Ask the Author: Jamie Thornton
Answered Questions (1)
Jamie Thornton
In a way, all my books so far are anthropology-based. I don't think I can help it. That part of my brain doesn't turn off anymore :)
When I wrote my coming-of-age adventure novel (Rhinoceros Summer), I did a ton of ethnographic research on trophy hunting and the intersection of native culture with tourism culture in East Africa.
In my current post-apocalyptic series, Feast of Weeds, I ended up doing a lot of ethnographic research on street kids alongside all the science research on disease.
I love reading stories that take a different perspective on a situation. Just because popular culture stereotypes people and situations a certain way doesn't mean it will actually happen that way. I get to use my imagination to make up an alternative, but I definitely think my anthropology background informs that alternative at every step.
So... I would say go for it! Whatever story you have in mind, it can only be made better by slipping in some anthropology too.
When I wrote my coming-of-age adventure novel (Rhinoceros Summer), I did a ton of ethnographic research on trophy hunting and the intersection of native culture with tourism culture in East Africa.
In my current post-apocalyptic series, Feast of Weeds, I ended up doing a lot of ethnographic research on street kids alongside all the science research on disease.
I love reading stories that take a different perspective on a situation. Just because popular culture stereotypes people and situations a certain way doesn't mean it will actually happen that way. I get to use my imagination to make up an alternative, but I definitely think my anthropology background informs that alternative at every step.
So... I would say go for it! Whatever story you have in mind, it can only be made better by slipping in some anthropology too.
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