Gard Evyr
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Lois, I noticed in reading Chalion/Paladins that out of all modern fantasy 'greats', your writing in the medieval 'idiom' is the most authentic in terms of colloquialism / style of language / manner of speaking, syntax, turns of phrase. Many authors write very 'modern' medieval prose. How/where do you learn this authentic manner of accurate syntax/dialogue/prose? Reading a lot of historical fiction, or? Thanks!
Lois McMaster Bujold
General and historical reading, certainly. But Shakespeare, mainly, I think. I used to belong to a play-reading group back in the 90s, and we went through a lot of his plays. The cadences worm into your brain.
I also pay attention to what turns of phrase or metaphors don't belong, perhaps because that technology or theory does not exist in the world of my tale. Though the absence of some literary toe-stub tends not to be noticed. I can't be too strict about it, though, because so many words have become common coin. The 5GU or the world of the Sharing Knife never had the theory of the four humours, for example, but "sanguine" or "melancholy" are still useful words.
Ta, L.
I also pay attention to what turns of phrase or metaphors don't belong, perhaps because that technology or theory does not exist in the world of my tale. Though the absence of some literary toe-stub tends not to be noticed. I can't be too strict about it, though, because so many words have become common coin. The 5GU or the world of the Sharing Knife never had the theory of the four humours, for example, but "sanguine" or "melancholy" are still useful words.
Ta, L.
More Answered Questions
John Campbell
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
I am a new author. On the self-publishing journey, but don't really have a burning ?. Just saw your name and wanted to say "Thank you!" I love your writing in general and your Vorkosigan series sits next to Sherlock Holmes and Harry Dresden on my most beloved reads shelf. Actually, since my eyes aren't what they used to be, I will add that I am very pleased you found such a good narrator in Grover!
Natalia Panina
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Hello, Lois! First of all I want to thank you very much for the Vorkosigan Saga. I read it first more than 20 years ago, in Russian. I just swallowed it overnight and hunted down all published books written by you. Right now I am reading Miles's story for the fourth time and can't sleep if not finish it overnight ))) My question: do you ever feel scared or stumbled when starting a new story? How do you manage?
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