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2012/12/08 08:24:05
Subject: Is there any interest in an orc book written from the orcs' point of view?
I have been building and painting warhammer 40k models for ten years or so now, even before I knew what the game was all about. Since then, I have helped my wife and my kid build armies. I have finally decided to build an orc army and am going with a German theme. Kromlech figures are awesome for this. I also wrote a book from the ork's point of view. I thought about publishing it, but I don't know how much interest there would be in it. It isn't specifically 40k. In fact, I wanted to deviate from the orks coming from caccoons and being totally alien. They are a mix of 40k, WOW, D&D, and a bunch of other sci-fi/fantasy space operas. I made them a little more fun with humor and flawed human traits. Is anyone interested in me publishing something like this? If there is enough of a positive call for it, then I will.
BTW, I'm not sure if this is considered advertising as I don't have a product to sell. I'm just wondering if there would be enough interest to provide something in the future. If it is a problem, I won't post about it any more.
2012/12/08 08:47:50
Subject: Re:Is there any interest in an orc book written from the orcs' point of view?
I think there would be interest. Stan Nicholls did something with fantasy orcs (A series called 'Orc') that was pretty well recieved, I don't imagine a futuristic one would be any different in terms of reception.
2012/12/08 10:04:01
Subject: Re:Is there any interest in an orc book written from the orcs' point of view?
Herzlos wrote: I think there would be interest. Stan Nicholls did something with fantasy orcs (A series called 'Orc') that was pretty well recieved, I don't imagine a futuristic one would be any different in terms of reception.
I used to have that book back in the day and it was really well done. GW also had a book out called WAAAHG! about the Orks for 40K that had stories in it, such as one about a Grot and his pet Squig. The issues of White Dwarf from the late 1980's and early 1990's would quite often run some good stories about Fantasy or 40K Orks.
The quality of the stories make me think an Ork book would be well recieved.
Pages upon pages of that would get old fast. It's not like there'd be some introspective internal monologue from a Warboss about how rough his childhood was and how it molded him into the grizzled warrior of destruction that he's become.
"Bryan always said that if the studio ever had to mix with the manufacturing and sales part of the business it would destroy the studio. And I have to say – he wasn’t wrong there! ... It’s become the promotions department of a toy company." -- Rick Priestly
2012/12/08 23:11:56
Subject: Is there any interest in an orc book written from the orcs' point of view?
I disagree. There were plenty of fun Ork and Gretchin stories in the books below. One great story revolved around a hung over Warboss that couldn't remember where he parked his battle wagon... Another about a Mek showing the Boss how his new Shock Attack Gun works. These are all from first edition when the orks were the comedy relief, but I think they're pretty good reads. I'd be so bold as to say these mark some of the best source books GW ever put out.
"telling a segment of your target market to go feth themselves and the model trikes they rode in on is probably not a good idea" -Veteran Sergeant on squats and sisters
2012/12/08 23:20:36
Subject: Is there any interest in an orc book written from the orcs' point of view?
"Ork Speak," is very painful to read. Keep it to a minimum and it should be all right.
2012- stopped caring
Nova Open 2011- Orks 8th Seed---(I see a trend)
Adepticon 2011- Mike H. Orks 8th Seed (This was the WTF list of the Final 16) Adepticon 2011- Combat Patrol Best General
2012/12/09 01:29:25
Subject: Is there any interest in an orc book written from the orcs' point of view?
Anybody who thinks orks wouldn't make for an interesting read has never read "Deff Skwadron".
Even if it was just a graphic novel, it was still very well written and was what made me finally break down and start an ork army. The key is that while you still need to reflect the ork's accent, you don't need to beat the reader over the head with it. There are several parts in deff skwadron where they use fairly correct grammar and english, with only slight mispellings to represent how they speak (for example, anything starting with an "H", is usually written with the H replaced with an " ' ". 'Ard, 'eavy, etc. which is no different than how people with a cockney accent are represented)
When I start doing battlereports for my orks soon, I'll be doing them similar to how Ailaros does his IG batreps (AKA lots of narrative writing) and I think a great ork narrative wouldn't be hard to achieve at all. People think all Orks are idiots, when in reality some of them are extremely intelligent. The average rank and file are usually thick as bricks and twice as hard, but the leaders, meks, painboys, and other specialists are usually a bit brighter, capable of advanced tactics, great feats of engineering, and medical procedures that would cause an Imperial Physician's head to explode (sometimes literally) These are the guys who built a gun that tears a whole in the fabric of reality to fire snotlings at you. They may not have the best common sense at times, but they're not idiots. Orks would rather you think that, because then you don't expect them sneakin up behind you to klobber the lot of ya
Simply put, while their speech sounds "stupid" its mainly just written that way to show their dialect. Otherwise it would just sound like they're speaking regular english when they weren't. It's the same as how the Tau have all their "Shas 'o shas 'ui" stuff, yet nobody gripes about that.
'I've played Guard for years, and the best piece of advice is to always utilize the Guard's best special rule: "we roll more dice than you" ' - stormleader
"Sector Imperialis: 25mm and 40mm Round Bases (40+20) 26€ (Including 32 skulls for basing) " GW design philosophy in a nutshell
2012/12/09 07:33:25
Subject: Is there any interest in an orc book written from the orcs' point of view?
A graphic novel would be fine, but a plain text novel would be too mentally taxing I think.
"Bryan always said that if the studio ever had to mix with the manufacturing and sales part of the business it would destroy the studio. And I have to say – he wasn’t wrong there! ... It’s become the promotions department of a toy company." -- Rick Priestly
2012/12/09 07:48:23
Subject: Re:Is there any interest in an orc book written from the orcs' point of view?
Herzlos wrote: I think there would be interest. Stan Nicholls did something with fantasy orcs (A series called 'Orc') that was pretty well recieved, I don't imagine a futuristic one would be any different in terms of reception.
I read this. It started well but went nowhere really and the ending completely felt like he got bored with the story.
Aurora SMs in 5th Ed (18 wins, 3 draws, 13 losses)
1st in Lords of Terra Open (Sydney) 2012
Aurora SMs in 6th Ed (3 wins, 0 draws, 5 losses))
2012/12/09 13:30:37
Subject: Is there any interest in an orc book written from the orcs' point of view?
Biggut flexed his new bionik hand experimentally. It certainly seemed alright, didn't hurt toomuch either. I wonder where da trigger is, he thought.
Fuggit the gretchin orderly ducked as a hail of bolt shells tore a jagged rent in the tent wall.
"And how is da kustomer this fine morning?" inquired the Doc obsequiously.
"Alright I serpose. Da Bionik hand works fine, but wot about my leg? It's all wooden."
"Erm, well, dere was a shortage of supplies. No de luxe booster legs left. Da bionik hand's da latest model, bootiful workmanship innit?"
"But 'ow am I goin' ter get around da camp on dis wooden leg?"
"Wot yer don't unnerstand, yer honour, is dat its a special-er- 'oppin' leg. Hones da coordination, improves da circulation. Tell you wot, I'll have it painted red fer no extra charge."
Granted, it's not Shakespeare, but it's better than some of the stuff we've read in recent codexes and is loads better than CS Goto
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2012/12/09 14:36:34
"telling a segment of your target market to go feth themselves and the model trikes they rode in on is probably not a good idea" -Veteran Sergeant on squats and sisters
2012/12/09 15:12:14
Subject: Is there any interest in an orc book written from the orcs' point of view?
Read Gruntz by Mary Gentle it's brilliant fantasy orcs posessed by the spirit of the US Marine Corps hilarious. Not necessarily suited to those of a nervous disposition due to Hobbit sex scenes however!. It's a great read written from an orkish point of view.
"But me no buts! Our comrades get hurt. Our friends die. Falkenburg is a knight who swore an oath to serve the church and to defend the weak. He'd be the first to tell you to stop puling and start planning. Because what we are doing-at risk to ourselves-is what we have sworn to do. The West relies on us. It is a risk we take with pride. It is an oath we honour. Even when some soft southern burgher mutters about us, we know the reason he sleeps soft and comfortable, why his wife is able to complain about the price of cabbages as her most serious problem and why his children dare to throw dung and yell "Knot" when we pass. It's because we are what we are. For all our faults we stand for law and light.
Von Gherens This Rough Magic Lackey, Flint & Freer
Mekagorkalicious -Monkeytroll
2017 Model Count-71
2012/12/09 16:53:21
Subject: Is there any interest in an orc book written from the orcs' point of view?
rabbitharrison wrote: I have been building and painting warhammer 40k models for ten years or so now, even before I knew what the game was all about. Since then, I have helped my wife and my kid build armies. I have finally decided to build an orc army and am going with a German theme. Kromlech figures are awesome for this. I also wrote a book from the ork's point of view. I thought about publishing it, but I don't know how much interest there would be in it. It isn't specifically 40k. In fact, I wanted to deviate from the orks coming from caccoons and being totally alien. They are a mix of 40k, WOW, D&D, and a bunch of other sci-fi/fantasy space operas. I made them a little more fun with humor and flawed human traits. Is anyone interested in me publishing something like this? If there is enough of a positive call for it, then I will.
BTW, I'm not sure if this is considered advertising as I don't have a product to sell. I'm just wondering if there would be enough interest to provide something in the future. If it is a problem, I won't post about it any more.
I'm sure there would be interest in it. Have you reached out on other boards and gauged interest on there as well? Perhaps write something separate from your orc thing and post it in the fiction section of the forums. If folks seem to take a shine to your style of writing or story telling maybe that might be a good indication to give your orc book a shot at being published.
2012/12/09 22:59:38
Subject: Is there any interest in an orc book written from the orcs' point of view?
Another thing that might help is 3rd person writing from the view of other races interacting with the orks and their thoughts on things. For example, you do a lot of build up on an ultimate war machine for the orks from their point of view, how its flawlessly constructed and made from the finest armor they have. Then you cut to an Imperial Guard Tank commander's view of the machine and he's wondering how its even standing. Things like that would add character and give you more ways to put in more literal descriptions of things.
'I've played Guard for years, and the best piece of advice is to always utilize the Guard's best special rule: "we roll more dice than you" ' - stormleader
"Sector Imperialis: 25mm and 40mm Round Bases (40+20) 26€ (Including 32 skulls for basing) " GW design philosophy in a nutshell
2012/12/10 04:14:29
Subject: Is there any interest in an orc book written from the orcs' point of view?
Llamahead wrote: Read Gruntz by Mary Gentle it's brilliant fantasy orcs posessed by the spirit of the US Marine Corps hilarious. Not necessarily suited to those of a nervous disposition due to Hobbit sex scenes however!. It's a great read written from an orkish point of view.
Second. Trust me, I know it's a good read.
2012/12/10 04:34:12
Subject: Is there any interest in an orc book written from the orcs' point of view?
MrMoustaffa wrote: Anybody who thinks orks wouldn't make for an interesting read has never read "Deff Skwadron".
Even if it was just a graphic novel, it was still very well written and was what made me finally break down and start an ork army. The key is that while you still need to reflect the ork's accent, you don't need to beat the reader over the head with it. There are several parts in deff skwadron where they use fairly correct grammar and english, with only slight mispellings to represent how they speak (for example, anything starting with an "H", is usually written with the H replaced with an " ' ". 'Ard, 'eavy, etc. which is no different than how people with a cockney accent are represented)
When I start doing battlereports for my orks soon, I'll be doing them similar to how Ailaros does his IG batreps (AKA lots of narrative writing) and I think a great ork narrative wouldn't be hard to achieve at all. People think all Orks are idiots, when in reality some of them are extremely intelligent. The average rank and file are usually thick as bricks and twice as hard, but the leaders, meks, painboys, and other specialists are usually a bit brighter, capable of advanced tactics, great feats of engineering, and medical procedures that would cause an Imperial Physician's head to explode (sometimes literally) These are the guys who built a gun that tears a whole in the fabric of reality to fire snotlings at you. They may not have the best common sense at times, but they're not idiots. Orks would rather you think that, because then you don't expect them sneakin up behind you to klobber the lot of ya
Simply put, while their speech sounds "stupid" its mainly just written that way to show their dialect. Otherwise it would just sound like they're speaking regular english when they weren't. It's the same as how the Tau have all their "Shas 'o shas 'ui" stuff, yet nobody gripes about that.
Minnesota, land of 10,000 Lakes and 10,000,000,000 Mosquitos
Personally, I have no interest. I get a chuckle out of Ork-speak, but I really can't imagine 300+ pages of it. Even as an Ork player, I didn't like Deff Skwadron because all the Ork-speak is hard to follow. I think it's just a matter of Ork-speak being great for taunts and brief descriptions of things, but poor for storytelling.
My Armies:
Kal'reia Sept Tau - Farsight Sympathizers Da Great Looted Waaagh! The Court of the Wolf Lords
Llamahead wrote: Read Gruntz by Mary Gentle it's brilliant fantasy orcs posessed by the spirit of the US Marine Corps hilarious. Not necessarily suited to those of a nervous disposition due to Hobbit sex scenes however!. It's a great read written from an orkish point of view.
Second. Trust me, I know it's a good read.
I came here to suggest this, a brilliant book with lots of pop culture references. Might have to give it another read in the new year actually. I loved the invincible ork showing up in a stolen russian tank
2012/12/24 13:48:38
Subject: Is there any interest in an orc book written from the orcs' point of view?
scarletsquig wrote: WE'Z DA ORKZ HUR HUR GREEN IS BEST STOMP DA OOMIES WAAAAGH!!!!!
Repeat on infinite loop for 963 pages.
And yet, still more interesting than 300 pages of Space Marines beating on everything that comes at them.
And still a better love story than Twilight.
Jesus man change your tampon and drive on - darefsky
In the grim darkness of the far future something will shoot your dog. - schadenfreude
And saying you have the manliest tau or eldar tank is like saying you have the world's manliest Prius. I mean yeah, it's fast and all, but it's a friggin PRIUS. - MrMoustaffa
2012/12/28 04:38:41
Subject: Is there any interest in an orc book written from the orcs' point of view?
Llamahead wrote: Read Gruntz by Mary Gentle it's brilliant fantasy orcs posessed by the spirit of the US Marine Corps hilarious. Not necessarily suited to those of a nervous disposition due to Hobbit sex scenes however!. It's a great read written from an orkish point of view.
Phenomenal book, not read it for a good few years though!
"A heathen, conceivably. But not, I hope, an unenlightened one."
Eeeeh, wargaming weren't like this back in my day!
Kal'reia Sept Tau - Farsight Sympathizers 
Da Great Looted Waaagh! 
The Court of the Wolf Lords 
