Literary Lists

Since I was on the topic not too long ago, here's a (still admittedly short) list of fantasy books and series that I have started and want to finish, or want to start to see if they are any good.

- Harry Potter: now that all the books have been published and all the movies made, I might actually read/see them now. I told you I wasn't cutting edge!

- Discworld: read the first two and liked what I saw. Looking forward to more

- Inheritance Cycle: I need to read the last book...for old times sake if nothing else

- Wheel of Time: still haven't read the most recent book. I did notice that my local library has the audiobook on a whopping 30 cds. Maybe I'll borrow it and listen to it while I landscape?

- Redwall: I just heard today that Brian Jacques, the beloved author of the beloved Redwall series, passed away this past February. I loved his books when I was younger, and I want to read those I have not yet read. I shall mourn his passing.
- And as I said previously, A Song of Ice and Fire

Hmm...and while I'm at it, how about some other series I have read?

Forgotten Realms - A lot of R.A. Salvatore's stuff. Not really a fan any more. Felt rather uninspired after a while.

The Binding of the Blade - not all allegorical fiction is good. This series is. I recommend.
Stephen Lawhead's The Song of Albion and King Raven trilogies - the first is definitely fantasy. The second is more historical fiction, but it is epic, and it is a good read. I want to read more of his stuff.
Dune - only the first one...not particularly interested in the others. As much as I admire creativity when Worldbuilding, some places and universes are just too weird for me.
The Founding - this is an omnibus of three novels written by Dan Abnett about Gaunt's Ghosts, a fictitious military unit set in the Warhammer 40,000 Universe. It's interesting. Different. It is somewhat reminiscent of Forgotten Realms books in that it follows the general bents and patterns of an established game system, but not quite as constrained.
The Chronicles of Narnia - 'nuff said
Lord of the Rings - ditto...well, not really, since there are books outside the main trilogy. For my part, I have also read the Book of Unfinished Tales, the Children of Hurin, the Hobbit, the Silmarillion, and the first third of the The Book of Lost Tales. I suppose there's another series I need to finish.

I'm sure there are more I haven't thought of. Maybe I should make a permanent page for this list and continue to expand it as I go on? Something to think on...

Still in Bolivia. But I still wrote this before I left. I am a Phantom. Fear me.

~ Tommy

Those Who Came Before

Minas Tirith - Screen Capture from the Film

As a creator of artistic works, I owe a huge debt to those who have gone before me and paved the road as far as it has led me to this day.

In the realm of writing, Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Robert Jordan, L.B. Graham, Orson Scott Card, Asimov, among others.

In comics/graphic novels, Bill Watterson, Jeff Smith, Stan Sakai, Travis Hanson, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, among others.

In film and cinema, Nolan, Spielberg, Lucas, Peter Jackson, Ryan Connolly, and many, many others.

In LEGO even, Nnenn, Jordan Schwartz, Michael Jasper, DNL, also among many others.

I admire these people even as I grow frustrated over them, for my works in any field will constantly be--even if unconsciously-- compared against theirs. Theirs is the talent, theirs is the past, theirs is the foundation or the continuation, each a Citadel or a Tower, either anchoring the rest or passing all others to reach the heavens. Theirs is the shadow that threatens to starve the budding artist for want of light.

I don't expect to become famous in my lifetime. I don't expect to become well known in my life time. I fully expect to die penniless if not homeless, a starving artist to the bitter end. Well, maybe not THAT bad.

But it is a strange place to be in. To create something that will stand on its own is nigh impossible these days. And it certainly will receive its share of assaults and sieges. So to look at those who have carved their niche and receive adulation for it...sometimes makes my blood boil. Not anger. But frustration.

Where the future leads? I do not know...where my future begins? Heh...a depressing oxymoron, that.

What even to classify this post? Not really Scholar, not really Dreamer...perhaps I need another voice? The Ranter? The Knave? I shall think on that...

~ Tommy