Neil’s Comments (group member since Nov 21, 2014)

Neil’s comments from the Ask Amanda Palmer and Neil Gaiman group.

Bonna wrote: "Hello Beautiful People,

Get ready, I'm a bit of a rambler and am fangirling my pants off.

Firstly, Neil, I grew up with your daughter, Maddy. We were a few years apart in school and never were ..."

Thank you! Maddy remains amazing and a delight. I'm so sorry to hear about your brother, and glad that Amanda's book is helping.

Cyn wrote: "Hello Neil!

Firstly, I feel privileged to say that I was lucky enough to attend two of your readings. One in San Diego and one in Santa Barbara, CA. You were so gracious when I met you and present..."

Alianora's story gets told in Sandman Overture: #3.

Thank you everyone. That's our hour of GoodReads glory up. I wish I could have answered more questions in the time, and Amanda feels the same. (But you still got twice as much answered as if it had just been me. Or her.)

Thank you from both of us for all the good wishes. And keep reading good books.

Jenn wrote: "if you had to describe each other in five words, what would they be?

also, thank you to both of you! you inspire everyday!"


Neil says of Amanda: Beautiful, kind, hilarious, forgetful, gregarious.

Amanda says of Neil: Always longing to be found.

Kat wrote: "Hi Neil and Amanda,
This is a very amusing bi-coastal Q&A. Are you to video chatting as you are doing this? Are you having fun?

-Kat"

No, but we are on each other's speakerphones. Mostly listening to keys going clack. It's definitely fun.

Bre wrote: "Neil, loved your story "A Study in Emerald." As a huge Sherlock Holmes fan myself, I was wondering if you have a favorite story from the canon?
Also, is a return to Doctor Who in your future timel..."

Hmm. I love the framing story of A STUDY IN SCARLET, just not the Mormon Scare Story it frames. A Scandal in Bohemia was the first Holmes story I ever read, and it made a real impression.

I very much hope so. But I need more time.

Christine wrote: "@ Neil -- What made you choose Hansel and Gretel, as opposed to other Grimm tales?

I am a huge fan of Grimm and you! Can't wait to read this book!

Thank you Amanda & Neil for this interacti..."

Great question. I think it was the first to disturb me (I was four, listening to it on the radio, but -- what? Adults lose you? And they EAT YOU?), but also I never quite felt like it was being told right. I can't imagine another Grimm's story I'd like to retell "straight", without at least some me in it.

Angya wrote: "Hello, Neil and Amanda
A question to both: do you remember the first time you realized you were actually writing something real, not just pushing yourself to put words to paper to get through the w..."

For me it was probably writing VIOLENT CASES. Suddenly it was real, and I felt very naked, but I kept writing.

Jessica wrote: "Neil, I have noticed that many of your works start off seemingly normal and veer (sometimes gradually, sometimes suddenly) into the strange and fantastic. I was wondering if this is intentional or not. Or rather, if this is for the reader's benefit or your own."

I do not understand it either. I start out to write a work of realism, in which sensible things happen to sensible people, and the next thing I know things have become strange and fantastic. It cannot be intentional. I am certain that next time, next book, next story I will conquer my perverse passion for the unlikely.

It cannot be for my benefit, and must not be for the readers. I daresay it is for the benefit of whatever imp twists my stories into fantastical configurations. We shall call this imp Marduk for now.

There. It is good to know who to blame.

Kaitlyn wrote: "Hello, Mr. Gaiman!

Here's my question: What advice do you have for a college-bound, soon-to-be high school graduate with aspirations of being a writer?
..."

Read EVERYTHING you can. Even stuff you don't like. Even things that make you feel uncomfortable. Read way outside your comfort zone.

Have things happen. Get your heart broken and skin your knees and do things you'd never normally do. Experience things. Talk to people you would never talk to, and learn their stories.

And write.

Kurt wrote: "Hi Neil,

Would you like to write a book with me?"

Not unless you can provide me with an extra year. And, preferably, an extra body or two. It's hard enough to find the time to write what I want to write...

Darcy wrote: "Dear Neil and Amanda,

This is mostly just a thank you. I went to the pre-release party for The Art of Asking as well as the signing at Porter Square Books. I've just moved to Boston, to get my MBA..."

Ruby Wax is doing a show at the Oberon this week you might want to check out.

Dina wrote: "Another question!
Neil, after your visit to Jordan, are you planning on writing a story from Zaatari camp?"

I can't get it out of my head, which usually means yes. I'd also love to film there.

Bob wrote: "Hello

My question is for Neil, but I would also love to hear Amanda's response if she has an opinion.

I love the creativity of the horror genre, in both literary and visual. A fine example of ..."

I don't really know. I think Sturgeon's Law applies to horror as much to everything else. He said "90% of science fiction is crap. But then, 90% of EVERYTHING is crap."

The trick is, as it always has been, finding the 10%.

Ana wrote: "Hello Neil and Amanda,

This may go a bit deeply into your philosophies: what do you think of death (or Death) and, by contrast or by association, what do you think of life?

It's a pleasure to be ..."

I think Death is inevitable and incredibly natural. I think Life is a wonderful place to get a cup of tea, read a good book or cuddle your loved ones.

Fernanda wrote: "Hi, Neil and Amanda. I'm from Brazil and my English is a little bit rusty, sorry about it, kkkkk

The first time I met your work, Neil, it was in 1985/1986 with Black Orchid and after with Sandman..."

I want to come back to Brazil so much! And I want to show Amanda Brazil, too. I was really hoping ti would happen this year, but it hasn't happened so far.

Christina wrote: "Good afternoon!

A question for both of you: How do you like your coffee?"

I like my coffee in the form of tea, I'm afraid.

Daniel wrote: "Dear Amanda and Neil,

Hear are questions from my family :
BRIONY (age 12): How did you choose the artists, like for Swap my Dad for a Goldfish?
JACK (age 10): What character that you've written about is most like you and PS. I would not swap my Dad for a goldfish.
DAN (age 44, Dad): Amanda and Neil, what are the most important things to do in life?
KATIE age 45, Mum): thanks for your wonderful work, no questions!"

Briony, I chose Dave McKean because he was my favourite artist, and my best friend, and I thought he'd enjoy drawing THE DAY I SWAPPED MY DAD FOR TWO GOLDFISH. I know lots more artists now, and I try to pick them based on who would make the prettiest book.

Jack -- the boy (although maybe not the man) in THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE is basically me aged 7.

Dan -- Amanda says the most important thing is to be compassionate to those around you.

I think the most important things to do is to love those who are around to be loved, do the things you enjoy as well as you can, and try to leave the world a more interesting place for you having been here.

Katie - thank you so much! And you are welcome.

Illiya wrote: "Hey Neil, what advice would you like to give to newbies who are trying to string their words into a book?"

1) Write.

2) Keep writing.

3) See 1 for more details...

4) When you finish, make it look like you knew what you were doing the whole time.

Tyler wrote: "Neil would you ever consider doing an ongoing comic book series again, and if so what would you like to do?

"

I think I'm too slow a writer these days to write a monthly comic. Better to just do one off projects...