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Posted by Dorisa

July 9th 2009

No Question. "Firelight" is just stupendous. The dialog, the lighting, the photography, the longing, the tension: It should have won Oscars galore. Superb Directing. How could the critics not see it ? I have it on Tivo and I am inviting friends to watch it with me: they all admire it in many ways. I have watched it over and over and everytime I discover some delightful detail.

William Nicholson responded:

Ah, 'stupendous'. That's what I need to hear. Well, no Oscars, no good reviews, but it's won me friends, and it can still give me these little jolts of happiness, as when I read your post. So all is not for nothing.

Posted by Hannah

July 8th 2009

I first read the wind on fire trilogy years ago, maybe through those early adolescent years when all i wanted was to escape myself? i can't be sure. but i remember, so clearly and profoundly and all such words, that i related most to kestrel, particularly in the final book. so i wanted to ask where your feelings behind kestrel came from? i took her to be a person who was never meant for this world somehow, and i'm wondering if you yourself believe that there are some people who never really feel comfortable with the world they're in. i was so glad she didn't-quite-keep-living in the end, i don't know why, because it's like she always knew that everything for her would never really lead anywhere. does that make sense? i don't know; it's just something that really interested me i think. i mean, kestrel had such a stable upbringing and she had the most fantastic family and support and all that, but somehow she was still distanced and disconnected inside, from life, from being human. like when her twin enters into her head, and he tumbles into that nothingness, like she was born from it... it's all so darkly pretty to me, which mightn't be a good thing but keeps me absolutely fascinated and i couldn't help but try to ask. congratulations for having such a great, deep mind - and i hope you live for a very long time.

William Nicholson responded:

I've never quite put it to myself as you do, but I think you may be right. Something in me felt from the start that Kestrel was not fully for this world - certainly I felt that her destiny was to go all the way, to hold nothing back, including life itself. Very interesting - thank you. And for the wish that I live long, which I heartily share. I'm 61 now. Another thirty years at least.

Posted by Sarah Urquhart

July 8th 2009

This isn't a question, but some feedback on your novel "The Secret Intensity of Everyday Life". I attended Greg & Kate Mosse's Writing Festival at Chichester and met you there in March. We spoke briefly and I said that I would buy your book. I have just finished it and wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it. In March you seemed a little apprehensive about the response to your writing from a female perspective, so I wanted to give you my female perspective's feedback. I thought that you captured the private thoughts, fears and fantasies of all your characters brilliantly! So thank you for pursuing with publishers and getting this into my hands. All the best. Sarah

William Nicholson responded:

I do very much appreciate the feedback, and I'm very pleased by what you write. And thanks for actually shelling out £18 to buy the book. I'll feel better when it's in paperback. And all the best from me to you for your own writing.

Posted by Wretha Wagner

July 6th 2009

I have an idea for a book/screenplay (actually, several!). I am a happily married working mom, with 2 young boys, and I am not sure if I can ever get this done. I admire your works, and I would like to talk with you about these ideas. Thank you very much, Wretha Wagner

William Nicholson responded:

It's great that you have ideas, and I'm flattered that you think of me - but it won't work. Your ideas come from you, mine come from me. I work always with my own ideas, because that's what's so exciting about writing - seeing them come to life. If you have two young boys you won't find it easy, but one day, sit down and have a go yourself. Ideas are no more than starting points. Doing the writing is the key.

Posted by Charlotte

July 6th 2009

Dear Mr Nicholson, Thank you for your reply. What a shame you don't do workshops, though I appreciate you must be very busy. Judging by your responses to people here, you would be a marvellous... I suppose, for writing, "enabler" is probably a better word than teacher. I wish you, or anyone else, could enable me to write. I know that anything I might ask you here can only really be answered with "For heaven's sake, just sit down and do it - write something, anything; practise; stop discarding it as worthless before you even sit down at the computer." But it's not always easy to convince oneself... I've worked (and still do) as a radio journalist, editor, and translator; I've had three short radio plays broadcast, and have written two bilingual novels for children. But I can't seem to work out what it is (if anything) that I really need to write, or in what format. Or whether I even should. There is so much rubbish in the bookshops already; I have a horror of adding to it. I used to be convinced I would write a novel; now I'm not sure I have enough to say that is of interest, to myself or anyone else, or the ability to say it as well as I would want to. I do feel that I am supposed to be writing. But that is not enough, is it. I still don't do it. I'm not sure what response I'm reaching out for here. Sorry. If you should by any chance possess a spare key to my imagination, please, please pass it on! Best wishes - Charlotte

William Nicholson responded:

You feel you're 'supposed to be writing', but you don't know what it is you should write. That's an interesting one. I think it means you're not ready yet. Do you keep a journal? If not, try writing something every day about your life - about what's most concerning you, however trivial - the things you can't really say to anyone else. Let that run for a while. Then read back and ask yourself: what really matters to me? Whatever you end up writing must be so important to you that you can't not write it, and until you find that drive, be content to watch and wait and learn. You're a writer-in-training. Which is the same as saying you're living your life consciously, rather than, like most other people, half asleep.

Posted by Christina

July 6th 2009

Hi, I am from Germany and I am a big fan of the Wind singer, slaves of the mastery and firesong. I have 2 questions the first: I'd like to have a Autograph and I found the following adress in the internet; Fan Mail Address: William Nicholson Hyperion Books for Children 114 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10011 USA Not an updated address? Please let us know! Address Information: Hyperion Books for Children (Book Publisher) 114 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10011 USA Phone: (212) 633-4400 Fax: (212) 807-5432 I knew you live in Great Britain, so is it wrong or wright?? Or can I wrote to one of the adresses from the Agents?? second question; Does a font from the old Manth- Alphabet exists?? Its so dufficult write letter by letter, It would be better and faster, if their were a font of it, I think. sorry for the bad english, I hope you understand my questions. yours Christina

William Nicholson responded:

Write to me care of any of my agents listed on the agents' page. And as for a font, if you mean one you can download, the answer is no; but there is, as you know, an Old Manth translator on the Wind on Fire page.