I, Too, Come Bearing Gifts!

[deirdrej.livejournal.com]

Hi, everybody!

My sister Mary, my friend and colleague Maria, and I just had the most awesome conversation with MWT! We recorded it for a podcast, but, since Megan was extraordinarily generous with her time, we have cut it in two, and we'll be making two podcasts out of one interview!

I just put the first podcast up on line, and you can access it here

Enjoy, everybody! The second half will be up soon!

Comments

[tearoha.livejournal.com]

Wow, that is one spectacular gift. Thank you for posting for us!
I'm so glad we finally got to hear how MWT pronounces her characters' names, and the bits of new information in among the 'not-telling's were fascinating. I'm interested to hear that we're supposed to be able to work out certain things fairly well from what's in the books. Knowing all the information is there makes a big difference! And the little bit about titles - I don't think we'd ever touched on quite that aspect of naming in QT: "My cousin who is Eddis", etc. (Or at least I'd never picked up on the pattern). I'm going to have to listen again at a less ungodly hour and take notes this time.

Thanks, Deirdre, Maria, Mary and Megan for your time and trouble!

[tearoha.livejournal.com]

Oh, and on a different note:

Megan was very definite in the interview about wanting her books to be complete in themselves. To paraphrase: books should be able to stand alone, and not have to rely on clarifications from the author through other media; and that it's not a good idea for the author to explain later the meaning of a section (not x, but y.)

Frustrating though this is for fans who want to know the details (who, me?), I think this is a Very Good Idea on MWT's part. In a way, authorial explanation does undermine the completeness of the book, in a kind of "oops, I didn't tell you enough for you to actually get it, THIS is what I meant' way. So 'not telling' keeps the integrity of the books, and it means that character information isn't hidden away where not many will find it. But I can't help being reminded of other cases in which authors have given away 'extra' facts about their characters and the worlds they create, and it's changed the way people react to their work.

Thoughts, anyone?

[philia-fan.livejournal.com]

It also leaves room for interpretation. It can be X to me but Y to you, and Z to someone else.

Something that was said at my book group last week: "All great books raise more questions than they answer."

[deirdrej.livejournal.com]

Absolutely! I loved what Megan said about that -- and I also think it really holds true, for her books. And yes, I wish that more authors had this philosophy. (One in particular ;-D). But I have to admit, I was also rather tickled when Megan said that people are inconsistent, so she might change her mind ;-D!)

I'm so glad you enjoyed the interview, though, and I wish everybody on Sounis a very happy Christmas -- and, for those who don't celebrate Christmas, a joyous winter Holiday -- and a wonderful New Year!

This is what happens when you stay up too late

[(Anonymous)]

I was trying to reply to Teahora's comment about the books standing on their own, and my comment ended up in the wrong place. Oh, well!

Must go and have more coffee now ;-D

Re: This is what happens when you stay up too late

[deirdrej.livejournal.com]

Look! I did it again!

That anonymous comment up above is me ;-) I thought I was loggin in! Oh, well. Off I go, now, to get that coffee!

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

Oh, this is wonderful! Can't listen right now, but will look forward to it, and to part two, also.

[magicsandwiches.livejournal.com]

Can't tell you how much I enjoyed that. Thank you!

Must link to this from my bookgroup homepage asap.

we wants the second half! we wants it, yes, precioussss....

[rosaleeluann.livejournal.com]

What a wonderful Christmas gift! :D I've been listening to it at work, and my just-started-two-days-ago coworker kept giving me weird looks--obviously she isn't used to me XD.

[velvetrose09.livejournal.com]

OMG I LOVE IT!!
yaay!
I'm so glad you posted this! Yay for sounis references!

Did MWT just say she has a bunch of information in her head and she didn't know what to do with it? I would think we make it obvious that she could ALWAYS unload some of that here at Sounis. :]

[(Anonymous)]

omg deirdrej! this is brilliant! I love love love it! Can't wait to hear the next half!! :]
I'm glad you had her pronounce it, even though I pronounce Eddis Eedis haha.
Anyways this is brilliant :]
thanks so much!

Elle winters

[tiegirl.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you!!! That was all kinds of wonderful!

And I do agree with what she said about revealing stuff outside of the books, I do. But I still want to crawl inside her head and learn everything there is to know about all of her characters (cough, Costis, MoW, Teleus, etc cough). Whoa, I couldn't seem to limit that to just my Costis. Or even any one man. Hmmm.

[chachic.livejournal.com]

Thanks for posting this! I enjoyed listening to this and hearing Megan's thoughts about her books.

[deirdrej.livejournal.com]

You're very welcome! So glad you enjoyed it!

[styromgalleries.livejournal.com]

Thank you for posting! I look forward to hearing more.

One of the most interesting discussions, for me, was about naming. I want to type out my own thoughts about it, but my brain isn't working so well right now, so I'll just say thanks again for a very interesting interview. I can't wait for part 2!

[annyeshireen.livejournal.com]

Thank you for posting this. I started the book today and yesterday with my classes and explained to them that she doesn't give answers to our questions. I thought Gen was 16 in the Thief, but since I am 50, i must be wrong. I am curious to find out what the boys think.
Can't wait for the rest of the interview!!