Ask the Author: Sean DeLauder
Answered Questions (3)
Sean DeLauder
"Wait. Didn't I already pay this medical bill?"
This also doubles as an answer to "can you tell a two-sentence horror story?"
This also doubles as an answer to "can you tell a two-sentence horror story?"
Sean DeLauder
C3PO and R2D2: The smug, whining worrier and the brave-but-(more or less)-mute savant. The two could not be more diametrically opposed, in form and attitude.
C3PO is a shuffling humanoid and extremely dependent on others, while R2D2 is essentially a trash bin stuffed full of hidden compartments, useful multipurpose gadgets, and information, capable of independent thought, which is unusual in a droid. Despite his clear inferiority, C3PO behaves as if he is the more intelligent of the two, as evident in his constant criticism and belittling of the smaller droid. One might say he has an inferiority complex, which is humanizing and makes him almost sympathetic. R2D2, whose dialogue can only be understood through inference, though nearly everyone can understand him (see: Chewbacca), almost never disparages his golden companion--he doesn't need to because he is invariably right.
It's possible the two could be separated, as they are not utterly dependent upon one another, but it's unlikely either would be as successful as characters without the interplay between the two, particularly C3PO, who lacks R2D2's broad functionality and needs R2D2 to push back against his paranoia. R2D2's brilliance is likewise sharpened by C3PO's perpetual doubt and Pantophobia. Though each is capable of operating on his/her/its own, their strength as a duo is what made them my choice for this response.
Runner up: Han Solo/Chewbacca. Second place because the former has no trouble as a standalone character. Emphasized by the fact that he'll be getting his own film in the very-near future. Still waiting on the R2D2 standalone with low expectations for fulfillment.
C3PO is a shuffling humanoid and extremely dependent on others, while R2D2 is essentially a trash bin stuffed full of hidden compartments, useful multipurpose gadgets, and information, capable of independent thought, which is unusual in a droid. Despite his clear inferiority, C3PO behaves as if he is the more intelligent of the two, as evident in his constant criticism and belittling of the smaller droid. One might say he has an inferiority complex, which is humanizing and makes him almost sympathetic. R2D2, whose dialogue can only be understood through inference, though nearly everyone can understand him (see: Chewbacca), almost never disparages his golden companion--he doesn't need to because he is invariably right.
It's possible the two could be separated, as they are not utterly dependent upon one another, but it's unlikely either would be as successful as characters without the interplay between the two, particularly C3PO, who lacks R2D2's broad functionality and needs R2D2 to push back against his paranoia. R2D2's brilliance is likewise sharpened by C3PO's perpetual doubt and Pantophobia. Though each is capable of operating on his/her/its own, their strength as a duo is what made them my choice for this response.
Runner up: Han Solo/Chewbacca. Second place because the former has no trouble as a standalone character. Emphasized by the fact that he'll be getting his own film in the very-near future. Still waiting on the R2D2 standalone with low expectations for fulfillment.
Sean DeLauder
Hi, Chance. I’m sure a lot of would-be readers are wondering the same thing. The simple answer is: no, they aren’t going to miss anything. Yes, the series is ordered chronologically with the second book written first, but I did not begin this way with the intention of driving compulsive organizers crazy.
Think of The Least Envied as the trunk of a tree and everything else as a branch growing out of it, backward, forward, and even simultaneously in time. Obviously this line of thinking does not conveniently translate to a numberline, as a series requires. If I continue expanding backward in time, for example, I’ll end up in negative territory, but I haven’t projected that far yet.
Yes, all the books are related, like wet clothes hanging from the same line, but each functions on its own while contributing to one another at the same time. You can read The Least Envied by itself, and when you read the other books you will see how the stories overlap and occasionally reference one another.
Think of The Least Envied as the trunk of a tree and everything else as a branch growing out of it, backward, forward, and even simultaneously in time. Obviously this line of thinking does not conveniently translate to a numberline, as a series requires. If I continue expanding backward in time, for example, I’ll end up in negative territory, but I haven’t projected that far yet.
Yes, all the books are related, like wet clothes hanging from the same line, but each functions on its own while contributing to one another at the same time. You can read The Least Envied by itself, and when you read the other books you will see how the stories overlap and occasionally reference one another.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more