pietro

Favourite of all time? It would have to be Dune by Frank Herbert. It is the only book I ever re-read immediately I finished it. I literally turned from the last page back to the first and started again, and enjoyed it even more. Next would be Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, and the Silmarillian. Then Robin Hobb's books although not the current trilogy, that damned prig gets right up my nose! But he is improving as he gets ground further and further down. Asimov's Foundation series and his non-fiction as well. I will read, or at least attempt to read, any fantasy, or hard sci-fi. P

I want the next chapter of Broken Pegasus Wings. And I wouldn't mind the first chapter of Rich Boy 2

There are many different schools of magic in fantasy, for want of a better description. Which writer/author writes the best, most believable, or whatever, magic in your opinion? Is it Tolkien's god-based magic? Mercedes Lackey's version? Katherine Kerr's shamanism? Robin Hobb's Soldier Son naturistic? Feist? Jamie's super technological, parapsycological magic in The Scrolls of Icaria? Ann Somerville's ESP in the Darshian and Pindone worlds? Kyle Aaron's mix of D&G, RPG and native belief in his Kandric world? Hopefully someone who I have never read so that I will more fantasy deposits to mine P

I am quite happy to read fan-fics based on other literary works. I would not read a fan-fic based on celebrity, except by accident, I really, really hate the whole cult of celebrity thing. I suppose a lot depends on what you read the original for; character, plot or environment. I would probably be most displeased if the story spoilt my personal perception of a favourite character and would likely stop reading in that event. On the other hand some fan-fics can add further dimensions to a an original world or storyline. There is a fascinating Lord of The Rings alternative that I think amply displays this. I won't give any details, but here is the link if anyone wants to check it out. The whole site is a wealth of thought food for Tolkien adherents. Lord of the Rings Alternate I would certainly never try to write one. P

I think that most of the responders here have not answered the question that was posed by Comsie, which is what I was doing. Yes, of course it is alright to respond to criticism and feedback and make changes, but if you are prepared to accept the level of interference suggested in the above quote from the original question then I stand by my opinion - you are just a copywriter. P

Hey, I'm entitled to my opinion, even if it is dogmatic. My response was a personal observation, and I would certainly never, ever flame anyone for their views, except where religion or politics were involved Seriously, I stand by my comment. If you are going to be swayed by anybody else's opinion as to the content of a story then you should at the least acknowledge them as the co-author because it is no longer your work. That is fact, not dogma. P

ABSOLUTELY NOT, NEVER! That said, if there were obviously technical errors or possibly libellous or plagiaristic content, then fair enough. However, a writer has to be true to themselves in what and how they write, otherwise they are not an author anymore, they are a copywriter I know an aspiring author who submitted their manuscipt to various publishers, asking for comments if they declined the opportunity to publish. All the criticisms returned were completely different; even to the extent of one saying there was insuffucient dialogue and another saying there was too much dialogue and not enough 'scenery'. Publishers do have a certain knowledge of what sells in their field, especially in terms of length and style, but they do not have any more ability to criticise story content than any other reader. Remember that almost every famous author that has offered a manuscript under a false name has been rejected. Even by their own publisher! Personally I would never compromise, which is probably why I would never get published, but that might be because I don't actually write anymore

I was 12 and while being chased down a flight of stairs at school the heel of my leading foot caught the very edge of the bottom step. In the ER my trousers were whipped away for them to X-Ray my foot and ankle, I was dumped into a wheelchair and my injured leg lifted up onto one of those boards sticking straight out and whizzed through seemingly countless corridors to the orthopaedic dept. In those days there were no niceties like a cloth or a blanket to drape in your lap, certainly not for kids anyway. I am sure you can understand my embarrassment when, after being deposited in another waiting area by the nurse, my Mother, naturally accompanying me, demanded to know just why I had to wear that underwear that day and I realised to my horror that they were particularly loose and rather skimpy. Believe me, nothing was left to the imagination.

I can do that Five chapters = 20% (by your own admission, see your blog which, by the way, seems to be unavailable) Remaining chapters = (5 * 100 / 20) - 5 = 20 Update frequency = 1 year (approx) Therefore completion will be in 20 years My age = 57, so age on completion = 77, which is well past three score and ten. Actually I come from a long-lived family so I might just make it. Seriously, your writing is excellent, certainly of publishable quality, and I hold you in the highest regard as an author. P

Hi All, I joined some time ago, but I could never find my first post so I did not bother again. But seeing as you have a new look I thought I would try again and see what, if anything, happens. While I am here I would like to particularly compliment current authors dkstories, Chris Lydon, Dom Luka, Commicality and Vlister on their writing. I do not say that your other authors are lacking, but these particularly suit my tastes. I would, of course, also compliment Dio, whose writing is excellent, but I have computed that at the rate he writes I will be dead before any of his major stories are complete