[Darren]

Hi Gord,

I was wondering if there was a particular book you were proud of. It might not even be your favourite, but one that maybe surprised you in coming out a little better than you had expected.

On the flip side of that, is there one of your novels that was a little disappointing and didn't quite live up to what you had envisioned when you first embarked on writing it?

Finally, we know that you like to put a lot of planning into your works before you begin them, plotting out the beginning, ending and perhaps some beats and set pieces through the middle. Were there any times you ended up changing or modifying the ending while you were writing a book?

Thanks!

Hi,Darren,

Your questions:

One book that came out better than expected was SLUGFEST. People seemed to respond to the horrible unfairness of having to end up in summer school for a flimsy reason. And the sport (flag football) seemed to reach everybody! I think it's because the people who could never play actual football, can all play flag.

One major disappointment was MAXX COMEDY, which was where I found out I couldn't write comedy. I could be funny, but not out loud, apparently. Another might be THE HYPNOTISTS, 3 books that I stand by to the end, but which just didn't do really well. (Possibly because MASTERMINDS was such a big hit.)

And did I ever change the plan, or modify the ending during the writing. Now, you know I'm far too disciplined for that! Actually, small changes are sometimes made because the character has come to life and dictated his own ending. But it would have been minor. I'm all about planning.

OK? Thanks for your interest!                                                                                                                  -G-

 

[Darren]

Slugfest was very enjoyable.

You can write very funny, Gord. That's what drew me in and kept me a fan for so long. Maxx Comedy had its moments but stand-up is a different beast than writing a humorous book. Having read some of George Carlin's books, they are basically his stand-up written down. It's ok, but I'd much rather watch him perform those bits. Whereas I don't think Douglas Adams or Vonnegut would have done well at stand-up. The Hypnotists was a great series, I wouldn't judge the quality of it by its popularity.

The last question was just based in a curiosity of whether you had ever come up with an even better idea for an ending while in the writing process, or how flexible you would be with yourself to allow that to happen. A peek behind the curtain of a rather solitary endeavour.