[Gary Wassner]

http://www.wotmania.com/fantasymessageboardshowmessage.asp?MessageID=12054 1

WOTMANIA'S other fantasy section just posted an interview that they conducted with me last week. I was very candid. It was interesting trying to put all these issues into perspective. Some of what I said, I never even realized before as coherently until I was asked the questions.

If anyone has any thoughts or comments, feel free to express them either there or here.

[juzzza]

A tremendous interview Gary.

WOTMANIA and Larry, can be a tough audience and you should be very proud to have generated that kind of reaction.

You should win some fans with that, who doesn't want their authors to be intelligent, honest, articulate and passionate about what they do? It made me want to read the series, and I already am reading it!!!

I think it is very brave of you to be so open about your childhood and indeed your adulthood, many interviews I have read seem very formulaic and cold, I hope the industry doesn't change that about you over the years... Can't see that happening mind you.

CONGRATULATIONS.

[Gary Wassner]

If I have not changed by now, I'm not changing. I am actually no different than I was as a child. I still see things the same way. It's jus that now I have to deal with adults all the time, so I have learned to be a better actor than I was then.

[juzzza]

Woah!!! I just went back to the interview to look at some of the comments frequent flyers at WOTMANIA are making... You must be very pleased Gary?

[Gary Wassner]

It's funny, but when I answered the questions I really didn't think about who might be reading this if anyone. I just answered them. When I look at some of the comments, it makes me feel very good to see how sincere they are. No nasty comments, no jokers, and no skepticism - just nice, honest responses.

I am very glad that I did it. My answers were truthful and heartfelt, and just by answering some of Larry Nolan's questions, I was able to clarify some of my own scattered thoughts about why I write fantasy and why I write it the specific way that I do.

[JRMurdock]

Are you saying that this interview process was therputic?

[Gary Wassner]

Yes, actually, it was. Intuitively I recognized all of the things I said in the interview, but I never put everything down on paper coherently before. I learned a lot from this, and I am grateful for it.

[JRMurdock]

I'll have to say that it was one of the most in depth interview I've ever read from either an actor or an author. Getting inside your head was an odd experience and I think that nearly all fantasy readers and writers can relate.

I also read some of the comments and I think they speak volumes. Dare I say a rising star?

[Gary Wassner]

You are very kind, Maus. Really though, I was just being honest. I hope my books reflect that sensibility as well. That's very important to me. I don't separate the issues that concern me in my real life from those that I write about. In fact, I write about them because they concern me.

I don't know how far you have read into my series, but as the themes evolved, I found myself writing more and more poetry as part of the text. The poems for me were all, each and every one, purging and sometimes painful, and still intrinsic to the storyline.

I can't express enough how much I love to write. Damn, it's just such a great feeling every time I enter that world.

[JRMurdock]

I can't express enough how much I love to write. Damn, it's just such a great feeling every time I enter that world.

Ditto.

I'm only a few pages away from the conclusion of Twins. I had to stop and read a YA Mystery. :) I hope to have Twins completed soon and delve into the Awakening very soon.

I meant what I said. Too many times you deal with an author who puts a front and comes off as standoffish and that can be a real put off. I'll keep reading an author's works if I like the work, but if I like the author AND the work it just gives the story a whole new depth that may be gleaned over. Your interview gave the story a whole new depth for me beyond the story that is written. I like that.