Ask the Author: C.C. Cortland
Answered Questions (9)
C.C. Cortland
Not entirely sure what is being asked here. A mistake? Is this a Peter Pan quote? I've never actually read the book, so cannot say. Has it some deeper meaning, or simply some random reference to the film, Neverland? I do not know. Myself, rubbing my eyes, I see bright spots, flashes swirl and dance. Longing for them to last a bit longer and resolve.
I know from watching Wonderland, a series about childrens authors. Barrie's elder brother died around the age of 13. He was his mother's idol, whom Barrie tried to impersonate in order to acquire the self-same affection. He had a troubled life growing up and Pan was in fact a play before it was a book, which is an odd order. Especially since it is still a popular play around Christmas time. And one of those rare occurrences, where Peter is usually played by a woman.
Late Victorians seemed to have an obsession with death. Childhood mortality was particularly high back then. Conan Doyle is famous for consulting mediums and believing in fairies, whilst his friend Houdini was well-known for debunking them.
Peter therefore is assumed to counter death by never growing up. Living life out in a Wonderland for all eternity. Though there is a dark aspect to this in that essentially he kidnaps children taking them to his Neverland. So whether Peter is a monster, a flight of fancy or hero is largely at the reader's discretion. I did like the Disney film, though not Mr Spielberg’s Hook. :)
I know from watching Wonderland, a series about childrens authors. Barrie's elder brother died around the age of 13. He was his mother's idol, whom Barrie tried to impersonate in order to acquire the self-same affection. He had a troubled life growing up and Pan was in fact a play before it was a book, which is an odd order. Especially since it is still a popular play around Christmas time. And one of those rare occurrences, where Peter is usually played by a woman.
Late Victorians seemed to have an obsession with death. Childhood mortality was particularly high back then. Conan Doyle is famous for consulting mediums and believing in fairies, whilst his friend Houdini was well-known for debunking them.
Peter therefore is assumed to counter death by never growing up. Living life out in a Wonderland for all eternity. Though there is a dark aspect to this in that essentially he kidnaps children taking them to his Neverland. So whether Peter is a monster, a flight of fancy or hero is largely at the reader's discretion. I did like the Disney film, though not Mr Spielberg’s Hook. :)
C.C. Cortland
My own of course would be the obvious choice, though not in a time of war and with some cash on the account and a suitable ship. The weird thing about novels is they are rarely happy places untroubled by events when written about. I am sure I would enjoy exploring Middle Earth before the ring was found, Asimov's earth at the time of Foundation or just prior. A future earth with all the technologies would be a delight to engage with. I love history though like Dr Who I would prefer to dip in an out. Life as slave in Ancient Egypt would be an unhealthy experience. A world of magic like David Eddings Belgariad or Raymond Feist's Magician. I am too old to return to Hogwarts though in my youth it might be fun
C.C. Cortland
Approximately six thousand people die each year due tripping accidents, a small proportion of which rest at the foot of the humble sock. The cause of these deaths were for the most part completely ‘innocent’ and random, but five recent occurrences had a more cryptic, malign origin and Oswald Cuthbert Dumbar knew why.
C.C. Cortland
I go to bed and sleep on it. Bad days I sleep a lot, but something always seems to turn up. Good or bad it can always be adjusted in the edit.
C.C. Cortland
Creating worlds that don't exist. Sharing these with people hopefully who enjoy the results. We may not end up as well received or successful as Stephen King or J.K. Rowling but if you never try, you'll never know.
C.C. Cortland
Give it a shot and hope for the best. Do not be too disappointed if not everyone thinks it is a masterpiece. We all have different tastes and even the best sellers have their detractors. 7 Billion and counting, someone out there may come across the effort and enjoy it. No work is every truly complete or perfect.
C.C. Cortland
Currently I am working on the sequel to Trader - Prelude, titled Trader - War. We are at around 55 thousand words, I anticipate the final length will be around the 120 thousand. First draft should be completed by the end of June. All going well it will be out before Christmas 2020.
C.C. Cortland
I have always wanted to write a best selling novel and perhaps one day that might happen. Getting the first one out was an achievement. As was selling a copy to someone I don't actually know. I am immensely grateful to those who have bought and/or read Trader - Prelude, hopefully that will continue.
C.C. Cortland
I have tried plotting out books in the past. I have a Tolkienesque epic, Ashland that dates back for many years. Initially I attempted this as game and did in fact create a whole text/graphics engine. It worked, but the novel never quite got further than the first few chapters. Perhaps at some point. Trader - Prelude also began as concept for a game. Lone developers struggle and the ambitions never matched results. I began writing the book with the first line and never looked back. Words, chapters flowed out and the whole thing was completed in just over a month. Editing took far longer.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more