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I was just reading the introduction and forword for "The Green Mile" by Stephen King. Tashmere Send a noteboard - 17/10/2009 02:54:21 AM

Do you like to know what inspired an author to write a particular story or character? Does it add to the richness of a book?

I rather enjoy knowing the background. Both Niffenegger and Kelly Link used Elizabeth Siddal's exhumation as inspiration for one of their stories and I find that pretty neat. I like knowing which characters are based on people the author knows (although I'm told that's a dangerous thing to do) and which are crazy imagination.


I really liked that little bit of information. Yes it does add to the richness of the book. And seeing that glimpse of the author and how they think and their motives can make a big difference. I was already inclined to read the book because I had recently seen the movie and was amazed at how powerful it was. However, even if I had not seen the movie and only read the forword and introduction that I read today I think I still would have wanted to go ahead and read the book even though I have thought for the last 30 years that I would never want to read anything Stephen King wrote. Those seven or so pages changed my mind and feelings towards Mr. King. Isn't that odd? All of a sudden he became someone that I would probably really enjoy knowing.

The only times I would not like to know the story behind the book would be if the person were using the book to preach a personal philosophy. There is a difference between imparting a philosphy (which is fine with me) and preaching.

:)
Tash
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Inspired Authors? Rebekah - 14/10/2009 02:15:10 PM 710 Views
Re: Inspired Authors? jeenucoolgal - 14/10/2009 03:26:44 PM 550 Views
A lot of it comes from reading I'd think Ryan - 14/10/2009 04:24:43 PM 529 Views
Yup. Rebekah - 14/10/2009 06:05:45 PM 495 Views
Re: Yup. jeenucoolgal - 14/10/2009 08:40:54 PM 493 Views
Re: Yup. Rebekah - 14/10/2009 08:44:35 PM 521 Views
It does add a little somethingsomething to it. mapthis - 14/10/2009 04:40:56 PM 530 Views
~nods~ Rebekah - 14/10/2009 06:05:14 PM 504 Views
I would say it does. Bryce - 14/10/2009 06:27:02 PM 486 Views
Hm, yes. Rebekah - 14/10/2009 06:34:57 PM 551 Views
I should write "it depends" in my sig. nossy - 14/10/2009 06:30:27 PM 538 Views
Heh. Rebekah - 14/10/2009 06:37:59 PM 508 Views
I generally don't care at all. *NM* jh - 14/10/2009 08:40:08 PM 225 Views
About anything?! *NM* Rebekah - 14/10/2009 08:43:30 PM 243 Views
Anything other than my pleasure, no *NM* jh - 21/10/2009 06:32:41 AM 257 Views
I was just reading the introduction and forword for "The Green Mile" by Stephen King. Tashmere - 17/10/2009 02:54:21 AM 566 Views
Similarly, I try to find out what inspired the composers of pieces of music I enjoy. That deepens my Tashmere - 17/10/2009 02:56:10 AM 492 Views
Hm. Stephen King is someone I deliberately don't read. Rebekah - 20/10/2009 11:58:52 PM 554 Views
I don't do well with horror. Tashmere - 21/10/2009 03:46:05 AM 541 Views
That's one reason I love reading Neil Gaiman so much. Jayhawk - 18/10/2009 01:27:03 AM 506 Views
You made that sound interesting. "Smoke and Mirrors" . I will try to remember that. *NM* Tashmere - 18/10/2009 03:06:37 AM 260 Views
His short stories are wonderful. Jayhawk - 19/10/2009 04:40:23 PM 544 Views
Oh, absolutely. Rebekah - 20/10/2009 11:59:41 PM 511 Views
Are you getting Absolute Death? Jayhawk - 21/10/2009 04:35:46 PM 506 Views
I imagine the husband will, yes. *NM* Rebekah - 21/10/2009 05:21:32 PM 238 Views
That's why I chose a Smoke & Mirrors story for a uni essay Perdita - 21/10/2009 12:08:48 AM 588 Views
He's erudite without coming across as stuffy and scholarly. Jayhawk - 21/10/2009 04:38:19 PM 587 Views
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