Ask the Author: Joshua Gaylord

“Ask me a question.” Joshua Gaylord

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Hi, Josh i recently just got finished with "when we were animals" and absolutely loved it. but the ending kind of confused me.. and would you ever make a sequel? looking forward to reading hummingbirds soon!

Joshua Gaylord Thank you! The ending is definitely ambiguous in certain ways. And, actually, I have considered a sequel. It would be interesting to me to explore Lumen's life as she leaves her town and goes off somewhere to college. But I'm not sure that book will ever be written. Just too many other things to write. But I'm glad you enjoyed the book!

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Hey, Josh, I won't say that you stood on the shoulders of Faulkner and McCarthy when you wrote the Alden Bell novels since I find them to be just as well written, however, the similarities cannot be overlooked. Do you find this style of writing more difficult than the style of the Joshua Gaylord novels, is this style of writing more rewarding, and will you continue to write in this style beyond the Reaper trilogy?

Joshua Gaylord Faulkner is my primary inspiration, and my natural tendency is to head in the direction of the epic, the portentous, the bloated, the overwritten--whether that's a good thing or a bad thing. So, actually, I find that mode of writing comes easier to me. I really have to struggle to write more efficient and spare prose. But certain books call for certain styles, and I try to remain true to whatever style is called for. I will probably always return to the more grandiose prose style, so I'm sure that you'll see more of it beyond the zombie books.

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Is there a difference for you in process of writing/invention when approaching a realistic novel like Hummingbirds versus something with fantasy or supernatural elements like When We Were Animals?

Joshua Gaylord There are some differences. One of the things I like about writing supernatural/fantasy stories is that I don't feel that burdensome obligation to adhere to mundane reality. I mean, I write, at least in part, because reality just isn't that interesting to me. I'd never want to be a journalist, because I don't feel the need to get at the truth of anything. And, let's face it--even my "realistic" books aren't that realistic. Teenagers don't really talk like the characters in Hummingbirds--and there's not one cellphone to be found in that entire book!

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Hi Josh, I am so excited to take your latest book, When We Were Animals, to the beach with me later this summer. Do you have any book recs that are similar to your writing style and content? Thanks, Corey

Joshua Gaylord Hi, Corey--Since my style differs quite a bit between my books, the books that are similar to mine really shift from book to book. If you like Hummingbirds, I would recommend Muriel Spark's The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. If you like my zombie books, try Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian (though that's not about zombies and not necessarily a beach read). If you like When We Were Animals, try Paul Tremblay's terrific Head Full of Ghosts--or The Fever or The End of Everything by Megan Abbott (who also happens to be my ex-wife!). Let me know what you think of them if you happen to read any!

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