When I wrote 'Lord of the Flies' - I had no idea it would even get published.
Interpretation
Golding reflects on his surprise at the success of his novel 'Lord of the Flies'.
William Golding expresses his initial disbelief regarding the publication and eventual impact of his novel 'Lord of the Flies'. This quote highlights the unpredictability of creative endeavors and the often unforeseen reception that artistic work can receive, reminding us that the journey of an author can lead to unexpected outcomes.
In practice
Speaking at a writing workshop to inspire aspiring authors.
Consider a man riding a bicycle. Whoever he is, we can say three things about him. We know he got on the bicycle and started to move. We know that at some point he will stop and get off. Most important of all, we know that if at any point between the beginning and the end of his journey he stops moving and does not get off the bicycle he will fall off it. That is a metaphor for the journey through life of any living thing, and I think of any society of living things.
The skull regarded Ralph like one who knows all the answers and won't tell.
Maybe, he said hesitantly, maybe there is a beast. The assembly cried out savagely and Ralph stood up in amazement. You, Simon? You believe in this? I don't know, said Simon. His heartbeats were choking him. [...] Ralph shouted. Hear him! He's got the conch! What I mean is . . . maybe it's only us. Nuts! That was from Piggy, shocked out of decorum.
The mask was a thing on it's own, behind which Jack hid, liberated from shame and self-conciousness.
Man produces evil as a bee produces honey.
Utopias are presented for our inspection as a critique of the human state.
But everything of value about me is in my books.
I've been asked this question so many times, do you feel you need to write a book for adults? No, I don't need to write a book for adults.
The novel is not the author's confession; it is an investigation of human life in the trap the world has become
Iβve always believed that as an author, I do 50% of the work of storytelling, and the reader does the other 50%. Thereβs no way I can control the story you tell yourself from my book. Your own experiences, preferences, prejudices, mood at the moment, current events in your life, needs and wants influence how you read my every word.
I can tell you that as a writer and as a reader, I regard character as king. Or queen. No matter how riveting the action or interesting the plot twists, if I don't feel like I'm meeting someone who feels real, I'm not going to be compelled to read further.
I write adult fiction, but a good 40 to 50 per cent of my readers are teenagers. I love that if they have to grow up and move past JK Rowling they can move to me. From Jo to Jodi!
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