Curious writer is curious

[rolanni]

One of the interesting things about writing in a large-ish universe for, oh, a quarter-century, is that you're pretty often meeting people who have read your work (or, even more interestingly, haven't read your work), and who have formed opinions about the plot-line, the characters, the theme, the authors' childhoods, and adult proclivities. .
.

That being so, and because  people will say things either to me or within my hearing, I find myself with a question, which I will now throw out to you, the readers of the Liaden Universe®:

What is, in your opinion, the Big Story (also known as the Real Story) of the Liaden Universe® novels?

There are no right answers, or wrong answers.  Curious author is, as advertised above, curious.

Comments

[kalilama.livejournal.com]

My first thought was "Downton Abbey with space suits", which totally surprised me, but as I think about it, I love the Liaden books for some of the same reasons I love Downton Abbey: big multi-generational family saga with humor, drama, great characters, and lots of interesting subplots. Plus outer space and cool tech! And turtles! And strong women! Stop me.

[baisleac.livejournal.com]

Haven't seen Downton Abbey... but the rest of this sounds like the perfect description.

...and the strong women aren't strong in comparison to weak men, they're just strong.

Have quizzing glass, attitude and space ship

[bookmobiler.livejournal.com]

Now I'd opt for a Regency romance in space because I know the authors fondness for the works of Georgette Heyer.

The big picture: following the exploits of a family that never seems to learn that trying to behave honorably will get you into trouble every time.

[attilathepbnun.livejournal.com]

Have spaceship(s), will travel

[sjalford.livejournal.com]

Georgette Heyer with spacesuits and cats.

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

The Good Guys Win.

[readinggeek451]

I can't begin to answer this, because I don't even understand the question.

(The question the other contributors seem to be answering would not have occurred to me as what you were asking.)

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

A fairly frequent complaint of any of the books by random readers who are reading for what they think of as "The Story" is that the book that offended them "does not advance The Story."

The Story is what the particular reader is reading for. One gentleperson commenting here some time back, for instance, appears to be reading the books to find out what happens to the DOI. To that person, The Story is about the DOI's comeuppance, and anything that does not speak to that particular point has not advanced The Story.

I mention this person not because their viewpoint is ridiculous, but because they are one of the rare people who actually articulated what The Story was for them. Most people with this complaint merely say that Book X did not advance The Story, without saying what story that was, exactly.

Thus, the exercise in hand.

[oneminutemonkey.livejournal.com]

Clan Korval against the Universe!

[timepiece]

Yes, this is the closest to my own view, though I might phrase it more as the Rebuilding/Regrowth of Clan Korval.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_the_firedancer/]

How do we be true to oneanother.

theme

[nocal-kathyf.livejournal.com]

I read Lee and Miller because I enjoy the stories, and the dialogue, and the world building and the romance and relationships. I also think that the over arcing theme, if there is one, is that while the world (or worlds) may keep trying to divide us by what is different, the main characters strive to find what is real and of value: Family, friends, caring relationships. The main characters have a strong survival instinct (supported by the luck) and are not afraid of challenges and change. The Department is afraid of change, of not being the only people worth living, and so they strike out. Ditto the Terran group. That is my off the cuff response.

[ellenru.livejournal.com]

Change is the first word that also sprang to mind even before I read the other comments. Old societies are undergoing radical shifts, things that were taken for granted are no longer in force and the resulting pushback is driving at least part of the conflict. I'm fascinated to see the fallout of that.

In more specific terms, I love how most of the characters are tested to their limit and the solution that seemed "obvious" at the beginning may be turned on its head by the end.

[muirecan.livejournal.com]

The story? Hmm, Change and adapting to change. That is what Korval does dance at the heart of the storm of change and survive. But that point of view is probably a bit esoteric for most.

I suppose one could look on it as Clan Korval and finally ending their longest running contract. That's one story. Or maybe Clan Korval versus the Department of the Interior, that is another story. It could be the growth of this splinter/seed universe after the refugee's arrive. It could be Clan Korval versus the Sheraika's [sorry didn't stop to check spelling on that. :p ]. Actually the last might be considered the BIG story of the series.

But really to me the universe and its books are a back drop to tell many stories in. Its like asking what is The Story of Andre Norton's space universe? She used a generally commonish setting to tell many stories in. And with a bit of work most of them can be crammed into one or two universes.

I think the problem is that people some how think that THERE MUST BE A BIG STORY that a series is telling. That is often true but sometimes it isn't sometimes their is no single focus story but a framework universe that exists to tell many stories. By their nature Korval are going to drag the threads of a story to involve them if they brush past. Its just their way of shaking things up.

[muirecan.livejournal.com]

And if that whole thing wasn't clear... ie TL:DR -- Some series have an over reaching story arc others don't.

It's the oldest Story in the Multiverse

[jessie-c.livejournal.com]

Life, despite the machinations of evildoers everywhere and in every time, goes on.

Against this background, we have intermeshing story arcs. Some extremely long term (Did the Sherikas count themselves satisfied with decrystalising the original Universe, or are they still somewhere plotting the downfall of all lifekind?) (What exactly isUncle up to?) some medium (The Department of the Interior seems to have bitten off more than they can chew. Their comeuppance is a matter of some importance) and some fairly short term (Will Theo's crew shake down well together?)(Will Daav and Aelliana be revived successfully? In one body or two?) (What new adventures will Jethri get up to?) By themselves these arcs seem unrelated. It's only when one takes a step back that one may see how each thread fits into the weaving of the carpet of story we delight in dancing on.

Whichever piece of the story our authors decide to pick up and expound upon advances the entire meta-story. It's only those readers who have attached a certain amount of personal investment and attachment to particular story arcs who feel disappointment when the next eagerly awaited book doesn't advance their particular story.

Re: It's the oldest Story in the Multiverse

[margotinez.livejournal.com]

What she said.

The Big Story

[kumanooni.livejournal.com]

Yxtrang-X strain. The big story is more, perhaps, evolution. Most definitely for the entertainment of the reader. And once the DOI is taken care of, then there will be something else to gain the attention of Korval. Like maybe Liad realizing they cannot function without Korval.
But then, I suspect that many of the workers for the DOI are those who have been 'killed' and can no longer be honestly employed on Liad. Not the agents, mind you, but the minions.

Re: The Big Story

[ironore.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the Yxtrang are always looming out there. Can't wait to see how, if they decide to do it, they proceed to work them into the universe. Especially the relation between them and M. Jela and Clan Korval.

[gjuerne.livejournal.com]

i was perplexed by the question until i saw Rolanni's response re the reader who wanted the DOI story arc advanced.

One of the delights of the Liaden Universe to me is its rich texture and new characters and storylines that pop up (i LOVED the new story up at Baen). If i expect anything, it is to have subtle reminders that remind me of the larger universe the story inhabits, such as one of the objects Niku picked up; "One piece he picked up, his fingers curling covetously around it; another he could scarcely bring himself to touch." That immediately created a resonance with other stories in which the old technology was more prominent and made me wonder if Uncle had contacts on this world—this is the type of thing that i enjoy in Liaden stories. They can be read just as they are, or layers of nuance can be savored.

[ironore.livejournal.com]

Well, your books have certainly made me care about what happens to Clan Korval. The depth that you've put into the universe that Clan Korval lives in makes what happens to the Korval's all the more interesting.

[samcallahan.livejournal.com]

Family first, melanti second.

[dormantdrake.livejournal.com]

To me: Korval, and all things relating to Korval.

Re: I am, perhaps, one of the people the author refers to

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

I have copied libertariansold reply below, with spoiler space, to spare the feelings of those who have not yet read Dragon Ship. The post below is complete as originally posted; the new material is this note and the space. SLee


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I am, perhaps, one of the people the author refers to
I have never thought that there was a single arc for the entire universe. For example, I loved the book about how Shan and Priscilla met, even though the DOI does not appear in it. And the short stories are soem of my favorite works. However, it seems to me that the DOI has been the central arc since Agent of Change (minus Fledgling and Saltation, but including the next two Theo books), and I do not consider it unreasonable to expect that subsequent books further that plot towards resolution, or, at least, a resolution. Dragon Ship, for example, resolved nothing concerning the DOI/Korval conflict. Yes, Theo bonded and Win Ton was cloned--which could have been done in a chapter. Yes, Asu has grown up and Theo hooked up with Kara. Fine, I like them both. Yes, Cantra's ship with sapling showed up. Great. But none of that moved forward the DOI plot. What I personally dislike is establishing such a central plot, and then leaving it, while still remaining in that universe, or, as happened in the WoT series, let that/those plots "simmer", for books on end. And, since I adore several of the main characters, I am disappointed when new books are published that essentially ignore them.

what she said, and how she said it-

[mindsurfer1.livejournal.com]

I like the writing of itself. I like the way the characters speak; The way they think.
I like the way the authors seem to be able to surprise me with a phrase. In particular, the subtle humor and irony that pops up in a good bit of the dialogue.
The Liaden Universe, the story lines, plots, themes, characters are all great - but the way it's writ, that's the thing.
I make this observation as someone who found two books in '89, and for way too long, thought I'd never see another.
Thanks for quiting your day job.

Re: what she said, and how she said it-

[mindsurfer1.livejournal.com]

PS: I pass no opinion on the post immediately preceding mine, though the appearance of indentation might make it seem so.

a further thought

[kalilama.livejournal.com]

This morning I was reading your book Writing Neep and came across this sentence on p114: "Our particular flavor of space opera is cross-cultural, multilingual, and character-driven." That sounds pretty good.

To my earlier list of things I love, I would add "intrigue," both political and familial. And the cool way you write languages in English, and the cultures.

[catlinye-maker.livejournal.com]

Upon reflection, I'd say the overarching story for the Liaden universe is how groups of humans adapt to their circumstances and evolve very different ways to flourish in the universe, and how they react to each other and come back together when they meet again.

But when I want to describe the series to someone I'm trying to interest in it, I say "broad ranging space opera with great romance and adventure and a tinge of Georgette Heyer."

[otterb.livejournal.com]

I think of the story as "The Continuing Adventures of Clan Korval." Or perhaps "Adventures in Melant'i and Necessity, with Turtles."

The heart, to me, is not the story but the characters. Not that I don't like the story/stories; I do. But I come back to hang around the characters and see what they are up to now. The only thing I'd be reluctant to read in the Liaden Universe would be something where the characters were totally out of character. Otherwise, I'm as happy to follow a domestic story line as an epic confrontation.

[herefox.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't have phrased it that way as every written word advances ONE of the stories. I admit that I'm very interested in the way Korval is now dealing with Surebleak and those glimpses we got of that life in Dragon Ship were probably my favorite parts (though I also really like the interactions between Win Ton and Theo so I'm enjoying her arc a lot more now that he's back in the picture)

I think if you'd have to pin down the main 'story' of the Liaden novels it would have to be Clan Korval against the universe, really :-)

Korval, not DOI

[charlie russel (from livejournal.com)]

I'm not sure I think there IS a "Big Story". The series title really says it all -- Liaden Universe(r). It's a universe, with characters and events and stories. But if there is one overarching "theme", it is Clan Korval, not the DOI, IMHO. From Jela and the Tree, right up through Theo, Clan Korval is always there. Even the Regencies have Korval at the periphery. So, more Brideshead Revisited than Downton Abbey, since we're dealing with far more than a single generation or two. But really, a far greater vision than either.

[cailleuch.livejournal.com]

A previous poster said: "Adventures in Melant'i and Necessity, with Turtles." I like that description. I enjoy the fact that you have fleshed out the universe over time. I enjoy that you change the timeframe and change points of view keeping things fresh and interesting for me and I would guess you as well.

The one story line, one main character series tends to lose something after a while. I stop reading at book (pick a number) because I have heard it all before. You keep me still waiting for the next book because something new will be revealed. You are slowly fleshing out a universe not just one story line, I like it. I was first interested by an offering in a book store with a cover that had two people and a rather large turtle. I picked it up and twenty-five years later I'm still buying/reading. I will wait for the next books very impatiently but politely, off over here.