Jim Butcher has often told the story of how he started writing [easyazon_link identifier="044101268X" locale="US" tag="upstreamreviews-20"]the Codex Alera novels[/easyazon_link]: it was an internet "discussion" about tropes versus authors. Can a good story be made out of anything, no matter the trope? Butcher's argument was yes. It ended in a dare--could Butcher take a trope and make it work? Butcher's reply was, "Give me two tropes, I dare you." He was given "Lost Roman Legion" and "Pokemon." Then it became a massive epic fantasy series.
Review: Avenging Angels, by Chuck Dixon
Review: Avenging Angels, by Chuck Dixon
Review: Avenging Angels, by Chuck Dixon
Jim Butcher has often told the story of how he started writing [easyazon_link identifier="044101268X" locale="US" tag="upstreamreviews-20"]the Codex Alera novels[/easyazon_link]: it was an internet "discussion" about tropes versus authors. Can a good story be made out of anything, no matter the trope? Butcher's argument was yes. It ended in a dare--could Butcher take a trope and make it work? Butcher's reply was, "Give me two tropes, I dare you." He was given "Lost Roman Legion" and "Pokemon." Then it became a massive epic fantasy series.