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[MacNasty]

lillitheris wrote...

Icyflare wrote...

MacNasty wrote...

On a side note, what are your favorite books? Figured I would ask, I've run out of books, and I just keep re-reading my favorite series of books...

I love Neil Gaiman's works (except for Stardust, even with the pretty pictures), so maybe stuff like American Gods or his short stories would be interesting to you. Terry Pratchett's books are also good. Both his and Gaiman's works are fantasy if you're into that.

Pratchett, yes, required reading (except for the Wee Free Men stuff, not a big fan). Gaiman I never really liked…I’ve even got the Sandman bound editions, but mainly for the art

You may not be surprised to know I like ASOIAF.

I have recently read, in no particular order except * for special recs:

*Dan Simmons: Drood, Terror (historical fiction) — and subsequently all of Dickens and Wilkie Collins
Richard K. Morgan: The Steel Remains, The Cold Commands (fantasy)
*Cherie Priest (steampunk)
Mira Grant (zombies)
Steven Erikson: Gardens of the Moon (fantasy)
*Patrick Rothfuss: The Name of the Wind, The Wise Man’s Fear (fantasy),
R. Scott Bakker: The White-Luck Warrior, The Warrior Prophet, The Thousandfold Thought, The Judging Eye, The Darkness that Comes Before (fantasy)
Joe Abercrombie: The Blade Itself, Before They Are Hanged, Last Argument of Kings (fantasy)
*Joe Haldeman: The Forever War (sci-fi)
Jeff Long: Deeper (sci-fi)
Carlos Ruiz Zafon: The Angel’s Game (historical fantasy)
Ernest Cline: Ready Player One (sci-fi/80's retro stuff)
China Mieville: The City & The City (if you really want to be depressed)

Thanks, I'll check some of that out. And who doesn't love ASOIAF, though the show on the other hand...

Also, I can only recommend two series of books, one is a classic that I think everyone should read, and the other is my favorite.

Lord of the Rings -Tolkien (Of course!)
The Wheel of Time- Robert Jordan
Both Fantasy works. There were some other books, but now I can't recall what they were... Though I only remembered them right before I wrote that 

[Lilivati]

 My two favorite books are probably Stations of the Tide by Michael Swanwick, and Glasshouse by Charles Stross.  Both strange and wonderful reads.

Discworld is beyond amazing, as noted by several others.  

For science fiction, off the top of my head, I greatly enjoyed The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin, the Sleepless trilogy by Nancy Kress, the Dune series by Frank Herbert, Vacuum Diagrams by Stephen Baxter (anyone who really liked the dark energy subplot in Mass Effect would likely enjoy this collection), and The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury.  I also liked the Quantum Gravity series by Justina Robson, but it's very odd and is more about the characters than the plot.

Honestly most of the fantasy I enjoy is more along the lines of "guilty pleasures" than books I'd really recommend to someone for anything other than pure entertainment.  We're talking stuff like Dragonlance. The Dresden Files series, however, is pretty good if you like modern fantasy.  

I read a lot of non-fiction.  Salt by Mark Kurlansky is one of the most intriguing things I've ever read.  Nothing to Envy, which is about life in North Korea, told a compelling and illustrative story, documentary-style.  And if you want to learn something about how non-bull**** stealth systems work, and can stomach reasonably poor writing, the last thing I read was Skunk Works which talks (basically) about the history of stealth technology in the US.  

[Icyflare]

hot_heart wrote...

Off the top of my head, books I like:
...
The Dark Tower series up until about book 5

Lol, that's awfully specific. I actually made it partially into book seven, then characters started leaving and I just couldn't finish it.

[hot_heart]

Icyflare wrote...
Lol, that's awfully specific. I actually made it partially into book seven, then characters started leaving and I just couldn't finish it.

When lightsabres and golden snitch grenades started showing up, I just couldn't take it anymore.

[Seracen]

Sweawm wrote...

I just put together an update of a little project of mine, which entirely replaces the now non-canon Deception novel. If you actually liked the ME Novels before Dietz ruined em, I recommend that you read this. I just published the third chapter which weighed in at a heavy 12'500 words.

http://www.fanfictio..._b_bDeception_b

My own best run at writing my own sequel to Retribution. If you have any ideas of just how I should go about this, feel free to tell.

I wish you luck!  That's a fairly ambitious project you've undertaken.

As per your other question, yeah, I've got a universe and a whole series of plot arcs established in it.  Only problem is when the muses kick in, it's not always on the same works.

Also, that ending was bad enough to make me write a new ending to ME3.  And THAT, in turn, inspired me to write a theoretical ME4 (which is no less crazy, I suppose, than your own monster project ).

[fainmaca]

MacNasty wrote...
On a side note, what are your favorite books? Figured I would ask, I've run out of books, and I just keep re-reading my favorite series of books...

My favourites? Hmm... *glances at personal library*


So much to choose from.

Terry Pratchett has already had a mention on here, but I think he deserves another one. Pterry is my all-time favourite author, and the strongest inspiration I have to write. Reaper Man was the first book I ever bought, and has been nowhere near the last. I have every Discworld book (Even the Wee Free Men, please don't hate me Lillitheris! I have to like them, I'm from Scotland!)

The second author I would mention is J.R.R Tolkien. I think that hands down he is the greatest example we have of a person who is capable of creating a fully fleshed out fictional world. Even to this day the final pages of Lord Of The Rings causes a lump to rise in my throat as I realise I'm leaving that fictional world behind, and I find myself tracing the final journey on the maps of the heroes during their parting of ways. I would consider saying he is the greatest fiction writer I have ever read.

Two other fantasy authors I love to read are Tad Williams, who handles writing huge epics very well, and Markus Heitz, whose Dwarves series I find very enjoyable.

If you're looking for Sci-Fi, Michael Crighton and Alasdair Reynolds both write very good but very tech-heavy books. You also can't go very wrong with Jules Verne. Another one I like is Peter F Hamilton.

For action, I almost always turn to Clive Cussler. For historical fiction, I go for Conn Iggulden, Tim Severin or William Napier. And finally a guilty pleasure of mine is the Redwall series, by Brian Jaques. If any of you have read the series and haven't misted up by the end of the Taggerung, then you have no soul.

[gearseffect]

Hello all, I come baring the refined 1st chapter of Breaking Points. All that remains is me to proof read it and then refine the other chapters and read them. Make sure they all flow well.

Oh man have I mentioned how much fun I am having? Hahaha, I strive to be the best, offering deep emotional writing. I want to establish a emotional connection and offer up some emotional (can't use the word I'd like to here, so I'll implement) twists and gut punches.

Here you go the link to an updated and all but complete version of Breaking Points Chapter 1.
http://gearseffect.t...mostly-finished

Modifié par gearseffect, 21 juillet 2012 - 11:25 .

[JadeDragonMTR]

Icyflare wrote...

hot_heart wrote...

Off the top of my head, books I like:
...
The Dark Tower series up until about book 5

Lol, that's awfully specific. I actually made it partially into book seven, then characters started leaving and I just couldn't finish it.

Finished them. Great books to read while exercising.  Steven King released an e-book title for the Kindle, sort of side story to the Dark Tower series, if you are curious, it's on Amazon ebook store.

Modifié par JadeDragonMTR, 21 juillet 2012 - 11:32 .

[Spiritwolf1]

If and its a pretty big if, you can find them give Chris Claremonts Chronicles of the Shadow war a go.. It the sequel to Willow and its very well done.

[MacNasty]

 I'm probably going to check out Discworld, where's a good place to start? Seems like an awful lot of books. Also Good Omen too, which Tery Pratchet and 
Neil Gaiman, which both were recommended so that seems to be good 

Also, question about writing. How do you generally build characters? I'm not sure if I'm going to be doing this the right way. Do you just give their opinions a lot, showing them doing things in relation to how they would do it or..?

[Seracen]

fainmaca wrote...

MacNasty wrote...
On a side note, what are your favorite books? Figured I would ask, I've run out of books, and I just keep re-reading my favorite series of books...

My favourites? Hmm... *glances at personal library*


So much to choose from.

Dear merciful heavens...I have a two shelves of books that look exactly like that...and I've only read half of it (used to work in a book store).

Between that, all the DVD/anime, and games, I'll never catch up !

But if I HAD to say, as of now...

-Jim Butcher's Codex Alera Series
-Simon Green's Deathstalker Series
-Terry Brook's Heritage of Shannara Series (original one, itself a sequel to the previous trilogy)
-Piers Anthony's Incarnations of Immortality (select ones, he can't write women for crap) & Apprentice Adept (original trilogy)
- Dragon's Blood and Dragon Bones, by Patricia Briggs
-And of course The Witcher series, by Andrezj Sapkowski

Modifié par Seracen, 21 juillet 2012 - 11:46 .

[fainmaca]

MacNasty wrote...

 I'm probably going to check out Discworld, where's a good place to start? Seems like an awful lot of books. Also Good Omen too, which Tery Pratchet and 
Neil Gaiman, which both were recommended so that seems to be good 

Also, question about writing. How do you generally build characters? I'm not sure if I'm going to be doing this the right way. Do you just give their opinions a lot, showing them doing things in relation to how they would do it or..?

Hmm. With Discworld, the books are all their own self-contained narratives, so none are really prerequisite for reading others except for the first two, The Colour Of Magic and The Light Fantastic, the second of which leads on from the first. I would recommend reading them in order of publishing, just so you can get used to Pterry's way of writing. However, the books cover a variety of themes, some which may appeal to you more than others. Personally, i find the Death and the Witches novels to be the best ones, with Maskerade, Carpe Jugulum, Lords And Ladies and Reaper Man at the top of my list.

As for characters, I find the most important facet to decide before you start is what their moral outlook is. this will shape how they interact with the world.
E.G.
Jack: everyone wants something, so everything is fair game. I do what I want, because everyone else is going to do the same with me if I let them.
Samara: As long as I abide by my code, I am just, and I can live with that.
Thane: My Body and my Soul are separate. My Body will carry out what my employers ask of me without remorse, but the actions that spring from the motivation of my Soul will weigh upon my conscience. 
Zaeed: Who's paying this time?

[hot_heart]

Seracen wrote...
-And of course The Witcher series, by Andrezj Sapkowski

Crap! I forgot that. Good call!

[AVPen]

Sweawm wrote...

I just put together an update of a little project of mine, which entirely replaces the now non-canon Deception novel. If you actually liked the ME Novels before Dietz ruined em, I recommend that you read this. I just published the third chapter which weighed in at a heavy 12'500 words.

http://www.fanfictio..._b_bDeception_b

My own best run at writing my own sequel to Retribution. If you have any ideas of just how I should go about this, feel free to tell.

Props to you, man - looks like a far, far, FAR better read than the original Deception... by far. 

(and somehow, I get the feeling that you'll finish your True Deception fanfic faster than when BW actually manages to put out a corrected edition, if they ever do bother to do it.... <_< )

[fainmaca]

Seracen wrote...
Dear merciful heavens...I have a two shelves of books that look exactly like that...and I've only read half of it (used to work in a book store).

Its when you run out of shelf space, the books are stacked two-deep on each shelf, and you've now begun colonising the kitchen table that you know you've got a problem. I hadn't even left school yet and i'd already accumulated about 200 books (now the number's getting closer to twice that).

Can I cheat and add to my list Christopher Paolini? I think the fact that he started so young and yet has achieved so much is something we can all admire and (in my case, at least) aspire to imitate.

In a sort of connected point: We've all mentioned our favourite books, but the real question is: Silicon or Carbon? Do you prefer your literature on a screen or on a dead tree? People always tell me 'you should get a Kindle! You'd love it!', but I honestly couldn't think of anything I'd like less. There's just something about an honest-to-god paper book in your hands, the feel of the page, the smell it collects after a few years. A screen has no soul.

[lillitheris]

fainmaca wrote...

 Personally, i find the Death and the Witches novels to be the best ones, with Maskerade, Carpe Jugulum, Lords And Ladies and Reaper Man at the top of my list.

Heresy, the City Watch stories are the best. And Monstrous Regiment…that’s actually one really odd out in the entire production. Lots of Pratchett’s later books have had fairly serious undertones, but that one stands apart.

Also, nice rack I’ve got about twice as much, which is why I’ve moved exclusively to ebooks now.

Edit: there’s a lot of tactile and sensory pleasure in paper books, but being able to carry thousands of books with you wherever you go, instant searchability, and smaller benefits like having a night light built in…ebooks come far ahead.

Modifié par lillitheris, 22 juillet 2012 - 12:17 .

[fainmaca]

lillitheris wrote...

fainmaca wrote...

 Personally, i find the Death and the Witches novels to be the best ones, with Maskerade, Carpe Jugulum, Lords And Ladies and Reaper Man at the top of my list.

Heresy, the City Watch stories are the best. And Monstrous Regiment…that’s actually one really odd out in the entire production. Lots of Pratchett’s later books have had fairly serious undertones, but that one stands apart.

Also, nice rack I’ve got about twice as much, which is why I’ve moved exclusively to ebooks now.

I do love the City Watch stories. Detritus and his Piecemaker, Nobby and Colon, Cheery (Cheri) Littlebottom, and the ever lovable Sam Vimes. They seem to have been featuring a lot in his latest books.

Its hard to choose between the books. The only ones I'd say didn't really strike me as much as the others were Pyramids and Small Gods. the fact that he's written so darned many of the things and not once had a drop in quality is something that demands respect.

[fainmaca]

Gah. I'm in the mood for reading a Discworld book now. Pick one and I'll go get it.

[JadeDragonMTR]

I'm at a difficult part of my story where I have to talk about an asari invading another mind. I don't want to call it mind rape, it's such an ugly word. But how bad do you think the act is in the eyes of asari and other species?

[Drussius]

JadeDragonMTR wrote...

I'm at a difficult part of my story where I have to talk about an asari invading another mind. I don't want to call it mind rape, it's such an ugly word. But how bad do you think the act is in the eyes of asari and other species?

I never pictured it as something that could be done by force, but I suppose if it can, it would probably be something that only really, really callous and cruel people would consider. I mean it would be every bit as invasive and violative as rape. Perhaps even moreso, since you'd be delving into the most private recesses of someone's mind. There are certainly things in my mind I would never want anyone to see. I'm sure everyone has a few. And I would feel extremely violated if someone just came along and pulled all my deepest secrets out of my head.

But this was something I never considered to be possible. I just figured it would require consent. Like perhaps a conscious choice to open one's mind. Or that adrenaline or negative emotions would make the meld impossible.. something along those lines. Otherwise, why wouldn't every C-Sec officer and detective be asari? And every Spectre too. Asari could just rip out the information proving criminals' guilt... no need to worry about investigation or evidence-gathering. Delve through their mind and determine their guilt or innocence.

Just my thoughts on the matter. Others may disagree.

Edited: For clarity.

Modifié par Drussius, 22 juillet 2012 - 01:07 .

[gearseffect]

JadeDragonMTR wrote...

I'm at a difficult part of my story where I have to talk about an asari invading another mind. I don't want to call it mind rape, it's such an ugly word. But how bad do you think the act is in the eyes of asari and other species?

Well I am at a complete disadvantage here, you blew my objectivity and unbiased thoughts with the word "rape", my thoughts on anything near that are it's evil, and I'd like to go all Justicar Punisher on them sick demented things. So my outlook is Asari wouldn't approve of mind rape, it would be beyond frowned upon, it would be like the Clanless Krogan, they'd be outcasts and most would be shunned.

As I said you shouldn't put much credit into my thoughts on this as they are clearly one sided and will not be changed, and can't be.

[Seracen]

gearseffect wrote...

JadeDragonMTR wrote...

I'm at a difficult part of my story where I have to talk about an asari invading another mind. I don't want to call it mind rape, it's such an ugly word. But how bad do you think the act is in the eyes of asari and other species?

Well I am at a complete disadvantage here, you blew my objectivity and unbiased thoughts with the word "rape", my thoughts on anything near that are it's evil, and I'd like to go all Justicar Punisher on them sick demented things. So my outlook is Asari wouldn't approve of mind rape, it would be beyond frowned upon, it would be like the Clanless Krogan, they'd be outcasts and most would be shunned.

As I said you shouldn't put much credit into my thoughts on this as they are clearly one sided and will not be changed, and can't be.

I'd actually put on par with your original term.  However, if you're trying for it to sound less shocking, I suppose you could call it a violation, or violent incursion into one's mind.

In Farscape, the practice was abominable, similar to if someone tried the Vulcan mindmeld on the unsuspecting.

If you want to have a good reference for something like this, read the torture scene from "Dragon Bones," which I stated earlier.

Or, if you want it to be even less invasive (but more poignant), look at the latest Season of "Young Justice."  There's an episode where Superboy explains why he broke up with Miss Martian: she tried to make him forget WHY he was angry with her (manipulating others' minds).

In his words, to paraphrase: a touch which I'd always welcomed before, being used in that fashion...did you think I wouldn't recognize your caress in my own mind?  It was a betrayal, and it hurt me.

At any rate, a stigma which wouldn't likely be accepted among the Asari, any more than aggravated assault, or indeed rape, is among humans.

Modifié par Seracen, 22 juillet 2012 - 01:19 .

[fluffywalrus]

JadeDragonMTR wrote...

I'm at a difficult part of my story where I have to talk about an asari invading another mind. I don't want to call it mind rape, it's such an ugly word. But how bad do you think the act is in the eyes of asari and other species?

It's mind rape. You're (I use "you're" here just for the sake of argument, and to make my opinion clearer, obviously you're not an asari) forcing yourself upon them without their consent, and utilizing your power over theirs, taking from them what you will without thought to what they want.  It's basically raping of the mind.
I would imagine it would be taboo at best, and only special agents for the Asari governments would be given clearance to use it in special circumstances, to interrogate individuals.

I would imagine it doesn't have to be painful, or seem particularly forceful, but the result is the same. You take from another without consent, you take the most personal parts of a person without their consent. That's horrific. Near unforgivable.

I would imagine most other species aren't too aware of it. I think the Asari would prefer to keep it under wraps.

[Seracen]

On the subject of good books, I must admit that I cannot stand to read Terry Pratchet. I enjoy his works, objectively. Certainly, I like the movies/series based on his stuff.

I think it's b/c the 1st book I was told to read by him was "Mort" or something, involving Death. As amusing as his style was, I really wasn't digging the comedic style of his novel, tending to prefer drama in my reading.

I'm willing to accept comedy in my television, but rarely in my reading.

Ironically, it's not b/c I hate comedy, it's b/c I am more EXACTING when it comes to comedy.  My comedy collection has been honed to what I consider the most amusing, while my action flicks and dramas can range from comically bad to very competent.

Modifié par Seracen, 22 juillet 2012 - 01:17 .

[JadeDragonMTR]

Seracen wrote...

gearseffect wrote...

JadeDragonMTR wrote...

I'm at a difficult part of my story where I have to talk about an asari invading another mind. I don't want to call it mind rape, it's such an ugly word. But how bad do you think the act is in the eyes of asari and other species?

Well I am at a complete disadvantage here, you blew my objectivity and unbiased thoughts with the word "rape", my thoughts on anything near that are it's evil, and I'd like to go all Justicar Punisher on them sick demented things. So my outlook is Asari wouldn't approve of mind rape, it would be beyond frowned upon, it would be like the Clanless Krogan, they'd be outcasts and most would be shunned.

As I said you shouldn't put much credit into my thoughts on this as they are clearly one sided and will not be changed, and can't be.

I'd actually put on par with your original term.  However, if you're trying for it to sound less shocking, I suppose you could call it a violation, or violent incursion into one's mind.

In Farscape, the practice was abominable, similar to if someone tried the Vulcan mindmeld on the unsuspecting.

If you want to have a good reference for something like this, read the torture scene from "Dragon Bones," which I stated earlier.

Or, if you want it to be even less invasive (but more poignant), look at the latest Season of "Young Justice."  There's an episode where Superboy explains why he broke up with Miss Martian: she tried to make him forget WHY he was angry with her (manipulating others' minds).

In his words, to paraphrase: a touch which I'd always welcomed before, being used in that fashion...did you think I wouldn't recognize your caress in my own mind?  It was a betrayal, and it hurt me.

At any rate, a stigma which wouldn't likely be accepted among the Asari, any more than aggravated assault, or indeed rape, is among humans.

Great references! The more aspects I hear the clear it becomes.