After your glowing recommendations (from your most recent published essay collection), I read One Hundred Years of Solitude (and have already gifted multiple copies of the book).
My question is: As a writer, how do you read a book like that and not throw in the towel forever? ie how do you stop yourself from discarding everything you may have already written?
Thank you.
P.S. I have also felt the same way while reading Midnight’s Children…..and also while reading anything by Barthelme….or Kafka….or….Chekhov…I guess it happens quite a bit (you should see my trash bin of discarded pages).
I recently saw you chat with Laurie Anderson for her Norton lecture series. You said to her that you used to outline your stories but now your process is more spontaneous. Do you think plotting out the novel perhaps gives more structure for someone starting the writing journey?
Has publishing on substack helped you get in touch with your audience better than other media platforms? Also, as an additional part of that question, as a writer, has this helped you be able to say things that most traditional publications wouldn't allow you to say? And also has this changed your barometer of what freedom of speech dares to do. I guess, if you don't dare, you won't win, right?
A fun question I guess is, how many times have you read the Dune novels, and as a writer, which novel do you find more surprised by if and when you read the series (and what has stayed with you from the book all these years)? And if you can, elaborate on how that series influenced your science fiction/fantasy worlds, if it has?
Mr. Rushdie, thank you for doing this. Do you think that the rise of real life grotesqueries in politics and the media makes it more difficult for fiction writers to place similar characters in their own work? Is there a temptation to ‘top’ real life in the hideousness stakes?
When you are writing symbolic elements into your stories, what is the process? (Ie: are you looking for ways to infuse the story with symbolism as you go the first time through, or is it something that appears organically and you punch it up later, or something else?)
I am 55 and after an age in finance reading for a Masters in Eng Lit with a view to teaching kids how to think. What bookw would you engage with a 16 year old science nerd?
What (if any) was your relationship with the Mahabharat as a young person in India? Growing up in India as I did, I found that it was impossible to escape its mythology in everyday life. Have you ever considered retelling that story?
After more than 35 years as a fashion designer, I returned to school and am pursuing an MA in English Lit. My intention is to trade in the atelier for an Underwood. Any words of advice for a late to the party writer?
What advice would you give a writer who is a beginner?
After your glowing recommendations (from your most recent published essay collection), I read One Hundred Years of Solitude (and have already gifted multiple copies of the book).
My question is: As a writer, how do you read a book like that and not throw in the towel forever? ie how do you stop yourself from discarding everything you may have already written?
Thank you.
P.S. I have also felt the same way while reading Midnight’s Children…..and also while reading anything by Barthelme….or Kafka….or….Chekhov…I guess it happens quite a bit (you should see my trash bin of discarded pages).
I recently saw you chat with Laurie Anderson for her Norton lecture series. You said to her that you used to outline your stories but now your process is more spontaneous. Do you think plotting out the novel perhaps gives more structure for someone starting the writing journey?
Has publishing on substack helped you get in touch with your audience better than other media platforms? Also, as an additional part of that question, as a writer, has this helped you be able to say things that most traditional publications wouldn't allow you to say? And also has this changed your barometer of what freedom of speech dares to do. I guess, if you don't dare, you won't win, right?
A fun question I guess is, how many times have you read the Dune novels, and as a writer, which novel do you find more surprised by if and when you read the series (and what has stayed with you from the book all these years)? And if you can, elaborate on how that series influenced your science fiction/fantasy worlds, if it has?
Thanks so much and have a great day,
Louis Bruno, Esq.
Which of the following unorthodox choices you feel would've done an exemplary job at adapting "Midnight's Children" ? ( or any of your works for Film)
Yasujirō Ozu
Ingmar Bergman
Federico Fellini
The Coen Brothers
Mr. Rushdie, thank you for doing this. Do you think that the rise of real life grotesqueries in politics and the media makes it more difficult for fiction writers to place similar characters in their own work? Is there a temptation to ‘top’ real life in the hideousness stakes?
When you are writing symbolic elements into your stories, what is the process? (Ie: are you looking for ways to infuse the story with symbolism as you go the first time through, or is it something that appears organically and you punch it up later, or something else?)
I am 55 and after an age in finance reading for a Masters in Eng Lit with a view to teaching kids how to think. What bookw would you engage with a 16 year old science nerd?
Do you read passages of your compositions aloud while you are writing?
Hi, Rushdie,
Do you recommend that a writer must write particular number of words per day, or he or she must go with the flow?
What's the best joke you've got?
Any plants or animals in the room where you are right now, and could you tell us about them?
What (if any) was your relationship with the Mahabharat as a young person in India? Growing up in India as I did, I found that it was impossible to escape its mythology in everyday life. Have you ever considered retelling that story?
If you could live another life, would you be a writer or something else?
Not a question, just a thank you for entertaining me and informing me so well with your excellent books.
After more than 35 years as a fashion designer, I returned to school and am pursuing an MA in English Lit. My intention is to trade in the atelier for an Underwood. Any words of advice for a late to the party writer?