Q & A's

Latest Q & A's

I am privileged to have so many of you send through your questions about my work – thank you. I am afraid that I will not be able to answer all of them, but please still send your questions and I will do my very best to answer as many as I can.

Question:

In the end of the "Amber Spyglass" in "His Dark Materials" Lyra says that they needed to build the republic of heaven, and im wondering how she and Pan will do that, if they will meet Will again and how that will hapen, so my question is, will you write another novel about this. I, and im sure many others, will read this.

Asked on 27/07/2011 00:37:33

Answer:

I hope some of your questions will be answered in “TheBook of Dust”, which will be published when it’s finished, and not a day sooner. 

Question:

Is Lee Scoresby from His Dark Materials based on or inspired by Willem Barentsz the Dutch Navigator by any chance? I was just stumbling around on wikipedia and noticed such similarities between the two.

Asked on 26/07/2011 13:32:51

Answer:

 No. I took the Scoresby part of his name from the Arctic explorer William Scoresby, and the Lee from Lee Van Cleef the actor. 

Question:

Estimado Señor Pullman, soy de Argentina. He leido los tres libros de La Materia Oscura, y ahora me interesa su nueva publicación ”The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ”. Quisiera saber cómo adquirirla ya que estoy de acuerdo en que nadie puede prohibirnos qué leer ni obligarnos en qué creer. Desde ya muchas gracias. Saludos. Patricia

Asked on 25/07/2011 04:43:43

Answer:

 Thank you, Patricia. I hope you can find a copy of the Jesus book. I know it’s been published in Spanish, but I don’t know whether it’s available in Argentina. Good luck with your search.

Question:

Dear Mr Pullman, We met at Bangor University last time you came. I am about to embark on a fan-fic project based on some aspects of the universe you have created for HDM. I have no intention of making a profit from the material, but I would like to make it available online for free when it is finished. Would that be a problem? I could send you or your representatives a copy for your approval when it's done prior to its distribution, and you would be duly credited for the inspiration, along with other sources. I hope this doesn't offend you! Very best wishes, -Isamar

Asked on 23/07/2011 17:41:39

Answer:

 Hello, and thanks. You don’t need to show me your work unless you plan to publish it, and you don’t need to show it to me then either, because I wouldn’t let you. Fan-fiction is one of the things that the internet has made possible. I neither read it nor seek to prevent it. 

Question:

I first discovered the HDM series many years ago and have recently begun to reread them. I am sure you've answered this question somewhere, at some time or another, and it is probably a very tired cliche, but I am always interested to know: Where did you come up with the idea for the series, more specifically The Golden Compass (yes, I have the American copy)? I've been searching your website, and I am sorry if you've covered this, but the backstory to any story is always the most important question, in my opinion. Anything can trigger a story; a quote, a phrase, a dream, an event. Writing has always been a great hobby of mine, ever since I could pick up a pen or use a keyboard, and now that I am getting to be an adult it is my hope that one day I may actually publish something.

Asked on 22/07/2011 00:17:41

Answer:

 Where did I find the idea? I just thought of it, as Charles Dickens said when he was asked how he came up with one of his most popular characters, Mr Pickwick: “I just thought of him.” If you want to know how to do that, you sit at your desk and you stay there.