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
Jayma
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Just finished the series! One thing that bothered me, though. At the beginning of Theft of Swords, we learn Riyria has been together 12 years. Fast forward to Rise of Empire, even further to Heir of Novron, and we still hear both Royce and Hadrian say they’ve been together 12 years, when we can tell that several years have passed in each volume. For continuity’s sake, shouldn’t this be 15-16 years by the end of HoN?
Mike Chaussee
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Riyria is the standard for me in fantasy. I mean it. I finished Revelations and Chronicles some time ago and the fellas still live with me. THANK YOU. But First Empire is great in a different way. There seemed to be more life lessons in that series, more thoughtful quotes. Was that intentional? Every day I think about Malcolm's quote about us believing the most outlandish lie that supports... Seriously, every day.
Dave Diss
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Never heard of you, Michael. But I don't suppose you've heard of me, either. That's the trouble, hardly anybody has. I don't write novels and have no wish to do so. As far as I'm concerned novels, generally, are just fairy tales for adults. What was it they always told us? Write what you know, wasn't it? That's what I do. I know about my own life; what I've done, where I've been and what I've seen. And believe me...?
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