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Who here has read his book(s)? What one was your favorite? Mine was Enders Shadow. My one friend, Brittany, she is totally obsessed with him. She even has the nickname Bean because Bean Delphiki is her fav. character and shes like totally obsessed with him! 'tis quite funny!
Posts: 6 | Registered: Mar 2006
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I'm sure everyone on this forum has read some OSC. (My personal favorite is Enchantment.) This topic would probably be better suited in the 'Published Books and Hooks' section of the forum, however.
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Personally, I enjoyed his short fiction rather than his novels. I didn't enjoy the sexual content or the cursing, but there were several good short stories.
The Alvin Maker series is also a good one. Can't wait for the concluding volume to the series.
posted
Well, I came here on Kathleen's recommendation / referral---then wondered how I missed this site these past several years. I knew *of* Card, of course, and had read some of his shorter works over the years and liked them, but haven't read any of his stuff lately, that I can recall.
*Then,* after seeing frequent messages of approval, I picked up the Alvin Maker books---and, now that I've plowed through them, I'm sorry I didn't do so much sooner. Someday real soon, I hope to browse through some others.
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I'm here because of OSC's review of the movie "Serenity".
I've read his fiction, but cannot say that I'm as impressed as other people here are and I don't think his teachings on the craft are the bible of writing. Most of what he says will make a person a better writer, though. I believe that following all of his teachings will keep someone from being among the best.
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My absolute favorite was Ender's Game (and it's one of my favorite novels of all time), although I've enjoyed several of his other novels. The Alvin Maker books just didn't do it for me, and I haven't read some of the older stuff yet.
And I ended up here because of his books, I believe. Seems like a long time ago now.
Yes, we're talking about the same OSC. Go read his "Maps in a Mirror" collection of short stories and you'll see what I'm talking about just in the first half of the collection. I could name the names of the specific stories where he includes these things but that's hardly what I'm mentioning it for.
I'm not saying that he's got HEAVY objectionable content like some other books I've read, but it's still there and I think the stories would've been better without it.
posted
My favorites of OSC's were 'Songmaster' and 'Speaker for the Dead.' I haven't read everything he's ever written, for sure -- only a few of his short stories, and I've never read any of the Biblical riffs, among others. (I also never finished the Alvin Maker series.)
I don't think he's the God of Fiction Writing, to be Obeyed Or Else, but but some of the things he has to say have merit. Probably different things for me than for other people. Individual preference and style is kind of the name of the game.
quote:Well, there is at least one counter-example, as Scott's Hugos and Nebulae will attest. He follows his own teachings.
Does that mean that he's one of the best though? Don't get me wrong, I /love/ OSC's books. He's a brilliant author, probably one of my favourite. But everything is preference.
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I've read all of OSC's books except for Lovelock, which for some reason I've been at a complete loss to find.
I don't think there's a writer in the world whose work affects me with as much clarity and precision as his.
My favorite novel by him is Songmaster, though the first book I read by him was, as is usually the case, Ender's Game. I was in tears by the end of Songmaster---I loved (probably still do) every single one of the characters.
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I currently am reading all of his books and forum through his site. I personally like Speaker for the Dead--think that's his best written. As far as plot and intricacy goes though, The Alvin Maker series just amazes me.
Posts: 131 | Registered: Feb 2006
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quote:Well, there is at least one counter-example, as Scott's Hugos and Nebulae will attest. He follows his own teachings.
Exactly. His teaching are about what works for him. They are the guidelines that steer his inner storymaker into written words. But everyone has their own inner storymaker.
Its like mapquest: The directions from OSC's inner storymaker to a great story are dictated in his teachings.
If anyone else started at their own inner storymaker and followed OSC's directions, they will not end up at the same place.
But, if they study OSC's teaching and can identify what is true for them, compare them what they know and learn elsewhere, they might just find the directions they need to arrive at their destination, their own great stories.
posted
my all time favorite book is enders game, but i just read shadow of the giant, and that gives it a run for its money Posts: 38 | Registered: Jan 2006
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quote:Does that mean that he's one of the best though? Don't get me wrong, I /love/ OSC's books. He's a brilliant author, probably one of my favourite. But everything is preference
Judging by how much shelf-space he gets, I'd say that a lot of people think he is one of the best.
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Danielle Steele gets a lot of shelf space, too. But I'd rather listen to Card's writing advice than hers.
Posts: 1750 | Registered: Oct 2004
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OSC is like one of my all-time fav's too!!! I really think he's spiff as well!!! It's like the other day I was like at the B&N and this guy was like diss'ing him, and I just like totally went ballistic and told him off, because like the Alvin Maker series and Enchantment are like some of the best stuff I have ever read!!!
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Cheese Whiz, Beth, did you have to mention Danielle Steele? I think I'm going to be sick now... *mutters* Where's that vomity smiley when ya need it?
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...and here *I* was thinking TruHero was being a tad sarcastic.
But I would venture a guess that both X_nikki_X and plumeh are under the requisite "age 18 or older" ...'salright with me as long as the junior whelps behave. Just don't tell She Who Must Be Obeyed.
[This message has been edited by Elan (edited March 20, 2006).]
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I am glad that someone recognizes good ol' sarcasm when they see it. On the other hand, I guess that means I can still pull-off a good pre-pubescent when the situation arises.
If I had to guess, I would say that Nikki, Plumeh, and Sockeh are the the ones below the age limit. But, I just calls 'em how I see's 'em!
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Sockeh has admitted to being below age, so that one doesn't count. Trying to puzzle out a poster's age here on Hatrack is a good exercise in how dialog can convey a voice and a sense of the age of the character. Like, wow!
Posts: 2026 | Registered: Mar 2005
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I've read many of Orson Scott Card's books. He is definately one of my favorite authors. I came to this forum through his novels. I think that I owe a lot to OSC. He provided this web site and shares his knowledge and opinions here. He really has inspired me to write. My favorite book by him is probably Ender's Game. Although I just finished Treasure Box, Magic Street, and Shadow of the Giant. He has a writing style that really impresses upon me. Is his way THE WAY? No, of course not. But having the choice to write without hearing his advice and to write with his council I'd choose to hear him out. You can always learn from someone who has been there, even if you don't agree with them.
Posts: 19 | Registered: Mar 2006
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Am I the only one who finds objection to content from a poster called "Constipatron" pleasingly ironic?
Also, there is a discussions on OSC forum over in the "Forums" section. Though most the people who post there seem to think criticizing OSC illustrates their intelligence, so people who like OSC sometimes don't find it a fun place to hang out. But here I am criticising them. Now I feel bad.
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Outside the Ender books, "Treason" (which recently got a reprint in paperback for those who have never read it) is by far his best. "Hart's Hope" and "Wyrms" are other classic Scott favorites. Though Wyrms is a bit ... off the beaten path for Scott. Or anyone for that matter. But good nonetheless.
"Maps in a Mirror" was very good too. I highly recommend it to all short story lovers. I'm with Contipatron in a way, being an old school OSC fan in a lot of ways. Back when he was almost exclusively SciFi/Fantasy outside his religious tales.
Jammrock
[This message has been edited by Jammrock (edited April 06, 2006).]
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I really like OSC's writing, honestly. His style and imagination have definitely contributed to my meager and midiocre talent to write. I definitely owe him my gratitude for where I'm at.
The "criticism" was reluctant on my part but I wanted to be completely honest with those who post here. Not my intention to have attacked anyone.
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FL was just fooling with you, Consti. I will say that your user name would have been better without the, um, obvious associations. I'm not quite willing to say the same about all the "objectionable content" in Card's works. I don't really feel that he's ever reached the level of clearly gratuitous use of sex and cursing, though I can probably make an argument for some of his "characters examining their own belly buttons" scenes.
But, as far as I know, character introspection doesn't usually count as objectionable.
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I really think he's spiff as well!!! 
