Hello Mythic Scribes

[Varied Fiction]

Quick introduction--I'm an aspiring writer, currently working on an epic fantasy novel. I also write short stories, flashfiction and a little bit of poetry.

Originally I wanted to be a film director and have some school background in that field, though even then my favourite modules/subjects were screenwriting. I joined a writing club in my final year of university and that pretty much set me on the path to becoming a writer.

I must admit as a teenager I loathed reading, it was boring to me--looking back on it I wonder what my younger self would think of the tons of books I have amassed over the years. It's reaching a point I don't have space anymore to put them anywhere.

A silly thing but something that really got me hooked into it was a zippo book--I was collecting zippo lighters at a time and I chanced upon a book about the history of the American company, how their product was manufactured and other trivia which I blasted through in a few days. From there I went straight to wanting to read more.

My favourite books are The Idiot, Dune and The Silmarillion. I also liked some non-fiction stuff like Pale Blue Dot, Medici Money and Gulag Archipelago. What are some of your favourite books?

I read Crime and Punishment and I am not afraid to admit it was to impress a girl.

The thing that really got to me when I started reading more, is the kind of impact writing could have on me emotionally. Stories made me weep, they inspired me, horrified me--it's those kind of genuine feelings I want my writing to convey one day. That and world building. Big world building.

Also, I'm a huge video game and lore nerd, mostly stuff from Bethesda, Bioware, Obsidian, but smaller studio stuff too. Love Pathfinder Kingmaker, Pathologic 2, Nier Automata, Shadowrun Dragonfall--just all over the place.

Thanks for reading, I hope my wall of text isn't too bad.

I was looking for a community of writers where I could share my work and post comments on others' work too. So this place having a dedicated space for that is great!

Have a great day,

Kind Regards
Varied Fiction

 

[CupofJoe]

Hail and well-met Varied Fiction
Good to have you here!
Ahh... Things we have done to impress another! At least reading a book left no scars.
It was a GF long ago that got me back in to reading and then writing Fantasy. They lent me their copies of the Belgariad and I was hooked...
Leap on in and enjoy!

 

[Varied Fiction]

Hail and well-met Varied Fiction
Good to have you here!
Ahh... Things we have done to impress another! At least reading a book left no scars.
It was a GF long ago that got me back in to reading and then writing Fantasy. They lent me their copies of the Belgariad and I was hooked...
Leap on in and enjoy!

Hi CupofJoe!

ooh, I've not heard of Belgariad, I might have to give that a shot

What did you like most about it, if you don't mind me asking?

Haha, reading left no scars on my body or soul, but it's leaving a void in my wallet. Worth it though.

Kind Regards
Varied Fiction

 

[CupofJoe]

Written by David [and Leigh] Eddings, the Belgariad is close to being the architype farm boy-as-hero...
Because that is exactly what Garion is when the story starts. Add in to that mix an evil crazed God, Sorcerers that are thousands of years old and a magic orb that can change the world and you are off. It isn't grim-dark or "realistic". There is enough [thin] world building to carry the story and make the world feel interesting but not get bogged down in the world building.
I think it has fallen out of favour, possibly because it is an easy read. But that was exactly what I needed at the time. Also there are some unpleasant parts of the Eddings' lives [they convicted of physical child abuse in 70s - but I didn't know that at the time]
The Belgariad is five books. There is a follow-up The Mallorian, another five books and 3[?] tie-in books that fill in some of the back story. And even more books in other series.

 

[Ned Marcus]

My favourite books are The Idiot, Dune and The Silmarillion. I also liked some non-fiction stuff like Pale Blue Dot, Medici Money and Gulag Archipelago. What are some of your favourite books?

I enjoyed The Idiot and Dune, too. And Dune Messiah. I'm partway through the painful Gulag Archipelago. But I'm curious. What is it about The Silmarillion that you like? I've only read the beginning, but that was enough to stop me from going any further. My favourite Tolkien is The Hobbit.

 

[Varied Fiction]

I enjoyed The Idiot and Dune, too. And Dune Messiah. I'm partway through the painful Gulag Archipelago. But I'm curious. What is it about The Silmarillion that you like? I've only read the beginning, but that was enough to stop me from going any further. My favourite Tolkien is The Hobbit.

Honestly most of the Silmarillion went over my head. But I enjoyed the immersive writing style and world building. For me I guess that was a little like reading a non-fiction book haha.

I kind of do that sometimes, especially with classical/older stories, like Iliad or even Dracula, just force myself through it and what sticks is fun for me. I wouldn't necessarily recommend that to everyone though.

 

[Varied Fiction]

Written by David [and Leigh] Eddings, the Belgariad is close to being the architype farm boy-as-hero...
Because that is exactly what Garion is when the story starts. Add in to that mix an evil crazed God, Sorcerers that are thousands of years old and a magic orb that can change the world and you are off. It isn't grim-dark or "realistic". There is enough [thin] world building to carry the story and make the world feel interesting but not get bogged down in the world building.
I think it has fallen out of favour, possibly because it is an easy read. But that was exactly what I needed at the time. Also there are some unpleasant parts of the Eddings' lives [they convicted of physical child abuse in 70s - but I didn't know that at the time]
The Belgariad is five books. There is a follow-up The Mallorian, another five books and 3[?] tie-in books that fill in some of the back story. And even more books in other series.

Thanks for the response.

It's sad and horrible about what they did--there's no waving it off. In spite of that, and it may be an unpopular opinion, I still think the art should be separated from the artist. As a fan of fantasy, I might still pick up Belgariad at some point to be honest. It sounds like a story I'd enjoy.

 

[Prince of Spires]

What is it about The Silmarillion that you like? I've only read the beginning, but that was enough to stop me from going any further.

The problem with the Silmarillion is that it starts very slow. The first 100 or so pages are mainly worldbuilding and exposition. It's nice to read if you're a die-hard Tolkien fan, but very tedious if you're not. After that it picks up pace and offers some wonderful and epic stories. It has a very mythilogical feel for me, which I love. There isn't really anything else out there to compare it with. But some of the tales in there deserve to be their own novel (and some even are...). You do see that it was unfinished in places. It adds a bit to its charm of long lost mythic tales being retold...

 

[Varied Fiction]

The problem with the Silmarillion is that it starts very slow. The first 100 or so pages are mainly worldbuilding and exposition. It's nice to read if you're a die-hard Tolkien fan, but very tedious if you're not. After that it picks up pace and offers some wonderful and epic stories. It has a very mythilogical feel for me, which I love. There isn't really anything else out there to compare it with. But some of the tales in there deserve to be their own novel (and some even are...). You do see that it was unfinished in places. It adds a bit to its charm of long lost mythic tales being retold...

Completely agree. I think an important thing to consider is that it was published after Tolkien's death, and not edited by him but his son.