Ask the Author: James Anderson
Answered Questions (4)
James Anderson
Thank you, Georgia. Ginny ends up being the hero, and it is says a lot about Ben that he chose to use the blanket money to save his business and buy Preacher John "a furnace that works in the winter." Thanks for writing, and thanks for your "self funded" library! Perhaps our paths will cross one day.
James Anderson
Ben's relationship with Nadine happened when he was younger, and the fact that she had a child and Ben's interest in having a family probably fed into that. But Nadine was an example of the kinds of relationships Ben had in the past and serves to illustrate by comparison just how much he has changed and how different his interest is in Claire. There is a bit more to this in Lullaby Road. Good question. Thanks for writing.
James Anderson
Dear Hannah:
Interesting idea. The short answer is I do not, since I tend to throwaway everything—into a drawer, and return to that drawer from time to time. The long answer is there is stuff in that drawer that I doubt I will ever write—or rather, the idea will not rise to the level I will try and explore it further. No story is, or should be, based on one idea. Sometimes a number of ideas coalesce into one story. Write your island story! I really like it.
Interesting idea. The short answer is I do not, since I tend to throwaway everything—into a drawer, and return to that drawer from time to time. The long answer is there is stuff in that drawer that I doubt I will ever write—or rather, the idea will not rise to the level I will try and explore it further. No story is, or should be, based on one idea. Sometimes a number of ideas coalesce into one story. Write your island story! I really like it.
James Anderson
Dear Karin:
First, thank you. My favorite books have always been character-driven. For me, plot develops naturally through setting and character. Yes—and no. The character of Walt Butterfield is roughly based on a real person, long-since passed, who was a friend and neighbor. Tough as a pound of nails. Ginny is based on friends of my son. Usually my characters are based on a several people and the person/character seems to grow before my eyes. BUT, yes, to one degree or another, everyone is based on someone or encounters I have actually experienced, though through time and distance and fictionalizing, it would be very difficult to reconcile the seed with the flower. :) Thanks for writing.
First, thank you. My favorite books have always been character-driven. For me, plot develops naturally through setting and character. Yes—and no. The character of Walt Butterfield is roughly based on a real person, long-since passed, who was a friend and neighbor. Tough as a pound of nails. Ginny is based on friends of my son. Usually my characters are based on a several people and the person/character seems to grow before my eyes. BUT, yes, to one degree or another, everyone is based on someone or encounters I have actually experienced, though through time and distance and fictionalizing, it would be very difficult to reconcile the seed with the flower. :) Thanks for writing.
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