Red Széll

And I think it's absolutely vital, Jacob, that...

What you're reading about is something that you can empathize with.

And what's so important with that is the voice of the author.

You know, we don't want style over substance, but we do want that author to sound like a human being, not a press release.

Or a god-like figure sometimes.

Exactly.

That's it.

And I want to hear my author thinking on the page.

You know, he needs to be curious.

He needs to be sceptical.

It's got to be the kind of mind you want to follow.

I think if you're asking questions, if the author is asking questions during the narrative, he is reflecting the reader's own questions.

And a healthy dollop of scepticism is really good from that point of view because you are journeying with the author.

As you say, you don't want some omniscient god just telling you how it is.

You know, this is a book, not graven tablets.

Exactly.

Respect complexity.

You know, if it's easy answers, then why the hell are you writing the book?

You've got to acknowledge uncertainty and counter arguments.

And I think you build confidence and that kind of confidence comes from honesty.