Jon Hurst
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
I have been consistently amazed by your deep understanding and clear depiction of people: how they think and feel, their motivations and fears, how they can be led effectively and influenced. How did you develop your understanding of people and leadership? It seems uncanny and wonderful.
Lois McMaster Bujold
Hm, hard to answer, since much of my writing is intuitive rather than consciously constructed. But I suppose decades of direct observation of people (especially including myself), personal experience, doings; more at a remove, reading, watching, listening and more reading. My theories of human behavior are based to the degree my understanding allows in the patterns of the deep biological and bio-social substrate of all primate humans, as contrasted with particular cultures or associations (although the group dynamics of all kinds of human associations and how and why they assemble themselves is itself a study.) "Accidents versus essences" is the way I sometimes shorthand it for myself. Or, "Culture is what biology uses to clothe itself." And, sometimes, to disguise itself.
Also, do keep in mind, when you are reading certainly fiction but also nonfiction as well, what you are experiencing is not the world, but the inside of another writer's head. Which is a thing to be marveled at in itself, but, as the old saying goes, the map is not the territory.
Ta, L.
Hm, hard to answer, since much of my writing is intuitive rather than consciously constructed. But I suppose decades of direct observation of people (especially including myself), personal experience, doings; more at a remove, reading, watching, listening and more reading. My theories of human behavior are based to the degree my understanding allows in the patterns of the deep biological and bio-social substrate of all primate humans, as contrasted with particular cultures or associations (although the group dynamics of all kinds of human associations and how and why they assemble themselves is itself a study.) "Accidents versus essences" is the way I sometimes shorthand it for myself. Or, "Culture is what biology uses to clothe itself." And, sometimes, to disguise itself.
Also, do keep in mind, when you are reading certainly fiction but also nonfiction as well, what you are experiencing is not the world, but the inside of another writer's head. Which is a thing to be marveled at in itself, but, as the old saying goes, the map is not the territory.
Ta, L.
More Answered Questions
Jerri
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Is Winterfair held on the Winter Solstice, or just close to it? In any case, on the Solstice in the US, I wish you and all Bujold readers a happy Winterfair and may Father Frost bring you as much joy as the writings of LMB have brought to me. (I just finished a re-listen to Winterfair Gifts!!)
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