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Group Reads Discussions 2021
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"The Steerswoman" Q&A with Rosemary Kirstein
The Steerswoman was one of my favorite books when it came out and it survived all the "get rid of books so I can fit more in my bookshelves" purges that I went through in the last three decades. I don't really have any questions other than the one that one does not ask of authors (according to Rothfuss & Martin) so I will just say thank you for the pleasure of your books
Hey! I would just like to say that I loved The Steerswoman and every other book in the series. Thank you so much for them!As for a question: Did your writing process for this book start with the character(s) or with the worldbuilding?
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Is the Steerswoman way of life how you try to live yourself?
Thirty two years after it's first publication, how do you feel about your debut novel?
Are there things you'd change about it? If yes, what would you change and why?
I'm curious to know if you regret leaving anything out or if you wish younger you knew to include something that would have made life writing the sequels easier.
At the end of The Steerswoman you (view spoiler)
Having written some of the best science fiction to ever be published, how do you not resent the industry for not giving you the acclaim (and fortune) that your work merits? I certainly resent them.
Is Bel a completely fictional character or is she based on anyone you know? (I get a kick out of imagining that she's based on your sister)
Have you considered producing audio versions of your work? Possibly via crowdfunding? This would work brilliantly in an audio format. I'm somewhat concerned about being unable to read them again when I grow up, round(er), and blinder.
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Thanks so much for joining in. I’ve got to admit I’ve not read any of your work yet but have heard very good things about The Steerswoman.My question is a bit frivolous but what, if any, music or type of music would you recommend to listen to whilst reading The Steerswoman?
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XDRyan, I have missed you. I look forward to being more active again. (Sorry for being off-topic.)
Borders Are Global Apartheid wrote: "Do you separate out the drafting and editing parts of the writing process? I've seen some people say you should get super rough drafts down ASAP and then do a lot of revision, but when I write, I f..."If I had to write an entire first draft in "super rough" mode I would go INSANE!
I know that some writers do that; and I know they're happy with the process, and happy with the results...
But one of the things that I love about writing is the writing process itself -- which isn't just jotting down this-happens-that-happens-insert-explosion-here, to the end, and then fixing it all later. I love finding the right word, the right moment, and delving into the music of language. I would not be able to delay that pleasure for the sake of having a full rough draft quickly.
HOWEVER: I will sometimes do sections or passages in a temporary rough mode. If I'm having a lot of trouble with a particular passage, I'll tag it with a marker, and just rattle off any damn thing I can. Then later -- or more often, immediately! -- go back and sort it out into something better.
As for inspirations for the Steerswomen... well, I love maps, I hate lying, like hiking, love observing nature, and I'm an utter nerd about collecting information...
CBRetriever wrote: "The Steerswoman was one of my favorite books when it came out and it survived all the "get rid of books so I can fit more in my bookshelves" purges that I went through in the last three decades. I ..."You're welcome! (And thank you for not asking!)
Mareike wrote: "Hey! I would just like to say that I loved The Steerswoman and every other book in the series. Thank you so much for them!As for a question: Did your writing process for this book start with the ..."
There are a lot of elements that came together, across the years, that finally coalesced into something recognizable as a story idea.
It's actually a feedback loop. A bit of one, a bit of another, both sides sort of egging each other on.
Initially, back in the deeps of time, I suppose that snippets of ideas about the worldbuilding came first -- but it wasn't until I had characters to walk that world that the world started hanging together. The world made the characters; the characters made the world.
Ryan wrote: "*Grumble* I have so many questions for Ms Kirstein that aren't about the first book or writing in general. Gah!Is the Steerswoman way of life how you try to live yourself?
Thirty two years after..."
So! Many! Questions! (Heh.)
1. Do I try to live like a steerswoman? Hm. Well, I could use the exercise, that's for sure. But share information? You bet! Tell the truth? Seriously, it's easier than keeping track of what lie you told to whom. Always answer a question? Um, depends on the question. Believe in reality, reason, and the power of the human mind? Abso-damn-lutely.
2. How do I feel about the book after all these years? I like it! Sure, there are occasional moments that make me wince. But hey! First novel! I did the best I could with the skills I had at the time that I did it. Actually, when I reread it (and I had to, to format the new versions), I could see my writing get better as the story went along.
3. Because I don't know how to hide a spoiler, I'll answer in the most general terms possible: Remember when the book was written, and what default assumptions the average reader of that time would make. This was me saying to the readers who did make those assumptions that they should think again. Until the passage you quoted, the earlier descriptions you noted could still be interpreted in a couple of ways, and some people would make an automatic assumption. But after that passage, they have to open things up. But nowadays? I wouldn't need to do that at all.
4. Well, it's nice that you think I've written some of the best science fiction... But even if I had somehow written the absolutely best book ever in the history of humankind I would not resent my lack of fame and fortune. Because nobody owes me fame; nobody owes me fortune; nobody owes me success. Nobody is obligated to even like what I've written. But it makes me very happy that so many people do like it...
5. Bel is not based on my sister.
6. I'd like to do audiobooks, and I'll probably crowdfund when I do. But at the moment, I can't spare the time involved. I'm thinking I'll revisit the idea sometime in 2022.
I'm just starting this, but I I thought it was funny that the character who is asking lots of annoying questions to the Steerswoman in an early scene is named "Reeder" (which makes me think of "reader"). Hopefully our questions in the AMA aren't too annoying!Looking forward to asking a real question once I've finished.
Christopher wrote: "I'm just starting this, but I I thought it was funny that the character who is asking lots of annoying questions to the Steerswoman in an early scene is named "Reeder" (which makes me think of "rea..."Heh. Whenever I say that name out loud, I have the same problem! Now, if I happen to mention Reeder in a conversation or at a convention panel, I try to remember to say "Reeder --you know, the merchant."
Hi Ms. Kirstein, I hope this is not a delicate topic, but do you have plans for books five and six? I just purchased and finished book one, which I enjoyed, but I hesitate to commit to an unfinished series.
Ryan wrote: "Did you have a particular audience in mind when you wrote The Steerswoman?"Yes: me.
I wanted to write the kind of book that I wanted to read, but which did not at that time exist.
Nowadays, of course, there are plenty of books with strong, intelligent female protagonists, who have exciting adventures. And there are books with female protagonists who use scientific thought and make interesting discoveries. There are even books where the central interpersonal relationship is not a romance!
Back then: not so much.
Robert wrote: "Hi Ms. Kirstein, I hope this is not a delicate topic, but do you have plans for books five and six? I just purchased and finished book one, which I enjoyed, but I hesitate to commit to an unfinishe..."I do indeed have plans. More books in the series will be written.
But I'd also like to point out that the events of Book 4 make it not a bad place to pause afterwards, for a while. To think, or catch your breath...
Richard wrote: "Thanks so much for joining in. I’ve got to admit I’ve not read any of your work yet but have heard very good things about The Steerswoman.My question is a bit frivolous but what, if any, music or ..."
I actually had to puzzle about this for a while! Should it be music that catches the mood, or music that resembles what might appear in the book? A quandry....
Well, for the caravan scene, you might try these guys..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNCzZ...
A bit random, but before I started reading this and saw the title I had guessed it had a Western theme as I equated the term Steerswoman (was thinking steer = cattle + woman) to being some variation on Cowboy. I'm a little over halfway through the book so maybe this comes up later, but was curious about the title and how you came up with that term? Has anyone else ever told you they had that initial impression or does my mind just work oddly?As another aside about word choice/titles, I like how the character Bel's name evokes both beauty ("belle") and that she's a warrior ("bellicose").
Hi! I love the books, and recommend them to anyone I can.I wonder how you feel about the way readers are exposed to it nowadays. Some suggest it by strongly urging prospective readers not to read anything about it, but inevitably an internet search (or a visit to Goodreads) will lead them to the original covers, and genre labels that reveal some of the story's secrets. Do you sympathize with the urge to not "spoil" any detail? What's your preference on how to introduce new readers to it?
On that note, since you have a Goodreads account, perhaps you'd like to "claim" the book pages, which will allow you to pick the primary covers they will be associated with. (I really like the new map covers!)
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Tell me, lady, is there anything you want from us?
Christopher wrote: "A bit random, but before I started reading this and saw the title I had guessed it had a Western theme as I equated the term Steerswoman (was thinking steer = cattle + woman) to being some variatio..."The guy who steers a ship is called the steersman. I wanted the connection to the sea, to sailing, and to knowing where to go -- so, I just made it female: steerswoman.
But I do get your confusion. One of the first times I did an autographing session at a bookstore, someone on the staff had hand-lettered a big sign reading, "Meet Rosemary Kirstein, author of The Steer's Woman."
Yep.
Bel's name: I like those two connections you made. Maybe my subconscious was working in that direction... but all I remember is that I wanted a very short name, and nothing frilly or flowery, and played around with sounds until I found it.
All Outskirter women have short, simple names.
Hank wrote: "And for the record, don't all of you have to answer Rosemary's questions now too? :)"Hey, that's right!
I have a question: how did you find out about my books?
Ryan wrote: "I too have been wondering about that, Hank!Tell me, lady, is there anything you want from us?"
Ha. See my response to Hank, above...
Ori wrote: "Hi! I love the books, and recommend them to anyone I can.I wonder how you feel about the way readers are exposed to it nowadays. Some suggest it by strongly urging prospective readers not to read..."
I find it very heartwarming that my readers try so hard to not let slip any spoilers! But since the books have been out for quite a while now, there's really no way to completely ensure that none of the twists will be spoiled.
My hope is that the book is of itself interesting enough that new readers will at least be entertained by seeing how the ideas are played out.
Also, I believe my characters are vivid and engaging. That's something that actually doesn't suffer from spoilers.
And then there's the whole idea of the Steerswomen... also un-spoilable.
But the best way to introduce the books to new readers -- well, it depends on the new reader. If you know the person likes science, that's a good selling point; or if they like strong female characters, or like mysteries, or travels-through-wonders. Or even magic and wizards. Or are just ornery, and want to see all the cliches turned upside-down.
So, there's lots that can be said without saying everything.
But I think the best key is the Steerswomen themselves. Sort of an internet that moves at walking speed...
Rosemary wrote: "I have a question: how did you find out about my books?"Browsing in a bookstore. This was before digital books and before Paranormal Romances and as it was back when women were still having trouble getting published in SF&F, A woman author with a female main character was a pretty good bet that a book would be good. I was not disappointed. Unfortunately I somehow missed the three sequels for some reason.
Who are some of your favorite authors to read?
Rosemary wrote: "I have a question: how did you find out about my books?"I got the first book in 2015, probably due to an online mention on Twitter or Tor.com. But took me 4 years before I finally read it, after stumbling on another strong recommendation. Not sure why it took me so long, but I'm glad I did.
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Hey, that's right!
I have a question: how did you find out about my books?"
Word of mouth for me too. A friend on Twitter recommended both The Steerswoman and Planetfall series to me. I've been paying it forward ever since. Helping to get two GR groups to add it to their shelves as well as the Science Fiction Book Review Podcast to do episodes on it doesn't quite match with my enthusiasm for the series.
What was your experience in getting a publishing deal? What do you think went well and what didn't in getting your story out there?
Whose on team Kirstein? I know you're self published now but that doesn't mean you're doing everything yourself, does it?
Have you thought about doing Steerswoman merch? Notebooks seem a no brainer, but there are so many scenes from the series that would look cool on a t-shirt! I know merch is more a live performer thing, but at least from the conversations I've had you might just have the impassioned fan base to make such an endeavour worthwhile.
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Hey, that's right!
I have a question: how did you find out about my books?"
Ryan
I found out about this series from this club.Another question I had came up when I got to the scene where the party decided to torture the wizard's soldier. I'm not sure why, but I was shocked by this turn of events. I know the Steerspeople train in weapons, but for some reason I had it in my mind that it was largely for self defense and that they were pacifist & humane wherever possible. Was it a difficult decision whether to have Rowan agree to this? Maybe when this was originally written torture was less in the spotlight than it has been since? I do recall growing up in the 80's that in procedural tv shows the investigators would regularly use torture or implied torture (e.g. hold the suspect over a ledge) to get information to get to the next step of the case, but I feel like that's done less lately?
Christopher wrote: Another question I had came up when I got to the scene where the party decided to torture the wizard's soldier.I believe this is answered in this 2016 forum discussion: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...
EDIT: SPOILER ALERT for the whole book.
Rosemary wrote: "I have a question: how did you find out about my books?"It’s been some years so I don’t remember the exact details, but I was researching books to use in this group. Probably in a mod poll, but it could also have been research for a theme. Because I don’t remember the search terms I used, I can’t be sure what list/article I ended up reading, but I have a feeling it might’ve been (view spoiler) Knowing myself and my googling habits, it could also simply have been a regular ”excellent scifi/sff books by women” search.
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Is this a known issue for everyone or a Hank doesn't know what he is doing issue?
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Rosemary wrote: "Richard wrote: "Thanks so much for joining in. I’ve got to admit I’ve not read any of your work yet but have heard very good things about The Steerswoman.My question is a bit frivolous but what, i..."
Thanks for the recommendation. Totally unexpected style of music and gave quite a different feel to the scene than I think I would have got left to my own devices.
To answer your question; I also found The Steerswoman through this book club. Now I’ve finished and really enjoyed it I’m going to have to go out and get the sequel.
"Rosemary wrote: "I have a question: how did you find out about my books?"I first heard about it through a review posted by one of my GoodReads friends, and then through seeing posts for the "buddy read" of the series in this group.
CBRetriever wrote: "Rosemary wrote: "I have a question: how did you find out about my books?"Browsing in a bookstore. This was before digital books and before Paranormal Romances and as it was back when women were s..."
Who do I like to read?
Ted Chiang consistently knocks me flat with his short stories; Catherynne Valente stuns me with strangeness. Daryl Gregory won me over with Pandemonium, and I've followed him ever since. Neil Gaiman -- I found him through the Sandman comics, and his novels are even better. Terry Pratchett -- everything by him, and I miss him so much. If you haven't read Jo Walton's Among Others, then you've missed something wonderful. James S. A Corey's Expanse Series -- I can't say enough about how excellent those books are, and the final volume is out Real Soon Now! Robert Charles Wilson's Spin was so wonderful that I went back and read everything else he wrote.
Lots of others. So many good writers out there...
Ori wrote: "Rosemary wrote: "I have a question: how did you find out about my books?"I got the first book in 2015, probably due to an online mention on Twitter or Tor.com. But took me 4 years before I finall..."
Twitter counts as "word of mouth" these days!
If it was from Tor.com, Jo Walton wrote one review that got me a whole lot of sales.
Christopher wrote: "I found out about this series from this club.Another question I had came up when I got to the scene where the party decided to torture the wizard's soldier. I'm not sure why, but I was shocked by..."
The torture scene is an issue that comes up a lot. But you actually nailed it, with the last bit of your question.
The book was written before Abu Ghreib, even before the Gulf War and Desert Storm.
At that point, even the Internet was pretty new....
Torture was not something that one generally heard about. It had an aura of unreality about it. It seemed to exist only in books, and purely as a literary device. As, even, a creaky old cliche.
So, in my attempt to overturn expectations as often as possible, I decided to flip the cliche, and have the good guys do the torturing.
But even in the innocence and ignorance I had at that time, I couldn't get myself to the point where Rowan would be doing the torturing. So I handed it off to Bel, and had it take place entirely off-stage and out of sight.
Since that time, the world knows much more about torture and its nature -- due, in part, to the Internet. And that's good. You can't fix what you don't know about.
(EDITED TO ADD:)
I answered the question before I read Ori's comment, which links to a longer and better answer:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...
Ori wrote: "Christopher wrote: Another question I had came up when I got to the scene where the party decided to torture the wizard's soldier.I believe this is answered in this 2016 forum discussion: https:/..."
Thanks for reminding me of that answer!
Hank wrote: "It looks like Book 3 The Lost Steersman is not available in the U.S. in kindle version where as 1,2 and 4 are.Is this a known issue for everyone or a Hank doesn't know what he is do..."
It's an issue that I have to talk to Amazon about.
The new paperback and Kindle editions are available:
https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Steersman...
For no good reason I can see, Amazon links back to the old out-of-print Del Rey Lost Steersman, and it's hard to thread through the maze from there to the in-print versions.
CBRetriever wrote: "it's here:https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Steersman...
the link on Goodreads goes to a paper..."
Goodreads and Amazon... I have to talk to Amazon.
the problem is that the Goodreads link to Amazon doesn't go to the new listing but the old listing which doesn't have a Kindle equivalent. You might see if the people here (Goodreads Librarians) can fix it for youhttps://www.goodreads.com/group/show/220
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My question is, you've stated here and elsewhere that this book for you was about flipping the script and writing the story you wanted but couldn't find. What were some of the works that inspired you either through what they got wrong or what they made you yearn to see more of? What books or tropes do that now? What are some other scenes that made you think "yeah, finally! Something new!" as you were editing them?
My final question is about the differences in the writing and editing process then vs now. As readers I think we feel but can't pin down why it seems that books written now are longer and a bit less exacting in sentence by sentence writing. What are your thoughts on that?
Thank you again, this is really a great companion to your work! I'm enjoying it so much!
The issue with the Goodreads Amazon link is because the primary Goodreads edition is the first edition. If you click on one of the newer small cover images to go to these editions' pages, the Amazon button will work correctly.I suspect only an verified author can set or request a specific edition to be the "main edition" in Goodreads.
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Books mentioned in this topic
The Lost Steersman (other topics)The Steerswoman (other topics)
The Lost Steersman (other topics)
Please share your questions about the FIRST book in the series or writing in general and our esteemed guest will stop in to answer as she is able!
Thank you again!!