Ask Matthew Quick! discussion
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Ask Matthew!
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Hello, Mr. Quick!Thank you for writing a good book that left me with a lot of questions. Envision an annoying, aging student in the front row at a community college raising her hand aggressively, hoping desperately you can clarify a couple of things.
Question #1: Is Pat really bipolar? Because I got really stuck on that. I am very close to someone who suffers from this disease and I have studied it, and was really looking forward to getting inside the bipolar mind. But other than the irrational rage/reactions, didn't always know if it was bipolar you were describing. Pat, at times, seemed so childlike. Which would have been charming if I hadn't been all, "bipolar doesn't make a person childlike, does it? What's going on here, really?" (Bipolar is confusing to me, so it could just be that, too.) I know I'm not alone, a lot of discussions here on GoodReads address this. One plausible explanation for his personality that comes up is the head injury. He was an accomplished teacher, a college grad, etc. before the injury, was he different then? I am dying to know how you created this voice, and whether it is the result your interpretation/experience/research of bipolar.
Question #2: On your website, what is "Q" -- is that your nickname? Can I call you "Q"? :)
Question #3: What was with all the classic book spoilers? I haven't read "Gatsby" since high school (admittedly, thousands of years ago) and planned to re-read before the movie release. WHY?! ARGH! :)
Keep writing please! And congratulations on your success. Look forward to your responses.
Merci beaucoup,
Taughnee
P.S. I hope that people asking for medical advice in this thread will get help from a doctor, and recognize that this is fiction, not medical therapy.
Pat has a real interest with clouds, and I was wondering, do you share the interest?
I'm going to ask you about the most enjoyable part of being a writer: agents and marketing.How did you go about finding your agent? Did you attend conferences and pitch in person, or did you submit unsolicited query letters?
Silver Linings Playbook is so unique I can't think of any other contemporary novel quite like it. What other similar novels did you refer to when writing to agents?
Thank you so much for taking our questions, and for writing one incredible novel!
Can't tell you how much I loved this book! It made me wish I was in Philly so I could be an Eagles fans and do the cheer.My question is about the 'Asian Invasion'. Were they based on people you know? Is there an 'Asian Invasion' at the Eagles Games today?
Hello, Mr. Quick!As a person who lives with Bipolar disorder, I would just like to thank you for the honesty in which you wrote about such a sensitive topic, and the heart you imbued within the characters of Pat and Tiffany. You have opened the curtains and shed light upon something that so often is misunderstood and kept in the dark. I hope you know your novel, Silver Linings Playbook, has paved the way for Mental Health Awareness. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Your reader,
Kyle
Hi Mr. Quick, I enjoyed Silver Linings Playbook greatly, one of the things I loved about the book was the aspect of film. What made you think and decide that this vision on life was the 'right' way for Pat?Thanks and greetings from The Netherlands!
Hello Matthew, I saw the movie Silver Linings Playbook before I read the book. I loved the movie and the book. There were some differences. Did you believe they captured the character Pat as you had intended?- Tammy
Ask Matthew: Hi M, did you cooperate with the film realization? Did you actually like it? Even if it's so different from what you wrote? (I think that the actors did a really god job with the characters, and the oscars were very well deserved.) Do you think it too? p.s. I've read the book before seeing the movie...and I prefer the book from the screen adaptation... Did you like the movie outcome of your work? :D Thanks for reading...And thanks for writing the book in first place... High fives from Rome...Micaela
Hi Matthew - the majority of your novel focuses on family relationships. Why did you think it was important to add the romantic aspect between Pat and Tiffany? Why did you see this relationship as important to his recovery? Loved the book!!
How do you feel about the fact that they changed the family names in the movie? And why did they change them, anyway? I thought Peoples and Webster are great.
Hi Matthew - my husband and I are both enjoying reading the Silver Linings Playbook, planning on watching the film when we've both finished. How important is it to you that we save libraries and make books accessible to all?
Hello Matthew, I loved silver linings and as a counselor I was wondering what inspired you to write such an inspirational story and was it difficult for you to write ? Did you enjoy the film adaption of your book, did the movie capture the essence of the story you wanted to tell? Also, how do you feel about more and more books beings published and sold as ebooks instead of prints? Thank you.
Hi Mr. Quick! Just to give you some perspective, I am a AP Language student in high school, and when I read your book, I was just so happy. I have been waiting so long to read something that is as original, funny, and relatable as this book is. Anyway, in AP Language, we are always discussing how authors manipulate diction to suit their purpose, so one question:
1.To what extent do you have to manipulate the language to express Patrick's voice and character and how do you do that?
I also have always loved creative writing, but my grandma keeps telling me that I need to write about stuff that happens in real life, and that these stories are the best kind. I think I see what she is saying..., but I also don't know how my life is the least bit interesting. I feel like I need to make some parts of the story up—be creative. I think that your story is an excellent blend of reality and creativity. So what is the best way to deal with this inner struggle of mine?
Thank you so much,
Grace
Do you have plans for other books? How'd you feel about the movie adaptation? Why'd you choose this subject? What's your favorite book/inspiration?
How can you stand the movie adaptation of your beautiful book??? Silver Linings is the best book I have ever read; it is the worst movie I have ever seen.
Mod
Part One: http://www.goodreads.com/videos/43123...
Part Two: http://www.goodreads.com/videos/43124...
Best, Q
I could not view the videos...it said they are unavailable ?
A follow up to silver linings!!!!!! Yay!!!
It was really inspiring see the optimism of Pat. I learned a lot about life and ways of dealing with it just by reading your book. It was your intent to awake this or you wrote the book thinking only about the literary view (to be nice to read)?
Joy wrote: "I could not view the videos...it said they are unavailable ?"I've seen the videos now and enjoyed them. The book is better than the movie!!
Dear Mr. Quick,Thank you and your assistant for giving me the opportunity to ask you questions for my reading project. This past quarter, I read Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock and was intrigued by the topic. Your writing style made reading this book very exciting, constantly causing me to wonder if Leonard would actually follow his plan to kill Asher and himself due to their history. I literally carried this book around with me the whole time I was in Disney World to find out what Leo would do next! Your style and ideas are very interesting and unique, but that’s what I love about your writing. (I especially liked how you hooked the reader in the beginning and added Leonard’s “letters from the future”!) I can’t wait to read your other books!
When I finished Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock, my brain was automatically bombarded with questions. I had so many to ask you and now I finally have the chance, so here we go…
*Where did you get your inspiration to write Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock?
*What were your intentions when writing about such a mentally-ill character? Was it to inform society of people like Leo so we can get them the help they need?
*Where did you get the idea to include Leo’s letters to his future self throughout the story?
*Why did you end the book right after Leonard realized that he had been crazy to almost kill himself and when his mother actually paid some attention to her child?
*Have you thought about writing a sequel?
*If you wrote a sequel, would you have it take place where you left off or in the future like the letters?
*is there anything else you would like to add and/or say to middle school students?
Thanks again!-Alyssa H.
Mod
Thank you and your assistant for giving me the opportunity to ask you questions for my reading project. This past quarter, I read Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock and was intrigued by ..."
This is an old thread. I didn't know it was still active. Thanks for reading my work. Good luck with your project. Many answers can be found in this Entertainment Weekly interview I did when FM,LP was published:
http://shelf-life.ew.com/2013/08/14/f...
I'll add this: I don't see Leonard as a "such a mentally-ill character," but as a highly intelligent, funny, and promising young man whose community is failing him. I don't plan on writing a sequel. But my next YA novel, EVERY EXQUISITE THING, is in some ways a response to the many Leonard-reader comments I receive. Finally, I have to let the book speak for itself. I can't explain the ending. (That wouldn't be any fun!) We readers must do the work. Best of luck. Keep reading! Q
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I like this question - it is definitely something I am struggling with as I write my first novel and I don't know if it is YA or not. I kind of figured the publishers slap the label on it, and I think you just gotta write what you gotta write. I hope Matthew answers with his wisdom...