I just returned from NW Bookfest where, on a panel, author Mark Teppo referred to urban fantasy authors who make up their own monsters as “special snowflakes.”
Well guess what? I am special, because I think UF has to open itself beyond the same stock supernatural characters if it’s going to survive long term.
I’m also a snowflake, in that I melt when you touch me with your tongue.
I hope that’s clear.
I promise that I will not touch you with my tongue.
EVER.
I’m gonna hold you to that.
WTF, being one of a kind isn’t enough, you’ve got to be “special” too?
Pretty much, yeah. I’m not happy unless I’m sparkling.
Your monsters are definitely original. I like how you combine the “price of magic” w/ “monsters.” It’s the first I’ve seen of its kind–at least in this specific way.
Whose monsters do you like the most? (Sorry, I can’t think of a better word for monster) And if you don’t mind, whose magic system do you like?
I don’t know the answers to your questions. I don’t read books that way, so I can’t really talk about which monsters or magic systems I like. Whether or not I like something always depends on other things.
For those who wander by and think that I was taking a shot at Harry, I’d like to point out the other part of that conversation where I said that writers should not get caught up in the idea of being a special snowflake, but should write something that they love. Which, as is well evidenced by Harry’s work, he does with delightful abandon.
No, it was pretty clear it wasn’t a shot at me personally; I have no reason to think you were particularly familiar with my work. But I had to point it out.
Oh, you missed the conversation later at the signing table when someone asked us what we’ve been reading, and I happily pointed them toward your books. In fact, I need to go pick up a copy of Circle of Enemies. :)
Thanks for that. I can use all the help I can get.