Would that be her Book of Fairy Tales, Emma?

I must take a look - sounds good.

For 'altered' fairy tales Neil Gaiman's 'Snow Glass Apples' is hard to beat?

Sarah

Sarah, it was The Bloody Chamber, as it happened - astounding stuff. I also like A S Byatt's take on fairy tales, though there's something chillier and more reserved about her. She writes about using them very well, though.

JB - I loved what I did read of Fragile Things, though in the end I did get diverted, which is always a risk with short fic collections. I don't think even he and Pratchett combined will ever make me convert to spec fic in a big way, but the man really can write, can't he!

Emma

I don't believe any one of us is born a gifted writer, just as no-one is born being a gifted football player, artist or musician. However, the combination of the preferences/leanings/personality traits we have quite early on and the influences that surround us during childhood produce adults who are better at some things than others

Don't entirely agree, Daisy, because genetically we are predisposed to have different aptitudes and personalities, both of which influence our ability to do certain things. It's the nature v nurture debate - and my take is that both are relevant.

Deb

<Added>

So I don't entirely agree but I don't entirely disagree - I just think genetics is relevant as well as early influences and adult choices.

Emma, no we all have our preferences. Just as I can dip into the odd historical fiction now and again and thoroughly enjoy it, it's good to take a look around now and again. I'm very tempted by The Interpretation of Murder. Has anyone read it?

In the future, will we be able to inject children with 'gift' genes?

JB

There's an idea for a new take on Sleeping Beauty?

Ok - you thought of it first(!)

Sarah

And the horror lies in having your 'gift' gene extracted. Imagine!

JB

Like wisdom teeth? Painful

'Gift' genes... hmmmm... scary thought! One day it might be possible, but let's hope it's never permitted.

Deb