I write because that's what I love to do. The feedback from readers is helpful... and appreciated... but it's not why I write.
L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
More Questions from an L.E. Modesitt Fan
Well, I'm not very much concerned if you listen to my feedback or not.
I've enjoyed all the books you've written--and I love the fact that you don't stick to characters or have long prolonged series about them. I prefer you just do your own thing...and I'll buy the book, read it, and enjoy it.
I love your moderation when it comes to spare writing and not over-using characters like an ifrit.
I've enjoyed all the books you've written--and I love the fact that you don't stick to characters or have long prolonged series about them. I prefer you just do your own thing...and I'll buy the book, read it, and enjoy it.
I love your moderation when it comes to spare writing and not over-using characters like an ifrit.
"A writer's chosen task is to write well and professionally. If you can't keep doing it, then you're no longer a professional, but a gifted amateur." L. E. Modessit, jr.
Re: Writers as readers.
So, I guess your writing won't prevent you from reading Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell! This is a *very* good book! And I can't help but praise it! And I think that anyone (yourself included, Mr. Modesitt) would greatly enjoy it!lmodesitt wrote:As for what I read... I can't answer that short of a long, long listing. When I was first deeply interested in F&SF, I was reading several hundred books in the genre every year. I still read anywhere from 30-70 every year [except for the year when I was a judge for the World Fantasy Awards and read over 300].
An alternate history w/magic written in the style of Jane Austin w/the fantastical imagination of Lord Dunsany, with the ability to make magic seem perfectly normal in real life, and etc.
I have not idea why I want to proclaim this book: perhaps it's a spell by J. Strange, Mr Norrell, the man with the thistledown hair, or the Raven King...
Please read it--it's good! Especially for a first novel! And Ms. Clarke spent ten years writing it!
"A writer's chosen task is to write well and professionally. If you can't keep doing it, then you're no longer a professional, but a gifted amateur." L. E. Modessit, jr.
Lamaial
It's my own derivation from "lamia", which were mythological creatures who lived off the blood and flesh of children. The Matrial believes that males with Talent live off the life force of women in particular, hence the justification [in my mind] for the adaptation of the term.
L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
Just a suggestion, you might want to flip through this forum for stuff to read
http://ibdof.com/viewtopic.php?t=64
http://ibdof.com/viewtopic.php?t=64
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Kvetch
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I believe that rendering is the job of boiling down animal fats to make tallow. Since tallow was used in candles among other things, it presumably is an important job, if an undesirable one - hence the untouchability of whatsisname
Supporting text here
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"I'm the family radical. The rest are terribly stuffy. Aside from Aunt - she's just odd."
Re: Lamaial
interesting. Among my many interests are the myths and legends (vampires, werewolves, etc) and I had wondered if "lamia" had any connection. I find lots of little things make their way into your books!!!lmodesitt wrote:It's my own derivation from "lamia", which were mythological creatures who lived off the blood and flesh of children. The Matrial believes that males with Talent live off the life force of women in particular, hence the justification [in my mind] for the adaptation of the term.
L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
Book copies
I keep published copies of pretty near everything that I've written that appeared in print. For a writer, in my view, that's a necessity.
L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
Gulliver?
I have notice several recurring themes, some political (women’s right, environmental balance, humanities/music) and some just common sense (honesty, truth, and understanding not just using), but I was just rereading Magic of Recluce. It started me wondering if you put a kind of Gulliver’s Travel statement behind it and all of your Recluce books?
Also the balance between Technology and the Environment appears to be a major concern to you. Other then your books, what other avenues do you use to get the point across? Blogging, non-fictional publications, or conferences?
The over all question I guess I am getting at is do you consider yourself to be a political writer using SciFi/Fanasty to get a point across?
Also the balance between Technology and the Environment appears to be a major concern to you. Other then your books, what other avenues do you use to get the point across? Blogging, non-fictional publications, or conferences?
The over all question I guess I am getting at is do you consider yourself to be a political writer using SciFi/Fanasty to get a point across?
"We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm."
Points in fiction
It's not surprising that such elements appear in my fiction, since I spent nearly 20 years in Washington, D.C., in and/or concerned with national politics and government, and much of that time was involved in environmental issues. But no... I don't consider myself a "political"writer, using F&SF to get particular points across. While my characters are involved with some of these issues, if you read all of my work, you'll find at least several cases where I take contrary and opposing views. The reason why I do have politics in my work, however, is that in any society, politics, or what passes for it, has a great influence on how people live their lives. So does the environment. So do whatever the sex roles adopted by the cultures happen to be. So do trade and commerce.
L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
Ethics
Actually, I can't really recommend any good books on ethics. What's in my books is derived from other sources -- a great deal of history, biography, politics, mythology, the works of Joseph Campbell, as well as traditional sources such as the Bible, the Koran, and works on Zen.
I'm sure there must be some books that deal with the issues I've raised and treated, but I haven't happened across them. I have happened across what I would call "simplistic" ethics books -- especially in the field of business.
L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
I'm sure there must be some books that deal with the issues I've raised and treated, but I haven't happened across them. I have happened across what I would call "simplistic" ethics books -- especially in the field of business.
L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
Thanks, I think in that case i'll just persue a general course of research into it. The main problem I'm having is trying to understand how the persual of a consistent set ethics can inevitably lead to what amounts to genocide and planetary scale ethnical cleansing.
I feel that surely not everyone can be responsible to the same degree for crimes against humanity, and yet all are punished the same with the only justification being that of securing an ethical outcome.
I feel that surely not everyone can be responsible to the same degree for crimes against humanity, and yet all are punished the same with the only justification being that of securing an ethical outcome.
That's why the world can be (is) messed up so much: ethical ideals depend on culture, religion, viewpoint, and etc. And everyone's going to have a different idea of what is ethical/right/good, which leads to conflict (e.g. wars, arguements, embargoes, fistfights, etc.) Also, even when everyone is in the same culture with the same basic religious beliefs, they still can't seem to totally agree on what's right, wrong, or ethical for everyone. If something harms a society as a whole (and everyone can see it) a consensus is swiftly decided upon: they attacked us/an individual commited a crime: they're evil/bad. But the same justification can come from the same society when they attack another/punish a criminal (though criminality can vary greatly): we're doing this to prevent evil/unethical behaviour, though they're basically doing the same thing as their supposedly "evil" enemies... I guess it all depends on the time, the place, the events, and the viewpoint of those involved on both sides--and who wins.
That's why we have laws and government (and religion), though. They may not (and never will be) perfect. But at least they allow for a basic standard of conduct (what's ok to do/what's not) that can be stretched and modified a bit at need, though it can often change for the worse when everyone thinks they're trying to change things for the better...
Can't really think of much else at the moment.
That's why we have laws and government (and religion), though. They may not (and never will be) perfect. But at least they allow for a basic standard of conduct (what's ok to do/what's not) that can be stretched and modified a bit at need, though it can often change for the worse when everyone thinks they're trying to change things for the better...
Can't really think of much else at the moment.
"A writer's chosen task is to write well and professionally. If you can't keep doing it, then you're no longer a professional, but a gifted amateur." L. E. Modessit, jr.