Ask the Author: Beth Revis
Answered Questions (98)
Beth Revis
1. The story means something to the reader. It can remind them of themselves, or love, or inspire courage, or even anger them to action--the most important thing is that they feel something.
2. The story is entertaining. Snobby people think entertainment isn't as important as a message, but a message isn't received if the reader is too bored to read it.
3. Characters that are real. This means they are vividly portrayed, are not cardboard cutouts or shills for the author's voice, and reflect the world as it truly is rather than a narrow viewpoint.
4. Prose that is both elegant and deft--but also that is told in the author's unique voice. You need not be Hemingway or Austen; be yourself, but be true to yourself.
5. Characters that take action. Passivity and apathy is possibly the worst traits a character (or human) can have.
2. The story is entertaining. Snobby people think entertainment isn't as important as a message, but a message isn't received if the reader is too bored to read it.
3. Characters that are real. This means they are vividly portrayed, are not cardboard cutouts or shills for the author's voice, and reflect the world as it truly is rather than a narrow viewpoint.
4. Prose that is both elegant and deft--but also that is told in the author's unique voice. You need not be Hemingway or Austen; be yourself, but be true to yourself.
5. Characters that take action. Passivity and apathy is possibly the worst traits a character (or human) can have.
Beth Revis
It was an exploratory mission!
Beth Revis
Nope! Timing doesn't match up for me. :)
Beth Revis
"The Turing Test" is a short story, and yes--it's science fiction. Not all my works are, though--my next book is contemporary and I'm working on a fantasy.
Beth Revis
I'm not sure! My publisher arranged it--I believe they couldn't get the same people?
Beth Revis
Well, in addition to the direct sequels to AtU (A Million Suns and Shades of Earth), there's also a companion novel, The Body Electric. My next book, A World Without You, is a stand alone, and after that, we'll see! :D
Beth Revis
It should be available universally by both! I just checked Amazon Aus, and it's available there. <3
Beth Revis
False time travel.
(And thank you! I hope you like it!)
(And thank you! I hope you like it!)
Beth Revis
Sorry I'm so late answering! Probably definitely way past time...
Anyway, the answer is: I write sci fi because I like it! I like any story that takes the unusual and makes it something more. Fantasy, sci fi, magic realism--I want stories that are about real people in weird, fantastical situations.
Anyway, the answer is: I write sci fi because I like it! I like any story that takes the unusual and makes it something more. Fantasy, sci fi, magic realism--I want stories that are about real people in weird, fantastical situations.
Beth Revis
If I *had* to pick just one, I'd pick A WRINKLE IN TIME.
Beth Revis
About a thousand.
Beth Revis
I have! And I have done it! I have a short story that involves a time machine (The Girl and the Machine, available for free online at Wattpad or Amazon now). And my new novel, A WORLD WITHOUT YOU is about a boy who believes he can travel in time.
Beth Revis
Thanks! I'm not sure where the initial idea came from, but I think it was a combination of things. I had a friend who was legally blind and told me she had never seen the stars (the ship with no windows). I was remembering the way it felt to go to college and feel utterly alone and trapped in a city that wasn't mine (Amy). I was feeling inadequate and not good enough (Elder). And I had an idea for a mystery. And all of it ended up being a book.
Beth Revis
Practice makes perfect, but don't forget to lead an adventuresome life. Find stories through your experiences, and you'll be better able to write stories down that are a reflection of those.
Beth Revis
It's only available on ebook form now, but if there's interest, I'll make a print collection with some more Godspeed stories in the future.
Beth Revis
I don't have a release date! And I see that you asked this four months ago...which sadly gives you an idea of my time crunch right. Between a new baby and a couple of contracted books, I can only work on the Godspeed stories when I have extra time. I need a time-turner! But I have them plotted out and only have one short story and one novella left to write before I release the whole collection.
Beth Revis
Yes, I am! I am currently working on another collection (one that's entirely made of stories from the AtU world), and I would probably want to bind them together into one paperback. BUT....that will be quite some time, as the short stories are a labor of love, and I have to do the work I'm contracted to do first.
Beth Revis
It's my art; it's what I love to do.
Beth Revis
Great question! They all arose naturally--the only story I set out to write was Amy and Elder's and the situations happened around them.
Beth Revis
I'd love it! And I'd insist that they keep the character's ethnicities the same...but I would also know that once the author signs away her film rights, she has no real say in what happens to the movie.
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