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lagilmanI woke up to find this tidbit: "In science fiction there is often a lot of research that has to be done.... In fantasy you get to make up all the rules...." (John Varley, at SciFan Letter.) *looks at pile of research on electricity and weather and lockpicking and security systems I had to do for the retrievers books, and the follow-up research for the PUPI stories, and the huuuuuge pile of historical and chemical research I am doing for the current project, and isn't sure if I should laugh hysterically or bitchslap Varley*
Yes, I know the comment was made in a slightly different context. He still has no idea what he's talking about with regards to fantasy (which he admits he can't write). Worldbuilding of any sort can be done half-assed or it can be done properly. Generally, and IMHO, the results show the effort. Doesn't matter if you're writing about loggers in space, a conflicted 16-year-old in 2008, the aristocracy in 1600's England, or a sword-bearing barbarian in a second-world fantasy.
Meanwhile, John Scalzi talks about the ups and downs of being a Hugo nominee, with a side foray into the dual mentality of the creative type. I am worshipped like a god! Yes! And everyone thinks I suck! Woes!. All true, verily.
EtA: and![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
karenmiller wins for best line I never want to experience before coffee: "There may well be a more disconcerting experience than having a huntsman spider jump down your cleavage, but right now I can't really think of one ..."
And now I have to down some caffeine and get to work before the workmen arrive to renovate my pantry....
EtA2: 9:45, and the first phase of renovations (tearout and replaster) are underway. Boomer Does Not Want (he did the Unhappy Cat Moan loud enough to unnerve the workmen). Pandora has wisely taken off for under-the-bed.
Yes, I know the comment was made in a slightly different context. He still has no idea what he's talking about with regards to fantasy (which he admits he can't write). Worldbuilding of any sort can be done half-assed or it can be done properly. Generally, and IMHO, the results show the effort. Doesn't matter if you're writing about loggers in space, a conflicted 16-year-old in 2008, the aristocracy in 1600's England, or a sword-bearing barbarian in a second-world fantasy.
Meanwhile, John Scalzi talks about the ups and downs of being a Hugo nominee, with a side foray into the dual mentality of the creative type. I am worshipped like a god! Yes! And everyone thinks I suck! Woes!. All true, verily.
EtA: and
karenmiller wins for best line I never want to experience before coffee: "There may well be a more disconcerting experience than having a huntsman spider jump down your cleavage, but right now I can't really think of one ..."And now I have to down some caffeine and get to work before the workmen arrive to renovate my pantry....
EtA2: 9:45, and the first phase of renovations (tearout and replaster) are underway. Boomer Does Not Want (he did the Unhappy Cat Moan loud enough to unnerve the workmen). Pandora has wisely taken off for under-the-bed.
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Date: 2008-03-24 11:18 am (UTC)ooooh, renovations
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Date: 2008-03-24 11:21 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-03-24 11:59 am (UTC)I have been contacted by fantasy authors who needed a system of physics explained so that they could credibly violate that systems of physics without breaking the rules of physics.
I poop on Varley.
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Date: 2008-03-24 01:44 pm (UTC)Just because you don't know how it works doesn't mean it's, you know, magic.
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Date: 2008-03-24 01:51 pm (UTC)And mainstream wonders why all the genre people have better parties.
(no, really. I've heard them grumble. we always seem to be having more fun.)
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Date: 2008-03-24 12:23 pm (UTC)