothe is a wanted man) a humble writer with no more resources than a horse and expensive ink and paper, finds Kvothe first? Coincidence? I think Patrick Rothfuss is too good of a writer to lean on coincidence. Everything points to The Chronicler actually being a far more important part of the story than first suggested, with access to a huge amount of resources and a method of hearing rumours almost as quick as the Chandrian and Skarpi. But what a fantastic series it is.The second book was meandering and left a lot of loose ends, but I hope the third (and final?) installment manages to tie it all up. In my opinion, Patrick Rothfuss is the most gifted fantast writer at the moment. Take away the worldbuilding, productivity and originality, and Patrick Rothfuss' prose could make a Telephone Directory read like a novel. He is far more skilled with words than Brandon Sanderson, but Brandon beats him in other areas.

Well, funnily enough, i've been searching for baby names all day. My wife is due December and we can't decide on names. I like strange names, something that not many other people have. Boy: Enzo Lake Winter Girl: Selene Francesca Suki My wife drifts between outlandish and classical names, but so far we have been unable to decide on one.

2/5. Sorry we can't be freinds

Batman or Superman? Halo or CoD? Messi or Ronaldo? Ferarri or Lamborghini? Books or movies? And just a warning...there ARE right and wrong answers. Opinion doens't apply.

I'm mixed race. I've been called all sorts and i've almost never felt offended by any term used to describe my ethnicity. Call me half-cast, bi-racial, mixed race, coloured etc. in no way do I find it racist. Thats what I am. No one else should be made to watch their tongue everytime my ethnicity is brought up in a conversation. Person: "So what are you? Like I mean...erm...what nationality. No I mean what are your parents? Like are you mixed or something?" Me: "For god sake, just ask me if i'm half-cast." I don't want anyone to ever feel awkward discussing the topic, just because they struggle to find the correct term. I term my parents as "White" and "Black" even though no human has white or black skin, so why would I be offended if someone termed me as "half-something". I am half "white" and half "black". I've never understood how some people think you need to be careful with words. A word is just a sound, shaped in a way to give a meaning. Sounds and meanings can't hurt people, its the way they are delivered that stings. Here's a quote that I love from Peter Dinklage (plays Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones) who is a dwarf and is asked about the correct terms of his condition: “I hate all that ‘little person’ rust. Call me a midget, but just be real. I am all for correct terms, but please don’t tiptoe around feelings. Don’t be too careful, because that shuts you off from people"

It doesn't really matter. Give the most honest and straight forward opinion of the peice of writing. What you liked? What you didn't like? What could be changed to make it better? Don't over think these questions, use your gut feeling. It also depends what you are aiming for in your review. Is it a book review like you would read on Goodreads? (A personal opinion of the story) or rather, feedback for the writer of the fan fic? Book Review: this is a personal opinion so there is no right or wrong. The quality of your own writing is more important for a review. Hence why columnists and professional critics have qualifications in English Lit and Creative Writing (if it was so easy, everyone would be doing it). You need to entertain the reader with humour and make it flow between each subject. The use of an engaging and strong voice is essential. If it reads like the back of a cereal box, no one will want to read it. Feedback: this is even easier. Think of yourself as a representation of the potential audience. You point out what you like, dislike, bits where you laughed, bits where your mind wandered, bits where you were on the edge of your seat. It's up to the writer to take the information you provide and decide what to do with it. Mary Robinette Kowal done a great video explaining how to give feedback. I can't remember her exact words but in summary: Symptom - Diagnosis - Prescription This is how feedback can be interpreted. Symptom - this is the most basic and most essential type. It's pretty much your first, knee jerk reaction to a peice of writing. This is what most writers crave, it gives them an rough idea of how their potential audience will feel about their work, how their characters are recieved and parts which need to be removed from the story. Anyone can give a symptom. This is the purpose of pre-readers. Example: I hate Kaladin. Diagnosis - this is what comes after the symptom. A diagnosis is explaining why you felt that way. What caused your knee jerk reaction to a certain chaaracter. A correct diagnosis depends on your own expereince as a reader and writer. If you gave me feedback on my work for example, i'd value the symptoms more than a diagnosis. Sometimes its easy to incorrectly diagnose a symptom. A close knit writing group with people you trust is a better method of gaining diagnosis, unless of course Neil Gaiman reviewed my work lol. As the more experenced writer, i'd accept everything he said. Example: I hate Kaladin because he is always depressed (incorrect diagnosis). I hate Kaladin because he holds onto injustice and only sees the bad in the world, he has no humour at all (correct diagnosis) Prescription - this is for someone who's judgment is extremely good. An existing author, a publisher, an editor. These peices of advice could completely change a writers story, so why would they listen to anyone unles they trusted them 100%. Regardless, a good critic would offer suggestions for the prescription, it would be down to the writer to decide to use it or not. Example: I would hate Kaladin less if you provided a foil for his personality. Maybe a mischeivious little spren? A comical freind with one arm and cheesy jokes? A voice of wisdom and loyalty in the form of a large, bearded cook maybe? Kaladin's story just needs something to take the edge off the bitterness. So ye...i've just done a really bad job of explaining that. But try and find the video on youtube, it will make more sense. Hope it helps.

The dark silhouette of hills on the horizon shifted its form, like a bank of black smoke dancing on a distant wind.

Finshed The Emperors Blades. Amazing. Has easily found a spot in my top 5 and one of the only books that has ever brought me close to tears (i'm not the crying sort of guy). Starting the second book Providence of Fire. After that: 1. Grapes of Wrath 2. Anancy Boys 3. The Dinosaur Lords Does anybody recommend the Powder Mage series? Again, i've read too many conflicting reviews to warrant a purchase.

Symphany - Name of the Wind

I PREDICT THE FOLLOWING: Fall out 4 - preview and release date Battlecry - preview and release date Skyrim remastered - preview and release date TES VI - official name and logo

Reading the Unhewn Throne Trilogy by Brian Staveley. I was unsure whether or not to read this series due to contrasting reviews on Goodreads. It seems that most people either give it 5 stars or 1 star, so its a love it or hate it sort of book. So far it's briliant. Easliy slipping into my top 5 favourite books, but I'll try to reserve any real judgement until I finish the trilogy. On another note: Am I the only person excited for The Dinosuar Lords by Victor Milan? I mean, Knights RIDING dinosaurs!!!!!! I'll buy the book to put on my shelf for the front cover alone.

Magic System idea: Have you ever been so mad that your face burns and feels like steam is coming from your ears? Have you ever been so scared that the air chills and goosebumps cover your skin? Have you ever been so happy that you felt weightless, ready to blow away in gust of wind? Have you ever been so shocked/surprised that the moment seems to move in slow motion, your mind moving overtime to take everything in? If so you are what we call a Manic. Manics are powerful magicians who have learned to perfectly control their emotions. Each emotion on the "Wheel of Emotion" (from Google) and corresponds to a unique ability, similar to how metals correspond to allomantic abilities. The stronger the emotion, the stronger the ability. A well trained Manic can flick through their emotions like the pages of a book, using past experiences (deaths of loved ones, happy moments etc.) to fuel their emotions. They wear masks to hide their faces, lest they betray their emotions to other Manics. The training is brutal. Strong emotions are purposefully stirred in apprentices. Torture, assasination of close freinds and family and extravagant gifts are used to give Manics a host of experiences to fuel their emotions. Example of a Manics power: A Manic that has stirred a powerful rage could melt iron with his bare hands. A Manic who is extremely happy becomes weightless and is able to ride the wind. Etc.

Talanic's advice on talking about writing and finding an audience is spot on. Though it sounds silly, it is incredibly easy to trick yourself into thinking you have completed a novel before you have even wrote a single chapter. All the ideas in the world don't mean anything unless you have something on paper, even in the most basic prose. Audiences can be difficult to find. Instead I would encourage all aspiring writers to join or set up a small writing group. Nothing large mind, a group of 4-6 people is the ideal number in my own experience. Setting a weekly deadline for submitting a piece of writing will motivate you to write, think of it similar to school work. Providing feedback on the other members weekly submissions, helps build a critical eye of your own work and also gives you a chance to learn from your fellow writers varied writing styles. Try it for 3 months and I garuntee you will not be disappointed. Our writing group used this very forum to find members over a year ago and although a few dropped out early on, four of us have become good friends and better writers because of the group. I've read the work you posted here before. It's good stuff.

Half way through book 2. I've been told you really have to stick with it for the first few books and then it becomes an epic, so i will give it another try. I've tried twice with Wheel of Time and can't learn to like it. I just have so many gripes with the series it is unreal. I'm suprised at how many people have placed the Cosmere so high. I liked the first Mistborn, I struggled with the other 2. I think Brandons newest releases are briliant though. His style has developed so much. Alloy of Law was fantastic, so i'm guessing his new series will creep into the top 5.

Better written than Cosmere work, in my oppinion. More subtle than Brandon. Though Rothfuss seems to have gone a long, winding tangent in Book 2, which didn't really advance the story from the end of Name of the Wind. So i'm extremely skeptical that he will be able to tie up all the strings in book 3. Unless ofcourse this is the frist trilogy of a larger series, as some people speculate. The series seems destined to hit lofty heights or crash and burn, dependant on the quality of the next book. I can't see a middle ground. If Book 3 is bad, I will feel as if Rothfuss has kept me dangling from a line for almost ten years of procrastination and charity fundraisers. If it's good, I will hail him as a genius. Seems to be the general consensus from other review sites as well. I don't mind slow writing, if it's worth it. GRRM is a genius. A reader can appreciate the amount of time it takes to write one of his books. __ As for my top 5. 1. ASOIAF 2. Stormlight (currently, though I think it has more potential of descending than reaching number 1) 3. KingKiller (same as above) 4. Broken Empire 5. Lord of the Rings Tried and failed at reading Malazan and got to book 3 of WoT before characters annoyed me too much.

Yes thats fine. I've found scraps of information and ideas so far, but I know that I have a vague set of notes somewhere on my PC. I'll dig deeper tomorrow. PM me an email to send them to or I can upload them here under spoiler tags.

Ha, what kind of half-wit lives in a tent after witnessing the devestation of an Everstorm, she thought.

Part 2 - second characters POV

So here's the unfinished chapter 1 if anyones interested.

Thread necromancing Cleaning out my desktop and come across an unfinished chapter 1 which I wrote for this over a year ago. Other projects and ideas, namely the current novel that i'm writing, has taken priority so i'll probably never get round to finishing this novel. Some i'm offering it to any writers who are struggling for inspiration. I have notes (somewhere on my pc), names (a list of characters also hidden in the depths of my pc), a world map (i've found this one lol) and general assistance to give to anyone who wants something to write. I know in my early days I struggled to think of something decent to write and wished someone would just give me an idea. I don't require anything in return. I just like to encourage people to write, so you can change or do anything you like to this story.