Mike
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
First I want to say I love The Miles series and I've always wanted to ask if the condition of Miles bones was based on a real condition or just something you came up with? The reason I ask is I have a bone disease called Osteogenesis Imperfecta a.k.a. Brittle Bones disease so i can relate in a way to Miles in a strange way.
Lois McMaster Bujold
Miles's bone problems are inspired by brittle bone disease, yes, but I prudently made the cause something more science fictional in case I needed to adjust it to the needs of my plot and characterization. It is not the our-world version, any more than the bioengineered Betan herms are the our-world version of any of the assortment of natural intersex conditions, in the underlying medical details.
Anyway, glad you are enjoying Miles, and that his medical issues ring true for you at least metaphorically. (Which is kinda what fiction does.)
Ta, L.
Anyway, glad you are enjoying Miles, and that his medical issues ring true for you at least metaphorically. (Which is kinda what fiction does.)
Ta, L.
More Answered Questions
Richard
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
You have in the past mentioned that you often decide the theme of a book by asking yourself, what is the worst possible thing I can do to my main character and how will they react. I can see that in your writing but it also seems to me that an underlying theme of most of your books is that damaged people are drawn to damaged people. Or might it be rather that damage people might be more interesting to write?
Kevin Reitz
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
On the subject of who could possibly play Miles in a Golden-Age TV adaptation, I've been struck by Alex Høgh Andersen's portrayal of "Ivar the Boneless" in Vikings, from mid-season 4 forward. He's born without the use of legs but becomes one of the most powerful figures in Vikings history. Unlike Miles, Ivar is a truly awful person--but charismatic and supremely determined. Maybe file this away in case HBO calls?
Bob
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
You've mentioned dealing with insomnia, do you ever write during that time? If so, have any memorable scenes or ideas come together as a result of your sleeplessness? Or is the causality the other way around? Can you not sleep sometimes because your mind is too busy trying to solve things to sleep? I'm betting on the latter because Miles.
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