Joe D M-H
asked
Richard Russo:
I loved Empire Falls and Straight Man; you capture so much in the way of the humor and humanity of your characters' inner thoughts and the closeness (and intense, familiar realness) of the towns/communities they inhabit. What do you do, if anything, to prepare yourself for writing? Any habits? Do you outline or discovery-write your plots and characterizations? Do you do world-building beforehand or as you go along?
Richard Russo
I don't do much to prepare. No outline, little research. I'm not sure what you mean by world building, but I'm pretty sure I don't do it, at least not as preparation for writing. Mostly I just try to go slow, see and hear everything I'd see and hear if it was really happening and I was really there. Small bites. Chew thoroughly. Repeat.
More Answered Questions
Shelley Russell
asked
Richard Russo:
Hi there! Thanks for taking questions...such a fan of your work. Straight Man and Empire Falls...didn't want them to end. So many characters you've created have "stuck with me". Is there any character that you have identified more closely with? Which character felt most personal to you? Thanks and looking forward to your newest!
Mark Zaborowski
asked
Richard Russo:
Hello Mr. Russo. I'm a big fan of your writing, particularly your ability to make "ordinary" characters' lives so interesting. I have not found another author who can make the seemingly mundane life of a small town so fascinating. So my question to you is: can you recommend other authors that have styles similar to yours? Looking forward to reading your new novel.
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