Weekly Writing Prompt No. 83. For many years I hosted a weekly Thursday Throng interview. They were written rather than recorded and were housed on my WordPress blog and my favourite was the interview I had with Charles Dickens. This month, it is my greatest pleasure to have the one and only Charles Dickens visiting the Thursday Throng. Charles hails from London and is married with ten children. He has been writing since 1833 with his first published work A Dinner at Poplar Walk. A Christmas Carol was first published on 17th December 1843.
In a world increasingly dominated by technology, what role do you see for stories and imagination?
o "Technology is just very advanced magic. But even the most sophisticated machine can't feel the wind in its non-existent hair or understand the profound joy of a good joke. Stories allow us to explore the universe without leaving our armchairs. Let's be honest, a good story can make you laugh until your sides ache, which is far more useful than most apps."
The Discworld is full of satire. What do you think is the role of humour in addressing serious issues?
o "Humour is the best weapon we have. It allows us to show the absurdities and the injustices of society without being preachy. Laughter can be a dangerous thing. It can topple tyrants and expose the naked truth. Besides, who wants to be lectured when you can be entertained?"
o
Death is a prominent character in your books. What are your thoughts on mortality?
o "Death is the ultimate leveller. We all get there in the end, rich or poor, king or coalman. That doesn't mean we shouldn't make the most of the time we have. Life is a grand adventure. Try not to take yourself too seriously. Enjoy the day. After all, none of us are going to get out alive."
Your books often feature strong female characters. What message do you hope to convey through them?
o "Women in my opinion are forces of nature. They are strong, intelligent, and capable of extraordinary things. The world needs their voices and their perspectives. I try to write characters who break down stereotypes and show the world what women are truly capable of."
What is the most important lesson you hope readers take away from your books?
o "To never stop being curious. To always be kind, even when it's hard. To never, ever underestimate the power of a good tea break."
o
How do you balance the fantastical elements of Discworld with the real one?
o "It's all about finding the humour in the human race. We are, a ridiculous species, prone to both great acts of kindness and appalling acts of cruelty. By placing these follies in a fantasy setting, I hope to make them a little easier to swallow, a little easier to laugh at. And maybe change."
What is your writing process like?
o "Chaos. Utter, chaos. Ideas come from everywhere – an overheard conversation, a newspaper headline, a bizarre dream. I scribble them down, then try to write from that. I have four screens. One for each of the characters in a conversation. Its mad, but the only way I can sort my mind out. That and a lot of tea breaks."
o
Do you think fantasy literature has a role to play in addressing real-world issues?
o "Absolutely. Fantasy allows us to explore the human condition in ways that realism sometimes cannot. We can create worlds where the impossible is possible, where the rules are different."
o
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
o "Read widely, write constantly, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. The most important thing is to tell your story, to share your voice with the world. And remember, the best stories come from within, from your own unique perspective on the world."
Did this all appear in your head fully formed, were you channelling the late, great Terry Pratchett himself? This sounds exactly what he would have said had he been posed these questions. Are you sure you aren't Terry in disguise pretending to have died, Art???? Just curious and I know you love a good tea break too :-) Really well done though, you should definitely consider some sort of journalism - even if it is fictitious.
1. What was it like to take that first step on the moon?
• Buzz Aldrin: "It was surreal. The surface was a fine powder, every step kicked up, dust. The silence was absolute, broken only by my breathing and the static of our radios. It was a profound moment, one small step for man. A lonely, very far from home man."
2. Did you ever doubt that you would make it back to Earth?
• Buzz Aldrin: "There were certainly moments of trepidation. Spaceflight is inherently risky. But the training, the meticulous planning, and the sheer determination of the team instilled a sense of confidence. We had a job to do, and we were committed to seeing it through."
3. What do you think is the most important lesson you learned from your time in space?
• Buzz Aldrin: "Perspective. Seeing Earth from that distance, this one oasis in the vastness of space, it changes you. It makes you realize how fragile and precious our planet is. It's a humbling experience that fills you with a sense of responsibility for our home."
4. What advice would you give to young people who dream of becoming astronauts?
• Buzz Aldrin: "Study hard, work diligently, and never give up on your dreams. The path to space may be challenging, but it's worth it. And remember, the most important qualities for an astronaut are curiosity, resilience, and inventiveness."
5. What do you think is the next great frontier for human exploration?
• Buzz Aldrin: "I believe Mars is the next logical step. Establishing a permanent human presence on Mars would inspire future generations to reach for the stars. Unfortunately, I believe it is a lot further in the future than we think."
6. How has your life changed since walking on the moon?
• Buzz Aldrin: "There are lots of movie stars, but not many people have walked on the moon. In the early days I felt inundated by the media and parties. I'm still driven by a desire to explore and push the boundaries of human knowledge. I try to use my position to inspire others and advocate for space exploration. As the decades have gone on, people don’t automatically know my face. I like to holiday in Europe and many times, in hotels there, my wife and I have been chatting to strangers in the bar. Often the conversation turns to your job. When you tell strangers you are an astronaut. Most people don’t believe you. When you claim you went for a walk on the moon. They are ready to call the madhouse."
7. What do you think about the possibility of life on other planets?
• Buzz Aldrin: "Although the universe is vast and teeming with possibilities. Our planet is not in a state that others would want to make contact. They would have to be so advanced to come this far, that I think they would look on us as warring savages. I think the discovery of extra terrestrial life would be one of the most un-nerving discoveries in human history."
8. What is your favourite memory from the Apollo 11 mission?
• Buzz Aldrin: "I will never forget the moment I first set foot on the moon. It was an overwhelming sense of awe and wonder. I was on another world, a pioneer in a new era of human exploration."
9. What do you think is the most important thing we can do to ensure the future of space exploration?
• Buzz Aldrin: "Inspire young people. We need to cultivate a new generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers who are passionate about pushing the boundaries of human knowledge. The world needs to work together to ensure future life on earth is sustainable. Mars should be a second choice. Not an alternative."
10. If you could travel anywhere in space, where would you go and why?
• Buzz Aldrin: "I'd love to go back to the moon, but ultimately, my dream is to see humans on Mars, to witness the next giant leap for mankind."
Clearly another one of your all-time favourite people Art. I guess they would both class as people you'd invite to the proverbial dinner party too. I'd love to know what Buzz really thought about it all, rather than the sound bites and interview answers given for the press.
ASK TERRY PRATCHET.
In a world increasingly dominated by technology, what role do you see for stories and imagination?
o "Technology is just very advanced magic. But even the most sophisticated machine can't feel the wind in its non-existent hair or understand the profound joy of a good joke. Stories allow us to explore the universe without leaving our armchairs. Let's be honest, a good story can make you laugh until your sides ache, which is far more useful than most apps."
The Discworld is full of satire. What do you think is the role of humour in addressing serious issues?
o "Humour is the best weapon we have. It allows us to show the absurdities and the injustices of society without being preachy. Laughter can be a dangerous thing. It can topple tyrants and expose the naked truth. Besides, who wants to be lectured when you can be entertained?"
o
Death is a prominent character in your books. What are your thoughts on mortality?
o "Death is the ultimate leveller. We all get there in the end, rich or poor, king or coalman. That doesn't mean we shouldn't make the most of the time we have. Life is a grand adventure. Try not to take yourself too seriously. Enjoy the day. After all, none of us are going to get out alive."
Your books often feature strong female characters. What message do you hope to convey through them?
o "Women in my opinion are forces of nature. They are strong, intelligent, and capable of extraordinary things. The world needs their voices and their perspectives. I try to write characters who break down stereotypes and show the world what women are truly capable of."
What is the most important lesson you hope readers take away from your books?
o "To never stop being curious. To always be kind, even when it's hard. To never, ever underestimate the power of a good tea break."
o
How do you balance the fantastical elements of Discworld with the real one?
o "It's all about finding the humour in the human race. We are, a ridiculous species, prone to both great acts of kindness and appalling acts of cruelty. By placing these follies in a fantasy setting, I hope to make them a little easier to swallow, a little easier to laugh at. And maybe change."
What is your writing process like?
o "Chaos. Utter, chaos. Ideas come from everywhere – an overheard conversation, a newspaper headline, a bizarre dream. I scribble them down, then try to write from that. I have four screens. One for each of the characters in a conversation. Its mad, but the only way I can sort my mind out. That and a lot of tea breaks."
o
Do you think fantasy literature has a role to play in addressing real-world issues?
o "Absolutely. Fantasy allows us to explore the human condition in ways that realism sometimes cannot. We can create worlds where the impossible is possible, where the rules are different."
o
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
o "Read widely, write constantly, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. The most important thing is to tell your story, to share your voice with the world. And remember, the best stories come from within, from your own unique perspective on the world."
Did this all appear in your head fully formed, were you channelling the late, great Terry Pratchett himself? This sounds exactly what he would have said had he been posed these questions. Are you sure you aren't Terry in disguise pretending to have died, Art???? Just curious and I know you love a good tea break too :-) Really well done though, you should definitely consider some sort of journalism - even if it is fictitious.
An interview with Buzz Aldrin.
1. What was it like to take that first step on the moon?
• Buzz Aldrin: "It was surreal. The surface was a fine powder, every step kicked up, dust. The silence was absolute, broken only by my breathing and the static of our radios. It was a profound moment, one small step for man. A lonely, very far from home man."
2. Did you ever doubt that you would make it back to Earth?
• Buzz Aldrin: "There were certainly moments of trepidation. Spaceflight is inherently risky. But the training, the meticulous planning, and the sheer determination of the team instilled a sense of confidence. We had a job to do, and we were committed to seeing it through."
3. What do you think is the most important lesson you learned from your time in space?
• Buzz Aldrin: "Perspective. Seeing Earth from that distance, this one oasis in the vastness of space, it changes you. It makes you realize how fragile and precious our planet is. It's a humbling experience that fills you with a sense of responsibility for our home."
4. What advice would you give to young people who dream of becoming astronauts?
• Buzz Aldrin: "Study hard, work diligently, and never give up on your dreams. The path to space may be challenging, but it's worth it. And remember, the most important qualities for an astronaut are curiosity, resilience, and inventiveness."
5. What do you think is the next great frontier for human exploration?
• Buzz Aldrin: "I believe Mars is the next logical step. Establishing a permanent human presence on Mars would inspire future generations to reach for the stars. Unfortunately, I believe it is a lot further in the future than we think."
6. How has your life changed since walking on the moon?
• Buzz Aldrin: "There are lots of movie stars, but not many people have walked on the moon. In the early days I felt inundated by the media and parties. I'm still driven by a desire to explore and push the boundaries of human knowledge. I try to use my position to inspire others and advocate for space exploration. As the decades have gone on, people don’t automatically know my face. I like to holiday in Europe and many times, in hotels there, my wife and I have been chatting to strangers in the bar. Often the conversation turns to your job. When you tell strangers you are an astronaut. Most people don’t believe you. When you claim you went for a walk on the moon. They are ready to call the madhouse."
7. What do you think about the possibility of life on other planets?
• Buzz Aldrin: "Although the universe is vast and teeming with possibilities. Our planet is not in a state that others would want to make contact. They would have to be so advanced to come this far, that I think they would look on us as warring savages. I think the discovery of extra terrestrial life would be one of the most un-nerving discoveries in human history."
8. What is your favourite memory from the Apollo 11 mission?
• Buzz Aldrin: "I will never forget the moment I first set foot on the moon. It was an overwhelming sense of awe and wonder. I was on another world, a pioneer in a new era of human exploration."
9. What do you think is the most important thing we can do to ensure the future of space exploration?
• Buzz Aldrin: "Inspire young people. We need to cultivate a new generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers who are passionate about pushing the boundaries of human knowledge. The world needs to work together to ensure future life on earth is sustainable. Mars should be a second choice. Not an alternative."
10. If you could travel anywhere in space, where would you go and why?
• Buzz Aldrin: "I'd love to go back to the moon, but ultimately, my dream is to see humans on Mars, to witness the next giant leap for mankind."
Clearly another one of your all-time favourite people Art. I guess they would both class as people you'd invite to the proverbial dinner party too. I'd love to know what Buzz really thought about it all, rather than the sound bites and interview answers given for the press.