Rick Kleffel:Narrative Species–The Agony Column 065: A 2006 Interview With Julian Barnes
12 snips
Feb 27, 2006 
In this engaging conversation with Julian Barnes, the award-winning novelist delves into his novel 'Arthur & George' and the nuances of character development. He discusses the intentional slow reveal of identities and the challenges of blending fiction with historical fact. Barnes highlights the intersection of morality and storytelling, reflecting on Conan Doyle's life and beliefs. With humor and reflective insights, he shares his approach to crafting period-appropriate prose and exploring themes of belief, spirituality, and the complexities of human motivation.
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Identity Is Part Self, Part Public
- Identity combines self-perception and how others see us at key moments.
- Barnes delays naming characters to mirror when they 'own' their surnames.
Use Fiction To Fill Emotional Gaps
- Choose fiction when facts leave emotional gaps you must fill convincingly.
- Avoid nonfiction if you'd otherwise insert speculative phrases like 'surely he must have felt'.
Subtle Language Anchors Time
- Pitch prose to evoke period without full pastiche or anachronism.
- Drop a few era-specific words to transport readers without discombobulating them.
