Kirshy
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Hi Lois, I just wanted to reach out and tell you how much I've enjoyed your work thus far. I just got finished reading Memory and as I was nearing the middle of it, I was hit by just how great it was, not only as a novel, but also as the culmination of such a wonderful series so far. I've already started on Komarr. How much planning goes into your novels? Are you a seat of the pants writer?
Lois McMaster Bujold
Hm, some of these process questions are answered earlier in the Q&A column -- you might try scrolling back -- or in my interviews. I would say my series are pretty ad hoc, building one book at a time which always changes or channels the possibilities for what follows. Within a book, I will have only a vague idea where it's going; writing starts when the preliminary notes, averaging about 50 pages, and whatever research reading I've done, somehow make the opening scene/s rise up in my mind. I capture the thoughts in penciled notes, then type them, shifting the scene-block out of my mind to make room for the next wodge, and repeat the process. So my planning is diffuse, not done all-at-once.
But I am not seat-of-my-pants as it is usually understood; I need to have each scene I'm working on blocked out in notes, sequence of events mostly nailed, dialogue roughly scripted, and choreography roughly designed, before I sit at the keyboard. But only one scene at a time, with a glimmer of what's next. Details are filled in, sequences modified, items added or tossed, etc. editing as I type.
Lather, rinse, repeat till I reach the end.
Ta, L.
Hm, some of these process questions are answered earlier in the Q&A column -- you might try scrolling back -- or in my interviews. I would say my series are pretty ad hoc, building one book at a time which always changes or channels the possibilities for what follows. Within a book, I will have only a vague idea where it's going; writing starts when the preliminary notes, averaging about 50 pages, and whatever research reading I've done, somehow make the opening scene/s rise up in my mind. I capture the thoughts in penciled notes, then type them, shifting the scene-block out of my mind to make room for the next wodge, and repeat the process. So my planning is diffuse, not done all-at-once.
But I am not seat-of-my-pants as it is usually understood; I need to have each scene I'm working on blocked out in notes, sequence of events mostly nailed, dialogue roughly scripted, and choreography roughly designed, before I sit at the keyboard. But only one scene at a time, with a glimmer of what's next. Details are filled in, sequences modified, items added or tossed, etc. editing as I type.
Lather, rinse, repeat till I reach the end.
Ta, L.
More Answered Questions
Cathinka
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
You may have had this question before, but here goes: this wonderful garden at the Viceroy's palace which Ekatherin has designed, is it made out of Sergyaran native plants or imported plants? If the plants are imported, how to keep them from spreading out into the Sergyaran countryside? And if the plants originate from Sergyar, how did Ekatherin know which ones to use and so on, seeing as the planet is "brand new"?
Diane Houdek
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
There are certain authors that I will immediately order/preorder their new book, but will then save said book to read as a reward or to consume in pure happiness because I know the writing, plot, world-building, etc are top notch and will not disappoint. You, T. Kingfisher, Alma T.C. Boykin, James Benn, (Terry Pratchett, alas) are some of my very favorites. Are there authors or series about which you feel similarly?
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