Adam Kveton

Adam Kveton asked Katherine Arden:

When you're writing and you have something terrible happen to a character seemingly as retribution for the character enjoying themselves or doing what they want, do you ever think "you know, I could just let them have this" or "maybe they just get away with it"? Why is it important to you to have this cause and effect? (Struggling with this myself in my own writing)

Katherine Arden Erm, generally I don't think of characters as getting what they do or don't deserve. A strong moral compass isn't necessarily a help when one is creating fictional worlds, because you have to fit yourself into the skin of different people, some of whom aren't moral at all.

Fiction, for me, is about saying something as true as possible, as clearly and as beautifully as possible. It's not about imposing any kind of morality. I hope that helps.

More Answered Questions

Helena Bueno

Helena Bueno asked Katherine Arden:

I've just finish the Bear and the Nightingale. You write the scenes in a way I can see it happening right in front of me. I wonder if someone ever wanted to make a tv show/miniseries of this trilogy, how would you feel about that?

Alan

Alan asked Katherine Arden:

Not a question, but a comment: I very much enjoyed the book, and as a writer of adult fantasy stricken with the usual doubts about publication, The Bear and the Nightingale got me excited about querying again. The ambition and originality of your writing inspired and motivated me to get to work, and reminded me that there still is a prospective audience for rich and atmospheric adult fantasy. Thank you! (?)

Christelle

Christelle asked Katherine Arden:

Thank you for the winternight trilogy. I've read the first one and I have just received the second one! I studied Russian for 6 years and it is a pity I know nothing about Russian tales! I would be very thankful if you could recommend mustread Russian books? Greetings from Southern France !

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Katherine Arden

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