102 réponses à ce sujet

[David Gaider]

Stippling wrote...
Mr. Gaider, do you intend to write more Dragon Age novels soon? Do you have any new ideas in the pipeline that you can share with us?

I don't know if there will be more Dragon Age novels by me -- that's up to the publisher, at least in part, as well as my ability to cope with both writing at work as well as at home. That's not easy. That doesn't mean there might not be Dragon Age novels by someone else, though. We have other writers here who know the Dragon Age universe at least as well as I do, after all.

As for ideas, I always have ideas. I don't think it would make for an appropriate discussion, however.

[fongiel24]

I finished both novels last week and I have to agree that the writing probably isn't of the caliber you'd find being studied in a university English class. But then again, I don't think that's the point. David Gaider is a writer for a game company and if I'm not mistaken, these two books were his first ever published. Not that I'd actually know anything about this, but I think the writing skillset and style required for writing a video game are very different from those required for penning a 400 page novel. I imagine writing a video game is probably more like writing a script for a movie.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that while David's writing might not be Tolkien, I enjoyed it greatly anyways. He's obviously creative and capable of crafting an engrossing plot and for me, that's all I was looking for. As with everything, writing novels takes practice and I'm sure with experience David's novels would improve, but keep in mind that the more time David spends writing novels, the longer it will take for DA2 to come out...

I swear this game is like crack - give it another six months and I'll be writing a story about how my life was ruined due to DA addiction.

[addiction21]

fongiel24 wrote...

I finished both novels last week and I have to agree that the writing probably isn't of the caliber you'd find being studied in a university English class. But then again, I don't think that's the point. David Gaider is a writer for a game company and if I'm not mistaken, these two books were his first ever published. Not that I'd actually know anything about this, but I think the writing skillset and style required for writing a video game are very different from those required for penning a 400 page novel. I imagine writing a video game is probably more like writing a script for a movie.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that while David's writing might not be Tolkien, I enjoyed it greatly anyways. He's obviously creative and capable of crafting an engrossing plot and for me, that's all I was looking for. As with everything, writing novels takes practice and I'm sure with experience David's novels would improve, but keep in mind that the more time David spends writing novels, the longer it will take for DA2 to come out...

I swear this game is like crack - give it another six months and I'll be writing a story about how my life was ruined due to DA addiction.

Hey, you make your own decisions (I am just that evil squeaky little voice I do not make you do things)

Modifié par addiction21, 16 janvier 2010 - 10:08 .

[SHITBULLET]

David Gaider wrote...

Stippling wrote...
Mr. Gaider, do you intend to write more Dragon Age novels soon? Do you have any new ideas in the pipeline that you can share with us?

I don't know if there will be more Dragon Age novels by me -- that's up to the publisher, at least in part, as well as my ability to cope with both writing at work as well as at home. That's not easy. That doesn't mean there might not be Dragon Age novels by someone else, though. We have other writers here who know the Dragon Age universe at least as well as I do, after all.

As for ideas, I always have ideas. I don't think it would make for an appropriate discussion, however.

It wouldn't be the same without you writing it.

I'd still read them tough.

[Sloth Of Doom]

Colenda wrote...

Just coming back to apologise to the thread. I was being bloody stupid and I regret it. The books and game are much better than competent; I'm sorry for taking out a foul mood on one poster and on the DA novels.

Aww.....group hug eveyone! 

[Valcutio]

Sloth Of Doom wrote...

Colenda wrote...

Just coming back to apologise to the thread. I was being bloody stupid and I regret it. The books and game are much better than competent; I'm sorry for taking out a foul mood on one poster and on the DA novels.

Aww.....group hug eveyone! 

Check your pockets folks. Sloth is tricky that way.

[dreadz10]

I just started reading the stolen throne and its got me hooked.

[Raukman]

I started Stolen Throne and let just say I was so engrossed in the book I made half way through it. Good job David.

[HarlequinKing]

Skellimancer wrote...

Hey, that was the biggest novel I ever read when I was 9. Not even joking.

[BooPi]

I've worked for a small lit mag for a few years while I was getting my degree, and I can say that there is a tendency in certain establishments to discount a lot of genre fiction as simplistic crap, for lack of a better word. Of course, when something is well received and has some sort of lasting impact (as in, we can no longer discount it as crap), we say it "transcends genre."



I haven't read Mr. Gaider's novels, and I'm not really a fan of fantasy novels (I loved DA though). But I've always disliked the self-righteous hooey that writers of literary fiction sometimes throw around. If people are actually reading a novel, and enjoying it, and it's making them think, then what does it matter whether the novel focuses on internal conflict in a contemporary setting or external conflict in a fantastic setting?



I would never, ever, ever discount a novel being published and read as a bad thing (maybe with the exception of things like "A Million Little Pieces" or Paris Hilton's biography, but that's more because of social reasons).

[addiction21]

HarlequinKing wrote...


Hey, that was the biggest novel I ever read when I was 9. Not even joking.

lol I remember it was about that age for me, I was reading The Stand and my best friend was reading kurt vonnegut. Our 4th grade teachers had no idea what to think.

Modifié par addiction21, 17 janvier 2010 - 01:20 .

[RangerSG]

BooPi wrote...

I've worked for a small lit mag for a few years while I was getting my degree, and I can say that there is a tendency in certain establishments to discount a lot of genre fiction as simplistic crap, for lack of a better word. Of course, when something is well received and has some sort of lasting impact (as in, we can no longer discount it as crap), we say it "transcends genre."

I haven't read Mr. Gaider's novels, and I'm not really a fan of fantasy novels (I loved DA though). But I've always disliked the self-righteous hooey that writers of literary fiction sometimes throw around. If people are actually reading a novel, and enjoying it, and it's making them think, then what does it matter whether the novel focuses on internal conflict in a contemporary setting or external conflict in a fantastic setting?

I would never, ever, ever discount a novel being published and read as a bad thing (maybe with the exception of things like "A Million Little Pieces" or Paris Hilton's biography, but that's more because of social reasons).

This is a bit of what I was getting at with my comment on Erikson and Stephenson too. People are willing to slag off certain writers as "genre fiction." Typically this means; "I'm not interested in what they write, so it must be carp." That's egotistical claptrash said by someone who's frankly jealous that they either didn't get published or didn't get the publicity that the target of their spew got.

Now I'm not going to sit here and say there isn't a lot of dross in the fantasy market. Of course there is. But I'd say there's lots of dross in paperback period. It's not the genre that makes something good or bad. It's whether or not the story is worth telling and the characters are worth investing yourself in.

[Merci357]

Well, let's be honest, both Novels are no new "Lord of the Rings", but I'm quite sure, David didn't want them to be that, either.

They are nothing the literature world will remember in twenty years, but were entertaining, added to the game lore, and I'd easily recommend them to anyone that likes both reading fantasy novels as well as Dragon Age.

That said, I'm looking forward to another novel.

[Fexelea]

David Gaider wrote...

I really don't mind if someone considers my writing to be "amateurish", or whatever other adjectives they care to use. What matters to me is that the books have been well-received, and that many people appear to be enjoying them. Some people are always going to voice their opinion as if it's an objective fact, especially when it comes to evaluating literature or art -- ever hear of a critic? -- but so long as someone doesn't feel the need to have everyone agree with their own tastes I don't really see the issue. I certainly wouldn't be the first author to have someone hate his style.

And this is not to say my writing is perfect, by any means. I do need to improve, and I'm probably a harsher critic of my own work than anyone I know. Feedback is wonderful (and thank you to those who provide it), but if any writer was going to allow what someone else thinks of his style prevent him from putting his work out there there probably wouldn't be many books published.

I intend to keep writing. With any luck my verbs will eventually stop adverbing, too.

Oh, a grown-up! No surprise there. Keep it up David, I think this is going places.

To everyone else who went on predictive ad-hominems based on a series of assumptions regarding my post and the intentions behind it: read it again, and try to see if I was actually being high and mighty or I was saying "hey, I liked it, there is future in this. Here is what I think should improve to bring about extended work."
For the record, "amateurish" is most certainly not an insult and is the very least that you will get when you meet an editor/publisher for your first novel. It is a trade word, per se, and those of you out there trying to get something through must have heard much much worst with worst intentions added.

Why must forums always be so bellicose?

[TyroneTasty]

MerinTB wrote...
Really, unless you are a paid, published writer or a professional editor/publisher, the extent of your literary critique (even if you are an English major) should probably stick to what you like or dislike about it and back carefully away from making sweeping statements like calling the lead writer at a major game studio and the published author of two successful books "amateurish."

You really shouldn't take stances like these, this is how people end up finding Transformers 2 enjoyable. They turn off the critical thinking part of their brain. Van Gogh only sold two paintings in his life but still most people today would consider him to have been quite knowledgeable about what makes a good painting. In all cases, talent, insight, and knowledge of craft all exist long before any money starts coming in.

[tomas819]

I started reading The Stolen Throne this afternoon, and I am really enjoying myself (I downloaded it onto the Kindle I got for Christmas).

Not only is the story well-written and interesting, but I have laughed out loud quite a number of times at the protagonist's self-deprecating sense of humor. I had not expected that!

It's also been a pleasure getting a bit of the prehistory and backstory for the DA:O world.

[Stippling]

David Gaider wrote...

Stippling wrote...
Mr. Gaider, do you intend to write more Dragon Age novels soon? Do you have any new ideas in the pipeline that you can share with us?

I don't know if there will be more Dragon Age novels by me -- that's up to the publisher, at least in part, as well as my ability to cope with both writing at work as well as at home. That's not easy. That doesn't mean there might not be Dragon Age novels by someone else, though. We have other writers here who know the Dragon Age universe at least as well as I do, after all.

As for ideas, I always have ideas. I don't think it would make for an appropriate discussion, however.

Thank you for responding to my question!

I totally understand that balancing the workload of the two would be challenging, but at the same time one can't help but desire more from you. The Dragon Age universe is so amazing and your writing is wonderful. Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to this wonderful game.

/fanboi.off

[PatT2]

I am reading The Calling and have finshed the Stolen Throne.
For content, I have enjoyed them both as they add to the depth of the characters in the game.
for specific criticisms, I will share the only one that caught my attention too often: fewer adverbs please. Can't remember the name of the guy that is synonymous with overuse of adverbs. Delete 2/3's of them and I'd be happy. My opinion, it's worth what you paid for it.
I guess I would be considered a "professional" writer, having had my name on many feature articles, mostly in a technical setting, but not all.
One thing annoys me more than simple, easy-to-read writing, and that's pompous, overblown writing that appears to be written only to impress. One can get so lost in ridiculous detail that it gets boring.
To me, any time that the writing itself reminds one that you're reading instead of just transporting you to the place where your imagination paints the picture, the writing needs work. Writing should be transparent to the reader, with the exception of words that need to be looked up. All writing I have read that I consider worthy, has reqiured me to have a dictionary at hand because it always introduces me to new words. I don't think of that as a problem. But overly flowery writing, too much depth in scenery, is distracting.

I find Mr. Gaider's work quite engaging and interesting. Besides, it's about a subject for which I hold passion.
My favorite author of all time, believe it or not, is another fantasy/fiction writer -- Frank Herbert. His ability to describe is masterful. However, I'm sure there are plenty of English professors who would complain about the constantly shifting point-of-focus. I just love his descriptions and his characters. And yes, of course, I have read and treasure my copies of Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit, and the Silmarillion.
first requirement is always a good story, and we can certainly thank Mr. Gaider for providing one. My "advice" is trivial compared to the fact that I've enjoyed learning about Maric and Loghain and the Gray Wardens. It works for me. I don't much care for book critics, there is always someone out there with the nerve to criticize that which they cannot themselves do. But if one has constructive advice, it should appear in a form that can actually be helpful, rather than sweeping comments like "amateurish" which don't offer anything specific or helpful.

Modifié par PatT2, 17 janvier 2010 - 05:50 .

[addiction21]

PatT2 wrote...

sniped to save room

One thing that stands out to me with a writer is about that word I do not know. Can I figure it out in the context of whatever is allready there or is it just so outplace and forced in there to add something else. LIke "hey look I know big words"

As for Frank... I like his style (Tom Clancy is another that shifts the focus around a lot in most of his books) but I dunno know how to say it. Dune was a story, heretics was nothing but a set up for children of dune and that is how it continues for what he wrote. One novel is nothing but setting the stage for a conclusion for the next.

[Pinkleaf]

David Gaider wrote...

I don't know if there will be more Dragon Age novels by me -- that's up to the publisher, at least in part, as well as my ability to cope with both writing at work as well as at home. That's not easy. That doesn't mean there might not be Dragon Age novels by someone else, though. We have other writers here who know the Dragon Age universe at least as well as I do, after all.

As for ideas, I always have ideas. I don't think it would make for an appropriate discussion, however.

If you don't write a third novel what can I possibly ask for, next Christmas?

[Elanareon]

Only thing i didn't like about The Calling is when...



SPOILER (it think)



Maric threw his sword at a certain someone and it was described with a "whup-whup-whup" sound... lol That was overdoing it! lol Removed the tension the moment brought with that comical description.

[Sarkus]

I hope Mr. Gaider keeps writing because I definately feel The Calling is better written then The Stolen Throne. Not a better story, mind you, but better written. Both are definately worth picking up if you like the setting of the game.

There used to be a stickied post where people discussed the books, but I guess the powers that be decided to take that down. Maybe all the praise and criticism was distracting Mr. Gaider from his real job, whatever that happens to involve at the moment.

Modifié par Sarkus, 17 janvier 2010 - 08:38 .

[StStephen909]

Mr. Gaider