P. R. Bunke
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Hi there! I wish I could rant on about how much I love your work, but space is limited, so you'll have to trust me on that. I find myself enjoying your romances more than those in most fiction I read--definitely in part for the high-quality witty banter, but also because you write characters who really seem to complement each other. Is this based on your experience of romance? Some idealized version of love? Both?
Lois McMaster Bujold
Idealized, I suppose. Most F&SF readers demand their main characters be smart, and I have a low tolerance for the "stupid misunderstanding" romance plot as a way to keep the principals apart for whatever the length of the story. (Certain comedies excepted.*) There are lots more interesting problems that can be evoked to keep people apart as needed.
Those who spurn romance stories because the outcome seems set are mistaking what the plots are about, I think. The question a romance plot must pose, and answer (showing one's work!) is not "Do these two people get together?" but rather "Can I trust you?" Which is most certainly not a trivial problem, in art or in life.
Ta, L.
* I am now thinking of Georgette Heyer's Friday's Child, where nearly all the main characters are young idiots, and the reader's hilarity and suspense comes from watching the ensuing train-wreck. But while the characters are over-the-top feckless, the book itself is very smart.
Those who spurn romance stories because the outcome seems set are mistaking what the plots are about, I think. The question a romance plot must pose, and answer (showing one's work!) is not "Do these two people get together?" but rather "Can I trust you?" Which is most certainly not a trivial problem, in art or in life.
Ta, L.
* I am now thinking of Georgette Heyer's Friday's Child, where nearly all the main characters are young idiots, and the reader's hilarity and suspense comes from watching the ensuing train-wreck. But while the characters are over-the-top feckless, the book itself is very smart.
More Answered Questions
Derek Peter Hawley
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
I found a show on Netflix titled "Mushi-shi" and I seem to remember it being discussed on here once in connection with butter bugs? If memory serves, it wasn't available on Netflix at the time, so if that was your blog I was reading I thought I'd let you know : ) if not, please tell me so I can try to figure out which author it was. Thanks!
Kelley
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Ms. Bujold: I've always wondered at what point during or after _The Curse of Chalion_ you conceived _Paladin of Souls_ and Ista's journey from mad woman to Saint. I would not have guessed reading _Chalion_ that Ista would go on to be the sequel protagonist: when did you know? (I love all of your books, but these two are my absolute favourites. Thank you for so much reading enjoyment!)
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