Georgesear
asked
Elan Mastai:
One of the things that stuck with me the most after reading your book was Greta's philosophy that what we do in our everyday life best reflects what we actually believe. Do you agree with her ?
Elan Mastai
Yes. I had Greta stake out a more forceful position on the matter to help define her character, but I more or less agree with her. Human beings are very good at divorcing their beliefs from their actions. And modern life, with its virtualizations and distractions and detachments, can so often accelerate that separation. What I like about Greta's philosophy is that it's rooted in everyday behavior. Because, to me, any genuine philosophy isn't just about our best and worst moments, the extremes of our lives, it's about the normal moments, when we're at ease in our daily routines. I also like that Greta's philosophy isn't prescriptive, it isn't telling anyone *what* to believe, it's about suggesting a frame for adjusting your personal life to line up with the things you tell yourself are important to you. Thanks for the thoughtful question.
More Answered Questions
Cabodian
asked
Elan Mastai:
Elan, your novel was just absolutely fabulous and I enjoyed every second of it. I actually made the last few chapters last almost a week because I didn't want it to ever end. I've often ruminated on the idea of parallel worlds and if our alter-egos in these worlds have any affects on who we are in our own space. Do you believe that parallel worlds exist or is this purely speculative fiction?
Anne Bartin
asked
Elan Mastai:
Elan, How do you as a writer get yourself into character to write as one of your protagonist or antagonists in your books? I have often wondered that about older adults who write for ages 13-18 year olds. Do you talk to many teenagers about their lives, hang out with them, etc.? I am a writer too and write Memoir and that is easy because I am writing what I know. I think it would be hard to write YA. Thanks, Anne
Tom Fletcher
asked
Elan Mastai:
Late to the appreciation party, but AOWT really is a superb time travel novel, both in concept and execution. Time travel is obviously a difficult sub-genre to make an original *and* believable story out of, but which would you say is the most difficult (either ones you plan to tackle, or do not)? Which would you say is your Everest... so to speak??
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