Ask Matthew Quick! discussion
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Ask Matthew!
message 51:
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Dana
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Apr 20, 2013 09:35AM
Some people have criticized you of romanticizing mental illness in Silver Linings Playbook. Do you believe you romanticized Pat and Tiffany's illnesses? How would you respond to these critics?
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I saw the movie before I tea the book, and I enjoyed the book more. My boyfriend and I read it together and I am a dancer and he plays football so it was really nice to be able to connect with the story in that way. I was wondering- in the movie, it seems as though Pat's father may also have some emotional/mental issues. However, this is not as apparent in the book. Was that the intent behind his father's actions, or was it coincidental?
No question, just a congrats! I first heard of you from my vet Dr. Corey and his wife Jen (good friends of yours, I gather!), when they found out I was working YA at the local library. Started with Sorta Like A Rock Star and I was hooked. So happy to see your success. Cheers, Trish
I have 2 questions:1. I agree with a lot of people in this group who said that the book is so much better than the movie and that there were a lot of unnecessary (and disappointing) changes to the movie adaptation. And as a lot of other people I'd like to know what you think of the movie and whether or not you are happy with the way the story was changed.
2. Who are some of your favorite authors? and what are you currently reading?
Hello. Id like to know 2 things mainly.The first one is, does writting ever get any easier? Or does it still require that day to day work and effort?
Also, did you do any research when writting "The silver linings playbook"? Because frankly, you insight is quite accurate on this subject.
Also, Thanks for a the silver lining that no matter how a movie may murder a book, the book is and will always be great. Congrats on this amazing novel.
To start off, I have to say that The Silver Lining's Playbook was beyond incredible!I was just wondering what inspired you to write about mental health and how easy/difficult you found it to narrate from Pat's point of view.
Also, how did you feel about the plot changes in the film adaption of your novel? For example, the different ending (regarding Tiffany and the letter).
I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder a little over nine years ago at the age of nineteen. Because of medicine I take daily and my Christian faith I'm a very happy and joyful person. I remember what it was like to be at the bottom though before I was diagnosed and before I believed in Christ. In The Silver Linings Playbook you truly captured what bipolar disorder can look like for the individual dealing with it and for their family. Does a family member or good friend of yours have the disorder? Or do you yourself have bipolar?
I really loved you tackling the theme of Mental Health as I believe that this is one grey area of novels which needs to be explored in a fictional sense as well as fact. I see that you really chose to focus on the side of Bipolar I disorder, i wonder why this was so more than the other stages? And also what would you have written for Pat in his most depressive states and not as a result of the mania which was portrayed in the books?
I absolutely loved your novel, and was so disappointed by the film adaptation, which veers so far from your work. I noticed that you were not the screenplay writer. Were you disappointed in the translation from page to screen, or were you just happy for the film's success?I can't say enough about this book: it was wonderful!
Elizabeth wrote: "I love the theme of optimism and Pat's positive outlook. I know Pat comes to closure a out Nikki, but as the reader I have trouble finding a "silver lining" where she comes out ahead because of her..."that should say "about Nikki"...not "a out" Sorry about the typos, from posting on my phone.
Hi Matthew! I loved both the book and movie of Silver Linings Playbook so much because the story was funny, realistic and very relatable, which I think is rare to find in fictional stories. I could ask you a lot of questions, but I'll see if I can get away with just two.
My first question is: How did you know how to write such a realistic story on mental health? Do you have any mental health problems yourself or know somebody who does? Or was it just plain research? Because Silver Linings Playbook is unlike any other mental health story I've ever read.
My second question: What did you think of the changes made in the film adaptation?
I read the book a few times before the movie was released, so I was excited to see the movie. Although the movie had a lot missing/changed from the book, I still loved it just as much because I believe that the overall view on mental health was the same. It would have been nice to see the complete book turned into a movie though. Were you disappointed by the changes?
I have worked with people with mental health challenges My entire career and was stunned by the beautiful
And tragic accuracy with which you portrayed this
In your book. Alternatively I was horrified by the
Treatment of this topic in the movie adaptation. What were your thoughts
If you are allowed to say.
Mshultz
What advice can you give regarding the revision process. I have written the first draft of my novel, but find myself very slowly plowing through the revision process. Any tips?
Mr. Quick; thank you very much for writing this book. I am bi-polar and in my experience the various episodes that Pat goes through, while quite a bit more extreme than my own struggles, accurately depict what a person with a mental disease or trauma goes through. I am hoping that this book might become a tool for helping my loved ones better understand what I go through and why I am not always in control of what I say and do. How is that you were able to describe not only the episodes themselves with such exacting detail but also the manner in which the episodes took place? You presented an accurate mix of causal and non-causal episodes which is a distinction that matters a great deal as those who do not have such a disease are often unable to understand the difference. Also; what thought process went into using first person, present tense as the voice of the book? I have to say that you pulled this off quite nicely as I typically am not a fan of first person or present tense when it comes to novels. Thank you for taking the time to answer your fan's questions. To your health and more great works.
Hi Matthew Quick, I don't think I have a question that wasn't already asked by someone on this thread. I just want to let you know that I think you are a fantastic writer, and that Sorta Like a Rock star is one of my absolute favorite books. How did you get the inspiration for the incredibly inspirational novel?
Matthew, I loved your book and was pleasantly surprised at the way football played a character and helped Pat relate to his family especially his father. While it was unfortunate that was one of the only ways he related to him it was heartwarming when they would connect. Was this drawn from a personal family dynamic and do you believe that sports can be a catalyst for bringing families together?
Hello Mr. Quick,I was just wondering what advice would you give to someone who is on the fence about seeking help for a mental illness?
Thanks!
What do you think happened to your characters after the book ends?
what was the slp based on? who are your influences? your hobbies?
As someone who currently deals with bipolar disorder, I'm really impressed with how you handled it in Silver Linings Playbook. I also have to thank you for these characters and this story. I now look for my silver linings. What inspired you to write the book? Did you have any difficulty in writing characters who suffer from mental illness? How did you not run into stereotypical "crazy character" tropes? Thank you.
Matthew I think you wrote an incredible story. It has a lot of heart. My question to you: what was the driving force behind Tiffany? Personally, I think as soon as she enters a scene the book gets into a whole other dimension. A great dimension. Loved her character, as well as her interaction with Pat. Thank you for writing this story.
Hello!I really loved the book and just wanted to know if you have a favourite character, or a character you relate to the most? Thank you, and congratulations on the books success!
Silver Linings Playbook is a thought-provoking piece of writing. However, I felt that you took the easy way out when the character Pat eventually recalls everything that transpired with his wife and learns about Nikki's deception. Given what we know about the character up to that point, and his fixation with his wife, it seemed improbable as I was reading the book that he would just let her go on with her life and wish her well without at least a confrontation. Was this a deliberate effort to keep Pat likeable and sympathetic? What other alternatives did you consider before allowing Pat to take the 'high road'?
What inspired you to write a book about mental illnesses and how did you decide to write about a topic in a more humorous way?
Dear Matthew, I read Silver Linings Playbook on New Year's Eve and was unable to put it down. Somehow, it reminded me of heartaches and hope and what was good about the world. Needless to say, I absolutely thank the heavens ever since I luckily chanced upon the only copy of Silver Linings in a second hand shop that day I had money to spare for a book (and starve afterwards).Anyway, what we'd really like to know is, why Kenny G in particular?
Were you comfortable with the movie adaption, especially the choice of the main actors? Were you involved in any way in changes that were made in the movie?Was it difficult to understand mental illnesses or the specific problems that come with it?
I really enjoyed both the book and the film, despite the differences; I thought the film adaptation was really well done - even though it did not follow the exact events of the book, it did capture the essence of the story and the characters. I however felt that Pat's ignorance (or call it neglect) of Nikki's unfaithfulness is rather central to his behaviour. Do you believe he would have acted the same way if he had remembered all along what had transpired? For me, this was the only thing that did not make sense in the film, and I would love to hear you thoughts on how Pat reflects on his situation once he realises the full scope of Nikki's betrayal as opposed to when he think he does not know anything.
You're characters are really developed and eclectic in all your books. Where do you find your inspiration to develop them? Are they completely from your mind or from your life experiences?
What is your response to criticism that the movie version of Silver Linings Playbook is better than the book?
Which of your characters, out of all of your books do you most relate to?
I loved Sorta Like a Rock Star. I recommend it to many of the students and teachers at my school. Can we expect to hear any more from Amber Appleton?
Hi Matthew,I read the book well before you became famous:)
Curious to know if the movie adaptation was all part of your initial plan or if your agent is the one who suggested it? What advice do you have for a new, unknown author who also thinks their novel has potential to make it to the big screen?
Cheers,
B.W. DeCaro
What is your favorite book? Where's your favorite place to read? Why?
I loved your book! Do you know someone who is bipolar? I'm looking forward to seeing the movie when it comes out on DVD. Did you have anything to do with the film - were you consulted? Congrats on writing such an outstanding book!
Do you make any shifts in your writing style or general mindset when you're writing a YA novel vs. an 'adult' one? What, to you, separates the two? Do you plan to stay in the YA genre for your next book?
Hi Matthew, I was wondering what you thought about the alternate ending of the film? I felt that the book's ending was much better! Why was it changed?Also, did you base the character of Dr Cliff Patel off of someone you know personally?
I haven't read your book, Silver Linings Playbook, although always wanted to read the book. Is the movie include everything in the book? some books will have really great descriptions, yet unable to show it in the movie. Also I would like to ask how did you got the idea of Silver Linings Playbook. Boy21 is another great novel. As a story lover and writer, I would like to know how get new ideas and how to convert in into a creative picture. Thank you
We recently read your book for our Book Club. We enjoyed it very much and decided to watch the movie also. How do you feel about how different the movie was from your book?
The movie is very different from the book. Do you feel that the move characters are the same as the book characters or do you see the movie characters as characters just based on the book ones?
What is your favorite moment in Silver Linings Playbook?I have read SLP and loved it! Which of your books do you suggest I read next?
Matthew:Hey my name is Matt too :D
I'm studying Psychology and thought you did a very accurate depiction of mental disorders. Did you do any research on the diseases? Why did you chose THOSE diseases in particular? And was it hard to write them in a serious, yet partially funny, manner without being offensive or inaccurate to the disease? Were they inspired by anyone you know?
AAAAAND what did you think of film adaptation? It had many changes. Did you enjoy they expanded on the core idea or do you wish it was a more similar adaptation?
A lot of the online audience that has only viewed Silver Linings as a movie claim you are romanticizing mental illness, and saying that if you can find someone to love you, all your illness will go away. Do you feel like this was the case in the movie? Do you think these people would get a different view point by reading the book? What other books would you recommend to readers that deal with the same themes as your books? What's your favorite book in general, regardless of genre?
Question 1: Were Pat and Tiffany ever influenced by their high school experience?Question 2: Did you ever consider an alternative ending to Silver Linings Playbook? If so, what made this ending so special?
Question 3: As the author, how would you relate to the character of Pat and Tiffany?
Thank you for taking your time to answer our questions! Silver Linings Playbook was an whole new different experience for us readers, especially high school students! Stay awesome.
As a medical student I was trying the entire time I read the book to decipher which mental disorder Pat had. Did you have a specific disorder in mind when you wrote it?
Loved the film, Silver Linings Playbook so much that it made me want to read the book--usually it's the other way around! Both were wonderful but very different. (A family member hated the movie because she thought it was depressing. Another was aghast at how Pat's family lied to him in the film.) Mental illness as a movie/book subject matter is tough to portray. What resources did you use to help you write this book?
Hi Matthew. Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions. I first saw the movie and then read the book. While I enjoyed them both I have to say I preferred the novel and I thought the revelation of what pat did was handled better in the novel than in movie. What's your opinion on this? Also were there any particular differences that you liked or disliked in the movie version?
Thanks!
Seoirse Dunbar
Hi Q! You know I loved all your books especially Sorta of Like a Rock Star but I just want to say that my students really loved reading Boy21. I hope that now that so many have read Silver Linings they will read your other books to because they hold such powerful messages!
great book by the way! i was wondering how did you come up with the character pat...and after seeing the movie did you think Bradley cooper and Jennifer Lawrence were perfect for the role?
Hello Matthew!I'm Dee from Indonesia. I've read your book the Silver Linings Playbook and I love it! :)
your book is very inspiring, how negative people in public's eyes create a positive thought. Very smart scenario, which brings readers into it.
My Question:
Is there any particular differences of your book (phenomena) from before and after it is adapted into a movie?
What is the meaning silver lining for you? and what kind of silver lining you are expecting out of your life?
thanks~ wish u can answer my question^^
ps: sorry for bad english writing.
I thought the song, Total Eclipse of the Heart, was absolutely PERFECT for the dance scene with Pat and Tiffany - there was an ironic, funny, yet sarcastically serious tone it gave the whole scene. WHY oh WHY didn't they keep this song in the movie adaptation? p.s. LOVED the book and I am a current Goddard MFA student - Go Goddard!
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