Found this floating around online and thought I’d share it. Kvothe memes are still a bit of novelty for me….
Because there’s no watermark, I feel obliged to mention that the person who did the piece of art used on the lower half is Kim Kincaid.
That’s all,
pat
52 Comments
http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/3ppb01/
This one is also one of my fav :-)
Include a spoiler warning maybe?
Eh, it’s about a theory and it’s inaccurate anyway, so *shrug*
Wow, it took me a while to “remember” what hygapean meant…
Clearly we need to use this word more. I still can’t figure out how to put the emphasis on the first syllable though…
Kvothe you hottie! lol
LOL! I had not seen that one yet. Awesome.
Hey Pat, I was wondering if it would be possible for you to implement a sort of percentage completion bar of Book 3 into the sight, like Brandon Sanderson has on his? I mean, I know you cycle between chapters, but maybe you could do a bar for the bit you’re currently working on. It means no definite date, but we get some feeling of progress. Keep up the good work Pat, and I hope to see you in London.
I know questions about book 3 are a big annoyance but this is actually a good idea. Might lower the number of inquiries about the final book in the trilogy.
I don’t think it’s possible to make a progress bar. Because of the large amount of revisions, it might be hard to say now 76% done.
Also, It would problably not lower the number of inquiries, because people would ask:
“The progress bar increased from 60 to 65 in a week, does that mean that you will be done in 8 weeks.”
Also, the questions are not really necessary. We know Pat is working on the book. We know he will release it when he is happy with it. We know it will take time.
We can not change anything by asking, in fact the opposite. Asking when its done, how how much is done, or how much of a chapter is done, means he have to spend time addressing the questions and not use that time to write the book.
That’s not what I mean. It’s 0-100% of the first draft, then 0-100% of the second revision and so on. We get to know how much it’s being polished, essentially.
It wouldn’t help because we have no idea how many revisions Pat will do on book 3, other than a lot. A whole lot, if he’s to be believed about his writing process.
I’m desperate for book 3 too. But really, we all just need to chill and have faith in Pat’s process. When it’s done, it’ll be awesome, and that’s what really counts.
That kinda defeats the beauty of self-employment doesnt it?
LOL.
It isn’t a bad idea, but essentially, it would be one more thing besides writing that Pat would have to work on. I’d rather read more blogs of his actual writing than have a percentage ticker. Thats my take at least.
Plus, I mean, Brandon Sanderson…doesn’t he have like 50 hands and 4 brains? It’s hardly fair. LOL.
It is possible – Brandon Sanderson has one. Technology is amazing these days!
Lots of authors have status bars and they don’t have the problems you discuss here. It is a great suggestion, but if Pat doesn’t like it, then it is moot.
He’s probably already seen status bars and decided not to bother. At the end of the day, he needs to be comfortable with the amount of effort he diverts from his other activities (including working on the next book) to placating his fans with a rough estimate on how much work is left. Once it is setup, it really wouldn’t be that much effort; a minute or so to update it whenever he posts a blog.
Status bars are a really great idea that will definately NOT cause more questions. More information is always better.
What we know now: nothing.
What we could know with status bars: something.
But like I said, it is up to Pat.
Wouldn’t need to be accurate.
Just make it all up like windows progress bars.
It can go up and down and an eta that can range from <1min to 160 years (I have a screenshot of one like that)
I have to agree here. Didn’t Pat already say something along the lines of “The book is done. All that’s left are revisions.”?
I’ve always seen revisions as the last 10 percent that take the most time.
and thats the problem with having a status bar. I mean, what are talking about? Word count? Time spent? Time left?
If we were talking about word count, it’d probably be at 90-95% or something. The problem is revisions take a very long time.
If we’re talking about time spent and time left, then there really is no where in sight. I mean, I don’t even think Pat can say for sure “1000 hours of revisions left.” or “100 hours” or “1 hour”. Writing just doesn’t work that way.
A status bar would be cool, but completely arbitrary.
No one is saying it has to be 100% accurate. Just make the best guess one can make. If it changes, no problem. I’d rather hear that the date is being pushed out a year than knowing nothing at all.
Status bars work for some authors. Maybe they don’t work for Pat – that is up to him. It is pure speculation to assume what will/won’t work until Pat speaks up.
Ditto.
I literally cannot tell you how much I would love a status bar on this site!
My only frustration from Pat is the feeling that there is no progress. I have no problem waiting years for a book but never knowing the status makes it feel like all progress has stopped. I know that’s not the case but that’s how it feels.
I love Sanderson’s little updates, even the little “working a on a tough scene.” It helps tie everybody that follows them even tighter to the book and helping make the wait seem shorter, while not actually speeding the process up.
I would do all sorts of ridiculous things for a status bar that is update even once a month.
I think an indicator would be awesome! I visit Brandon’s site frequently to see his progress bar, it makes me feel like he’s working, hard. Love Patrick’s books, but the nature of never hearing anything about book 3 makes me envision Patrick perpetually lounging about. True or not, never mentioning book 3’s existence makes it comes across that way.
I agree. I follow Patrick, Brandon, and George R. R. Martin, and I must say that I appreciate Brandon’s method of communicating book status.
Granted, Brandon has a very methodical and predictable writing process, which is probably required considering that he has about 12 books on the go at the moment! His frequent updates, both in status bar form and in blog posts give me as a reader a feeling of progress.
But then again, he isn’t nearly as witty as Patrick.
Pat, we don’t want to be bad, we don’t want to stress you, but, for me, I will explain why I wait so impatientli the third book:
First, they are the best books I’ve ever read, and my second favourite.
Second, say how many secrets are revealed in the second book…
I understand your complainings about the fans being so bad, but if some should calm down, we all have our reasons, cause practically all the things will be revealed in the third book. I know a lot of the things in the second book will be important in the third, but still, it isn’t the same.
So, a status bar like Brandon would be fucking AWESOME. I don’t know why anyone would want not to have a status bar. Yeah, some would say okay in 1 week you’ve advanced of 60 to 65 does that mean in 8 weeks you will be done?, but still, it sure would be less questions, a *lot* less. And wait for the last book would be for me 2 times less agonic than before. Please, without preasure and nothing, could you answer the question so many have asked?
Thanks, pat.
The bigger question is why are people asking for something like an indicator in a topic that is completely unrelated to his completion of Book 3? Stop being impatient jerks repeating the same things over and over.
ANYWAYS
Funny meme, made me lol.
Wow, you sound quite angry. Calm down and breathe. I said it here because Pat posts infrequently when world builders comes round, and I only recently had the idea. Also, the whole point of the suggestion was to give people a sense of progress. We’re a species based on communication. Telling us you’re doing such and such isn’t the same as showing us. Even if only a glimpse. The whole point is to keep people satisfied and to give them a reason to stop asking when book 3 is coming.
I always wonder why authors such as George RR Martin and Patrick Rothfuss get upset and/or frustrated when readers ask about the progress of their books. I mean there are thousands (if not more) of authors that would love to be in the position of readers waiting (and asking) for their next book. I mean, isn’t it a good thing especially when compared to the alternative?
I have never dared ask this question on Martin’s blog because he has a group of minions who try to “protect” him from horrible questions such as:
“When is the next book coming out?”
Fletchaaa is a classic example of this attitude. ali rahemtulla made a reasonable request with no foul words attached to it, but Fletchaaa calls ali a “jerk.” What was so wrong with the question? Also, Fletchaaa do you really think a skilled wordsmith such as Patrick Rothfuss needs you to defend him? I am certain he could have found a suitable multi-syllable description provided he felt that way.
A reasonable request would be put in a reasonable place, not spammed randomly in a topic completely unrelated to the matter of his 3rd book. If you want something answered it should be appropriately asked otherwise it will likely be ignored. I probably should have ignored it as well, but seeing such things repeated tends to become annoying.
But why the name-calling?
How was this asked inappropriately? By being off-topic to the current blog post? If so, then how would you suggest one go about asking this question “appropriately”? There are no forums (AFAIK) where one could ask this question with the hopes of getting an informed response (i.e. from Pat). I think ali rahemtulla would love to ask this question in a better place if such a place existed.
That was pretty much my reasoning Trenin. Fletchaaa makes a valid point in that it is kind of off topic, but still an over reaction. Either it’s ignored or not. First time i’ve event mentioned book three online anyways. It’s also weird to be referred to online as my full name.
Well, potentially, you could send an email. Or even post a comment on his Goodreads profile or Facebook. I’ve had him respond to me on goodreads multiple times. Or you could even mail him a real letter asking your questions. He’s responded to me in this manner as well, and honestly, it was the best. Really cool to get a postcard from someone you’re a huge fan of.
Their are also many smart and well informed individuals who could probably offer you some information on Goodreads or even at the Tor Reread where discussions are endless.
I don’t have a side on this, I’m pretty wishy washy on the front of book three, but hell, if you don’t know where to look around, someones gotta say!! LOL. I personally feel Pat is one of the most accessible authors I’ve ever read which has further endeared me to his writing.
Multiple ways to more appropriately contact him.
http://www.patrickrothfuss.com/content/contact.asp
From the page sited above..
When will book 3 be out?
Rest assured, as I promised for book 2, when there is news about book 3, I will pass it along. I don’t glean joy from withholding information; when there’s news, I’ll tell you.
In other words, you can’t ask that question.
Is that a court lute? It appears to have at least 15 tuning pegs.
No status bar necessary, but even a word about progress–say once a year–would be welcome. I’m supportive, I’m supportive, but also enthusiastic.
NOTW: March 27th, 2007
WMF: March 1st, 2011.
Expect it early 2015. Anything before that is a bonus.
Hey Pat,
Speaking of pictures that make you smile…did you you ever get around posting more pictures from the photo contest. Last thing I could find were the winners in the action category. Were there winners in any other category?
Hope this doesn’t sound pestering to you. I’m sure you’ve got a shit ton of things on your plate.
Thanks for what you do, and looking forward to the Worldbuilders 2013.
Haha, I love this meme!
Hmm… All in all, I’d take Kvothe’s childhood over Harry’s.
It’s a bit hard to compare for sure. I think both were absolutely horrible situations.
On one hand, at least Harry had a house to live in, a space of his own, food to eat, clothes to wear, shoes, running water, access to health care, and relatively no serious fear of physical or sexual assault.
But on the other, Kvothe doesn’t suffer through 12 years of constant emotional abuse at the hands of people who are supposed to love him. Ridicule, humiliation, and isolation at the hands of his peers, plus being hunted by the most powerful wizard in a century all while trying to cope with puberty….
Definitely a toss up.
But at least Kvothe had a happy childhood up until his parents’ death. Harry’s died before he ever had a chance to even know them and then spent the rest of his pre-wizard-school days as a combination slave/vermin. Both of them lost their parents, but only Harry really lost his childhood. Kvothe had a couple of rough years in Tarbean that were probably worse than what Harry went through, but at least he had the good to outweigh it.
I definitely see where you are coming from. I don’t think either situation is something detract from in seriousness.
I would have to disagree though that only Harry lost his childhood. Harry didn’t loose all of his childhood, even though Vernon and Petunia were awful, they were awful in the indulgent sense and Harry still got to experience things by being with Dudley and them wanting to keep up with appearances. Harry could always fall back on Vernon and Petunia’s home while he was under the age of 18, mostly he just chose not too.
In Kvothe’s situation, there was nothing to ever fall back on except himself past the age of….what…9? He was/is completely responsible for keeping himself alive and as healthy as possible, he pays his own way or he gets nothing. He’s had adult responsibilities slapped onto him the moment his troupe was killed.
I keep waiting for another machine gun Q&A, but I always miss them when they happen. So I turn to the readers!
So, Bredon is a mysterious older man with a walking stick. Denna’s mysterious patron is an older man with a walking stick. Am I grasping at straws here or am I supposed to think they’re the same person?
Oh, or maybe he’s not. Maybe he’s the king in disguise and Kvothe jumps to entirely the wrong conclusion. Now -that- is grasping at straws.
That’s what a lot of people think (him being Bredon). Personally, I think he Taborlin the Great come back to watch over his great granddaughter Kvothe (actually a girl). Then they shall turn into celestial dragons and do battle with the Beast Hunter Transformers. In all seriousness though, yeah, he’s probably Brendon.
ahh, you’re close with Kvothe being a girl. See, actually, Kvothe and Bast have switched identities, Bast is made up, and Kvothe is actually the Felurian in disguise. That’s why “Kvothe” can’t do mortal magic or fight. That’s also why “Kvothe” went on for 100 pages about having sex with Felurian. also the “Chronicler” story is absolutely true, though neither “Bast” or “Kvothe” knew it at the time.
Oh, I’m such a doof! I totally forgot to mention that! Thanks for saying that, you really saved my skin. For predictions for Book 3, my friend and I debated as to the role of the Chandrian. We finally came to the conclusion that Haliax would patch things up with “Kvothe” and rob him of his chance to bring him to justice for all those he has killed. Then Haliax will burst out laughing and proclaim “There’s is none more evil than I!”. Whereupon “Kvothe” will shed a tear and walk dejectedly down the street and get a several dates. Finally, the Beast Hunter Transformers and the two Celestial Dragons will crash into the earth and in the confusion they will fuse together to form Opto-Preda-Mega-Dragon Prime. Then he shall strike down Haliax with his mighty fist of steel, leaving him broken and dying upon the floor. Then “Kvothe” shall fall to the floor, cradling Haliax’s broken form in his arms. Hearing a whisper upon the winds he leans down and hears Haliax utter his final words.
“Kvothe, was my villainy supreme?”
Stifling a sob and with tears in his eyes “Kvothe” replies
“Yes, sweet Haliax, sweet Lanre. From now till the ending of days, never again shall evil such evil stalk the lands. Your name will be cursed for all time. Now sleep oh Lord of Darkness, and pass through The Doors of Death, The Doors of stone.”
Sighing, Haliax spent his last breath and his body fell to shadows, borne to the Abyss by the wind. Slowly rising, Kvothe unleashed a howl of utter loss, baring his soul to the world. Stopping, suddenly, he flew forward, riding upon a simulacrum of a dragon, flowing like water, burning like fire, grumbling like the earth and as swift as the wind. Moving like never before, he struck Opto-Preda-Mega-Dragon Prime, bringing him to his knees…
The dust settled and Kvothe was spent. Opto-Preda-Mega-Dragon Prime lay broken before him, a shadow of his former glory. The cobbled road was shattered, the rocks rose up like the jagged fangs of a fallen leviathan. Staring at his foe, he whispered,
“Kote”, raising his hands before him he saw them stained with death. “That is what I bring, so that is what I shall be. Kvothe the mighty no longer, but Kote the fallen”…
And here ends the story of “Kvothe”. Legend, beggar, hero, villain, arcanist, demon, bard and rabble all. None have ever sing so sweetly, nor fought so fiercely before, and never shall they again. Here we honor him, and to hear his tale is to despair. But yet, time is endless, and perhaps, one day, he may come again, to sing once more of the turning of the leaf in the wind.
In semi-seriousness, Auri as Taborlin’s multiple-greats-granddaughter would be kind of awesome.
In demi-seriousness, I concur.
@gabrielthebright
There has been some discussion regarding that theory. Loads of analysis, dug up clues on that and other subjects, and pure tin-foil-had-mad-speculation can be found at the re-read (SPOILER WARNING! if you’ve not read both books all the way through) over at tor.com. (http://www.tor.com/features/series/patrick-rothfuss-reread)
Well he IS adorable :)
Also: am I just imagining this, or is there quite the Eddie Redmayne-vibe to the Kvothe art up there?
Its a cool pic but the head of the lute… isn’t that more pegs than there are corresponding strings?
Yup.
Also, at least Kvothe got some time with his parents. Harry may never have had to live on the streets, but at least Kvothe has some happiness and value in his childhood.
This made me smile, too :)
(Really, “indicator” guys? It’s titled “Just because it made me smile,” and looks like you’ve done your best to change that situation. Couldn’t you at LEAST have had the courtesy to start this crap up under his 8/27 post, that actually kind of deals with this stuff? Imagine this in person: seeing Patrick Rothfuss smile…then imagine your comment turns that into one of his ought-to-be-patented glares…then imagine that glare directed at you. I’d wish it upon you, but then he’d have to deal with you in person, and I wouldn’t wish that on him. I apologize for my hypocrisy in continuing this discussion, good intentions aside.)