Octavia Estelle Butler (June 22, 1947 – February 24, 2006) was an American science fiction and speculative fiction writer who won several awards for her works, including Hugo, Locus, and Nebula awards. In 1995, Butler became the first science-fiction writer to receive a MacArthur Fellowship. (Wikipedia)
Not a great experience for a writer!
(Source: Writers Write)
How do you actually write out a story?
‘It takes me six months to do a story. I think it out and then write it sentence by sentence—no first draft. I can’t write five words but that I change seven.’
How do you name your characters?
‘The telephone book and from the obituary columns.’
Do you keep a notebook?
‘I tried to keep one, but I never could remember where I put the damn thing. I always say I’m going to keep one tomorrow.’
How do you get the story down on paper?
‘I wrote in longhand at first, but I’ve lost it. I use two fingers on the typewriter. I think it’s unkind of you to ask. I know so little about the typewriter that once I bought a new one because I couldn’t change the ribbon on the one I had.’
How about the novel? Have you ever tried that form?
‘I wish to God I could do one, but I haven’t got the nerve.’
Do you think economic security an advantage to the writer?
‘Yes. Being in a garret doesn’t do you any good unless you’re some sort of a Keats. The people who lived and wrote well in the twenties were comfortable and easy living. They were able to find stories and novels, and good ones, in conflicts that came out of two million dollars a year, not a garret. As for me, I’d like to have money. And I’d like to be a good writer. These two can come together, and I hope they will, but if that’s too adorable, I’d rather have money. I hate almost all rich people, but I think I’d be darling at it.’
The Paris Review interview by Marion Capron
Wait, what?
Rick Riordan is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of over twenty novels for young readers, including the Percy Jackson series.
Today, over 190 million copies of his books are in print worldwide, and rights have been sold into more than 37 countries. Rick and his wife Becky are both executive producers overseeing TV/film adaptations of his works including Percy Jackson, the Kane Chronicles and Daughter of the Deep.
Wordsmith At Large 