Ask the Author: Alice Hoffman

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I think your genius is that you return adults to the magical time when they first experienced entering a wholly different world in the reading of a book. Your books are like fairy tales for adults. And I wonder if you are like Jonas in The Giver, seeing red in a world that is gray to most? Do you think writers see things differently?

Alice Hoffman The Giver is one of my favorite books!! It's brilliant.
I have always loved folk tales and fairy tales. They resonate for children and adults so I'm honored to hear my books read like fairy tales for adults!
I think I more imagine the world than see it!

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Hi Alice! I always had a fascination with storytelling ever since I was a little girl... I've been writing since I was 13. Not stories, just thoughts and ideas, even questions. However I always dreamed of becoming a real writer or at least write one novel but how do you start? I mean there are ideas and characters yes but how do you actually write an entire novel?

Alice Hoffman I think the best idea for someone who wants to write a novel is to take a workshop or class with other writers and a great writing teaching. It's a long process going from ideas to a full novel but worth it!!!

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What is your research process like, and how do you check your work for historical accuracy? Can you describe an instance when you decided, for dramatic or plot purposes, it was better to overlook historical precedent?

Alice Hoffman I read as much as possible about the time period and include all the factual information about the character and place. I never overlook history but feel free to imagine anything that is missing or unknown.

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What is your favorite thing about writing?

Alice Hoffman My favorite thing about writing is the same as my favorite thing about reading -- it allows me to escape into a completely different world.

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Hi, The book sounds tempting. My question is.; Who is Pissaro's father ; was he sephardic too?/

Alice Hoffman Yes, Pissaro's father came to St. Thomas from France and his family was sephardic and lived for many years in Portugal, the country where many Jews fled when Spain exiled them.

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Alice Hoffman

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