Ask Amanda Palmer and Neil Gaiman discussion
Featured Author Chat
>
Ask Amanda and Neil here!
Since you are parents, both step and biological, I was wondering if you could tell me how you guide your kids to age appropriate books, or if you just have what you like to read readily available and hope that they will read according to their own comfort level? I am fully against trying to dictate my daughter's choices as much as possible, but I also don't want her to read Anne Rice's Sleeping Beauty Trilogy when she's 10. Thanks for your insights!
@AmandaI have heard you have been a street performer in Harvard Square, MA in your adventures. Do you feel there are too many rules and regulations against expression and creativity?
Dear Amanda,What's the best crowd-funding strategy?
Neil, I've been fascinated for years on how you seem comfortable with your stories living multiple lives through various medium/presentations and appear to have no fear of adaptions. For example Neverwhere was a TV script, novel, audio book (my favorite), graphic novel and radio show. Can you comment on how you are able to stay true to a story through these adaptions and what modifications you embrace in that process? Amanda, I'm new to your magic, but it appears you share that ability to experiment, yet stay true to your core vision. Do you see this as one of the foundations of your creativity?
Neil, loved your story "A Study in Emerald." As a huge Sherlock Holmes fan myself, I was wondering if you have a favorite story from the canon?Also, is a return to Doctor Who in your future timeline somewhere? You writing plus Matt Smith made my day, but I'd love for you to do something for Capaldi's Doctor. I think you could do something really intense and deep. Allons-y.
Hi Neil,I wanna take a moment and gush and say that you're one of my favorite authors and I started getting into comics with The Sandman. That being said, the early days of the sandman were super dark and surrealish, while it seems that a lot of your later work stopped being as disturbing (while still fairly dark). Was this a concious descion or do you think you just mellowed out?
In addition, what are some of your favorite comics that you're reading right now?
I can't actually think of anything else to ask.
Thanks ahead of time!
Hello lovely people (a.k.a. Amanda and Neil), I was wondering if you had any advice on how to convince someone that asking for, and more to the point, accepting help (or anything else) is okay. I have a friend, with whom I've already shared the Art of Asking TEDtalk, who is incredibly uncomfortable accepting anything. In fact, I'm currently trying to get him to accept the copy of the book I got for him and come to the signing at the Tattered Cover with me. Ironic, no? I've been slowly embracing letting others love and help me recently myself, but I'm not sure how to get him to do the same, more so given that he's worse about it than I ever was. Is this just a pride thing? I know he feels like he has to pay everything back, no matter how often I contradict that, but...I kind of think it goes deeper than that. Any ideas?
Thanks either way,
-L. Alexandra
Edit: He said yes! See you in a couple of weeks.
Hi, Mr.GaimanI work in a library and I shelve your books all the time. I was just wondering how you knew you wanted to be a writer? And how did you get started? I am working on a book write and and just want some advice if you have any.
Thank You!! :)
Hey Neil and AmandaNeil, if you had to be remembered for only one of your books, which would it be and why?
- Huge fan
Dear Neil and Amanda,One of my favorite car-ride listens is your audio collection "An Evening with Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer," so I wanted to thank you both for that collaboration as well as your incredible individual work.
In the hope of not being too personal with this question for you both, what is your idea of a de-stress date night or hang-out time for the two of you as busy, married professionals?
I respect both of you so much, so thank you for being willing to answer questions here on Goodreads!
A question to both Neil and Amanda.Neil is a great writer, one of the best and Amanda wrote her first book.
I'm sure both of reached one or more moments when simply blocked, like you had a hill wall in front of you and didn't know how to climb it.
How did you manage passing over that wall or what would you suggest to someone facing that wall?
As you can guess I'm facing that wall right now, since more than one year, after many changes in life that stopped my writing.
Thanks
Amanda, when you first started writing this book, it was in a pre-potato-salad-on-Kickstarter world. Internet-based crowdfunding seems to be moving into an awkward puberty state. Have your feelings changed about the platforms that are available? Neil, I didn't have the benefit of British schooling, and never learned to hold my own properly. When I write longhand for short periods of time, my hand cramps terribly. As someone who has written volumes longhand, do you have any advice on technique?
Amanda, you will not remember me, but I was the young man who gave you the "ILLIGITIMUS NON CARBORUNDUM" card at Sxip's Hour Of Charm at Joe's Pub back in 2004 or 2005 and then panicked and asked for your autograph, thus mucking up any chance for a real conversation. You have my most sincere apologies. : )
Neil, the above question should read, "Neil, I didn't have the benefit of British schooling, and never learned to hold my PEN properly. When I write longhand for short periods of time, my hand cramps terribly. As someone who has written volumes longhand, do you have any advice on technique? "Many thanks to you both for all you do for us and for each other.
@ both: I absolutely adore you two together. You are both so busy with so many different projects, how do you make time to be together?
Hello Neil and Amanda!I have been a fan of each of you for nearly 10 years, since early high school and late middle school. Amanda, your music channeled my teen angst into something less destructive ( I can still find songs that fit into any issue I'm dealing with at present), and Neil's writing gave me a cozy place to curl up and escape to wonderful places.
ANYWAY, I work with shelter dogs, specifically Pit Bull mixes. It's the only thing that forces me to be in the present and truly myself. Art almost does that for me, but doesn't bring the same soul-rejuvenating satisfaction as seeing those dogs happy getting out of the kennel in a park or on a hike.
QUESTION:
For both of you, is there something you do that really rejuvenates you, like a passion besides your passion?
HelloMy question is for Neil, but I would also love to hear Amanda's response if she has an opinion.
I love the creativity of the horror genre, in both literary and visual. A fine example of such creative nature is your tale, 24 Hours, which in my opinion is one of the finest horror story's writen for comic form.
However, I feel that some of said creativity is being replaced with, cheap scares, excessive gore and cliched creatures. In my opinion this is in no small part to the fan's of the genre.
So my question is this. Do you feel that the creativity of the horror genre has changed (or is changing) to make it easier for the creators, and are the fan's a helping or hindering factor to the over all change?
Thank you very much for your time.
Hi Neil-- I'm wondering: when you write your incredible manuscripts, do you have to get into a certain mindset or setting to channel that creativity, or do you generally just sit down and start typing the first ideas that pop into your head? Also, do you usually have the entire story thought out in your head or a specific ending in mind?Thank you! Your books have always been my very favorite. Please become immortal so I'll always have lovely new stories for my shelves.
Hi! The question is for both of you :I was wondering which book(s) definitely changed your life, or at least changed the way you saw the world.
Thank you! I really love what you do!!! <3
Hi love the work you both do!@Amanda I'm reading your book at the moment, finding it hard to put down. It has made me think - Do you miss The Bride? Have you been tempted to resurrect her? If not, what do you do now to get the kind of human connection you used to get when you were her?
Amanda,How do you keep the connections going? In the corporate world connecting on any level is so hard and in some ways frowned upon. What helps you find ways to connect?
Neil, do you plan on writing another book about the Hempstock's sisters?
Hi Neil and Amanda,What is your writing process like? Has it changed since you've been together?
Thanks!
Maria
Hi Neil and Amanda! @Neil, pineapple or mango? And which female character you've written reminds you of Amanda?
Dear Neil,How do you feel when you're writing some dark or creepy stories like Coraline? Do you feel glad or depressed or something else? Actually, of all your works, Coraline is my favourite!
By the way, which kind of shampoo do you usually use? :-)
Thank you so much!
Evelyn
Hi Neil and Amanda!I'm both big fans of both of you and have been for years :-) This question is for Neil - I love that you have so many positive things to say about libraries, as I'm studying to become a librarian. I was curious do you have any particularly fond memories of libraries/librarians? Have you ever written anything set in a library and/or would you? (I'd love that!)
This question is for AFP - I love your music so much, I know this may be a question you get a lot, but what inspires you most to create? I always think of post-war cabaret when I listen to Dresden Dolls, just curious what fueled that creativity.
Thanks to both of you!
Jenny
Dear Amanda, or Ms. Palmer, your performances--and the one I have specifically in mind is "Want it Back" performed in Studio Q--are aggressive, and sexy and rich in the in-your-face qualities that fight to keep our inner punks alive. I've not had a chance to read your book yet, The Art of Asking, but I'm sure I'll have no reason NOT to buy copy after copy to give to friend after friend, as well as distant relatives and random strangers that I meet on the street. The Gospel of Amanda will be spread!Dear Neil, or Mr. Gaiman, whichever you prefer--really, it's up to you,
Smoke and Mirrors is, and always will be, my favorite book. Remember saying that what made you want to be writer was seeing the parenthetical statements used by C.S. Lewis? That's sort of what you did for me. On the story Troll Bridge, when the Troll is first introduced he says "I'm a troll." Right then, with that blunt statement, you pulled me in by one hand while waving your other towards the horizon to show me the wonders and splendors of the contemporary short story. What strangled me into submission to become a writer was what came next, which was this: Then he paused, and added more or less as an afterthought, "fol rol de ol rol."
There is magic in this story, and in all the right places. Magic in both the content and the storytelling. I believe in gradualism when it comes to great effects, I believe in the uphill battle and all its worth. Your story affected me though in a way that was both sudden and irrevocable. My question is: when you started your writing career, is that what you set out to do for readers?
For both Neil, or Mr. Gaiman, and Amanda, or Ms. Palmer,
do you both imagine you'll keep doing what you do until you can't do it anymore?
P.S. Sorry for such a long one.
Mr. Gaiman, Immensely enjoy your writing. In addition to your novels, you wrote my favorite Doctor Who episode. Also, the first book I bought for my nephew was The Dangerous Alphabet.
On to the question. The other day I was speaking with a colleague (English Professor) about writing. She stated she hated writing and I agree even though I teach it. I hate writing because I am never satisfied with my writing. I also don't like the feeling of judgement that comes with writing. We both agreed that it is a compulsion to write. Do your write because of that compulsion or do your write because it is something you enjoy doing? How do you get past yourself as critic?
I also someone post something about writing for different audiences (children, young adult, adult) how you approach that. I would like to know the answer to that questions as well because it is rather rare. Do you choose the topic for the audience or does the topic choose the audience?
Thank you for the enjoyable reading moments.
-Suzie
Hello Neil and Amanda,I have a young 3rd grade boy who to my horror does not like reading as much as I would like him to. Could you suggest some great books that would appeal to young boys and could get them on a path to a lifelong love of reading? Most of the books he likes deal with Minecraft or Pokémon. He has read some "Diary of Wimpy kid" books but then he just sets them down after awhile. Thanks
Hi Neil, My question is not about your books. I was wondering how you liked working with the Simpsons staff?
Hi, Neil and Amanda.I was wondering which skills and techniques from your original careers (Neil as journalist and Amanda as musician) you brought to the writing desk with you and which, if any, you felt you had to set aside.
Hi. I was wondering if there was any advice or lessons you would share with someone who is starting out as a writer. What exactly defines a writer, if there is a definition?Is there an age limit to being a writer (Come out with so many books/stories/novels by age 20, etc.) ?
Hi Neil, what is the latest development of movie adaptation of Sandman?
Hi NeilDid you write any novels that ended in the bin before your first published work? If yes, how many?
Hi, Neil and Amanda. I'm from Brazil and my English is a little bit rusty, sorry about it, kkkkk The first time I met your work, Neil, it was in 1985/1986 with Black Orchid and after with Sandman...I really love your writing. Hope you come back here soon with new wonderful stories. And I wanna thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for all the lovely stories you've gave to us through all these years.
And my question is for Amanda: Darling, when are you coming down here to see us??? I am really excited about your book (I'm waiting a delivery in a few days) wish you all the best in this new career!!!!
Love, hugs and kisses for both of you.
Hello Neil and Amanda,This may go a bit deeply into your philosophies: what do you think of death (or Death) and, by contrast or by association, what do you think of life?
It's a pleasure to be inspired by both your works. Please do keep creating more.
Neil Gaiman, writer of things magical and fantastical, what inspires you and helps you stay creative?
Goodreads, this is awesome to have this venue for questions!Neil Gaiman, I see you all about social media and I think that's just wonderful. You seem to like it too. How long have you been an author and have you always been successful?
Thank you and all the best ... your fans seem to love you as I see them line up to meet you!
Amanda,Now that you've completed a work of non-fiction, are you considering writing anything more creative, and if so, would you consider writing anything young adult? I think you have a voice that would lend itself well to young women in their journey for self-discovery.
I have another question for Neil. In the graphic novel Creatures of the Night, in the first story called The Price you wrote that the narrator was working on a pitch to adapt Hope Mirlees' Lud-in-the-Mist for the BBC and that it fell through. Was that true? I have to tell you I bought that book solely because you wrote a foreword for it and I loved it! Do you think you would try it again?
I have another question for Neil. In the graphic novel Creatures of the Night, in the first story called The Price you wrote that the narrator was working on a pitch to adapt Hope Mirlees' Lud-in-the-Mist for the BBC and that it fell through. Was that true? I have to tell you I bought that book solely because you wrote a foreword for it and I loved it! Do you think you would try it again?
Hello Mr. Gaiman,With all the fantastic things you have written and created in your career or rather your entire existence, if I may so suggest, how do you deal with the fact that maybe, just maybe, there are things that exist here in our world that may well fall in the realm of the unfathomable? What I'm asking is, if someone asked you if you believed in the unreal [as per current standards], what would you say? And if you said yes, why?
Thanks!
Lee Balki...
Hi AFP & NG,What do you guys think about the importance of newness/unusualness in art? I find everything I write in some way or another to be banal, just an amalgam of all the art I have imbibed through the years.
Anyways, Amanda I really love "In My Mind" thanks for the amazing song.
Hi Amanda and Neil! I love both your work! I was just curious, if you had to pick a word or line of one another's work, what would you pick?
You both are so effective with picking words and phrases to turn into inspiring or though provoking pieces so I'm hoping to find out!
Thank you so much for your time and stay fantastic :)
Hello Neil! I became a fan of you ever since I read "Neverwhere" years ago. With your own take on "Hansel and Gretel" out, I wanted to ask what do you think makes a good retelling/reimagining of a classic tale? Is it just showing some aspect of it in a different way? Or more than that?
Thanks!
--Emily
When is Neil Gaiman going to answer our questions?
Hello!To Amanda and Neil:
Both of you have a strong social media presence and connection with your fans in this way. You also seem to have succeeded in promoting compassion, keeping things human, personal, and individual - even in these avenues that can sometimes create "faceless" cruelty in others or where such a mass amount of people can become a "mob mentality."
What might other individuals, civic organizations, or good causes out in the world, needing to build and even mobilize a community (peacefully and without losing humanity) be able to learn from your experiences with your networks and communities?
In asking, how can we find solution to even bigger social/political dilemmas?
(Perhaps I'll have that answer upon finishing the book, but just thought I'd ask.)
So much love to you both - keep being you. <3
Hi Amanda (and hi Neil!)I'm interested in finding out whether working with Ben Folds has influenced your song writing. Have your orchestrations become more elaborate? Do you write your music differently since you worked with him? Have your lyrics changed?
Thanks for taking the time to answer :)
Hello Amanda&Neil,we are an independent English bookshop in Bucharest, Romania. Both us personaly and many of our
friends and customers are big fans of your work - not only of the music and fiction that you created, but also of the work you've done to encourage and support communities of artists keeping their autonomy and independence as intact as possible. We are looking forward to reading the Art of Asking that we ordered soon after its release. Both Sleeper and Spindle and Hansel and Gretel are on our shelves and are much appreciated.
Our question is in the spirit of the elusive art of asking: do you plan to visit this part of Europe and if so, would you consider visiting our bookshop as well? We can say for sure that for many Romanian readers this would be a major event. Moreover, our team would be excited to meet you and discuss the ideas behind your crowd funding philosophy. A tip or two would help, we must admit. But mostly, we would be honored to meet you both, since we've heard that you are not only great artists, but also amazing individuals.
With great hopes and no expectations,
Anthony Frost English Bookshop Team (Vlad, Aurel&Oana)
Ask Amanda Palmer and Neil Gaiman
Books mentioned in this topic
Hansel and Gretel (other topics)House of Leaves (other topics)
American Gods (other topics)
The Ocean at the End of the Lane (other topics)
One of the things I enjoy about following you and your work is that you expose me to other authors with whom I am unfamiliar: Lord Dunsany, Charles Williams, Stephen Harry Keeler - though I'm not sure if I want to thank you for that last one.
What out-of-print or otherwise obscure writers, living or dead, would you like to see gain wider recognition?
----
Dear Amanda Fucking Palmer,
Is there an artist that has had a big impact on you who you would like to see get more attention?