Natalia
asked
Deborah Harkness:
As a writer, especially one that created these wonderful characters and stories with a lot of depth and history, I imagine you get creative burnout sometimes, if you do, how do you work through your creative burnout and prepare for your next big project? (lovely meeting you last night by the way!)
Deborah Harkness
Oh yes. Creative burnout happens to all of us. I take a walk, or go out and pull weeds in the garden, or clean up after my horse (a big job…), listen to music--anything that keeps my mind simmering away without any effort on my part. What is vital is to step away from your work then. Even if you write, you won't like the results so you may as well take a rest from it!
More Answered Questions
Brandy
asked
Deborah Harkness:
In SoN's tilt yard scene, Louisa tells Hancock that Diana will bring down the de Clermonts, fulfilling Gerbert's ancient prophecy to Ysabeau. "Beware the witch with the blood of the lion and the wolf, for with it she shall destroy the children of the night." This is never mentioned again. I understand the first part, but what is the significance/intent of "...she shall destroy the children of the night?"
Beth
asked
Deborah Harkness:
Despite the book being about vampires, witches, and daemons, it felt so real in many ways. In part I think because I read them as archetypes - e.g. woman who needs to claim her power and a brooding, strong male making peace with his shadow side...Also the parallels to racial issues in our world make it very relevant. Was that your intention or was that just my lense? Thank you!!
Sarah D
asked
Deborah Harkness:
I greatly admire your fresh, inventive writing style in A Discovery of Witches. As a long time high school English literature teacher, I am making the leap to teaching creative writing. I read that you studied the Renaissance and taught at the college level; how do you transfer a passion for the classics to creatively writing for a modern day audience?
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