Fantasy Book Club Series discussion
The Riyria Revelations
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Q&A with Michael Sullivan
Elizabeth wrote: "I like the covers as well...but I can see where you wouldn't want pictures of the peopole on them. The Hadrian doesn't look too bad but the Royce seems way off...and why does he have a sword? I don't think he ever uses one does he? Yeah I know what you mean about Royce...the actor is too young (imo). And you are correct that he only uses daggers...By the time I saw concept it was too late to get a change of that magnitude. Oh well not everything is perfect.
Helen wrote: "I definitely want the 'how they met' story. That could be very interesting. Do you have these ideas in your head that help with writing but that aren't needed for the story-line?You'll get "some" of the "how they met" in the Riyria Revelations - mostly in the last book. But there is more than enough there for a "whole book" if there is a desire on the part for people to read.
My world building is like an iceberg...there are volumes under the water that never make it to the page. I use a program called Scrivner that allows me to organize all the notes, histories, how things tie together. There is A LOT of information. Whether any of it will ever see the light of day? I can't say but yes I know what everyone does...for the most part both in their pasts and their futures.
I recently saw some tweets about reviews of Percepliquis. I read them and they are making me CRAZY! You must be very pleased. Not really a question I guess just wanted to say it looks like the series ends very well...but I just knew it would (or at least hoped so).
Yeah...yesterday was a pretty good day. I actually couldn't write after reading the review from BookWorm. We were allowed ot give "early advance copies" to just 10 reviewers and these were people who have read the whole series already (obviously) so I expected good reviews from the ones we sent to because they were "hand picked". I was hoping to get the reaction....which is basically... "I really can't talk about it...I'm just blown away" but still you don't know. I'll be really interested to know what "John Q. Public" thinks. In many cases I can weather bad reviews of the early books because the people are operting from a limited amount of information. But once I play all my cards...well that's where I'll really know whether I was successful or not.
Hi Michael,I haven't started reading the series yet, but I hope to soon. I'm just curious, are there any plans to come out with this series on audiobook?
Hey Kara,Yes, about a month ago I was going over pronunciations with the voice guy, so I think they are working on it presently. I don't have a release date at his tie though.
Michael wrote: My world building is like an iceberg...there are volumes under the water that never make it to the page. I use a program called Scrivner that allows me to organize all the notes, histories, how things tie together. There is A LOT of information. Whether any of it will ever see the light of day? "When I was reading the part Hadrian training Theron, there was so many fine details of sword techniques. He knows exactly what he is doing. Since I know nothing about even the basics about sword fighting, I was wondering what kind of preparation went into writing those pages and Hadrian's sword-fighting expertise in general.
Hey Ena,I don't fence myself, but I did read a lot about it. I've had people tell me it's very accurate and asked me if I practice so I guess I have at least doe things right. But I'm sure some expert will rip Eva we one someday.
I liked the way he talked about the 'physics' behind the fencing, particularly the 'mistake' Pickering made.
I finally read about the publishing journey - I'm very glad you stuck with it!
Helen wrote: "I liked the way he talked about the 'physics' behind the fencing, particularly the 'mistake' Pickering made."Glad you enjoyed it.
Suzanne wrote: "I finally read about the publishing journey - I'm very glad you stuck with it!"Most days I'm am too...but then there are days like yesterday where I really rather think it might have been best to just write for myself and friends. It sure would make life simpler. In any regards thank you for your vote of enthusiasm.
Michael wrote: "Hey Kara,Yes, about a month ago I was going over pronunciations with the voice guy, so I think they are working on it presently. I don't have a release date at his tie though."
Good news then!
I totally plan on reading this series (sometime...), but am a slow reader, and find about the only way for me to stay on top of these series reads is to couple my books with audio commute listening (which I love anyway).
@Kara - Yeah audio books are great for commuting without a doubt - also good when working out.
Michael wrote: "@Kara - Yeah audio books are great for commuting without a doubt - also good when working out."I'm reading the ebooks now but I might get them as audio-books too. I tried audio-books two years ago in order to improve my English (I'm French) but I discovered I do like to be told stories (nostalgia...)! Your books should be quite the thing to reconnect with my child's soul (this is a direct quote from French and perhaps isn't appropriate, sorry). I'm looking forward to listening to the audio-version.
Just watned to "drop in" and say that so far Percepliquis is amazing!! Michael I can't even imagine how difficult this was to write - there is SO MUCH going on and every chapter is so entertaining. It's also a HUGE book (I'm reading on kindle) but also bought a paperback version. Nice cover as always. So did you find this a difficult book to write. It seems like you have many plates spinning but I really like the way in which it is being played out.
Thanks for dropping in Elizabeth - I'll be excited to hear your take on the "whole book" - I've been following your posts in the final folder thread. You really seem like you are enjoying and that really is nice to see.To answer your question...no this was an extremely easy to write book. I actually had 99% of this all worked out long before I sat down to put fingers to keyboard and it just flowed out of me. As to the spinning plates. I had a notebook where I had a list of all the things that needed to be tied up in one way or another and so for the most part it was just deciding in what order which things would occur.
I have a question for Michael but it involves the last book so I'm going to pose it over in one of those threads.
I was wondering, have you ever seen or heard about the real Lake Windermere? If so, was the landscape an inspiration, or is the name just a coincidence?
Sorry to say Rachel, it was a coincidence. I believe I actually made up that name, but I guess I wasn't the first.
Shame, it's a very beautiful place :) Thank you for answering!
Wrong answer Michael....You should have said that you knew all along about it and you are going to write another book that features it promently so you'll have to travel there for extensive research. That way you can go to England and write off the travel as a business expense. ;-)
Read the Witch and the Viscount last night which I enjoyed. Also started looking at Crown's first chapter and realised it was the new bit. Thanks Michael. Really enjoyed it, I loved the way Hadrian and Royce start giving tips to the robbers.
Sigh. This has come up three times now, in different threads. Thanks Helen, see more on this in the Nyphron Rising thread.
Elizabeth wrote: "Michael wrote: "Some ideas I have. 1 - Royce and Hadrian the early years (how they met, some early first jobs etc).
2 - Esrahaddon when he was a mage in training.
3 - Novron the Great a..."
Agreed!
Michael, are you writing anything currently? Also, I get the sense that while you were self-publishing, the books were somewhat liquid--like you were revising based on readers' feedback. With future projects, if published through Orbit, how do you foresee the balance between the organic give-and-take of self-publishing and the more finite dynamic (and more commercial mindset) of working with a big NY publisher?
I actually don't anticipate any difference at all. I've never written for money, and I'm a little too independent to cater to anyone's desires except perhaps my wife's. There is no on-going book deal with Orbit beyond a right-of-first-refusal. So going forward I expect to write as I always have, and it will be up to Orbit to decide if they want to publish what I do in the future. As far as the fluidity of the Riyria Revelations, the only time I altered the books based on reader feedback was once concerning the language of Esrahaddon in the Crown Conspiracy, and then when I did the Orbit re-edits. Other than that the books are surprisingly accurate to the original first drafts that I wrote long before any of the books were ever published.
If the books had been published in ebook only, then a more fluid approach might have been possible if I had wanted to make changes of that kind (which for the most part I did not) but as it was, the books were available in print long before they were available in ebook as AMI (who was my first publisher) refused to put out an ebook version.
Thanks for asking.
With print books on the market I didn't feel comfortable making random changes, and I never once altered the story to suit any reader feedback. The changes I made, and those I later made with Orbit, were only to correct mistakes.
Oh and yes I am writing something. I'm always writing something. I used to write when absolutely no one ever read what I wrote, so now that I know there are people who will not only read what I write, but pay me for the privilege, it's sort of hard not to.
Michael wrote: "The only time I altered the books based on reader feedback was once concerning the language of Esrahaddon in the Crown Conspiracy..."Oh yeah, this is what I had heard mentioned previously, that misled me to believe the books were more of a fluid construction. Thanks, Michael, for the clarification!
Michael wrote: "1 - Royce and Hadrian the early years (how they met, some early first jobs etc). 2 - Esrahaddon when he was a mage in training.
3 - Novron the Great and the War between Mankind and the Elves
4 - A book far in the future where some of the "younger" characters of the series have grown up. "
I think all have the seeds to make great stories, but I really love the ideas of #1, #3.
I didn't see this asked but did you go to college and take extra courses or did you just write?A lot of my friends say that it is impossible to write a good book without going to college for it. What do you say?
I think this is public knowledge by now as I've mentioned it several places in interviews and on my blog. Outside of one creative writing class I had in tenth grade, I've had no education in creative writing at all. I attended one year at an art school. Precious little English taught there, I can tell you. Then a semester or two at a community college, where I only took commercial art classes in order to get a job, which I then did and never resumed college.
I did not have any writing classes at all, and did not fare all that well in high school English. I took no seminars. I did not read any books on writing. I spoke to no one who had any interest in writing much less experience, talent or skill. And I did not join a writing group until after my first book (Crown) was published.
All I did was read and write...a lot. Mostly in a remote house in a snowbound northern section of Vermont.
I did take a workshop at George Washington University, but again this was after Crown was published and as Avempartha was about to be released.
So, obviously no, I don't think an education in writing is necessary beyond reading and writing. Interestingly enough, I just finished reading my first book on writing--On Writing by Stephen King. In it he states that you need a basic understanding of vocabulary, grammar, and the elements of style, but beyond that only reading and writing can make anyone into a good writer. Sadly, he also agrees with me that a bad writer can never be a good writer, and a good writer can never be a great writer, as these things take talent more than skill, and talent can't be learned. You can however, (he states, and I would agree) make a competent writer into a good writer with practice and education.
Thing is, I know many people who have degrees in writing. You can usually tell. The work they do shows a surprising level of mechanical competence, but an inability to engage the reader. This I think is because that ability can't be taught anymore than you can teach someone to fall in love. It is something you have to find out how to do on your own.
Interestingly, at the George Washington Workshop, the writer in residence was Mary Morrisey. She discovered I was already published at the time I was taking the course and asked why was I then taking it. I replied that I wanted to see if I had missed anything because I had never taken a course in writing. She then replied, "That's probably why you're successful."
Interesting...I myself could never write - I have no talent or skill. But I do enjoy reading and am amazed by people who can do it well.For me...I love characters and plots and if a writer (regardless of training) can create compelling stories then I don't think they need a diploma or degree.
One benefit of the education is that you are consciously aware of the techniques that you're using, rather than relying on intuition and instinct. Perhaps it's less the "good writing" that can't be taught and more the story-telling ability and creativity? Certainly knowing all the writing rules can be just as much a disadvantage as not knowing any of them, as Michael points out with his experience at the George Washington Workshop.
Michael wrote: "I think this is public knowledge by now as I've mentioned it several places in interviews and on my blog. Outside of one creative writing class I had in tenth grade, I've had no education in creati..."Thank you! I haven't read those interviews. But that makes me feel better. I guess, it was just one of those trying to bring me down things that friends sometimes do. :(
Michael, I was really impressed with the level of technical, sailing knowledge that went into The Emerald Storm. Do you sail? Or how did you research the how-tos and technical terminology? If from books, I'd love to know your recommendations on sources.
I actually know next to nothing about sailing. And writing The Emerald Storm was as much a challenge to myself as it was a direction I wanted to take the series. In order to write that I obtained a number of history books on sailing, but while those helped with terminology they couldn't show me how to write about it--how to bring it alive. For that I relied on Dana's Two Years before the Mast, and C.S. Forrester's Horatio Hornblower series. The later is likely the best sea going novels ever written and often cited for their sailing accuracy.
How long would you estimate that you spent on researching these and other kinds of things while writing the series? And thanks for the sailing book suggestions. Very cool.
Doesn't work that way, at least not for me. I don't spend two or three months researching, and then begin to write. I knew I was going to do a ship adventure while writing Nyphron Rising, so I started reading the Hornblower series (already had read Dana)and continued to read them even after I had finished writing the book. I had the others books on hand to look up the words Forrester used that I didn't understand, like "sheet." Then as I wrote Emerald Storm, when I decided to write a galley scene, I knew I needed to discover what sailors ate and how it was prepared, so I quickly looked that up, and went on. Because I write fantasy, most of my research can be done as I go. This is one of the advantages of invented-world-fantasy, research is there for my convenience rather than a requirement. I could have made all of that up if I wanted, but I felt a touch of realism would help the suspension of disbelief.
I didn't know where else to post this but here.with all the online presence you have (twitter, facebook, reddit, goodreads, etc) where in hell do find time to actually write? do you even spend any time with your wife anymore? :-P
does the inspiration for your characters come from yourself or do you incorporate traits from other characters you've read about or seen? basically are they parts of you or do you get ideas elsewhere? given how contrasting hadrian, royce, and elliot from "Burden to the Earth" are, and how much your wife HATES elliot I was curious where these characters came from.
you've done fantasy and now literary fiction, are there any other genres you've wanted to tap into at some point? maybe sci-fi or horror?
I think i remember you or Robin saying "Burden" came first before Riyria, so was literary fiction your favorite genre growing up since that's what you started with?
now that your famous and your ego has been sufficiently stroked, is there something greater you wish to accomplish at this point? do you hope to join the ranks of Stephen King, Robert Jordan, Tolkien now or are you just writing for the hell of it and see what happens from there?
we've talked about your works getting turned into films...how close would you work on possible film adaptations? would you be hands off and let hollywood send you a script to simply sign off on or would you be hands on in different aspects of production given your time constraints?
sorry for the questions but reddit got me thinking and i didn't want to have to join yet another site just to ask lol.
Hey Issacc...thanks for your questions....does the inspiration for your characters come from yourself or do you incorporate traits from other characters you've read about or seen? basically are they parts of you or do you get ideas elsewhere? given how contrasting hadrian, royce, and elliot from "Burden to the Earth" are, and how much your wife HATES elliot I was curious where these characters came from.
It really depends and sometimes I don't even notice an inspiration at a conscious level until years later. For instance I was a big fan of the TV Show I Spy with Bill Cosby and Robert Culp. I recently stumbled on a re-run for the show - and it it hit me...hey these guys are Royce and Hadrian.
To some extend we are all influenced by things we see, heare, or read about. That's why for instance I don't read any of Lieber's Fahrhed and the Grey Mouser books - because I don't want to find myself influenced by something that others have said are similar.
you've done fantasy and now literary fiction, are there any other genres you've wanted to tap into at some point? maybe sci-fi or horror?Actually the literary fiction came first...it's just that the fantasy that was published. I've actually written in just about every genre (except romance, erotica, and westerns). I've written 20+ books and that includes: horror, science fiction, mystery, thrillers, coming-of-age, litearary....you name it.
I think i remember you or Robin saying "Burden" came first before Riyria, so was literary fiction your favorite genre growing up since that's what you started with?Yes I wrote Burden before Riyria. I don't think I really have a "favorite gente." Fantasy was what got me started reading so there is a history there, but for me it's the character and story that drives my storytelling - and the genre is just the canvas/setting of that.
now that your famous and your ego has been sufficiently stroked, is there something greater you wish to accomplish at this point? do you hope to join the ranks of Stephen King, Robert Jordan, Tolkien now or are you just writing for the hell of it and see what happens from there?Well I'll agure abou "being famous" Most people don't know who I am...for that matter most people don't know who many "big names" are in the fantasy genre. When I talk to my friends about Rothfuss or Sanderson they go, "who?". I always write "for me" my motivation is books that I would like to read. I don't care about being rich ... or famous ... I just want to keep puttin food on the table and make it so neither my wife or myself have to have jobs in "the real world".
we've talked about your works getting turned into films...how close would you work on possible film adaptations? would you be hands off and let hollywood send you a script to simply sign off on or would you be hands on in different aspects of production given your time constraints? Well there's a huge gap between what I WANT to do and what I'll be ABLE to do. I have a very clear view of how a movie should play out...but unless you are a huge author and therefore can get things like "creativel control" written into the script the facts of the matter is you'll have little to no say.
If I had my choice...I'd want to be involved at all levels from script, to approval on casting, being on set during filming, helping to edit. But is any of that going to happen...no. It would be a miracle to just get the film optioned...and then another if it actually got made. The changes are so stacked that it's really not worth spending any cycles on.
with all the online presence you have (twitter, facebook, reddit, goodreads, etc) where in hell do find time to actually write? do you even spend any time with your wife anymore? :-PI'm fortunate in that I'm a pretty quick writer. I have to do 2,000 words a day when writing, and 5,000 when editing - and that can be done in 3 - 5 hours. That gives me a lot of time for other things - like social media. Robin and I always have long lunches together, we go for a bike ride or walk in the late afternoons and also have some time around dinners. Because we are both home fulltime we see each other a lot there. I'm sure we see more of each other than most married couples - except for my "Wednesday's out" we are practically joined at the hip.
Fantasy Book Club Series
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My friend is Harry Potter mad and she told me that Rowling knows exactly who marries who and what they all do in the future.