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Books arrived the other day. Managed to get the last two Ki and Vandien books, and Alien Earth along with them. Had to pay a bit for the Ki and Vandien books due to the rarity, but nothing that broke the bank. Same as if bought new really. I may be giving them to grandparents who are lost for...

Personally, I'd like Robin to surprise me by tackling something completely different. That's why I gave up on both the Soldier Son, and Rain Wild books. I loved the first three trilogies, but after that I felt she was just covering the same ground.

I'd say make me care about the characters. That way, I'll be screaming at the page, "This is so f**king generic, but I've just got to know what happens to this man/women/boy/girl/group!" Then when the twist kicks in, I'd go, "Woah! Awesome."

I'm still searching for the approach that works best for me. My first attempt at a novel was loosely planned. I think it worked to an extent (I still like the concept, and much of what happened felt exciting), but on rewrites it became apparent that I was putting plot before characters. I would...

Hehe. It's okay Peter. I said I'd heard it, and when I did, it was stated as a rule. I didn't necessarily agree with it.

I too have heard the 'no beginning with a dream sequence' rule as well. Robin Hobb began chapter two of 'Ship Of Magic' with a brief dream sequence, so I say it's perfectly fine if the execution is good, and as has been said, it's integral to the plot. I actually quite like dreams in fiction...

Fantastic. Again, that's a story I'd like to read. :)

I wouldn't have said that this was any reason not to include this in your story though. After all, they say the greeks wrote every story worth telling. Story arcs are limited; the way they can be executed, are not.

Beautiful. Just beautiful. :)

Is it based around any particular culture, or is it purely fantasy?

I love the ones that have been so obviously written by fellow users of the same vanity press. If you look at the books available that have been written by the reviewer, you will find similar sounding reviews there. I can only assume the press have a number of standard templates on which their...

Actually, it sounds like just the kind of thing I'd love to read. I much prefer shades of grey over black and white characters.

Brute force and ignorance for me. I see it like a blocked pipe - nothing a bit more pressure won't sort out. I just sit, start, and get any old words on the page. The issue usually passes after a couple of hundred of them. Knowing I can fix it in the next draft is comforting.

I like there to be at least some gap between one book and another. Even if it is just a few weeks or even days. It's just that I find, without it, the two stories feel like they should have been one really - no definitive end, and no definitive beginning. That said, I'm sure it all probably...

Wolf's brother is high on the list. Sometimes though, I feel I have to keep myself from reading and rereading nothing but Hobb/Lindholm. My other great love is bushcraft/primitive living skills, so I'm guessing this story would be right up my alley?

I suppose that (as with so many things) it's a case of learn the rules, then break them for effect. ???

I like this film, but I think they portrayed Robert E Howard as being a little too off his trolley. I've always thought of him as rebelling against a small town community by amplifying his eccentricities. I might be wrong. What do you think? Did the film makers go with this portrayal for...

A wonderful story. One of my favourites also. Have you read 'A Shadow Over Innsmouth'? He revisits some of the ideas there, but the story is a little longer. If you've not read it yet, you're in for a real treat.

I've read the first two of the Ki and Vandien quartet. I enjoyed them. The writing and themes explored make it very much embryonic Hobb in my opinion. Just don't expect anything as heart wrenching as 'The Farseer Trilogy'.

Thanks Gary. I'll do that.