But since I write about families more in my fiction than most writers (not counting Anne Tyler) I kind of feel like I HAVE written many a parenting book. Both bad examples and good.
As for those who say I should stick to fiction: Why? After all, nobody requires you to stick to YOUR main job. For instance, you're allowed to post comments here, which is surely not what you are paid for. If I chose to write a book on parenting or nuclear physics or the history of postage stamps, and somebody chose to publish it, then people would be free to read it or not, as they wished. I just don't understand why you would feel it necessary or desirable to speak slightingly of the idea of my writing things other than fiction. If we were standing together at a party and somebody said to me, You ought to write a parenting book, would you really feel obliged to say, No, stick to your fiction! Wouldn't you regard that as both unnecessary and unkind?
I find it very strange that people sometimes speak on this forum as if I were dead or at least insensible to personal slights. If this is not my living room, it is a sort of parlor attached to my house. I don't expect people to agree with me on everything - or even on ANYTHING. But I do wonder why you can't couch such remarks in a way that is not so slighting, as if you thought that normal courtesy need not extend to me.
For what it's worth, I have not just raised children, I've spent a lifetime observing the childrearing of others - and reading the science on childreading. And if I chose to write a book on childrearing, it would be a damn good one.
But for now, of course, I'll take your crushing advice, and stick to fiction.
Posts: 2005 | Registered: Jul 1999
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Maybe he is socially inept, as I am, and meant it to say:
"I hope Mr. Card continues to focus on the fiction I have come to love."
For that reason, I could understand the comment. I don't agree with it, however. I think it is too easy for an author to write the same book over and over again, and for his or her fans to keep wanting that.
But let me just say that after reading many of your works, I feel you have a lot of meaningful things to say on the subject of children and families. I believe that a book bringing all your experiences together would be well appreciated, should you ever choose to write such.
Posts: 413 | Registered: Apr 2003
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I'd buy an OSC parenting book in a heartbeat.
But it's also killing me to wait for Magic Street, the next Alvin Maker book, and especially the remaining Ender/Shadow books.
Posts: 26071 | Registered: Oct 2003
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Reminds me of that Simpson's episode where Marge meets Stephen King:
Marge: So, Mr. King. What kind of tale of horror are you working on now? Stephen King: Oh I don't feel like writing horror right now. Marge: Oh, that's too bad. Stephen King: I'm working on a biography of Benjamin Franklin. He's a fascinating man. He discovered electricity, and used it to torture small animals and mountain men. And that KEY he tied to the end of a KITE..... IT OPENED THE GATES OF HELL!!!!!!!!!! Marge: Well.... let me know when you get back to horror. Stephen King: Will do! Posts: 339 | Registered: Mar 2005
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For one thrilling moment my heart leapt within me, for I would love to read Stephen King's take on Ben Franklin!
But then I realized it was going to be a scholarly treatise on hell, and I already know all about that. What a disappointment!
Posts: 2005 | Registered: Jul 1999
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That might be an interesting book, although strictly speaking, it wouldn't be a deviation from King's "normal" work. So I don't know that it actually applies.
Still, gave me a chuckle. Do you remember which episode this was in? I'd like to see it.
Posts: 413 | Registered: Apr 2003
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Personally, I hope to see Mr. Card branch off from the Mormon churuch and form his own religion in which many celebrities can join and for a nominal fee, have their souls saved by rising to higher levels within said church. THAT'S the real next work I'm waiting for from him.
Posts: 50 | Registered: May 2005
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quote:Originally posted by archon: Personally, I hope to see Mr. Card branch off from the Mormon churuch and form his own religion in which many celebrities can join and for a nominal fee, have their souls saved by rising to higher levels within said church. THAT'S the real next work I'm waiting for from him.
The have that already. It's called the Church of Scientology. Posts: 339 | Registered: Mar 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Orson Scott Card: As for those who say I should stick to fiction: Why? After all, nobody requires you to stick to YOUR main job.
If you stuck to fiction, I wouldn't have the two best volumes about writing I own sitting on my shelf within reach of my computer.
Posts: 90 | Registered: May 2005
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quote:For what it's worth, I have not just raised children, I've spent a lifetime observing the childrearing of others - and reading the science on childrearing. And if I chose to write a book on childrearing, it would be a damn good one.
Can I trust you to interpret my ensuing laughter as not indicating that I disagree? Excellent.
Junkman, you've only been here a little while, but I'm afraid I've only seen negative, provoking posts from you. I'm always happy to see new members here, but if this is your posting style, please tone it down? We like to keep it a little more civil here than elsewhere online.
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Well, here's a thought for Mr and Mrs Card. You could open a sort of teen/parent hostel and offer 3-month experiential mini-colleges, wherein you coach said parent in the joys of effective parenting.
quote:Originally posted by Bella Bee: Personally, I'm still waiting for Stephen King's sequel to 'The Princess Bride'.
I wonder what's taking him so long.
Even if nobody else here got that one (and shame on them if so!), know at least that I thought that was bloody hilarious.
Re: the parenting book, I would also pick that one up in a heartbeat. I don't have kids (or even a wife, or anything suggesting I'll ever have one), but I regard parenting as one of the noblest endeavors a person can undertake -- provided it's done willfully and in the proper context.
Posts: 293 | Registered: Jun 2004
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Good places to look would certainly include the Speaker series, but also (and especially) Lost Boys. I look at that as a must-read for any father, or even just for men who want to be fathers. It's probably a little less helpful to mothers, but it remains an awesome book, anyway.
Just don't read the back cover. Or the front cover. In fact, ignore the covers entirely; whoever wrote the text on the back needs to find a new job. It's as if you were reading an Agatha Christie novel and the back cover told you who did it, but set the mystery on the Orient Express when the book actually takes place entirely in Wales.
Posts: 293 | Registered: Jun 2004
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bah! I say bah! read a book on parenting by OSC? i'm just going to leave every kid i have on his doorstep. okay a doorstep.
Posts: 17 | Registered: May 2005
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Wow, suddenly I don't know what to say. If this is your parlor, Mr. Card, I can't decide whether I should talk as though to you, or as though I'm talking about you behind your back while you, our gracious host, has gone off to refill the punch bowl... He, you, his, your... I'm so confused.
Anyway, as a man who is planning on starting a family within the next decade, I have to say I've found all of Mr. Card's writing on parenting and (in particular) fatherhood, inspiring. I would absolutely purchase a book by him on the subject! This post sadly isn't going to convince any publishers, but I can at least hope to influence the author a teeny bit. Fatherhood these days is even more depressing than manhood, if you let even the tiniest bit of the media seep into your consciousness. What father or father-to-be wouldn't want a voice of reason and [u]experienced knowledge[/u] amidst all the negative voodoo surrounding the Y chromosome?
Won't you reconsider, Mr. Card?
(Gosh my diction is so messed up... I never sound natural on message boards!)
Posts: 11 | Registered: May 2005
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