Corey
asked
Lev Grossman:
Did you set out to make Quentin such a singularly unlikable character, or did he evolve that way? I still enjoy reading about him, don't get me wrong, but I was struck from the beginning of the series by his self-involved and occasionally victim-like view in the world.
Lev Grossman
I set out to make him real. I didn't think much about likability. Quentin suffers from depression, and sometimes when you're depressed it's hard to focus on other people. All your resources get eaten up by the challenge of just getting out of bed. People romanticize depression, but it can come off as self-pity and self-involvement ... it's not pretty. (I know this because it's something I struggle with.)
More Answered Questions
Meredith
asked
Lev Grossman:
Hi Lev! Your story about writerly isolation in the "How Not To Write Your First Novel" article on Buzzfeed recalled many details you used in the more "training montage" sections of The Magicians. It seems that you don't subscribe to the idea of shutting yourself away to try to master a skill or produce a piece of work - so what's your current writing process and how have you sought to develop your writing skills?
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