Katrine Cady
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Hi Lois, How do you know when a novel is “finished?” Do you find yourself tweaking things for weeks after you first think you are done with a story, or are you more of a “once and done” kind of author? When I paint, once I’ve signed my work, I never touch it with a brush again. I was wondering if writing was the same.
Lois McMaster Bujold
I pretty much know by gut feel when the events of a novel have come to the right conclusion on the scene-by-scene level -- although for Cryoburn I added the codicil/drabbles after some comments from test readers, to keep folks from galloping off in all directions with sequel speculation. There follows a revision pass, when I have collected and collated comments from test readers and editors, on either the finished first draft or chapter by chapter, depending, and respond to them as seems right. On the sentence and word level, I tweak till the thing leaves my hands for publication, and on the typo and polishing level, for decades after, as opportunity permits.
So, not much like painting, no.
(Although very much like sand painting in a windstorm.)
Ta, L.
So, not much like painting, no.
(Although very much like sand painting in a windstorm.)
Ta, L.
More Answered Questions
Josh Charles
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
I have a friend who loves the Vorkosigan Saga, and persuaded me to start it, and I've also fallen in love with it. She's got a birthday in September, and I would love to get her a personalized signed copy of a her favorite book in the series. Do you do anything like that? I would be happy to send you the book with postage paid for the return journey. If this is possible, I can be contacted at josh.charles@gmail.com
Jonathan Palfrey
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Although I highly appreciate some of your Vorkosigan novels, on the whole I tend to prefer the World of the Five Gods—perhaps partly because it’s so European (apart from its theology, which I actually prefer to Christianity). Out of curiosity, I just checked, and in this world you never use the expression “freshen up”, which seems to appear without fail in the works of most American authors. Congratulations?
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