Babel Clash

It looks like we’re out of here, to make room for the next duo, or group, or solo act of writers to come along and pontificate. In the American presidency it has become a tradition for outgoing presidents to leave a letter in the desk for the new, incoming president. I’ve long thought that was a nice tradition, so I am going to leave this note for the next one(s) to come along here in this place.

Dear Person(s) to Come,

I presume you’re a published writer in the genres I love. I may not have read your books before, but I will, if you talk about interesting things here. Before this short conversation began I wasn’t at all familiar with James Enge’s books. But he was interesting and engaging, even when I disagreed with him, so now there are two of his books on my nightstand. I was already a reader of Matt’s books, by the way.

I love lucid and thoughtful conversations about our shared craft, always on the lookout for new insights into why we do what we do. I think a forum such as this — especially a hit and run format like this — works best when it’s not so much about the hard mechanics of how to write (that’s much too long a conversation), but about the underlying philosophy of why we’re compelled to write, and tell these sorts of stories.

I would have loved to hear from Edgar Rice Burroughs what he thought about his most famous creation. I’d like to know what Robert E Howard thought about Conan. Did he like the fellow? Would he like to have actually met him? (I suspect not. One wrong word and — ).

So here’s a few things I wouldn’t mind if you addressed during your sojourn here.

Why did you chose to tell the stories you told? What do you think about your characters? Are any of them a spokesman for your own thoughts and opinions? Who among your cast would you want to share a beer with? Who among your cast do you absolutely loathe (and perhaps love to loathe)? Do you hope to teach your readers something? Should you? What do you owe your readers? What do you absolutely not owe your readers?

Then again, you might have a host of more interesting things to address, in which case, talk about those instead.

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