Writing Forum

I completely agree that pacing is very slow at times in the Malazan books. So far I haven't come across overlong dialogues, but there's way too much thinking and contemplating going which stops the story dead.
The action is good, really good, but there's too much waste in between, especially in the later books.

As for bringing the reader up to speed, Erikson must have learned doing that when he got further into the series because the learning curve is incredibly steep to begin with if you ask me. I couldn't imagine jumping into the middle of the series. Most of the books are pretty much as far from stand alone as you could imagine.

I think Erikson is a pretty good example of someone who has sold well because he has some clear strengths in his writing (worldbuilding, magic system, handling of multiple plot...) but has someone equally clear weaknesses holding him back from becoming on of the really big names of the industry (his pacing for example).



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