science fiction
and fantasy
writer known for his original use of language
, metaphor
, and narrative structure
, as well as for his etymological
wit. He also wrote a set of four autobiographical novels, In a Green Tree; a history book, The Fall of Rome; and a number of novels that could be more or less loosely called historical fiction.
In March 2011, it was announced in Locus
that the copyright to 29 Lafferty novels and 225 short stories were up for sale for >$70,000.
To you who are scattered and broken, gather again and mend. Rebuild always, and again I say rebuild. Renew the face of the earth. It is a loved face, but now it is covered with the webs of tired spiders.
I write as clearly as I am able to. I sometimes tackle ideas and notions that are relatively complex, and it is very difficult to be sure that I am conveying them in the best way. Anyone who goes beyond cliche phrases and cliche ideas will have this trouble.
Though my short stories are the more readable, my novels do have more to say; and they will, if anyone has the patience for it, repay a rereading.
The best time to write a story is yesterday. The next best time is today.
The good stories, of course, write themselves. And somebody wants to know who are the really good writers, and how many of them there are. There aren't any. Most of the writers are likeable frauds. Some are unlikable frauds.
Paul, there is something very slack about a future that will take a biting satire for a vapid dream.
The shapes they take are both objective and subjective. One can shape them a little with one's own mind.