WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:
AUTHOR WEBSITE
BOOK WEBSITE
PUBLISHER’S WEBSITE
What’s
inside the mind of a literary fiction author?
I’d guess the same kind of stuff that’s inside the mind of
any author – stories, conversations, trying to figure out how to describe a
person or a place, what happens next.
What is
so great about being an author?
I feel like I’m always learning. About what makes people
tick. About stories that are very different from my own life. About times and
places other than the ones I know. I get to make stuff up. There’s always
something new or just something to take me away from the everyday routine.
When do
you hate it?
When I can’t think of anything to write about. When I have
to make changes that I know are important but I’m feeling lazy. When what I’m
writing just isn’t very good.
What is
a regular writing day like for you?
There have been times in my life when I’ve been very
disciplined. I’d get up, get coffee and write for a few hours. Now, I must
confess, I get up, get coffee, read the paper, check online. Then, if I’m
lucky, I tune everything out until it’s time to take my dog for a walk. In the
afternoons and evenings, I edit my work and read.
How do
you handle negative reviews?
At first, I’m crushed. But then I go back and see if the
reviewer said anything helpful. I try to remind myself of all the great books
other people liked that I wasn’t so crazy about.
How do
you handle positive reviews?
I’m pleased that someone enjoyed the book.
What is
the usual response when you tell a new acquaintance that you’re an author?
When I was first starting to say I was an author, I would
love it if I was in a taxi or somewhere new and people would be impressed. But
now, most of the people I know are writers so it’s not extraordinary at all.
What do
you do on those days you don’t feel like writing? Do you force it or take a
break?
You’re catching me at a time when I’m much too easy on
myself. If I don’t feel like writing or the writing isn’t going well, I take a
break. I try to read some really good books.
Any
writing quirks?
I don’t think so. I tend to hear a rhythm when I’m writing
and I like that. But I’ve learned that sometimes that rhythm doesn’t translate
to the reader, so there are times when I have to let it go.
What
would you do if people around you didn’t take your writing seriously or see it
as a hobby?
It’s funny. A lot of these things were much more important
when I was first starting out. Now, I’ve been writing so long that it doesn’t
matter what the people around me think. Of course, I’d like them to like my
work but if they don’t take me seriously, it doesn’t change how I approach
writing.
Some
authors seem to have a love-hate relationship to writing. Can you relate?
Yes. Definitely. But again, a lot depends on where you are
in your writing career. I think when I was younger and I had such extravagant
dreams about what it would mean to be published, I had a lot more mixed
feelings about writing. Now, I do it because it’s what I want to do.
Do you
think success as an author must be linked to money?
Not at all. Most writers don’t make a lot of money. Success
comes from writing a good book or a good story or even a great sentence - no
matter how much money you make or how many readers you have.
What
has writing taught you?
Writing teaches me to pay attention. What is it about this
person that makes her attractive?
How would I describe that man behind the counter at the drug
store who always looks sad?
It also teaches me to be more careful with words. Sometimes
I put too many down on paper and later I’ll see there’s a better way to say
something.
Leave
us with some words of wisdom.
Practice, practice, practice. When I used to run writing
workshops, I was always surprised at how impatient people were to be great,
published writers, right away. With any of the other arts, take music for
example - no one would expect to sit down at the piano and be a concert
pianist. It takes practice. So does writing. Keep learning the craft. Keep
trying.
