Fan letter

[rowana.livejournal.com]

Well, I've finished it. It was...incredible. Different. If it was possible, my respect for MWT's writing has just trebled. Despite the sad implications in various places of the book. I need to go back an re-read a bit.

Right, so. Questions time. For those of you who are new, a month or so back, I suggested that we write a fan-letter to MWT. An email now, actually. I figured we'd all have plenty of questions following KoA, and this would be the perfect way to ask some of them. Everyone can participate, with comments and questions and so on. At the same time though, for those of you who haven't read the email which we received from the esteemed authoress ( http://community.livejournal.com/sounis/6847.html ) please read her comments regarding questions.

It'll include as little or as much personal information as each of you want. At the very least, everyone's screen name will be mentioned. I've already been asked questions about this, most of which I've tried my best to answer near the bottom of the previous discussion thread ( http://community.livejournal.com/sounis/2200.html - scroll about two thirds of the way down).

The questions and comments themselves can cover anything from any of the books that none of the rest of us can answer with absolute certainty. We'll have to draw the line at some point - we don't want to ask questions which would prompt answers which would be too revealing (do we?). Perhaps the solution to that would be mentioning that we don't have to have all of our questions answered, if some of them are too...um...presumptuous.

If anyone has any more questions about this letter (and please do ask, because I certainly haven't covered everything) post a comment. Do the same for questions and comments to go in the email, and I'll add it to the bottom of the post as it gets written. This post will also be added to the memories, so that everyone can access it easily from there for a while to come, as it gets moved down the list by other posts.

Here's a question for all of you. What on Earth should the opening sentance be?
So far:

Oxe Harbrea Sacrus Vax Dragga Onus Savonus Sophos At Ere

Dear Megan

We're writing from the livejournal group Sounis, as you invited in your email, to ask some of the hundreds of questions that have come up since we all got together. As loyal and dedicated readers who love the books (and hope there will be more to come) we understand if you'd prefer not to answer some of them. We've tried not to include any questions whose answers we think will play a part in following books, but it's awfully difficult, so please ignore any leading questions that we've included by accident. We'd definitely prefer that you spend time writing more books about Gen than answering some of these (usually silly) questions. But thank you, in advance, for any answers.

1. Who is the goddess who intervened on Eugenides’s behalf at the end of The Queen of Attolia and why did she do that? (Checkers, and everyone else.)

2. What's Phresine's story? What was her childhood like and how did she come to serve Attolia? (Caroline)

3. Does the exploding mountain that Eddis and Gen see ever come about during their lifetimes? What would happen to Eddis if it does (In terms of the scale of the destruction)? (We're asking on the assumption that this doesn't feature in future books.) (Caroline)

4. Dite and Sejanus - really liked them, for some weird reason. Do we see them again? Is that country that Dite was sent to on the same continent as Eddis, Attolia and Sounis? Why and when did Dite fall in love with Attolia? (I felt very bad for him when I heard that, though I still adore Gen) Is the Erondites house really gone? (I can't see them going down without a fight!) (Caroline)

5. What was Attolia's childhood like?. I guess I'm just interested in how she grew up, her relationships with people at her court etc. (Caroline)

6. The subject of hot debate: How exactly do you pronounce Eugenides, Eddis, Attolia, Sounis, Mede, Magus, Ambiades, Aracthus and Sophos? We tried to figure it out but only found that we all differed in our pronunciations. (Rowana)

7. Eugenides is such an original character and it is so refreshing to come across him in a Young Adult book. What was your inspiration in creating such a character? Also, it is interesting to see Eugenides' progression into maturity as he grows up in the trilogy--can you give us a hint of what he is going to face in your next book? (Jessica)

8. Since Hamiathes's gift was thrown in the volcano at the end of 'The Thief', is Gen going to be the last Thief of Eddis? (Rowana)

9. What's behind the historical taboo in Eddis concerning the Thieves? Why does no one talk about them? (Rowana)

10. What gave you the idea to include stories, and the storytelling tradition, in all the books? (Checkers)

11. It is fascinating how you take characters like Ornon, Relius, and Phresine (who appear only briefly in the earlier books) then turn them into three-dimensional characters we really care about. When you write, do you create the characters and their backstories first, or do you develop the plot, and then make the characters fit into the story? (Checkers)

12. I have a slightly similar question to the one above. When you first wrote The Thief, did you have the events of the two sequels already planned? So much happened to Gen that I couldn't possibly have guessed at after reading The Thief. (Rowana)

13. How do you think up the names for your characters? If the ruler takes the country’s name, why is Eugenides “Attolis,” while Irene keeps the title “Attolia?”. (Checkers)

14. Most authors don’t mutilate their main characters! How did you come up with the idea of Eugenides losing his hand? Was that part as difficult to write as it was to read? (Checkers)

15. Why did they cry on their wedding night? Please throw us a bone! (From all of us, really.)

16. Eugenides has many faults, but we are all at least a little in love with him. What is it about him that makes us so attached to him? Are you in love with him, too? (Checkers)

17. “The queen was settling on the edge of the bed, ungainly with hesitation and at the same time exquisite in her grace, like a heron landing in a treetop.” That’s just beautiful! Does it take a long time to write a sentence like that, or can you just whip those babies out? (Checkers)

18. Is there a chance that you will ever get tired of writing books about Gen, and have him simply fall down a stairway and die ingloriously? (Cyberskiver)

19. Which characteristic of Eugenides is the most likely to drive Attolia crazy, do you think? (Cyberskiver)

21. Will we eventually learn the Magus's name? Do you call him something other than 'the Magus' when you think about him? (Cyberskiver)

22. Well, while we're at it, I want to know more about Eugenides's childhood, and his grandfather. Can you imagine the parental unit that could actually get chibi Gen to listen? That's who I wanna hear about :) (Fabricalchemist)

23. Do you have any actors or famous people who, in your view, represent your image of the characters in your books? Who would your chose to cast in the movies of The Thief, The Queen of Attolia, or The King of Attolia, if there were any? (Dannybailey)

24. This kind of goes along with pronunciation of the characters names, but I'd really love to know what kind of accents the characters are speaking with. What do their voices sound like in your head while you write them? How do Attolian accents differ from Eddisian ones, and what do "Sounisian gutter" and "Attolian gutter" sound like? (Dannybailey)

25. Where did Teleus post that guard that had stabbed Eugenides in the back in The Thief...I though Teleus suggested that the guy was no longer part of the Royal Guard at the end of KofA? (Anon.)

26. In the King of Attolia, Relius wondered why the king was always polite to him but invariably rude to Teleus...I'm wondering too (Anon.)

27. I know that this is the question that most people came up with immediately after reading The King of Attolia - how long will we have to wait until the next book? :) (Rowana)

From everyone at Sounis

(Cherryblosomjen's contribution)



I'll re-write that paragraph once all the questions have come in and add a bit saying thank you. And I stuck the invocation at the top because hey, that's all the affirmation that we really are members of her obsessive fanbase that she needs. And as fabricalchemist said, it belongs at the top. So, questions now.

Comments

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

The first sentence could be a gushing declaration of our abject fandom with much squeeeeing--whatever that is, not sure, but I keep seeing it. Then we could say that we are the livejournal sounis group that she read online (and hopefully is still reading) and remind her that she invited us to write with our questions/comments.

Then, of course, we could say something about how we would rather she write books about Gen than spend much time answering our silly questions (and I have a silly one) so we understand if she can't answer them all or prefers not to answer them.

And you owe us a post on the main page with your thoughts about the book!

What else?

[rowana.livejournal.com]

That's a good idea. Shall we begin with 'Dear Megan', and go from there then? I still feel very rude addressing her as Megan. It should be something like, 'Dear Mrs Turner', or 'Dear Revered Author', or 'Dear Inspirational Genius'. But it's how she signed herself, so we have to follow precedent. How about 'Dear Megan the Great'?

Am I getting slightly carried away? ;)

I like your suggestions - they include everything we want to mention in the beginning and are laid out well. Let's wait for everyone else to approve (or argue) and an opening can then be drafted.

And I'm curious now, what was your silly question? Is it worse than my underwear one? If it is indeed, sillier, then we certainly have to include it. :D

And I'll write up a post with my thoughts in a minute. I have another question though, would it be too presumptuous of us to ask at the very end if she thinks we'll have to wait as long for the next book?

[rowana.livejournal.com]

Sorry, a chunk got cut out of my last comment. I meant to say:

Oh, and because I forgot to mention it, I'm under the impression that 'squeeing' is that thing that everyone does. When you're hyperventilating and too overwhelmed with fan-girlishness to say much beyond 'OMG!' repeatedly.

But yes, I could be wrong. :D

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

Then there is no doubt that I went "squee" when I read the email Megan sent you. And "OMG"; I do distinctly remember saying that.

And my silly question is this. "Are you in love with Gen? Because you write like you are." Hee.

[rowana.livejournal.com]

*laughs*

Wow, that's, a fascinating question actually. That's a really really good question. In some ways though, it seems to me that all authors are in love with their characters, at least a little bit.

What does everyone else think?

[rowana.livejournal.com]

Well, I stuck the first draft of the first bit in the post. Question time. There're so many, but which to put first?

[caroline-k.livejournal.com]

Right now I think I need to re-read the KOA again to get all of the hidden symbolism and tidbits that I missed. But some rough questions come to mind, mostly about backstory about other characters (I love backstory)

- What was Attolia's childhood like? I mean I know it was pretty bad and lonely, but there must have been SOMETHING, because there are so many people within her court that are extremely loyal to her and such. I guess I'm just interested in how she grew up, her relationships with people at her court etc.

- Dite and Sejanus- really liked them, for some weird reason, lol Do we see them again? Is that country Dite was sent to on the same continent as Eddis, Attolia and Sounis? Why and when did Dite fall in love with Attolia? (I felt very bad for him when I heard that, though I still adore Gen)Is the Erondites house really gone? (I can't see them going down without a fight!*growls* lol

- Phresine: What was her childhood like, how did she come to serve Attolia etc.

-This one's really from Qoa but stil- does that exploding mountain from Eddis's and Gen's dreams ever come about in their lifetimes? What would happen to Eddis if it did; totally destroyed, or only parts destroyed etc

I have a tonn more too, but I'll let someone else get in here.But I want to ask, Rowana : are we going to ask spoiler questions for the next book? Because its clearly obvious that theres more after, and we don't want to ask anything that might spoil the next one (ie how many kids do Gen and Attolia have etc) Maybe we should just ask them and leave it to MWT to tell us what she wants?

Feel free to cut and reorganize any questions I come up with, Rowana; I'm seriously sitting here eating crackers and chocolate making this up as I go (can't find my notes!)I'm sure you'll organize it really well:)

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

Perhaps our first question should be a pleading for assurance that there will indeed be another book in the series. And (since the answer just HAS to be yes) if it is under way, and if she can tell us anything about it. I wouldn't have the nerve to ask when, since KOA just came out last week!

Another question I'd like to ask is: who was the goddess at the end of QOA that spoke to Gen on the great goddess' behalf?

I'm with Caroline, I'm hoping to have time in the next 2 weeks to reread. MWT's email hasn't appeared on her website yet, so I suppose we have a bit of time.

Caroline, I'm dying to know why you liked Sejanus (hiss) and Dite. Maybe a post on the main page?

[rowana.livejournal.com]

*grins* Nice idea for our first question. I was going to stick that at the end. Perhaps we could ask if we'll have to wait four years for the next book. :)

*notes down questions*

I'll add them to the post. And yep, we should have plenty of time, since we can't send it off until the adress does appear on her website.

[caroline-k.livejournal.com]

lol, Well, I'm not really sure, its like one of those things you can't explain, you know,? I didn't really LIKE Sejanus, in the sense of agreeing with his actions and personality and stuff, I just thought him really interesting; manipulative,kniving, full of hidden motives etc.

But Dite I really did like.(albeit after Gen won him over)His little crush on Attolia was shocking and a little sad; to be so loyal to Attolia he must have harboured it a long time, and to go against his own family and all. I dunno, I guess I found him interesting to read about too. I wonder what Gen said to him in the garden?

Great question about the goddess, checkers, thats been bothering me too!

[rowana.livejournal.com]

I stuck some questions in, and tried to change our comments as little as possible. Tell me if you want to re-phrase one of the questions. :)

Um, I hit upon the issue of names when I was typing them up. I figured I'd just stick everyone's screen name after their question. If some of you want more information added, or a different name to be used, let me know again, and I'll change it for you. Or if you think we should stick the names in differently. :)

[sunbeamchica.livejournal.com]

Here's a question for Megan Whalen Turner if you'd like to add it to your letter:

Eugenides is such an original character and it is so refreshing to come across him in a Young Adult book. What was your inspiration in creating such a character? Also, it is interesting to see Eugenides' progression into maturity as he grows up in the trilogy--can you give us a hint of what he is going to face in your next book?

from,
Jessica

[(Anonymous)]

Great question :)

[fabricalchemist.livejournal.com]

Uhhh...is she really going to answer us, you think? These questions border on the "If you think that you can entice me in by posting leading questions, you probably could . . . but then, no more books" sort of area.

[rowana.livejournal.com]

I figured I'd stick all of the spoilery questions in the post for now, bt will probably not include them in the actual letter. I might leave them in the post, just so that we have a list of questions to speculate about for the next book.

But yes, I'm going to try to keep the leading questions out of the letter.

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

I agree about keeping spoiler questions out. We need more questions like Jessica's that delve into the author's craft. Something about the point of view changes from book to book?

Also, I'd love to see the letter show all the humor, irreverence and insight that are always present in everyone's comments. Those are what make them such a delight to read. I think this group is an author's dream come true. How much more rewarding can it get? (Well, except for selling thousands of books and making lots of $, maybe.) And anyone who could create "Gen" is bound to appreciate a fun letter. So, call her "Dear Esteemed Author Megan the Great" or ask about Gen's underwear or whatever. Let's be ourselves.

Besides, she may still be reading our posts and has already seen our best and worst. I, personally, am still reeling over my comment about Sam Neill.

[rowana.livejournal.com]

*agrees* Good point. It doesn't seem natural somehow to be too formal. (And Gen's underwear, I forgot to put in the question about gen's underwear. Though she's already answered that in a way).

And a question about the point of view changes would be a good idea. I'm still wondering how she's going to write the next book. Perhaps in letter form?

Okay, well, let's get some more questions in, I'm going to leave them as you guys write them and just stick them in, and then we can sort out the rest. But thanks Checkers, I was starting to worry that no one was really into this letter.

[rowana.livejournal.com]

What do you guys think of asking what exactly happened on the wedding night? :) All we know so far is that they both cried, and that inkpots were thrown.

What about Gen's friendship with Heiro? Does anyone have any questions on what she said to him when she came when he was sick? Or about Aris and Costis, how did they become friends? They seem to have a firmly cemented relationship.

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

I like all those questions, especially the one about the wedding night.

And I've wondered if she would ever consider another book written from Gen's point of view. Not necessarily in first person, though. I don't think that would work, as much as I would love seeing things in his eyes. I miss him and his viewpoint, as much as I like Costis.

[sunbeamchica.livejournal.com]

Man, I totally wish I had the internet in my apartment--I miss out on a lot of the action on this site! hehehe :)

When are we going to send the e-mail and how many questions should we ask? I'm going to think up a couple more to ask & then I'll post 'em to this site. Ooh! By the way Rowana, I love your question asking if Gen is going to be the last Thief of Eddis. I never thought about that before!

Anyway, talk to y'all later!

from,
Jessica

[rowana.livejournal.com]

Hey Jessica, sorry about the late reply.

We're going to send the email noce everyone declares themselves satisfied, and agrees that there are no more suitable questions to ask. :) Or if that takes too long, perhaps in a month.

I figured we could each ask as many questions as we want. The more the better. And thank you, I'm glad you liked the question. :)

More questions

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

Ok, I've had some spare time this weekend and once I sat and thought I came up with about 100 questions. Here are some of them. I think some are already on your list, so we don't want to duplicate and can cut those out. In fact, use as many or as few as you want.

And we need to make it clear that she doesn't have to answer all of them! Pick and choose, like on as essay test or in a Chinese restaurant.

What gave you the idea to include stories, and the storytelling tradition, in all the books?

It is fascinating how you take characters like Ornon, Relius, and Phresine (who appear only briefly in the earlier books) then turn them into three-dimensional characters we really care about. When you write, do you create the characters and their backstories first, or do you develop the plot, and then make the characters fit into the story?

Who is the goddess who intervened on Eugenides’s behalf at the end of The Queen of Attolia and why did she do that?

How do you think up the names for your characters? If the ruler takes the country’s name, why is Eugenides “Attolis,” while Irene keeps the title “Attolia?”

What do you think Eugenides would have done if Attolia had refused to marry him after he kidnapped her?

Your books are filled with humor, much of it sharp or dry. Are those scenes hard to write? Are you as funny in person?

Eugenides has many faults, but we are all at least a little in love with him. What is it about him that makes us so attached to him? Are you in love with him, too?

Most authors don’t mutilate their main characters! How did you come up with the idea of Eugenides losing his hand? Was that part as difficult to write as it was to read?

There are many details in your books; clothing, relationships, geography, architecture. Do you do a lot of research before you write?

Who has been the most fun character to write?

“The queen was settling on the edge of the bed, ungainly with hesitation and at the same time exquisite in her grace, like a heron landing in a treetop.” That’s just beautiful! Does it take a long time to write a sentence like that, or can you just whip those babies out?

Why did they cry on their wedding night? Please throw us a bone!

Re: More questions

[rowana.livejournal.com]

Fan-tas-tis questions. It's great that you have so many relating to MWT herslf, in terms of her writing and ideas. I'll type them up tomorrow. And don't worry, I'll rewrite the first bit and make it clear that we certainly don't need to have all our questions answered - there'll be too many, and some will overlap.

You've inspired me a bit. I must go and dig out the list of questions I wrote a while ago. :)

[cyberskiver.livejournal.com]

All right. Here are my paltry questions for MWT.

-Is there a chance that you will ever get tired of writing books about Gen, and have him simply fall down a stairway and die ingloriously?

-Which characteristic of Eugenides is the most likely to drive Attolia crazy, do you think?

-Will we eventually learn the Magus's name? Do you call him something other than 'the Magus' when you think about him?

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

Oooh. Very nice questions. I love the second one!

[fabricalchemist.livejournal.com]

Hm. Well, while we're at it, I want to know more about Eugenides's childhood, and his grandfather. Can you imagine the parental unit that could actually get chibi Gen to listen? That's who I wanna hear about :)

[rowana.livejournal.com]

*grins* The image of chibi Gen is too cute. Good question.

You go, Ro

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

The letter sounds great! Thanks for putting it together.

Re: You go, Ro

[rowana.livejournal.com]

:) Glad you like it.

[dannybailey.livejournal.com]

Yikes! I hope it isn't too late to add my two cents. Honestly, I forgot all about this post and was expecting a new post regarding the letter, so I've been a bit oblivious as to all of the discussion.

First question: Do you have any actors or famous people who, in your view, represent your image of the characters in your books? Who would your chose to cast in the movies of The Thief, The Queen of Attolia, or The King of Attolia, if there were any?

(I know I'm a bit fixated, but hey, I'm a shallow person; looks *are* important!)

Second question: This kind of goes along with pronunciation of the characters names, but I'd really love to know what kind of accents the characters are speaking with. What do their voices sound like in your head while you write them? How do Attolian accents differ from Eddisian ones, and what do "Sounisian gutter" and "Attolian gutter" sound like?

Third (this isn't a question): I think there needs to be a grammer correction in number 4. Shouldn't it say Dite and Sejanus - really liked them, for some weird reason. Do we see them again? Is that country that Dite was sent to on the same continent as Eddis, Attolia, and Sounis?

rather than Dite and Sejanus - really liked them, for some weird reason, do we see them again? Is that country that Dite was sent to on the same continent as Eddis, Attolia and Sounis?

[rowana.livejournal.com]

No, it's not too late. :) It's good that you remembered in time. I think I need to post another reminder on the main page before Monday for anyone else who's forgotten.

Good questions! I'll type them up right now. And thanks for the grammar correction, you're right. Just reading over the letter now I can see I've made a few other typos, so I'll change them too. :)

[(Anonymous)]

I agree with question 22...the only time we hear about Gen's siblings is in the magazine excerpt; in The Thief, when he mentions he has two older brothers and a few older sisters; and in the QofA, when he mentions that Stenides had made him a new watch. I wonder when's the last time he's seen them...I get the feeling that Gen's family and relatives weren't at the wedding and coronation because it would have been so awkward.

Question (if someone else can answer/speculate on this for me, don't include it in the letter): In the King of Attolia, Relius wondered why the king was always polite to him but invariably rude to Teleus...I'm wondering too. Another: Where did Teleus post that guard that had stabbed Eugenides in the back in The Thief?

[(Anonymous)]

I agree with question 22...the only time we hear about Gen's siblings is in the magazine excerpt; in The Thief, when he mentions he has two older brothers and a few older sisters; and in the QofA, when he mentions that Stenides had made him a new watch. I wonder when's the last time he's seen them...I get the feeling that Gen's family and relatives weren't at the wedding and coronation because it would have been so awkward.

Question (if someone else can answer/speculate on this for me, don't include it in the letter): In the King of Attolia, Relius wondered why the king was always polite to him but invariably rude to Teleus...I'm wondering too. Another: Where did Teleus post that guard that had stabbed Eugenides in the back in The Thief...I though Teleus suggested that the guy was no longer part of the Royal Guard at the end of KofA?

[rowana.livejournal.com]

Interesting questions, I really like the first one, but I can't remember the KofA reference in the second one, so I'll double check that. :) I'm sticking your questions in the letter, but I'll have to attribute them to 'anonymous' at the moment. Could I have a name?

I hadn't considered Gen's wedding and coronation before, but I think you're right, it would have been too awkward for his family. I still want to know about his sisters. Although, if you're interested in Stenides, there's an article that fabricalchemist posted a while back which was an original story by MWT featuring him. :)