Quality vs. Quantity

This is a subject that has long been debated, especially with respect to speculative fiction.  Droves of ravenous fans want the next installment, and they want it yesterday.  While the publication timeline (aside from the actual writing) of any book is rarely (if ever) within the author’s control, it is the author themselves that takes the brunt of the backlash from impatient fans.

Some authors, such as R. A. Salvatore, publish on a regular basis (1-2 books per year), while others, like George R. R. Martin, can take years between installments.  Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss was originally scheduled for hardcover release last April, now amazon.ca lists the release date as August 2011.

I think a lot of fans forget that authors are people, first and foremost.  Like the rest of us, they have spouses, children, hobbies, etc.  They have jobs, take vacations, and get sick.  When they write, its for their enjoyment, as well as ours.  So, when I see people complaining about how long its taking for the next novel in their favorite series to be released, I get a little frustrated.

Now, don’t get me wrong, if I could have the last 5 novels in the Gentleman Bastard Sequence right now, I’d take them!  However, they have to be good, or really, what’s the point?

So Mr. Martin, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Rothfuss – please, take your time.  Push those release dates back, scrap half of what you’ve written and start over, do whatever it takes to make it amazing.  I’ll be ready when you are.

I’ll take Quality over Quantity any day …

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