A real scientist solves problems, not wails that they are unsolvable.
There’s a reason that some of our oldest and most important stories start with “Once upon a time . . .” Tucked among the fantastical characters and magical other-worlds are profound truths. Lloyd Alexander, author of the beloved Chronicles of Prydain, said, “Fantasy is hardly an escape from reality. It’s a way of understanding it.” With that, we present to you this collection of wise and beautiful quotes from some of the greatest authors in the fantasy genre.
But Ship Who Sang remains my favorite story. I really rocked folks with that and still cannot read it aloud myself without weeping at the end.
I think the Internet, particularly the availability of information, is great. I do a lot of correspondence on-line and have a chat line to talk to my fans as well.
I have my good days and my bad days, but I don't have as much energy as I used to back when I was young and foolish and didn't count the cost - and it takes a lot - to write.
I have written my own screen version of Pern, but had no buyers yet.
I have a shelf of comfort books, which I read when the world closes in on me or something untoward happens.
What I used to do between writing fits was feed my kids, ride my horse and go shopping for cat and dog food.
I would recommend the short story form, which is a lot harder to write since you have to be so careful with words, until there is plenty of time to doodle through a novel.
I wouldn't encourage new writers to start off publishing through electronic media... it still isn't wide enough for the readership they would need to get a good start.
People have freaked out when I tell them that my dragons are scientifically based... what else can you call a genetically engineered life form?
Make no judgements where you have no compassion.
I think writers need windows on a view to remind them that a whole world is out there, not the minutiae with which they might be dealing on a close scale.
I also don't have organized religion on Pern. I figured - since there were four holy wars going on at the time of writing - that religion was one problem Pern didn't need.
I do outlines when I'm writing with someone, but they also need to have a certain amount of freedom.
I don't often reread my own books, unless I am going into another in the series and need to refresh my mood when originating the concept.
At age 77, I need the help of someone with more energy than I can now summon to finish a book.
I didn't raise Todd to be a writer, but he happened to be one anyway.
I'm very fond of the Talent series, and also the Crystal Singer trio.
The thing is, emotion - if it's visibly felt by the writer - will go through all the processes it takes to publish a story and still hit the reader right in the gut. But you have to really mean it.
