Fantasy Aficionados discussion
Authors
>
If you could talk to an author
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
L.Y.
(new)
Feb 05, 2013 08:32AM
If you could talk to an author - any author - what would say to/ask them?
reply
|
flag
If you mean a question to ANY author, then the thing I'm most interested in is : what do you find is the most difficult thing about telling your stories? Or what about your writing gives you the hardest time?As for specific authors... well, I have many countless questions, some not even properly formulated. I'd ask Patricia Mckillip where most of her ideas come from and how she feels about kids 12yrs and under reading her books. I'd ask Michelle Sagara if she realizes how obtuse some of her character's conversations are and if she does that deliberately.
It's kind of weird to think that I could actually ask Sagara that question on Twitter or her blog and would most likely get an answer. Personally, I find it a very weird and surreal experience to speak with an author. It's very nerve wracking and agonizing; you want the question to be perfect, insightful or memorable. Doubly so if its an author you admire/love. Chances are, though, that they've answered your question (and any other you can think of) thousands of times over.
Hmmm, I talk to authors all the time. Mostly, my favorite authors to talk to are the ones that are well read and give great tips and recommendations. Janny Wurts is a great person to talk to. She's incredibly well read and has great conversation. She's also really observant. She knows that I'm a total wussy so when she sees me reading books (or about to read) that would make me cry like a baby, she gives me a heads up.
MrsJoseph wrote: "Hmmm, I talk to authors all the time. Mostly, my favorite authors to talk to are the ones that are well read and give great tips and recommendations. Janny Wurts is a great person to talk to. S..."
So do I.
Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "Are you asking as an author?"In a way yes, in a way, no. I'm interested as a reader, just because I know lots of people have strong opinions and I'm curious what they'd say. As an author I'd find the answers helpful, just because I'd know what people are saying about other authors. That isn't why I asked, though, so I suppose you could say I'm asking as a reader. :)
I'd like to talk to George R.R. Martin and I'd probably ask him a lot of ASOIAF-related questions which he probably wouldn't answer. So I'd ask him what's taking him so long to finish this series. I mean I know he's very busy and he has some other projects he's working on, but can't he just give them a break for a while and finish this series?
It's a rare author these days who does not have a web page, usually furnished with an email address. I wouldn't expect Martin to write detailed answers to all his email, but other less-busy authors are likely to be friendly. I have a friend, a fellow author, who got her first fan letter from a congenial male fan. They met up, and are now An Item; it is fondly hoped that nuptuals are to come. So the moral is, never hesitate to write to an author! What's the worst that can happen? Zip, which is what you have now.
If I could honestly be given the time to sit down and efficiently pick an author's brain, I would have to say one of my biggest questions would probably be what the biggest struggle was in writing their story--and why, of course. Everyone has the bits they stumble over, or seem to constantly pick at themselves over, so the question tends to allow a good bit of insight into their thoughts process, and may have the added benefit of shedding new light on various aspects of the work itself.
The problem with asking this is that the author, very possibly, is the last person able to tell you. His wife, his doctor, his neighbors, might be able to tell you more accurately. ("Ever since the '49ers lost he hasn't been able to write!" "If he would only lay off the martinis he would be more productive.") The act of writing is very different from the act of watching oneself write.
If I could talk to Robert Jordan I'd do my Harry Enfield impression (UK funny man) and say: Oi, Robert, Conan, Nooooooo!
Isaac Asimov used to tell the story about the time he heard of a pastor who was going to mention one of his stories in the Sunday sermon. (I forget the title of this story, but it was the one about artificial intelligences advancing until they became God.) Asimov sat in a pew at the back and enjoyed the sermon. At the end of the service he buttonholed the pastor and said, "I -am- Isaac Asimov, and that's not at all what I meant when I wrote that story." The pastor replied, "But what would you know about it?"
And Asimov was stumped. Why indeed should he know anything about it? That is why there is a considerable tradition about the Muses. Your Muse knows what's going on with the book; all you're doing is writing it.
Brenda wrote: "Isaac Asimov used to tell the story about the time he heard of a pastor who was going to mention one of his stories in the Sunday sermon. (I forget the title of this story, but it was the one abou..."That's a very interesting way of looking at it. I've never thought of it that way. I wonder if any author worries about what exactly their Muse has planned...
I'd love to talk about books, ideas, writing with Terry Pratchett! His books are so funny & clever :)
Brenda wrote: "Isaac Asimov used to tell the story about the time he heard of a pastor who was going to mention one of his stories in the Sunday sermon. (I forget the title of this story, but it was the one abou..."I loved that: http://www.goodreads.com/user_status/...
For me it would have to be Stephen King. I've been an admirer for a while. The other person would be George R.R. Martin because his writing and imagination is fantastic.
Although he is ill, Terry Pratchett is still getting around. He will be at the North American Discworld convention, over the first weekend in July in Baltimore, MD. Possibly his last visit to the US.
Brenda wrote: "Although he is ill, Terry Pratchett is still getting around. He will be at the North American Discworld convention, over the first weekend in July in Baltimore, MD. Possibly his last visit to the..."Cherish those moments.
They have tapped me to run a panel about knitting beards.
Brenda wrote: "Although he is ill, Terry Pratchett is still getting around. He will be at the North American Discworld convention, over the first weekend in July in Baltimore, MD. Possibly his last visit to the..."O_o
Must. Not. Gi...
Can't. Resist.
