132 replies to this topic

[deuce]

Interesting she read REH horror story that young.

I read "Pigeons" when I was nine. First Howard I ever read.

[deuce]

Steven Pressfield, author of Gates of Fire, had this to say about Robert E. Howard during an interview with Scott Oden:




"You often mention the influence Robert E. Howard had over you, first as a reader then as a young writer. I love him too."



Howardians: 30+, Baffomites: 0

[amster]

I must disagree with you when you speak of writing as a profession for which you are not fitted. With your intense sensitiveness to the color of the past, the pageantry of time and change, the atmosphere of places, and the tense drama of interacting civilizations, nations, and individuals - and with your spontaneous, zestful use of fluent, graphic language and vividly significant imagery - I would be tempted to say that you are a natural born author if there ever was one! Anybody who responds to life as you do - finding everything around you a basis of expanding circles of associative reflection and emotion which apparently clamor for expression - is by that very circumstance essentially the stuff of authors. Indeed, I'd call that responsiveness the real test of genuine artist as opposed to a mere fluent technician. Of all the writers with whom I've been in contact, I don't know of one who really has more to say, or says anything with more convincing gusto than yourself.

-H.P Lovecraft to REH, Nov 7 1932

[deuce]

"Every adventure writer should spend some time studying the best of Robert E. Howard?s work. That man had an incredible narrative drive. And his prose is extremely vivid?he brings an entire scene to life with just a few phrases. He was so talented I could, and have, draft entire essays about his strengths as a writer, but I?ll just mention a few aspects that really impress me. For instance, I don?t know that anyone else has ever been capable of so clearly portraying the clash of entire armies as REH could, seamlessly moving his camera across the battle between knots of figures and important protagonists. When you write and edit all the time it?s hard not to turn off that ?word architecture? part of your brain where you?re constantly analyzing the words. Howard?s one of the few authors whose work can still sweep me up so completely that I fall through the words and into the story. REH could craft lovely prose poetry when he wanted, but he knew when to sharpen focus and let the verbs do the heavy lifting. He was one of the best adventure writers we have, and I wish more fantasy writers would look deeper into his canon. Some of his lesser known stories are just as good, and even better, than the best of his Conan work. We?re fortunate that the recent Del Rey books have collected so much of it."

~ Howard Andrew Jones ~

[Axerules]

From a recent interview of GRR Martin:

http://blog.indigo.ca/fiction/item/512-an-interview-with-george-r-r-martin-part-one.html

Any specific names of authors out there that are more along your lines, as we do get questions about what other things fans can read after they have finished Martin. I’ve been wracking my brain to think of something that’s actually comparable to your work.

GRRM: Well, I really like the young fantasy authors out there; they are doing some terrific work. I really like the work of my friend Daniel Abraham, who’s just started a new fantasy series with The Dragon’s Path and already has written a terrific one called The Long Price Quartet. I think Joe Abercrombie is doing some terrific work. I love Scott Lynch’s Locke Lamora series. So those are three right there that they can take a look at.

I also think that fantasy fans should go back and read the classics: obviously Tolkien if you haven’t read him, but also works like Fritz Leiber’s classic Fahfrd and the Grey Mousers stories; the original Conan stories by Robert E. Howard and his other characters like Bran Mak Morn and Solomon Kane; Jack Vance, one of my all-time favourites, the marvellous The Dying Earth stories by Jack Vance. We just did a tribute anthology to him just a couple years ago called Songs of the Dying Earth. Original Dying Earth stories written by old fantasy writers who were shaped and influenced by Jack Vance’s classic stuff.

[deuce]

From a recent interview of GRR Martin:

http://blog.indigo.c...n-part-one.html

Any specific names of authors out there that are more along your lines, as we do get questions about what other things fans can read after they have finished Martin. I've been wracking my brain to think of something that's actually comparable to your work.

GRRM: Well, I really like the young fantasy authors out there; they are doing some terrific work. I really like the work of my friend Daniel Abraham, who's just started a new fantasy series with The Dragon's Path and already has written a terrific one called The Long Price Quartet. I think Joe Abercrombie is doing some terrific work. I love Scott Lynch's Locke Lamora series. So those are three right there that they can take a look at.

I also think that fantasy fans should go back and read the classics: obviously Tolkien if you haven't read him, but also works like Fritz Leiber's classic Fahfrd and the Grey Mousers stories; the original Conan stories by Robert E. Howard and his other characters like Bran Mak Morn and Solomon Kane; Jack Vance, one of my all-time favourites, the marvellous The Dying Earth stories by Jack Vance. We just did a tribute anthology to him just a couple years ago called Songs of the Dying Earth. Original Dying Earth stories written by old fantasy writers who were shaped and influenced by Jack Vance's classic stuff.

Very cool.

[theagenes]

From a recent interview of GRR Martin:

http://blog.indigo.c...n-part-one.html

Any specific names of authors out there that are more along your lines, as we do get questions about what other things fans can read after they have finished Martin. I've been wracking my brain to think of something that's actually comparable to your work.

GRRM: Well, I really like the young fantasy authors out there; they are doing some terrific work. I really like the work of my friend Daniel Abraham, who's just started a new fantasy series with The Dragon's Path and already has written a terrific one called The Long Price Quartet. I think Joe Abercrombie is doing some terrific work. I love Scott Lynch's Locke Lamora series. So those are three right there that they can take a look at.

I also think that fantasy fans should go back and read the classics: obviously Tolkien if you haven't read him, but also works like Fritz Leiber's classic Fahfrd and the Grey Mousers stories; the original Conan stories by Robert E. Howard and his other characters like Bran Mak Morn and Solomon Kane; Jack Vance, one of my all-time favourites, the marvellous The Dying Earth stories by Jack Vance. We just did a tribute anthology to him just a couple years ago called Songs of the Dying Earth. Original Dying Earth stories written by old fantasy writers who were shaped and influenced by Jack Vance's classic stuff.

Very cool.

Nice shout out. GRRM could use a few lessons from REH on how to move a plot along.

Edited by theagenes, 08 August 2011 - 12:10 PM.

[Libaax]

I dont like GRRM series but i respect his taste, knowledge about fantasy. He mentions my two fav fantasy authors REH and Jack Vance.

[deuce]

More praise from Lovecraft:

"The character and attainments of Mr. Howard were wholly unique. He was, above everything else, a lover of the simpler, older world of barbarian and pioneer days, when courage and strength took the place of subtlety and stratagem, and when a hardy, fearless race battled and bled, and asked no quarter from hostile Nature. All his stories reflect this philosophy, and derive from it a vitality found in few of his contemporaries. No one could write more convincingly of violence and gore than he, and his battle passages reveal an instinctive aptitude for military tactics which would have brought him distinction in times of war. His real gifts were even higher than the readers of his published works would suspect.
--H. P. Lovecraft-- "

[deuce]

Something from Donald A. Wollheim:



Though he's never given credit, Wollheim is the man (if any one person can claim such) who "made" fantasy (and S&S) mainstream. He nurtured Fritz Leiber and Jack Vance. He got Hour of the Dragon published in paperback in the '50s (which inspired a lot of future writers). Wollheim was pretty much single-handedly responsible for the Edgar Rice Burroughs and Tolkien "booms" in the '60s (here in the US), whioh dovetailed directly into the "Howard Boom" of the late '60s/'70s.

The DAW editions of Moorcock's fantasies. without a doubt, "made" Moorcock's career here in the States. DAW Books continued to publish quality pulp-style fantasy/sci-fi until Don's death in 1990.

Very cool to see Mr. Wollheim giving REH such a blatant thumbs up. I always knew he was a fan.

Here's the Wiki entry:


http://en.wikipedia....ald_A._Wollheim

[docpod]

British thriller writer Matt Hilton discusses his love for Howard's fiction at:
http://matthiltonboo...led-heroes.html

Morgan

[deuce]

British thriller writer Matt Hilton discusses his love for Howard's fiction at:
http://matthiltonboo...led-heroes.html

Morgan

You beat me to it, Morg. I guess I missed this post the first time 'round. However, your link seems screwy. Here's a quote from Hilton's blog:

"I'm a big fan of the old pulp masters, primarily Robert E Howard. Howard is remembered for creating Conan the Cimmerian, King Kull, Solomon Kane, Red Sonja, and other characters you might have subsequently come across in movies and comic book adaptations. However he also wrote a whole raft of other characters not immediately recognised, but who were always larger than life heroic figures. Howard wrote prolifically, selling stories to the pulp magazines of the time, and other than heroic fantasy, was known for writing humorous westerns, treasure hunting adventures, and boxing or fight tales."


A link to the entire blog entry: http://matthiltonboo...-round-one.html

[deuce]

Forum member, "Doug", posted this awhile back on another thread:

"I just got started on the 9th Agent Pendergast adventure from Mssrs. Preston and Child.
within the 1st 3 pages they reveal that they must be serious REH fans. Or at least one of them is.

One of the best recurring character in the series , William Smithback the journalist, is relaxing at home on his wedding anniversary.
He thinking how good life is as he awaits the return of his wife.
Here is what's written......

"He lounged there, in the dimly lit apartment,listening to Manhattan breath.The cocktails he'd consumed had slowed everything down just a little.He recalled a line from a Thurber short story: drowsily contentend, mistily contented.He had always felt an unreasoning fondness for the writings of fellow journalist James Thurber. Along with those of pulp fictioneer Robert E. Howard.One, he felt, had always tried too hard; the other, not hard enough"

Smithback is one of the best characters in this series after "Special Agent Pendergast".
Even had a book/adventure of his own
These books are pure pulp being dressed up as best seller thrillers.
In reality these are big time horror/weird manace pulp stories wearing fancy duds.
Doc Savage for the 21st century.
The series is great fun and sadly, IMHO, under the Radar of most genre fans.

SPOILER::





A few pages later Smithback is fighting a loosing battle against a knife welding (most likely) Zombie.
Sadly he looses the fight.
As he is dying from his wounds......

"He tried to twist away, but the knife kept rising and falling, rising and falling, the crimson gleam of its blade dimming as the light began to fail him... All fled, all done, so lift me on the Pyre; the feast is over and the lamps expire..


That's a great send off for a character who's been a major player in the series all these years and and who dies fighting bravely.
And it's a very nice nod from the authors to their own literary roots, even though most of their readers won't get it or appreciate it.
It made my day though!"

Good to see Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child are Robert E. Howard fans (most likely).

[emerald]

Way, way too much spoiler in there, man.

Lincoln Child is a ghost story scholar who edited a couple of excellent collections of supernatural horror stories before he teamed up with Preston to write ripping thriller yarns. Of course both authors might dig our man from Cross Plains, but I'll wager Child is the REH fan in the mix.

[VonKalmbach]

David Gemmell cites Robert E Howard as one of his major influences in a couple of interviews here:

http://members.multi...linterview.html

My style was influenced by Louis Lamour, Tolkien, Henry Kuttner, Fritz Leiber and Robert E Howard.

But I learned about the gifts bravery can supply, by reading Tolkien, Robert E Howard, Fritz Leiber, L Sprage de Camp, and many more.

Edited by VonKalmbach, 23 November 2012 - 04:49 AM.

[crossplain pilgrim]

Some of the guys mentioned that 'Spartacus" showrunner Steve DeNight has on a number of occasions stated that Shakespeare and Robert E. Howard were the inspirations for the ersatz Roman dialog used on the gladiator series. Quite right. He's said it a bunch. I recall an interview he gave during the first season in which he credited REH. However, pursuant to deuce's "suggestion" that someone post a direct quote on this thread, here are a couple of notable quotables from recent interviews.

In an interview in January, 2012 with Alex Dueben, DeNight said...

“I would say the language is a cross between Shakespeare and Robert E. Howard who wrote all the Conan stories,” DeKnight said, emphasizing that it’s not historically accurate. “When people bring that up to me that people didn’t speak this way in Latin, well, in Shakespearean times they didn’t speak in iambic pentameter. That’s an affectation to give it a style, which is exactly what we want to do on this show. About five scripts in I realized, ‘Oh, shit, I have to keep writing this way for the rest of the series.’”

A week or so earlier on CinemaBlend in an interview with Kelly West, DeNight expressed very similar thoughts.

"I studied as a playwright so I was deeply steeped in Shakespeare, which is really my main influence in the dialogue. Not to say that it's Shakespearean. I call this Shakespeare extra, extra light. I always say the language is a cross between Shakespeare and Robert E. Howard who wrote all the Conan stories. So it's kind of a mash up between those two."

He has said something similar often enough that I could probably run down a dozen more quotes, but they are all in the same ball park. The bottom line here is that anyway you cut it, our Beloved Bob is being mentioned in the same breath with the Wondrous Will.

[deuce]

Some of the guys mentioned that 'Spartacus" showrunner Steve DeNight has on a number of occasions stated that Shakespeare and Robert E. Howard were the inspirations for the ersatz Roman dialog used on the gladiator series. Quite right. He's said it a bunch. I recall an interview he gave during the first season in which he credited REH. However, pursuant to deuce's "suggestion" that someone post a direct quote on this thread, here are a couple of notable quotables from recent interviews.

In an interview in January, 2012 with Alex Dueben, DeNight said...

“I would say the language is a cross between Shakespeare and Robert E. Howard who wrote all the Conan stories,” DeKnight said, emphasizing that it’s not historically accurate. “When people bring that up to me that people didn’t speak this way in Latin, well, in Shakespearean times they didn’t speak in iambic pentameter. That’s an affectation to give it a style, which is exactly what we want to do on this show. About five scripts in I realized, ‘Oh, shit, I have to keep writing this way for the rest of the series.’”

A week or so earlier on CinemaBlend in an interview with Kelly West, DeNight expressed very similar thoughts.

"I studied as a playwright so I was deeply steeped in Shakespeare, which is really my main influence in the dialogue. Not to say that it's Shakespearean. I call this Shakespeare extra, extra light. I always say the language is a cross between Shakespeare and Robert E. Howard who wrote all the Conan stories. So it's kind of a mash up between those two."

Nothing but a suggestion, Pilgrim. Definitely glad you followed through.

I am BEYOND positive that there's untapped sources like yours (stretching back to the '30s) relevant to this thread. It simply requires REH fans standing and delivering (and doing the research).

What's more important? Conan's hairdo or Atlantean sword OR Howard's legacy?

[Aeus]

Has anyone pointed out that whilst Steven King offered some praise for Howard he also cast some pretty brutal criticism his way?

[deuce]

Has anyone pointed out that whilst Steven King offered some praise for Howard he also cast some pretty brutal criticism his way?

Most definitely:

http://www.conan.com/invboard/index.php?showtopic=1790&hl=king

[sheets75]

I posted this elsewhere but it seems more appropriate here.

Video game developer White Whale Games talks about the inspirations behind their game, God of Blades: http://venuspatrol.c...-god-of-blades/

Robert E. Howard was not only creator of Conan, he was also the greatest of the sword and sorcery writers. His pre-historic tales of adventure, cunning, and melancholia play out against a backdrop of barbaric kings, monstrous cults, and horrors from outer space. Don’t just watch the movies. Read the stories and treat yourself to a sweat-drenched free-for-all in which everything’s up for grabs and all sandal-trod roads lead to inevitable ruin. Start with “Red Nails” (1936) or “Beyond the Black River” (1935).