SlowRain
asked
Olen Steinhauer:
Do you find it more challenging to write "historical" novels set in a fictional country or contemporary novels set in the real world? Why?
Olen Steinhauer
I think the historical ones are easier for a couple reasons. First, since I'm inventing the country I have the freedom to lay out the details as I see fit. For example, if my character turns left on a street, I don't have to spend time scouring old maps to find out if that's possible, or if it's a one-way street. Because there's always someone out there who knows this fact, and will call you on it.
More importantly, though, hindsight is 20/20. I can write about Cold War politics with not only historical perspective, but also with the knowledge of things that contemporary writers wouldn't have been aware of. The opening of the Stasi files, for example, has made the writing about the East German secret police immeasurably easier to accomplish.
In fact, it was this perceived ease in writing historical novels that convinced me to move to contemporary novels. Stuck in my fictional Cold War, I would look at the news and find myself at a loss to explain the world around me. I feared that, after five books, I was hiding out in a simpler time in order to avoid contemporary politics. So I cut the tether and got to work as best I could. I stumbled now and then, as we all do, but it seems to be working.
More importantly, though, hindsight is 20/20. I can write about Cold War politics with not only historical perspective, but also with the knowledge of things that contemporary writers wouldn't have been aware of. The opening of the Stasi files, for example, has made the writing about the East German secret police immeasurably easier to accomplish.
In fact, it was this perceived ease in writing historical novels that convinced me to move to contemporary novels. Stuck in my fictional Cold War, I would look at the news and find myself at a loss to explain the world around me. I feared that, after five books, I was hiding out in a simpler time in order to avoid contemporary politics. So I cut the tether and got to work as best I could. I stumbled now and then, as we all do, but it seems to be working.
More Answered Questions
Todd Simpson
asked
Olen Steinhauer:
Hi Olen, Milo Weaver is a fantastic character, and I love reading about him. I find most of the flawed characters are generally the best. Please don't kill him off in one of your books. I have always wondered if Authors carry around a pen and paper in case you come up with an idea for your books? Thank you for writing such great books and entertaining us. Thanks Todd
Jeff
asked
Olen Steinhauer:
Mr. Steinhauer, First, thanks for answering these questions. I loved Old Knives and I'd also really liked Song of Lunch when I first saw it. It was fun seeing a spy riff on that concept. You've mentioned le Carre influencing your spy novels, any other non-espionage influences that have served as an inspiration for your other spy novels? Thanks!
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