Adam Kveton

Adam Kveton asked Katherine Arden:

When you're writing and you have something terrible happen to a character seemingly as retribution for the character enjoying themselves or doing what they want, do you ever think "you know, I could just let them have this" or "maybe they just get away with it"? Why is it important to you to have this cause and effect? (Struggling with this myself in my own writing)

Katherine Arden Erm, generally I don't think of characters as getting what they do or don't deserve. A strong moral compass isn't necessarily a help when one is creating fictional worlds, because you have to fit yourself into the skin of different people, some of whom aren't moral at all.

Fiction, for me, is about saying something as true as possible, as clearly and as beautifully as possible. It's not about imposing any kind of morality. I hope that helps.

More Answered Questions

Sohnia

Sohnia asked Katherine Arden:

Hi! Thank you for writing this wonderful and gorgeous book. It made me experiance so many emotions. The characters are amazing and they All invoke empathy. Im guessing the way women were treated is portrayed as true to life as possible. And my question is thus, sorry its so long winded, was it difficult at times? To write that as a woman? The lack of choice over their fates i mean. Thanks!

Minahel

Minahel asked Katherine Arden:

I was wondering how you go about creating and developing your characters, without being blunt or overly descriptive? I noticed in your novel that Vasya and even all the minor characters were fleshed out and felt authentic. This is something I struggle with a lot in my own writing so I'd love some tips!

Amy

Amy asked Katherine Arden:

Hi Katherine, Loved the book! Whereas I also enjoyed Deathless, your descriptions of the many spirits made this aspect easier to follow. I also suggest the perfect musical composition that captures the spirit of The Bear and the Nightingale. It is Rimsky-Korsakov's Russian Easter Festival Overture. I can just see Vasya flying through the forest on Solovey when I listen to it. Have you heard it?

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Katherine Arden

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