Chris Trites
asked
Veronica Roth:
Hello, I want to say how much I enjoy your stories. I love that they're different and that you think outside the box. Thank you for writing them. My copy of Arch-Conspirator should be arriving in a few days and I am excited and a little nervous to continue with the story. Why Antigone? Have you always been a fan of Sophocles? Is there any of the other tragedies you would consider exploring (re-telling)? Thx.
Veronica Roth
<3!
I never planned to write any sort of retelling-- I don't love having to operate inside of someone else's framework, whether it's with plot or characters, which is probably why I never got into writing fanfiction when I was younger. But I was talking to a friend a couple years ago and mentioned that I didn't think I would ever write a retelling-- and then about an hour later I texted her, "...unless it was like a sci-fi Antigone." She of course told me to DO IT, and that's when Arch-Conspirator was born.
Why Antigone? is a tougher question, but I think the answer lies in Antigone herself. In the original play, Antigone is a complex, interesting protagonist who capably defends herself against someone far more powerful than she is (her uncle, Kreon)-- her argument with him about the morality of his edict not to bury her brother is among the most memorable conversations I've encountered in literature. She's so deeply convinced of her position. She knows where her inner compass is pointing. I do tend to be attracted to characters like that, so maybe it's not surprising that she's been haunting me all this time.
As for future retellings, I do keep waiting for another one to strike me the same way Antigone did, but so far that hasn't happened. So we'll see!
I never planned to write any sort of retelling-- I don't love having to operate inside of someone else's framework, whether it's with plot or characters, which is probably why I never got into writing fanfiction when I was younger. But I was talking to a friend a couple years ago and mentioned that I didn't think I would ever write a retelling-- and then about an hour later I texted her, "...unless it was like a sci-fi Antigone." She of course told me to DO IT, and that's when Arch-Conspirator was born.
Why Antigone? is a tougher question, but I think the answer lies in Antigone herself. In the original play, Antigone is a complex, interesting protagonist who capably defends herself against someone far more powerful than she is (her uncle, Kreon)-- her argument with him about the morality of his edict not to bury her brother is among the most memorable conversations I've encountered in literature. She's so deeply convinced of her position. She knows where her inner compass is pointing. I do tend to be attracted to characters like that, so maybe it's not surprising that she's been haunting me all this time.
As for future retellings, I do keep waiting for another one to strike me the same way Antigone did, but so far that hasn't happened. So we'll see!
More Answered Questions
A Goodreads user
asked
Veronica Roth:
Hi Veronica, can I ask if/when you are going to write a new book?
Gary P English
asked
Veronica Roth:
I'm loving Poster Girl, as I have all of your books. Are you planning a sequel or series from it? I only about halfway through now, and I like the Emily Knox character as well as Sonya. What were your inspirations in creating them? Also, I'd love to read more from the Carve the Mark world. Can you envision any further books for that series?
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