B: Brent Weeks

My theme for the A to Z Blogging Challenge this year is a mishmash of books, movies, writers and TV shows that have in one way or another taught me something about writing and helped me be a better writer. Some inspired my own stories and a few taught me what not to do. Each post is a one minute lesson on writing. Also visit the IWSG where all the co-hosts are participating in the challenge. It will be inspiring.

Brent Weeks is one of my favorite authors. I enjoyed his Night Angel Series but I love his latest series, The Lightbringer Books. I read a lot of fantasy which means there are lots of magical systems being explained and created. But in the Lightbringer books, starting with The Black Prism, Brent introduces a form of magic unique to any other book I've read. It takes a bit or reading before the reader understands what the magic can do and what a Prism is. Then he takes that unique magic and twines it into social standings, wealth, reasons for war and even the personalities of the people using it. The magic is based on colors and just to give you a hint, if you're a Green, you're pretty wild and emotional. Weeks taught me not to fear inventing something beyond any preconceived ideas of what magic can be. If you're looking for a unique, fantasy world and an entirely new way to use magic, you can learn a lot as a writer from reading Brent Weeks.

Another thing Brent Weeks does really well is create heroes who do bad things for the greater good. Really, really bad things. Sometimes the reader is quite unsure of which character is the hero. He weaves secrets and springs betrayals that hurt as if it was personal. He's not George RR Martin, but Weeks has no trouble putting his characters in great jeopardy, burdening them with horrific losses and even sacrificing them. How can a fantasy writer not learn from such an author?

Lesson: Don't be afraid to create unique magic and strange worlds. Make the magic an integral part of the society. Put the main characters in major difficulties and make sure they suffer.

Are you familiar with Brent Weeks? Can you think of the oddest magic you're read about and wish you'd created? Can a writer make their characters suffer too much?

Changes

I was wondering what I should blog about today and while my mind remained blank, my gaze fell upon my keeper shelf. I'm lucky enough to have build in book shelves in the room I've taken for my writing office.  Most of the books on my keeper shelf are hard backs of various genres.  My focus on writing is mostly on fantasy though I still have some romance novels working.  My keeper shelf is filled with fantasy novels.  I noticed the shelves have become disorganized, mostly because my eldest son is constantly taking down a few of the books and reading them and then putting them back carelessly.  But the top shelf is till neatly in order. Why?

from FB

I realized the books on the top shelf haven't moved much in the last year or more.  Why? Because I haven't reread them and now I realize I probably never will.  They are hard-backed books which means they cost a bit.  I couldn't wait for them to come out in mass market and all of them had been purchased before I had my ereader.  I sat up late into the night reading some of them and now I can't remember why I so eagerly anticipated their release.  They're well-written books by successful authors but I have no current desire to read them again. It's my taste that has changed. 

New authors have won my heart. I can't wait for Brandon Sanderson's next novel.  Brent Weeks has earned his way onto my keeper shelf. I've really enjoyed Paul Hoffman's dark fantasy series.  Peter V. Brett had been keeping me impatiently waiting for his next book.  In the past year I've passed up new books by authors I've followed with unwavering devotion in years gone by.  They haven't changed the quality of their writing but I've abandoned them. Why?

I think there are two reasons. The first might be that they still write the same type of stories as they always have.  For some of them, their books have started to sound too similar with plots barely reworked from their previous books.  Perhaps they've had a recurring character who seems to make the same mistakes or encounters the same challenges as in the past.  They're just not new enough and I feel cheated or bored.

A second reason might be my desire to read new authors and discover what voices and plots are currently popular with the fantasy audience.  Many of the stories I've sought out recently have darker plots as good battles evil.  Some have magic used in ways I've never considered.  I'm amazed at the creativity and imagination of some of these writers.  Brandon Sanderson amazes me with the scope of the tales he weaves, his world creation so intricate and full of depth I beyond envious of his talent.

So some of my reading habits have changed.  Have you stopped reading a favorite author and why? For what reasons? What draws you to a new writer and then keeps you as a fan?