Karen Essex

I started a new session of my “Sneak Peek at Next Year’s Bestsellers” class two weeks ago, and we read a book called Stealing Athena by Karen Essex (published by Doubleday). The book, to pare it down, is about the Elgin Marbles from the Parthenon. It looks at two time periods – the turn of the 19th century when Lord Elgin was ambassador to the Ottoman Empire and lived in Constantinople with his wife Mary Nisbet, and eras earlier during the time of the building of the Parthenon. My students had a few questions for the author, so I started with this one:

Dear Ms. Essex,
This may seem superficial, but I have to start by asking you about the cover art, because it really attracted our attention. I happen to believe that you can actually tell a lot about a book by its cover. Do you agree? We were wondering if you selected the art for the cover, or what role you played in cover design, and what you and your publisher are trying to convey with the cover?
Thanks!
Lynn Rosen

Sneak Peeks

A while back, I mentioned a class I teach at Temple University. Let me say more about it. The class is in their continuing education program, and it’s called “A Sneak Peek at Next Year’s Bestsellers.” My idea was to create something with books akin to a film festival, where readers get to read books BEFORE they are published. As a publishing industry insider, I frequently get galleys (early pre-pub editions) of books, but for non-industry folks, I figured it would be a special treat to get early copies of books.
Each session of the class lasts 4 to 5 weeks, and we read a book a week in galleys I get from the publisher. It’s great, and the students love it!
If you want more info, you can see:
http://amb-hercules.ftwash.temple.edu/CourseStatus.awp?~~08B8340
My plan next is to correspond with the authors of some of the books we’re reading in class.

Impingement

I love impingement because it's a way to use language to propel a reader forward, even when nothing much is happening!

A sense of movement is critical to the feel of a book. Action cancontribute to it, obviously, but so can description. Here is a lovely paragraph from The Great Gatsby:

"I must have stood for a few moments on the threshold, dazzled by the alabaster light, listening to the whip and snap of the curtains and the groan of a picture on the wall. Then there was a boom as Tom Buchanan shut the rear windows and the caught wind died out about the room, and the curtains and the rugs and the two young women {in dresses} ballooned slowly to the floor."

Kelly

Using Language

Hi Kelly,

I love this phrase of yours:

“the judicious use of language and impingement can make the piece feel as if it's in motion.”

Can you please elaborate a little more on that? Particularly the “impingement” part – how do you use impingement as a literary technique?

Thanks!

Lynn

Writing Right

Hi Lynn,
Yes, I think we've all read those fact-laden fiction books, ugh. Some people don't notice or care because they feel they'regetting a "good value" for their entertainment dollar--they feel as if the author "worked" for it. I say, it's a novel, not a dissertation, and I don't want to feel as if I'm grading it.
There are definitely other things that can weigh a story down ---like too much back story being woven in too quickly. It clumps up and keeps the story from flowing seamlessly.
As for buoying things up . . . the right mix of dialogue and prose can lift a chapter out of the doldrums. And the judicious use of language and impingement can make the piece feel as if it's in motion.
Kelly

Too Much Research!

Hi Kelly,
I think the way the relationship between Claire and the kidnapper unfolds is very interesting, but I won’t say too much more than that so as not to spoil it for other readers. I’m intrigued, however, by what you say about research bogging down the writing. I can think of books I’ve read where that happens, and as I’m reading I think: “The author did a ton of research for this book, and I can see he’s not going to waste one bit of it – he’s going to squeeze every last detail he found into this book!” There’s one book in particular that made me feel that way. It was, in fact, a huge bestseller, so perhaps not everyone was as troubled by his pedantry as I was… But I digress!

Your comment makes me want to ask you about what other kinds of things, in your opinion and experience, other than too much research, weigh down the writing process? And, conversely, what buoys it up?

Thanks!

Lynn

Welcome to Stockholm

Dear Lynn:

I hope scholars everywhere are not too shocked to learn that I did no research on kidnapping to write Standing Still!

I'm not a very research-driven author in general --I think too much researching keeps you from writing -- and sometimes facts can weigh down fiction, making it read more like journalism. I did do some research about Mexico City for this book, but that's about it.

That being said, I was very consciously trying to create a relationship between the kidnapper and Claire that had echoes of Stockholm Syndrome. But I wanted to create the tension and ambiguity from their dialogue and relationship on the page---not by replicating any historical precedent.

Kelly

Kidnap Victim

Hi again!
Reading further, I’m intrigued by the relationship between the kidnapper and the victim. Lots of interesting precedent for this. The first thing that comes to mind is Pedro Almodóvar’s Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! I remember being troubled after watching that film by the attachment the character developed for the man who kidnapped her. I also thought of Patty Hearst – I see you did too! I’d be interested to learn what research you did to help you develop this scenario. (Please note I’m being careful not to give away any plot points.)
Thanks!
Lynn

It's a Scary World

Hi Kelly,
Yeah, I wasn’t thinking about post-9/11 fears of flying or travel. I was thinking about something deeper, as you suggest – a “real issue.” I think it has to do with motherhood, and I think this is what you’re writing about, at least this is how it seems so far, as of about 90 pages into the book. Once you have children, a) you’re more confined to the home, at least for a period when they’re young and b) you have ever so much more to risk, to lose, and so you become more fearful of all the scary things the world holds. I think that’s what’s happened to Claire. If it’s just you jaunting around the world, that’s one thing, but if you’ve got kids, you gotta pull back because you’ve gotta protect the kids and you can’t take as many chances with yourself because those kids need a mother to watch out for them.
L

Kelly Replies: Fear and Panic

Kelly to Lynn:

Lynn,

Fear about traveling happens a lot these days, in the post-9/11world. And having kids makes traveling seem more risky--a lot of women are uncomfortable flying somewhere with their husband on a vacation without their children. I think it's a semi-reasonable fear, personally! But if you're having a real issue --well, we can talk more deeply any time. I have a lot of experience with fear and panic.

Kelly

A Question for Kelly Simmons

Lynn to Kelly:

Hi Kelly,
I'm only about 40 pages into your book so far, but I'm really enjoying it. Your writing is terrific - I really like your style.
I just read the bit about how Claire realizes that she used to be this intrepid world traveler, and now she stays home all the time and is afraid of everything. I hate to admit it, but I have recently realized a similar issue in my life. I was never a world traveler, but I certainly used to travel a bit further afield than my neighborhood! Maybe it's a common housewife problem.
Anyway, just wanted you to know I'm connecting with the book!
all best,
Lynn