Dylan
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Hello Michael, I'm looking into reading your books because of recommendations on goodreads. I noticed your influences include Stephen King who most would say falls in the category of horror/thriller. King is one of my favorite authors and I was wondering if you write a darker fantasy or if they are filled with suspense like King's books? Maybe like the suspense and adventure from The Dark Tower series? Thanks!
Michael J. Sullivan
Hey Dylan, thanks for asking. While I've read a lot of King's books, I've never read The Dark Tower series. Originally, I was turned off by the "western setting" so I put down the first book without reading very far. But I will give it another go at some point.
My favorite King book of all time is "The Stand" - great characters, a fascinating premise, and excellent execution (right up until the end - which I thought was a disappointment, but given all the other great things, still one of my top 5 reads. I've also really enjoyed: Salem's Lot, IT, Different Seasons, The Shining, Doctor Sleep. Well I could go on and on, pound for pound King almost always delivers.
No, I don't write "dark fantasy." Yes, there are deaths, and the heroes don't always win, but at the heart of my works is a more traditional view of fantasy where good people struggle to do what is needed and in general are rewarded for the trials and tribulations I put them through.
I think my influence is mostly due to how King gets into the heads of his characters and breathes life into them. It comes from a really close POV where the scene is relayed through the eyes and minds in a way that gives you a really clear idea of who they are and how they would react to various situations. King is a master of the technique, and I would never claim to be on the same level, but I do see a lot of similarities in that aspect of our writing styles.
My favorite King book of all time is "The Stand" - great characters, a fascinating premise, and excellent execution (right up until the end - which I thought was a disappointment, but given all the other great things, still one of my top 5 reads. I've also really enjoyed: Salem's Lot, IT, Different Seasons, The Shining, Doctor Sleep. Well I could go on and on, pound for pound King almost always delivers.
No, I don't write "dark fantasy." Yes, there are deaths, and the heroes don't always win, but at the heart of my works is a more traditional view of fantasy where good people struggle to do what is needed and in general are rewarded for the trials and tribulations I put them through.
I think my influence is mostly due to how King gets into the heads of his characters and breathes life into them. It comes from a really close POV where the scene is relayed through the eyes and minds in a way that gives you a really clear idea of who they are and how they would react to various situations. King is a master of the technique, and I would never claim to be on the same level, but I do see a lot of similarities in that aspect of our writing styles.
More Answered Questions
Alexander Varhoshkov
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Hi, Michael! I'm reading Wintertide at the moment and the whole series is absolutely brilliant! (I am not saying this in order to flatter you only to get my question answered, I really mean it!) So the question - If someone is trying to write a book, but in the same time is reading books he is loving and are inspiring him, will this affect the book he is writting in a way either as a story or atmosphere?
A Goodreads user
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Do you have an ending in mind when you start a book and write backwards or do you write as it comes to you?
Gabriel
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Hey! First of all, I want to thank you for being so active here on Goodreads. It's so awesome being able to chat with authors on here, and too few do it. Second of all, (this question has probably been asked too many times) but do you have any other books/series in the works at the moment?
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