Interview with Poul Anderson

Norwescon 15
Sheraton Hotel, Tacoma WA
March 28, 1992

[@chrisstevenson5378]

I used to share much correspondence with Poul when I was in the SFWA. What a gracious man. He is definitely the author who propelled my career in science fiction. there will never be another quite like him. Chis Stevenson, author: Planet Janitor; Custodian of the Stars.

[@LuckyGuu]

Chris Stevenson Mr. Anderson has written many books, what I'd ask him is: Can you describe the lifestyle writing has afforded you?

[@chrisstevenson5378]

LuckyGuu I never asked him that, but I'm sure he and his wife lived off the income from his books. I know he did during the Golden Age.

[@prod3362]

There are 3 or 4 ways an interviewer can come across sounding like a putz and this guy nails them all

[@leespiderpod]

Shame the interviewer doesn't realise he's in the presence of a great great man

[@trondsi]

I really like his Norse sagas and Norse-inspired fantasy. Particularly The Broken Sword, but also Hrolf Kraki's Saga and Mother of Kings. I actually think he is one of very few authors who "gets" the old Norse culture (being Norwegian myself although I should point out we have changed quite a bit :D )

[@RichMatarese]

With his background in science (baccalaureate in Physics, 1948), Anderson was typical of early SF writers and fans, and despite his chops in fantasy, his approach to speculative fiction throughout had been predicated on reasoned assessment of the phenomenal universe. That he remained throughout his life eminently "marketable" in spite of changes such as the New Wave of the '60s speaks to the validity of his approach. He's still read today, and will continue to appeal for decades to come.

[@rol54321]

Thank you for uploading this gem.

[@jojst1]

Huge respect for Poul...but to me, some of his works were amazing and others didn´t connect with me. But that is just a matter of taste. I have a huge respect for these authors :)...thank you very much for sharing.

[@RichMatarese]

Actually, having a naïve interviewer conduct this encounter wasn't that bad an idea. Instead of someone who'd long received Anderson's works as canon (and followed the usual-and-customary line), we had someone who'd been obliged to ask Anderson questions I doubt that the writer had been expecting, and thereby got some responses that wouldn't have otherwise come out in a discussion at a major SF convention.

[@russelladams9147]

Most ignorant interviewer ever, coupled with most humble and wildly brilliant author - ever.

[@dreamfable]

Anderson talks fluently about the evolution of humanity and industrial civilization. His cycles of SF were loosely based on history, repeating certain motifs. The gentleman he reportedly always was, Poul Anderson endures the kind of Fan who has unfortunately run most conventions, even Norwescon, forever, a guy who even mispronounces Anderson's first name. Norwescon could have asked another author to do the interview, or a fan who'd at least read some of Anderson's historic work.

[@hypatia4754]

Kind of disrespectful not knowing what a person you´re interviewing writes, especially when he´s had a long and illustrious career. It must be so mortifying for someone with so much knowledge and experience in a field of writing, instead of being given the opportunity to impart that knowledge, being reduced instead to giving an account for idiots. What a wasted opportunity!

[@wardka]

Willingness to talk about one's own work seems to be inversely proportional to how seasoned the writer.

[@RODERICKMOLASAR]

Who the hell is John-Ra?

[@intrepidojaguar1120]

Micheal Moorecock got me into reading his novelette The Broken Sword, saying it is better than The Lord of the Rings, both books are based on Norse Mythology

[@jsmcguireIII]

The ill-prepared "interviewer" makes it all very cringy. too bad.

[@luiznogueira1579]

Too bad the interviewer has no idea who Poul Anderson is, hasn't read any of his books, is completely ignorant of the great opportunity he's been given...