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eleutheria
2011-07-12 12:38 am UTC (link)

I didn't know that (I knew Codex Alera began as a writing dare, but not the other series too-- so what, does he only write to prove a point?), but that actually makes me like it even less. The idea of writing something for that reason it to prove that anyone can write it well, not that anyone can write it period. Get at least one thing done well, JB-- an appealing and interesting MC, great sense of place, innovative magic system, something. That had none of them.

I've asked a few people if it gets better, and was basically told "not for six books or so". Fuck that, I've got a stack of library books more deserving of my attention than having to wade through half a series to see if it improves.

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	sepiamagpie 2011-07-12 12:42 am UTC (link)
	My solution was to just get back to work on my own magical detective. I like her. She looks like my icon. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hadesphoenix 2011-07-12 01:16 am UTC (link)
	...I am intrigued and wish to subscribe to possible future publication. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

sepiamagpie
2011-07-12 01:49 am UTC (link)

:D

It's a year in the life of Dene Surma as she tries to solve a murder no one knows about (the victim hired her), and the cases that come up along the way.

Actually, on the topic of the fuck ups that Butcher is doing with neighbourhoods. I'm putting this in a city I don't go to that often (Vancouver, because the city I do know, Winnipeg, is where I'd set it if I wanted my character to be in a depressed pit or on fire) and I've found just a simple fucking google streetview or flickr searches to be invaluable.

He obviously has the internet, it's not, you know, hard.

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	bobafeis 2011-07-12 08:18 am UTC (link)
	... That sounds awesome. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	catmoran 2011-07-12 10:07 pm UTC (link)
	It's a year in the life of Dene Surma as she tries to solve a murder no one knows about (the victim hired her) Sweet. I would also like to subscribe to your future publication. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	kumquat_of_doom 2011-07-15 01:02 am UTC (link)
	I am intrigued by your ideas and wish to subscribe to their newsletter. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	keleri 2011-08-04 07:34 pm UTC (link)
	Post on fandom_lounge when you get published/publish this as an ebook. We demand it. <3 (Reply to this)(Parent)

Warning for mention of assault.

hadesphoenix
2011-07-12 01:14 am UTC (link)

Hrm, I think I worded that wrongly and made him sound too condescending. From what I understand it was a not-much-effort-put-into-it bit, period, which is still kind of eyebrow-arching but whatever. I liked it well enough as fun fluff and enjoy the fic more, but yeah, stopped at about three and a half books in, and I'm still side-eyeing Butcher for a few things in there.

(I have to say, though, that there's been some fascinating meta discussion on sexuality and Dresden's characterization, especially since sexual assault of the Very Male and Heterosexual Hero (Look How Straight I Am, Are You Looking Yet) is canon on more than one occasion. It's even been mentioned by other characters once or twice how his skill at denial and repression is practically a magic power in itself.)

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	ecchaniz0r 2011-07-12 02:27 am UTC (link)
	IIRC the Belgariad started out that way. With Eddings going, "I betcha I can put every single trope I can think of ever into this and still make it turn out awesome!" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	cmdr_zoom 2011-07-12 03:05 am UTC (link)
	Won that bet, IMO. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	msilverstar 2011-07-13 08:05 am UTC (link)
	I agree, it really worked. Damn shame his (their) later books were so bad. So many authors need editorial restraint and doesn't get it because their books sell a lot on the basis of previous good stuff. (Reply to this)(Parent)

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