[Herrick The Younger]

Not sure if I'm asking this in the right section. Maybe it should've gone in the Writing section?

This isn't a question about any of the story elements of the Malazan books. I'm just wondering why does Erikson write when a character blinks. This usually happens before that character responds to another character. What exactly is the significance of noting when a character blinks before responding? I've never seen this in a book before and it's kind of odd to note an insignificant involuntary bodily function before a character talks unless it actually has something to do with what they are saying, like a faster heartbeat when lying or something.

[amphibian]

Usually it's a sign of taking a considered moment to respond or being so stunned/affected that a pause is necessary before talking again.

[Herrick The Younger]

 amphibian, on 07 June 2016 - 01:33 AM, said:

Usually it's a sign of taking a considered moment to respond or being so stunned/affected that a pause is necessary before talking again.

Thanks Amphibian. I'm thinking of a single blink but maybe they are blinking continuously while thinking of what to say?

[amphibian]

 Herrick, on 07 June 2016 - 01:58 AM, said:

 amphibian, on 07 June 2016 - 01:33 AM, said:

Usually it's a sign of taking a considered moment to respond or being so stunned/affected that a pause is necessary before talking again.

Thanks Amphibian. I'm thinking of a single blink but maybe they are blinking continuously while thinking of what to say?

One blink of all extant eyes of 0.83 seconds duration.

[nods head sagely]

[worry]

[Tsundoku]

Wu is very windy, so eyes dry out a lot faster and get dust in them a lot. Lots of misery too.

Especially on the Chain of Dogs. They went through eye drops very quickly during that period.

This post has been edited by Tsundoku: 07 June 2016 - 07:41 AM

[Esa1996]

I'd say it's just the character being somewhat surprised by whatever they were asked etc.

[Gorefest]

Yeah, it's a sign of surprise, of being taken aback.

Erikson never really struck me as an anime fan (if there even is such a thing as an archetypical anime fan, but bear with me), but whenever I read his dialogue scenes I cannot help but picture them in anime style. And it's because of little character reactions that he drops in like this blinking as a show of surprise. Or the over the top explosions of fury of Iskaral Pust towards the Bhokaral (I just picture a stick-thin anime character frantically waving his arms and legs around, hovering half a foot in the air from pure indignation, while the little pests are scampering about insanely). Or the scenes between Ormulogun and Gumble. I mean, a talking frog, for crying out loud. It has anime written all over it.

Really, if one were ever to make his books into films, just hand the whole thing over to studio Gibli and let them do it.

This post has been edited by Gorefest: 07 June 2016 - 12:54 PM

[Maark Abbott]

 Gorefest, on 07 June 2016 - 12:53 PM, said:

Yeah, it's a sign of surprise, of being taken aback.

Erikson never really struck me as an anime fan

Kon'nichiwa! Watashi wa... ANOMANDURUDESU

[Gorefest]

*blinks*

[Una]

I don't know if this is a cultural affectation or not, but if someone says something that doesn't make sense, I will scrunch my eyebrows, cock my head, and blink rapidly, about 4 times in a row. Or I suppose it might look like I'm fluttering my eyelashes. It's usually accompanied by the words, "I'm sorry, what?" or "Huh?"

[Maark Abbott]

 Una, on 10 June 2016 - 03:12 AM, said:

I don't know if this is a cultural affectation or not, but if someone says something that doesn't make sense, I will scrunch my eyebrows, cock my head, and blink rapidly, about 4 times in a row. Or I suppose it might look like I'm fluttering my eyelashes. It's usually accompanied by the words, "I'm sorry, what?" or "Huh?"

I'm not your buddy, guy!