Update 01/24/2010
Many thanks to all of you who have written me encouraging letters while I’ve been sick. I really appreciate it! I’m not yet able to answer each one of you because I’m only allowed up a few minutes each day, but I can answer a few questions. I’ve had two operations to try and save my eyesight. Believe me, this is one activity you definitely want to avoid. First of all, you have to stay awake the whole time. You can actually see everything the surgeon does, including him cutting open the eye and sucking out everything inside. Then you can see teeny weeny tweezers and hooks removing scar tissue. They do give you medicine to calm your nerves, otherwise I would have been out of that operating room like a shot. Last of all, the doctor fills up the eye with saline solution and a bubble of air. You’re supposed to lie face down for weeks with the air bubble pressing up against the back of the eye. This is supposed to make it heal, but the first time it didn’t work and I had to do it again. The bubble gradually disappears, but while it’s there you can’t go up above 1,000 elevation or fly in an airplane. I asked the doctor why and he said, quite cheerfully, “because the bubble will expand and destroy your eye.” Like I say, it’s an experience you can do without. During this time I have been thinking out the plot to the sequel of House of the Scorpion. This is what I do before every book, before a single word is put onto paper. Plot designing goes on constantly, but I never write anything down. Somehow this works. The whole novel exists in the subconscious like a piece of music. When I am ready (and this will be soon) I will sit down and write out the whole thing. The first draft is very close to the final copy. The editor marks places where he thinks I’ve been unclear and the copy editor corrects my spelling (a huge job). These days, with computers, it’s a lot easier and faster to print books. With luck, the sequel will be out next year. I’ve been calling it God’s Ash Tray, which has upset some people. God’s Ash Tray is what is called “a working title”. The final title might be completely different. The House of the Scorpion was originally called Mi Vida. Ursula le Guin said that sounded dumb and so I changed it. Is there going to be a romance between Matt and María? You betcha. But I can’t talk much about the book until I write it. I’ve got a number of nifty surprises up my sleeve. As for a sequel to The Islands of the Blessed, that depends on sales. Unfortunately, publishers only buy sequels to books that do well, and Islands was pretty much ignored. I don’t know why. I think people wanted a battle between Good and Evil with lots of bodies piled up. It seems books are getting a lot more violent and angry. A lot of them seem like video games with super heroes that bear no resemblance to human beings. Female characters generally despise the male characters, who are either sadists or wimps. That’s not my view of the universe. For those of you who disapproved of stories about my childhood, let me say this. I am not a role model. I made tons of mistakes when I was young, and still make them. I wake up in the middle of the night and remember awful, mean things I have done and can never undo. The best I can do is pick myself up and try again. Good deeds drive out bad ones. Again, heartfelt thanks to everyone who has written me. CommentsJaime Adame Jr. 01/27/2010 22:04
Hello,I attend Cathedral High School, in Los Angeles California....and all I want to say is that my English class just finished reading your book, The House of the Scorpion. It is safe to say that the book kept everyone hungry for more of Matt. So we will be waiting for the sequel . But please try to finish it before 2012 because by then we will all be out of High School...lol.
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Paul 01/31/2010 20:23
Hello,
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Clare Callow 02/01/2010 08:46
Hope you are recovering well from the eye surgery. My aunt's Christmas round robin was filled with lurid details of a very similar sounding operation: she said she had to sleep face down with her head in a special clamp, and continue in that position throughout the day with only 10 minutes off every hour! Gives me the squirms every time I think about it. I've just finished reading The Islands of the Blessed and feel utterly bereft. I hope you will consider returning to Jack, Thorgil and the Northmen (Eric Pretty Face is brilliantly funny). I wouldn't mind betting I'm not the only reader reluctant to let go of that world... Thank you for these wonderful books. I often give them as presents to children and adults. I'm sad to read that Islands has been ignored. Your books don't seem to be very well publicised here in the UK (I'm neither a publicist nor in the book trade btw). Perhaps I should up my habit of sneakily rearranging shelves in bookshops to display the Trolls trilogy better and also widen the present-giving circle ...
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Justin Norris 02/03/2010 18:54
Hello my name is Justin. I was a student of the class that u visited in Diablo view middle school. Your sea of troll’s trilogy is amazing. It’s like a wonderful dream. To tell you the truth I can’t describe in words how much I like them. I even got up in the middle of the night to read, and I’m a teenager I love sleep. But then I learned that you weren’t going to be making more and I was devastated. I was really hoping you’d make more, and that’s why I’m emailing you. If you need money I have about 200$ and can easily earn more from my grandparents. Yes I like your books so much that I’m offering money! So please would you consider making more of the Sea of Troll’s series! My email is gamerjustin@att.net so contact me with your decision thank you.
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Ashley 02/04/2010 16:46
Dear Mrs. Farmer,
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Marquian 02/09/2010 12:31
Dear Nancy Farmer,
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Neal 02/11/2010 06:38
Dear Nancy Farmer, 2/3/10
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Rebecca 02/11/2010 15:38
Dear Nancy,
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Emma 02/17/2010 16:00
Ohhh, dear. You see, my dad and I have poor eyesight, but his is much worse than mine AND he doesn't wear glasses or contacts. I'd hate to let him or me get eye surgery. When I talk about throwup or excrement at the dinner table, I don't get the most minor queasiest feeling ever. But this ... Ohhh, ewwwww! Anyway, I'd L.O.V.E LOVE to see a Islands of the Blessed sequel series. Maybe the Blessed book needs more publicity. I'm pretty sure Trolls fans will love to get their hands on the last book of the trilogy! I know I did. And the books have so much more contemplating content (content that makes you think) than regular good guys win-bad guys lose stories. Plus, the whole point of being a Bard is bringing peace, happiness, and life (Dragon Tongue literally did bring life to the world, although the reason why a child of his could be so featherheaded eludes me), not war and strife. I simply do not know why some people like war stories better than more peaceful stories. Maybe some people are more featherheaded than Ethne. Well, it's a big world we live in!
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Diane Falconer 02/25/2010 07:58
You mention two places in your various comments. Where is the Oasis you refer to? And where is the real place "God's Ash Tray?" I tried to google it but didn't find anything useful.
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Justin S. 04/28/2010 17:30
Hi Mrs.Farmer I'm Justin and I'm doing a author study on you. I really liked your books, especially The Islands of the Blessed. I was wondering if you could send me an email with some info.
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05/24/2010 11:46
Hi. I'm Jordan, and one of your gratest fans. I had no idea you were ill and I hope that you get better.I'd just like to compliment you on your The Sea of Trolls Triolgy. I absoloutly cannot put it down! I loved the characters and the Norse mythology. My greatest ambition is to become an author, and had been at the age of four. At the moment I am writing a story myself. So far I have done two and a half pages, and I am well pleased with it. I was wondering if you could give me any tips or pointers on how to get published. I had searched everywhere on the internet and had found nothing. It would be a great help.
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Victor Hinz 09/02/2010 14:59
I don't know if you will ever read this Mrs. Farmer but I would like to say that you are a kind of role model for me you have shown that books don't have to have great battles between a great evil and heros of good (though I still like them). Stories can be about morals, beliefs and I suppose even young innocent love. I wish the best of luck to you, your writing and your characters. Best of wishes and God Bless.
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Spencer 03/19/2011 00:17
I do doubt you read these, or even take them seriously, but I felt the need to voice my opinion. I am currently in the 4th grade in Minnesota, and I must say that your books are quite fascinating. Although due to the fact I am above the average reading level I can't get many people to pick them up or finish them if they do. I just wanted to say I know how much work goes into writing novels, and I thank you from my heart.
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Hema 05/16/2011 07:34
hi nancy i was wondering what was your inspiration to write? And i am so excited for the sequel of the house of the scorpion. thanks
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Jack 12/09/2011 17:36
I'm a big fan of the house of the scorpion and i was wondering when the sequel is coming
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