Page 3 of 5
(2001-04-17)
Q: One of the aspects of T & K that is refreshing is that the line between good and evil is as about as blurry as a snowstorm, when many of the fantasies have the stark contrast between good and evil. Did you set out to say, especially with Biagio, that good and evil can be more a matter of perspective?
A: I'm not sure that I set out to say that specifically, but rather that just happens to be my view of the world. To be honest, I don't think I could write a story with starkly black and white characters, because that's just not how things are in reality, and it would bore me. I wouldn't know how to make a character like that interesting. It's an interesting concept though, because if I thought about it I would have to admit that good and evil really are a matter of perspective. There's always both sides in every war, and that's what really interests me, and what I try to explore.
Q: While T&K did have closure, there really seems to be more that can be told of the world of Nar. With the success of T&K, do you see returning to the world of Nar, perhaps as stand-alone novels, another series or short stories?
A: The world of Nar is a pretty big place, and it's a great template for stories. I did leave room at the end of Saints for more stories, because I'd like to return there someday and pickup where I left off. But to be honest, I have no immediate plans for anymore T&K stories. I wouldn't mind doing a short story set in Nar if the right venue popped up, but I don't foresee doing any more books about Nar right now. There's just too much on the horizon that I'd like to do first.
Q: That said, do you see yourself writing mainly "fantasy" novels or would you try your hand at "science fiction" novels or short stories.
A: Science fiction is probably a long way off for me. I enjoy science fiction, but I'm not sure if I have the hand for it. When I do branch off from fantasy, it will probably be gradually. I'd like to write an historical fantasy, for instance, or perhaps a modern fable type of fantasy like the Richard Bach books. But before I do that there are still a number of "traditional" fantasy stories that I'd like to tell.
Q: You have achieved critical success, in the form of the BN Voyager award and making it to, among others, SFSite and BN.com's "Best of Year" lists, readers have enjoyed your books in terms of sales. If/How does this affect your approach to your new project?
A: Well, it makes the bar a bit higher I suppose. I do my best with every book, and I can honestly say that I feel myself getting a bit better each time, so I hope that my new project for DAW will be well received. It's similar to Tyrants and Kings in some ways, so I don't think it will alienate anyone. And I'm very happy with the way it turned out, so I'm hopeful that it will do well. Honestly, though, I don't think any success that I've had has really changed the way I approach things. I think that would be a mistake, because it's simply impossible to please everyone, and in the end you have to write for yourself. The writers that follow their heart and write the type of books that they truly want to write seem to fare the best in my mind. Not sales-wise, perhaps, but critically and creatively. That's one of the reasons that I finished up the T&K series in three books. There are always more stories that could be written, but it's good to know when to get off the stage.
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