I was wondering what questions Mr. Card has most enjoyed answering in his dealings with the press and fans.
And which (besides this one) he has least enjoyed answering.
Oh, and why...of course.
I know he's talked about some of this somewhere, but I couldn't find it. So if this is a repeat, I'll delete in exchange for a link to the prior discussion.
Also, since this is a discussion board, of course, maybe it'd be interesting to speculate on what types of questions would be most and least pleasing to an author.
I personally would think that the "how do you come up with your ideas" question would really bug me. I'd probably try to give silly answers to it.
I've been interviewed by the press a few times and my least favorite questions are usually the ones that show the person hasn't spent much time thinking about the issue. I really enjoy a challenge, although sometimes on the spur of the moment I give the wrong answer. And that kind of stinks because then I feel like I should've spent more time thinking about it.
Posted by Speed (Member # 5162) on :
quote: And which (besides this one) he has least enjoyed answering.
"Why do you hate gay people"
Just a guess. Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
lol. Yeah, I wonder if he's actually been asked that in a formal interview. I suspect he has a good answer, though, to something that rude and that direct. Starting with "I don't" and moving on from there...
Posted by Orson Scott Card (Member # 209) on :
Any question that attempts to use me as a means of attacking Mormonism will end an interview on the spot. But then, the kinds of questioners who do that are a waste of time anyway - I'm pickier these days about which interviews I'll do.
Favorite questions? The ones that surprise me and make me think about an interesting subject before I can answer. But NOT if they're hugely open-ended questions where the answer would have to be a whole book. I like questions that are specific.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Any examples of good questions? Ones you really enjoyed at the time?
Posted by theamazeeaz (Member # 6970) on :
Is this one among them?
Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
How will teleportation affect cultural mores?
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
It depends entirely on which room of the house the teleportation device is installed in.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
And hopefully, that's not the bathroom because, well, *ew!*
Posted by Oobie Binoobie (Member # 8059) on :
Well, y'know, if it's the kind of teleportation which takes you from one earth to the next, it better be the bathroom!
(OSC, where did you put that story? "The Folds of Earth" or some such? Or do I have the wrong author?)
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
I think my least favorite interview question, if I were Mr. Card, would be:
"You know, some people say that Fantasy and Science-Fiction are not real genres to be dabbled in when searching for respectable literature. What do you, a mainly Fantasy and Sci-Fi writer, have to say on the matter?"
If I were in such a position, and I was told that the pieces of writing I've spent my whole life producing weren't "respectable literature," I'd probably strangle the interviewer.
But that is just me.
Posted by theamazeeaz (Member # 6970) on :
I don't think, with the way you've phrased that question, it would be one that Card would dislike. You're being too respectful, and Card has a perfect opportunity to inform you that these people are elitest morons.
Now if you asked it like this, I think he would strangle you. "Don't you feel you're wasting your time writing books with no actual merit?"
Posted by Orson Scott Card (Member # 209) on :
I actually get that "why does sci-fi suck?" question all the time - in different guises. I answer cheerfully, in the hopes that while the interviewer is beyond help, if I'm quoted accurately perhaps someone else will change his or her view.
Posted by Morbo (Member # 5309) on :
You could always quote Theodore Sturgeon's Law: "90% of anything is crap."
I find this to be true in all genres.
Posted by MrMojoDriver (Member # 8852) on :
OK I'm a noob to this forum, so I'm more than likely about to commit some Hatrack River taboo, but here goes nothing...
Orson, will you make a sequel to Children of the Mind in which you reveal to us the mysteries of the Descaladores?
I started reading your books in the Enderverse first, and have read most of your other novels since then, but that is the one loose end that haunts me...
Posted by Kent (Member # 7850) on :
MrMojoDriver, try starting that question in a new thread (it will be more likely to get answered). Good luck and welcome.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
I've decided my favorite question will be (note the future tense):
"So, Bob, oh, I can call you Bob, can't I? Yes? Thanks! Anyway, would you care to tell us just how you went about negotiating the largest advance in publishing history?"
To which my answer would be:
"Of course not!"
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
My question to ask Bob once he gets famouser (and since we're close enough that he'll know I'm kidding):
Bob, can I have your secret for how to stay looking so young?
You know, seeing as how you're not using it....
Posted by JaimeBenlevy (Member # 6222) on :
My favorite question will be:
So, Jaime, can you tell us how you managed to end world hunger, create world peace, take over the world and have the entire population submit to you and become your slaves, cure cancer, and negotiate a larger advance in the publishing industry than previous record-holder Bob Scopatz?
You guys think too small.
Posted by Will B (Member # 7931) on :
I'm partial to questions that start with "Where do you get off saying."
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
"You know what your problem is?" Is always sure to lead to a good dialog too.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Noemon
Hey PM, it's no secret: Immaturity.
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
quote: Hey PM, it's no secret: Immaturity.
...well, except that he's says you're not using it...so it can't be that...... Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Can so!
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
Children, do I have to pull this forum over?
Posted by CRash (Member # 7754) on :
Are we there yet?
Posted by Will B (Member # 7931) on :
Those are pretty good interview questions, too.
Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :
I could sit and think all day and not come up with anything worthwhile to ask anyone at a book signing. Just not the right rhetorical situation.
Posted by Speed (Member # 5162) on :
What about, "will you sign this book?"
Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :
I dunno. That just sounds too cliche to me. You figure the author's probably heard that a hundred times already. Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Give or take.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
quote:Originally posted by quidscribis: And hopefully, that's not the bathroom because, well, *ew!*
Unless it transports stuff away, instead of flushing it away, in which case, I'm all for it.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Tante...don't forget, however, that it has to transport it SOMEWHERE...as The trouble with Tribbles amply demonstrated, it's not always good to be on the receiving end of a transporter beam.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
quote:Originally posted by Bob_Scopatz: Tante...don't forget, however, that it has to transport it SOMEWHERE...
Yeah. Somewhere ELSE.
Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
quote:Originally posted by Bob_Scopatz: It depends entirely on which room of the house the teleportation device is installed in.
Imagine the possibilities. Dear god.
Bob: I am not familiar with your work, I don't even know really what you do; haven't been around long enough to know why you get interviewed (aside from your bracing wit). Can you fill in the unenlightened ones?
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Noemon![[Razz]](tongue.gif)