Ask the Author: Pam McGaffin
Answered Questions (7)
Pam McGaffin
This summer I read to fill out an Adult Summer Reading Book Bingo sheet. This fun program, presented by The Seattle Public Library and Seattle Arts & Lectures (SAL), gets you to try books in categories you might not ordinarily consider, like "poetry or play," "about music or musicians," and "by an author from Mexico or Canada." I ended up reading Colson Whitehead's "The Underground Railroad" (category: past SAL speaker), Celeste Ng's "Everything I Never Told You" (published when author was under 35), David Wallace-Wells' "The Uninhabitable Earth" (science), "Hollow Kingdom" by Kira Jane Buxton (set in the Northwest), John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men" (suggested by a young person), "Becoming" by Michelle Obama (one-word title), "Sing, Unburied, Sing" by Jesmyn Ward (by an author of color), and "The Wanderers" by Chuck Wendig (two squares for "one BIG BOOK" -- Wanderers was 775 pages). I didn't score a bingo, but I read some great books! Right now, I happen to be reading "Lady in the Lake," by Laura Lippman. I think I will try Book Bingo again next summer.
Pam McGaffin
The idea for "The Leaving Year" came from a walk along what used to be cannery row in Anacortes, WA. I'd missed the ferry to Guemes Island and had an hour to kill, so I looked at houses. One home, a beautifully restored Victorian, got me thinking about the stories that old house had seen. That led to imagining a fishing family (Anacortes is a fishing town) that experiences a tragedy.
Pam McGaffin
I listen. I watch. I stare off into space -- a lot. Life is full of material for stories. You just have to open yourself up to the muse. You never know when inspiration might strike.
Pam McGaffin
A dystopian novel about crows and climate change. It's in the very early stages.
Pam McGaffin
Read widely and deeply to develop that inner ear for language and the music of words. Then take that inspiration and write -- a lot. Just keeping a journal is a great way to capture ideas and keep the writing muscle nimble. Don't even think about editing until you've written a full draft or two. Just let the thoughts flow how they may. Once you have a whole that you want to develop into a story, article or novel, try to make it the best that it can be. That usually means multiple drafts and edits and getting feedback from other writers. Be open to criticism and willing to learn. And don't give up!
Pam McGaffin
Those aha moments of inspiration when everything seems to click. You figure out what needs to happen in the next scene, a character reveals him or herself, or you discover how a given detail enhances the theme or meaning of your story. When you feel like you've tapped into a larger truth with a story that needs to be told -- that's magic. It's the payoff from all those hours of hard, frustrating work.
Pam McGaffin
I have two tried and true methods. I'll go for a walk or take a hot bath. Walking frees my mind to wander and work on my story in a way that feels natural, not forced. Sometimes you just have to give your brain a break and not try so hard. When you relax, the thoughts can start flowing again. Baths are obviously great for that. I've had some of my biggest writing breakthroughs in the tub. Too bad I can't take my computer in there.
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