Tannie Davis

Tannie Davis asked N.K. Jemisin:

Thank you for doing this Q&A and for being one of only a few writers who have characters of color at the center of their stories. I was wondering if you ever got any push back for your representation? And whether you think the diversity of your characters is one reason why your gorgeous stories have not yet been picked up by the film industry?

N.K. Jemisin Yes; I've talked in many interviews and my blog about the fact that my actual first novel was THE KILLING MOON, but when I first attempted to break in, the industry was less interested in novels with "diverse" casts (or all black casts, in the case of that book). So I went off and did the Inheritance Trilogy instead, and after that I was finally able to publish TKM.

At this point film rights to most of my novels and some of my short stories *have* sold! But we'll see which, if any, ever make it into production.

More Answered Questions

Sirenecho

Sirenecho asked N.K. Jemisin:

You create characters whom I hope to meet someday. I was thrilled at your use of geology and its anthropomorphism. My question: If you were to conceive of an earth utopia, what would an essential handful of characteristics of the people/society/structure be? I saw a flash of this in Emergency Skin. I have a close held belief that if we can envision it, we can get there. You seem uniquely qualified to provide this.

Thea Stayton

Thea Stayton asked N.K. Jemisin:

Duuude!! If you ever come to Portland I wanna buy you a beverage! I have so enjoyed your books and how you manage to surprise me and keep true to character, world and plot. My question: while squeezing writing around your day job, what are your typical strategies to keep the juices flowing and what have you resorted to when the muses get voy?

Marielle

Marielle asked N.K. Jemisin:

I've seen your first name used (Nora) in some recent press i.e. (http://bookriot.com/2014/05/29/fantastic-future-nora-jemisin/). Was this intentional? If so, why'd you decide to do it? (I can guess at the reason for using initials initially!) If it wasn't intentional, how do you feel about it?

All answers from N.K. Jemisin…

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