Ask the Author: Marshall Fine
Answered Questions (10)
Marshall Fine
After my 50th high school reunion, I had an encounter with a former classmate whom I'd once dated, but who I hadn't seen in 50 years. Talking to her--about her life in the past half-century--inspired the character of Ruth Winters, though I'm always quick to point out that the events of Ruth's life bear absolutely no resemblance to those in my classmate's.
Marshall Fine
Ideas come and go, but the ones that get their hooks into you simply can't be ignored. Then I feel compelled to write, in order to figure out who these people are, what their story is and how to tell it.
Marshall Fine
I've sold my second novel to Lake Union Press, "Clara's Girl," due out in a year, and am about to start the developmental editing process with that.
I'm about halfway thru a third novel, which I put aside while I figure out how it ends. In the meantime, I'm helping a friend write his memoir.
I'm about halfway thru a third novel, which I put aside while I figure out how it ends. In the meantime, I'm helping a friend write his memoir.
Marshall Fine
Just get it all out on paper before you think about rewriting. All writing is rewriting. For me, that's the fun part because that's when you discover what you've done. Push thru the first draft--and remember that you're not going to do it all in one day or get it right the first time. Fix it later.
Marshall Fine
Getting the chance to live in the imaginary worlds I'm creating--but also, those times when you're characters say or do something that you aren't expecting them to do or didn't imagine them doing in advance.
Marshall Fine
To be honest, it's never been an issue. As someone who spent a career as a journalist writing on deadline, I always had to come up with something quickly. What I used to tell my students when I taught journalism was that, if you don't know how to begin, just start writing what it is that you're trying to do: "This is a story about a mother and her children and the problems they faced." Then go from there. Don't worry about it being perfect right away.
Marshall Fine
I wrote a novel that was published.
Then -- no one read it.
Then -- no one read it.
Marshall Fine
Actually, I'd love to enter the world of my own novel, "The Autumn of Ruth Winters." As I wrote it, the characters seemed to take on lives of their own, so I'd like to meet them in the flesh.
Marshall Fine
I always think I'm going to venture forth into "War & Peace" or David Foster Wallace's "Infinite Jest," but somehow I never do and instead wind up reading thrillers and crime fiction.
Marshall Fine
The multiverse version of what might have been had I gotten a couple of big jobs I applied for in my 20s that went to other people.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more