Ask the Author: A.M. Dellamonica
Answered Questions (8)
A.M. Dellamonica
I'm waiting for editorial notes on the sequel to CHILD OF A HIDDEN SEA, currently titled A DAUGHTER OF NO NATION.
A.M. Dellamonica
Hi, Nienna!
Some of my favorite authors are Connie Willis, Neal Stephenson, S.M. Stirling, Nicola Griffith and Peter Straub. All of them tend to have a seamless writing style that draws you deep into their narratives (though they're very different writers!) and it's something I really admire.
Favorite recent reads include Griffith's HILD, Peter Watts's new novel ECHOPRAXIA, and every and anything by Tana French, perhaps especially FAITHFUL PLACE.
I also read a lot of history, and am especially fond of Gillian Gill's novels about figures like Florence Nightingale and Agatha Christie.
Some of my favorite authors are Connie Willis, Neal Stephenson, S.M. Stirling, Nicola Griffith and Peter Straub. All of them tend to have a seamless writing style that draws you deep into their narratives (though they're very different writers!) and it's something I really admire.
Favorite recent reads include Griffith's HILD, Peter Watts's new novel ECHOPRAXIA, and every and anything by Tana French, perhaps especially FAITHFUL PLACE.
I also read a lot of history, and am especially fond of Gillian Gill's novels about figures like Florence Nightingale and Agatha Christie.
A.M. Dellamonica
I have to admit--and I'm embarrassed by this--I've never read A WIZARD OF EARTHSEA. Most of the Le Guin I've read was short stuff, like "A Matter of Seggri."
Other inspirations... ooh. Charles Darwin. Laurie King's early Mary Russell books. Narnia, Oz and other portal fantasies, of course. I love Connie Willis's writing. David Attenborough's various Life Of series inspired Sophie's career path. And, finally, various scientists of my acquaintance, who work on ecosystem challenges in the Pacific Northwest.
Other inspirations... ooh. Charles Darwin. Laurie King's early Mary Russell books. Narnia, Oz and other portal fantasies, of course. I love Connie Willis's writing. David Attenborough's various Life Of series inspired Sophie's career path. And, finally, various scientists of my acquaintance, who work on ecosystem challenges in the Pacific Northwest.
A.M. Dellamonica
If I don't have anything specific to work on, I will usually work on a freewrite for awhile. This means I take pen and paper and write down everything that comes to mind, no matter how random or inane. If I have music running in my head, I write down the lyrics. If I don't know what to write, I say "I don't know what to write." Eventually some idea always develops on the page, and I take it from there.
A.M. Dellamonica
Write constantly. As much as you can. Find people who will read your work intelligently and tell you how to improve it without being either too mean or too nice to you. Write some more. Send things out to market and see what editors tell you needs improvement. Write some more....
Then lather, rinse, repeat.
Then lather, rinse, repeat.
A.M. Dellamonica
A lot of it came from the idea that I wanted to write another ecofantasy, but one that was over-the-top loads of fun. From there I started pondering the amazing diversity of the Galapagos Islands, and thinking about a world that was *all* like that--simply crammed with natural wonders.
From there, it was an easy next step to start thinking about who I'd want to have exploring a world like that... and Sophie Hansa was born.
From there, it was an easy next step to start thinking about who I'd want to have exploring a world like that... and Sophie Hansa was born.
A.M. Dellamonica
Good to see you here, Paul, and thank you for asking!
One of the best books was Medici Money, by Tim Parks, although I don't know that I've made that much overt use of it. Most of the nations of Stormwrack have individual trade treaties with other countries, though there are also economic blocs who negotiate together.
Tiladene is a collection of economic cooperatives, and some of that comes from experiences I've had with actual co-ops and arts groups. Tallon is something of a navy town, where the navy is also the government. Ualtar's economy is directed by the religious leaders who run the nation.
Ooh! And Black Diamonds; The Rise and Fall of an English Dynasty, by Catherine Bailey, had a good deal about the coal town economy of England during the Victorian era and afterward.
One of the best books was Medici Money, by Tim Parks, although I don't know that I've made that much overt use of it. Most of the nations of Stormwrack have individual trade treaties with other countries, though there are also economic blocs who negotiate together.
Tiladene is a collection of economic cooperatives, and some of that comes from experiences I've had with actual co-ops and arts groups. Tallon is something of a navy town, where the navy is also the government. Ualtar's economy is directed by the religious leaders who run the nation.
Ooh! And Black Diamonds; The Rise and Fall of an English Dynasty, by Catherine Bailey, had a good deal about the coal town economy of England during the Victorian era and afterward.
A.M. Dellamonica
Hi, Jessie--great question, and the answer is Yes! The next book in the Hidden Sea Tales will be called DAUGHTER OF NO NATION and the third is tentatively called NATURE OF A PIRATE.
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