I generally stay away from taking jabs at people in ill-faith (okay, that’s a bit of a white lie, but still…), but this quote, from an old USA Today interview (via Ansible) with Terry Goodkind, author of such bastions of literature as Wizard’s First Rule, Naked Empire and Chainfire, just screamed for some attention. One can only assume that the dude’s still an asshole.
‘First of all, I don’t write fantasy. I write stories that have important human themes. They have elements of romance, history, adventure, mystery and philosophy. Most fantasy is one-dimensional. It’s either about magic or a world-building. I don’t do either.’
No. No he does not. But, hey, at least he’s aware of his shortcomings!
I suppose the real problem, though, is that we’re all too ignorant to see past the Dragons, roiling balls of liquid fire, sword fights, Wizards, alternate realities, prophecies, Evil Dark Lords, princesses, and massive army battles to understand that he writes not Fantasy, but philosophical explorations of what it means to be a human being.
Another gem includes:
Weymouth, MA: In your opinion who is the most must-read, cutting edge writer publishing today?
Terry Goodkind: Ayn Rand.
Who wants to be the one to break news of Ayn Rand’s death to Goodkind?
The sad thing is that he’s worse than Margaret Atwood, because at least Atwood is known for doing non-genre work. Goodkind is ONLY known as a fantasy author. Nobody pays any attention to his other work.
But he’s not an asshole, just really really really stupid. It shouldn’t be a surprise though, especially in this country.
Quite frankly I wouldn’t trust a man with that shirt/ponytail/beard combo to write a birthday card, let alone a novel
I thought his philosophy was the opposite of socialism – a bizarre libertarian-objectivist nightmare?
But yeah, still, what you said.
Sorry dude but the books are fantasy. I guess he wants to sound special but the books are fantasy unless everyone else is wrong.
It’s sad that someone so successful has so little respect for the genre he obviously writes, let alone all those who paved the way for his success. Every good piece of fantasy and sci-fi clearly hits on the human condition. What makes his writing so special?
SMD – In an answer to another of the question in that interview, he says that if you see any similarities between his work and Robert Jordan’s, you’re too young to be reading A Sword of Truth.
Mark – You’re right. I just can’t keep up with Goodkind’s philosophy, other than that he hates commies and thinks it’s okay to shatter the jaws of little children as long as it improves your situation in life.
“But he’s not an asshole, just really really really stupid. It shouldn’t be a surprise though, especially in this country.”
I disagree, I think he’s a total asshole. Some of the stuff he’s said about people who gave up on his books…he shows a total lack of respect to the genre, and fans of the genre – the same people that made him successful by buying his books in the first place.
The amusing thing about all this, is that he’s such a poor writer. If he wrote brilliant novels, he could get away with being a prick. But his novels are nothing special at all. In fact, they’re dogshit.
Aidan: This is why I keep a list of authors I won’t get books from except for 10 cents at a garage sale. If they’re going to be stupid on a level that defies logic (or homophobic bastards like certain authors), then they don’t deserve to earn royalties off me. Goodkind is just another on that list…
And to absolutely no one’s surprise, even when he tries to write a thriller, viz The Law of Nines, the end result is a re-make of Wizard’s First Rule, which is to say, Goodkind trying to write Thomas the Unbeliever novel in all but name.
James, there you go insulting dogshit. Dogshit, after a very long time, can at least maybe fertilize grass. Much more useful than NoGoodkind.
Socialist? I thought he was a fascist.
In an answer to another of the question in that interview, he says that if you see any similarities between his work and Robert Jordan’s, you’re too young to be reading A Sword of Truth.
I vote idiot and asshole. I mean really. His books are such a rip off of Robert Jordan. He didn’t even try not to be obvious about it.
Somebody doesn’t realize that good fantasy’s about magic and the human condition, with as much worldbuilding as necessary thrown in. Like hearing people say The Road isn’t science fiction because it deals with serious themes wasn’t a big enough dose of this elitism to last me until the new year.
And where’s Mystar? I keep expecting Goodkind’s personal defender to show up and spew forth a kilometer’s worth of bile and hatred at any Goodkind naysayers.
Goodkind just makes it too easy to make fun of him. How he can expect to be taken seriously with remarks such as the ones you posted is beyond me.
This guy has got a real cheek saying this as I remember starting to read Wizards first rule and i thought the books were great ( first 3 anyway) but then when he started to get established the books started getting boring..they were like 1 chapter spread out throughout the book..Labourous and watch checking books.Its a real shame because the books were a fun adventurous read. Sorry but they are not deep and to say as such is pretty delusional.I wonder what genre he would class his books then?But thats not the important point ( most creative people have huge egos otherwise they wouldnt be comfortable with there own thoughts and able to write them down.His books are pulp fantasy nothing more or less.He is no Robert E Howard and you could argue that there are more stories of humun endevour and spirit in Howards books which are full out rocking adventures than Goodkinds.
Lets not talk about capitalism though people.You need it to promote yourselves as Authors.No one is whiter than white.We all are living a contradiction everyday of our lives. Free speak is for everyone and to limit someones is to stifle debate.Example BNP.You stifle them then you prolong the myth that they have anything to offer. Hear them and then the myth dies with them.
Who wants to be the one to break news of Ayn Rand’s death to Goodkind?
But can a robot truly “die”?
I really loved the first few novels in the SoT series, and Kahlan still stands as one of my favorite characters, but the man’s work just started getting obnoxious. The Law of Nines was a total joke.
He seems to fluctuate between embodying the philosophies of Nietzsche and Captain America… both a Darwinistic fascination with survival of the most impressive, and a Capitalist betterment for the people who had the opportunity to be a fit male with capacities to lead an entire nation/country/(world?) while desiring nothing more than being a hermit in the mountains. I agree with him saying that what he lacks in typical “Fantasy Stories” he makes up with his personal philosophy, and it was not until the last three books that he started devoting entire pages to stating and then restating his personal views on… freedom/ability/christian church. He seemed to rail against the Christian church the same way Nietzsche did in his “Antichrist”. I understand this is all a huge slam against Terry Goodkind, and I wish I understood why the ideas seem so drawn from Robert Jordan (maybe they are estranged brothers with a grudge), but I still enjoyed the series, and Faith of the Fallen was my favorite, even though it made me want to go be a buff, underfed, laborer, entrepreneur, wizard, warrior, sculptor, and revolutionary who is surrounded by beautiful women who I had the integrity and virtue to resist.
Is this the Terry Goodkind hate blog? lol
I do not care what little boxes people (or the author) want to categorize the story into. It is all fiction, with strong emphasis on relationships, philosophies and adventure.
There may be typical fantasy elements in the books, and I believe Terry is distancing the emphasis of the books from the Fantasy collar, because the story is so much deeper that that Fantasy elements. (most dimly lite people may not see that)
Would you like the books any more if Terry said they where fantasy fiction books. Does it really matter.
The SOT books are deeply emotional and filled with all shades of entertainment. I really enjoy how the heroes struggle to accept their situation, way they are challenged and the metamorphosis they are going through. Like a butterfly struggling to exit a cocoon.
WRT copying other writers:
It would be impossible to say that one writer has copied the style of another. It would be like telling one guitarist not to play the on the same 6 strings as another.
We are all human, all share the same DNA, feelings and emotions on one level or another. It would be difficult for a writer to not feel and write about the same set of emotions as another.
You lot complaining about the comments the writer made of his own work, in your own colourful way is indeed Dribble of ink.
First of all, he’s not an asshole, he’s just a little too frank for those of us that are used to being coddled all our lives. Secondly, maybe you misunderstood him or maybe you have never heard him give a speech. He is very much concerned with the way people treat life nowadays (in case you haven’t picked up on that, as most of his characters give a speech in every book about it). He wants us to stop whining about what is fair and what is equal (communism much?) and do what is right.
It doesn’t sound like you have either read many of Goodkind’s books, nor Jordan’s. They had two completely different writing styles and concepts. Jordan always wrote more about nature and elemental powers. Goodkind wrote about the power within each and every person.
Besides, when you are making good money like Goodkind, you can classify your books however the f*** you want.
Some don’t like his work, but some of us do. Law of Nines was definitely my least favorite so far, though…
@Pollmak
“It would be like telling one guitarist not to play the on the same 6 strings as another.”
Incorrect. It’s not playing on the same 6 strings, it’s lifting the opening riffs from Stairway to Heaven.
This is amazing to me how many people who don’t and can’t write come out with opinions on somebody who is a writer and gather they have a write to judge him. That makes all these people more of assholes than he would ever manage to be. He is a popular writer and his personal opinions and deeds don’t matter in how and what he is writing. It doesn’t matter if he loves or hates politicians, dogs, commies, donkeys, bankers, miniature pigs or whatnot. He can write a story and keep you interested in it. He is a writer. I don’t even think it is worth to mention if I like his books or not. It doesn’t matter. He has enough sold to count for a good writer. So what if I think that, say, Robert Jordan was horrible? Some people like this kind of writing and I just wouldn’t go around screaming about it.
Guys… sit down and write a series of books. Then be assholes and wait for criticism and other people throwing shit at you. Writing a series of books is never easy EXACTLY because you have to know what the market wants, what publishers will like and most of all trying to keep a balance between typical things everyone likes (like fantasy-related themes) and likable characters. I agree sometimes Richard acted like a dolt.. well OK very often even but it didn’t make me throw away his books and say “This sucks!”. In the end he is a decent storyteller that at least tries his best and uses multiple characters. Yes there may be loose ends in his books but the more you write the harder it gets to tie them up. Writing is never easy on a scale like this. Sure you can give me examples with plenty of other authors and I won’t mind. Every one of them has a different approach on writing, some more boring with too much world-building and less memorable characters, some honed to perfection. After all writing is a form of art. If you don’t like Goodkind don’t read his works and read something you like instead. Or hell write a book yourselves and publish it and turn it into a successful series that will give you enough money to be able to live a peaceful life. Also do keep in mind that people rarely bend when they reach an age at what Goodkind is. Its like someone asking Terry Pratchett to suddenly sit down and start writing about space marines in a purely sci-fi setting with no humor at all. Not likely.
Thing is, while I sort of agree with the original post, Goodkind has sold 25 million books, and is estimated to have 10 million in print. So while he might be a bad writer, he’s clearly appealing to some demographic!
No story is ever original. None of them. The only thing an author can hope to do is take what is, make it better and put their own twist on it. If you don’t believe me, go ahead and try to write something original. I’d be willing to bet I could find something to compare it to. Take it from someone who has started many books but has never once finished one or had them published because it sounded too much like Tolkien, too much like Ann Rice, etc. One day though, I will :)
Oh, and as far as him being an asshole, I tend to judge people by what they do, not what they say.
Sure is supportirrelevanthackwriter in here. You won’t change people’s opinions, apologists, so stop wasting your time.
I agree with u. I enjoy his books and appriciate his emotional, and philasophical elements he’s worked in (BTW: his philosophy is Objectivism, founded by and get this…… Ayn Rand, whose books are also awesome)
Wizard’s Fifth Rule: “Mind what people do not what they say, for there deeds will betray a lie.” -Terry Goodkind, Soul of the Fire
For anyone baffled by why anyone would find him ridiculous, let me copy and past what one person wrote on why Goodkind is so ridiculous:
Nothing to do with Goodkind as a person or the stuff he says (which is just hilarious anyway). The books fall into the awful category because they are simply very, very badly written.
That said, they do some some elements which fall into the ‘so bad it’s hilarious’ category, such as:
The noble goat who saves the day in one of the books.
The evil shapeshifter who menaces one of the main characters disguised as a WAR CHICKEN.
The bad guy who convinces a bunch of people to ban fire. They agree.
The good guy who convinces a bunch of people to run naked through the snow to sneak up on the enemy army. They agree.
The bit where the hero is captured by the enemy and put to work doing menial labour in a city, wherein he carves a beautiful statue to inspire hope in the populace which triggers a spontaneous revolution (note that he has no stone-carving skills prior to this at all). The statue is of himself looking awesome. This may be the most retarded thing I have ever read in a novel published by reputable publishing houses.
The bit where the hero, imprisoned in a prison camp, manages to escape and kills several dozen guards before he is apprehended once again. The prison commandant, instead of say punishing him for killing his guards or putting him in solitary confinement, is wowed by our hero’s elite skills and asks him to join the prison soccer team. This may be the second-most retarded thing I have etc.
Unfortunately these fantastic scenes are nuggets of gold amidst a wilderness of 150-page Objectivist rants and writing so excruciating that it makes you want to give the Booker Prize to David Eddings.
Terry Goodkind had a great thing going in the first 6 books but then he changed the style of the books and made them much shorter and much more stupid. i think he was just rushing to put quantity and not quality in the market and started to put out trash. WTF is debt of bones????? im a sucker for these types of books and this was my favorite series until after the sixth book….. and as far as him being an asshole, he is just one for not writing the last 6 books as well as the first 6….. :(
I was lucky enough to shower with him once. When I suggested we share the soap, he punched me in the face and shoved the bar up my arse, screaming that I should taste my commie failure. I’ll always treasure that moment, as it was the root of my psychosexual obsession with Mistress Rand.
I haven’t read these books for ages, and only read the first four or five. But they were awful. My main problem was all the sexual kinks put in there. Like Kahlan’s elaborate and increasingly elaborate seduction of people. She ordered all them troops to fight naked, and said if they got aroused by her it would please her. Raised in her saddle before a captured enemy so his eyes went to her breasts. And later pressed a prisoner’s hand between her legs, when they were trying to rape her, and Goodkind writes that she hates it.
Then you have Richard captured by that torturer woman, dressed head-to-toe in red leather, who constantly sodomises him with a dildo and gets him to use it on her. Meanwhile, he begs to not be sodomised by the attractive woman and wishes to be faithful to his beloved Kahlan. It would be better if Goodkind just admitted he has a thing for whips and chains instead of having all these sick subconscious fantasies bleed out into his writing.
Also, ordinary people are entitled to disagree with the aesthetic decisions made by an author, even if they aren’t able to write their own series and become a multi-millionaire. There’s a lot of films, books, where the people with creative control make terrible decisions. If I were given the resources I might not be able to make a Hollywood blockbuster, the next Britney Spears album, or the next book by Goodkind, but doesn’t mean I have to like those things or can’t see glaring problems with them.
And he espouses genocide, like the Mud People exterminating the Jokopo, including women and children. And also Richard broke Princess Violet’s jaw etc. I’ve just been reading quotes of this stuff on other websites, and remember just how crazy Goodkind is. It’s cracking me up.
Wow… I bought Wizard’s First Rule, and now I’m seriously regretting that I gave any money to support such an asshat. I cannot handle people who have their noses that high up in the air. I’m an aspiring author and in no way do I EVER want to imitate this small-minded jackhole. If an author feels the need to tear down another author, then they automatically lose all respect from me. And seriously, this dude needs a modern stylist… BADLY!!
This is the greatest thing I’ve ever read.
The bit where the hero is captured by the enemy and put to work doing menial labour in a city, wherein he carves a beautiful statue to inspire hope in the populace which triggers a spontaneous revolution (note that he has no stone-carving skills prior to this at all). The statue is of himself looking awesome. This may be the most retarded thing I have ever read in a novel published by reputable publishing houses.
This is the second greatest thing I’ve ever read.
The bit where the hero, imprisoned in a prison camp, manages to escape and kills several dozen guards before he is apprehended once again. The prison commandant, instead of say punishing him for killing his guards or putting him in solitary confinement, is wowed by our hero’s elite skills and asks him to join the prison soccer team. This may be the second-most retarded thing I have etc.
Goodkind is a genius.
Some have a problem beliving that Richard is an amazing sculptor without any prior experience,or how many he kills without being killed himself. Never mind the dragons or magic or whatnot. These books are about personal responsibility and holding true to ones beliefs. Its no suprise that this libritarian view would be so revolting to many.
Bud Murphy, the first half of your comment is awesome!
What you have pointed out, that it appears to be easier for readers
to accept the existence of magic and dragons, but not the probability
that Richard somehow could carve a brilliant statue, is so true! Lol.
Yes but there has to be some internal realism.
Magic and Dragons are accepted as a genre staple/cliche and are not questioned. ‘Its just a rather cheesy and natty fantasy so I wont take it to seriously.’If carving an awe inspiring statue is actually less convincing than a great big flying lizard witch could possibly breathe fire (Been a LONG time since I read Goodkind so bear with me) and defies the laws of physics then you have to say the writer is pretty poor at his craft. Just because Magic and Dragons are pure fantasy doesn’t mean sculpture has to be. But then Terry doesn’t write fantasy does he?
Also his prose is beyond awful. NO-ONE can argue with that.
@Cody:
The irony in your comment is amazing. Reread exactly what you said, carefully. Since I doubt you can figure out the irony on your own, I will help spell it out for you:
1. “I’m an aspiring author”
2. “If an author feels the need to tear down another author, then they automatically lose all respect from me”
3. “this small-minded jackhole”
4. “And seriously, this dude needs a modern stylist… BADLY!!”
So let me ask: have you now lost all respect for yourself?
The majority of you are like sheep to the slaughter. While TG is far from being above critism he is an excellent writer. The comments I see, ‘after six books I have determined that he is a terrible author’. Well then what does tht say about you reading 3000 pages of what you call crap. No wonder this country is becoming Detroit on a larger scale!
Goodkind has not had one original idea and proves he is an idiot every time happens his mouth. If you take Star Wars, “Luke… I mean Richard I am your Father” – Darken Rahl, The Wheel of Time (there is too much to even list that has been ripped out of this series) and Terry Brooks novels (ever hear of a place called Westland? Yeah Brooks wrote several books about Woodsmen from there), mix them up with a heavy does of Objectivism and fake straw men, evil chickens, gang rape and gang bangs. What do you have? The Sword of Truth.
And he makes such stupid statements about the Genre that helped him become successful because his Randian belief that he got where he is with no one else’s help so fuck em.
You are very mistaken, Aidan. He writes neither about what it is like to be a socialist (I couldn’t care less about his politics) nor a human being. He writes about what it is like to be a sado-masochist and a rapist–or supposedly to enjoy rape. Ugly, ugly person.
Terry Goodkind is the worst writer of fantasy ever. This is not an opinion. He has more fantasy fans that hate him then any other fantasy author. He had to have sold his soul to satan for his books to sell.
The only bit I would disagree with you here is the part where you wrote “but philosophical explorations of what it means to be a (socialist) human being.” You put a line through “socialist,” but the way you wrote this sentence seems to suggest that you think Terry Goodkind is trying to show what it’s like to live as a socialist. Perhaps you meant that Mr. Goodkind writes about the downsides of socialism, because I think you’ve done a really poor reading of the books if you seem to think Terry Goodkind supports socialism in any way. The guy supports Ayn Rand. I mean, the first book Wizard’s First Rule was basically pitting Richard against an autocratic communist. It was thinly veiled “good vs. evil” dressed up as “Richard vs. the Commies.”
No, you’re right. Poor phrasing on my part, Clinton. I’ve revised the post for clarification.
His writing is ok. But I found his world to be fairly silly and he is correct to say hes not a worldbuilder. Point, The Mud People? Really? Thats the best you can come up with? Sith-Mord? Uh…Star Wars rip off? I found most of his characters boring and his world even more so. I fail to see the real interest in his work and stopped reading after the second novel. I just couldnt get past the lameness of the story.
These books are like a train wreck. I can’t stop looking at them. I love them for how dreadful they are. I think it’s fantastic that Terry Goodkind can earn a livinvg as a professional writer.