Questions for Kate Elliott

[Kate.Elliott]

Originally Posted by AryaUnderfoot

My question for Kate is: who is your favorite Fantasy writer/ what is your favorite book?

I'd probably have to say Tolkien and Lord of the Rings, but then I would also have to say Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, although that's not a fantasy novel. And then if I thought for another five minutes, I'd list another 5 or 12.

Beyond Tolkien, who was a major influence, I can't say I have a favorite fantasy author. There are so many great writers and books out there.

[Kate.Elliott]

Originally Posted by Kelpie

(obligatory on-topic remark) Which reminds me to ask Kate Elliott: How much has your own past involvement in historical recreation influenced your writing?

The battle scenes, definitely. Not the blood and gore elements, but the sense of pacing and movement and banter and details and dust. One of my favorite battle scenes is the battle on the hill (knob) toward the end of Child of Flame where the Lions are trying to hold against superior numbers while protecting the very young Blessing.

[Kate.Elliott]

Originally Posted by Alia

I'm have also been wondering Kate, if you drew your inspiration for the races and civilazations in the Crown of Stars Series from our own world's history? If so, would you mind elaborating on each country, or race, and person?

There is a thread, Correlations, on your website, that a young lady (Aoimog) has tried to correlate people and places to our world's history. She has done a lot of research and it is quite involved. I would be very interested, as I'm sure she would too, of how close she came to guessing who was who and what was what.

Thanks!

Wow. I haven't checked out that thread. I'm cautious about reading on the board because I have to keep my writing process separate from the discussion process, if that makes sense. I think I might have lurked in the movie casting thread, though!

Alba = Britain
Salia = France
Wendar & Varre = more or less Germany & the Low Countries
Heart's Rest = combo Denmark and Netherlands
Eikaland = Norse countries (Norway & Sweden)
Polenie = Poland
Salavii = Slavs
Ungria = Hungary
Karrone = combo Switzerland and Burgundia
Darre = Rome
ancient Dariyan Empire = Roman Empire
Aosta = Italy
Arethousa = Byzantine Empire
Quman = any one of various steppe tribes, but the wings on the winged riders come from the Polish Hussars of the 17th century (so cool!)
Kerayit & Horse people = again, steppe cultures
Hessi merchants = kind of Jewish analog, not explored in depth in CoS but if I do write the young adult series they will become more important
Ashioi = immigrants from Central America, more or less, with a distinct Tarascan/Aztec flavor
Kartiako = Carthage of old
Jinna = Persian empire, kind of


That's what pops up off the top of my head. I'll go check out Aoimog's post.

[Kate.Elliott]

Originally Posted by Rahl Windsong

Welcome Kate Elliott, my question for you would be, "what are you reading now?"

Rahl

In a moment of complete and utter idiocy, I agreed back in February to be a judge for the World Fantasy Awards, not realizing that I would have to read unbelievable tons of reading material by June 1. During this same time period, I have had two books to revise and one to complete (one down, two to go).

So that's mostly what I've been reading - novels, short fiction, non fiction, fantasy, horror, or fantasy/horror related - published for the first time anywhere in the world in 2004.

You cannot believe how much there is out there.

Off the top of my head, I remember these novels as particularly good:
Nancy Farmer: The Sea of Trolls
Paul Kearney: The Mark of Ran
Madeline Howard: The Hidden Stars
Eileen Kernaghan: Winter on the Plain of Ghosts
Juliet Marillier: Foxmask

There are a couple of standout collections, too, one by Ian MacLeod (Breathmoss and other stories), and by John Crowley and Suzy McKee Charnas, and L. Timmel Duchamp, and others I'm forgetting (it's a really good year for single-author collections).

Anthologies have not been as much to my taste, and I've read too much short fiction to sort it out without my long list.

The last thing I read unrelated to the WFC Awards was THROWIM WAY LEG, by (I think) Tim Flannery, an Australian biologist who writes about his field work in Papua New Guina and Irian Jaya. Excellent. Highly recommended. Should be required reading for fantasy writers, just to get a glimpse of 1) how people live in a non sanitized world and 2) how different, and the same, human culture can really be.

[Kate.Elliott]

But enough about me.

What are you guys reading?

And of books/stories published for the first time in 2004 (not just US, anywhere), is there anything that you particularly liked?

[Teresa Edgerton]

Now you've done it -- ask a question like that around here, and people will probably answer you with copious lists of their own.

Interesting that you should mention being impressed with a collection by Ian MacLeod. I just finished reading one of his novels, The Light Ages. Weird and rather Dickensian. Fantasy in concept, but reads like SF.

(I'm very glad you stopped by.)

[GOLLUM]

Thanks for setting this up Kelpie and it's fantastic to hear from such a great author. I'll post something soon on my current booklist..

Ciaoo..

[GOLLUM]

Hi there Kate,

I don’t know when next you’ll visit us but it’s quite an honour having you here!

I’m currently reading/read multiple series primarily in the field of fantasy with some of my top favorites including:

Naturally the “Crown Of Stars” series
Steven Erikson’s Malazan Series (best EPIC fantasy series I’ve ever come across)
Stephen Donaldson’s T. Covenant series including his current and final T. Covenant quartet with Book 1 The Runes Of The Earth.
Tad William’s marvelous Memory, Sorrow and Thorn trilogy and current Shadowmach trilogy.
George RR Martin’s Song Of Ice And Fire EPIC.
Paul Kearney’s Monarchies Of God series, having recently completed his fabulous Mark Of Ran.
Sean Russell’s Swans War trilogy.
J.V. Jones current and for me her best trilogy Sword Of Shadows eagerly awaiting Book 3..
Jude Fisher’s debut trilogy Fool’s Gold
Robert Silverberg’s sadly recently completed Majipoor series.
Phillips Pullman’s His Dark Materials, a real page-turner.
My favourite Aussie author Ian Irvine and his wonderful series.
Ricardo Pinto’s richly textured trilogy The Stone Dance Of The Chameleon
Greg Keye’s current Kingdom Of Thorn and Bone series.
Janny Wurts and her Wars Of Light and Shadow series.
John Marco’s Tyrants And Kings trilogy.
Neal Stephenson’s Cryptonomico and current Baroque series.
China Mieville’s King Rat
Glenn Cook's Black Company

Hmm.. I’d better stop now otherwise I’ll be here till next Christmas.

BTW I’m currently posting researched articles for fun on this forum which cover some of the authors of classic fantasy/speculative fiction of times past like Robert E Howard, Lovecraft, P. Anderson, Lieber, Mallory, Carroll, Tolkien, Christian Anderson, Peake, Norton, Le Guin, Dunsany etc… Anyway I’ve just today got my hands on a copy of Poe’s collected works for a song and boy am I bursting at the seams to get stuck into it!!!

Ok then time to sign off and thanks very much for taking the time out to answer some of our questions.

It’s very much appreciated!!

P.S. I'm glad we'll finally find out Alain's true origins.
P.P.S. Looks like I should be checking out Ian McLeod.

[Alia]

I have to say Gollum, I was surprised by your list. Not the content, but the length. It looks a little short for the literary god...

And Kate, Thank you! I too am very glad you stopped by Chronies. I hope you'll come often to visit us!

My reading list: (much shorter than Gollum's)
Jaran series, on second book
Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan, had to stop reading to read Crown of Stars Series, so I'm on the second chapter of the the first book Very sad that I haven't finished it yet
I picked up Tad William's The Dragonbone Chair, but set it done to read The Hidden Stars by Madeline Howard (excellent work btw Kelpie) and I'll finish that one before I return to the others.

I will be going to the AutumnCon in Oct with the Hubby! We are looking forward to the trip and seeing you, Kate! Gollum, did you ever find a ticket?

Alia

[AryaUnderfoot]

I just finished reading "A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" (hysterically funny), and now I'm reading "Reading Lolita in Tehran" and re-reading "The Gathering Storm" thanks to Alia's persuasive questions.


Thanks for stopping by, Kate!

[Alia]

thanks to Alia's persuasive questions.

*snickering* Intriguing minds need to know Arya... I was just wondering what your thoughts were on Alain.
Did you see Kate's post about him? Good thing I'm taking notes on those books!

[AryaUnderfoot]

Yeah, Alia, I saw Kate's post about Alain. The word that floated across my brain upon reading that was "tease!" Thank goodness for forums, or the waiting would be unbearable. In the meantime, I'm just going to follow your lead and start writing things down. :P

[Alia]

I have to admit defeat... The first time I read the Crown of Stars Series I was pregnant. I don't know about any other pregnant woman, but as for me, I lost all of my memory... haven't regained it back yet either ~ very disappointing. That is why I take notes. I use to pride myself on how I could remember everything, even the simpliest stupidest thing... now I can bearly remember my head, thank goodness it's attached.
Anyways... take notes, and we'll compare when your finished.

[AryaUnderfoot]

Originally Posted by Alia

I have to admit defeat... The first time I read the Crown of Stars Series I was pregnant. I don't know about any other pregnant woman, but as for me, I lost all of my memory... haven't regained it back yet either ~ very disappointing.

Hey, it's ok. My mom's had five kids, and she takes notes on EVERYTHING now. We'll definitely have to compare notes.

[GOLLUM]

Originally Posted by Alia

I have to say Gollum, I was surprised by your list. Not the content, but the length. It looks a little short for the literary god...

And Kate, Thank you! I too am very glad you stopped by Chronies. I hope you'll come often to visit us!

My reading list: (much shorter than Gollum's)
Jaran series, on second book
Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan, had to stop reading to read Crown of Stars Series, so I'm on the second chapter of the the first book Very sad that I haven't finished it yet
I picked up Tad William's The Dragonbone Chair, but set it done to read The Hidden Stars by Madeline Howard (excellent work btw Kelpie) and I'll finish that one before I return to the others.

I will be going to the AutumnCon in Oct with the Hubby! We are looking forward to the trip and seeing you, Kate! Gollum, did you ever find a ticket?

Alia

Alia you reminded me I meant to add Robert Jordan's Wheel Of Time series to my list, eagerly awaiting relase of Book 11 later this year.

Nope still waiting for that ticket...

BTW good on you for attending AutumnCon, let us know how it goes and maybe you can check out WorldCon in future years. Hmm.. Melbourne is bidding for Worldcon 2010, so fingers and toes crossed if we get the nod, maybe Kate could attend or maybe I could provide her with a ticket..

Bye for now..