OMI: Bibliomane Thursday, 30 April 2009
Posted by The Lost Book in One minute interviews.Tags: books, interview, writing
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Bibliomane is a member of The Lost Book’s worldwide storywriting team whose influence you can see throughout episodes 2 – 4 of The Lost Book. High-profile suggestions from Bibliomane that have been voted into the series include the full name of K.B.E. (“Keep Books Extinct“) and the name of our arch-villian Beryl Potts. Thanks, Bibliomane, for all your creativity so far!
(If you’re reading and want to join the storywriting team, it’s easy! Anyone can take part – simply join in the conversations about The Lost Book’s plot here at www.thelostbook.net and let us have your suggestions.)
Bibliomane has taken our One Minute Interview, so keep reading to find out more about the person behind the ideas…
One minute interview: Bibliomane
Occupation
Writer for The Lost Book/Library Assistant (not in the NLS!)
Where were you born?
Birmingham
Where do you live now?
Edinburgh
How many books are there on your shelves? (Approx.)
No idea! 1000+ definitely…
What’s been the most fun thing about this project? (The first word of your answer must begin with L and the last word begin with B!)
Looking forward to the developing microstory each week on this wonderful blog!
Do you think that constraints are creative?
Yes, I like the challenge and the need to be focused.
Who do you think stole the book from the National Library?
Corrupt policeman in the pay of Grazp, framing Aileen’s mum and getting Kyle suspended (Kyle walked into that one).
Which book would you most hate to lose?
Of my own? How to choose??? At the moment I would say Seven Sunflower Seeds by John Verney, from his Callendar family series.
Who’s your favourite fictional detective?
Gervase Fen (created by Edmund Crispin)
Who’s your favourite fictional dog?
Milou/Snowy (Tintin)
Which book has affected you the most?
That’s SO hard. Probably The Lord of the Rings! I read it in my teens along with CS Lewis’ and Alan Garner’s works. A marvellous time.
When and where do you read the most?
In bed, last thing. For far too long!!
Where’s your favourite ‘booky’ place?
The North Reading Room at The National Library.
What do you like most about a book apart from the story: its size, its smell, its cover, its…?
Its overall suitability for taking anywhere, e.g. on holiday or anywhere I might have to wait: long enough not to need another one, not too heavy, reasonably sturdy.
For you what does a book lack the most – music, moving pictures, …?
Nothing. A well-written (fiction) book has everything I want to feed my imagination. Don’t need music etc.
Have you ever used a book as a 1) doorstop, 2) missile, 3) an excuse not to do the washing up?
1) No 2) Don’t think so! 3) Many, many times. Not just the washing up.
Have you ever regarded a book as a friend, or indeed a monster?
Yes, indeed, both. The majority of my books are friends. I have expelled the monsters, which tend to be didactic books telling me how to behave or live.
The Lost Book is an animated web series where you wrote the plot.
LOVE the name Beryl Potts! I agree with you about books having everything that’s needed.
Great OMI, Bibliomane! Did you watch the LOTR movies – if so, what did you think? I loved them, but I know some folk who didn’t.
I didn’t watch the LOTR films. I don’t like watching films of books I want to re-read – I find that when I next read the book I see the actors rather than my previously-imagined characters.
LOTR films were okay, there was some good stuff there and I love the music, but like Helen I don’t much like films of ‘my’ books. I have just about managed to keep them apart in my mind, by not going near the books until my memories faded!!
I much preferred the Radio 3 serialisation of The hobbit in the ?late 60s/early 70s! Fantastic characterisation, sound effects and music!
You and Helen have a good point. I actually saw the first movie before reading the books, so have only ever had the actors as ‘my’ characters. I can see why you wouldn’t want to invade precious personal images of favourites. I believe someone is making a movie of my fave book just now, but, despite intense curiosity, I think I will avoid it.
Nice OMI Bibliomane.
And I agree, first read the books and then watch the movies or skip the movies altogether. The (good) books have everything they need in it.