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Ask the Author: Dyanne Asimow

“I've just become a Goodreads Author. Except for one, I have no followers as yet, but once I have met some of you, I will be happy to answer questions about my novel, Canaries.” Dyanne Asimow

Answered Questions (5)

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Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?
Dyanne Asimow I was in Turkey years ago and read about a most remarkable Sultan who lived in the 13th century. I think I fell in love with him then. During the pandemic lock-down I immersed myself in research and started writing what I hope to be a fictional historical epic, narrated by a Jewish storyteller who fell in love with him as well.
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Can you tell us a two-sentence horror story?
Dyanne Asimow She asked her mentor what she should do for her extreme case of writer's block. He told her to watch THE SHINING over and over and over and over.
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How do you deal with writer’s block?
Dyanne Asimow First I forgive myself. Then I gather lots of escapist books from the library and curl up and read them. Then I put my butt on the seat, open the computer and stare. Then I just start writing, whether it's relevant or not. Or else I Google -- right now it would be 13th century Anatolia -- research for a novel I'm working on. It could be food, or magic, or wild animals or sacred texts -- andI let my mind wander. However, since I prefer writing to almost all other indoor activities, I rarely procrastinate for long. If I do, it's because I'm actually cogitating on an unconscious level, and when I'm ready, I can work in a fairly disciplined way.
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If you could travel to any fictional book world, where would you go and what would you do there?
Dyanne Asimow As of this moment, I'd want to of back to the various worlds of the Arabian Nights, especially 13th century, because of a new novel I'm writing. I'd be doing research that would add veracity to my narrative. Otherwise, given the Delta Variant, and our Covid pandemic, I'd like to visit some dystopian novels' worlds to get a handle on how to survive when the defrosting tundra and melting glaciers are releasing insects and pathogens that haven't been dealt with since human were hunting mammoths.
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What books are on your summer reading list this year?
Dyanne Asimow Little, Big by John Crowley
Babur Nama, from diaries of Babur
the Arabian Nights, different translations
Mrs. Rochester's Ghost, Lindsay Marcott
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Dyanne Asimow
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