Wind's Goings On

 

There are novel things in these books, portrayed in ways I find new and interesting. However, the vast majority of work that Ty Franck and Daniel Abraham do, writing together as James SA Corey, is what I consider the basic mechanics of writing. 

 

To be clear, that is not a pejorative; I am an admirer and devout student of the basics in all things. I believe that a person can pursue the basics of a craft, sport, hobby, profession and, with dilligent pursuit, achieve nigh on anything. They're the first things many of us learn and also often considered the most boring parts to elevate. 

 

In cooking, this is learning knife work by finding instruction on how to hold a blade, the best practices (keeping it sharp, the proper amount of pressure), learning different cuts and shapes and learning to gauge lengths of cut (cubed 1/4", julienned, etc) and then grabbing a bag of cheap onions or potatoes and teaching your body all the things your mind has just absorbed over and over again. It is the work of dozens of hours of refinement.

 

I did this when I was learning to cook. I do this when I start any endeavor. I never regret it. Learning the core basics of a skill is learning the skill, as far as I'm concerned. 

 

Many people in writing are caught up in the unique, in the subversive, in the genre bending, mind-breaking, defiant, unable to be categorized works that disrupt the lives of readers and turn their understanding upside down. And yes, these can be marvelous both in the sense of spectacle and the awe that they inspire. I will not stand here and say that books like House of Leaves didn't fundamentally alter my personhood. 

 

However, we must care about the works that can be defined, that can be categorized, the vast majority that fills genres merrily and proudly. 

 

I will endeavor not to spoil the Expanse here in the illustration of my point, though if you would prefer to go in without any understanding whatsoever, I do believe it's time for us to part ways for a time.