E-mail a friendOctober 9, 2009
Best-selling novelist and screenwriter Nick Hornby explains what makes a literary work authentic and discusses whether his process changes when he knows his writing may be adapted for film. Religious scholar Karen Armstrong, author of The Case for God, says quarreling about religion is counterproductive.
Nick Hornby
Nick Hornby
Novelist Nick Hornby explains his special technique for overcoming writer's block. (1:38)
Full Interview (11:48)
Nick Hornby is an award-winning novelist, who's also written non-fiction for magazines, including pop music criticism for The New Yorker. Many of his best-selling books have been adapted for film, including High Fidelity and Fever Pitch. The native Brit started his writing career with plays and, after graduating from Cambridge, worked a series of jobs, before finding his niche. Hornby is co-founder of TreeHouse, a charity for children with autism. His latest novel is Juliet, Naked, about rock stars and last chances.
Karen Armstrong
Karen Armstrong
Armstrong discusses the practice of compassionate selflessness. (1:45)
Full Interview (10:56)
Karen Armstrong is one of the English-speaking world's leading commentators on religion. She was one of three intellectuals invited to speak in the U.N.'s first-ever session devoted to the subject. Since September 11, she's become known for her work on Islam and fundamentalism. A former Roman Catholic nun, the British scholar has written numerous books, including the international best-seller A History of God and The Case for God. In '08, she was awarded the TED Prize and is working with TED on a Charter for Compassion.