Welcome to Episode 11 of Speculate! The Podcast for Writers, Readers and Fans. In this episode we talk about the life of a bestselling fantasy author with, well, a bestselling fantasy author! Pat Rothfuss, whose sequel to his acclaimed debut novel The Name of the Wind, The Wise Man’s Fear, has hit #1 on the New York Times Bestseller List, checks in with us to discuss the development and progress of his career. Over the course of the discussion, though, Pat touches on more topics than those simply related to writing, including his Worldbuilders project on behalf of Heifer International. If you like what you hear, don’t forget to keep checking back for our follow-up video interview with Pat, which we plan to record later this summer–and in the meantime, check back with us next week as we plunge into Eclipse Four, the latest new fantasy and science fiction anthology from Night Shade Books. As always, thanks for listening, and please continue to spread the word about the show!
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One of the things that I really appreciate about Patrick Rothfuss is that he is so open about the process of becomming and being a novelist. The location where I am living – Alabama – has absolutely zero collegiate training on becomming a novelist available (that I know of) and his words help me to visualize what writing novels is supposed to be like. I have given up college in my area because they do not teach what I am trying to become, and I do not have enough money to move. Furthermore, trying to become a successful novelist is made more difficult because those who teach english classes are teaching them because, let’s face it, they haven’t become famous novelists yet (the exception being people who’s classes I can’t afford – such as OS Card).
So, even in college you are learning from those people who haven’t, by measures, become independantly successful authors. Of course, It would be fantastic to be an apprentice to a successful author, but the chances of that happening are around the same as winning a lotto ticket – so low as to be completely discounted. Thus, the only option left open for us poor struggling writers are self help novel writing books (in the field of which are landmines laid by rotten people who have only published their self help guides), blogs of people like Professor Rothfuss, and wonderful podcasts such as this.
And let us not forget, there’s always learning on your own by dissecting popular books. In any case, thank you all for putting on podcasts such as these. If I see Patrick at pizza hut one day I’ll make sure I let him know how much I appreciate him by giving him the “live long and prosper” hand sign and then passing along my merry way.
Thanks for the note, Adam. I appreciate the nod to our Podcast. It’s always great to hear that people are getting from it what we had hoped.
A few notes. You could also look at some online workshops like The Online Writing Workshop and Critters. I found OWW to be invaluable (OWW charges a fee per month), and I’ve heard good things about Critters as well (which is nominally free, but works on a donation model).
I would also note that there are many wonderful and successful writers that teach because it’s simply an interest. They love the craft and they want to share. Examples include Nancy Kress, Tim Waggoner, Joe Haldeman, the aforementioned Orson Scott Card (who teaches locally in North Carolina in addition to his Literary Bootcamp), and my esteemed colleague here on Speculate, Gregory A. Wilson. Admittedly, you may not have any within easy reach where you live, but they’re out there.
Check out those online resources, though. I think they could really help. They certainly did me.
Brad,
Thank you for the recommendations, maybe I will review your work sometime on OWW. I might even catch a comma splice! It is true that I need to stay in practice reviewing drafts, and a crew of beta readers never hurt anyone.
I will admit I am a bit nervous about sharing my work with people I don’t know, but maybe those nerves will help me to polish my work a bit more than I would have otherwise. It’s a good thing, right?
Lastly, I must appologize. It was unfair of me to say that there are no talented authors that teach. I thank you for correcting me, as the authors mentioned deserve proper appreciation for going the extra mile in helping those that they inspired to write. The truth of my complaint comes from my frustration for the overrepresentation of engineers and disdain for the written arts in my hometown (I really shouldn’t expect otherwise, I do live in the South after all). My biased irritation just leaked out of my brain, through my keyboard, and onto your website. Sorry for the mess, I’m now ordering a brain filter from ACME industries. It should arrive within the week.
Thanks again for the podcasts, I look forward to more. Also, best of luck to Mr. Wilson on his latest publication adventure. I hope the book becomes every bit as famous as it deserves to be. What was the title again, so I can check it out?
Hi Adam. Thanks for the note. I don’t belong to OWW any longer, but you’ll quickly find folks whose fiction you like and that you can trade crits with. Getting over that fear of sharing your work is tough, I agree, but also essential. And a place like OWW really helps. Just gear yourself up for (potential) constructive criticism, and you’ll be fine. Most folks are very tactful in how they present their criticism, and those that are overly harsh I’d recommend leaving behind.
You can find Greg’s book here:
http://www.amazon.com/Third-Sign-Chronicles-Klune/dp/1594147655/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1310495058&sr=8-5