I have a prediction: the public will soon be divided into two camps. On the one hand we’ll have these new technology enthusiasts, who not only love their ebooks, but can’t wait to see how the old skool words-on-a-page notion of books can be heightened, made more graphic, more interactive, more like a whole new category of technology—a mook or a boovie. And on the other hand will be people like me, who love books because they are in fact merely words-on-a-page that when done properly, can create a world all their own. People like me might be a minority, but we’ll catch momentum when the nostalgia trend peaks again, and it’s suddenly cool to be old skool.
Civic Library Interactive Blog
People are often confounded about what goes into a novel, and I’ve blogged about plenty of them—research, reading, and planning. And in the display at Civic Library, Canberra, I’ve attempted to visually display two authentic examples of the various elements that led to my first novel, DIARY OF A WORKING GIRL (filmed as BEAUTY & THE BRIEFCASE), and to my most recent novel, VIVIAN RISING.
Has Research Become Too Convenient?
Lately, there has been a proliferation of articles considering the effects of the hyper-tailoring Google and other platforms have been tinkering with in order to give us only the kind of information we routinely search for. The argument against this selective searching—which I wholeheartedly agree with—is that we won’t have a true picture of news, events, and information, only a pigeon-holed view; but our exposure to new interests could be stifled, too. Which has got me thinking about what this means for research, and on top of that, how the internet in general has changed and impacted the way fiction writers do what they do.
Novel Writing: The Problem with a Plan
The writing world is officially divided: in the game of 80-100K words on paper, there are planners and there are pantsers—those of us who ‘write by the seat of our pants.’ I imagine for the planners, life is quite a bit easier, but I’d also venture to waver it isn’t nearly as exciting—and if the plan is stuck to, the end result is likely to attain a fraction of the depth it otherwise could have.
Sydney Writers’ Festival
To my mind, the best thing about the Sydney Writers’ Festival (SWF) is the way the dialogue can get my mind careening in all different directions. In a roundabout way—and as long as you buy it—I’ll be using this as an excuse for this blog’s tardiness. You hear about topics you haven’t considered; if you have considered it, well, here’s a brand new way to think about it. I hope to share some of that magic with you. Here, the highlights of my two-day literary marathon.
Should a Pulitzer Prize Winner be Boring?
As a novelist, the reader’s experience is foremost in my mind. I certainly admit it took a few goes to truly understand what that meant and how to go about muscling up my offerings, but now I’ve got a firm grasp, I do my best to make sure I never let go. How do I keep Joe Reader involved? In suspense? Emotionally heightened? Turning the page? Empathizing with the characters? And so, when the other day, my father-in-law picked up a gold-medallioned novel I’d purchased for our holiday, and said, “I’m always wary of Pulitzer Prize winners,” his disappointment stuck with me. Why should he be let down by a book granted such high honors? If a book’s at the top of the list, shouldn’t it above all else be a good read?
A Time to Grow
Consistent, scheduled writing is the best way to improve your fiction craft. This is my view and I’m sticking to it. And anyone who’s ever attended one of my classes knows what a stickler I am for hammering this regimen into a writer’s head. Still, in accordance with that other directive I so often share, all the fiction craft rules should—at some point—be put aside so you can hunker down on the unique project you’re engaged in . . . and this one is no exception. So, work every day until you can’t? Precisely.
I HEART MELBOURNE
There is so much to love about this city (have you been to tapas and vodka bar, Naked for Satan, on Fitzroy?), but my favorite bit is the book community. Thanks to my fantastic (and completely in-the-know) Melbers book rep, Brad Chappel, I got to meet two of the city’s Dymocks teams. At 234 Collins St, I was asked to sign an author guest book, which included a mandatory doodle. I cannot draw and the results of my Vivian Rising pigeon attempt were pathetic. I apologize to all pigeons everywhere. Still, it afforded us a good laugh. This is a fantastic bookstore, where I could have spent the whole day (and all my savings). As it stood, everyone suggested Shadow of the Wind, which I gobbled up, despite one peccadillo: Why, why, why abandon the main characters and action to such a degree for backstory not once, but twice? So well written and engrossing I forgive author Carlos Ruiz Zafón.
Well Hello, Australia
I couldn’t be more thrilled about the way my inaugural Australian launch is rolling out. Here’s a photo of Vivian Rising right on the new fiction table at the entrance of Borders at the Canberra Centre. My publicist says the same is true for the big Dymock’s George Street store in Sydney, too! At Dymock’s, you buy one copy of Vivian Rising and get another copy free—to share with someone you love. How cool is that? Here’s their web link, where Vivian Rising is featured in the “We Love…” section. Thank you Simon & Schuster Australia! I heart you. Thank you Australian bookshops and readers! I heart you, too. Let me know where you’ve spotted …it’ll be like Where’s Wally. I’m feeling so patriotic, I may even give Vegemite another go. No. N
Australian Launch
On the eve of my Australian launch, I have to say I’m more excited than I’ve been in half a dozen years at the idea of a new book coming out. Normally, I’m more likely to feign thrill in answer to the question: “Aren’t you so excited?” Sure, I love what I do. But the reality is, by the time the book actually comes out, you’ve gone through so many ups and downs with it, so many edits and perfection-seeking proofreads (now was it “e.e. cummings” or “E.E. Cummings”? The latter, you might be surprised to know), so many boiled-down-to-a-sound-bite summaries and cover quotes, interviews and appearances that the book’s as much a part of your everyday life as your husband is: now of course you love him, but do you get excited every time he comes home? And so.