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Philippa Ballantine
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Q&A with Philippa Ballantine! 1.18.13 (8pm -11pm EST)
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MrsJoseph *grouchy*, *good karma*
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Jan 18, 2013 07:42AM
The day is finally here! Philippa Ballantine, author of several books including
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Ooh, ooh, me, me! I'd like to know if she has plans on doing any kind of graphic novel, either for the Ministry books or the Books of the Order. Personally, I'd love to see the Books of the Order in some kind of illustrated medium.
I wonder, were the characters of "Steed and Mrs. Peel" part of the inspiration for the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences? The 2 characters put me in mind of them.
Sophie wrote: "Ooh, ooh, me, me! I'd like to know if she has plans on doing any kind of graphic novel, either for the Ministry books or the Books of the Order. Personally, I'd love to see the Books of the Order i..."I'd love to see either of those series make it too graphic novel stage, and certainly with the Ministry we had a few nibbles around that idea. However, finding a graphic artist to sign onto such an idea is the real trick. Certainly we are open to it, and if an opportunity comes up for either series, I'd jump at the chance!
One of things that I really liked was the future predictions system in Geist. How did you come up with that?
Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "I wonder, were the characters of "Steed and Mrs. Peel" part of the inspiration for the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences? The 2 characters put me in mind of them."Funny you should say that, because the answer is both yes and no. :) I'd never seen an episode of the Avengers before writing the Ministry books, but my husband and co-author Tee Morris had. He said he always imagined that the relationship between Eliza and Wellington was similar to Steed and Peel. Certainly both couples appear to have a similar attraction between them!
MrsJoseph wrote: "One of things that I really liked was the future predictions system in Geist. How did you come up with that?"You mean the matrix underneath the Mother Abbey? :) Well I confess I wanted something that was very visual, and my husband loves to mess around with video editing. I imagined the system to look a little like a video production series of stills.
It also made it easier for the reader to understand...I hope!
I have no question. I just want to thank you for writing one of my new favorite series, The Books of the Order. I am holding on to the 2nd and 3rd as I await the conclusion.
What do you consider the hardest thing about writing fantasy?
Sonja wrote: "I have no question. I just want to thank you for writing one of my new favorite series, The Books of the Order. I am holding on to the 2nd and 3rd as I await the conclusion."Thank you Sonja! Very sweet of you to say. I am looking forward to people's reaction to Harbinger, but I love writing in this world so much, that I very well might end up doing some short stories or novellas in it.
The joy of being an author these days is that you can still do short fiction and produce it yourself, even after the novels have finished.
I have to admit, I do think Sorcha is pretty badass. Grumpy, but badass. ;)
MrsJoseph wrote: "I have to admit, I do think Sorcha is pretty badass. Grumpy, but badass. ;)"I think Sorcha's problem in the first book is she *knows* she's a badass!
As a slightly older character, she is slightly grumpier too. :)
However, over the series she does get kicked around sufficiently that she learns a lesson or three.
How did you get started writing, and what have been your biggest challenges?
In2books wrote: "How did you get started writing, and what have been your biggest challenges?"I have always been a big reader. My Dad read me Tolkien as a bedtime story when I was about eight, and I got to be quite a fast reader. Pretty quickly I read all of his books, and I thought I would give writing a try.
I guess my biggest problem writing has been time management. I am a big one for being pulled into Facebook or the internet in general, and not getting writing done. Still, deadlines are a big motivator!
Philippa wrote: "In2books wrote: "How did you get started writing, and what have been your biggest challenges?"I have always been a big reader. My Dad read me Tolkien as a bedtime story when I was about eight, and..."
Has any particular book or series been harder to write than the others or are they all planned out before you start?
Do you find procrastination to be a big problem when you're writing from home? Does it ever get in the way of a planned project or things like that?
In2books wrote: "Philippa wrote: "In2books wrote: "How did you get started writing, and what have been your biggest challenges?"I have always been a big reader. My Dad read me Tolkien as a bedtime story when I was..."
I think the hardest one to write was the sequel to my novel Hunter and Fox. I wrote that back in 2007, and then I wrote the sequel in 2012. I had to go back to my original notes, and get the feel of it again. Once I did it was fine.
I am very much a discovery writer. I know the final scene where I want the series to end, but getting there is a trip down a dark road. I live for the uncovering of it all!
MrsJoseph wrote: "Do you find procrastination to be a big problem when you're writing from home? Does it ever get in the way of a planned project or things like that?"Oh, I am the world's biggest procrastinator. Even laundry can distract me sometimes...and that's saying a lot. I found deadlines very motivating, and if I am really being bad I use a program called Write or Die. If you don't keep typing it starts turning the screen red and playing awful sounds!
It's one of my aims in 2013 to get better at not procrastinating...but I might put that off until 2014...
What are your favorite reads, the comfort ones you tend to go back to and reread every so often?
Are there any current books you've read recently that you've found amazing?
Are there any current books you've read recently that you've found amazing?
Of the series you write, do you have a favorite? If so, do you have a fave character within that series?
Colleen wrote: "Of the series you write, do you have a favorite? If so, do you have a fave character within that series?"Oh...now that is hard, sorta like picking your favourite child. I guess I like them for different reasons, since I get different things from them.
If I was told I could only ever write one series ever again...desert island style, it would be the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences, since my husband and I have such fun writing it together.
So...if you can say, what would you say were influences for the Ministry series??? Does it go back to your childhood? Thanks
Ala wrote: "What are your favorite reads, the comfort ones you tend to go back to and reread every so often?Are there any current books you've read recently that you've found amazing?"
Unfortunately, I don't get much reading time, so going back over series is a bit of a luxury. I would love to re-read C J Cherryh's books again. She's a hero of mine.
At the moment I am in the position of getting some awesome books to blurb. I am reading a wonderful steampunk book coming out in the fall this year called A Study in Silk by Emma Jane Holloway. It really is a delight!
http://www.emmajaneholloway.com/books/
Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "So...if you can say, what would you say were influences for the Ministry series??? Does it go back to your childhood? Thanks"I know Tee has a set of his influences, but for me there is a lot of Indiana Jones and James Bond in there. One of my favourite comments about the series is 'it's James Bond in a corset!' I guess the zingy banter and dialogue which people have also commented on might have come from shows like Moonlighting that I watched growing up. I do love witty banter even in real life!
Eliza is also a very New Zealand character, who just believes in getting the job done. Lots of New Zealand women influenced her creation.
Humm. I'm a bit older (never mind how much) and see similarities to a lot of the old Spy/Fi series (including the Bond movies of course). The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Secret Agent (Danger Man in the UK), I Spy, Mission Impossible and so on.
What can you tell us about your upcoming books and podcast etc. ?
Since Steampunk books are set in alternate history, what kind of research did you do for the time period details?
In2books wrote: "What can you tell us about your upcoming books and podcast etc. ?"Well, the Books of the Order finish with Harbinger coming out in the summer. Sorcha has to face her heritage, Merrick has to face his future, and Raed is looking for a way to come to a truce with the Rossin.
Kindred and Wings is also coming in the summer, and it is full of dragons!
In March we are going to be doing a Kickstarter for a really cool anthology project with some great names in fantasy and steampunk who will be working in our world. Included in the Kickstarter will also be the roleplaying we are doing in conjunction with Galileo Games.
Podcasting wise, we will be finishing the second Tales from the Archives, and continuing with our writing podcasting the Shared Desk.
Did someone say roleplaying? Are you creating a RGP game to go along with your series? That would be cool! *thinking of all the books in Skyrim*
Colleen wrote: "Since Steampunk books are set in alternate history, what kind of research did you do for the time period details?"As a former research librarian, I love doing research. I love online resources, but I also love having books on hand. The best part of starting a new project is the book buying I get to do.
As much as I love reading about historical figures, I love reading about what everyday folk were like in the time period I am dealing with.
Online is great for finding pictures of the places I am writing about, which give you the kind of information and details writers eat up.
MrsJoseph wrote: "Did someone say roleplaying? Are you creating a RGP game to go along with your series? That would be cool! *thinking of all the books in Skyrim*"Yes indeed we are. Here's the announcement http://galileogames.com/2013/01/the-m...
We're very excited!!
I've read your Ministry series recently and was happy to come across the mention of Maori culture and language. As a Samoan, it's nice to see a bit of Polynesia in the books I read.
Do you plan on adding any Maori characters to this series, or perhaps writing a series with a Maori character?
Do you plan on adding any Maori characters to this series, or perhaps writing a series with a Maori character?
Congrats! I look forward to it!
Ala wrote: "I've read your Ministry series recently and was happy to come across the mention of Maori culture and language. As a Samoan, it's nice to see a bit of Polynesia in the books I read.Do you plan on..."
We are working on Book Four at the moment, and there is an agent that Eliza knows who is Maori and working for the Ministry. Things have become a little dangerous for the agents, and it is all hands on deck. He may end using some taiaha skills to help defend it.
Philippa wrote: "We are working on Book Four at the moment, and there is an agent that Eliza knows who is Maori and working for the Ministry. Things have become a little dangerous for the agents, and it is all hands on deck. He may end using some taiaha skills to help defend it."
Excellent. I look forward to it :)
Excellent. I look forward to it :)
What about Samoan characters? One of Ala's dearest wishes is to read an excellent fantasy staring a Samoan character.
MrsJoseph wrote: "What about Samoan characters? One of Ala's dearest wishes is to read an excellent fantasy staring a Samoan character."Well...we are always doing short stories...and the Pacific Islands are an area we haven't explored yet!
How has your transition from NZ to the US been and what, if any, impact will this have on your writing?
In2books wrote: "How has your transition from NZ to the US been and what, if any, impact will this have on your writing?"Thanks for asking! I am finally reaching the stage where America feels like home...though there are something things I will never understand. Marshmallows on sweet potatoes for one ;)
As far as influencing my writing, well one of the series that I am developing is set in Virginia, and I am looking forward to getting into the history of the area.
I've got to sign off, but I wanted to thank you for taking the time to answer my questions and wish you well.
In2books wrote: "I've got to sign off, but I wanted to thank you for taking the time to answer my questions and wish you well."Thanks...it's been fun at this end too!
Yay! Another chance for more questions!!Any tips on how to market your work, for us indie authors out there? -)
Isaac wrote: "Yay! Another chance for more questions!!Any tips on how to market your work, for us indie authors out there? -)"
I am a big fan of podcasting because even if you are starting off you can build an audience and that all important brand.
It also gets you access to a community, and honestly that is where I have found editors, cover artists, and convention organizers.
Tee and I have built a Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences page over on Facebook, and though we only started it recently, it's been doing well. We've been running competitions on our blog, and posting them there, and that has certainly done well.
Honestly, I feel like I am still finding my feet as far as marketing goes. Though I would recommend conventions. They're not just good for meeting readers, but for networking opportunities!
Some great tips.. podcasting is an awesome idea. Guess I have to practice my speaking skills.. erm erm -)Thanks again Philippa!
Thank you so much for hanging out with us, Philippa! Please feel free to drop by at any time. And if you really want to procrastinate...we love to give out book recs!BTW - don't feel you have to leave. ;)
Thanks Philippa, and thanks for setting this up MrsJoseph -)
Thanks...it's been wonderful! Heading to bed soon...but if there are any final questions, I'll be around for another 30 minutes...
Thanks, Philippa for stopping by, and thanks, MrsJ for setting it up! Sorry I couldn't be here but it was interesting to read!
You're welcome everyone! Thank you again, Philippa!
Fantasy Aficionados
Books mentioned in this topic
Geist (other topics)Spectyr (other topics)
Wrayth (other topics)
Phoenix Rising (other topics)
The Janus Affair (other topics)
