Bianca
asked
Julia Glass:
I reread 'Three Junes' every year, and I adore Malachy Burns which is why I was so excited to see his reappearance in 'And the Dark Sacred Night'. I've read in an interview, though, that you thought you could have written 'Three Junes' better - I'm curious to know what you would've changed or improved on. Would Malachy have survived those rewrites unchanged?
Julia Glass
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)[One of the greatest compliments to any writer is hearing that your book is worthy of REreading. And several times? Thank you, Bianca. I am honored! As for that interview, I'm a little surprised. Granted, I've done a lot of interviews over the past decade, and I can't remember them all, but from my current vantagepoint, I honestly can't imagine how I could improve that novel. In fact, I'm still amazed that the way I structured it--which I did by the seat of my very inexperienced pants--worked so well and that the characters' stories moved so many people. In retrospect, I also have to marvel at my unwitting bravery at writing about a deeply painful moment in modern history (the "plague years" in New York) that has been so politicized. But I did live through it, doing volunteer work in the AIDS community and seeing so many young men die. I suppose that I simply couldn't NOT write about it. When I created Mal, I assumed that readers would find him amusing and fascinating but not too likable--I didn't want to kill off an angel--but as I lived with him, month after month, especially through Fenno's eyes, I began to see him as more than admirable in his uncompromising attitude toward life. I actually wept as I wrote his death scene--and again when I wrote the scene in which Fenno realizes, too late, how very much he loved Mal. So would I change Mal if I were to go back and rewrite that novel? Absolutely not. (hide spoiler)]
More Answered Questions
Beth Schmelzer
asked
Julia Glass:
Looking forward to the Q & A on Friday. Julia, What children's fiction did you enjoy? I am writing a reading/writing blog currently and I love to hear inspirational ideas from authors for adult and children readers. Thank you. Beth Schmelzer @ www.BESTBOOKSBYBETH.COM
Ann
asked
Julia Glass:
I have read many of your books and they are so real, and the characters and plots are so vividly portrayed. Ms. Glass, when I read your books, I have noticed "crossovers" with certain characters, which is wonderful, and deeply satisfying. Is this part of an overall plan when you write, or does this just come from the muse within? Thank you for your books; they are brilliant!
Julia Glass
827 followers
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