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Posted by Jonathan Greenfield
November 2nd 2009Hi! It's me again. I just felt like asking my favorite author some more questions. What book will you make next and what will it be about? What you tell me in the book? Can you dedicate it to me? Thanks!
William Nicholson responded:
My next book is called Rich and Mad - there's something about it on this site. It'll be out in April.
Posted by Margaret Gore
October 31st 2009Dear Mr Nicholson, I have no question but a huge thanks for writing 'Shadowlands', such a beautiful and clever play.I have recently been privileged to play the role of Joy Gresham in the Henfield Theatre Club production-an experience from which I am almost recovered!Over several years I've taken part in a number of productions but none have I found so satisfying and absorbing as this.The more I delved into the character the more I found many lines were quotes or near quotes of the lady herself which made the role even more vivid. I've even continued to read Joy and Jack's works such is my intrigue. I think we managed a fair portrayal and that we were able to do justice to this tender love story that you so carefully crafted. Thanks again( and for the tips you gave Digby Stephenson(Jack) which were a geat help)...'Shadowlands'and Joy have been one of my happiest, rewarding as well as most exhausting experiences on the amateur stage. Best wishes, Margaret Gore
William Nicholson responded:
Your pleasure gives me pleasure. It's wonderful for a writer to have his work still living and affecting people after all these years. So thank you.
Posted by Patricia Richardson
October 30th 2009I have just directed your play Shadowlands for the Bournemouth Little Theatre Club and we have our final performance tomorrow evening 31 October. I just want to thankyou so much for writing such a rich and wonderful play, and to say how much we all enjoyed working on it and how much our audiences have appreciated it. I have seldom sat in a theatre and felt such an intensity of feeling from the audience and have been overwhelmed by the tributes we have received during the run. I have been very fortunate in having a great cast who have helped me to bring all the characters to life -and a wonderful crew to stage it on our very small stage. The surprising amount of humour has perfectly balanced the heartrending sadness in the play. The message we are left with at the end is also so uplifting - it has helped the many people who have seen the production that have been through or who are going through a similar experience. Again many thanks to you Patricia Richardson
William Nicholson responded:
I'm delighted it's going well. The humour is of course deliberate and vital - without it the pain would be too much. You must have a fine cast to generate such a strong effect - and to have done a fine job yourself. Thank you.
Posted by Jonathan
October 29th 2009Hi, I'm Jonathan Greenfield. I would like to ask you a few questions for my author study in school. What do you think of when you're writing a new book? What part of a book can you relate to your life? What do you think of each of the characters personalities in the Wind on Fire Trilogy?
William Nicholson responded:
Not easy questions to answer. When I start a new book I think about the big emotion at the centre of the book, and about the main characters and what it is they want. This will be what drives the story. As I write, every single part of the book relates to my life. That may sound odd when you think I write fantasy stories, but really they're all about the longings and dramas of real (sort of) people. I can't list my thoughts on all my characters, it would go on for too long. For as long as the books, actually. Everything I think about them is there.
Posted by Roger Wilson
October 28th 2009The theatre company which I am a repertory actor in will be staging Shadowlands. I am portraying Christopher Riley. In review of Inklings etc. I find no reference to him. Are the friends of Jack composites, made up, pseudonames to avoid issues with family ownership? He seems to be a bit of an agnostic or is he just a pot stirrer and Know it all? What about the others in relationship to Jack and Warnie. thanks. beautifully written...
William Nicholson responded:
All the characters in Shadowlands are made up by me, though of course Lewis and Joy existed. All their dialogue is made up by me. I think you can feel free to develop the character on the page, through your performance, in any way that works for you. He is a fiction. You'll notice that though cynical as you say he ends up being the one of all Jack's friends who understands him at the end. I hope you have fun.
Posted by Will McGregor
October 22nd 2009Hi William Its Will McGregor the short filmmaker that spoke to you in Guildlford on tuesday. Firstly many thanks for your advice, for a young creative person like myself your words where invaluable. If you have managed to find time for 'Who's Afraid of the Water Sprite?' then I hope you enjoyed it and id love to hear your opinion, its a short fantasy thats doing quite well at the moment, 11 festival nominations in all so far across Europe. On tuesday you spoke greatly about writing from your own interests, which is something i am beginning to learn to utilize. However you have written some of my favorite fantasy books form when i was a child (i loved the Wind Singer) What is the point where by your work can be informed by reality but become authentically fantastical? Is it imagination that relies on experience? Would you be willing to take a look at my script as i develop it and maybe give me some feedback? Many thanks, Will McGregor
William Nicholson responded:
I have seen and enjoyed your short film: impressive, with a clever twist. As for your question: reality and fantasy aren't as different as you might think. For fantasy to have power it must be rooted in a strong sense of something the reader also recognises. The key here is power. Whatever mode of story telling you go for, it has to have power, and that power will come from your own emotional engagement. You have to build your stories out of a passion within you, whether it's longing or rage or love of justice or revenge or whatever. You ask me too look at and comment on your own work,but I'm really sorry, but I just can't take on that role. If I did I would get swamped, and would have no time for my own work. You do need feedback - we all do - but it must come from someone nearer to you. And by the way, that person doesn't need to be professional. Any potential reader/viewer of your work is capable of assessing your work in progress as well as I am. They are after all your audience. (I've edited your question, as you'll note.)
