Leslie Frazier-richmond
asked
Scott Hawkins:
I want more! I honestly think this is the best book I have read in 10 years, if not more. I would love a book of a back story of the library and the point of view from each child. Carolyn and Micheal, must be more!! Can we persuade you????
Scott Hawkins
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)[Hey Leslie,
I'd sincerely like to. I miss those guys too. But weird as it sounds, it may not be that easy. I'm not saying "no," but there are some difficulties in coming up with a story that would both work with what's there already and be satisfying.
Think how many times you've seen a sequel or prequel to something that you loved that kind of left you going "meh." Sometimes it's great--Road Warrior springs to mind--but more often than not I wish they'd just left well enough alone.
FYI, I already tried doing a sort of brief followup of Carolyn & co as a short story last summer. Honestly, it was a disaster. The essential problem was that Carolyn's character arc is pretty well completed, if that makes sense. It feels to me like she has ridden off into the sunset. Yeah, if somebody dumped a truck full of money on my doorstep I could probably come up with something, but would you really want to read it?
That said, a couple months back someone suggested maybe doing little spinoff stories. That could work. Like I said, I miss those guys too, and there are a lot of librarians whose arc isn't as thoroughly traced as Carolyn's.
So maybe? I do have one particular idea involving David that I think would work pretty well in short story or novella form. I'm going to take a look at that when I'm done with the current book. Also, cross my heart, if I get an inspiration on where to go next with Carolyn I will write it.
Meanwhile, I'm working on something about a homicidal fry cook named Jackie that is starting to feel pretty good. I've stopped trying to predict when I'll finish the damn thing, but I don't think it's got too much longer.
Anyway, I'm really tickled that you care enough to ask, and sincerely sorry that I can't promise anything.
Best,
Scott (hide spoiler)]
I'd sincerely like to. I miss those guys too. But weird as it sounds, it may not be that easy. I'm not saying "no," but there are some difficulties in coming up with a story that would both work with what's there already and be satisfying.
Think how many times you've seen a sequel or prequel to something that you loved that kind of left you going "meh." Sometimes it's great--Road Warrior springs to mind--but more often than not I wish they'd just left well enough alone.
FYI, I already tried doing a sort of brief followup of Carolyn & co as a short story last summer. Honestly, it was a disaster. The essential problem was that Carolyn's character arc is pretty well completed, if that makes sense. It feels to me like she has ridden off into the sunset. Yeah, if somebody dumped a truck full of money on my doorstep I could probably come up with something, but would you really want to read it?
That said, a couple months back someone suggested maybe doing little spinoff stories. That could work. Like I said, I miss those guys too, and there are a lot of librarians whose arc isn't as thoroughly traced as Carolyn's.
So maybe? I do have one particular idea involving David that I think would work pretty well in short story or novella form. I'm going to take a look at that when I'm done with the current book. Also, cross my heart, if I get an inspiration on where to go next with Carolyn I will write it.
Meanwhile, I'm working on something about a homicidal fry cook named Jackie that is starting to feel pretty good. I've stopped trying to predict when I'll finish the damn thing, but I don't think it's got too much longer.
Anyway, I'm really tickled that you care enough to ask, and sincerely sorry that I can't promise anything.
Best,
Scott (hide spoiler)]
More Answered Questions
Beachesnbooks
asked
Scott Hawkins:
I absolutely loved your book--it was so unique and creative. It's really refreshing to read something that different. I had a question about how you determined the disciplines that each of the children studied at the Library. Why was there no discipline for literature, or for history? What made you choose the areas of study that you did--was there anything in particular that influenced your choices?
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