I could easily lead us astray here, and away from fantasy entirely, but it's not my intent.

It occurred to me that the writer's "psyche" (his/her underlying deep motivations, self-concept, worldview) has a profound effect on the themes dealt with, the plot resolutions, but for the purposes of this discussion, the *flavor* of their works, after one reads them.

I guess that I'm talking about mood created, as an evoked response.

So I see writers such a Kipling, CAS, even HPL, as well-adjusted with decent self-concept, and this informs their worldview.

But there are authors I've read where I don't get that feeling at all. To kick off the discussion, I'll name three writers of popular fiction--two of whom write fantasy--who create a bad taste on my aesthetic "tongue".

Thomas Ligotti

Clive Barker

James Ellroy

I don't want to lead anyone's thinking in any particular direction and will reserve further comments until later, but I'd like to solicit responses from my fellow EDers. What are your thoughts/impressions, and why?

--Sawfish

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"The food at the new restaurant is awful, but at least the portions are large."
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