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Tuesday, February 05, 2008

IN SEARCH OF THE REAL AUGUSTA FALLS...

And for those of you who'd like to read the article about Georgia online, and look at the pictures, the link is as follows:

http://www.travelmail.co.uk/travel/USA/Atlanta/In-search-of-the-real-Augusta-Falls.html?article_id=34531

Best wishes, as always,
Roger.

4 comments:

adam said...

Hi Roger,

I wrote a comment early last month in response to hearing about "A Quiet Belief in Angels" being listed as part of the Richard and Judy book club.

I was only partially through the book when I wrote, and you will be glad to know that I have now finished and have spent the resulting days telling everyone I know to read it, and lending my copy out to them!

I have also brought your first two novels and will indeed purchase the others once those are read!

I find it incredible that you had never been to the places in your book and yet you describe them so vividly! As a reader you are taken into such a perfectly painting canvas that in my mind I have struggled to understand how that is possible!

I thought writing, although creative is also about experience and drawing from your own memories. Especially when it is regarding locations and settings. Is there not a risk of getting it wrong? How did you ensure some level of authenticity?

Sorry for the questions, I am not quite an aspiring writer, but I enjoy writing.

Regards, Adam.

R J Ellory said...

Obviously, there has to be some significant degree of research on these things! I have been to the US a number of times - only briefly - but spent sufficient time to get a feel for atmospheres and cultural differences, you know? I study facts and demographics, I look at how certain places are historically, but the truth of the matter is that it's really no different from writing sci-fi or fantasy. It's an author's job to be able to create an image and a feeling about a place, and in the case of Augusta Falls (AQBIA) it was a fictitious town. Places like New York, Cuba, Chicago etc are different, and I research, watch movies set in those places, things like that. For me it's more about the atmosphere of the place rather than trying to be a tour guide. If you read a book set in London or Manchester for example, the author doesn't necessarily spend a great deal of time giving you street and place names, but he tries his best to convey how the city feels. This is the direction I go in, and as long as the reader is left with the feeling that they have 'been somewhere different' then that's fine with me!
I'm really pleased that you liked the book, and it's great that you went and got another two. You'll have to let me know what you think of them.
And, as a matter of interest, what is that you write?

adam said...

Thanks for your reply Roger, it is great that you take the time to respond to mine and other peoples questions!

I guess that is the beauty of fiction and what makes fiction writers what they are. The ability to capture the atmosphere and sweep the reader along with it.

My only writing really comes in the form of a blog that I keep, mainly as a diary really, but sometimes as a commentary on things that are happening around me and my interests. There is a link from my profile if you wish to have a read.

R J Ellory said...

Most definitely I will read it. And if there's any more specific and particular questions you have, or anything you feel I might be able to help you with, then you can always e-mail me direct through the 'Contact Me' option on the Home Page.