Barb
asked
Catherine Ryan Hyde:
I am trying to think of a question....I can not stop reading your books. You are such a good storyteller, I just woke up and opened my kindle and had to start reading before I had my coffee..haha. I am reading the Language of Hoofbeats right now. So my question will be, how do you think of the best topics to write about????
Catherine Ryan Hyde
Before coffee. Now that's a dedicated reader!
It's a good question, but it will be a hard one to answer. Because I don't really do it so much with my thinking brain. I don't "think up" a topic. Instead I tend to see an image of a character in a situation. For example, with WORTHY it was an image of a person driving up, stopping their car, putting a dog out, and driving off without him. And someone else observing. Then I gradually daydream details until it fleshes out into a story.
To whatever extent my books have a theme, I tend to see it later, looking back. I don't think of a theme and then write to it. It just emerges as I go.
I wish I could give a clearer answer, but imagination is a tricky phenomenon to track.
I'm so glad to hear that you are enjoying the books.
It's a good question, but it will be a hard one to answer. Because I don't really do it so much with my thinking brain. I don't "think up" a topic. Instead I tend to see an image of a character in a situation. For example, with WORTHY it was an image of a person driving up, stopping their car, putting a dog out, and driving off without him. And someone else observing. Then I gradually daydream details until it fleshes out into a story.
To whatever extent my books have a theme, I tend to see it later, looking back. I don't think of a theme and then write to it. It just emerges as I go.
I wish I could give a clearer answer, but imagination is a tricky phenomenon to track.
I'm so glad to hear that you are enjoying the books.
More Answered Questions
Amy
asked
Catherine Ryan Hyde:
Hello, I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed both characters (Allie, Bea) in same book. (Of course, Phyllis too was impressive.) I gave it 5 stars but May I ask, having some familiarity with the juvenile system if you researched that possibility that a child such as Allie might actually be placed there having committed no crime? I hadn't heard of it being used as temporary foster care so was curious.
MARILYN A
asked
Catherine Ryan Hyde:
This is not a question. This is a heartfelt Thank You. I don't even remember the first book of yours I read but it involved a dog. Since then every book of yours I read I look for a dog character. You have given me such great pleasure. Your characters are alive, the stories real. Thank you for writing so many as I still have more to read. They demand I ask a question. Will you continue to write about dogs?
Graeme Mccree
asked
Catherine Ryan Hyde:
Hi Catherine, I read Pay it Forward and Becoming Chloe in my 20s and your portrayal of determined gay characters really inspired me, thank you. I enjoyed how different characters overcome issues to make a difference even if it is a small difference for one character. When you writing do you start with a basic message you are trying to get across or does one emerge during the process?
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