I am not very good at sticking to outlines, and I double back all the time to revisit scenes and change things. Holly Black backchangedouble Change image and share on social
Writers usually don't get to pick our own covers. I know it's surprising to hear that. Holly Black coverhearpick Change image and share on social
One of my favorite things in books is watching someone make the mistake. You know it's going to happen. You keep thinking: 'Don't do it!' But of course they're going to do it. It's riveting. You learn through them that it's okay. It's the ecstatic fall, where you watch someone make that terrible decision, and there's such pleasure in it. Holly Black bookdecisionecstatic share on social
I revise a lot while I'm drafting, often going back to the beginning again and again to revise because I've changed massive things about the story. By the time I get to the end of a first draft, I've been through the beginning lots of times. Holly Black backbeginchange share on social
Someday I would like to be the kind of writer who barrels through a draft, but I can't even seem to barrel through an interview like this, so I imagine I have a long way to go. Holly Black barreldraftimagine Change image and share on social
In the older folklore, faeries were frightening beings. In fact, it was such a bad idea to get their attention that people would use flattering euphemisms for them, such as 'the people of peace,' 'the little people,' and 'the good neighbors.' Holly Black attentionbadbeing share on social
I really love the idea of the poetically mad - the character that is imbued with the romantic madness. Like River from 'Firefly' or Drusilla from 'Buffy.' Someone dangerously unhinged, where you're really not sure they're going to be reliable minute-to-minute. Holly Black buffycharacterdangerously share on social
I'm not a fast writer, and I find the process of writing a first draft to be painful and frustrating. Usually, I start with a character, a premise, and some image that gives me a particular feeling. Holly Black characterdraftfast Change image and share on social
Inspiration comes from everywhere. From life, observing people, etc. From movies and books you love. From research. Holly Black bookinspirationlife Change image and share on social
What I've always loved about faeries is the way that they, unlike so many other supernatural creatures, are not human and have never been human. They have different customs and different taboos, and woe to anyone who breaks them. Holly Black breakcreaturecustom share on social