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EmmaRiddle · 07-31-2005, 03:04 PM

Terry Pratchett has criticised Jo Rowling saying she is being elevated "at the expense of other writers". On today, of all days. Do I hear someone crying for publicity? Probably.

Quote:

In a recent interview with Time magazine, Rowling said she was "not a huge fan of fantasy" and was trying to "subvert" the genre. The magazine also said Rowling reinvented fantasy fiction.

Pratchett, whose first fantasy novel was published 34 years ago, wrote to the Sunday Times saying the genre had always been "edgy and inventive".

"Ever since The Lord of the Rings revitalised the genre, writers have played with it, reinvented it, subverted it and bent it to their times," he wrote.

Quote:

He also expressed surprise at Rowling's comments that she only realised Harry Potter was fantasy after the first book was published.

"But I would have thought that the wizards, witches, trolls, unicorns, hidden worlds, jumping chocolate frogs, owl mail, magic food, ghosts, broomsticks and spells would have given her a clue?"

His full letter can be read here.

Source: Mugglenet

harry_luvr · 07-31-2005, 06:56 PM

Well Pratchett Has Just Lost A Reader

luckyangelkmf · 07-31-2005, 06:57 PM

She wants publicity so bad, and that's really sad :0

Anirock · 07-31-2005, 07:00 PM

That's just sad. Well... millions of readers around the world don't agree with him.

Mistress Vondella · 07-31-2005, 07:00 PM

*stares* JK didn't know HP was fantasy???? Though he responded to it rudely, I must agree, magic, dragons, unicorns, etc are all ingredients for a fantasy book. I've yet to read a story those were involved with that WASNT fantasy.

Terry Pratchett doesn't need publicity. He has a loyal fanbase of which I am part. I enjoy his books immensely and he's been around for ages. Besides, they cater to basically different crowds, most of the cross overs would be the older readers.

I have to admit her saying she's trying to subvert the fantasy genre didn't exactly impress me, sounds like she's out to destroy it

even if thats not her intent, thats how I read it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndromedaBlack

Ok, I think I have to stick a note of sanity into this... Just to say at the outset, I'm a fan of Terry Pratchett, but I love his books neither more or less than JK's. First, his letter happened to be printed in the Sunday newspaper, not his fault it happens to be JK's birthday.
I just read the Time article, and I have to say, I see why Pratchett is angry. The writer of that article does seem to think that in order to praise JK they have to insult all other fantasy authors. Did you read the article? Seriously, was it just 'Insult CS Lewis Day'? I love fantasy, and it really is quite aggravating to see someone generalising an entire genre as "deeply conservative--politically, culturally, psychologically". Is that because they tend to be based in a world without "cars, telephones and PlayStations"? That's the point of books, to give us views into other worlds, not to all be based in this time!
Anyway, Pratchett was more giving out about that article and it's insults of the rest of the genre than JK herself. He's right, the world of fantasy is much more than a place "where knights and ladies morris-dance to Greensleeves". Maybe JK isn't a huge fan of fantasy, but that's no reason for the writer to insult some of the greatest authors of the last century.
This is becoming a complicated rant so I'm just leave off here and let you continue your insults...

(I dont think I spelled your name right, sorry >.<)

I agree................and take comfort in knowing I'm not alone in my opinion.

magical girl · 07-31-2005, 07:08 PM

i dont think ill read any of his books anymore
ill stick to jk rowling books than his
he is so rude

lauradonaghy · 07-31-2005, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcella_Riddle

This just makes me feel sick. On her birthday for crying out loud. I'm never buying any of his books. Ever.

Your loss. And all the rest of you who are boycotting Pratchett for standing his ground.

Since when is JKR above criticism? You're all acting as if Terry called her a cow or something: all he said was that she's out of order to imply that fantasy is a load of nonsense. I don't blame him for being annoyed.

And really, how was he supposed to know it was her birthday? Get a grip, people.

Terry Pratchett puts out at least one book a year, does signing tours, does webchats, participates in fan groups, attends conventions... JKR sees to it that her public appearances are so rare as to be newsworthy.
In my experience Terry has always come across as very nice, including answering almost every question asked of him on a month-long discussion board and defending yours truly when I accidentally brought out a spoiler for the next Discworld book.
Don't criticise him just because he made a comment about your favourite author that you find unpalatable.

EDIT: And just a moment... "jealous"? 1% of all books sold in Britain are written by Terry Pratchett. He may not be a household name but what exactly does he have to be jealous of?

Leeness · 07-31-2005, 08:00 PM

I wish people would keep criticism to themselves unless its constructive or important to everyone in the world, otherwise deal with it! I have never finished a book fo his because they suck and are boring so JK should be critising him.

For the record that was constructive for him to improve his writing and not me just being insulting

Mistress Vondella · 07-31-2005, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lauradonaghy

Your loss. And all the rest of you who are boycotting Pratchett for standing his ground.

Since when is JKR above criticism? You're all acting as if Terry called her a cow or something: all he said was that she's out of order to imply that fantasy is a load of nonsense. I don't blame him for being annoyed.

And really, how was he supposed to know it was her birthday? Get a grip, people.

Terry Pratchett puts out at least one book a year, does signing tours, does webchats, participates in fan groups, attends conventions... JKR sees to it that her public appearances are so rare as to be newsworthy.
In my experience Terry has always come across as very nice, including answering almost every question asked of him on a month-long discussion board and defending yours truly when I accidentally brought out a spoiler for the next Discworld book.
Don't criticise him just because he made a comment about your favourite author that you find unpalatable.

EDIT: And just a moment... "jealous"? 1% of all books sold in Britain are written by Terry Pratchett. He may not be a household name but what exactly does he have to be jealous of?

Everyone else seems to be more eloquent than me.

In Prachette's defense.........I didn't even know today was Jo's birthday, and just cos something comes on her bday doesnt mean it was intended to be so. If people did plan things around Jo's birthday......then I guess the Bix and DefLeppard/Bryan Adams planned today's event and Double-Header concert to celebrate her birthday.

Sounds dumb? Good, cos accusing Terry (who is MALE for those who weren't bothering to check

) of purposely writing his letter for her birthday is just as dumb. Not everything revolves around Jo and HP. Get a grip people.

lauradonaghy · 07-31-2005, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyMoonyFan

I wish people would keep criticism to themselves unless its constructive or important to everyone in the world, otherwise deal with it! I have never finished a book fo his because they suck and are boring so JK should be critising him.

For the record that was constructive for him to improve his writing and not me just being insulting

Er... just for the record, he didn't just slag her off for no apparent reason. He wasn't criticising her writing style, just her attitude towards the fantasy genre.

As to his books... nah, not all of them are that great. There are four or five Discworlds (out of a series of over 30 might I add) that aren't up to the usual standard. Which ones did you read?

Quote:

Originally Posted by adorable_lil_thing

Sounds dumb? Good, cos accusing Terry (who is MALE for those who weren't bothering to check

) of purposely writing his letter for her birthday is just as dumb. Not everything revolves around Jo and HP. Get a grip people.

That seems to be a major problem people are having with this. "On her birthday!!"
God.

parvatifan · 07-31-2005, 08:13 PM

I think he wants publicity. His last books haven't gone so swell. He's usually fairly nice. :-s

lauradonaghy · 07-31-2005, 08:31 PM

They normally sell pretty well in the UK - number one for a month or so. Not the Harry Potter frenzy, of course.

Bear in mind that you can start reading his pretty much anywhere in the series, and people tend to just buy the odd paperback copy here and there until suddenly they have the whole series and - oh look! - he has a new one out.

Tao · 07-31-2005, 08:43 PM

Well, this is just stupid. For one thing, of COURSE you re-invent the genre. That's the point. If everyone wrote the same freakin' way as Tolkien, then why would anyone want to read?

Secondly, some authors get famous. It's the business. Do musicians get made when someone comes on the scene and really takes over with a frenzy? No. Do actors get mad when someone comes along and stars in practically every movie? No. Do artists get mad when someone becomes famous for their art? No! And why? Because it's the nature of the business. People get more famous than others. But if your work is good, people will come and read. It's just the way it is.

This is definitely sour grapes. You don't see Stephen King and other authors getting upset who are being out sold by JKR. By a grander scale, too.

07-31-2005, 08:57 PM

I used to teach reading, and I've never even heard of the guy...can't tell you the name of any of his books...so that tells you something right there!

allucha · 07-31-2005, 08:58 PM

why cant everyone leave harrypotter alone, its started reading again, thats good enough, keep writing jk, we think it rocks

*Padie* · 07-31-2005, 08:59 PM

For Merlin's bear! This man is crazy! I tell you! Crazy!

OtterySt.Catchpole · 07-31-2005, 09:00 PM

For the record and correct me if I'm wrong but I don't remember JKR making the comment that Fantasy is conservative and ladies and dragons and Knights. All of which is true...it was in the article, but I don't remember HER saying it or being quoted as saying it.

That said Terry Pratchett is a jealous git, because he doesn't sell half as much and this is not the first time he has attacked her...

Stephen King can't stop singing her praises which truthfully is just as bad...

I'm gonna go buy all his books tomorrow...

And Fantasy fiction is very conservative and repetitive which is why I only read the one's that try to reinvision the genre and they're very few...

07-31-2005, 09:06 PM

Hi let's not get carried away on bashing Terry Pratchett he is a very successful author who like us all has a right to his opinion. People can be very selective in the way they quote what people say to create a spat. I think that JK Rowling is a very good author and so is Terry Pratchett he is really good at comedy she is good at pulling you into her stories. The only way to tell which is going to last the distance is to wait fifty or a hundred years to see which one is still being read then probably someone none of use have heard of just look at Conan Doyle or Dickens it's their stuff that lasted and yet they had fellow writers who where just as popular.

Mistress Vondella · 07-31-2005, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tao

This is definitely sour grapes. You don't see Stephen King and other authors getting upset who are being out sold by JKR. By a grander scale, too.

*stares* What does Stephen King have to do with this conversation? He and Jo are in completely different genres, for King to say anything about Jo would be just silly. They cater to COMPLETELY different audiences.

What everyone here is ignoring is Prachette isn't yelling about Jo, just what she said about the fantasy genre and how the author of the article was putting other great fantasy writers down. Everyone writes differently and no one should be compared to anyone else based on their books, period.

I'm still not impressed with Jo "subverting" the genre, hating the genre that's gotten her her money, and ~somehow~ not knowing she was in the genre until HP was released. She appearantly never paid attention as to what was classified as "fantasy".

Once again, Prachett doesn't need the publicity. He's written more books than most authors, and writes what he feels, It's considered a "series" but in all honesty they're more like single books strung together by having them based in DiscWorld. He's sarcastic and blunt and I love him.

I'm tired of people saying "its just sour grapes" and "just for publicity" when they've never heard of Prachett. Just cos this is the first you've heard of him doesn't mean others don't know him. Just cos his books arent marketed (i'll be nice) the way Jo's are doesn't mean his fans aren't as loyal, it just means companies know they'll sell a CHILDRENS book faster and make more money than an adult level book.

OtterySt.Catchpole · 07-31-2005, 09:16 PM

Ottery: Pikachu ELECTRIC SHOCK ATTACK!
Pikachu: Chuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!
Terry Pratchett: *sizzle*
*Ottery glomps Stephen King* Now write a children's book like all those other hack writers that would never have touched the genre but for JKR and a piece of that pie *cough*pratchett*cough*

I don't see why he has to fixate on the bad things...if publications like Time magazine want to deride the fantasy genre that's their loss, but he shouldn't attack her...she's contributed more to literature than she's taken away...

And I was kidding, I might someday read Terry's books, people keep recommending them to me left and right...so he can't be that bad...but I'll never buy them...nope...just because he was a meanie. Thank God for the public library system, no?

Drusilla Black · 07-31-2005, 10:07 PM

I have one question: Have they ever actually met? I mean Rowling and Pratchett. If they´d only sit down and have a nice chat about teaching wizardry and such, I think they´d have a lot in common ...

What I´m trying to say here is, that I like both, so you won´t see me banning Pratchett only because he´s an old man, and ... But if Rowling really has said she doesn´t know anything about Fantasy litterature ... This is a bit complicated ... I mean, there is this wizarding university in the Disc-World. So Pratchett might think Jo has somehow stolen something *hides from flying objects*

I don´t think she´s stolen anything, don´t get me wrong. You can only invent a wheel once, but then you might change it´s colour and so on ... Both are unique and great, no war needed, eh?

LiLdRaCoLuVeR22 · 07-31-2005, 10:08 PM

This whole discussion brings me back to 4th grade. Jealously and disagreements over opinions.

How fun.

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