HarpoAce: Oprah Online presents this exclusive LIVE event with Alice Hoffman, author of "Here on Earth."
HarpoAce: Welcome! Alice Hoffman!
AliceHffmn: Oh, hi! It's nice to be here.
HarpoAce: Stux2 has our first question for this profound writer!
Question: Hollis was so mean, why did March not see this?
AliceHffmn: I think that's a really complicated, good question. I think what the book is really about is how individual love is, and how difficult it is to judge other people's love affairs from the outside.
HarpoAce: Next up, CLRomaine asks...
Question: Ms. Hoffman, do you feel that Hollis was capable of love? Did he love March?
AliceHffmn: I think, again, love is very individual. I think he is a very damaged person, and he loved as much as he was capable of. So my answer is yes he did love her, in a damaged and damaging way.
HarpoAce: Jaynestp, you're up!
Question: Have you ever been in a situation of any of the characters in this book?
AliceHffmn: This is fiction, and my reason for writing fiction is that it's a way for me to escape from real life, so my answer is no. But in writing these characters, I got to know...let me fix that....I felt as though....I felt as though I got to walk in their
shoes. To know how they felt.
HarpoAce: Alice Hoffman's work reaches such a wide audience, as RaenBoRi attests.
Question: Alice, your books are so touching! I am only 12 years old, and your book "Here on Earth" is my FAVORITE! Do you plan on writing any more stories about that subject?
AliceHffmn: Well, thank you so much. I really appreciate your kind words. I think I do write about emotions and emotional issues I want to make a reader feel, so I'm pleased that you felt touched.
HarpoAce: Awyn2240, you're next!
Question: What inspires you to write the subject matter that you deal with?
AliceHffmn: For me it's different with every book. I've written 12 novels and each one starts from a different place. "Here On Earth" started in thinking about the themes of "Wuthering Heights." Some of my books have started with a location. I have a book called "Turtle Moon" that started from imagining a small town in Florida. Sometimes, I start with a character. In a book I wrote called "Seventh Heaven," I started with a character called Nora, and everything else followed.
HarpoAce: EmcGuire7 has this good question for Alice Hoffman, author of "Here on Earth" :-)
Question: Ms. Hoffman, have you always wanted to be a writer? I always was a reader, and I think that most readers at some point think about the book they would like to write, or the book that isn't on the shelf, so they have to write it themselves.
HarpoAce: Our next question for author Alice Hoffman comes from Zuri5,
Question: What was it about March's progression that scared you, and did you ever doubt that she would come through it?
AliceHffmn: Well, there's a scene where they first remeet each other in a bar, and when I first started writing that scene I realized that there were things I didn't know about this
character, and that the book could be a much darker story then I had originally imagined. But I didn't know what would happen to March until I got to the end of the story.
HarpoAce: JFIONNUAL, here's your question for Alice Hoffman, author of 12 novels!
Question: Alice, which one of your books is your favorite?
AliceHffmn: Well, I always think the book that is my favorite is the book that I am about to write next. I like "Here On Earth." I also like ôPractical Magicö because it was fun to write.
HarpoAce: TAXATTNY saw Alice Hoffman on today's Oprah Winfrey Show (LIVE) and wonders...
Question: Ms. Hoffman, on Oprah's show today I heard you say that the characters sort of took over the story. As an aspiring author myself, how much planning goes into what your characters do, and how much do I just let them "take over"?
AliceHffmn: Well, usually I have an outline, but the characters usually refuse to follow it. That's when I know they have a life of their own.
HarpoAce: ROBIN N C is asking about something that Oprah didn't touch on today's show...
Question: What was the significance of the foxes?
AliceHffmn: That's such a hard question for me, because when I write a book I don't think about what the symbols mean. But the story of the foxes seems to me a fairy tale that is somewhat of a cautionary tale. In other words, be careful what you believe. I think it's also an imbalance in the natural world where ôHere on Earthö takes place.
HarpoAce: Tpsrwayne, here you go...
Question: Ms. Hoffman, do you often find yourself crying when writing...some cry when reading!
AliceHffmn: That's a sweet question. Sometimes, I have actually cried while writing. I don't often cry while reading though.
HarpoAce: SAVAGEAKE, you're up!
Question: What town or state did you base this on?
AliceHffmn: Well it takes in Massachusetts, the town is an imaginary place.
HarpoAce: JFIONNUAL, here your question for Alice Hoffman...
Question: Why do so many of your male characters have such strange mysterious pasts?
AliceHffmn: I didn't know know that they did. I know Hollis does. That's it. I have nothing else to say in the matter. I never noticed that. (lol) (laughing out loud)
HarpoAce: K2KN, here you go!
Question: Was Hollis secretly related to any of the characters? Was he the Judge's son?
AliceHffmn: (lol) I think it's best to leave those sort of answers up to the reader to decide, and to think about. A character is like someone you meet for the first time and you don't know all the facts of their lives, so it's up to you.
HarpoAce: Kay111254, here's your question for author Alice Hoffman!
Question: Why was Richard so passive about march's leaving and taking their daughter?
AliceHffmn: Why indeed? LOL I think Richard, when he first was together with March, knew that she had a history and that it was an unresolved history, and his view of the universe was explained in what he did for a living as a scientist. This is the person that he was.
HarpoAce: Our next question for author Alice Hoffman comes from Nalla33.
Question: What was March's hair turning grey symbolize? It was nearly grey at the very end.
AliceHffmn: That's a really hard question for me. I think her hair turned gray when she was really young. I think it was a sign of the damage of the relationship. The toll that it took. I think it was an early warning sign of what was to come.
HarpoAce: PLAZTIX, here you go,
Question: Are you a very spiritual person? I just came back from Maundy Thursday service @ church.....I am 15.
AliceHffmn: Well, I think, in some ways, most people are spiritual. I think in my fiction I am trying to find hope in the lives of my characters.
HarpoAce: Tpsrwayne, you're up!
Question: A common theme in your books is a mother fielding parenthood alone. Are you a mother and do you go it alone?
AliceHffmn: Well, I have children. I was raised by a single mother, and I have tremendous respect for single parents. I think that fits into my books.
HarpoAce: Sspamit, you're up!
Question: Ms. Hoffman, what can you say about the experience of being on Oprah?
AliceHffmn: (lol) I thought it was a great experience. I thought Oprah was very much like she is on TV and very beautiful. Very smart. And I really enjoyed meeting those other women that I had lunch with, and I think they had very interesting stories to tell, and that they told those stories eloquently.
HarpoAce: DDWeltman has followed Alice's work for a while now and asks,
Question: I enjoy your lyrical writing. ôSecond Natureö was my first read of yours and is my favorite - so is ô...Earthö! I was happy to see Hollis meet his maker in "Here on Earth" What becomes of March and of Alan in your opinion?
AliceHffmn: Well, I really believe that the author should never give their opinion! (lol) What's interesting about being a reader is that the process is interactive, and so it's up to you to decide what happens next.
HarpoAce: SAVAGEAKE, here you go again...
Question: Were you surprised when Oprah picked you for the Book Club?
AliceHffmn: Yes! (lol) It was!
HarpoAce: JABNAL, here you go.
Question: What did you major in college?
AliceHffmn: I majored in English.
HarpoAce: Awyn2240, here's your question..
Question: What are the five components in life that make up your writer's world?
AliceHffmn: Why are there five? (lol) Why are there five components? Aren't there 500 components?
HarpoAce: MInervakm, this is your question for Alice Hoffman...
Question: Alice do you have any other new books in the works? You are my favorite author and I can't wait to read your next novel!
AliceHffmn: Thank you so much. I have a childrens book, a picture book called ôFireflies,ö and I'm working on a new book now.
HarpoAce: Stux2, you're up!
Question: Will you consider making ôHere on Earthö or ôTurtle Moonö into a movie, I have some ideas for the cast.
AliceHffmn: Most of them are owned by movie companies, studios. In fact, ôPractical Magicö is being made right now with Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman.
HarpoAce: JFIONNUAL, here you go again!
Question: Yes, I loved ôPractical Magicö too. What was the deal with the lilacs though?
AliceHffmn: They grew and grew and grew! (lol) I think the secret was bone meal.
HarpoAce: LunaSeas3, here's you question...
Question: Is there talk of ôHere on Earthö being made into a film? And if so, do you have any choices for who would play your characters? And were you involved in the making of the movie of ôPractical Magicö?
AliceHffmn: No to all of those. I don't have any choices, and I was involved with ôPractical Magicö in just a friendly way, but I didn't really work on it. But, I am very happy about the cast!
HarpoAce: Our next question comes from VETO66...
Question: When did you first start to write books?
AliceHffmn: I wrote my first book when I was 21. It was called "Property Of," and I was lucky, it was published.
HarpoAce: Peny1hard, thanks for coming tonight, here's your question for this talented author...
Question: Hello Alice, how are you doing? I'm a young writer in the 6th grade. Do you have any advice as to how I should approach this? I would like to become an author.
AliceHffmn: Well, I think the best way to become a writer is to become a reader, and to keep writing as much as you can, and to take writing courses, and I wish you a lot of luck.
HarpoAce: MRuth1070, here's your question...
Question: Is your book on audio?
AliceHffmn: Yes! Many of my books are on audio. ôHere on Earthö is on audio.
HarpoAce:HALLM7402, you're up!
Question: How long does it take you to write a book?
AliceHffmn: Usually, it takes me about a year of writing, and then six months to a year working on it, editing, rewriting, etc.
HarpoAce: Here you go VETO66!
Question: What else besides writing you do?
AliceHffmn: (lol) I spend a lot of time reading. You know.... the laundry. (lol) I spend a lot fo time with my friends.
HarpoAce: Nall33, here you go again!
Question: You show three generations of women and their love relationships. Which generation has it best?
AliceHffmn: I think that Gwen is the heroine of this book. And I think if I have to think of it in those terms, she has it best. She has more options.
HarpoAce: Awyn2240, thanks for coming tonight! Here's your question for Alice Hoffman...
Question: When you are looking for an escape from life's daily toil, which books do you curl up with at night in search of comfort?
AliceHffmn: You know, I have to say, I don't read at night. And I don't read when I"m writing a book.
HarpoAce: Lolachris, you're up!
Question: Alice, who is your favorite author?What types of books do you like to read?
AliceHffmn: Well, I actually think that Toni Morrison is the greatest living American author. There are a lot of people I like to read. I like Sue Miller, and Ann Tyler, I like Jane Smiley, I like the nest Oprah choice, Anna Quindlen.
HarpoAce: Our next question for Alice Hoffman comes from Basket la...
Question: What was your favorite book from childhood?
AliceHffmn: I like fairy tales. I like anything with magic or dogs. I love Mary Poppins, I have to say. And I happened to love ôLad a Dog Book,ö and any Lassie book.
HarpoAce: SpurlNtkn is asking Alice Hoffman for some adult advice...
Question: ôHere on Earthö is the first book I have read for myself in a LONG time. Graduate school, then full-time teacher, then a Mom on top of all that! What else could you recommend for me to read to ease back into the adult world?
AliceHffmn: (lol) Read my 12 other novels, or any of the authors I just mentioned. They are all wonderful. Also read Lee Smith and Jill McCorkle.
HarpoAce: HTB312 saw Alice on Oprah today! Here's your question...
Question: While watching you on Oprah today, you commented that the characters stories 'changed' while you were writing. Is this typical for writers, even when you have an idea for the story already?
AliceHffmn: I think it is typical for many writers. And that's just it. I think it means the story has come alive.
HarpoAce: Estherlil, here you go.
Question: The discussion today mentioned women learning to discern love from lust. It was mentioned [that one is] to be less concerned with the "feeling" and more with the experience. What did you, in the context of your book or interview with Oprah, mean by this?
AliceHffmn: Well, I think that in ôHere On Earth,ö it is about all the different forms of love, one of those forms is obsession, another might be unresolved love affairs and so on. I think what they were talking about today was that if love doesn't feel good, if it causes you pain, you might want to consider giving it another name.
HarpoAce: Isldgirli, here you go,
Question: Do you think most women make excuses for the men they are involved with and brush aside the real things going on. Truth hurts.
AliceHffmn: I think many people are in denial, in terms of their relationships. And, I think, basically, people want to believe in the power of hope and redemption.
HarpoAce: Unfortunately, that's all the time we have with this lyrical author, Alice Hoffman!
AliceHffmn: Well, thanks so much for being here. I really appreciate all the kind words about my work.
HarpoAce: Thanks for coming everyone! And, thanks to you Alice Hoffman for writing this great book!
HarpoAce: If you missed part of tonight's interview with author Alice Hoffman, go to keyword: Oprah and get the transcript tomorrow! Good night everyone!
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