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[Imported_beer]

David Gaider wrote...

If someone wants to suggest that my writing isn't publishable-- meh. There are people who enjoy it. Someone's estimation of their intelligence for doing so or my intelligence for providing it shouldn't impact on anyone else. Certainly doesn't bother me.

All that follows is personal opinion. Snobs, please note.

I have often wondered why as a person who LOATHES fantasy in written form, I so enjoyed your books. 

I think the reason I enjoy them, is that you always stop short of giving us an internal construct of the characters mind, motivations and persona. The character acts, speaks, behaves in an internally consistent way,  but I am then allowed to form my own internal construct of him or her. Thus, the same character can be interpreted so many ways, and yet the character is so consistent in its voice. This ambiguity is fascinating. I feel like I am playing a part in the story as well by working with you in creating the story in my head. 

 I think you bring this consistent voice, interpretable motivations that is characteristic in your characters in games, to your books. And it is often the reaction of the characters to events that drive the narrative, never some big event. I like that simplicity. I enjoy that your characters seem like people making the most of a situation instead of a myriad set of events getting together to form a plot. To me, it feels like you are telling me a story. It feels personal. I feel involved. I want to kick some of them, I want to hug some of them, I facepalm at some of the things they do. 

It was also very gratifying to see your voice getting stronger and even more confident as you went from the first book to the second. 

So yes, some people enjoy your books. VERY much. Some people read them the day they are out, do not put them down until they are done and then rush to amazon to write the review. Then some people buy multiple copies and gift them to others. 

Anyone who says there is some higher order rule of what makes brilliant prose forgets that the first rule of storytelling is that the reader enjoys it. And enjoyment is deeply subjective and personal. I enjoyed it so much I applied to be your prophet. If others didn't, that may be because the book didn't appeal to them. That is fair. But to then apply some allegedly objective construct to it is just....an attempt to justify why they didn't like it, and it is limited to their personal construct of what makes a novel enjoyable and should not be postulated to be a universal construct.

[NedPepper]

David Gaider wrote...

Addai67 wrote...
I didn't get beyond the first few paragraphs of that supposed review, which consisted of nothing but elitist dismissal of franchise fiction and video games. Literary people are snobs. People who imagine themselves literary and post on the internet... they're a whole different category.

Haters can get in line for their head crushing, right after Shale is done with the pigeons.

I'm under no illusion that I'm some fantabulous writer who can do no wrong. I do my best, and the most I can ask of myself is that I improve... and that's going to happen with practice, not via "helpful" critiques. I'm well aware of what my verbs are doing, and it's a pretty rare day that I don't criticize my own work more than anyone else does. Writers dip their pens in self-loathing, or so I'm told.

If someone wants to suggest that my writing isn't publishable-- meh. There are people who enjoy it. Someone's estimation of their intelligence for doing so or my intelligence for providing it shouldn't impact on anyone else. Certainly doesn't bother me.

Indeed they do dip their pens in self-loathing. Writers are much harder on themselves than any critic could be.

But the idea that your work isn't publishable...I could say the same about dozens of writers.  It doesn't matter as long as there is an understanding of how to tell a story and an understanding of grammar.  If there is a willing audience and a writer with an imagination, who is to say what can and cannot be published?

Critics are an interesting lot.  There's that old cliche: Writers write because they can, critics critique because they can't write.   I understand the need for professional critics who have studied literature, but what contitutes good writing and what doesn't is subjective, flexible, and many times arbitrary. 
.
Great pure storytelling doesn't need showoff literary tricks.  There are only so many Phillip Roths and Cormac McCarthys.  I'm glad we have them.   But I'm also glad we have Stephen King, George Martin, and JK Rowling.  And the dozens of genre writers who focus on story first.

My point: Gaider has shown that he is a great storyteller and has the skills to convey them in prose.  Does he have room to grow? EVERY WRITER should have room to grow.  When a writer stops trying to get better, it's time to hang up the word processer.

And if we want to talk about writers who are questionable...I give you James Patterson.   Sells millions of books and I can't bring myself down to his level to read them.  I'll take Gaider's witty fantasy any day.  To each their own.

[TanithAeyrs]

I think I'll stay out of the literary debate and simply pre-order the book. I read a wide variety of sci-fi and fantasy and Mr. Gaider's books sit next to Martin and McCaffery on my shelves. Would love to see a Kindle edition as the aforementioned shelves are in danger of collapsing from the weight of the stacked volumes.

[The Elite Elite]

Nice to see that there will be another DA book. I enjoyed both Stolen Throne and Calling quite a bit. (and I'm very happy that they're both signed by you, Mr. Gaider, for the BioWare Bazaar) Both helped me understand the world of Thedas much better, and give me a reason to not have you-know-who killed every Landsmeet. (the reverse being I now have little reason to want to let a certain other character live at the end of Awakening) I hope for similar new insights into DA2 from this book.

[Bryzon]

I have no problems with Mr. Gaider's work. I love the universe he describes and the characters that he creates. He's much better than some of the more popular authors and their works (Twilight comes to mind). Maybe you don't like his writing style, that is fine, but that is your preference and not his problem. I'll buy the book and enjoy it because this is what I enjoy.

[ArcaneWarriorJeebus]

It's great there's a new book and everything but when i sBioware going to release actual DLC not an item pack..something worth buying ya know?

[Kulyok]

Sounds great - I am definintely going to buy an e-version. I loved The Stolen Throne, myself.

The only thing that baffles me, however, is why the book needs to refer to the events of DA:O or DA2 at all, possibly ruining our (false, but still) impression that "the way each of us plays the game is canon". After all, the whole Dragon Age world is so huge that it can all easily fit into one canon - The Stolen Throne and The Calling certainly did.

[Micro_Chip]

Sounds great, really enjoyed the last 2 novels.

And the main character has the same name as me, including the Welsh spelling of the name! Very happy =D

[jaybee93]

Hooray! The other novels added a lot to the game & world so I can't wait for this one.

[gamedog2408]

D. Gaider is THE MAN!!!!!

[Race Dragonheart]

Chris Priestly wrote...

Filament wrote...

How do you pronounce Rhys..?

Most North Americans I have met pronounce it as "Reese" (like the peanut butter cup).

Back in Wales, I had a friend named Rhys and he pronounced it "Riss" (like kiss), so that is how I pronounce it.

Pardon my ignorance if you've already answered this, but you say 'back in wales'...are you welsh Chris or did you stay here some time? if so where you from/ where did you stay?

Sorry for going off topic...

As for the book, i think it looks like a good read...will it be in UK book stores or is it  case of ordering it online? not that it matters much, just i have alot of points i could use up in Waterstones...

[RedSonia]

I enjoyed The Stolen Throne and The Calling, the second one even better than the first one (Gaider's style definitely evolved in these). And I'm happy to know there will be a new novel. But I understand people concerned about their decissions not being shown in that novel. I know Origins has a lot of choices to be made and it is impossible to please anyone, but I'm a sucker for continuity and same as Anders presence in DA2 (and all the changes to his personality) absolutely annoy me, I can understand people who killed Wynne or Shale will be annoyed too see them alive. Specially when it could be managed with ambigous references and not focusing a lot in these characters. And this is said from the point of view of a Wynne fan who will ADORE to see her again in the games or the books (heck, when I met her in Awakening my Warden almost hit the Chantry's wall trying to go after her when she left)

Funny thing my main concern is how will this affect to a fanfic/fancomic I've just scripted, related to Wynne's research to give back a body to Shale. A fanfic, LOL! But as I said I'm a sucker for continuity, I changed a lot of things to make my fanfic match with all that had already been released and now... I'm afraid this book will change everything.

Oh, well, I'll cross my fingers and buy the book anyway, because I will enjoy it anyway.

[rolson00]

David Gaider wrote...

mykeme wrote...
Judging by this review:

http://goldenpigsy.b...one-review.html

Nothing is worth purchasing if it has D. Gaider written on the cover or in case of movies/games, listed in the credits.

If anyone cares what that guy thinks, sure.

Sylvius the Mad wrote...
I'm sorry, David, but you weren't really being that cryptic.

that review was as believable as a real life pokemon i stop reading halfway threw it wasnt a review it was another crack a da2 i see enough on BSN

[xxellenmaysongxx]

I still haven't read the first two books.....

But a book about Wynne would be iffy as some people killed her....
Personally I would write the story but not include characters that are linked with Origins with possible deaths... and let fans choose who is Wynne's son and the father of that Child.... (I bet it was Greagoir!)

[HSHAW]

xxellenmaysongxx wrote...

I still haven't read the first two books.....

But a book about Wynne would be iffy as some people killed her....
Personally I would write the story but not include characters that are linked with Origins with possible deaths... and let fans choose who is Wynne's son and the father of that Child.... (I bet it was Greagoir!)

Which is worse? Not seeing fan favourite characters again because a few people killed them or stepping on a few toes and making some decisions non canon in order to use those characters again?

[Esbatty]

*rolls in thread like a cat taking a dirt bath*

Mmm... December.

[rolson00]

xxellenmaysongxx wrote...

I still haven't read the first two books.....

But a book about Wynne would be iffy as some people killed her....
Personally I would write the story but not include characters that are linked with Origins with possible deaths... and let fans choose who is Wynne's son and the father of that Child.... (I bet it was Greagoir!)

they always have a default story like they do with shepard being male,earthborn,sole survior and solder.
fable also does it

[macrocarl]

Isn't this pre-warden Wynn? Do we know fir sure? Anyway, if Leliana and Zev can come back, maybe she can too? And there's a really rocking reason other than retcon? Maybe it ties in with the warden and Hawke disappearing too? That'd be nifty.

[David Gaider]

macrocarl wrote...
Isn't this pre-warden Wynn? Do we know fir sure? Anyway, if Leliana and Zev can come back, maybe she can too? And there's a really rocking reason other than retcon? Maybe it ties in with the warden and Hawke disappearing too? That'd be nifty.

There is nothing happening in the novel that will directly tie into a future game. They are tangentially related at best. In the case of the novel, it takes a few events/characters that have variable outcomes in the games and it chooses one-- establishing an internal canon which is necessary simply by virtue of what it is. If you're worried about this doing so extensively, don't be. I tend to avoid such references unless required.

The alternative, as mentioned, would be to avoid all such referneces and characters altogether. Which I didn't want to do, and don't see a need for. This is a "might have been" as much as it is insight into events that followed DA2's timeline, and part of the fun is using that timeline-- not avoiding it. It is not, however, laying a foundation for things future games will draw directly from.

Hope that's clear.

Modifié par David Gaider, 16 juin 2011 - 05:16 .

[Whatsupnewyork]

David Gaider wrote...

macrocarl wrote...
Isn't this pre-warden Wynn? Do we know fir sure? Anyway, if Leliana and Zev can come back, maybe she can too? And there's a really rocking reason other than retcon? Maybe it ties in with the warden and Hawke disappearing too? That'd be nifty.

There is nothing happening in the novel that will directly tie into a future game. They are tangentially related at best. In the case of the novel, it takes a few events/characters that have variable outcomes in the games and it chooses one-- establishing an internal canon which is necessary simply by virtue of what it is. If you're worried about this doing so extensively, don't be. I tend to avoid such references unless required.

The alternative, as mentioned, would be to avoid all such referneces and characters altogether. Which I didn't want to do, and don't see a need for. This is a "might have been" as much as it is insight into events that followed DA2's timeline, and part of the fun is using that timeline-- not avoiding it. It is not, however, laying a foundation for things future games will draw directly from.

Hope that's clear.

Were you one of the main story writers for DA2?

[Brockololly]

David Gaider wrote...
This is a "might have been" as much as it is insight into events that followed DA2's timeline, and part of the fun is using that timeline-- not avoiding it. It is not, however, laying a foundation for things future games will draw directly from.

Tangentially related, but will we ever get a clear timeline for DA? Like one that firmly states whenthe events of Origins / Awakening/ Witch Hunt / DA2 happened and so forth? Especially for something like WH, its a bit all over the place.

[upsettingshorts]

Whatsupnewyork wrote...
Were you one of the main story writers for DA2?

If you can't read his signature, what makes you think you'll be able to read his follow up reply to this question - should it be forthcoming?

[Whatsupnewyork]

I don't take notice of signatures, really.

I can't believe that this guy wrote the brilliant Dragon Age books, but also wrote DA2. What happened?

[Sylvius the Mad]

I find no fault with the writing of DA2.