vallierojas: Rick Riordan answers your questions

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Rick Riordan answers your questions

If you could be one Greek god, which would it be? Why did you choose Poseidon to be Percy Jackson's father?

Groovy Druv: What is it like being a famous author?

I don't think about being famous, really. Being an author, I don't generally get stopped as I walk down the street. It's not like being a movie star. Besides, my two sons keep me from getting a big head! If I ever start acting too proud they tell me I'm 'egotastic' and quickly cut me down to size. Still, it's wonderful being an author and having so many kids enjoying my books. That's always been my dream job, and I feel very lucky to be able to do it.

Jess: Why did you choose Poseidon out of all the gods to be Percy Jackson's father?

I've always liked Poseidon because I love the sea -- how it can be so calm and gentle one day, then angry and violent the next. I also wanted Percy's dad to be powerful, but not too powerful. If his dad was Zeus, that would make his life too easy, and it would've been too obvious.

Anna: If you could be a Greek god, which one would you be and why?

I'd love to be Apollo and drive around in a fiery sports car, but with my luck, I'd end up being Dionysus. My magic power: I can summon Diet Coke. Woohoo.

Penguin: Why did you choose to write about ancient gods that have adapted to the modern world? and Do you like the Egyptian or the Greek gods better?

Having the gods in the modern world made it much more interesting! One of the main ideas about the books is that Greek and Roman culture never really went away. It's always been with us. I like both Greek and Egyptian. More Greek stories have survived, so we know more about them. They've always been my favorite. On the other hand, I like the Egyptian stories because they're not as commonly known and they have an exotic flavour.

Hanna: Why did you choose to make Percy Jackson have ADHD and dyslexia? and I know you were a teacher before you became a full time writer but did you ever share any of your books with your students before they were published?

I made Percy Jackson ADHD/dyslexic because my son is ADHD/dyslexic. Percy Jackson began as a bedtime story for him. Yes, I had several of my students read the manuscript of The Lightning Thief before it was published. They helped me with many things, like the title, and how Percy's pen worked.

Eaven: Who is your favourite character from the Percy jackson series?

Probably Tyson or Grover, because they are so funny. I chuckle every time I write a scene with them.

Pedro: Will there be any mortal, in training, primary characters that uses magic (eg a disciple) that is NOT in the House
of Life and is NOT a host for any god, in the second and third books of the Kane Chronicles?

You will meet several important new magicians in The Throne of Fire. Stay tuned!

Evie: What inspired you to come up with the idea of Jason Grace being Thaila's brother?

I liked the idea of connecting the old characters with the new characters, and it helped me give Thalia a new dimension to her story. The idea of Greek and Roman siblings being raised apart was fascinating to me.

Yasmin: Is there going to be more of Lou Ellen in the rest of the books? If not, what's her story?

She's a fairly minor character! I don't have any plans to develop her story right now. Maybe that's a short story to be written, one of these days.

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