6 January: E L Doctorow

This date in 1931 saw the birth of E.L. "Edgar Lawrence" Doctorow, the US novelist known for his works of historical fiction. Here are some of his thoughts on writing, vices and experience.

1. Writing is like driving a car at night. You never see further than your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.
2. Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia.
3. Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go.
4. We're always attracted to the edges of what we are, out by the edges where it's a little raw and nervy.
5. Planning to write is not writing. Outlining, researching, talking to people about what you're doing, none of that is writing. Writing is writing.
6. Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader - not the fact that it is raining, but the feeling of being rained upon.
7. The historian will tell you what happened. The novelist will tell you what it felt like.
8. I have a number of vices, one of which is moderation.
9. I try to avoid experience if I can. Most experience is bad.
10. In fiction, you know, there are no borders. You can go anywhere. 

New!

Secrets and Skies

Jack Ward, President of Innovia, owes his life twice over to the enigmatic superhero, dubbed Power Blaster by the press. No-one knows who Power Blaster is or where he comes from - and he wants it to stay that way.

Scientist Desi Troyes has developed a nuclear bomb to counter the ever present threat of an asteroid hitting the planet. When Ward signs the order giving the go ahead for a nuclear test on the remote Bird Island, he has no inkling of Troyes' real agenda, and that he has signed the death warrants of millions of people.

Although the island should have been evacuated, there are people still there: some from the distant continent of Classica; protesters opposed to the bomb test; and Innovians who will not, or cannot, use their communication devices.

Power Blaster knows he must stop the bomb from hitting the island. He also knows it may be the last thing he ever does.

Meanwhile in Innovia, Ward and his staff gather to watch the broadcast of the test. Nobody, not even Troyes himself, has any idea what is about to happen.

Part One of The Raiders Trilogy.

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