I'm writinng my first full-length novel, which is based on a novella I wrote called "The Mad Scientist's Daughter." I'm having a wonderful time with it, but of course it's presenting challenges as well. Stories always do, no matter what they are. Theodora Goss More Quotes by Theodora Goss More Quotes From Theodora Goss Writing two stories [in the Thorn and the Blossom] about the same set of events that were complete stories in themselves, but also added up to a larger story. As I was writing them, I kept going back and forth, because something would happen in one story that would have to be reflected in the other story. And yet the same event would also have to be perceived in different ways by Brendan and Evelyn, because they are different people with their own interpretations. Theodora Goss writing two people I would tell myself to get more sleep! Believe it or not, I wrote the book while finishing my PhD in English literature. It was wonderful to get away from doing literary scholarship by writing this mythical love story. I think so much of my own love for books and scholarship comes through in The Thorn and the Blossom. Theodora Goss sleep believe book I'm sure scientists would point to specific brain chemicals, but I think love is actually a kind of magic. It's what allows things to happen, people to be creative, the world to change. Great things come out of love - for other people, for art, for beauty. Theodora Goss love-is art thinking The Thorn and the Blossom isn't just a love story. It's about two people who decide what they actually want to do artistically, despite discouragement. In some ways, that's just as important as the romance. Theodora Goss romance two people I had a short story collection come out in 2006, and then I couldn't work on large projects for a long time because I was finishing my doctoral degree. Theodora Goss finishing degrees long Nature inspires me continually. Today, I can look out my window and see the entire world covered with snow. It's like Narnia under the White Witch. Theodora Goss white snow inspire If you look at the natural world, really look at it, it's always magical. Theodora Goss natural looks world Of course, with Papaveria Press, you know the book itself is going to be beautiful. Theodora Goss courses beautiful book When we tell stories about things that are important - love, fear, beauty - we change the way people think about the world. Writers are, or should be, truth-tellers even when the stories themselves are fantasy. Theodora Goss important people thinking I'm working on a poetry collection for Papaveria Press . It fills me with trepidation - poetry is something I'm much more self-conscious about than prose. Theodora Goss poetry-is conscious self I worry very much that people won't like it, or will think it's simply silly. But I have a post-it note above my desk that says "What would you do if you weren't afraid?" And if I weren't afraid, I would do a poetry collection. Theodora Goss silly people thinking Believe in the importance of your art. Theodora Goss importance believe art Delia Sherman once told me that you never learn to write a story. You only learn to write the story you are currently writing. You have to learn how to write the next story all over again. And she's absolutely right. Theodora Goss next stories writing