Ask the Author: David Bodanis
Answered Questions (7)
David Bodanis
So far, Laurent Binet, 7th function of language.
David Bodanis
I've always been fascinated by Einstein, and knew there was more to say about him than I did in my old 'E=mc2', where he only had a passing role. But I couldn't see how to focus it! Then I realized: focus on his greatest mistake, and everything falls into place. Once that became clear, the writing - at least the first draft - was a dream: as easy as any work I've done. (The editing took much longer than the first draft!)
David Bodanis
Writing comes easily for me when I've found a topic I genuinely care about: where I'm not writing for effect, or thinking of anything else.
Getting to that point isn't easy, and sometimes there's a long, painful period batting around different ideas; making different trial runs. (I still remember the incredibly unpleasant period doing that for a few months before I got the tone of my old Secret House book, 30 years ago!) But pushing through that is, usually, very much worth it.
Getting to that point isn't easy, and sometimes there's a long, painful period batting around different ideas; making different trial runs. (I still remember the incredibly unpleasant period doing that for a few months before I got the tone of my old Secret House book, 30 years ago!) But pushing through that is, usually, very much worth it.
David Bodanis
I'm playing with different ideas: some in biography; some more 'poetically' in ways of looking at the world. I've done some work with friends researching virtual reality, and might pause to try some art installations using that - watch this space!
David Bodanis
I suppose it's two fold. Once you've actually started writing, try to find some topic or story that you really care about: one that pulls you into it, and you'd be frustrated to have to leave behind. And, to start writing, it often helps to be in some job that gives you practical experience in writing, even if it's not exactly the type of writing you want to end up with.
David Bodanis
On the practical level, it gives you lots of free time. On a deeper level - when it works! - it lets you get in contact with deep truths or insights you want to access, and get across. That's incredibly satisfying.
David Bodanis
I remember reading that Isaac Asimov, who published over 400 books, once said that he Never got writer's block. The interviewer said, Really? And Asimo answered, that well, sometimes he would come to a dead end on one book, but that instead of freaking he'd simply put that ms aside, and switch to another one.
That stuck in my head, and has been what I've tried to do myself. Almost always when I get stuck it's because I need to step back, and see if I'm going in the right direction. Once that's fixed - often after conversation with saintly, patient friends! - it's easy to restart.
That stuck in my head, and has been what I've tried to do myself. Almost always when I get stuck it's because I need to step back, and see if I'm going in the right direction. Once that's fixed - often after conversation with saintly, patient friends! - it's easy to restart.
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