Nershwin G.
asked
Jeff VanderMeer:
In Annihilation and Authority, I was haunted by what was not actually written on the page. I was always left frustrated and fascinated by this sense of purposeful incompleteness. In response, my role as the reader became more creative. How did you develop this style of story telling? To me, it is unique.
Jeff VanderMeer
Thanks. I'm not quite sure how to answer this question. I think the idea of implication and of suggesting rather than showing is a fairly common approach. Perhaps the proliferation of pop-culture influenced fiction that has to show everything has overshadowed the use of this kind of approach? There is also the freedom a writer has across a series like this one. I don't have to artificially force reveals into books one or two that would not naturally reside there...all of which also helps book three.
More Answered Questions
Sam
asked
Jeff VanderMeer:
You've built some pretty outrageous and fantastic worlds in your writing, but are able to draw the reader in so easily. I've never had a point when starting one of your books where I am at all reticent to dive in completely. Is there a process for this world creation? Do you have a set map in your head from the beginning or does it kind of grow along with the story?
Christopher Walborn
asked
Jeff VanderMeer:
As a reader, one of the best things about discovering a new author is the opportunity to discover additional writers through following the author's influences, peers, and the new writers championed by the author. What authors or specific works would you like to introduce to someone who's mostly familiar with "literary" classics? (I don't like the literary/genre dichotomy, but what easier way to describe it?)
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