Tana French
I definitely write like an actor, for better or for worse. I think the acting background is why, until The Secret Place, I've always written in the first person. That's what I'm used to doing: working to create a real, three-dimensional character, show the story through his or her biases and desire and fears, and draw the audience into that character's world till they go away feeling like he or she is someone they know intimately. I'm not saying I always manage to do that - but that's the goal.
And I was never one of those actors who like playing variants on themselves. I always liked playing characters who were far from me, the farther the better. I already know what it's like being me; what's interesting is trying to understand what it's like to be someone utterly different, trying to bring someone else's utterly different reality to life. I'm the same when I write: my characters have practically nothing in common with me.
And I was never one of those actors who like playing variants on themselves. I always liked playing characters who were far from me, the farther the better. I already know what it's like being me; what's interesting is trying to understand what it's like to be someone utterly different, trying to bring someone else's utterly different reality to life. I'm the same when I write: my characters have practically nothing in common with me.
More Answered Questions
Keith Ellis
asked
Tana French:
Were edits made for the US editions? I've noticed many US-specific cultural references which I thought would be obscure to others. For example, one character jokes someone having a house in the Hamptons. I don't read many Irish books, but do read many UK books and I've never noticed so many US references in the latter. If not edits, is it the case that Dubliners are more aware of American culture than other Europeans?
Heather
asked
Tana French:
For weeks after I read one of your novels, I walk around saying "fair play" and swearing "sweet jaysus." You are greatly skilled in bringing your characters and Dublin alive for your readers. A new Tana French novel is gold in my hands. The Secret Place is set in a posh boarding school. Was it fun to work within the constraints of location, privilege, and the slang of youth? What were the challenges involved?
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