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Robin Hobb Visited Reddit’s r/Books Yesterday

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Fool's Quest by Robin Hobb publishes August 11th! That means Robin is already out supporting the book online. One of the places she stopped yesterday was Reddit r/Books, to answer any questions that fantasy readers might have about her writing process, her novels, or whatever else came across their minds! People from all over the world stopped in to ask her questions. That is one of the things I love bout her work; she is beloved in countless countries. So when she sat down late in the afternoon and began answering them, it was clear to see how many people love her work—and in particular Fitz. Here are just a few questions: Question: Do you have any rituals surrounding your writing? A particular set up you must have to channel your characters? Or can you just jot stuff down anywhere? Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night realizing how to solve X and had to go write it out before it left you?

Robin Hobb: I had my kids pretty young. So all the time that I was learning to be a writer, I had small kids in the house, and sometimes a job, too. Fred was a commercial fisherman at that time, so often he'd be gone for 9 months out of the year, leaving me to function pretty much as a single parent. So toss out rituals. No special tea or scented candles, no set hours. I wrote sitting on the bathroom floor with the kids in the tub. I've written in rollerskating rinks, at soccer practice, on my break time in the back room of Sears, on a sticky table when my shift was slow at the pancake restaurant. I always had a notebook and pen with me. At the end of the day, I'd type up what I had and maybe add a bit to it.
I think you have to be a bit obsessive to choose this profession.
Question: When writing the ASSASSIN'S APPRENTICE did you have any reservations about how much time you spent with Fitz growing up?
Robin Hobb: I’ve never really thought about that before! So I guess that means I didn’t worry about it. My fascination with Fitz growing up was how do you take a boy and set him on a path that is not usually condoned by society? For Fitz and his later actions to be convincing, there had to be a foundation for that character. And after all, the title of the book is Assassin’s Apprentice. So I think many readers would expect it to be about that formation.
Question: Would you ever want to see one of your series be adapted for a TV show like GAME OF THRONES?
Robin Hobb: My answer to that changes almost daily. Would it be fun to see how someone else would envision my story and characters? Yes. Or maybe NO!!! GRRM came to the television series with a great deal of background in television. He really knew what he was doing and what he was getting into. I don't have that. So I would not be able to take such a 'hands on' stance as GRRM has. Knowing that, I might love the end product or cringe. I suppose if I were approached by someone with a proven track record, someone who had read the books and I could trust, I'd allow it. But I'm not holding my breath for it to happen. I'm happy for the story to always remain within the covers of the books.
Question: Has it been challenging writing an older character like Fitz? I feel like a lot of fantasy readers shy away from older main characters. Was that a concern of yours when you were plotting out timeskips?
Robin Hobb: I really enjoy writing all sorts of characters.
I consumed a great deal of fantasy when I was growing up. Like all readers, I look for the character I identify with, to help me step into the story. And male or female, they always seemed to be footloose and free of all family connections, moving through life, making all their own decisions. Very unlike my life! So when I began to write, I wanted my characters to have lives and sisters and annoying neighbors and sick pets and all the things I had to deal with. Fitz has gotten older now. He's still Fitz. I still love writing him.
You can read more questions and Robin's answers to those questions on the Reddit r/Books Ask Me Anything HERE. There is some really great stuff there! Fool's Quest publishes on Tuesday! And if you haven't read Assassin's Apprentice, what are you waiting for? Fitz awaits!
speakman-shawnShawn Speakman is the author of The Dark Thorn, an urban/epic fantasy hybrid novel bestselling author Terry Brooks calls, "a fine tale by a talented writer." He also edited the bestselling anthology Unfettered. When Shawn isn’t lying for a living, he runs The Signed Page and Grim Oak Press. Follow him on Facebook and @shawnspeakman!

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