Ask the Author: Len Joy
Answered Questions (7)
Len Joy
Yes, I'm still using that rotating POV. It's taking place 30 years later - and everything happens on one day - so it's different kind of challenge from American Past Time which covered twenty years. There are more characters in the sequel, but all of the original Stonemasons (even Dede) are part of the story.
Len Joy
Notwithstanding my comments regarding how to deal with writer's block, I think of writing as a job, like any other job I've had in my life. For the most part I have been fortunate to work at things that I enjoyed doing. But that didn't mean I wanted to show up every day, but I did. And that is how I look at writing. I have to show up every day. Sometimes I may be doing other writing related activities - critiquing someone else's work, reading better writer's works to see how they do what they do, watching good film dramas, to try and learn effective storytelling. Reading Poets & Writers and wishing hoping I could be one of those writers profiled someday. All of those things help me to remain engaged in the writing profession.
Len Joy
I am working on a sequel to my novel, "American Past Time." I have a lot material written, all of which will have to be rewritten. I think I know more or less how I want to structure the new novel, but some days I don't feel working directly on the project.
I find it helpful to have a generous definition of what "writing" constitutes. I consider the time I spent thinking about the structure and the characters and what they might be possible of as part of the process. I don't feel compelled to write X number of words every day.
Recently I've been watching episodes of Treme. I find that to be great storytelling and I am particularly interested in how the film weaves together the story lines of many characters who don't know each other but are with certain degrees of separation all connected. Watching that show has given me some knew ideas on how to tackle my new novel.
I find it helpful to have a generous definition of what "writing" constitutes. I consider the time I spent thinking about the structure and the characters and what they might be possible of as part of the process. I don't feel compelled to write X number of words every day.
Recently I've been watching episodes of Treme. I find that to be great storytelling and I am particularly interested in how the film weaves together the story lines of many characters who don't know each other but are with certain degrees of separation all connected. Watching that show has given me some knew ideas on how to tackle my new novel.
Len Joy
I was in the engine rebuilding business for many years. If there was a problem with the engine we would often have to give the customer a replacement for the problem engine and pay warranty expense.
At least so far with my novel, I haven't had to pay anyone that didn't like it.
At least so far with my novel, I haven't had to pay anyone that didn't like it.
Len Joy
When I went to college many years ago, I though I wanted to be a writer so I became an English major. But in the second semester of my freshmen year after the professor eviscerated my paper on Thoreau, I decided I didn't have what it took to be a writer. Decades later on a whim, I took a writing course at the University of Chicago's Graham School. The instructor, Barbara Croft, was generous with her time and offered helpful criticism that encouraged instead of discouraged.
So I guess my advice is twofold: Don't be that kind who lets a few harsh comments derail your ambition; And don't be like that professor either. When you critique other people's work, be like Barbara.
So I guess my advice is twofold: Don't be that kind who lets a few harsh comments derail your ambition; And don't be like that professor either. When you critique other people's work, be like Barbara.
Len Joy
I am about half finished with a sequel to American Past Time, which takes place thirty years later. Whereas American Past Time covered twenty years, the "American Jukebox," takes place on a single day in 2003.
Len Joy
American Past Time is the story of a minor league who has a dream that's thwarted. I've always been interested in the story of what happens when things don't work out the way we planned. What happens when the hometown hero becomes just another guy punching a clock? What happens when the carefree wife is not the girl you thought you married? What happens when the father you thought was "perfect" does something shameful?
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Jan 31, 2015 09:32AM
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