Adger Williams
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
I'm interested that many of your characters in one book may turn up as the main character in another book. (Ivan Vorpatril, Ista, Mark Vorkosign). Some do not. (Aral, Kareen Koudelka.) How do you decide that "Ista needs a book", but Aral doesn't?
Lois McMaster Bujold
"Decide" makes it sound like a more conscious process than it is. Imaginative streams of daydreams of bits about any or all of the characters can run through my head, if my head is in that mode. (Most of which aren't useful or consistent, cutting-room floor stuff.) One set may have more psychological resonance for me, will be more interesting. I'll start to think more about it, and an accretion of thoughts may eventually hit some critical mass that would promise to support an actual writable story. I may start making penciled notes at that stage, but at least half of those few also get discarded in favor of something I eventually like better.
Ta, L.
"Decide" makes it sound like a more conscious process than it is. Imaginative streams of daydreams of bits about any or all of the characters can run through my head, if my head is in that mode. (Most of which aren't useful or consistent, cutting-room floor stuff.) One set may have more psychological resonance for me, will be more interesting. I'll start to think more about it, and an accretion of thoughts may eventually hit some critical mass that would promise to support an actual writable story. I may start making penciled notes at that stage, but at least half of those few also get discarded in favor of something I eventually like better.
Ta, L.
More Answered Questions
Nikoleta L.
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Hi, I was just wondering if you've heard of or read Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell? I really enjoyed it, primarily because it felt a lot like Vorkosigan saga. Not in a derivative sense, but more in the sense of general feeling I got from it. I later learnt that Ms Maxwell is a fan of your work (and of Georgette Heyer's work, too), so I just felt like I had to put it on your radar. Cheers!
Brzk
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Again - a Very Happy Birthday, Lois! :) (I am traditionally late, but I was thinking of you the WHOLE time). Wish you the world and the stars and am so glad you've been out! to dinner. Still haven't written you a poem, shot you a movie, draw you a comic book or played you a song - will you forgive me?
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more




