A Goodreads user
asked
Mark Lawrence:
My question is from Lord Byron's quote "Truth is stranger than fiction". Is the truth sometimes stranger than fiction? What You think as writer? Best regards: A. Tomov – junior
Mark Lawrence
Truth's foibles, by virtue of being true, carry more weight. Fiction has to generate that weight through the writer's skill.
Moreover, truth never has to worry about readers complaining, "That's not realistic." or "That would never happen." because it patently is and did.
I get people complaining about my 14 year old character's height (6 foot) and cleverness (very) - and yet truth gives us tens of thousands of 6 foot 14 years olds, not to mention at least one 7 foot 14 years old, and very many clever and mature children (my own daughter walked at 6 months and read fluently at 3)
Moreover, truth never has to worry about readers complaining, "That's not realistic." or "That would never happen." because it patently is and did.
I get people complaining about my 14 year old character's height (6 foot) and cleverness (very) - and yet truth gives us tens of thousands of 6 foot 14 years olds, not to mention at least one 7 foot 14 years old, and very many clever and mature children (my own daughter walked at 6 months and read fluently at 3)
More Answered Questions
Will Daggett
asked
Mark Lawrence:
Hey Mark! So it looks like you have a crazy life outside of just writing, what with being some kind of rocket scientist and what not. How did you manage to make time to write? Also, how old were you when you started? I'm looking to start writing soon, but there always seems to be something demanding too much of me to really make time for it (right now the CPA exam). Thoughts? P.S. You should visit Boston sometime!
Kevin
asked
Mark Lawrence:
Small query from a big fan here. Is your word count increasing with each book? One thing that puts me off reading more fantasy books is the time required, since they are often long trilogies. I went to buy Red Sister recently, but hesitated as it seems like the longest one yet. Are you headed toward the industry standard?
Michael Diaz
asked
Mark Lawrence:
You've said that your books aren't in the same universe, but I've been finding characters and concepts that seem to connect them. Elias Taproot seems to be in most of your books and the Hayes Gates seem to be the creation of Nick Hayes. I'm beginning to think the only thing separating these worlds is time, but Nick Hayes is kind of a master at time manipulation. Is there a possibility that they'll all come together?
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