Crosenblum
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
I am a huge fan of the Vorkosigan series. Especially, as I was born with a mild form of dwarfism. Being different means you have much more to overcome to just reach normal levels of achievement. What inspired you to make Miles different? Thank you.
Lois McMaster Bujold
In the early 80s, when I first came up with Miles, I wasn't thinking in those real-world terms at all. Well, only insofar as one wants one's action hero to be distinguishable from all the others on the market. In particular, thwarted from direct physical/violent solutions, I wanted him forced to use his brains. (*)
Like other people, Miles began with his parents -- I had the basic idea for him and his physical (if not mental, though I suppose emotional) challenges during the writing of Shards of Honor back in 1983; I'd written the first draft of that up through the soltoxin attack before I circled back and found the current ending. The writing (and, eventually, publication) of The Warrior's Apprentice came next, as I set out to explore things I'd set up in the first book. It all grew chapter by chapter in the writing, so, more discovery than decision. (As a rule, my writing explores people, not issues, though I grant from an outside view issues do sometimes seem to come along for the ride.)
* -- I've since wondered, watching all those 15-y-o anime heroes begging their masters to make them stronger, why not one ever begs their master to make them smarter. It seems a much more urgent need...
Ta, L.
In the early 80s, when I first came up with Miles, I wasn't thinking in those real-world terms at all. Well, only insofar as one wants one's action hero to be distinguishable from all the others on the market. In particular, thwarted from direct physical/violent solutions, I wanted him forced to use his brains. (*)
Like other people, Miles began with his parents -- I had the basic idea for him and his physical (if not mental, though I suppose emotional) challenges during the writing of Shards of Honor back in 1983; I'd written the first draft of that up through the soltoxin attack before I circled back and found the current ending. The writing (and, eventually, publication) of The Warrior's Apprentice came next, as I set out to explore things I'd set up in the first book. It all grew chapter by chapter in the writing, so, more discovery than decision. (As a rule, my writing explores people, not issues, though I grant from an outside view issues do sometimes seem to come along for the ride.)
* -- I've since wondered, watching all those 15-y-o anime heroes begging their masters to make them stronger, why not one ever begs their master to make them smarter. It seems a much more urgent need...
Ta, L.
More Answered Questions
Talli Ruksas
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Did you write Ethan and Labyrinth at the same time? Ethan clearly comes first but Elli mentions an 8 foot tall bioengineered super soldier in it. Was it your decision or GG's that Enrique should lose his Escobaran accent? I suppose he could have lost it in the 4 years between ACC and Flowers...
Maya Chhabra
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Hi! I'm a fan of your books (both Five Gods and Vorkosigan) and heard you were on a panel about The Untamed! I was wondering if you have watched or are interested in the show Nirvana in Fire, a court intrigue drama that is considered one of the best Chinese TV shows ever? My wife and I keep thinking of some similarities to Vorkosigan due to a physically disabled hero who keeps an intrigue plot moving in creative ways.
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