Ask the Author: Lars Boye Jerlach
Answered Questions (11)
Lars Boye Jerlach
Hi John,
Although I realize that a lot of artists/ writers do not like to explain their work, I don't mind at all answering your question about particular word use.
Jeffrey Keeten asked a similar question when he interviewed me for a review about my work, so you are obviously not the only one interested in this.
I believe I use words in more or less the same way a painter uses nuances in color. To a painter there are a multitude of reds, greens, blues, yellows etc. available. However, when carefully selected each subtle shift in color helps to create a specific reflection that in turn makes the painting more vibrant, multifaceted, and intriguing.
I chose words that obviously convey a specific meaning, but that perhaps also challenges the reader to think about the specificity of language. There are so many incredibly beautiful words that are rarely used by authors, and therefore seldom seen by readers. But even though words are sparsely used, obscure and/ or difficult to understand, they can often describe a scenario, feeling, mood etc. much more effectively, and with greater precision than a generic expression, and thus make the readers experience more stimulating.
I hope this sufficiently answers your question.
All the best,
Lars
Although I realize that a lot of artists/ writers do not like to explain their work, I don't mind at all answering your question about particular word use.
Jeffrey Keeten asked a similar question when he interviewed me for a review about my work, so you are obviously not the only one interested in this.
I believe I use words in more or less the same way a painter uses nuances in color. To a painter there are a multitude of reds, greens, blues, yellows etc. available. However, when carefully selected each subtle shift in color helps to create a specific reflection that in turn makes the painting more vibrant, multifaceted, and intriguing.
I chose words that obviously convey a specific meaning, but that perhaps also challenges the reader to think about the specificity of language. There are so many incredibly beautiful words that are rarely used by authors, and therefore seldom seen by readers. But even though words are sparsely used, obscure and/ or difficult to understand, they can often describe a scenario, feeling, mood etc. much more effectively, and with greater precision than a generic expression, and thus make the readers experience more stimulating.
I hope this sufficiently answers your question.
All the best,
Lars
Lars Boye Jerlach
Hi Soul,
Great to hear from you.
I would recommend that you start with The Somnambulist's Dreams, as it's the first of my works, and that it lays the foundation for the succeeding novels.
I very much hope you will enjoy the book, and I look forward to hearing what you think about it.
All the best and stay safe,
Lars
Great to hear from you.
I would recommend that you start with The Somnambulist's Dreams, as it's the first of my works, and that it lays the foundation for the succeeding novels.
I very much hope you will enjoy the book, and I look forward to hearing what you think about it.
All the best and stay safe,
Lars
Lars Boye Jerlach
I believe that most creative souls whether they are musicians, visual artists or writers have an urge to produce and to keep producing. Most people that I have come across in the creative fields are always thinking about, if not already working on, their next project. There are always more songs to write, more paintings to paint and more stories to tell. My mind is like that of a hungry rat restlessly prowling an infinite maze, so to answer the question: I am currently working on my third novel. It is similar in oeuvre to both 'The Somnambulist’s Dreams' and to 'When all the days have gone' and stylistically it entails many of the same characteristics. I am for example using a very similar structure to the previous novels, and although the story is different, it will hopefully evoke a variety of indeterminate questions that the reader will ponder the answers to.
Lars Boye Jerlach
Hi Nikki,
First of I would like to thank you for your support.
It's always interesting to hear how my readers respond to my work and I am thrilled to hear that you enjoyed 'The Somnambulist's Dreams' so much and that you're interested in obtaining a signed copy of 'When all the days have gone'.
Your question about whether or not I am planning to do another giveaway for 'When all the days have gone' is quite intriguing as it's definitely something I have thought about doing again, as it has proven a tremendous way of getting my work out there and reaching a variety of readers.
However, after GR decided to charge $119 per giveaway I simply can't afford to promote my work quite as often as I would like to, so I'm afraid you have to wait a little longer before I run another giveaway.
Once again I would like to thank you for you kind words and your continued support.
All the best and happy reading.
Lars
First of I would like to thank you for your support.
It's always interesting to hear how my readers respond to my work and I am thrilled to hear that you enjoyed 'The Somnambulist's Dreams' so much and that you're interested in obtaining a signed copy of 'When all the days have gone'.
Your question about whether or not I am planning to do another giveaway for 'When all the days have gone' is quite intriguing as it's definitely something I have thought about doing again, as it has proven a tremendous way of getting my work out there and reaching a variety of readers.
However, after GR decided to charge $119 per giveaway I simply can't afford to promote my work quite as often as I would like to, so I'm afraid you have to wait a little longer before I run another giveaway.
Once again I would like to thank you for you kind words and your continued support.
All the best and happy reading.
Lars
Lars Boye Jerlach
Hi Alan,
Thank you sharing these photos from Sailshade Studio. I will make sure to put it on the list next time I make it down to MA.
You might be interested to know that I, besides writing novels, work in the art partnership tectonic industries with my wife the British artist/ designer Helen Stringfellow and that I've been teaching art in higher education for almost twenty years.
You can find our work here: https://tectonicindustries.co/
All the best,
Lars
Thank you sharing these photos from Sailshade Studio. I will make sure to put it on the list next time I make it down to MA.
You might be interested to know that I, besides writing novels, work in the art partnership tectonic industries with my wife the British artist/ designer Helen Stringfellow and that I've been teaching art in higher education for almost twenty years.
You can find our work here: https://tectonicindustries.co/
All the best,
Lars
Lars Boye Jerlach
I’m not certain that ‘inspiration’ is an adequate word to properly describe why I write.
While it’s true that the inspiration for a particular narrative can be triggered by a beautifully structured sentence in a novel, a vivid image in a film, a piece of music or the way a singular leaf lands on the surface of a pond, it doesn’t matter whether I’m inspired or not when I sit at my desk. Sometimes what I write is good and sometimes it’s bad, but if I sat around waiting for divine inspiration to get the engine running, I would be waiting for a very long time indeed. I always have a somewhat loose plan in mind, but mostly I just write and wait for the rest of the story to develop.
While it’s true that the inspiration for a particular narrative can be triggered by a beautifully structured sentence in a novel, a vivid image in a film, a piece of music or the way a singular leaf lands on the surface of a pond, it doesn’t matter whether I’m inspired or not when I sit at my desk. Sometimes what I write is good and sometimes it’s bad, but if I sat around waiting for divine inspiration to get the engine running, I would be waiting for a very long time indeed. I always have a somewhat loose plan in mind, but mostly I just write and wait for the rest of the story to develop.
Lars Boye Jerlach
Hi Kinga,
I am sorry if I have caused offense by reaching out, but I do believe there's an overlap in literary interests between us and sincerely thought that you would enjoy my work. It is of course your prerogative if you have decided not to read my novels.
All the best,
Lars
I am sorry if I have caused offense by reaching out, but I do believe there's an overlap in literary interests between us and sincerely thought that you would enjoy my work. It is of course your prerogative if you have decided not to read my novels.
All the best,
Lars
Lars Boye Jerlach
Beyond the very obvious advise to write and to write as frequent as possible, I believe an aspiring writer really needs to read a variety of literature (excellent, mediocre and really bad) in as many genres as possible to fully develop and hone their own literary skills.
There is most definitely a process of gradual subconscious assimilation of ideas, knowledge and composition happening when you read other writers work, and there's no doubt that many a contemporary writer owes quite a lot to the literary luminaries of the past. Essentially the more you read, the more you learn, not only about finding your own literary language, but about word use, form, sentence structure, rhythm, plot, character development, etc.
There is most definitely a process of gradual subconscious assimilation of ideas, knowledge and composition happening when you read other writers work, and there's no doubt that many a contemporary writer owes quite a lot to the literary luminaries of the past. Essentially the more you read, the more you learn, not only about finding your own literary language, but about word use, form, sentence structure, rhythm, plot, character development, etc.
Lars Boye Jerlach
While I realize that there's no universal answer to this question, there's really only one way for me to deal with writes block and that is to keep writing. No matter how disjointed and/ or terrible the output might be, writing is still the best way for me to push through a mental block. When there's something on the page I can at least begin to sort through the mess.
Lars Boye Jerlach
Hi Harron,
Thanks so much for ordering a copy of TSD through your local bookstore and for supporting other authors while there.....! It's always great to hear that other people share the same lack of focus when it comes to book buying.
You are not alone......!
On my next, not yet planned, world tour I'll make sure to swing by South Africa so I can personally sign a copy of your book.
All the best,
Lars
Thanks so much for ordering a copy of TSD through your local bookstore and for supporting other authors while there.....! It's always great to hear that other people share the same lack of focus when it comes to book buying.
You are not alone......!
On my next, not yet planned, world tour I'll make sure to swing by South Africa so I can personally sign a copy of your book.
All the best,
Lars
Lars Boye Jerlach
Hi Roger,
Thank you for your message.
While I don't necessarily agree with your assessment of the forced relationship between author and reader, I do however respect your wishes.
All the best,
Lars
Thank you for your message.
While I don't necessarily agree with your assessment of the forced relationship between author and reader, I do however respect your wishes.
All the best,
Lars
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