> -----Original Message----- > From: dragaera-bounces at dragaera.info > [mailto:dragaera-bounces at dragaera.info] On Behalf Of Mark A. Mandel > Sent: Monday, May 15, 2006 6:45 PM > To: Jon_Lincicum at stream.com; Dragaera list > Subject: RE: [OT]Re: Sword Jokes. > > (warning, possible flamebait ahead >;-> ) > > --- Jon_Lincicum at stream.com wrote: > > >>> > Like so many creative writing exercises, for every good joke, > you're going to get 4 or 5 lame ones (if you're lucky). > Hence, the process of editing out the boring or (let's face > it) stupid jokes in favor of the more refined and/or punchy > ones. I don't think this is a flaw in thinking--just a matter > of getting from the brainstorming part of creation into the > refining part. > > I understand that Steve spends time editing his books before > he publishes them. Who knows how many lame sword jokes he > went through on scratch paper before he found the three or > four that we've seen in the books? There are probably piles > and piles of pages that he's written that we'll never > see--and believe me, we're probably much better off for it. > <<< > > As opposed to, say, Piers Anthony. > Who doesn't even write his own lame jokes, much less edit out the lamer ones.