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Maggie Stiefvater
m_stiefvater
10 January 2011 @ 10:18 am
If You Could Ask A Writer ONE Question . . .  
A little less than one month than now, I and 22 other YA writers will be withdrawing to a secluded location in middle America and, under the watchful gazes of several stuffed animal heads, having a writer's retreat. There will be mirth and probably drinking (by other people, I don't)(taste, not principle)(faeries don't like alcohol, didn't you hear?) and much discussion of the business.



Also there will be a v-log/ v-chat. Because there are so damn many of us, it'll be impossible to have a back and forth with readers as we normally would, so what's going to happen is this: each writer is going to answer one question. This is where you come in. If you could ask one question of one of these authors, who would you ask what? I will use arcane methods, black magic, wisdom, and chance to assign a question to each author. The final v-chat time will be announced closer to the event, but it'll be the first week of February.

And here's the line-up.


1. Me.
2. Tessa Gratton
3. Brenna Yovanoff
4. Carrie Ryan
5. Jackson Pearce
6. Jackie Dolamore
7. Dawn Metcalf
8. Kiersten White
9. Jenny Moss
10. Julie Kagawa
11. Frankie Mallis
12. Sonia Gensler
13. Victoria Schwab
14. Natalie Standiford
15. Saundra Mitchell
16. Myra McEntire
17. Jessica Spotswood
18. Carrie Jones
19. Jeri Smith-Ready
20. Julia Karr
21. Elizabeth Scott
22. Beth Revis
23. Sarah Darer Littman


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38 comments | Leave a comment
 
( 38 comments — Leave a comment )
Sofie[info]sofiekarlsson on January 10th, 2011 03:23 pm (UTC)
What is the hardest part in writing a book?
MissPageTurner[info]MPTsCityofBooks on January 10th, 2011 03:29 pm (UTC)
Have you ever considered cheating on your husband with one of your novels' characters?

-no idea who should answer this, maybe you better ask them, who wants/dares to answer,haha:D

Very cool meeting!
Tiffany Trent[info]tltrent on January 10th, 2011 03:35 pm (UTC)
A comment, not a question. Those of you who drink, be sure to have one for me. ;)
Amber 'Grundman' Sweeney[info]Amber 'Grundman' Sweeney on January 10th, 2011 03:40 pm (UTC)
I'm going non book related on this one, save it until you can't stand to talk books for one more second....

If you were a box of cereal, what kind would you be and why?
[info]usaixoise1 on January 10th, 2011 03:43 pm (UTC)
(For anyone) As a reader, I sometimes have a hard time detaching myself from the character's emotions and thoughts when I absolutely (and unfortunately) have to put down the book and deal with 'real life'. How do you do that as an author when you're so much more in the heads of your characters?
Helen Casey[info]Helen Casey on January 10th, 2011 03:58 pm (UTC)
I agree!
This is a brilliant question! I second this one ^_^
purdueliz[info]purdueliz on January 10th, 2011 07:44 pm (UTC)
Re: I agree!
Yes, absolutely an excellent question. I find some characters and their stories lingering in my head for days and sometimes weeks.
scampii091[info]scampii091 on January 10th, 2011 03:48 pm (UTC)
My non serious question would be, "Maggie, will you be my best friend?"

I'll have to give my serious question a thought, because as this is a serious gathering with serious questions, I don't really want to clog up your inbox with silly comments such as above. However, just this once, it had to be done.
Paula Ratcliffe[info]Paula Ratcliffe on January 10th, 2011 04:12 pm (UTC)
this one would be directed at you, what made you come up with the concept of Shiver and Linger and Forever?
Akoss[info]akossket on January 10th, 2011 04:14 pm (UTC)
For Julia Karr: " XVI started as a NaNo Novel, did that impact the journey to publishing in any way?"
[info]readerrider on January 11th, 2011 10:44 pm (UTC)
I second this question.
valeriekwrites[info]valeriekwrites on January 10th, 2011 04:39 pm (UTC)
I'm sad that I won't be there, what an awesome group! But at least I will get to see three of you for like half a day! And then while you're gone, Natalie and I can plan our world domination. Or you know, write some stuff so that we can go next year.

As for questions, what was the most unexpected part (positive or negative) about the process once your book was sold?
em.[info]rilkes on January 10th, 2011 05:00 pm (UTC)
you're in jail. what was your crime?
Love! Bang! Crash! Wakka, Wakka! Bam Thwok![info]aquagirl2988 on January 10th, 2011 05:14 pm (UTC)
How big of a factor are existing cultural traditions when you're coming up up with a new mythology? (I'm thinking specifically about your werewolves or Carrie Ryan's zombies.)
R.J. Anderson: Arrow - Rhosmari[info]rj_anderson on January 10th, 2011 05:31 pm (UTC)
I will be with you all in spirit! Also not drinking (even in spirit) because of the faeries taste thing. But I hope you all have a fabulous time!
Olivia Lucille Watkins[info]Olivia Lucille Watkins on January 10th, 2011 06:11 pm (UTC)
Have fun!!

My question would be directed at Tessa Gratton: What is a book (past or present) you've always wanted to write, and why haven't you written it yet?
susancolebank[info]susancolebank on January 10th, 2011 07:24 pm (UTC)
My question is, how does one get invited to such a glorious retreat? ;o)

Now for the more serious question: Do you have any self-defeatist behavior as it relates to writing, and if so, how have you overcome it?

-S.
Maggie Stiefvater[info]m_stiefvater on January 11th, 2011 12:47 pm (UTC)
Being awesome and agented, that's how. Also knowing me helps. ;p Or you can organize one yourself . . . for unpubbed authors . . . mmmm?

Good question, by the way.
Braiden Asciak[info]Braiden Asciak on January 10th, 2011 07:34 pm (UTC)
Comment
This is for Beth Revis.

Was it challenging or did it feel unsafe to write Across the Universe which is set in a totally difference place, when so many novels in Young Adult at this moment are more Earth-based and paranormal?
purdueliz[info]purdueliz on January 10th, 2011 07:48 pm (UTC)
How do you keep yourself motivated to write? Especially for ones like me who a) have children at home and b) tend to keep reading instead of writing?
frogfaeriex6[info]frogfaeriex6 on January 10th, 2011 08:26 pm (UTC)
I have a question for now and maybe I’ll come up with a clever one for later.
Whose idea was it for this great gathering of talent?

How fun would it be to hug each other and talk about your favorite parts, characters and images? To ask each other what would happen next to your favorite characters that you’ve grown to love. Maybe I’m just thinking from a fan’s point of view but sounds like the ultimate book/girls/fantasy party. I wish I could step into the worlds you incredible ladies create and breathe in all that magic. There have been different times that I’ve longed to be a fly on a wall but I think I’d rather be in my favorite comfy pants (frog printed of course) snuggle in a comfy chair and listen quietly to your talk and laughter. I’d probably hold a pillow to squeal into when you talked about my favorite characters or plot parts but mostly I’d just try and soak it all in.
Have tons and tons of fun! Maybe make a toast to those of us who are still chasing our rainbows and admire those of you who have caught hold of yours.


soldierly: breathe[info]soldierly on January 10th, 2011 09:31 pm (UTC)
Are your characters "voices in your head?" Do they become real people to you, and are you wrapped up in them even when you're not writing?
Kate[info]sithereandread on January 10th, 2011 11:14 pm (UTC)
Out of all of the characters you have written, whose life would you love to live in and why?
gray_wolf[info]sam_best_wolf on January 11th, 2011 02:04 am (UTC)
Sounds like a party!
Yeah, your lucky you get to see so many authors D;
And their all lucky they get to hang with the one and only Maggie! ;D So make sure they bow in the greatness of Maggie.
gray_wolf[info]sam_best_wolf on January 11th, 2011 02:05 am (UTC)
Re: Sounds like a party!
Also, my question, as everyone else seems to be doing it,

Was my name, Jeremy (your number one fan) a reason you used that name in Linger? Or was it from random? This plagues me greatly xD
Alyxandra Harvey[info]alyxh on January 11th, 2011 08:20 pm (UTC)
fantasic!
Off Topic-ish: I've been considering putting together a similar retreat for Canadian writers, would love to hear any advice/pointers after your retreat! enjoy :)
Alyx Harvey
[info]lisasanuma.wordpress.com on January 11th, 2011 09:01 pm (UTC)
For anyone - what was the first story you remember ever making up about?
[info]readerrider on January 11th, 2011 10:49 pm (UTC)
For Frankie Mallis: Why did the title of your novel change from SEVEN SISTERS BRANDYWINE to STOLEN, since the two titles are markedly different in tone?

Or, more in general, how important is it if your novel has the same title as another recent one in the same genre?
bostonerin: Total Tragedy Cover[info]bostonerin on January 13th, 2011 08:37 pm (UTC)
Oh, sounds AWESOME. I can only imagine the stories those animal heads will have when you lot leave! I am going to pretend I'm with you while at home. Am going to mount some of Toddler's stuffed animal heads and everything...

My question: has your wildest writing dream come true yet? If so, how does that feel? And...then what do you set your sights on?

Edited at 2011-01-13 08:40 pm (UTC)
ancouch[info]ancouch on January 14th, 2011 02:49 am (UTC)
I want to know if any of you have any regrets in your writing careers. Maybe not starting sooner? Not able to sell a certain story? Not taking some chance? What do you wish you could have done over? or better? or differently?
jamileigh17: Booklove[info]jamileigh17 on January 16th, 2011 02:03 pm (UTC)
That sounds so awesome! *sneaks into your luggage*
lynseynewton[info]lynseynewton on January 17th, 2011 01:21 pm (UTC)
OMG this retreat sounds like the best thing since sliced bread! I'm really interested in the writing process and how it differs between writers. I want to know about recommended craft books, if people use software (e.g. scrivener) or other methods like post it notes or a notebook.

Hope you all have a great time, I'm quite envious ;)

Kalyn Lady[info]Kalyn Lady on January 17th, 2011 03:21 pm (UTC)
This question would be for Carrie Ryan:

Why didn't Mary tell Gabry about Travis?
She did a littlw bit, but she never said his name, and it made me knd of sad.

OR

Was Patrick one of the Unconsecrated who broke into the village in The Forest of Hands and Teeth?

P.S. You're my favorite YA writer! <3
Camille Strange[info]camillestrange on January 23rd, 2011 10:39 pm (UTC)
How many books did you have to write before one was successful in the publishing industry??
Camille Strange[info]camillestrange on January 23rd, 2011 10:42 pm (UTC)
What is your secret to breaking a writer's block?
Do you have special writing formula?
What is one thing you cannot write without??
Who is your favorite Disney Princess?
JP[info]jpmarsull on January 29th, 2011 03:41 pm (UTC)
For you: Do you plan on having another of these retreats later on in the future?
caroline starr rose[info]carolinesr on January 31st, 2011 08:25 pm (UTC)
Have fun, you guys! Yay, Elevensies!!
Camille Strange[info]camillestrange on February 4th, 2011 02:50 am (UTC)
Okay here's one:

Whats the coolest thing a reader has ever sent you??
( 38 comments — Leave a comment )