Robyn McIntyre asked Lois McMaster Bujold:

I just finished "Pendric's Demon." It was very satisfying and that's not something I've found in the last few books I've read. I think the reason I find your work satisfying is not only your world-building, but your characters. They are interesting and complete - even when they don't have bodies! Would you say characterization is something you particularly try to focus on?

Lois McMaster Bujold I can't say that characterization is something I try to focus on... it seems to come "for free" for me. (Referring to a metaphor about writing where every writer has different aspects of the craft that seem to come easily to them, and others they have to work for.) I have to work for plot, and setting, and, argh! names, tech and worldbuilding, and magic systems if extant, theology, politics, architecture and clothing design and so on. But if a character presents him/her/itself as interesting enough to write about in the first place, they seem to come walking onstage already pretty integral. Also, nearly impossible to alter in any arbitrary fashion, even though they grow and change with the story. Mountains are easier to move.

Though they do tend to go through a stage early in their development (and, indeed, later on in the tale) where I keep trying story and backstory on them to see what fits, like a frustrating shopping trip, but that feels more like discovery than invention.

Once I have a character, everything else can be added. Without a character, everything else is useless.

Ta, L.

flag