Steven Brust's LJ (RSS Feed)
04-26-2008, 08:14 PM
Argh! I just found probably the twentieth writing advice site in recent reading that states, in plain unambiguous language, “don’t write a story with a cast of thousands”. These sites may vary on nearly every other advice point, but on this one maxim they all seem firmly in agreement.
Fine, I hear that. But when you already do have an ensemble cast story, then what? I want to see the lists of writing tips and suggestions for how to pull off the great ideas, forward-moving plot, *and* metric ton of characters as well as, oh, say, Kim Stanley Robinson. Or John Crowley’s Little, Big. Or Steven Brust’s Khaavren Romances. Or heck, what about Dumas? Tolstoy? Dostoyevsky? (You’re welcome to add your own.)
So don’t tell me I shouldn’t do it, unless you’re also going to explain why, since I can see examples of it in any bookstore I peruse. And when you’re finished telling me why I shouldn’t, then tell me how to hit it home anyway.
(Originally posted at Words Words Words (http://dreamcafe.com/words/2008/04/26/okay-okay-i-get-it-now-tell-me-anyway/) by reesa. Please leave any comments (http://dreamcafe.com/words/2008/04/26/okay-okay-i-get-it-now-tell-me-anyway/#comments) there.)
(Original Post) (http://skzbrust.livejournal.com/84065.html)
Fine, I hear that. But when you already do have an ensemble cast story, then what? I want to see the lists of writing tips and suggestions for how to pull off the great ideas, forward-moving plot, *and* metric ton of characters as well as, oh, say, Kim Stanley Robinson. Or John Crowley’s Little, Big. Or Steven Brust’s Khaavren Romances. Or heck, what about Dumas? Tolstoy? Dostoyevsky? (You’re welcome to add your own.)
So don’t tell me I shouldn’t do it, unless you’re also going to explain why, since I can see examples of it in any bookstore I peruse. And when you’re finished telling me why I shouldn’t, then tell me how to hit it home anyway.
(Originally posted at Words Words Words (http://dreamcafe.com/words/2008/04/26/okay-okay-i-get-it-now-tell-me-anyway/) by reesa. Please leave any comments (http://dreamcafe.com/words/2008/04/26/okay-okay-i-get-it-now-tell-me-anyway/#comments) there.)
(Original Post) (http://skzbrust.livejournal.com/84065.html)