The wrong kind of details: the components of wonder (aka lmp's rant)

[Kuruharan]

We in the "Are You Writing Serious Fantasy" thread have done our share of talking about backstory writing, so that's where that comes from.

Ahh, I once followed that thread back in its early days, but I lost touch with it somewhere along the way. I'm not a writer (as most of my posts probably show). The only things that I know about it are the things that I have observed in the writings of others. However, sometimes I'll flail and thrash about with descriptions and advice about things that I've observed. (This thread for instance.) As Charles Schulz once had Marcie say, "All the best coaches are in the stands, sir!"

On with the erratic flailing about...

Then there's the third book, That Hideous Strength. I've never liked it, not even at last rereading after several people had told me it's their favorite...Is it because there isn't enough description of the good to offset the evil? The latter seems much stronger and more vivid, and even its defeat at the end cannot change that impression.

Perhaps its because its description of evil is so realistic. I kid you not when I tell you that I have heard college professors spout some of the same empty trash that members of the N.I.C.E., most specifically Frost but also Wither, embody in the story.

What else about LotR stand out as having done so?

When the Fellowship sails past the Argonath, that scene is impressive. I know that similar structures have been built, and in a way are still being built, and that you can go see them. However, in the book that scene is much more...impressive. Although in the real world I am not the long lost heir to the Pharaohs returning to Egypt, as Aragorn was the returning heir to those Isildur and Anarion. That probably adds something to that scene.

[ August 06, 2002: Message edited by: Kuruharan ]