----- Original Message ----

From: Eric Herrmann <shpshftr@xmission.com> To: Glen Cook: Science Fiction/Fantasy Author <glencook-fans@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Friday, July 18, 2008 7:46:47 PM Subject: Re: [Glencook-fans] Cruel Zinc Melodies

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Is that lack of discipline a good thing, or has it allowed author's imagination's to flow?

A lack of discipline is _never_ a good thing. Big 'ol thick books are not a sign of a flowing imagination. They are only a sign of spewing. Anyone can spew their thoughts out over 500 pages. Just ask any eight- year-old to tell you about their dream last night -- perfect example of flowing imagination. Doesn't mean it's worth reading if it were printed up and distributed to the public. Good art requires master craftsmen. Master craftsmen develop discipline.

Give me back the days of typewriters and strong-willed editors!

Valori

I think I'm more inclined to blame the lack of editing on too-long books. A writer can create a lengthy novel in any format (I'm pretty sure "War and Peace" wasn't written on a computer...) but an editor with skill knows when which bits to remove. M