I agree with that thesis wholeheartedly – in principle.
Unfortunately, I ultimately decided that showing the Odyri vs Valkia “Rumble in the Jungle” in full wouldn’t work for this particular story. I struggled with this last chapter for a long time (just ask Gene, who had to wait for it), and this was specifically one of the story points I had trouble reconciling.
In the end, I decided to not show the catfight because a.) Hawke wasn’t present to witness it, and this story is (mostly) told from his POV, b.) it threw off the pacing of the third “act,” and c.) I felt it had the potential to distract from/diminish the dramatic impact of Hawke’s climactic battles with Kain, and perhaps more importantly, Reddjac, which I felt were a significant turning point in the evolution of the character.
Was it the right choice? I can’t say. That’s up to the individual reader.
Based on your point A and that Odyri likely wouldn’t want to wait to “strike” (after all Kain and/or Reddjac might return), I’m of the opinion that it was a good choice. [Smile]
Well IMO “works for the reader” is a YMMV thing (Your Mileage May Vary). [Smile]
I follow David Weber’s work religiously as well as reading comments about his work from his fans.
It’s funny that for every reader that complains about Weber’s infodumps, there is a reader who wants more background info about Weber’s worlds. [Very Big Grin]
Femme Noir by Mills and Staton
Gravedigger by Mills & Burchett
Lady Sabre by Rucka & Burchett
Ace Kilroy by Kelly & O'Connor
Simone & Ajax by Andrew Pepoy
Trekker by Ron Randall
You never stop a girl fight. Or not show all of it in glorious detail.
I agree with that thesis wholeheartedly – in principle.
Unfortunately, I ultimately decided that showing the Odyri vs Valkia “Rumble in the Jungle” in full wouldn’t work for this particular story. I struggled with this last chapter for a long time (just ask Gene, who had to wait for it), and this was specifically one of the story points I had trouble reconciling.
In the end, I decided to not show the catfight because a.) Hawke wasn’t present to witness it, and this story is (mostly) told from his POV, b.) it threw off the pacing of the third “act,” and c.) I felt it had the potential to distract from/diminish the dramatic impact of Hawke’s climactic battles with Kain, and perhaps more importantly, Reddjac, which I felt were a significant turning point in the evolution of the character.
Was it the right choice? I can’t say. That’s up to the individual reader.
“Right Choice”?
Based on your point A and that Odyri likely wouldn’t want to wait to “strike” (after all Kain and/or Reddjac might return), I’m of the opinion that it was a good choice. [Smile]
Well, it’s the “right” choice if it works for the reader. If it doesn’t, well… 🙂
Well IMO “works for the reader” is a YMMV thing (Your Mileage May Vary). [Smile]
I follow David Weber’s work religiously as well as reading comments about his work from his fans.
It’s funny that for every reader that complains about Weber’s infodumps, there is a reader who wants more background info about Weber’s worlds. [Very Big Grin]
Beats up the bandit queen AND finds her duds, all in a days work!
Chuckle Chuckle
Nice line Princess. [Smile]