Brian Anderson
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
How important is your relationship with your fans as it pertains to your stories? Do they influence the way you write?
Michael J. Sullivan
Hey Brian, a great question. Thanks for asking. My relationship with my fans is EXTREMELY important...and is reflected in everything I do. I've had stories that have taken me months (or even years) to write that I'm put int the "circular file" because they weren't good enough for my readers. I also am a big advocate to self-published authors to NOT publish unless you are able to produce a book that is every bit as high quality as what a traditional publisher releases. I'm a big believe in selling no "wine before it's time" as the old ad goes.
I look at my readers as my patrons. They keep a roof over my head and food on my table. A very important relationship to be sure, but it goes beyond that because they provide me with fuel that energizes me to produce. Writing a book is its own reward, but when I hear hoe much people have enjoyed it, all that pales in comparison. It takes an already incredible "job" an elevates to a level I just can't get on my own.
As to influence on the way I write...no. My voice is my voice and I can't write anything else but. But it does play a small part in "what" I write. For instance, Riyria. When I got done with those six books or Revelations it never occurred to me to write more Royce and Hadrian books. I had ideas for "other" parts of Elan (like the origin story of Novron which I'm writing now). But no plans for the duo that play such a vital role in Revelations. But i had so many people clamoring for more (including my own wife) that I decided to put out some more tales with them. I'm very hyper-sensitive to them overstaying their welcome so I listen REALLY carefully to reader feedback. This has made me decide to do a third Chronicle book...but if there are any more after that, it will be because of feedback that comes in once that is out.
Similarly, I'm in a holding pattern with regards to Hollow World. That was a book that I had no intention on writing. When I got done with it, I had a number of ideas for sequels. Will I write more? It depends. I'm still gathering information on that. The truth is I have only so many years left to live and more stories than I can tell in that time, so I need to pick and choose.
One thing that never happens is me writing a book I'm not interested in because the readers want it. I get A LOT of requests for stories about Royce in his Black Diamond days. I won't be writing that...he was just so horrific back then that if I wrote him "in character" it would be a miserable, dark, and violent book. That's not the kind of book I want ot read, and so not the type of book I want to write. So no amount of pressure to do that will make the difference.
So in conclusion there will always be books that I write "just because I want to." I would never put out a book BECAUSE of reader demand. But if there is enough demand for a project that I also want to write, then yes it can really make the difference for books that I might not have written without that kind of feedback.
Oh, and for those that don't know Brian is a very accomplished fantasy writer in his own right...check out his work and if you like what you find by all means support him!
I look at my readers as my patrons. They keep a roof over my head and food on my table. A very important relationship to be sure, but it goes beyond that because they provide me with fuel that energizes me to produce. Writing a book is its own reward, but when I hear hoe much people have enjoyed it, all that pales in comparison. It takes an already incredible "job" an elevates to a level I just can't get on my own.
As to influence on the way I write...no. My voice is my voice and I can't write anything else but. But it does play a small part in "what" I write. For instance, Riyria. When I got done with those six books or Revelations it never occurred to me to write more Royce and Hadrian books. I had ideas for "other" parts of Elan (like the origin story of Novron which I'm writing now). But no plans for the duo that play such a vital role in Revelations. But i had so many people clamoring for more (including my own wife) that I decided to put out some more tales with them. I'm very hyper-sensitive to them overstaying their welcome so I listen REALLY carefully to reader feedback. This has made me decide to do a third Chronicle book...but if there are any more after that, it will be because of feedback that comes in once that is out.
Similarly, I'm in a holding pattern with regards to Hollow World. That was a book that I had no intention on writing. When I got done with it, I had a number of ideas for sequels. Will I write more? It depends. I'm still gathering information on that. The truth is I have only so many years left to live and more stories than I can tell in that time, so I need to pick and choose.
One thing that never happens is me writing a book I'm not interested in because the readers want it. I get A LOT of requests for stories about Royce in his Black Diamond days. I won't be writing that...he was just so horrific back then that if I wrote him "in character" it would be a miserable, dark, and violent book. That's not the kind of book I want ot read, and so not the type of book I want to write. So no amount of pressure to do that will make the difference.
So in conclusion there will always be books that I write "just because I want to." I would never put out a book BECAUSE of reader demand. But if there is enough demand for a project that I also want to write, then yes it can really make the difference for books that I might not have written without that kind of feedback.
Oh, and for those that don't know Brian is a very accomplished fantasy writer in his own right...check out his work and if you like what you find by all means support him!
More Answered Questions
papasteve
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
I know this is going to be an off-the-wall question, but why don't writers have their characters poop or pee? Brandon Sanderson, in one of his recent novels has the character Wayne use the "crapper", and has Wayne even ponder all the names that people have for the "crapper." I thought, "Wow, that's the first time I've read something like that."
Matthew Sampson
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Good day, I am wondering if you would share the story of how you got paired up with Tim Gerard Reynolds as your narrator? Is that something that was simply blind luck with what the publisher decided for you or is there some other connection there? Narrators obviously have an enormous impact on the success of a book and I don’t think you could have anyone better than him reading your work! He is fantastic!
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