Epic
29 Jan
B hates the word “epic” when used as an adjective to mean “awesome” or something similar. He’s like a cranky old grandpa who hates to see the language being abused and twisted. Which is funny, because he doesn’t even consider it “his” language. (I know you’ll see this, Balaji. You know it’s true!) I don’t mind it — I even kind of like it because it reminds me of when I first started playing MMOs with EverQuest, and the ultimate quest for your character was their “epic class quest”, and the weapon you got from it was referred to like, “Oh, dude, you have your epic! Nice!”
Anyhow, sorry, I’m getting all nostalgic. My point is that I like things epic. Including fantasy. Maybe those of you kind enough to hang out here now and then for the last year will remember that I even wrote a massive epic fantasy novel — tinted with a healthy dose of clockpunk, which I can almost never resist. There are certain calls for submissions that will be coming up very soon that make me think it’d be worth my while to get my ass moving on that. As in, bust out that 180k behemoth and finally edit it down to something resembling a readable, coherent novel.
So I will. But it brings to mind the age-old issue of genre and the writer. I don’t really believe in the writer-as-brand — I mean, that’s part of why I love self-publishing, because it transcends all those false created bullshit labels and celebrates — *gasp!* — good fiction as good fiction, and fuck everything else. And yet, I have two pen names for a reason, and that’s because I don’t want to mislead anyone. I believe people should know what they’re getting when they spend their money on a product, and that the fiction I write as Hawthorne is so utterly different from the fiction I write as Taylor, it’s worth making the divide obvious. Though I’m nowhere near it, one hopes that in some distant golden future one’s name might be enough to convince a person or two to give a book a try.
I mean, how pissed would you be if you went to buy a horror novel and ended up with a book full of superpowered street fights and blow jobs? I know, right? And I can see someone trying to buy a sweet-but-punchy romance novel and ending up with psychopathic faeries slicing skin off a kidnapped human boy.
I’m not trying to give people nightmares, here. In either direction.
But that’s as far as I draw the line. It’s a very simple thing for me, which books fit under which penname. And yet, I wonder about the opinions of others. Not the same people who perpetually love to tell the world that they know alllllll about how to publish and write and blah blah blah, but people I really like and respect. As in, you. So how far do you hold an author to expectations, genre-wise? I think of it now because Scripped and my upcoming Liam are decidedly urban fantasy/paranormal type stuff (yes, I know many of you object to “paranormal” as a genre — I get it, but it’s a thing). And Plaguebringer, the massive project I am trying to work myself up to reopening, is pretty much as far to the other end of fantasy as it can get.
Personally, I like it when an author does a lot of different stuff, but you can still feel their voice through it. I’d like to be like that when I grow up. But what do you say? Disorienting? Or cool?
“…I like it when an author does a lot of different stuff, but you can still feel their voice through it.”
I totally agree. Knowing an author does Good Work is one of the factors that can convince me to buy a book in a genre that’s not normally on my list. And of course voice is important! It’s the way you tell a story that matters most, the story I’d say comes in second.
Yeah, me too, all the way.
I think some readers have expectations when it comes to, “This wasn’t at all like her last one…” and the leap from epic to urban fantasy is a pretty large one. I guess it all boils down to quality in the end though.
I’m way more into voice/character than plot. Definitely.
I’ve got no problem with an author doing different stuff (‘cept maybe westerns…).
As Alexa noted, if it’s good work I’ll follow the author anywhere. Even if they’ve got different names. You’ll always be KV Taylor to me, dude. Epic post.
Hahaha thanks, Alan. So the leap from urban to epic wouldn’t stagger you horribly? Awesome
I hate “epic” as much as I hate “hella”! Which is a hella lot.
Dude, epic is SO much cooler than hella. At least you’re right about that.
I happen to love me a book about a human guy being skinned alive. HEH.
I’m w/you. I love for an author to spread their wings; maybe because I love to spread mine and they deserve the same courtesy. I actually did a post on this subject on my old blog, and here’s what I came up with:
As writers, we all have something we weave into each and every book individual to us alone. Once we win a readership, our fans latch onto those subtle ingredients without even realizing exactly what they’re drawn to. All they know is that when they see one of our books on the shelf, they start craving that flavor again–expecting that despite the different plot and setting, they’ll be satisfied like they were in the past.
So as long as we keep the ingredients the same (the things that are unique to us and us alone) the reader will still walk away with a full belly and a happy heart.
Great post, as always!
I don’t know if I remember that post on your old blog, but I’m about to go search for it and see the whole thing.
All they know is that when they see one of our books on the shelf, they start craving that flavor again
Golly, I hope so! I’m going to do it or die trying, anyhow, that much is for sure. Love it!
We live in age of labels and that is applied to literature too. But I do love when a writer who I like goes in a different direction. Imprinting his personal style though. One of the latest examples for me is Brian Ruckley. I loved his “Godless World” trilogy. I mean I absolutely loved it. After it Brian Ruckley went in another way with his latest novel, “The Edinburgh Dead”. I picked it up because I loved his debut series, but also because I was eagerly waiting to see how he tackles the new genre. And it was excellent too. So, it is always welcomed such a change. And although we cannot be experts in everything we like to be such a change can also stir one from the path of routine. It is nice to leave your comfort zone once in a while. It always brings new and interesting experiences.
Well, “Plaguebringer” sounds like an awesome title. I do hope to see it in print too
Ooooh Ruckley — I just went and found your reviews on the subject from 2010 and am about to read up. That sounds like my kind of thing, for sure. (Edinburgh Dead is my favorite time period and subject, even! Resurrection men yay! Have to get that one today…)
although we cannot be experts in everything we like to be such a change can also stir one from the path of routine. It is nice to leave your comfort zone once in a while. It always brings new and interesting experiences.
That’s the perfect way to put it. Shining a light from a different angle can sometimes show new facets, right? But there is no such thing as an expert at everything, which is also really good to remember. There’s a lot to be said for not, um, going overboard
I’m glad you like the title! It’s an oddity, but descriptive, I reckon. Thanks for dropping by, Mihai.
I think you nailed it with the “voice” of the writer. Take Master King, for example. He’s written everything from literary-style shorts to an EPIC fantasy novel series, but it’s all imbued with his unique voice, his passion for characterization, and dark themes. That’s what I like as a reader — infinite variety from an author who doesn’t usually disappoint. (And when King has on occasion disappointed me, I think it’s been because of my own preconceptions going into it, hoping it will be like something else he’s written…)
God, best example ever. When I was very, very young, my dad started me off on King with Eye of the Dragon — that fantasy one. When I could handle that, he was like, “Okay, now you can read Carrie.” Or whatever it was he gave me next, but yes. Absolutely right.
when King has on occasion disappointed me, I think it’s been because of my own preconceptions going into it, hoping it will be like something else he’s written…)
Which is sort of what I’m talking about — how far do you give them leeway to do these things… but King is sort of a different animal. On the one hand, he’s so wonderful and established that comparisons are never really right (thought it’s good as an illustrative example). On the other, there are always more expectations going into a King book than there ever would be for a newbie-ish writer.
It’s food for thought, as the horrible old saying goes. Very good stuff, Milo, thanks for that.
Personally, I think as long as you can tell what you’re getting into by reading the back blurb – all is fair in love and books! And like others said – if I really love an author’s work, I’d be willing to try something of theirs even if it isn’t usually my thing. Hell, you know me, vampires and clockpunk and romance novels bore me to TEARS….
… except when you write them. <3