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Post by PoolMan on Sept 23, 2005 12:52:19 GMT -5
Hey kids!
My wife, happy websurfer that she is, happened to come across an ad for a writer's festival happening here in Vancouver in the next couple of weeks, and spotted the name Neil Gaiman among the guest speakers. She knows I've read three Gaiman books in the last year, so she brought it to my attention, and we're going! Just bought the tickets!
So, while I guarantee nothing, do any of you have questions you'd like me to carry in? I'm sure there's an audience Q&A portion for the evening, and I might just have the moxie to ask a few questions myself.
I'm very excited about this. While I'm not a lifelong Gaiman fan, I've really enjoyed the stuff of his I've read of late (American Gods, Good Omens [with Terry Pratchett], Neverwhere). I actually finished Good Omens, took a reflective breath, and turned the book back over and just started reading it again. As avid a reader as I've been in my life, I've never done that before. Anything else I might want to brush up on before I go?
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Doctor Teeth
Boomstick Coordinator
The Doctor will see you now.
Posts: 67
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Post by Doctor Teeth on Sept 23, 2005 14:44:07 GMT -5
You get to listen to - and talk to - Neil Gaiman? You...I...the...faaaaahhhh....You are a lucky man, Pooly.
As for brushing up on your Gaimanalia, I suggest reading some of his books for younger readers, either Coraline, The Wolves in the Walls, or (if you can get your hands on it), The Day I Swapped My Dad For Two Goldfish. They're short, well-written, and art chores are handled by the amazing Dave McKean. Plus, they're kids books that don't insult the child's intelligence, which is a trait that's sorely lacking among most literature for young people.
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Post by DocD83 on Sept 23, 2005 16:45:28 GMT -5
The only thing I've read of Gaiman's was "American Gods," so this may or may not be an intelligent question:
Was he planning on a sequel? I got the impression while reading it that he had more planned than was in the book.
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Post by Head Mutant on Sept 23, 2005 17:45:56 GMT -5
Just came out with one, actually: Anasi Boys (or something like that).
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Post by DocD83 on Sept 23, 2005 20:12:54 GMT -5
Oh cool--I'll have to buy that once I finish all these other books I bought but never read.
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Post by PoolMan on Sept 24, 2005 9:13:42 GMT -5
Just came out with one, actually: Anasi Boys (or something like that). The Anansi Boys, I believe. He'll be doing a reading from that book. I'm thinking this'll end up being the best $15 I've spent in a while... |
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Post by TheLuckyOne on Sept 24, 2005 16:01:45 GMT -5
Must... contain... blinding jealousy... Why, that's swell for you, Poolie! Just really terrific! I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time at that event I'd kill you and everyone you know to attend! Good for you! Aaaaaaanyway, congratulations, seriously.  As far as questions to ask, I would recommend asking whether he has any future plans involving the Endless. Except that's his most popular work, so someone else is sure to ask... but if they don't, go for it! Maybe you could ask if he has plans to do another short story collection, like Smoke and Mirrors. Or if Grant Morrison has need of a twenty-something personal assistant in California to gaze adoringly at him at all times. -D |
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Post by Al on Sept 24, 2005 19:02:41 GMT -5
I'd be curious if he had any thoughts about Marvel deciding to continue 1602 despite his noninvolvement. His writing really carried the first 8 issues, and I was surprised (though maybe I shouldn't have been) that they would bring it back for more. It seemed to me that the story was over, but what do I know?
Al
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Post by PoolMan on Oct 7, 2005 12:20:16 GMT -5
Okay, Drew? HA! IN YOUR FACE! I'VE MET NEIL GAIMAN AND YOU HAVEN'T!
Oh man, last night was SO much fun. I'm definitely doing an article on it (as long Justin figures that's cool!) so I won't say too much beyond the following:
- Neil Gaiman is funny. Very funny. I've been to standup comedy clubs where I didn't laugh that hard.
- he's got a wonderful speaking voice. Hearing the contrast between him reading from Anansi Boys and Stephen King reading his own work is night and day. He joked that the only reason he didn't do his own voicework for the Anansi Boys audio book is that he couldn't do four different little old Jamaican ladies. One maybe, but not four.
- I honestly believe he might have signed three thousand articles last night. And not just his name. He wrote "To so-and-so" on every book, he had all different coloured pens for signing different things, he drew little pictures, he highlighted art on the Sandman stuff he signed... it was very cool. He must have signed for three straight hours, and he was perfectly pleasant about it.
Honestly, one of the most unique experiences I've ever had. If he's coming to your area on tour, go see him.
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Post by PoolMan on Oct 7, 2005 12:28:07 GMT -5
Sorry, I just realized I didn't actually answer any of your questions!
American Gods sequel: that's KIND of what Anansi Boys is, I believe. Anansi was one of the gods Wednesday and Shadow met at the House on the Rock in American Gods. His sons are the titular Anansi Boys, one godlike and one normal, and their story takes place after Anansi dies. Beyond that, he didn't say.
The Endless: forgive my ignorance, but are "the Endless" and "the Eternals" the same thing? Because he said he was entertaining plans to do some work with Marvel writing the Eternals. Didn't hear anything about the Endless.
More Smoke and Mirrors: didn't have a chance to ask, it didn't come up. Sorry!
1602 Continuing On: I think we all saw this one coming. He had a great answer. He said on the one hand it was something like sending your kids to college, and the come back with dreadlocks and nose piercings. He then went on to say that he looked at the work like a sandbox, and the best part of a sandbox is finding toys that someone else left behind to play with. He basically said he's fine if others play with his toys, and said "I'm quite happy with it". I think he was being serious. And if you want to get technical about it, the characters in 1602 weren't exactly his to begin with.
And also, I just now realized this about Gaiman's voice: he sounds an awful lot of Alan Rickman, if you took the snarky and annoyed sound of it. Very similar accent, very similar tone.
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Post by TheLuckyOne on Oct 7, 2005 16:45:34 GMT -5
The Endless: forgive my ignorance, but are "the Endless" and "the Eternals" the same thing? Because he said he was entertaining plans to do some work with Marvel writing the Eternals. Didn't hear anything about the Endless. D'oh... no, they aren't. Oh well. The Eternals are one of Marvel's umpteen dozen "lost races" that seem to populate every unseen corner of the globe; I can't remember much about them beyond that (and I'm not even positive that's correct). The Endless are a group of 7 concepts of the universe, given form as anthropomorphic beings- Gaiman's most famous character, the Sandman (aka Morpheus, aka Dream) is one of them. The others are Destiny, Death, Destruction, Desire, Despair, and Delirium. Since he just did a project with them last year, I figured the odds were slim, but never hurts to ask. Ah well. And I'm not surprised to hear about how great it was; everything I've ever heard about Gaiman says he's one of the classiest guys you could ever hope to meet. Glad you had a great time, Poolie! Ya bastahd.-D |
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Post by TheLuckyOne on Oct 12, 2005 9:22:18 GMT -5
Just as a footnote to Poolie's super-cool evening- here's what was said about the evening by a comic fan: "The Gaiman event at the Vancouver Public Library was fabulous. The Georgia Straight hosted an intimate gathering of die-hard fans in a lecture room at the library. The event was originally supposed to be at the CBC Recording Studio but they have been on strike so the venue was changed. I arrived early and met some great people from the Straight (as it is foundly referred to) and fans from the city of Vancouver.
"Neil Gaiman was a delight. He was cheeky, articulate, contemplative and insightful on a good many points. He must be commended for being an excellent person to interview. He is passionate about his work and yet comes across as open to criticism or sustained critical dialogue. John Burns, editor at the Straight, was a lively host and interviewer. His questions elicted great responses from Gaiman on a number of general and specific points. Overall, it was a great thing to take in. Sadly, the audio portion of the first part of the event was unusable. Fortunately, usable audio of the question-and-answer with Gaiman section can be found here."And here's a link to the Q&A: www.straight.com/content.cfm?id=13049-D |
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Post by PoolMan on Oct 12, 2005 10:27:07 GMT -5
Just to be clear, this was NOT the event I attended. It was the same day, presumably earlier in the evening/afternoon.
And I've already got an article going, should be done soon.
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Post by TheLuckyOne on Oct 12, 2005 11:18:13 GMT -5
Ah. Sorry, Poolie, I just assumed. (They can have two big events in Canada in one day? Since when?) I am abashed.  -D |
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Post by PoolMan on Oct 12, 2005 15:12:54 GMT -5
I'll BASH YOU!!!
Nah, no biggie, but it sounds like the other one would have been fun, too.
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As far as questions to ask, I would recommend asking whether he has any future plans involving the Endless. Except that's his most popular work, so someone else is sure to ask... but if they don't, go for it! Maybe you could ask if he has plans to do another short story collection, like Smoke and Mirrors. Or if Grant Morrison has need of a twenty-something personal assistant in California to gaze adoringly at him at all times.
