Elzbieta Tibai
asked
Josh Lanyon:
Another book-related question: Was it hard to write about a character with such a major health problem like Adrian English? And what was the motivation/inspiration to do that?
Josh Lanyon
Hi Elzy!
Yes, it did take a bit of thought and a lot of research to write a character with serious and permanent health problems. Because heart trouble runs in my family, I was perhaps overly preoccupied with cardiac health in my youth. So I wrote a LOT of stories where protagonists had heart problems (most of which will never see the light of day because, seriously, it would get a bit repetitive for readers). :-D
I didn't regret the choice though because Adrien's heart condition turned into a metaphor for the theme of the series.
And also because that health condition kept the stakes high for Adrien. Readers are fairly sure that he's not going to die -- that no series protagonist is going to die so long as more books are coming -- but his health always remained a question mark. Something he had to take into consideration in any course of action he decided on.
Yes, it did take a bit of thought and a lot of research to write a character with serious and permanent health problems. Because heart trouble runs in my family, I was perhaps overly preoccupied with cardiac health in my youth. So I wrote a LOT of stories where protagonists had heart problems (most of which will never see the light of day because, seriously, it would get a bit repetitive for readers). :-D
I didn't regret the choice though because Adrien's heart condition turned into a metaphor for the theme of the series.
And also because that health condition kept the stakes high for Adrien. Readers are fairly sure that he's not going to die -- that no series protagonist is going to die so long as more books are coming -- but his health always remained a question mark. Something he had to take into consideration in any course of action he decided on.
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