I know I know!
Robert Jordan uses stage directions. That is the problem with his writing.
I have just recently finished book 11.. Book ELEVEN of the Wheel of Time and have finally recognized that his writing includes stage directions. I am a theatre major and have taken many classes that focus on plays and the analysis of these plays so I am slightly disappointed with myself for it taking ELEVEN books to recognize stage directions, and exposition in his writing. I believe Jordan feels some need to emphasize the scene in the chapters, or scenes within a chapter by using two or three paragraphs to describe it instead of using his storytelling. There are some fine examples of his storytelling being able to hold its own without this unnecessary bloat that gets thrown in. I have really enjoyed a few of his books, and I really like the story, but I would like the condensed version even more. In contrast to the Jordan book I have just started reading George R. R. Martin’s fourth book of “A Song of Ice and Fire” series. The prologue of Martin’s book painted a picture that was as detailed as any Jordan book, but I did not skip a single paragraph. In contrast I was skipping many many paragraphs per chapter in Jordan.
I wonder if Jordan is just afraid that this is his only story. If that is his fear I wish he would finish the story concisely and then write novella based on events within. This would work and he would get his pay without dragging out this poor story. The story is good, interesting, and elaborate and could spawn many books just like Dragon lance. At least every three books of the dragon lance series completed something. Book Eleven of the Wheel of time actually advanced the plot a little, which is much more than the past two did.