Crosenblum
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
I am a huge fan of the Vorkosigan series. Especially, as I was born with a mild form of dwarfism. Being different means you have much more to overcome to just reach normal levels of achievement. What inspired you to make Miles different? Thank you.
Lois McMaster Bujold
In the early 80s, when I first came up with Miles, I wasn't thinking in those real-world terms at all. Well, only insofar as one wants one's action hero to be distinguishable from all the others on the market. In particular, thwarted from direct physical/violent solutions, I wanted him forced to use his brains. (*)
Like other people, Miles began with his parents -- I had the basic idea for him and his physical (if not mental, though I suppose emotional) challenges during the writing of Shards of Honor back in 1983; I'd written the first draft of that up through the soltoxin attack before I circled back and found the current ending. The writing (and, eventually, publication) of The Warrior's Apprentice came next, as I set out to explore things I'd set up in the first book. It all grew chapter by chapter in the writing, so, more discovery than decision. (As a rule, my writing explores people, not issues, though I grant from an outside view issues do sometimes seem to come along for the ride.)
* -- I've since wondered, watching all those 15-y-o anime heroes begging their masters to make them stronger, why not one ever begs their master to make them smarter. It seems a much more urgent need...
Ta, L.
In the early 80s, when I first came up with Miles, I wasn't thinking in those real-world terms at all. Well, only insofar as one wants one's action hero to be distinguishable from all the others on the market. In particular, thwarted from direct physical/violent solutions, I wanted him forced to use his brains. (*)
Like other people, Miles began with his parents -- I had the basic idea for him and his physical (if not mental, though I suppose emotional) challenges during the writing of Shards of Honor back in 1983; I'd written the first draft of that up through the soltoxin attack before I circled back and found the current ending. The writing (and, eventually, publication) of The Warrior's Apprentice came next, as I set out to explore things I'd set up in the first book. It all grew chapter by chapter in the writing, so, more discovery than decision. (As a rule, my writing explores people, not issues, though I grant from an outside view issues do sometimes seem to come along for the ride.)
* -- I've since wondered, watching all those 15-y-o anime heroes begging their masters to make them stronger, why not one ever begs their master to make them smarter. It seems a much more urgent need...
Ta, L.
More Answered Questions
Sheryl Hill
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
"Ethan of Athos" is one of my favorites and, perhaps, one of the most socially significant stories you've written because it demonstrates the power of encounters with the "hated other" to transform bigotry into respect. It's lack of popularity grieves me. I have wondered if a story about a planet made up of women who are equally suspicious of men (but for non-religious reasons) might be better received. Thoughts?
Tara Bozarth
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Do you know if the paperback reprint of Borders of Infinity includes the interactions between Simon and Miles? It is one of the few things I don't own in the series. Reviews and summaries are very confusing because they include various printings and various formats for the various reprinting of both the story and the book.
Laura
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
I've been watching Building Great Sentences by The Great Courses. It's diverting, but some illustrations leave my head spinning. My question is... when writing a first draft, do you consider sentence construction (cumulative vs periodic vs other structures) or do you simply put the story out, to be revised later. Do your sentences find their final structure instinctively or are they nudged into shape later on?
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