Interview with Terri Giuliano Long

Thank you so very much for hosting me, Samantha. It’s an honor to be here today!
When did you know writing was for you? When I was a child, my mom read to my siblings and me every day before our afternoon nap, instilling and nurturing a love of reading and story. Throughout my childhood, I entertained myself by making up stories and plays. In high school, nearly all my hobbies and activities somehow involved writing. I wrote for the school paper, edited the yearbook. One day, determined to be a “real” writer, I marched into the office of the town paper and asked the editor for a job. At first, I covered sports and general high school news. Soon, the editor offered me my own column. I was sixteen. That column was my first paid writing job. I earned about a dollar a week. Writing that column – that people read and talked about my work - was exhilarating! I knew then that writing was the only job I’d ever want.
While my stories, and even genres, differ—my novel-in-progress, Nowhere to Run, is a psychological thriller with a historical twist—the stories always tie back to the family. Families fascinate me - the ways we love, yet often hurt one another, the grief, the revelation, the joy. We’re all part of a family, which, it seems to me, is why we connect to family stories. For me, this connection, the dialogue between writer and reader, is what writing is all about.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?I’m a perfectionist and I’m also persistent. I tend to go over and over my work. I work hard and I expect a lot from myself, which is good, I think, to a point – but you have to let go. My father has always said, “What makes you good makes you bad.” Our best qualities, taken to their extreme, get us in trouble. That’s certainly true in my case. You have to know where to focus your energy and when it’s time to move on; otherwise, you never finish anything. This is something I struggle with. Nothing I write ever feels quite good enough, quite finished. I could tinker for years – I have at least 100 files of revisions for In Leah’s Wake – but after a while the changes are so minor that I’m the only one who’d ever notice the difference. This has been a life-long struggle, but I’ve finally recognized it. That’s a huge step for me!
What was the most difficult scene to write for In Leah’s Wake?The scenes with Zoe were the toughest to write. She loves her children deeply – I hope that comes across – but, ironically, as she’s a child therapist, she makes a lot of parenting mistakes. When times are toughest, she allows herself to escape into drugs. Despite her mistakes, I wanted readers to see her as a good, decent person.  I also wanted to create a character different from me. I feel this way about all my characters – the stories are not, and should not be, about me – but with a mom it’s hard, because I am a mom. With too much distance, I’d lose authenticity. If I didn’t separate enough, I’d lose the essence of the character I meant to portray. That was hard. I was constantly struggling to find the right balance.
What are your favorite genres to read?I’ll read almost any book if the description catches my eye. I enjoy stories that offer insight into our lives and struggles; for that reason, I’m drawn to literary fiction.  The Road, by Cormac McCarthy, my all-time favorite book, blew me away. I also enjoy chick lit – the Shopoholic series, which my daughter Elizabeth convinced me to read, was a guilty pleasure. Thrillers and police procedurals are the books I devour.
What do you want readers to take away from your story?The epigraph from The Grand Inquisitor says it best:“everyone is really responsible to all men for all men and for everything.” Although the Tyler family is far from perfect, they’re decent people, and they love one another deeply. Had the community rallied around and supported rather than ostracizing them, perhaps Leah would not have gotten as lost. Most teens just want to feel accepted and loved – not for what they accomplish or contribute, but for who they are. I’d be thrilled if my novel inspired readers to suspend judgment, to look less harshly at troubled teens and their families. I feel that we owe it to our teens, our communities, and ourselves to support and encourage all kids, not just those who conform. As Hillary Clinton famously said, it takes a village to raise a child. We must all do our part to be supportive members of the village.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?Before social media, it was nearly impossible for indie writers to sell their books. Only the lucky few sold more than a hundred copies. Social media has changed all that.
For nearly six months after publishing In Leah’s Wake I did no marketing at all – and sold very few books. Last May, realizing I could either market or watch the book die, I began to reach out to readers and other authors through social media. Since then, I’ve sold close to 110,000 books. Just a few years ago, this could never have happened.
Book bloggers, who read our books and spread the word across the Internet, have changed the publishing landscape. Social networks help us enhance and spread our message. And it’s not only indie authors who rely on social media. Traditional publishers, noting the astounding success of authors like Amanda Hawking, have turned to social media to promote their authors and books. To rise above the noise, to raise awareness of your book, social media is not only important – it’s absolutely necessary!
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?Publishing your book, putting it in the hands of readers, is an amazing experience! As the industry evolves, more opportunities are opening for authors. Today we can choose to self-publish or go the traditional route. Either way, we need to put out quality books. Critique partners and professional editors can help us spot errors and inconsistencies and bring our writing to the next level. I’m working with an editor on my novel-in-progress, Nowhere to Run. I’ve taught writing at the university level for 16 years; still, I’m amazed by what I miss. We get too close to the work; another set of eyes can really help.Writing is a lonely profession. We spend long hours alone at our desk. Cherish your friendships. A community of supportive writer friends can encourage and sustain you when your confidence flags.
Above all, believe in yourself. No matter what, don’t ever give up. You can make your dreams happen!