Writing Forum

Joe Abercrombie.

I realize this was a request for suggestions of admirable prose smiths doing either fiction or nonfiction work, and therefore I doubt it was meant to be limited to epic fantasy writers, but really, that's all I read. And that's only about half a joke. I obviously read a lot of legal documents. And I try to stay atop current events, so I read a lot of news periodicals and commentaries. But for pure pleasure, I only read epic fantasy. Someone else will have to post their favorite prose smiths outside that genre.

Joe Abercrombie. Love this guy. Darkly hilarious. Witty dialogues. Irascibly intriguing characters, some of whom have absolutely no redeeming characteristics whatsoever but curiously compel us to root for them anyway.

Here's some of Joe's prose work:

“Has it ever occured to you, Master Ninefingers, that a sword is different from other weapons? Axes and maces and so forth are lethal enough, but they hang on the belt like dumb brutes. But a sword...a sword has a voice.

Sheathed it has little to say, to be sure, but you need only put your hand on the hilt and it begins to whisper in your enemy's ear. A gentle word. A word of caution. Do you hear it?

Now, compare it to the sword half drawn. It speaks louder, does it not? It hisses a dire threat. It makes a deadly promise. Do you hear it?

Now compare it to the sword full drawn. It shouts now, does it not? It screams defiance! It bellows a challenge! Do you hear it?”


“Fearlessness is a fool's boast, to my mind. The only men with no fear in them are dead, or the soon to be dead, maybe. Fear teaches you caution, and respect for your enemy, and to avoid sharp edges used in anger. All good things in their place, believe me. Fear can bring you out alive, and that's the very best anyone can hope for from any fight. Every man who's worth a damn feels fear. It's the use you make of it that counts.”

― Joe Abercrombie, The Blade Itself

I welcome anyone else to post likewise, maybe put up some excerpts from a few of their favorite writers, especially the ones that might be favored for their unique and powerful prose. I got busy in the afternoon today---pshaw!! Don't these people know I got epic fantasy to read and write about. I can't be bothered with this damnable... work.

Anyway, I will try to rummage through my bookshelf again later and come up with a few more likeable prose smiths.