Ask the Author: V.M. Sang
Answered Questions (12)
V.M. Sang
Hello. Penelope. I've been very lax recently at looking at my questions. I just came across yours about how living in East Sussex influences my writing.
I write fantasy mainly, but have recently published a historical novel, and have another with my publisher. My historical novels are set around York and Derbyshire and so I don't think living here has influenced them very much.
The fantasy ones are probably a different matter. I use scenes that I have enjoyed when writing, but they are not solely from around here. The land of Grosmer has a European flavour in the land. The 'three seas' are in the same position as the Mediterranean, and there is a similar climate there. Further north it changes to a more northerly climate.
When the party travels through the land of Grosmer, I used something of the woodland scenes around here. It is spring and bluebells and primroses abound in the woods, to the fascination of one of the characters who has lived all their life in the city.
So, in answer to your question, Yes and no. I am influenced in part but not wholly.
I write fantasy mainly, but have recently published a historical novel, and have another with my publisher. My historical novels are set around York and Derbyshire and so I don't think living here has influenced them very much.
The fantasy ones are probably a different matter. I use scenes that I have enjoyed when writing, but they are not solely from around here. The land of Grosmer has a European flavour in the land. The 'three seas' are in the same position as the Mediterranean, and there is a similar climate there. Further north it changes to a more northerly climate.
When the party travels through the land of Grosmer, I used something of the woodland scenes around here. It is spring and bluebells and primroses abound in the woods, to the fascination of one of the characters who has lived all their life in the city.
So, in answer to your question, Yes and no. I am influenced in part but not wholly.
V.M. Sang
Apologies, Alma. I've been a bit--no, a lot--remiss in looking at my questions.
My favourite book of all time! Well, there are so many to choose from. Books I remember from my childhood has to be a book my grandfather gave me. I don't know who it was by, but it'll be out of print now. It was called Odd. I also loved Black Beauty. (I was very into horses and riding.)
I have to have Lord of the Rings as it was what got me into fantasy. In the classics, it has to be Wuthering Heights. I love the way Bronte painted the brooding moors and the brooding Heathcliff. I think I was in love with Heathcliff in my teens.
Dragonlance saga gave me the idea of turning a D&D scenario I wrote into a book (or series as it now turns out) and Phillipa Gregory's The Other Bolyn Girl.
There are many more. Science fiction, I've not mentioned. Let's go with Dune.
My least favourite genre is Romance. I almost never read them
My favourite book of all time! Well, there are so many to choose from. Books I remember from my childhood has to be a book my grandfather gave me. I don't know who it was by, but it'll be out of print now. It was called Odd. I also loved Black Beauty. (I was very into horses and riding.)
I have to have Lord of the Rings as it was what got me into fantasy. In the classics, it has to be Wuthering Heights. I love the way Bronte painted the brooding moors and the brooding Heathcliff. I think I was in love with Heathcliff in my teens.
Dragonlance saga gave me the idea of turning a D&D scenario I wrote into a book (or series as it now turns out) and Phillipa Gregory's The Other Bolyn Girl.
There are many more. Science fiction, I've not mentioned. Let's go with Dune.
My least favourite genre is Romance. I almost never read them
V.M. Sang
What are those two eyes? *Scream*
Not very good, I know, but I'm not too good on flash fiction, or 2-liners!
Not very good, I know, but I'm not too good on flash fiction, or 2-liners!
V.M. Sang
Now that's a difficult one. The worlds I like from a reader's point of view would no doubt be uncomfortable as a resident.
However, I would love to go to Pern, especially if I could impress a dragon! Failing that, I'd settle for a fire lizard. (Anne McAffery)
However, I would love to go to Pern, especially if I could impress a dragon! Failing that, I'd settle for a fire lizard. (Anne McAffery)
V.M. Sang
Hi. I've read Off Centre in the Attic, by Mary Deal. This is a compilation of short stories and flash fiction, each of which has something odd about the protagonist. A good read.
I am currently reading Two Heads, Two Spikes, author name forgotten, but I'm finding it hard going as there are so many characters and all in different places. It's taking me a mighty long time.
I've got Mythos by Stephen Fry down to read. A retelling of the Greek Myths.
I am currently reading Two Heads, Two Spikes, author name forgotten, but I'm finding it hard going as there are so many characters and all in different places. It's taking me a mighty long time.
I've got Mythos by Stephen Fry down to read. A retelling of the Greek Myths.
V.M. Sang
This is a difficult question. Several jumped to my mind, but I eventually settled on Heathcliff and Cathy in Wuthering Heights. This is one of my favorite books of all time, and I like the drama of Cathy and Heathcliff's story. Their relationship is stormy and ambiguous, but it is obvious they should be together. That it ends in tragedy is fitting.
V.M. Sang
A difficult one this. I'm in a bit of a block at the moment with my Roman Britain novel. I think that the best thing is to go away and do something else. I may leave it for a few days and do some writing or editing of another novel, or even do no writing at all. I try not to think consciously about it and let my subconscious do the work, butthat is difficult at times.
V.M. Sang
Oh dear. I think it's probably the ability to manage my own time. I can go and get a cup of coffee whenever I feel like it, or go out if it's a nice sunny day. Having said that, I really like using language and words. I also write some not very good poetry (see some on my blog http://www.aspholessaria.blogspot.co.uk?). I also enjoy spending time with my characters. To a non-writer that may seem odd, but they are very real and often surprise me with what they do and say.
V.M. Sang
Don't give up is the best thing I can say, really. The writing is the easy part, but you must market your books. Publishers don't do marketing these days like they used to. Also, to quote an on-line friend, Never say I can't!
V.M. Sang
I have 3 things in the pipeline. One is a novel set in Roman Britain. This is taking a lot of research as you can imagine. The second one is almost finished. It is the 3rd part of The Wolves of Vimar series. I also have another fantasy novel about half finished, although it may end up as 2 books.
V.M. Sang
I started first of all by turning a Dungeons and Dragons scenario that I wrote into a novel. It then took on a life of its own and has developed far beyond the scenario. There are currently 2 books published, The Wolf Pack and the Never-Dying Man. The third is underway, but I'm afraid that this won't be the end. there will be at least 1 more to come, possibly 2, depending on where I get to with the fourth.
V.M. Sang
I really don't know. I had the idea for a book set in the middle ages, then I thought it would be good to look at where the family came from. I then decided that I couldn't go back into the mists of time and so I decided to bring a young boy over from the continent as a slave with the Romans and it developed from there. I am still not very far on with it and so it will be a while before I am any where near ready to publish.
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