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Kevin Hearne
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Group Reads Discussions 2014
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"Hounded" Q&A with Kevin Hearne
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Hi Kevin, which of the myths and legends present in the series did you find you liked the most? Oh and how much research did you do on them? Sorry that's two questions. Just like to say Oberon is such a cool character.
I really enjoy the relationship between Atticus and Oberon. How did you develop Oberon's personality? Do you have dogs yourself?
I see on your site you have some audio of the Polish names, any chance you'll do one for all the other names, including the Irish?Also until I looked at the map on your site I never knew that Tempe was part of Phoenix. I had always pictured it as a city off by itself.
Tom wrote: "I really enjoy the relationship between Atticus and Oberon. How did you develop Oberon's personality? Do you have dogs yourself?"Throw me in with this question. LOVED Oberon.
Robin wrote: "Hi Kevin, which of the myths and legends present in the series did you find you liked the most? Oh and how much research did you do on them?..."My question is similar. I've read through the whole series, including the short stories. There are so many myths from so many cultures.
What percentage of myths would you say you knew before starting the series? How much was discovered while writing the series?
Rolando wrote: "What percentage of myths would you say you knew before starting the series? How much was discovered while writing the series? "In addition, what was your best source of information when researching Celtic mythology?
How fast do you write? Patrick Rothfuss praised your books and expressed envy at your output, so I'm curious about your actual words-per-week numbers or however you measure it.Also, I keep picturing Heath Ledger as Atticus. Did you have someone specific in mind when you came up with the character?
Robin wrote: "Hi Kevin, which of the myths and legends present in the series did you find you liked the most? Oh and how much research did you do on them? "I love that Flidais exists. She's basically Artemis or Diana except without the virgin goddess aspect. The Irish didn't have virgin deities. In fact, they took Flidais in the opposite direction—she's famous for her sexual appetite but never slut-shamed. I appreciated the fact that in that pantheon women were either as powerful or more powerful than the men & their sexual appetites were healthy.
Researching online is pretty easy these days; the old Irish texts have been translated into English by Irish universities.
Trike wrote: "How fast do you write? Did you have someone specific in mind when you came up with the character?"
I write about a thousand words a day. Not super-fast or anything; I just try to be consistent with it and the books get done. Some days are extremely slow but I have to do *something* to feel productive.
And nope, I didn't have anyone in mind when I came up with him. Just a very old guy pretending to be a very young guy.
Tom wrote: "I really enjoy the relationship between Atticus and Oberon. How did you develop Oberon's personality? Do you have dogs yourself?"I have two dogs, a pug and a Boston terrier. Very expressive faces; I imagine what they're thinking and that's kind of my inspiration for Oberon. His personality is driven by food and wanton poodle-lust and all the television and movies he watches while Atticus is working. :)
Kim wrote: "I see on your site you have some audio of the Polish names, any chance you'll do one for all the other names, including the Irish?Probably not, alas! I figured the pronunciation guide at the beginnings of the books would suffice, and the series is also available on audio if you want to hear them that way—it's really well done. I hear from quite a few people that they have listened to the whole series multiple times.
Tom wrote: "Rolando wrote: "What percentage of myths would you say you knew before starting the series? How much was discovered while writing the series? "I knew all the Greco/Roman stuff already—much of which appears later in the series—but the Irish was new and a large part of the appeal for me. The Irish deities don't get a lot of love in pop culture outside of the Morrigan so I saw my chance to contribute there.
The best sources are the original texts online at Irish university websites. They have the Annals of the Four Masters and all the goodies there. Strange thing is you can get to some really good sources by following the bibliographic links at the bottom of Wikipedia pages. Also: Dictionary of Celtic Mythology by James McKilliop. Not by anyone else. That guy.
Did you have any influence on Luke Daniels being chosen as the narrator for the books or was it just good luck? I am one of the many fans of the audio versions and his interpretation of Atticus (and of course Oberon) make for a synergy that really elevates the experience.
Donna wrote: "Did you have any influence on Luke Daniels being chosen as the narrator for the books or was it just good luck?"It was good luck. I had no say in choosing the narrator. Very glad it worked out so well!
I have enjoyed the series, or what I've read thus far. Do you have any plans for new projects beyond Atticus and gang?
Valerie wrote: "I have enjoyed the series, or what I've read thus far. Do you have any plans for new projects beyond Atticus and gang?"Why, yes! Yes I do! I am currently working on an epic fantasy that Del Rey will be publishing. It's called A PLAGUE OF GIANTS. :) And there will be other goodies from me, no doubt.
Pug and Boston Terrier, did you say? :DHere is Tobey meeting Panda for the first time.
https://flic.kr/p/7FfpgG
They're both over the bridge now, but at 16 and 17 respectively, they had good runs.
Kevin wrote: "Why, yes! Yes I do! I am currently working on an epic fanta..."Hurrah!
I am Polish myself, so I was wandering what sparked the idea to use Polish witches?
mayia wrote: "I am Polish myself, so I was wandering what sparked the idea to use Polish witches?"I have Polish friends & relatives and they never seem to get any love in fiction, so I decided I would change that. :)
Kevin, you are of Irish origin (do you have any Irish ancestor)? Or why the Irish druid as main hero? Thanks for reply!
Veronika wrote: "Kevin, you are of Irish origin (do you have any Irish ancestor)? Or why the Irish druid as main hero? Thanks for reply!"
I'm Irish but also a bunch of other UK stuff. From a practical, historical standpoint, the Irish Druids were the only ones that didn't have to worry about the Romans, so the most likely survivor of that time would have been Irish. Plus I felt that the Irish pantheon didn't get much attention in fiction beyond the Morrigan.
Kevin wrote: "Veronika wrote: "Kevin, you are of Irish origin (do you have any Irish ancestor)? Or why the Irish druid as main hero? Thanks for reply!"
I'm Irish but also a bunch of other UK stuff. From a prac..."
For me, I feel that only the author of the Irish origin can to write the true Irish hero (as the Irish druid). Also, it is OK for me. :o)
You have right, the Irish pantheon certainly deserves more attention in fiction. I like Brighid.
Thanks you very much for your reply!
Thank you for the pronunciation guide; putting accents in the right places added a surprising degree of credence!
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Our usual Q&A format applies - please submit questions for Kevin Hearne to this thread and he'll pop by to answer them sometime during the course of the month when he has the time.
Please do not to spoiler the rest of the series. Not everyone participating in this Q&A will have read it yet. If you'd like to ask about any books other than Hounded, please do so without any spoilers or use spoiler tags, otherwise we'll be forced to remove your questions or comments.
Ask away!