Flight Behavior
discussion
Live Video Chat with Barbara Kingsolver
q I enjoyed Prodigal Summer immensely-- the protagonist and I share a name! I was wondering where you get the inspiration for your great stories?
Not a question: I discovered The Bean Tree a few years ago. Later, I read The Poisonwood Bible, a masterpiece that I strongly recommand for anyone wanting to know more about Congo history, or simply enjoy a good novel... So, a big, warm thank you !
q Do you and your family still adhere to the principles of food and eating that you wrote about in Animal, Vegetable, Miracle? I found the book (as well as pretty much everything you've ever written) really inspiring but find it incredibly difficult to stick to my own high standards of what food should be. I just want to know if it has been sustainable for you.
q Can you tell us a bit about your daily rhythms and rituals? When do you find time to write (and how much) and how do you balance that with family, home, food, etc? Also do you write for other venues besides your books- magazines, blogs, or newspapers?
q Who are your favourite authors and which books have in
q. (Oops pressed send accidentially) The last part of my question is, which books have inspired you?
Am always interested in the writer's space. Stephen King wrote beautifully in his non-fiction On Writing... about how and where he works
Can you describe for us your work space and how you work?
q. Can you describe for us your work space and how you work?
q. Can you speak to how you find that place to enter a story?
q I read on your website that your ideas for novels often begin with "a question whose answer is not clear to me, but seems vital." (www.barbarakingsolver.com). What question did you have in mind as you were writing "Flight behavior"?
Also, I recommend everyone check out www.barbarakingsolver.com before asking a question on here - several have already been answered on her website!
Prodigal Summer is my all time favorite fiction. How did you structure the weaving of the stories? I'm an aspiring writer (at 56) and I can't fathom how you did it. The pieces weave together so naturally and unfold so seamlessly. It's breathtaking. Can't wait for your latest. Judy
q I'm curious if you've had inquiries to turn any of the books into movies? Is there a particular book that seems to be the "it" book for potential movies?
One of my favorite books is The Poisonwood Bible. What kind of research went into it?
q When your children were young, how did you juggle motherhood with being a writer?
I have enjoyed introducing your books to new readers while working at the bookstore and when I was a librarian. You had me at Bean Trees and every book thereafter! I just wanted to thank you for writing!
You are one of my favorite writers - I have read all of your books. Who are some of your favorite fiction writers?
How much has writing "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" changed your eating and grocery shopping habits to this day? Between reading that and Michael Pollen's "Omnivore's Dilemma", my life will never be the same! I loved the levity you gave while bringing up serious issues.
Prodigal Summer is my number one favorite book. I've given it as a gift to just about everyone important to me. I often think I should write a book one day and probably will, but most likely it will be non-fiction as I love memoirs and think my story needs to be shared eventually. You've written non-fiction (and I've read it)...would you write a memoir in the future?
Oh, and what's the first thing you do when you start writing a book?
I 'found' you when I lived in Michigan. I moved to KY in 2006. Is Prodigal Summer's location PIne Mountain?
q I had just started reading “Poisonwood Bible” in Oct, 2000 when my husband and I were whisked from Canada to rural South Africa to look at a 4-year job offer. A bit of synchronicity: we were actually in Johannesburg as I read the chapter toward the end of the book entitled ‘Johannesburg’. Your book asked: “What did we do to Africa and how do we feel about it?” What began as a lark of an adventure became, on our return flight, and earnest discussion of shaking up our lives and moving to Africa … inspired, in no small part, by what we had recently read in “Poisonwood Bible”. Four years later I understood in my bones when Rachel says: “You can’t just sashay into the jungle aiming to change it … without expecting the jungle to change you right back.” Those four years were hair-tearing crazy for me, and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world! I never dreamed I would someday be able to say thank you to you in person for a peak experience of my life. Thank you, Barbara Kingsolver. Do you have any idea how many lives (like mine) you have touched in a life-changing significant way with your writings? (rhetorical question!)
Do you outline or not? I loved Pigs, Bean Trees and Prodigal Summer. Bean Trees made me cry so hard I couldn't breathe!! Love your work.
Q: The Lacuna was a beautiful work interweaving history and fiction together. When writing in this manner, does a historical event intrigue you, and invite you to do more research around which you build your fiction, or do you envision a fictional character from a time period, and then look for an event that would provide an effective setting? I have to thank you for writing such a beautiful story and turning me onto Frida Kahlo and all the lovely characters in the book. As a historian, I have a special place in my heart for the "could have been" stories and novels.
You have a knack for embedding a progressive eco-consciousness so it doesn't lecture. I just finished writing second novel from that perspective, and would like to hear how you avoid "preaching" on matters so close to your heart.you
Question: Any plans to return to Tucson to live? We miss not having you here.
How did you learn about monarchs that sometimes overwinter in the U.S. rather than Mexico? (I am a monarch ecologist and thrilled you wrote this book!).
Can you speak to what motivated you and continued to nourish your vision for the story as you wrote The Poisonwood Bible, which I believe should become a standard classic of American literature.
q my students use The Poisonwood Bible as their favorite work to write about on Question #3. Do you believe that students, or any readers really, need a background in allusion--biblical, literary, cultural, mythological, and historical-- to get the most out of your books? i teach so many preliminary notes about African history and the 60's in America which i love and they do too, but what do you do to inspire readers to learn the essential material along the way. Do they look up unknown vocabulary and other items or do they skim or do they give up and stop reading. i tell my students that you like readers who bring something to the relationship, that, even though you don't know them, trust them to have allusion as their second skin if they want to understand all the intense layers of your book. can't wait for the new book!!
q my students are AP English Literature students in 12th grade, btw!
Prodigal Summer is one of my all time favorite books. I often describe it to curious readers as "lush". What inspired your new book and how is it similar to or different than your past books?
I am not sure I will be able to log into the live chat. Will it be available for viewing after?
Have enjoyed Prodigal Summer, The Lacuna and the Poisonwood Bible. Having grown up in Africa (Rhodesia and Nyasaland) I thought the Poisonwood Bible outstanding. You have captured the essence of Africa. Have you lived in Africa at all? What inspired you to write this?
Hi, I'm your Croatian translator of Prodigal Summer. If I knew how to write, I'd like to write like you. Translating is as close as I can get to actually doing it, so even though it's hard, it's also very rewarding, Thank you for making me find the sentences. Q: Would you prefer it if translators were able to communicate with you while they are working on your texts? Would you have some instructions, preferences, etc.?
I have enjoyed your work immensely. You have opened my eyes and my mind to just how we are all inter-connected with everything. Ehat we do has consequences to the entire planet. Thank you.
When you begin a new writing project, do you research before you begin writing, or along the way as you write?
Patrick wrote: "Join us on Friday, November 9 at 2pm ET/11 am PT for a live video chat with bestselling author Barbara Kingsolver. We'll be discussing her new book Flight Behavior, as well as her previous work and..."Were will I find the link for the discussion tomorrow?
q When you have an idea for a story, how do you begin (i.e., do you outline; do you start with plot, characters,setting)?
q The Poisonwood Bible has just recently been released in a mass market edition, which usually equals good sales. Is that because of expectations due to the release of your new book, or has this title increased in popularity recently? Are bookclubs making a difference in booksales?
I just wanted to say how much I have enjoyed your work and I thank you for putting it out there. You are a beautiful writer and I have been touched by many of your books. Thank you.
Patrick wrote: "Sherri, the discussion and video are (and will be) here: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/video_..."Thank you I am excited to tune in!
q Animal, Vegetable, Miracle changed my world and constantly inspires me in my local/homegrown ventures. Your narration for the audiobook is outstanding! Will you ever write a sequel or another book of that genre? How's the homestead doing these days?
No questions...just looking forward to the chat and want you to know how much I enjoy your books, all of them.
Q: DO YOU HAVE A READER IN MIND AS YOU WRITE, SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, OR SOMEONE WHO NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND AND DOESN'T YET?
The screen is saying "Offline" but it's 11:08...perhaps I'm doing something wrong. Must I do more than press the play arrow? Thank you for any help!
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