BEST AUTHOR BEST : LOUIS SACHAR [ 2 ]

.-  Describe your ideal reading experience.

The book is the experience. Where and when doesn't matter.

.-  What's the most interesting thing that you learned from a book recently?

The 1939 Marian Anderson concert at the Lincoln Memorial played a pivotal role in the novel '' the Time of Our Singing, '' by Richard Powers.

I was surprised I had never heard of it though, although given our country's history, suppose I shouldn't have been so surprised.

.-  What makes '' The Magician of Tiger Castle '' a book for adults?

It didn't start out that way. I began with the idea it would be a young adult story, set in the 1500s, about a 15-year-old princess who is set to marry a foreign prince, more than twice her age. In order to cement an alliance between their two kingdoms.

One month before what was being called '' The Wedding of the Century '' she falls in love with an apprentice scribe. This story was to be narrated by Antole, the quirky court magician.

Almost two years later, I was on the third draft when I realized that the 40-year-old Anatole had completely taken over the story.

It's not a good idea to have a 40-year-old as the main character of a book for young people, so I decided to rewrite it and make it for adults.

.-  You dedicate the book to the '' Cool Breezers. '' Who are they?

Friends from high school. Over the past 15-years or so, I've reconnected with them, and feel closer than when we were in high school.

We still call ourselves the Cool Breezers, although the Cool Geezers may be more apt.

.-  You play bridge competitively. Are there common qualities to being good at bridge and good at writing?

Concentration and Focus.

.-  You're having a dinner party. Which writers, dead or alive, do you invite?

 I feel claustrophobic, if I have to sit around a table for too long. I'd rather invite the writers to go for a walk, or play cards.

Given that I'll choose John Steinbeck, Rex Stout and Kurt Vonnegut.

The World Students Society thanks The New York Times.