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Posted by Jassen Lloyd
July 22nd 2012Dear Mr. Nicholson, It is an absolute pleasure to write to you and the creativity that is seen in the films you have written is wonderful. I am screenwriting from a book that is considered a classic. The story has been seen on screen many times, but I believe it can be done differently. When I saw the Trailer for Les Miserables, I realized that though it had been completed before, that it could be done in a different style altogether -thanks to you and the other screenwriters. Is it entirely necessary to win writing contests before finding an agent? And would you ever indulge in glancing over a few pages from someone new? Gratefully, Jassen
William Nicholson responded:
You're right that even classics can be remained in new ways. Getting an agent is hard, and winning contests helps, but it's not vital. Many writers get known through other work first, for print, radio, TV. But in the end your best selling card is an amazing screenplay. As for me looking at your work - I'm really sorry, but I can't start doing that or I'd never do any of my own work. Find someone nearby you know and respect: other people's views are always valuable, even when wrong.
Posted by Walt
July 19th 2012Mr. Nicholson, Upon re-reading you wind on fire books this summer, I was struck with the feeling that they have the making of a great movie. Have you ever thought of transposing it and making a movie?
William Nicholson responded:
Yes, I have thought of that. However, it takes a good production company to come up with the finance and skill to do the job, and so far that hasn't happened. Maybe one day.
Posted by Jadeyn
July 3rd 2012Mr. Nicholson, I hope this message finds you well. I'm 20 y/o, an English major, and hope to teach literature one day at the college level. I'm also a huge fan of your Wind on Fire trilogy, holding them dearly in my heart for years. It might sound silly, but having reread them this summer, I was struck by the deep love your characters expressed for each other and the world. There was a connection between everyone and everything, and I thought as I read, this could be our world, if we tried. If we listened and loved. I don't tell many people this, and I rarely tell myself, but I'm an atheist. I hate admitting it, because others assume I've simply given up on faith. It saddens me greatly, that I'm treated like another person by some, and others I must lie to. I'm cold, pretentious, uncaring. A quitter. But that's not the truth, sir. I had faith, and I put it all in the world, in its people. I love life all the more. Sometimes, I try to explain this to my friends, all of whom are Christians, and they listen but I can never tell if they understand. I want them to, and I've often considered writing a story through which I can express my beliefs -- a world without good or evil, only people and their desires, their love, and a respect for it and everything we do not know. Reading your trilogy, I could not help but imagine these things, and I wondered, "Is this what the author sees? Is this his belief?" You are well-traveled, sir, and have met many different people. What sort of world would we live in, do you think, if we could all see and listen to each other's hearts? I'm sorry, I suppose this is a very impossible and broad question. You do not have to answer. Thank you for reading. I wish you a good day. Jadeyn
William Nicholson responded:
Like you, I was once a Christian, and I still have deep respect for Christians. It's nonsense that we who have moved on from simple faith are cold, uncaring, etc. We're if anything more open, more caring, certainly more courageous - and we go on searching, testing, showing humility about the deep questions of life and interest in other people's answers. I believe profoundly in the goodness of people, despite all the evidence to the contrary. And people are good whether they're Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, agnostic, atheist, or just plain bewildered. Christianity has no monopoly on either goodness or meaning. Those who believe it has need to get out more, preferably out into other cultures. You're still young, and there are many marvellous discoveries waiting for you. Go through life with curiosity and joy, and you'll be rewarded.
Posted by Athalie Long
July 2nd 2012William, In reading your bio I saw that you said that Firelight had failed. Well the industry may have said so but I and many, many, many others totally disagree. 15 years after it was done I have discovered this incredible movie. I found it on Amazon.com. So to the person who wondered where to get a DVD, Amazon is the place. It is a beautiful story and incredibly well told in the movie. I watch the movie over and over. The cast is luminous with performances that are second to none. Of course what can one expect with such a marvelous story and such talent to work with? I have two copies myself, in case I wear one out. :)))) Is there an Epilogue for Firelight? Or perhaps a sequel? I find myself wondering about what Charles, Elizabeth and Louisa do for the rest of their lives. Where are they going with all their belongings in the four 'vans' following their Coach? Hope I've not over done with the questions but I have one more. How does writing a book differ from writing a script? Thank's so much for ALL of your wonderful writing. Athalie Long
William Nicholson responded:
I suppose I say Firelight has failed because I hate making claims that aren't true - I'm a bit obsessed with honesty - and the plain fact is that it did fail commercially, and I won't hide from that painful truth. However, I still love it, and I love it that you love it, so thank you. No sequel, I'm afraid. But you may enjoy my novels? You ask how books differ from scripts: the answer is I can do so much more in a book, go so much deeper. So that's where my greatest energy now goes.
Posted by Raymund
June 28th 2012Hi William, just finished 'The Golden Hour' on the train into work this morning .Very much enjoyed it, as i had its forerunners, ..''The Secret Intensity.. &'' All the Hopeful....' Great trilogy, and trite to call it an aga saga, as i have seen in some reviews. You make some very interesting reflections on themes as such as the onset middle-age, relationships, committment, and professional careers coming to an end. Thought-provoking, & I want to go back and think more about some of your statements, & re-read some of the dialogue. My only slight disappointment was not hearing how the younger generation ie Jack, Alice, Chloe etc from book2 were getting on. Its a difficult world for young people today, & i would have been interested in your 'take' on it. You seem, which i guess is pretty obvious us all, to have been a bit more broadly reflective, & thoughtful on life themes with this part of the troligy. Intimations of mortality ? Anyway, enough waffle from me.Great read.Really enjoy these books.Plans for any more in this series ? Thanks again for the entertainment & thoughts. Raymund, London.
William Nicholson responded:
I am writing more in this series, though not yet returning fully to the younger generation. The next book is called MOTHERLAND and shows Alice, now 24, puzzling over the failure of her love life, meeting a grandmother she didn't know she had - and then we're back to 1942, for a big sweeping story that tells about the love life of Alice's great-grandmother. Yes, I know that sounds as if it's a very different kind of book, but it all connects - Edenfield is now full of Canadian soldiers - and more crucially, though set largely in the past, it's very much in my style, dealing in thought-provoking themes that affect us all. It's a bigger book than the others, and I think - I hope - very powerful. It comes out in February 2012. As for books after that, I have several planned - all link to the same world - but it's going to grow bigger all the time. I look forward to hearing what you make of the new book.
Posted by Sheila Buckingham
June 28th 2012Briefly, I run a literary lunch club (part of Ovingdean Arts Club) and wonder if you would give a talk to us. Nicky Singer came last year and suggested you as a local author. There would be c60 and a wonderful lunch! If you agree, perhaps you could give me Mondays you could manage plus of course your fee. Many thanks Sheila Buckingham
William Nicholson responded:
I'd love to come to your lunch club. A Monday in November, maybe? All free for me at present. I don't charge a fee when it's near to home.
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