Robin Hobb: Video games can kill your writing
Obsessive hobbies such as video games can kill the ability of a writer to produce their books because they’re so addictive, fantasy master Robin Hobb has warned in a new interview.
The author is one of fantasy’s most beloved writers, due primarily to her nine-book Realm of the Elderlings Saga commenced with Assassin’s Apprentice. Hobb is the pen name of the author, who has also written other fantasy books under the pseudonym Megan Lindholm, which is derived from her real name Margaret Astrid Lindholm Ogden.
But, in an interview with gaming blog Grinding to Valhalla, Hobb said her novels might never have appeared if she had gotten into gaming:
“I think that early on I realized that gaming, online worlds and even the Internet connection presented a very real danger to me as a writer! Seriously. I can handle one obsession at a time, and writing is a career where the obsessive parts of it are actually very helpful to me.
Online gaming presents a very strong lure to me. After a couple of very small trials, I realized that it would be an ‘all or nothing’ occupation for me. And I do mean an ‘occupation’ as in something that would occupy all my life and time.”
Her children have played and do play video games, Hobb says, but she stays away.
Online bookseller Amazon recently made Hobb’s next book Dragon Haven available for pre-order. It is expected to ship in May 2010.
The book is the next in Hobb’s series The Rain Wild Chronicles, which follows on from her Liveship Traders series (itself a part of her larger Realm of the Elderlings saga that was initiated with Assassin’s Apprentice).
Commentary
There is no doubt that Robin Hobb is right! Anyone who has played addictive games like World of Warcraft or Diablo II will testify as to the amount of time they can take away from your life.
From what I’ve seen as a critic and journalist, good writers are obsessive about their work, and rightly so. Writing is an art form, and you need all your concentration to keep it at the sort of level that Robin Hobb writes at (that would be the highest level).
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An equally interesting question is how many people will not *read* the book (or any book, for that matter) due to video game obsession.
Very true Gary!
My opinion is that video games are having a dramatic effect on both the film and book industries. They are often much more immediate in their impact than books, and obviously more visceral in the way they impact you. And of course they are more interactive than both books and films (and TV etc).
However, I also think that just as TV didn’t kill newspapers, video games won’t kill books. In fact, demand for great books only seems to be increasing — check out the popularity of the Twilight series, etc.
As consumers, we want more of every form of entertainment, and the best of everything.
btw, I’m not saying video games are ‘bad’ or are killing the publishing industry. It’s just interesting.
I like video games but I must admit the more I read the less I play. I think there is an unquestioned impact of video games to movies and books.
Robin Hobb is one of my favorite authors.I read the Farseer and Tawny Man series. The Liveship Traders series and the The Rain Wild Chronicles are on my shelf.
I think the best solution is to consume only the best works of art from each medium, rather than focusing on a medium specifically too much. Great art can be found in TV, games, books, film, etc etc.
I play video games alot, but i still read too and Robin Hobb is my favourite author.
I only think video games has an impact on reading for some people but its certainly not me as i love Robin Hobbs books and will keep reading them over and over again.
Personally i think TV/Films can make people more inclined to read books. A good example of this is the Twilight Saga as i watched the film and i wanted to read the books after that
I love Robin Hobb too Catherine! I go through phases where I play more games, then other phases where I read more books or watch more films. But I’m always looking for the most amazing art in any medium, I guess.
It’s a matter of time. You can’t play and read at the same time I find. You can fit odd snatches in loading screens, but often it’s not worth it.