Spinebreakers interview Pittacus Lore
By Alex, Charlie, Nicole, Cameron, Jasmin, Lauren, Amy and Max / Spinebreakers Crew
Alex: What inspired you to write I Am Number Four?
Pittacus Lore: To let the people on Earth know what was going on here. To alert them to the war raging in their midst.
Alex: Have you always dreamed of being a published author?
Pittacus Lore: No, I’ve dreamed of vanquishing my enemies and living in peace.
Charlie: What, would you say, is the most significant difference and the most striking similarity between 'you Loriens' and 'us Humans?'
Pittacus Lore: We have powers that you can only dream of. We can do things beyond your imagination. We feel things in the same way you do, love and anger and sadness, and we look the same as you, but we’re much more highly evolved.
Charlie: What's the best joke you've ever heard about a Mogadorian?
Pittacus Lore: A Guy walks into a bar, sits downs and starts to make conversation with a guy at the next table. "Want to hear the world's worst Mogadorian Joke?" The other guy says "Sure, but before you tell it, let me tell you something. See those two bikers over there by the door, those tow real mean-looking dudes? They're Mogadorian. And those two bouncers by the bar? They're Mogadorian too! The Bartender is also Mogadorian! And one more thing pal, I'm Mogadorian too... Now, do you still want to tell that joke of yours?" "Hell no!", replies the first guy, "I don't want to have to explain it six times!"
Nicole: I noticed that your book made a social comment about the environment and sustainability. The Mogadorians are wasteful whilst the Lorien are wise and resourceful; Earth falls somewhere in the middle. Did you consciously implement the social comment so your audience could reflect on society as a whole?
Pittacus Lore: Our goal is to tell the story of our fight with the Mogadorians, and warn the people of Earth that they are in danger. I think earth could be headed towards environmental destruction if ways aren’t changed, but our goal was to bring about that change. Our goal was to get people to read our story, and if they can, help us fight.
Nicole: Should we expect more books to come?
Pittacus Lore: If we live, yes, there will be more books.
Cameron: What do you think makes I Am Number Four different from all the other fantasy-adventure-epic-romance-teen books out there?
Pittacus Lore: Our story is real, and our story involves the future of your planet. The rest are pure fiction.
Cameron: What's your personal background - in particular, were you bullied as a child for the fact that your parents gave you the name 'Pittacus'?
Pittacus Lore: You obviously missed some important part of your education. The name Pittacus is important in both your planet’s history, and mine. It is a noble name, a warrior’s name. And no, I was never bullied. My powers allow me to dispose of bullies with relative ease.
Jasmin: Mr Lore, when you began composing your novel I Am Number Four, did you purposely intend to create a cinematic image of the happenings? Do you feel that your book will be overshadowed by the big-budget movie release in 2011?
Pittacus Lore: I set out to write a book, not a movie. The fact that it is being turned into a film makes us happy. It means more people will exposed to the story, and will learn of our fight.
Jasmin: I have heard that you are a fan of Vogue. Do you subscribe? How does British fashion compare with that of Planet Lorien?
Pittacus Lore: Yes, I do love Vogue. It’s an intelligent and exciting magazine, filled with interesting articles and pictures of beautiful women and beautiful clothes. Fashion is one area where earth has exceeded the accomplishments of the Loric. Most of us wore robes or jumpsuits. Earth clothes, especially women’s clothes, are spectacular.
Lauren: As an author what influenced you to make a book aimed towards the target audience of teenagers/young adults and what effect would you like this book to have on people our age?
Pittacus Lore: The Lorien Six are teenagers, so in telling their stories, we are telling the stories of a group of teens. We did not specifically identify teens as a market. Teens, though, regardless of what planet they are from, tend to have the same types of issues and concerns.
Lauren: What, in your opinion, are effective techniques to write a gripping, exciting and heart-wrenching novel?
Pittacus Lore: Effective storytelling involves conflict and the resolution of said conflict. We happen to be in the middle of a war that will settle the fate of your planet.
Amy: I read somewhere that Pittacus Lore was actually a pseudonym. What is your real name?
Pittacus Lore: Do you really believe everything you read in the media? If so, I have a planet a couple hundred light years away that I would love to sell you.
Amy: How long did it take you to write I Am Number Four? Will you been writing any more books about teenagers other than the ones in the I Am Number Four series?
Pittacus Lore: It took about six months. The only teens whose stories I know are the Lorien Six, so I will be only be writing their stories.
Max: Are the future books in the series going to be about number 4 or will we also learn the stories of the other Lorien children who came to Earth?
Pittacus Lore: I will be telling the stories of the Lorien Six. The books are about 18 months behind the actual events. Hopefully the Six all survive to have their stories told.
Max: Are you and the other elders going to play a part in the books to come?
Pittacus Lore: Yes, we will. We have rejoined and are fighting the Mogadorians.
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For more information about this book, visit iamnumberfour.co.uk