tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1222814162697318696.post5424902781279498575..comments2024-03-26T07:24:43.732+00:00Comments on Words&Pictures: David Almond: the freedom of knowing your limitationsCandy Gourlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802791643303335762noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1222814162697318696.post-55837797713877700242013-05-30T23:19:35.892+01:002013-05-30T23:19:35.892+01:00It's an extraordinary book, isn't it? I we...It's an extraordinary book, isn't it? I went back & re-read several stories after talking to David, and saw them in a wholly new light. I wondering now about taking a similar journey, to see what themes come out, rather than assuming that the novel I'm currently writing is actually about the things I'm trying to say.Rowena Housenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1222814162697318696.post-80607684996100052962013-05-30T10:42:24.947+01:002013-05-30T10:42:24.947+01:00'Counting Stars' really moved me, it's...'Counting Stars' really moved me, it's my favourite collection of short stories.Thanks for these insights, especially about the need to be tight and rhythmical. annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17722613820503829905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1222814162697318696.post-19317540335807039082013-05-29T13:35:07.725+01:002013-05-29T13:35:07.725+01:00What a great exchange - thanks! Love the bit abou...What a great exchange - thanks! Love the bit about seeing the astonishing in the ordinary, and how "you have to write reality. You have to write stories about dust and dirt."Bridget Marzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08113818186666446243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1222814162697318696.post-12527159557375167412013-05-28T11:47:00.551+01:002013-05-28T11:47:00.551+01:00Great interview, Rowena, thank you.Great interview, Rowena, thank you.Nick Crosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02571077124165351007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1222814162697318696.post-77063608975092335432013-05-28T11:46:17.216+01:002013-05-28T11:46:17.216+01:00Brilliant and inspiring, Rowena. Many many thanks
...Brilliant and inspiring, Rowena. Many many thanks<br /><br /><br />Sandra Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08139946594981035955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1222814162697318696.post-53465982671300826052013-05-28T11:45:45.175+01:002013-05-28T11:45:45.175+01:00That flexibility is so important - I see it as bal...That flexibility is so important - I see it as balancing two different types of confidence. I like to have structure as I'm working to give me confidence that the book is headed in the right direction. But I also like to allow serendipity as I'm writing because that really adds life to characters and scenes - this requires a different type of confidence because I have to feel that I have the skill to bring the story back into line afterwards.Nick Crosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02571077124165351007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1222814162697318696.post-1926148880435924602013-05-28T09:02:25.261+01:002013-05-28T09:02:25.261+01:00Absolutely, Candy. For me, his point about voice -...Absolutely, Candy. For me, his point about voice - finding the character's voice as well as my own voice as a writer - was the thing that made me think most deeply. I've not found my 'northern rhythms' yet, but at least I know I should be looking.Rowena Housenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1222814162697318696.post-82127063531666558482013-05-28T08:51:37.460+01:002013-05-28T08:51:37.460+01:00I was nervous, too, but he was completely charming...I was nervous, too, but he was completely charming. It was such a privilege to be able to ask the questions I really wanted answered, so a huge thanks to W&P for this opportunity. Thanks, too, to everyone for their comments and good luck with your writing. Rowena Housenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1222814162697318696.post-32954184832990647432013-05-27T20:05:47.763+01:002013-05-27T20:05:47.763+01:00Well done Ro. This is fabulous. So jealous of you ...Well done Ro. This is fabulous. So jealous of you getting to question the master in person. Never been brave enough to ask him anything in our seminars. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1222814162697318696.post-34366137689760136152013-05-27T17:10:06.776+01:002013-05-27T17:10:06.776+01:00Thanks for a wonderful interview - such insightful...Thanks for a wonderful interview - such insightful questions and answers. It's made me look at writing in a different way.MC Rogersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13735238884673302488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1222814162697318696.post-53059289080964786372013-05-27T16:23:33.077+01:002013-05-27T16:23:33.077+01:00The thing is, the act of writing is also the act o...The thing is, the act of writing is also the act of getting to know your character, and I think what David's saying is you have to be flexible in case your character turns out differently from the outline! Really inspiring advice.Candy Gourlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07802791643303335762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1222814162697318696.post-21469385563384126052013-05-27T16:21:53.335+01:002013-05-27T16:21:53.335+01:00A beautiful interview - thanks Rowena, it is packe...A beautiful interview - thanks Rowena, it is packed full of insight. I love it and I love David Almond.Candy Gourlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07802791643303335762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1222814162697318696.post-68182466007362278202013-05-27T13:22:52.402+01:002013-05-27T13:22:52.402+01:00Thanks!Thanks!Heather Kilgourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07553036216216310308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1222814162697318696.post-53238959423062529472013-05-27T11:34:18.188+01:002013-05-27T11:34:18.188+01:00From me too. From me too. Rowena Housenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1222814162697318696.post-41379210912128200252013-05-27T10:36:22.028+01:002013-05-27T10:36:22.028+01:00Glorious interview - I will admit to being a smidg...Glorious interview - I will admit to being a smidge jealous. Thank you - much to think over deeply.K.M.Lockwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07540392557430776265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1222814162697318696.post-10894328294206930662013-05-27T09:51:22.537+01:002013-05-27T09:51:22.537+01:00Yes! Many Congratulations, David!Yes! Many Congratulations, David!Jan Carrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11335419896028312596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1222814162697318696.post-74922941927452735142013-05-27T09:08:55.598+01:002013-05-27T09:08:55.598+01:00Thanks, Lesley. Re tea, I'm not sure but I'...Thanks, Lesley. Re tea, I'm not sure but I've just heard the kettle click!Rowena Housenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1222814162697318696.post-17333812345019571802013-05-27T09:07:53.076+01:002013-05-27T09:07:53.076+01:00Great questions Rowena, and inspirational answers ...Great questions Rowena, and inspirational answers from David: such calm yet vibrant advice. And congratulations to David on his longlisting for the Guardian children's fiction prize for The Boy who Swam with Piranhas. M Louise Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13165271083632185438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1222814162697318696.post-6922129567889220352013-05-27T09:07:22.569+01:002013-05-27T09:07:22.569+01:00This is a great interview, thank you so much David...This is a great interview, thank you so much David and Rowena!<br />It's great to hear things like "A story’s got to grow in a very natural and organic manner." I always think of it like, sculpture, moulding a lump of clay.<br />And the ending - the question of how much you need to know - I'm coming to the conclusion it's different every time so "not knowing things is really important" is really helpful right now.Jan Carrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11335419896028312596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1222814162697318696.post-6391275095210752922013-05-27T07:58:05.778+01:002013-05-27T07:58:05.778+01:00What a fascinating interview, thanks, Rowena. The ...What a fascinating interview, thanks, Rowena. The question and answer about endings was especially good. <br />And that final answer - what is it with writers and tea?!LJ Mosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12743605175112804565noreply@blogger.com